Sunday, September 27, 2009

ROMANS: Part 5 ~ Sin Slave no more

Our Great Commission

ROMANS II

Sin : Slave no more

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –

“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Saturday at the Pastor’s House 11:00AM – 9:00PM

(Guy’s night when girls go to camp: pizza/games)

WHERE WE ARE AT

Maturing in Christ

Understanding in Christ

Love of God

God’s Spiritual Fruit

This Series: The Book of Romans

Previously: Apostasy, Judgment

TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission

Romans II

Part 5: Sin : Slave no more

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 6:12-23

12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

INTRODUCTION

Are you still a slave to sin?

Your mortal body is an instrument to its master (sin / righteousness)

When you accepted Christ, you were set free from sin (so stop sinning)

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from righteousness…what benefit did you get from following your sin? (sin brings nothing but sorrow)

Let your mortal body be an instrument of righteousness! (heart-mind-body-soul)

ILLUSTRATION

In 1982, “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art – a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years.

The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell’s path! They all knew that the gun could go off at point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn’t happen during their minute in the chair.

Yes, it was stupid, yet many people who wouldn’t dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction.

I. WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

1. LET NO SIN REIGN IN YOUR BODY

This warning tells us that even though you have accepted Christ, if you allow it to, sin can still rule you and lead to death (spiritually).

It IS possible to accept Jesus Christ, be set free from sin, then return to sin and lose your salvation.

If you rescued a prisoner of war from a P.O.W. camp, and he returned to the camp, can he still claim he is free?

a) Psalm 19:12,13 – “…? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.”

It is the willful sins which end up ruling us…this is why we MUST confess and repent!

b) Romans 6:12 – “12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”

2. DO NOT YEILD YOURSELF

You have been freed from sin…the only way sin can rule over you is if you allow it!

a) Ungodly lusts are carried out through the mortal body if faith is not maintained. - 1 Corinthians 1:18 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

b) 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness”. – Romans 6:13

c) You must not yield to your sinful flesh, you have to die to yourself, to live in Christ! – Luke 9:23-24 – “23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

You cannot be born again until you die! Die to your sinful self…

3. SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU

a) Romans 6:14 – 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”

So stop returning to it!

b) Romans 6:21 - “21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!”

Nothing but sorrow comes from sin…

c) Revelation 1:6 – “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.”

ILLUSTRATION

A man living in a forested area found his home overrun with mice – too many to exterminate with traps. So he bought a few boxes of D-con and distributed them around the house, including one under his bed. That night he couldn’t believe his ears; below him was a feeding frenzy.

In the morning he checked the box and found it licked clean.

Just to make sure the plan worked, he bought and placed another box. Again, the mice went for the flavored poison like piranha.

But the tasty and popular nighttime snack did its deadly work. In the days that followed, all was quiet. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s good for you. In fact, it can be deadly - like sin.

II. SHALL WE CONTINUE TO SIN?

1. SHALL WE?

a) Have you confessed your sin?

b) You MUST repent (turn away from) to be forgiven!

c) You MUST die to yourself so that the new creation God will make you can be born! It is the only way.

2. THE ONE YOU YEILD TO BECOMES YOUR MASTER

a) You cannot serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

b) Double-mindedness

James 1:6-8he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

James 4:7-87Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

c) You cannot walk on two paths.

Matthew 7:13-14"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Luke 13:24He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

d) You are either for Him, or against Him…which is it?

3. SIN UNTO DEATH OR OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS

a) Choose this day whom you will serve!

ILLUSTRATION

Time-lapse photography compresses a series of events into one picture. Such a photo appeared in an issue of National Geographic. Taken from a Rocky Mountain peak during a heavy thunderstorm, the picture captured the brilliant lightning display that had taken place throughout the storm’s duration. The time-lapse technique created a fascinating, web out of the individual bolts.

In the same way, our sin presents itself before the eyes of God. Where we see only isolated or individual acts, God sees the overall web of our sinning. What may seem insignificant – even sporadic – to us and passes with hardly a notice creates a much more dramatic display from God’s panoramic viewpoint.

The psalmist was right when he wrote, 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” – Psalm 19:12, 13

III. ARE YOU STILL A SLAVE TO SIN?

1. GOD HAS / WILL DELIVER YOU

a) He freed you at the Cross! And when you accepted Him!

b) He will free you now!

c) He is quick to forgive!

2. BE SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO HOLINESS

a) Be a servant or righteousness.

b) Use your body, and all talents for Him.

3. THE FRUIT OF HOLINESS IS EVER LASTING LIFE

a) You fruit for holiness is everlasting life!

CONCLUSION

You are no longer a slave to sin, it has no power or dominion over you…unless you give it power and dominion!

Confess, repent and turn away from your sin.

Commit yourselves to be servants of the Lord.

Let your service count unto righteousness which will lead to holiness, which will lead to everlasting life!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

ROMANS: Part 4 ~ Judgment The Goodness of God

Our Great Commission

ROMANS II

Judgment : The Goodness of God for Granted

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –

“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Saturday at the Pastor’s House 11:00AM – 9:00PM

(Guy’s night when girls go to camp: pizza/games)

WHERE WE ARE AT

Maturing in Christ

Understanding in Christ

Love of God

God’s Spiritual Fruit

This Series: The Book of Romans

Previously: Apostasy

TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission

Romans II

Part 4: Judgment : The Goodness of God

"The Goodness of God for Granted"

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 2:4-11

“..do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.”

INTRODUCTION

1. Many people live their lives with little regard to the goodness of God...

a. Unaware of how gracious God has been and is willing to be toward them

b. Unaware of how their neglect will one day come back to haunt them

2. Have you given much thought to the goodness of God?

a. The many blessings He bestows

b. The consequences if you fail to respond properly

[Our scripture reading today should give us pause for consideration, we see how Paul expounds upon "The Goodness Of God."]

I. THE NATURE OF HIS GOODNESS

A. HIS RICHES...

1. He is rich in graceEphesians 1:77In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”

2. He is rich in mercy - Ephesians 2:44But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,”

3. He is rich in supplying need - Philippians 4:1919And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

4. He is rich in giving things to enjoy1 Timothy 6:17 17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

5. He is rich in the strength He provides the Christian - Ephesians 3:16,21 – “16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

B. HIS FORBEARANCE (Patience)...

1. "Forbearance" (anoche) means "a holding back" - ISBE

2. We see God's forbearance...

a. In the days of Israel - cf. Psalms 78:3838 Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them.

Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.”

b. In our present day (since the fullness of God's wrath has yet to come)

C. HIS LONGSUFFERING...

1. "Longsuffering" (makrothumia) describes "a slowness in avenging

wrath" - Strong's

2. We see God suffering long...

a. In the days of Noah, prior to the flood - cf. 1Peter 3:20 –20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,”

b. In our present day, prior to the day of judgment - cf. 2 Peter 3:9-15 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”

[The Psalmist summarizes well the nature of God's goodness: "But You, O

Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and

abundant in mercy and truth." (Psalms 86:15).

As we return to our text in Romans, we are told of...]

II. THE PURPOSE OF HIS GOODNESS

A. SHOULD LEAD ONE TO REPENTANCE...

1. God's goodness is intended to cause man to repent - Romans 2:4 – 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?”

2. Based on Paul's description of repentance elsewhere, God's

goodness should produce...

a. Godly sorrow which leads to repentance - cf. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – “9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

b. A change of mind (the actual meaning of metanoia repentance) - Strong's

c. A turn from sin to God (as evidence of repentance) - cf.

2 Corinthians 7:10-11 – 2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

5For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”

B. SHOULD LEAD ONE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD...

1. As just described, an indication of true repentance - cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11- 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”

2. As later described in our text, it should lead to doing good...

a. With patient continuance - Romans 2:7a

1) Where God was longsuffering (makrothumia) before

2) We are to do good patiently now - cf. Luke 8:15 – 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

b. Seeking glory, honor, immortality – Romans 2:7b

1) Glory and honor that will come at the revelation of Jesus

Christ - cf. 1Peter 1:7; 2Corinthians 4:16-18

2) Immortality (incorruption) that will be given at the same

time - 1Corinthians 15:51-54

[Thus "eternal life" will be given to those who are properly motivated

by God's goodness to repent and do good (Romans 2:7). But what of those who

spurn the riches of God's goodness...?]

III. THE REJECTION OF HIS GOODNESS

A. INDICATIVE OF A HARD HEART...

1. For they despise God's goodness – Romans 2:4

2. For they evidently are insensitive and unappreciative of God's

goodness - Romans 2:5

3. For they remain impenitent in their heart - Romans 2:5

B. STORES UP WRATH FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT...

1. The wrath of God's righteous judgment - cf. Romans 2:5

2. A day of wrath involving indignation, tribulation, and anguish

- Romans 2:8-9a

3. A vivid description of which is found in 2Thessalonians 1:6-9 – “6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power”

CONCLUSION

1. Such is the end of one who does not properly respond to God's

goodness...

a. Especially as that manifested through the gospel of Jesus

b. Which Paul will expound upon later in this epistle to the Romans

2. As we close, be careful to note: there is no partiality with God!

- Romans 2:9-11

a. Those who do evil will be punished

b. Those who do good will be blessed

Have you allowed "The Goodness Of God" to lead you to repentance,

especially that repentance called for in the proclamation of the gospel?

- cf. Acts 2:36-39; 3:19; 17:30-31