INWARD FAITH
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Earlier we spoke on Gods impartiality - Gods Kindness - Motives as vs 16 says God judges the secrets of men.
Our deeds (actions) will be judged - Our inward man directly affects out outward actions.
You know a tree by its fruit.
Text
17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,
18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
To the Jew- Gods law and circumcision set you apart from the world. Jew means praise. . Bruce says it is one who lives a life praiseworthy. It is more than a distinct group of people . It is deeper than that
A Jew is a Jew who is one who keeps the law and is one inwardly.
Gods chosen people- that is undeniable.
The challenge for the Jews today and I would say more so for the Christian is Elitism. I would say this word means more to us today than the word Pride.
Your Blessed and you know it.
You put yourself above others.
Chosen gets you to the front of the line, humility keeps you there.
If we lose humility we lose everything.
Lets look at what I call the 9 essentials of this passage ( even thou Paul is is making a derogative statement. the essentials still remain the same.
Know His Will
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”
Without knowing Gods will, we are nothing more than aimless wanderers. Shooting in the air just hoping our arrow lands on something important .
It is surrendering our will to his that really starts the process.
His will is in the word that is why we need to study it.
2. Approve the things that are essential
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
Make a distinction between the things that really matter. Walking in discernment. Sometimes we spend way to much time on the non essentials rather than the essentials. AMEN.
The question you might want to ask is What are the most important things and what can take second or third place.
3. Instructed by the Word
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
4. Guide to the blind Is 42:6-7
6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisee calling them blind guides.
5. Light in the darkness
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
6. Corrector of the foolish
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
7. Teacher to the immature
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
8. Embody the truth
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
9. Practice what you preach
conduct can cause a non-believer to stay in their unbelief.
You cant teach people to not steal if you steal
Can’t teach on relationships if you in the midst of adultery.
It s called Hypocrisy- putting on a mask and and presenting yourself something that you are not.
Now are we all hypocrites at times - sure.
Question is Christianity a profession or a practice.
Does circumcision mean anything
It was a sign of a covenant with Abraham in Genesis. Antiochus Epiphanies tried to outlaw it as to wipe out the Jewish religion. To be a Jew without circumcision was to deny the faith. The forgot it was relationship with God that was of utmost importance. It makes you stand out. Circumcision is hidden , faith is not.
Does the Jesus sticker really mean anything
Conclude
1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?
4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.”
5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)
6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?
8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.
So whats the Advantage of being a Christian?
God Privileges - Godly Heritage ( how many of you love that
God’s Blessings - generation to generation
You are God’s ambassadors - custodians of the will of God
God’s Truth - it combats all the Lies
Full of God’s Spirit - to keep you on track - AMEN
We have been given a great responsibility.
Do our mistakes and unbelief at times “cancel Gods faithfulness?”
No certainly not. God is always faithful
He is always motivated by love
Thank God He never changes- AMEN
COMMUNION