Will God Surprise in Missions: Christ Jesus our Intercessor
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
The section Romans we are in is a series of questions Paul ask. I had to remind myself of why he is asking these questions and in the larger sense why he wrote this chapter. This chapter begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation. So, the question is why this chapter and these questions. We need to get this question right.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
We entered this part of Romans with a very astonishing statement, profound question, and deep dichotomy. Please remember Paul did not write in chapter and verse form.
The astonishing statement: O wretched man that I am!
The profound question: Who shall deliver me from the body of the death?
The deep dichotomy: So with the mind I myself serve the the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The first inclination to our question “why chapter 8” is to give us victory over sin.
The first inclination to our question “why chapter 8” is to give us victory over sin.
Wrong! This is the man-centered answer.
Wrong! This is the man-centered answer.
Relief from our guilt of sin may not be God’s primary concern.
Relief from our guilt of sin may not be God’s primary concern.
Victory over our sin is a byproduct of chapter 8 but it is not the primary purpose.
Victory over our sin is a byproduct of chapter 8 but it is not the primary purpose.
A second reason for chapter 8 not being victory of our sins.
A second reason for chapter 8 not being victory of our sins.
It does not help us understand chapters 9-11.
It does not help us understand chapters 9-11.
A question form chapters 9-11 is, Why does it seem like God is abandoning the people of the promise, Israel?
A question form chapters 9-11 is, Why does it seem like God is abandoning the people of the promise, Israel?
If we try overlaying Israel into chapter 8 it does not fit very well.
If we try overlaying Israel into chapter 8 it does not fit very well.
Pastor Jim, what is the answer to the question, “Why chapter 8?”
Pastor Jim, what is the answer to the question, “Why chapter 8?”
It is about the Holiness of God and the wretchedness of our sin.
It is about the Holiness of God and the wretchedness of our sin.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Pray
Who is he that condemneth?
Who is he that condemneth?
Who is he? Who can condemn us? Who can accuse you? Me?
Who is he? Who can condemn us? Who can accuse you? Me?
I accuse myself. You accuse yourself. We accuse each other.
I accuse myself. You accuse yourself. We accuse each other.
We accuse ourselves.
We accuse ourselves.
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
We accuse each other.
We accuse each other.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Satan accuses
Satan accuses
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
The law and the prophets can accuse us.
The law and the prophets can accuse us.
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
This verse teaches us that God is accountable to the law and the prophets.
This verse teaches us that God is accountable to the law and the prophets.
God does not have a double standard.
God gave the law to show our sinfulness and prophet to show where we failed the law.
Are there any who were justified by the law and prophets?
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Are these accusation true? Can we be condemned by these accusation? Are we guilty of these accusations?
Are these accusation true? Can we be condemned by these accusation? Are we guilty of these accusations?
Yes!
We are guilty of many of these and more.
Can the law and prophets accuse God because He justifies the guilty?
Can the law and prophets accuse God because He justifies the guilty?
No!
Because of the way they are justified.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Can the law and the prophet accuse God?
No, the law and the prophets witnessed that He can in fact justify without the deeds of the law because his righteousness fulfilled the law and the prophets.
So, if all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, how can God justify any? (Romans 3:23)
You might be thinking we know all this what does this have to do with Chapter 8?
You might be thinking we know all this what does this have to do with Chapter 8?
Everything, because we are talking about the holiness of God and how does a righteous God justify guilty sinners.
Watch this!
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
So, when Paul says O wretched man that I am!
The cure is the same; we get Jesus payment for sin and we get the Holy Spirit who prays for us.
It is all in chapter 8.
There is redemption in Christ Jesus.
It is Jesus who died.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
The sins of God’s people are so heinous that it took an infinitely perfect sacrifice of infinite value to atone for their sin.
What’s more!
Not only did Jesus pay the infinite penalty for the sin of his people and is risen again to prove his place as God the Son, He makes intercession for them.
Which means, God did not save us only to leaves us to our own devices to live for Him.
It means that God’s glory was at stake when he justified sinners.
It means that when we understand that all sin is against God it will change the way we understand Romans and chapter 8.
Paul understood that his sin were heinous crimes against God and that his sin grieved the heart of God he needed deliverance from the guilt.
What did God give him for deliverance? Chapter 8
What did God give him for deliverance? Chapter 8
It was the glory of God’s amazing grace that delivered.
God’s glory is the primary reason; not a man-centered relief from the guilt of sin.
It is for God’s glory that there is now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
It is the God-man Jesus who died and is now risen and making intercession for God’s glory.
What do we find in Chapter 8? The Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God the Father.
This is indicative of the gospel and salvation.
It is the way things are for the believer.
How then must we live?
How then must we live?
We must strive to live a holy life because God is Holy.
We must live obedient lives which is holy living and victory over sin is a by-product of living holy.