The Self-Righteousness of the Chosen
Notes
Transcript
Introduction - move notes to title slide
Introduction - move notes to title slide
There is a great danger in Self-Righteousness
Who among us loves a sanctimonious, pious, arrogant, pedantic, judgmental jerk?
Those who arrogantly correct every minute detail, who are constantly focused on your weaknesses, never offering aid or encouragement.
That kind of Christian does not bring honor and glory to the name of Jesus.
In our text this morning, Romans 2:12-29, Paul is going to move his argument forward.
He is moving towards the gospel truth of 3:23, that we are all without excuse and guilty of sin.
And without Christ we will die in those sins and face wrath.
In prior weeks we learned that all of mankind has access to some understanding that there is a God, and that God’s wrath is also evident on those who commit sinful acts.
Rise with me today, in the honor of the reading of God’s Word and lets read our text together.
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.
24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
It’s About Keeping the Law Without Christ
It’s About Keeping the Law Without Christ
12-16
Last week v6ff broke people into two groups: those who do good and inherit eternal life, and those who do evil and receive wrath.
Paul is setting them up for Romans 3:23 where he shows that group one is empty.
That part of the argument continues in our text.
Both groups have sinned and will fall prey to the curse of death.
Both groups have sinned and will fall prey to the curse of death.
Talk about this and the concept of the deep study.
Even children who have done nothing knowingly wrong can sometimes suffer death.
It is that one single absolute in life, death.
In this one way we all suffer for Adam’s sin.
Failure at perfection is meant to lead to humble repentance
Failure at perfection is meant to lead to humble repentance
From v4 last week, God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance.
this week it is about the work of our conscience and inner turmoil as we sin that is meant to lead us to repentance.
The practical principle in v16 is that Jesus is going to judge the secrets of men.
Is that not terrifying? explain
Orthopraxy and Orthodoxy
Orthopraxy and Orthodoxy
write those down.
We are called to do both
Orthodoxy is to have a right understanding of God and His Ways
Orthopraxy is putting that into practice, the outworking of your faith.
We need to seek after both
We have to be so careful that we don't choose Orthodoxy over Orthopraxy, but hold them in equal strength and conviction.
Knowing and Doing are both of great import.
The Temporal Blessing of Law Abiding
The Temporal Blessing of Law Abiding
Abiding in the Love of Jesus is about keeping His commands.
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Elaborate just a little
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The call away from religion is a dangerous call.
It is about relationship, but maintaining that relationship is about keeping the Laws of Love.
Pride and Hypocrisy are Blasphemous
Pride and Hypocrisy are Blasphemous
17-24 speak to the arrogance of the teacher, the knowledgeable, who fail to practice what they preach.
Hearken back to the introduction
2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
We looked to this verse last week and it bears reading again.
God does not look favorably on the proud.
Arrogance leads a person to teach with their mouth only.
Discipleship without hands on work is a failure.
Discipleship without hands on work is a failure.
Hands on learning.
You can read and study, but until you practice all you have is knowledge.
Knowledge is a small work compared to mission and ministry.
Your works will clothe you in the life to come, not your wisdom.
And teacher, do you not teach yourself? What a rebuke!
If you can’t walk it you shouldn’t be teaching it.
Circumcision is a Matter of the Heart
Circumcision is a Matter of the Heart
v29
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
This is a call to Matthew 6:2-8
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
When being charitable, praying publicly, or petitioning God, you should do so with humility, seeking the praise of God, not men.
Doing works for the praise of man is folly, and delivers what you desire.
But works are of utmost import.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.
30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
Don’t be the braggart who doesn’t work.
Be the unknown worker who gets it done without being a public spectacle.
The problem is the pride and the hypocrisy.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
This is true of the Christian as well.
We are known by our works.
When we sin or walk with arrogance we bring shame to the name of Jesus.
explain.
It is easy to call yourself a Christian.
It is easy to call yourself a Christian.
it is infinitely harder to be one in practice.
But that is sanctification.
The Holy Spirit conforming us into the image of Christ.
Does Your Walk the Past Week Bear Out Your Claim to Faith in Jesus?
Does Your Walk the Past Week Bear Out Your Claim to Faith in Jesus?
closing thoughts.