LBC Sermons & Messages

Romans 6:1-11

Paul builds upon the fact that we, you, are a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior. These are the words of John Newton. He was a slave ship Captain who yielded to the call of the Lord for salvation, eventually became a pastor for many years and penned many hymns such as Amazing Grace. Once again, you must understand the great state of your sin before you can realize the great state of God’s grace.

Paul starts the chapter by asking two hypothetical questions. First, shall we sin so that God’s grace can abound? The more we sin the more grace we need and therefore the more grace we have. I pray you see the foolishness in this line of thought. I Peter 2:16 commands us to not use our liberty in Christ for reason of sin but to bring glory to God through obedience. When we get a more true picture of God’s grace, it should force us to our knees in humility and cause us to strive for selfless obedience.

The second question is, shall we continue in sin? Hebrews 10 sheds some light on the mind of God when we deliberately break His commands. It drives him to vengeance and Paul tells us that it is fearful to fall into the hands of a living God. Once we have received the commands of God and then we break them, we only have the judgment of God to anticipate.

Paul tells us what happens when we dabble in sin and now he exhorts us in the fact that we can walk in Christ. This is possible because Christ gives us the ability to be dead to sin. When Christ died and rose again, He was victorious over death and sin. Sin has lost its power and when we are risen in Christ, sin has lost its power over us. Before Christ, we were dead in sin, but Christ quickened us or made us alive and we are new creatures in Christ II Corinthians 5:17.

Paul goes on to tell us that we are no longer slaves vs. 6,7. Because Christ died and rose again, sin is now powerless, therefore, we do not live under its curse and we are not slaves to it. Conversely, we live in Christ and in the power of the Risen Lord.

This is all possible because Christ completed the work, as He was God Himself vs. 8-11. Hebrews 12 informs us that Christ is the author and finisher of the faith. It starts with Christ and is complete in Christ. I Thessalonians 5:16-22 tells us that we are to be dead to sin. Lets start living like dead men to sin and alive men to Christ.

In closing, I want to draw your attention to Deuteronomy 30. God tells the Israelites that His commandments are not hidden from them. God tells us exactly what we need to know to be obedient to Him and to carry out our reasonable service Romans 12. God also tells them that there are two paths, life and goodness also death and evil. Today we also have these same two paths. Through obedience, we can have life and goodness and disobedience brings death and evil. The choice is yours and mine. So, today, choose life that you may live in Christ.

This afternoon we watched Expelled, a documentary on Intelligent Design or ID. I am not a fane of ID because I am a creationist. However, this documentary brings up the fact of freedom and what is being lost or taken away from us. We must stand upon truth and not take a passive role in upholding it.

We also saw the devastating effects when a society is Darwinistic. Total regard to human life is laid aside because after all, we are just a step in the greater process of evolution. Nazi Germany is a perfect example of a Godless society that totally embraces Darwin’s philosophy. They killed thousands of people that society deemed to be less worthy because of disease and inability. They then went on to try to destroy a whole group of people to promote this philosophy.

When it comes down to the truth, evolution is just as much religion as any other philosophy. It has no answers or fact to prove it. It cannot be tested scientifically nor do they want it to be because of all the smoke and holes in the theory. True science tests theories and draws conclusions based on what the facts revealed. This relentless and vicious silencing of ID is not science at all. It is all about control.

We need to stand for truth while we still can. It might not feel like there is much you can do but you can do something. Study and know the truth. Speak what you know and do not back down to opposition. There is also a petition you can sign at academicfreedompetition.com. The important thing is that you do something.

Romans 5:9-f.f., Luke 15

There are many benefits to being justified by God through faith in Christ Jesus. Last week we briefly looked at these. These benefits, however, are wasted if we do not do all to reach others and bring them to the One who can justify them. God’s heart is to reach the lost, period.

The first two parables in Luke 15 teach us several things. First, God is searching for the lost and He wants to use us. Second, the lost need to be found. He wants us to go and point them to a seeking Savior. Last, there is great celebration when the lost are found. When was the last time you caused heaven to celebrate?

Christ, then goes into a similar parable but in greater detail and application. He tells a story that is still echoing through the years and resonating in hearts today. We must start with the crowd to get the whole picture. In the crowd are many who are seeking after God. They want to hear His teaching. Then, there are the religious hypocrites. As we discuss this story, please ask God to give you a seeking heart, not a hypocritical heart.

There are three characters in this story: the father, the oldest son and the prodigal son. The story starts with the father’s heart being broken by his youngest son. The youngest son wanted his inheritance from his father so he could leave and live the way he wanted. To understand this, we must understand the culture. First, what he was saying to his father was, “I wish you were dead.” By law, this was cause for stoning. The son should have been destroyed at the door of his father’s house. In addition, by law the oldest son gets two thirds of the inheritance leaving a third to the rest at death of the father. The youngest son was flat out stealing from his father because he was still alive. Lastly, this was not just a young man wanting to sow his wild oats, but rather the youngest was drawing a line in the sand. He did not want to share the family name with his father any more.

Next, the father is abandoned. The son takes what is lawfully his father’s and leaves. He leaves to live the life that he wants and it leads to destruction. When we walk away from the Father to live the lives we want, it always ends up the same. A wanton life lived always ends in ruin and waste. Instead of living and wallowing in the pigpens of sin and deceit, God gives us grace to eat at the grand buffet of grace and taste of the righteous food of God’s mercy and blessing. Are you living today in the justification and grace of a loving Father?

Romans 5:9-f.f., Luke 15

Continuing on, we see the father is manipulated in verses 17-19. We are told that the son finally “came to himself.” He did not come to grips with reality or with the truth, instead he reasoned within himself. Kenneth Bailey talks about how the Pharisees would have clearly recognized his speech as being the same speech of the Pharaoh to Moses. Pharaoh never had any real intent to let them go but agreed only to take away the plagues. The youngest son did not see his sin, but only wanted rescuing from certain destruction. We must all come to a point in which we see our sin and openly throw ourselves at the mercy of the Almighty, Merciful God.

Now we see the grace of the story, as a father and son are reconciled. Again, we must notice several things. First, we see the vigilant watching of a hurting father longing for the return of his wayward child. Christ is waiting and longing for us to repent and come seeking forgiveness. His grace is perfect, full through forgiveness.

Next, the father sees his son afar off, recognizes him, and shamefully runs to meet him. It was an outright shame for a man of statue to be running. He had hired servants to do this. It involves pulling up his robe and revealing his legs. Christ took the shame of the cross for you and for me. Hanging on a cross was the total sign of disgrace and curse not only on man but also of God the Father and yet Christ was willing to take it for us. At this point, the son sees the weeping father and his broken heart is mended by grace. Can you see the weeping Father? Allow God to mend your broken heart today.

The celebration of the father surpasses all other parties he has ever thrown. His wayward child has returned. There are consequences and the son has now lost all his inheritance but he has returned. When a wayward child of God returns, a party takes place in heaven and on earth.

Lastly, we see the condemnation of the oldest son verses 25-f.f. Unfortunately, we are like this son often. This son is upset because the youngest has disgraced the family name and now has returned receiving a grand party. It is not fair that the youngest got to “have fun” while he stayed home. He is upset because he has stayed, worked for his father, and there is no party for him. From verse 29, we see he was a son living like a slave and he thought he was a saint. God wants us to serve from a pure heart of love toward him and toward others. What are your motives for service? “He never left the estate, but he still fled to a far country of pride and self righteousness.” David Jeremiah

Romans 5:1-8

Paul begins with a very important word, “therefore.” To understand what comes after, one must understand the aforementioned. The last verse of chapter four in the amplified Bible reads, “Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God.]” The King James says that Christ rose for our justification. The word for is the Greek word dia which has the meaning of denoting a channel of action. Because Christ rose from the dead, our justification is secure.

Because of what Christ finished on the cross and in His resurrection, we can be justified by faith. Faith only comes through knowledge, or discernment, of Him who has called us to glory and virtue according to I Peter. The more knowledge of God we have, the more faith we have access to because we understand Him more and the more astute our spiritual eyes become. In addition, biblical, living faith is belief in action or obedience; so, we cannot be obedient if we know not what the Word says.

Earlier in Romans, Paul tells us that the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. Faith is passed down. The perfect example is Christ. Because of Christ’s faith, we can be justified with God.

Paul then tells us the benefits of justification. First, we have peace because we have been acquitted vs. one. We no longer have to undergo the wrath of the Almighty. Secondly, we have access to the grace of God vs. 2a, Heb. 4:16, I Peter 2:16. We can boldly go to God ourselves through prayer but not condescendingly. We can also stand in the grace of God. Next, we can have true joy. Paul and Silas had joy when they were beaten and imprisoned because of the justification vs. 2b. They understood that what man can do is nothing compared to the glory we share in Christ. We can also glory in tribulation vs. 3-5a. This ability to glory leads to patience or endurance, experience or maturity, hope and strength. Lastly, we receive the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete vs. 6, Eph. 4:30. God is with us. So, where are you in faith and justification?

Let us take a closer look at verses six and seven. Six tells us while we were without strength or weak, Christ died for us. What really can we do? When can one be strong enough? The answer is never. Man is destitute and cannot obtain favor with God with the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He was the Great Sacrifice and Christ offered his own blood personally to the Father. The price was paid and we have that peace with God. We are acquitted through the blood and the blood alone.

Matthew 9:9-13 shows the purpose of Christ’s atonement. The Pharisees were criticizing Christ for eating with publicans and tax collectors. Christ responded by saying, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Christ gave His life for the unrighteous, all of us. What do you spend your energy on? What are you living for?

Through our justification we have access. When I think about this concept, I am reminded of Isaiah chapter six. Isaiah sees the Lord lifted up and tried to describe Him. His train fills the temple. His voice makes the Door posts shake. When we are justified, we can reverently and boldly come into this presence and talk to the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Furthermore, my thoughts are drawn to Numbers chapter twelve. Miriam and Aaron have murmured against God and Moses. Their accusation is that Moses was getting haughty and that God could speak to anyone just as He did to Moses. God pulls them together in front of the tabernacle and tells them that He will move through prophets but Moses is special and they speak mouth to mouth. Can you imagine being Moses speaking mouth to mouth with God? What is our excuse? Today, in the New Testament time, we have the Holy Spirit and we have all we need to be holy. So, why are we not? Why do we not speak mouth to mouth with the Almighty? Through Christ, we have access. Think of what we can do if we were to utilize this gift with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 4:17-f.f.

Finishing the fourth chapter of Romans 4, Paul goes back to the example of Abraham for his faith. Remember, Paul just spent three chapters on how we are all sinners, only God redeems through His Son, Jesus Christ, and how redemption is by faith and faith alone. We cannot work for our undeserved salvation. We cannot gain eternal life through circumcision. A home in heaven is only through the finished work of Christ.

In verse 17, Paul reminds the Jews as well as us today that God is the Almighty. God raises the dead and calls into existence that which did not exist. He is the Almighty and when it comes to faith, we must remember this unwavering, truth.

Abraham had hope against hope. Genesis 15 gives us the account when God promised Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars in the sky. The problem was that Abraham was 100 years old and had no children. This, however, did not stop Abraham. Sarah doubted and caused Abraham to take things momentarily into his own hands, but Abraham grew strong in the faith and wavered not because he understood the truth that all things are possible with God even when they do not make sense humanly.

Christ had to remind His disciples of this after talking to the rich man. The young rich man walked away discouraged after asking Christ how to enter heaven. Christ told His disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than it is for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples thought between themselves that this is impossible and Christ responded that nothing is impossible with God. The Angel conversing with Mary reminded her of this also. He told Mary that Elizabeth was going to conceive and bare a son in her old age and that with God all things are possible. Mark Batterson said, “To the Infinite, all finites are equal.” God is truly the Almighty!

One last thought for the morning is that Abraham grew in the faith. Hebrews 12 tells us that Christ is the author of our faith and became the finisher of our faith when He endured the cross with joy and completed the work of the Father. Faith is completed and is ours if we choose to accept it. II Peter 1:1-4 tells us that faith comes through the righteousness of God and that we grow in righteousness through knowledge, or discernment, of the Word. What are you doing to reach out and take hold of faith?

Christ being the author and finisher of our faith means that faith starts through Him and is complete in Him. He is the ultimate example of faith. True, biblical, living, faith is more than belief. It is belief in action. Christ knew that the Father had a plan for Him and that his job was to be the sacrifice for all mankind. This was the only way to redeem man to Himself; therefore, it was joy to Christ. His perfect faith allowed Christ to endure and complete the work of that the Father had sent Him to do.

What does God want you to do? What is the next step in your life? One of the many wonderful things about faith and God is that He allows us to grow and He allows us to grow gradually. God will not ask you to accomplish something that is out of your faith zone. However, He does not want you to stay where you are either. Our calling is not to a life of ease and rest. True rest will only come in the will of our Father.

Our faith is grown through knowledge of Him. The word knowledge means discernment. This is the ability to put into practice that which we know. What we know as absolute truth only comes from God’s Word. We must be in God’s Word to grow our faith. You cannot have growth apart the Word. So, what are you putting in today to grow you faith tomorrow? What you do or do not do today affects your tomorrow and the tomorrow of those around you. What affect will you have tomorrow?

Achan’s sin teaches us that our sin affects those around us. His family and all his possessions were stoned after he disobeyed and stole a few little things. When we sin, those around us are affected even to the third and fourth generations.

Thankfully, our faith also affects those around us. The last couple of verses tell us that it was not only credited to Abraham but also to us whom believe. Earlier in Romans, we are told that the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. Faith passes down faith. So, what are you passing down? Are you passing a life of faith and blessing or are you passing a life of heartache and death? The choice is ours to make and live. Time is too short and too much is at stake for us to choose unwisely, so choose wisely.