Romans # 4

     We've been taking up the book of Romans for the past 4 weeks or so and we're going to continue with it. Last time we ended with (ROM 2:11).

     I. So let's start with ROM 2:12-16

              A. In (V 12) it talks about "Perishing."

                        1. This does not imply that a person will cease to exist. No one will ever cease to exist, there is either heaven or hell for every person.

                        2. In (V 13) It says, "(For not the hearers of the law {are} just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)" (KJV)

                                  a. The word "law" in this V is referring to the Mosaic law or the Pentateuch.

                                           i. What is he talking about here in these Vs?

                                  b. What (V. 12) states is that the absence or presence of the law makes no difference.

                                           i. The point that he trying to make, and we’ll see it to be true, is that no one will truly be justified by the law.

                                           ii. (ROM 3:23) Says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

              B. It's only the hearers and doers of the Gospel that will be justified.

                        1. What is the 1st part of the Gospel that is essential for salvation?

                                  a. Receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the only way to be justified and receive eternal life.

              C. ROM 2:14-15

                        1. What Paul is saying here is that non-Jews do "the things of the law" on their own, by nature, without even knowing the Mosaic law.

                                  a. Their conscience also bearing witness of what is right and wrong.

                                  b. All men know right from wrong, it’s written in their hearts.

                                           i. But knowing right from wrong and even doing what is right is not going to save someone. (It’s the same as the law.)

                        2. The law has no power to save.

                                  a. Everyone breaks the law at one point or another.

                                  b. What the law does do is that it shows us the we need a saviour.

                                  c. Look at HEB 10:1

                                           i. The NIV says, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”

                                d. The “sacrifices” that he’s talking about in this V are part of the law.

                                           i. You could read the last part of (V 1) Like this, “For this reason it (the law) can never make perfect those who draw near to worship.”

                                           ii. Again Paul is leading to the point that salvation is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

                        3. ROM 2:16

                                  a. In the Word of God it is very clear that God will Judge sin and He will also judge Christians according to their works.

                                           i. But He also says that all sin will be revealed.

                                           ii. Jesus said in (LUK 12:2) "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known." (KJV)

                                  b. ECC 12:14

                                           i. Everything will be revealed in that last day.

              D. ROM 2:17-24

                        1. There’s a couple of things here that Paul is saying here.

                                  a. 1st He’s trying to get the point across that Knowledge without obedience amounts to nothing.

                                           i. As a matter of fact it will enhance one's guilt.

                                           ii. LUKE 12:47-48

                                           iii. Those that have much light are required to walk in that.

                        2. The 2nd thing that Paul was talking about here is that the Jews have such a confidence that they are accepted by God because they have the law, know the law, teach the law, but they don’t keep the law.

                                  a. They had the thinking that because they are God’s chosen people, and that God gave them the law, they are in right standing with God.

                                           i. They didn’t keep the law.

                                           ii. (ROM 2:24) Says, “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

                        3. When we as Christians do things that are wrong, non Christians notice.

                                  a. You may think that no one will notice or even care.

                                  b. But Paul said in (V 24), "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.”

                                           i. Through those living in sin or just by us not doing what is right.

              E. ROM 2:25-29

                        1. In (V 29) we have the definition of the true Jew.

                                  a. The Bible tells us that the Jews are God's people.

                                           i. (ROM 9:6) Tells us that not all Israel is the true Israel.

                                  b. In (GAL 3:16) it says, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made."

                                           i. Abraham was the 1st Jew. So these promises were made to the Jews only, But not the Jew outwardly. Only those inwardly.

                                           ii. How do you become a Jew inwardly?

                        2. GAL 3:6-9; 13-14; 16; 28-29

                                  a. We are Christ's and heirs of promise. We are the spiritual Jews.

     II. ROM 3:1-2

              A. What advantage is it being a Jew in the flesh, or what profit is it to be circumcision in the flesh.

                        1. In (V 2) Paul says, “Much in every way.” (NIV)

                                  a. What does he mean?

                                  b. The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. They are blessed.

                        2. But without receiving the Lord Jesus Christ it is all without profit.

              B. ROM 3:3-4

                        1. In (V 3) Paul asked the question, "Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?"

                                  a. God is always the same, He will never change.

                                  b. No matter what someone believes or doesn't believe it will not change God.

                        2. In (V 4) he makes the statement, "Let God be true, but every man a liar."

                                  a. Anything that is contrary to the Word of God is a lie, and everything that God says is the Truth, even if it doesn't look like in the natural.

                                           i. God is right and just in everything that He does.

                                           ii. Even if we don’t agree with something that He does.

                                  b. God’s Word is also true, even if it doesn’t look like it in the natural.

                                           i. God says you're healed, even if you see sickness in your body.

                                           ii. Who are you going to believe, your body or the one that created it?

                                           iii. God and His Word is the final authority.

December 5, 1990 WED PM and WOLCC Thurs. PM 6/22/95