LBC Sermons & Messages

1 Peter 2:11-22 — David Rouleau

When TV talkshow host Phil Donohue was starting out in television, he was sent out to cover a mine cave-in disaster. He came upon a young pastor leading a group of mine family members in prayer. It was a perfect human interest film bite, but Donahue’s camera wasn’t ready to shoot yet. When his camera was finally ready, the prayer was over. Donahue asked the pastor if they could all huddle up again like they were, so he could shoot some video of them. “No,” the young pastor said. “We aren’t posing for the media. This was serious prayer.”
This sincerity touched Donohue deeply. He recalled the event in his memoirs. In contrast, Donohue also recalled many members of the clergy which he had on his talk show, later in his career. Some of those people were all too worried about the limelight and media attention. They left a bad impression in Donohue’s mind.
The young mine pastor was a point of light for faith in Christ. Donohue felt a pull towards Christ. The later clergymen were shadows. They obscured and soured Donohue towards Christ.
We are told to be the light in the world. Are we? Do we reflect Christ, or the world, to those around us? Let us seek to do well, and not cast shadows which hide Christ from the lost.

Romans 12:1-3

This passage is the climax of the book of Romans. It is probably the most preach portion of Romans and the most memorized. Paul again sets up this passage with the previous 11 chapters and we need to remember the context to correctly divide the Word of God. Paul tells the Jews to stop thinking like the world. The world wants nothing to do with God and the Jews were infected with the same philosophy wanting to be a people apart from God on their own power. Paul tries to get them to remember their standing in God and in Him alone.

He then tells them, vs. 1 that they are to present them selves a living sacrifice. Now he tells them how to accomplish in not being conformed to this world, vs. 2. If we are not to be conformed to this world, what are we to conform too? How are we to be conformed?

First, we are to be conformed lets look at Dan. 1. We find the key to Daniel’s standing in the first chapter. We are told that Daniel purposed in his heart. He made the conscience decision to be godly and to be conformed to His will. The same thing happened to the Shad., Mesh., & Abed. in chapter 3. They took a stand, literally, to be not conformed to this world and they did not bow. So, we are to be conformed to the mind and will of God.

Secondly, the battlefield is the mind. This is the ground on which Satan chooses to attack and the ground on which we must fight with all we have to the end. Philippians 2:5 tells us that we are to have the mind of Christ. We must read His Word to have His mind for it is knowable, I Cor. 2:16, Eph. 4:23. Then we must enact the mind of Christ, Phil. 2:7, 8. The mind of Christ is servitude and He followed through all the way to the cross. Where will it take you?

Romans 11:11-15

Paul begins this section by using the phrase, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God…” The word beseech means to call you to or exhort. This next passage is a strong encouragement by God through Paul to godly living.

Paul not only uses words of strong encouragement, but he followed it up with his life example. Paul sacrificed all, a lavish life of job security, to live God to this world. He understood the idea in which he now conveys and I dare say, it was most likely his theme verse or concept.

He also calls us to present our bodies by the mercies of God. This is kind of a low blow for there is a no greater compelling reason to serve God than because of His mercies. Paul just spent the previous chapters building a case for God’s mercies to the Israelites and now calls them to action. When you face your sinful state and God and His mercy, how can one say no.

We are to present our bodies. The word present means to place besides or to stand by. This carries the concept that Christ has gone before us. We are not going into unknown territory for Christ has been there and wants us to follow suite. Also, what strength comes when we are lined up with Christ. Without Christ we do not even have the power to present our bodies.

Lastly, we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice. It is not a dead sacrifice but a sacrifice of living. It takes courage to die for someone or a cause but it takes courage and strength to live for such. When our lives are sacrificial we are acceptable to God and pleasing in His sight.

Let us look a little closer at the presenting of one’s self to God. What exactly does it mean to present ourselves to God? First, we must lay ourselves aside. We cannot present ourselves without the power of Christ. It is Christ in us and through us.

Secondly, when we present ourselves to God we are lining ourselves up with Christ. This reminds me of the fact that Christ goes before us. John 10:4 tells us that the shepherd goes before the sheep. He goes before us for one cannot lead from behind. Hebrews 4:15 tell us that the Lord, our shepherd was tempted in every point like us and yet without sin. He knows our temptations and calls us to come along side Him.

Aligning ourselves with Christ is founded on the completed work of our Savior, and our job is to fall in line with Him. It was mentioned in services lately that Christ is the corner stone and we are the living stones that build up the house of God to His glory. To build a house of glory, we must be in line with Him and His Word.

Lastly, it is our choice. God calls us and yearns to have us present our bodies a living sacrifice but does not force us. This is the unique relationship that God has with mankind. Much of creation has no choice and obey without love and communion. However, man is totally dependent on God but has the choice to love and serve Him. So, what is your answer to the call of the Master?

Romans 11:11-15

With the business of everyday life, it is very easy, through our selfishness, to forget the truths of God himself. This is especially true if we are not in His Word receiving renewal every day and then meditating upon His Truths. In today’s passage, God reminds us of a few of His attributes and their side effects.

The first side effect is God’s timing is always perfect, vs. 25. God is now building the church through the Gentiles and will continue to do so until the age of the Gentiles is fulfilled. When the time is perfect, God will once again use the Jews to do great and mighty things. I am also reminded of the account of Elijah and the widow, I Kings 17.

The next two are closely related. God is always true to His promises, vs. 26, and Israel shall be redeemed one day. This passage is from Is. 59 and talks of the great salvation the Israelites along with Zech. 12, 13 which even carries the idea that the whole nation at that time will turn back to God. His promise is followed by His covenant, vs. 27, 28. A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more people. God made a covenant with Israel, Genesis 12, and He will follow through even though His people have turned away.

Paul now focuses on a few of God’s attributes. We would have none of the afore mentioned if it was not for God’s nature, vs. 29. God cannot lie and He does not change, Mal. 3:6, Num. 23:19. God is also a God of grace, vs. 30-32. He is yearning to pour out His grace upon mankind, Eph 2:8, 9, Rom 10:13. God also cannot be separated from His wisdom, vs. 33-36. Only a God as wise as our God can take a fallen people and turn it into the salvation of the entire world. Praise the Lord today for who He is and search out scripture to find Him more fully.

The question for the afternoon comes from verses 27-32, “was sin in God’s plan for man?” Verse 32 says that God has concluded all sinners so that He might have mercy on all. Therefore, if all are not sinners than not all would receive mercy.

Several thoughts come to mind. First, it must bring pleasure to God to have mercy upon humanity. There is no other way to enter into a relationship with God but through His mercy. God desires to have all men to Himself and therefore he takes pleasure in giving mercy.

Now it is never God’s will that man sin, but man must have fallen to be in need of mercy. This just shows the total sovereignty of God. Who but God can take the free will of man and still be in control? Who but God can allow man to make their own decisions and not have His plans thwarted? God is a totally sovereign God.

Second, why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden? If the tree had not been there, Adam would never have sinned. God knew man was going to sin so why put the tree in the garden? God placed the tree in the garden knowing fully that man would sin. Again, it is never His will that man sin, but God desires to show mercy.

To understand God’s mercy and man’s choice, we need to be mindful that there are two kinds of sin. One kind is premeditated and in absolute rebellion and defiance of God. The other is still man’s choice, but is in a moment of weakness and deception. The second sin is one that repentance usually follows and the one for which God takes pleasure in showing mercy. God’s mercy does not give us a free pass to sin but rather should give us a desire to serve. Therefore, sin is not God’s will for man but maybe in His plan for man.