11.16.08 AM [Romans 2.25]
November 16, 2008
A Rite is Right only if Law is not Wronged (Rm 2.25)
Our study of Romans moves from showing the insufficiency of even revealed religion to eradicate sin (Rm 2.17-24). Now Paul attacks confidence in the rites of revealed religion. Men made idols out of the rites of Judaism, thinking that their possession and performance of the rites meant they escaped God’s wrath towards sin, failing to realize that their sin invalidated their rituals. The same condition afflicts us today, even us as independent Baptists. We easily make our religious exercises into ‘magic’ rituals that act as ‘charms’ to keep us safe from condemnation. We think that if we regularly attend church, if we’ve been baptized, if we’ve prayed a prayer or walked an aisle, we’ve escaped! But we fail to understand that sins invalidate rituals. What we need is genuine Biblical repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ for our sins. From that faith decision flows the newness of life.
Read the notes while you listen.
11.2.08 - Bearing a Name but Blaspheming THE Name [Romans]
November 2, 2008
Bearing a Name but Blaspheming THE Name (Rm 2.17-24)
In this message, we work our way through the logic of Paul’s accusation of the Religious Man. The Religious Man thinks that the blessings of his religion inoculate him against the judgment of God. The truth is that the religion of the Religious Man, true though it is, has not enabled that man to escape from his nature. His sins have caused the name he claims to bear to be blasphemed. The Religious Man is found to be likewise under the scrutiny of the penetrating judgement of God. The only hope of this man is for a righteousness religion cannot give to him.
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10.26.08 - Portrait of a Good Religious Man [Romans]
October 26, 2008
Portrait of a Good Religious Man (Rm 2.17-20)
Our passage finds us in the midst of Paul’s argument against those who are religious men. Pagan man is under God’s wrath for rejecting natural revelation; moral man is subject to God’s judgement for ignoring conscience; now we will find religious man under condemnation for disobedience to God’s word.
The argument begins with a description of the religious man as a religious man. He thinks possessing the blessings of his religion are sufficient for his justification without requiring an obligation to total holiness on his part. Today we are attempting to paint a portrait of what that man looks like.
Read the notes while you listen.
10.19.08 - If You Bear the Name ‘Jew’ [Romans]
October 19, 2008
If You Bear the Name ‘Jew’ (Rm 2.17)
As we work our way through Romans, we find the apostle Paul systematically proving the guilt and condemnation of all men. In Romans 1, the pagan man is under God’s wrath, in the first half of Romans 2, we find the moral man subject to judgement. Now as we begin the second half of Romans 2, Paul’s attention turns to the religious man, the Jew, who depends on his ritual and heritage for his standing with God. Though Paul’s message applies directly to the 1st century Jew, it ultimately applies to any man who depends on his religion for right standing before God.
Read the notes as you listen.
10.12.08 - The Judgement of Secrets [Romans]
October 12, 2008
The Judgement of Secrets (Rm 2.16)
Our message today sums up the case against the moral man - God will judge all men, pagans and moralists, on the day when God judges the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. The whole argument of Rm 2.1-16 comes to completion in this reference to this black day. The darkness of the day makes the gospel stand in sharp relief, like a sparkling diamond laid out against the background of a flat black cloth. Paul says that this whole concept is ‘according to my gospel’. So against the backdrop of the Day of Judgement, against the backdrop of the judgement of secrets, against the backdrop of the flaming eyes of the risen Christ judging the sins of mankind… against all this is laid the gospel of salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ.
Read the notes while you listen.
10.5.08 - A New Perspective or an Old Lie? [Romans]
October 5, 2008
A New Perspective or an Old Lie? (Rm 2.13)
In our message today, we look again at Rm 2.13, a passage that is much misinterpreted by the false teachers of the “New Perspective on Paul”. In this message, we briefly summarize these false teachings and point out the subtlety that unstable Christians may miss in the teachings of these or any false teacher. One goal of local church ministry is to stablish the saints so that they might be better equipped to notice when teaching goes subtly awry.
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9.28.08 Witnessing to the Blind [Our Deacons]
September 28, 2008
Witnessing to the Blind (2 Cor 3.16)
For only the second time in 25 years of ministry, Pastor Don was ill and unable to fill the pulpit this Sunday. He thanks God for the willing hearts of the men of our church to stand up in his place and bring God’s Word to God’s people.
Today’s message comes from one of our deacon’s, Harry Lloyd. This message appeals simply to the sinner concerning the veil that lies over the sinner’s heart and prevents him from seeing Christ. It also appeals strongly to the believer to be a faithful witness and prayer warrior to friends and loved ones (and unknown ones) who live still behind the veiled heart. It is a fine message and well worth your time.
Pastor’s note: I am very deeply moved in hearing this message from my brother and friend. I have known him since before the Lord removed the veil from his heart and praise God for His wonderful work! To God be the Glory, great things He hath done. (3 Jn 4)
Sorry, no notes available for this message.
9.21.08 Having the Law is not Enough (Romans)
September 21, 2008
Having the Law is not Enough (Rm 2.13-15)
The impartiality of God’s judgement is under further consideration. The religious man (the Jew) might ask, “Aren’t we students (hearers) of the Law? Doesn’t that count for something?” The answer: No, hearing the Law (being a diligent student) isn’t enough. In fact, the sinners of the Gentiles have the Law in a sense by their understanding and performance of natural law. They have the work of the Law written in their hearts as evidenced by their consciences. So merely having, or hearing, any aspect of the Law is not enough. We still stand under the impartial judgement of God whereby all men, pagan, moralist, or religious man will face the judgement of sins. Our religion (whatever it might be) is not sufficient to make us just before God. We need Some One else for that.
Read the notes while you listen.
9.14.08 The Moral Man’s Problem is Sin [Romans]
September 14, 2008
The Moral Man’s Problem is Sin (Rm 2.12)
Our message today continues to look at God’s impartiality in judgement as Paul explains that regardless of racial or religious status, sinners will be judged. No one gets an edge by morality or pedigree. All stand before God who will judge men according to their deeds, delivering sinners over to destruction.
Read the notes as you listen.
9.7.08 AM - The Impartial Judgement of God (Romans)
September 7, 2008
The Impartial Judgement of God (Rm 2.9-11)
Our message today was devoted to one central theme, the impartial judgement of God. Our Lord is no respecter of persons. There is no hoping in any privilege of one’s circumstances, even if it include such privileges as being one of the chosen people of God.
Read the notes as you listen.
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Recent Posts
- 11.16.08 PM [Our Church]
- 11.16.08 Study [Pilgrim's Progress]
- 11.16.08 AM [Romans 2.25]
- 11.9.08 Entering the Harvest (Jn 4.27-35)
- 11.9.08 Wayward Travelers [Pilgrim's Progress]
- 11.9.08 An Open Door and many Adversaries (1 Cor 16.9)
- 11.2.08 - Chosen for Cleanness [Communion]
- 11.2.08 - Doubting Castle and the Delectable Mountains [Pilgrim's Progress]
- 11.2.08 - Bearing a Name but Blaspheming THE Name [Romans]
- 10.26.08 - A Church Organized around Preaching [Church]
