Be a Witness
Romans: Growing in Christ, Rooted in the Gospel • Sermon • Submitted
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Series, Introduction, Prayer, Scripture
Sharing the Gospel
Remember 30 Word Gospel
Invite anyone to share their experience with sharing the Gospel this week!
Introduction- Desiring for Change in world
I want people to grow, I want this world to get better.
I want the church to be the loudest voice in the world
Questions for Audience:
Do you want these things too?
How can we be a witness and change the world for Jesus?
Prayer/Scripture Reading (Read Passage)
I read this and God said you want change
Are you willing to change?
Are you willing to be an example of the change you want?
Transition: In this passage, Paul dismantles what it means to be a Jew. First with the Law and then with the practice of circumcision. The two defining factors for the Jewish people.
Scripture Speaks to Us today!
Paul Describes 8 claims that are tied to the Jews identity
You call yourselves Jews
Jew is derived from Judah. it was in that day a definition of “in Crowd” Gods Chosen. all other claims flow from this identity.
Rely on Law- They were entrusted with Gods word that revealed his will and Character
Boast in their relationship with God- Not bad and none of these things are in fact bad.
Their pride lead to a feeling of superiority. “guide for the blind and a light for those lost in darkness”
See this pride in Pharasee that is not like tax collector in Matthew 11
Jesus calls them, blind Guides in Matthew 25:4
Instructors of the foolish and teachers of infants.
They call themselves teachers, but often failed at the basics of the Law!
The Jews were given God’s law- gives them knowledge and truth- like the gentiles they have “no excuse”
Yet, Paul says their lives dont match up ! Its not that they have to be perfect! Paul of all people know this!
They call themselves Jews and claim all of these privlages, yet verse 24 says that these claims have become a stumbling block to gentiles!
Transition: This scripture passage is an invitation to examine what claims to our identity that we hold so dear as christians today and examine if our lives match up.
Christian Name and Claims
Christian - means little Christ, because they were running around like little Jesus. Are we known by the fact we look like “Little Christs” or do we just carry the title?
Illustration: brother Brighton. He was a pompous man who was meticulous about his appearance, holding fast to many religious rules. He was a member of the most prestigious church in town and was very bothered by the behavior of the boys in his church so he decided to become their Sunday School teacher. On his first day of class, he decided to begin by teaching the boys the importance of living the Christian life so he asked them this question: “Why do people call me a Christian?” After an awkward pause, one young boy piped up and said, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.”
For Jews they boasted about their claim on the Law, We boast about the good news!
The Gospel is not just something to share- I did say that last month, but do we live by it?
Jesus is God/ King- Do we live like it? election/ next president seems to overide that in some Christians today.
Show us Gods love- Do we show it to others?
Save us from sin- some days I feel so defeated by sin, I live like it has already won, yet that isnt true!
Set up the Kingdom- “can we tell the kingdom from the kingdom where we lay our head down at night” - Can we recongize God’s kingdom over our allegiance to our birthplace?
Shut down religion- do we remember that God doesnt want our rituals but relationship
We can live as a new creation with him! - sometimes I forget we do life with him and not just for him!
Jews and Sign of Circumcision- Physical sign/ Reminder of Jewishness
As part of the covenant that God established with Abraham in Gen 17:10–14, every male living with Abraham, “both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money” (Gen 17:13 ESV), was to be circumcised. In this way, the covenant was “in [their] flesh”
its only of value if you hold to the law
Circumcision is was a sign of marriage- like a ring, and law like the vows.
Ring only matters if you keep the vows!
To be a real Jew is an inward matter!
Circumcision that comes from the Spirit and not the Law
Last verse is a play on words
The Hebrew word for Praise is Judah. So paul is saying that the person with a changed heart receives praise or their jewishness from God
Christians and their signs
We have signs that remind us.
Cross- we wear it, it is the center piece of our building.
Yet how often do we fail to show the cross love to others
Baptism
Outward commitment + physical change
we are just getting wet if it does not produce any change in us!
Ghandi Quote- When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Mahatma Ghandi he asked him, “Mr. Ghandi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?” Ghandi replied, “Oh, I don’t reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Application- So if we are just like the Jews with some of these issues because we aren't perfect? How can we change the world for Jesus?
Willing to change, grow, and be shaped by the Spirit?
What is discipling you? What are you most learning from?
Be a witness- Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Illustration: Preacher Struggling to preach
Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Never Give Up
Keep your Eyes on Jesus
Results of Faithful Witness = Change the World
Change the World by running the Race with our eyes on Christ!