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SERMON SEEDS FOR OCTOBER 22, 2007

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ROMANS 6:15-19

WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT

ROMANS 6-8 – NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIVING #5

 

Have you ever stopped to think that God is in the improvement business? John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1, John 10:10

 

In our current studies on the Normal Christian Life God is also showing us improvement.  What would be the “norm” or standard for Christians is an improvement over the “norm” for someone who does not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In our studies of Romans 6:1-14 we have already seen improvements that God has given us and that we should claim by faith. Romans 6:3-4, 6-7, 11-14

 

As we approach verses 15-19 this morning I want you to grasp the improvement that God has planned for you as a result of becoming a Christian.  It is all too easy to settle for less than God intends you to have.

 

God has something better for you.

 

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL – Vs. 15

 

Romans 6:15 - What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

This is a similar proposal to what we read at the beginning of the chapter in Romans 6:1, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

The answer to both these questions is “God Forbid!” or “May it never be!”

 

Paul is asking, “should we continue to live the way we always lived without any improvement because we are not under law but under God’s grace?”

 

God has freed us from law keeping in order to go to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

 

It is not God’s intention that there be a lack of improvement in the way you live because you are not under law but under grace!

In fact God’s intention is that you show improvement in a dramatic way because of His work in your life! Romans 8:3-4

The law couldn’t save you because it is a religion of do and do perfectly or perish!

The death of God’s Son paid for your sins.

Now we are to fulfill not the letter of the law, but the righteousness of the law through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God’s intention is that we live more righteously now than we ever did before we trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior!

Anything less than that is a travesty!

A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE – Vs. 16

Romans 6:16 - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

This verse is giving us a sobering axiom or principle. Everybody is slave to somebody.

 

The only one who is free from being a slave is God.

There’s no choice in the matter.

 

How can you tell whose fool or slave you are?

It is whom you obey!

 

If you habitually obey sinful urges so that you have sinful attitudes and do sinful things, you are a servant to sin!

 

And as it says, at the end of this chapter, “the wages of sin is death.”  Nothing good comes from sin. When it controls you are in bad shape.

 

If we habitually obey the Lord we will be the servants of righteousness.  It does not mean that we are sinless, but it does mean that the general pattern of our lives is righteousness. Matthew 6:24

You can’t serve two masters.

That’s the principle here.

It’s one or the other. You serve sin or righteousness.

 

Examine your life. Are you motivated by your own desires or by a desire to please God?

If you are motivated by your own desires you are a slave to sin!

If you are motivated by living righteously for the Lord, you are the slave of Christ and hence a slave to righteousness.

 

Whose slave are you? Have you been truly saved?

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL

A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

A FANTASTIC PROMOTION – Vss. 17-18

 

When you became a Christian you received a fantastic promotion!

Romans 6:17-18 - But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Paul tells us flat out. Our natural state, the state in which we were born was as “servants of sin”.  We were sinners by nature and sinners by practice!

But when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, a dramatic change takes place and it’s worthy of our thanks and praise.

Salvation came when you obeyed “from the heart”, the real you that “form of doctrine” or teaching which was given to you. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9-10

Obeying from the heart does not stop at salvation.

Now, because you know Jesus as your Savior and have God, the Holy Spirit living in you heart, you will also obey God’s Word from your heart.

You will still obey the doctrine, the teaching found in God’s Word.

Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

You are no longer in bondage to sin!

You are now the servant of righteousness.

What a promotion!

You are free from the domination of sin to live under the domination of righteousness through your Lord Jesus Christ!

I say again! WHAT A PROMOTION!

A FAITHFUL PATTERN – Vs. 19

 

We do run into problems as Christians, because we are not perfect, and often we seem to find more service to unrighteousness in our lives that service to righteousness.

The solution is to learn the pattern!

Romans 6:19 - I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Before Adam sinned he had a brain and an understanding with was remarkable!  Since Adam sinned our understanding is a lot more limited. That’s why Paul had to speak simply in terms that his readers would understand.

Before we came to know Jesus as our Savior, we had no choice but to yield our members as servants to uncleanness, or impurity. That led to a chain of iniquity unto iniquity or “lawlessness unto lawlessness”.

Sin is like a fast moving cancer takes out anything in its path!

But now, since our promotion, we are the “servants of righteousness”.

Therefore we are to yield every part of our bodies as servants to righteousness.  We are no longer obligated to serve sin as we saw in Romans 6:6-7

Romans 6:6-7 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Instead we are to obey Romans 6:12-13. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

As we said last week our bodies are to be presented once and for all to God.

Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And after that, your specific members are to be yielded to God as His slaves.

The pattern of your life according to Romans 6:19, is to yield your bodies as servants to righteousness which leads to holiness, or sanctification or holy living.  It is the thought of being entirely set apart for God.

So what about you Christian?  Are you ready to live by the pattern God has given you?  Are you ready to live up to your promotion?

Can people say of your life, “WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT?”

A FOOLISH PROPOSAL

A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

A FANTASTIC PROMOTION

A FAITHFUL PATTERN

 

 

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BROTHERS GRIM or BROTHERS IN TROUBLE

Genesis 42

 

The first title above is a play on words. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, one of the definitions for the English Word “grim” is “Dismal; gloomy.” Also there were two German brothers, the Brothers Grimm who recorded fairy tales.  Because Joseph’s brothers would have been dismal or gloomy because of their circumstances, I think of them as the Brothers Grim. 

 

God was preparing the hearts of Joseph’s brothers to deal with their sin.  Therefore, he allowed lots of trouble to come their way.

 

THERE WAS INCONVENIENCE – Vss. 1-5 – The famine made it so they had to go buy food in Egypt.

 

THERE WAS INTIMIDATION – Vss. 6-20 – Joseph treated them roughly and accused them of being spies. 

 

THERE WAS IMPLICATION – Vss. 21-23 – Being in trouble themselves, their hearts implicated them as guilty for what they did to Joseph.

 

THERE WAS INCARCERATION – Vs. 24 – Simeon was kept as prisoner.  This was so the brothers would be sure to return with Benjamin.

 

THERE WAS INTRIGUE – Vss. 25-28 – Their money was returned to them.  Now they realized that they could be accused of stealing.

 

THERE WERE INDICTMENTS – Vss. 29-38 – Jacob largely blamed his sons for his troubles.

 

 

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Psalm 148

THE TOTALITY OF PRAISE

 

ALL IN THE HEAVENS SHOULD PRAISE HIM – Vss. 1-4

ALL IN THE EARTH SHOULD PRAISE HIM – Vss. 7-12

ALL HAVE REASON TO PRAISE HIM – Vss. 5-6, 13-14

·       FOR THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF CREATION – Vs. 5

·       FOR THE PERMANENCE OF CREATION – Vs. 6

·       FOR HIS PREEMINENCE – Vs. 13

·       FOR HIS POWER – Vs. 14 - …he exalteth the horn of his people…

·       FOR HIS PROXIMITY – Vs. 14 - …a people near unto him.

 

 

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Matthew 11:16-27

EVALUATION

 

In this passage Jesus gives an evaluation of the Spiritual conditions of His day.  Things haven’t changed.

 

UNRESPONSIVE GENERATION – Vss. 16-19

Although they had the same message, Jesus and John had two different styles.  The people were unresponsive to both.

 

UNREPENTANT CITIES – Vss. 21 & 23

 

UNAVOIDABLE JUDGMENT – Vss. 22 & 24

 

UNBELIEVABLE REVELATION – Vss. 25-27

It is not the “wise and prudent” that respond to the Gospel, but “babes” whose eyes the Lord opens. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

 

 

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John 1:19-34

FAITHFUL WITNESS

 

INTERROGATION OF JOHN – Vss. 19-24

INSIGHT FROM JOHN – Vss. 25- 28

IDENTIFICATION BY JOHN – Vss. 29-34

 

 

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Ephesians 6:10-18

WORD WISE

#2 of BROTHERS ARMED FOR BATTLE

A Complete Lesson

 

Ephesians 6:14a - Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…

·       How has God’s Word changed your life?

·       How has God’s Word impacted you this week?

·       What hinders men from memorizing the Word of God?

·       Why is meditation difficult in our society?

 

We as brothers in Christ are involved together in a spiritual battle against the world, the flesh and the devil.  Praise God for the armor that He has provided for us.

 

The first piece of armor mentioned is the “belt of truth”.

We are to live in truth. Jesus Christ is the truth.  The Word of God is truth.  When I surround myself in God’s Word, I am surrounding myself in truth.

 

ABOUT THE BELT

·       “When a soldier tightened his belt he was ready for combat, because in the process of tightening he drew up his tunic and cinched it so it could not impede him as he charged into battle. It also firmly fixed his sword in place. To get the feel here, we might think of a football player clenching his mouthpiece in his teeth, adjusting his pads, and hitching up his waist to get ready for the next play. But what the soldier did was even more crucial. His belt held everything in place. Without it, he would be powerless in battle.” - R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Ephesians, The Mystery of the Body of Christ, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books,1990), p. 224

·       Having a command of the truth of God’s Word in my life is essential for holding all the armor in place. Why?

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD

·       Why has God given his Word?

·       According to the Scriptures below what are some of the things that God will accomplish in His Word.

 

Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalms 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

THE POWER OF THE WORD

·       How do the verses above show God’s Word to be powerful?

·       How do the verses below show God’s Word to be powerful?

 

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Psalms 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

THE PRESENCE OF THE WORD

·       How can I make sure that God’s Word is continually with me?

·       What does Scripture tell us about memorization of the Word?

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Psalms 119:16 - I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

·       What are some effective ways of memorizing Scripture?

·       Why would it be good to have an accountability partner for Scripture memorization?

 

THE PONDERING OF GOD’S WORD

·       How does one meditate on Scripture?

·       What distractions might have to be eliminated for Scripture memorization?

Psalms 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalms 119:15 - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

THE PRACTICE OF GOD’S WORD

·       Why should practicing God’s Word be the ultimate goal of putting on the “belt of truth”?

Psalms 119:33-34 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

THE PRODUCTIVITY OF GOD’S WORD

·       Why should we want to be productive for the Lord?

·       How is it that many men don’t seem to care about being productive for the Lord?

·       What part will passion have in being productive?

 

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalms 1:3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 119:98-100 - Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

 

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A PEACEFUL CHURCH

Titus 3:8-15                             

#7 of 7 – GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH

A Complete Lesson

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:13 - And be at peace among yourselves.

·       What is your idea of a “peaceful church”?

·       What is God’s idea of a “peaceful church?”

·       Why is a “peaceful church” necessary?

·       What are the root causes when there is no peace in the church?

 

In Titus 3:8-15 Paul is wrapping up his epistle on Godly living in the church.  He gives us four things that will help us maintain peace in Christ’s church.

REACH OUT WITH GOOD WORKS – Vs. 8

·       Titus was to preach constantly the truths about Godly living found in this little Epistle.

·       What are some of the truths he would have preached from chapter 1?

·       What are some of the truths he would have preached from chapter 2?

·       What are some of the truths he would have preached from Titus 3:1-7?

·       The goal in preaching these truths was that the Christians would do as they were taught.  The end result of that would have been Godly behavior. 

·       The Christians were to learn to be careful to maintain good works.  What does it mean to be “careful” about doing something?

·       What does it mean to maintain?

·       What are some of the good works coming from obedience to the Book of Titus that would have resulted in the Christians having a positive impact on their unsaved neighbors?

 

RETREAT FROM FOOLISH QUESTIONS – Vs. 9

 

·       What are some of the foolish arguments that have taken place in churches today?  Why should they be avoided?

·       What does it mean to “major on the minors and minor on the majors”?

·       Genealogies from the Old Testament were delved into.  Fanciful myths were added to embellish the genealogies.  There was no value in these discussions.

·       What kinds of contentions does Paul want us to avoid?

·       What are some of the strivings over Old Testament law that took place in the New Testament church?

·       What do the words “unprofitable” and “vain” mean?

·       Does this mean that there are to be no doctrinal discussions in the church?

 

REJECT HERETICS – Vss. 10-11

·       The original meaning of a heretic was a person who promoted a sect or a “party spirit”.  Why is it wrong to have sects or parties in the local church? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:3-7

·       Most heretics are false teachers.  But a heretic can also be a person who is causing division within the church.

·       “The factious person will not submit to the Word or to godly leaders in the church. He is a law to himself and has no concern for spiritual truth or unity. Although false teachers certainly are the most devastatingly factious, Paul is here casting a broader net, which includes anyone in the church who is divisive and disruptive.” - John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Titus, (Chicago, Illinois, Moody Press, 1196), p. 164

·       According to verse 11, why is such a person dangerous?

·       According to verse 10 how is a heretic or factious person to be handled?

·       Why do churches have trouble doing such things?

 

REINFORCE THE BRETHREN – Vss. 12-15

·       Vs. 12 - Titus’ ministry would be changed.  He would partner up once again with his mentor, Paul. We don’t know much about Artemas or Tychicus, but we can assume that each was a faithful man.  Why is it important that a pastor be faithful?

·       Vs. 13 - We know nothing about Zenas the lawyer. Apollos was a gifted orator who was a positive force in the early church. Acts 18:24-28

·       These men were to be encouraged as ministers of the Gospel by having their needs met by the church.

·       What qualifies a person to receive financial support from a church? 1 Corinthians 9:7-10, 13-14

·       Titus 3:14 - And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (English Standard Version)

·       I feel that the emphasis on good works was primarily toward the unsaved in verse 8.  Here, I feel there is more emphasis on the church family.

·       Why should church family take care of their own?

·       Why must we be devoted to good works?

·       Vs. 15 – What is the value of mutual greetings?

·       Why do we continue to need grace?

 

 

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