|  |  | |  |   | | | Implications of Grace John Lusk, Evangelist for the Denver Church of Christ
Point 1: The Concerns of Grace
Read Romans 6:1 - 7:25. This passage mentions three concerns the people are probably thinking:
A. Doesn’t grace encourage sin?
Romans 6:1
- How many times have we fallen into sin because we know we’ll be forgiven? We have thoughts like we’ll be forgiven of it so let’s get it all in now and I’ll talk about it tomorrow.
- Paul’s response is in 6:1 Paul says “by no means” which is almost like saying “hell no.” It’s so strong that it’s shocking. God forbid! Never!
- The two words together are so strong that in English it demands an exclamation point.
( Other places that Paul says this in Romans: 3:4, 3:31, 6:2, 6:15, 7:7, 7:13, 9:14, 11:1, 11:11.1 Cor 6:15)
- A very strong phrase, “Never!” The thought of it appalled Paul.
- vs. 3-10 Don’t you know? You died to sin. It should be over and done with. Contacted the death, burial and resurrection. Called them back to the sanctity of baptism.
- vs. 11-14 – This is the good stuff. This is what keeps you saved! Because we died with Christ, that really happened. In our minds we count ourselves dead to those specific sins. Died to the old way of life, not just committed to it.
- "Reign free"=unrepented of, unchecked.
-What are you letting reign? Are you letting any sin reign? Pride, laziness, lust…
- vs. 13 – Is this OK? Is it an instrument of righteousness? Standard for a Christian. The Standard for a person living in the grace.
B. Doesn’t Lawlessness encourage sin?
Romans 6:15-23
- vs. 15-18 – It doesn’t take away slavery. We are not set free from everything, just sin. We are now suppposed to be slaves to righteousness. Some of us want to believe, “Grace means you can’t tell me to do anything.”
- Grace doesn’t mean you’re uncommitted! Grace doesn’t mean lack of expectation.
- Need to be not be consumed by fear and God but consumed by obeying the positive.
- Most of the law was negative. Jews- whole concept of “don’t do it” was negative.
- Paul says that our mind should be what can I do to be righteous? How can I please God?
- Now you’re free from the negative but not commitment, just a slave to righteousness.
C. What about the law?
Romans 7:1-25
- They worshipped the law
- The law was equal to God.
- They heard you don’t need your Bible any more in what Paul was saying. If someone said that to us today we would freak out.
- vs. 1-6 – Laws are valid during life – they died with Christ. Ex. Law of marriage – once the person died then you were set free from the marriage. No longer in effect. It was awesome but now it’s over.
- vs. 7-25 – Is the law sin? “By no means!”
- vs. 7-8 – We wouldn’t know what sin was if it wasn’t for the law. There is something about listing sin that really hits us (30 lists in NT about sin).
- vs. 9-13 – Law stimulates sin within me. Gosh, I want to do that now. Ex. can’t have any candy and then you really want it. It is not blaming the law, but just says it’s a product of it.
- vs. 14-25 – Law creates a conflict with sin.
- vs. 24-25 – (Chs. 1-3)The more sinful we see we are,the more thankful for the ongoing grace.
Point 2 – The Confidence of Grace: The balance between grace and works
Five Kinds of Confidence:
A. No condemnation – Romans 8:1-4
- No punishment following the sentence. Found guilty but not getting what our sins deserve.
- Not based on our feelings. For those that are “in Christ.” Baptized into Christ is the only way the Bible talks about it.
- We need to be giving God our best and really fighting for it.
- Ex.Two brothers grew up together and were super close. As time went on they went their separate ways and one became a lawyer and over time became a judge. The second became a criminal and a swindler. After many years they lost touch, and one day the criminal comes into the Judge’s court. He gets all excited thinking that he was going to get off easy. The Judge hears all the facts and gives him the harshest punishment he can. Then he gave up his title and all he had and took on the punishment for the other brother.
- Can’t stop the sin but Jesus paid the consequences.
B. Support of the Spirit – Romans 8:4-11
- Vs 9 – The spirit intercedes on our behalf. Support of the Spirit means he is guiding and helping us by interceding for us.
C. Special Relationships – Romans 8:12-16
- Once the wall of sin is gone then we’re called God’s sons. God is our dad. It is a special sonship.
- Ex. How we feel about our kids – we understand that this is a special bond
D. Glorious inheritance – Romans 8:17-25
- Vs 17 (the letters/ points build on each other)
- Don’t you hope you get an inheritance? Maybe from some long lost relative. We’re heirs of God. What does that mean? Great to imagine! Great glory. This far outweighs all the hard things.
E. Protection of God – Romans 8:28-34 (esp. vs 28, 31)
- What a great confidence we can have! Not just a lack of division but protected and guided by him.
- Do you really know that God works for the good for those who love him?
- When all things occur not only does God work good for those who love Him but in every situation God is working passionately for the best.
F. Guarantee of Victory – Romans 8:35-39
- Vs 38 – Are you convinced that nothing can separate us from God!
- Do you believe that your past, present or future will separate you?
- Only way we can be separated is by our own choice. Only if you quit
- Too many people live in fear: Need to be sober but convinced of victory. Live and act like you’re totally protected and that victory is sure.
- Let’s stay in the grace in Christ! | | |
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