Buyer's Remorse?

Flamethrowers for Snow Removal

Think of something that you’ve really wanted… what first sparked your interest?

On Fire for Jesus!

It starts with a spark too. YFC, upperclassmen. More than a statement of fact, a choice of lifestyle.

Sometimes though, even though we didn’t pay for it… we have buyer’s remorse.

Turn to Romans 2.

Remember last time we talked about how we have this Sin problem… Paul has already told us that what we need, the ultimate life hack here, better than even a flame thrower, is following Jesus.

and yet we still end up with issues...

Romans 2:1–5 ESV

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Doing Impressions

Paul is writing to Christians, but talking about non christians… why?

Buyer’s remorse comes in two forms… returns and denial(misuse)

important to get in a disclaimer here, turn to 1 tim 1:18 but keep a finger on Romans 2, there are no returns on faith.

1 Timothy 1:18–20 ESV

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

This is serious stuff… but these men are not irredemable. Some know this first hand, or are even in the midst of sorting out your own spiritual ship wrek… and others need to know this because you are praying for people dear to you. have faith that God is even now at work...

Buyer’s Remorse

Talk about two types of buyer’s remorse, return it or misuse it.

Types of Spiritual Buyer’s Remorse

Talk about my own law vs God’s law on my own… compare to buyer’s remorse

transition to Romans 2:12

Romans 2:12–14 ESV

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Following the Law

Romans 2:17–24 ESV

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The Hypocritical Oath

Who paid for the gift we’ve recieved… don’t look a gift horse in the mouth… Both forms of remorse lead to the same problem as our heart goes bad we embrace the hypocritical Oath

Problem for ourselves, because as we embrace pride in my own law or my own ability to follow God’s law, we get further and further from the good life that Jesus has saved us for. Instead of being saved unto good works (eph 2:8-10) we pretend like we’ve been saved to talk about or pretend at good works.

Its a problem for the church, because often times, the only ones we are fooling in this game of pretend is ourselves. We don’t lean into God’s grace, we don’t practice the righteousness of Christ in us and instead we become increasingly concerned with what is on the outside instead of what is on the inside.

We don’t have to keep looking back to the hope in 1:16 though, because if we continue reading Paul dishes out some more hope.

Have a Heart!

Romans 2:28–29 ESV

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Discussion Question One

Discussion Questions Two and Three