159 00:21:53.825 --> 00:21:54.845 In our neighborhood. 160 00:21:55.705 --> 00:21:59.045 The mail truck makes a very distinct sound. 161 00:22:01.755 --> 00:22:06.244 There's no staking it now, not so much today, 162 00:22:06.245 --> 00:22:07.885 but back in the day, in the past, 163 00:22:08.545 --> 00:22:12.205 the sound of the mail truck would generate a lot of excitement in our house. 164 00:22:12.675 --> 00:22:14.685 It's like, it's the mail truck. It's the mail truck. 165 00:22:14.805 --> 00:22:17.205 I wonder whether they bring it. I mean, who knows what they could be bringing? 166 00:22:17.345 --> 00:22:19.925 You think they're bringing a letter? It could be a package, 167 00:22:21.145 --> 00:22:25.345 maybe it's a check package letter, 168 00:22:25.395 --> 00:22:28.425 check package, letter check. What are they bringing? What are they bringing? 169 00:22:28.455 --> 00:22:33.115 Here it comes, let me ask you a question. Let me ask you a question. 170 00:22:33.215 --> 00:22:37.915 How many of you wrote and sent a letter 171 00:22:37.984 --> 00:22:41.445 this week? Great. 172 00:22:43.185 --> 00:22:47.285 How many of you wrote or sent a letter this month? 173 00:22:47.505 --> 00:22:50.725 Now I'm not talking about an email, I'm not talking about an email. 174 00:22:51.225 --> 00:22:53.765 I'm not talking, you know, you know a text message. 175 00:22:54.145 --> 00:22:58.965 I'm talking about a pen and paper and a stamp and a 176 00:22:58.966 --> 00:23:00.244 painful trip to the post office. 177 00:23:01.195 --> 00:23:05.205 Anybody A letter this year sent a letter. Oh good. Yeah. 178 00:23:05.225 --> 00:23:08.845 So a handful of of people that have done this is a time consuming process, 179 00:23:09.895 --> 00:23:10.728 isn't it? 180 00:23:11.265 --> 00:23:15.065 I mean it's a time consuming process because you want to communicate something 181 00:23:15.066 --> 00:23:19.705 that you think is important to somebody that you think is 182 00:23:19.706 --> 00:23:23.705 important. When was the last time? 183 00:23:24.494 --> 00:23:28.025 Come on, think about this. That you handwrote a letter. 184 00:23:29.545 --> 00:23:31.635 When was the last time, let me ask it this way, 185 00:23:32.095 --> 00:23:35.555 when's the last time that you received 186 00:23:39.085 --> 00:23:43.285 a letter? A handwritten letter in the mail. And let me ask you this, 187 00:23:43.286 --> 00:23:48.225 when you received that letter, how did it make you feel? 188 00:23:50.335 --> 00:23:55.035 How did receiving that letter in the mail, how did it make you feel? For years, 189 00:23:55.265 --> 00:23:58.915 I've carried around two letters with me that I received. 190 00:23:58.994 --> 00:24:00.595 I carry 'em around in my bag and I, you know, 191 00:24:00.596 --> 00:24:02.635 and when I see 'em and when I touch 'em, 192 00:24:03.095 --> 00:24:07.435 I'd like to keep 'em because of how they make me feel. And when I see 'em, 193 00:24:07.436 --> 00:24:12.435 I'm reminded of with joy and happiness because of the words that 194 00:24:12.436 --> 00:24:15.635 they use are words of gratitude and words of encouragement. 195 00:24:16.595 --> 00:24:19.615 And I like how it makes me feel. 196 00:24:20.045 --> 00:24:23.915 When was the last time that you received a letter 197 00:24:25.355 --> 00:24:26.188 like that? 198 00:24:27.175 --> 00:24:31.425 When was the last time you got in the mail a letter like that? 199 00:24:31.734 --> 00:24:33.865 What do I want us to do today? We're gonna go back in time. 200 00:24:33.994 --> 00:24:37.425 We're gonna go back in time about 2000 years when letter writing, 201 00:24:37.895 --> 00:24:41.905 when letter writing then was a different level of inconvenient. 202 00:24:42.545 --> 00:24:45.185 I mean ink and paper were pretty difficult to find. 203 00:24:45.405 --> 00:24:49.145 And if you got ink and paper, then there was no post office system, 204 00:24:49.146 --> 00:24:50.385 there was no UPS. 205 00:24:50.645 --> 00:24:53.905 You had to find somebody who was going the direction that you wanted the letter 206 00:24:53.925 --> 00:24:57.025 to go and ask them, would you mind taking this to there? 207 00:24:58.494 --> 00:25:00.275 So it was a whole process. 208 00:25:01.775 --> 00:25:03.555 It was a whole process 209 00:25:05.345 --> 00:25:09.085 to get a letter somewhere back in that day. 210 00:25:09.225 --> 00:25:13.375 But I want to tell you about a letter that has become really, 211 00:25:13.376 --> 00:25:14.695 really important to me. 212 00:25:14.955 --> 00:25:18.895 And I think if you spend time in this letter reading this letter carefully, 213 00:25:19.125 --> 00:25:23.575 that it will become really important to you as well. In fact, 214 00:25:23.765 --> 00:25:28.335 this letter has influenced a lot of well-known followers of Christ. 215 00:25:28.535 --> 00:25:30.255 A lot of well-known Christian leaders, 216 00:25:30.845 --> 00:25:33.695 they can trace their spiritual formation back to this letter. 217 00:25:33.994 --> 00:25:35.215 And interestingly enough, 218 00:25:35.285 --> 00:25:40.215 this letter is required reading for first year students at Harvard Law School. 219 00:25:42.755 --> 00:25:47.085 This letter is considered the high point of the Bible. 220 00:25:48.465 --> 00:25:52.565 And I'm talking about Romans. Romans. 221 00:25:52.566 --> 00:25:57.125 It was written by a guy named Paul to people like you and me, 222 00:25:58.715 --> 00:26:01.734 people who need to hear encouraging and positive words. 223 00:26:02.075 --> 00:26:06.455 People who need to be reminded of important truths when they're 224 00:26:06.456 --> 00:26:08.975 experiencing the challenges of life. 225 00:26:11.105 --> 00:26:14.435 Imagine getting a timely word when you are feeling anxious. 226 00:26:15.984 --> 00:26:19.755 Imagine getting a timely word when you're feeling overwhelmed. 227 00:26:19.756 --> 00:26:21.355 When you're feeling uncertain. 228 00:26:22.505 --> 00:26:26.955 Imagine getting an encouraging word when you're experiencing pain 229 00:26:28.275 --> 00:26:32.615 and you're going through difficulty and you're feeling fatigue and you're tired 230 00:26:32.675 --> 00:26:35.335 and you're lonely and you're dealing with doubt and you're dealing with 231 00:26:35.615 --> 00:26:37.775 encouragement. And then you hear the mail truck. 232 00:26:41.535 --> 00:26:46.285 Today we're starting a series that's gonna be looking at what is considered 233 00:26:46.385 --> 00:26:50.685 the high point of Romans. So if Romans is the high point of the Bible, 234 00:26:51.585 --> 00:26:55.125 Romans chapter eight is considered the high point of Romans. 235 00:26:55.585 --> 00:27:00.285 So this is the peak and we're gonna spend a number of weeks in this and like the 236 00:27:00.415 --> 00:27:04.125 excitement when the mail truck comes down your street, and maybe it's for you, 237 00:27:04.126 --> 00:27:05.244 it's the Amazon truck, 238 00:27:06.994 --> 00:27:09.655 but that excitement when that is coming, 239 00:27:09.955 --> 00:27:14.855 that's what I hope you feel about what you're about to receive today and 240 00:27:14.856 --> 00:27:19.375 over the course of this series. In fact, it is the desire of the teaching team. 241 00:27:19.555 --> 00:27:24.465 It is our desire that you would follow Jesus by 242 00:27:24.466 --> 00:27:26.625 living and thinking biblically. 243 00:27:27.165 --> 00:27:32.005 We want you to be able to use your Bible for life change so 244 00:27:32.006 --> 00:27:36.085 that you can reach your full potential in Christ. 245 00:27:36.505 --> 00:27:39.405 That's our desire for you. So as we get into this, 246 00:27:39.525 --> 00:27:42.645 I wanna make a quick look at a couple of things in Romans eight, 247 00:27:42.825 --> 00:27:44.285 and then we're gonna back up from there. 248 00:27:44.505 --> 00:27:48.085 So a quick look at two significant statements and I want you to see that these 249 00:27:48.086 --> 00:27:51.165 are important because they're actually on the negative side, 250 00:27:51.225 --> 00:27:54.605 are actually live options. And apart from a miracle, 251 00:27:54.606 --> 00:27:58.125 they are the most probable outcome that we could experience. 252 00:27:58.425 --> 00:28:01.725 So if you have your Bible, go ahead and grab it, your electronic device, 253 00:28:01.994 --> 00:28:06.085 meet me at Romans eight, we're gonna be all over it. Alright, Romans eight, 254 00:28:06.086 --> 00:28:10.885 chapter one. There is therefore now no condemnation. 255 00:28:11.435 --> 00:28:13.165 Take note of that condemnation. 256 00:28:13.166 --> 00:28:17.325 That's what I want you to take note of condemnation for those who are in Christ 257 00:28:17.335 --> 00:28:20.885 Jesus. And now we're gonna fast forward all the way to the end of the chapter. 258 00:28:20.935 --> 00:28:24.005 We're looking at two bookends, the first and the last. 259 00:28:24.425 --> 00:28:25.965 So here's what we find at the end. 260 00:28:25.994 --> 00:28:29.285 Paul writes this for I am sure that neither death nor life, 261 00:28:29.345 --> 00:28:32.725 nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, 262 00:28:32.865 --> 00:28:34.325 nor powers nor height, 263 00:28:34.505 --> 00:28:39.005 nor depth nor anything else in all creation, 264 00:28:40.225 --> 00:28:45.075 will be able to separate. Take notice of that word, condemnation, 265 00:28:45.525 --> 00:28:46.358 separation, 266 00:28:46.625 --> 00:28:50.675 nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, 267 00:28:52.005 --> 00:28:52.838 our Lord. 268 00:28:53.425 --> 00:28:56.525 Now it's interesting that he says these two things and you need to understand 269 00:28:56.526 --> 00:29:01.125 that these are live options. Condemnation and separation are live options, 270 00:29:02.205 --> 00:29:06.705 but not for those who are in Christ. Those that are in Christ. 271 00:29:06.706 --> 00:29:08.745 There is no condemnation, there is no penalty, 272 00:29:08.755 --> 00:29:12.945 there is no punishment for those that are in Christ. There is no separation. 273 00:29:13.805 --> 00:29:15.825 You can count on the presence of God. 274 00:29:16.045 --> 00:29:20.145 So that's what we have as we start our glance into Romans chapter eight. 275 00:29:20.885 --> 00:29:23.545 But now we need to look at, well how did we get there? 276 00:29:24.955 --> 00:29:28.975 How did we get there? So my time before we get there today, 277 00:29:28.995 --> 00:29:33.575 my task is for me to set for you the context of what 278 00:29:33.935 --> 00:29:36.855 happened before chapter eight. And let me show you why that's important. 279 00:29:36.905 --> 00:29:41.645 Let's go back to Romans eight, one. There is therefore 280 00:29:43.545 --> 00:29:44.685 now no condemnation. 281 00:29:45.285 --> 00:29:48.325 The therefore calls us back to something that has happened prior. 282 00:29:48.665 --> 00:29:51.085 Now there's a lot of debate about how far back do you go? 283 00:29:51.105 --> 00:29:54.805 Are we going back one chapter? Are we going back a handful of chapters? Well, 284 00:29:55.175 --> 00:29:57.085 today we're going all the way to the beginning. 285 00:29:57.865 --> 00:30:02.835 Now last century in London there was a pastor called Martin Lloyd Jones and 286 00:30:02.836 --> 00:30:04.955 he preached through Romans in 14 years 287 00:30:08.665 --> 00:30:10.485 you might wanna get comfortable . 288 00:30:12.435 --> 00:30:17.255 So trying to get through seven chapters today may be a little bit ambitious. 289 00:30:17.955 --> 00:30:21.135 So just to understand that you're not gonna get all the details today, 290 00:30:23.185 --> 00:30:27.655 but we're gonna get a helicopter view that sets us up 291 00:30:28.235 --> 00:30:30.935 for what we're gonna experience in Romans chapter eight. 292 00:30:30.955 --> 00:30:33.895 So let's dive in and building up to chapter eight, 293 00:30:34.215 --> 00:30:38.215 I think Paul makes at least four arguments. 294 00:30:38.845 --> 00:30:42.215 Paul makes at least four arguments in the first argument that he makes is that 295 00:30:42.615 --> 00:30:46.375 there is a God, there is a God, God can be known. 296 00:30:46.995 --> 00:30:51.295 And he has shown himself Romans chapter one beginning with verse 19, 297 00:30:51.715 --> 00:30:56.705 for what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown 298 00:30:56.706 --> 00:30:59.745 it to them for his invisible attributes, 299 00:30:59.965 --> 00:31:04.425 namely his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived 300 00:31:05.145 --> 00:31:10.105 every since the creation of the world in the things that 301 00:31:10.335 --> 00:31:14.925 have been made there is proof of God in 302 00:31:15.245 --> 00:31:17.675 creation. And then he points out. 303 00:31:17.855 --> 00:31:22.565 And so where without excuse God has revealed enough of himself 304 00:31:22.665 --> 00:31:27.005 in creation, that everyone knows that he exists though he is invisible, 305 00:31:27.395 --> 00:31:31.305 he's clearly seen. And then Paul goes from there and says, 306 00:31:31.565 --> 00:31:35.865 not only is there a God by creation, but our conscience proves it. 307 00:31:36.245 --> 00:31:39.865 We turn over to chapter two, he's speaking to the Gentiles in chapter two, 308 00:31:40.065 --> 00:31:40.805 verse 14, 309 00:31:40.805 --> 00:31:45.585 but then drops down in verse 15 and says this about that they show that the 310 00:31:45.586 --> 00:31:49.385 work of the law is written on their hearts while their 311 00:31:49.995 --> 00:31:54.305 conscience also bears witness. So what we're seeing so far, 312 00:31:54.306 --> 00:31:55.665 and again I know we're moving quick, 313 00:31:56.445 --> 00:32:01.155 but God is real and God is righteous and we are without excuse. 314 00:32:02.165 --> 00:32:04.055 Righteousness is required. 315 00:32:05.935 --> 00:32:09.395 But this brings us to Paul's second argument. There is a God. 316 00:32:09.975 --> 00:32:14.165 Second argument is there is a problem, there is a problem. 317 00:32:14.265 --> 00:32:16.685 And you've probably have experienced this in real time. 318 00:32:18.045 --> 00:32:21.385 The problem is sin and sin is, is is missing the mark, 319 00:32:21.685 --> 00:32:24.585 the missing the mark of God's standard. It's wandering off the path, 320 00:32:25.215 --> 00:32:28.505 it's putting anything in place of God as the source of, 321 00:32:28.565 --> 00:32:32.465 of satisfaction and fulfillment in your life. And here's the problem with sin. 322 00:32:32.485 --> 00:32:37.385 It is pervasive. It touches everything. It makes everything worse. 323 00:32:37.965 --> 00:32:41.725 You can't sprinkle a little bit of sin on something and it flavors it better. 324 00:32:42.985 --> 00:32:43.818 It makes it worse. 325 00:32:44.915 --> 00:32:49.295 It makes us want to separate and it makes us feel like 326 00:32:50.215 --> 00:32:51.735 condemnation is deserved. 327 00:32:54.555 --> 00:32:59.245 Paul sums it up with a well-known verse in Romans 3 23 328 00:32:59.625 --> 00:33:04.435 For all have sinned and have fall short of the 329 00:33:04.436 --> 00:33:07.915 glory of God. All have sinned. And I know what you're thinking. Some of you're, 330 00:33:07.995 --> 00:33:10.995 I mean you're just thinking, yeah, I mean sins pretty bad. It's pervasive. 331 00:33:10.996 --> 00:33:15.935 There's a lot of sinners. I'm just not sure it reaches all the way to me. 332 00:33:17.675 --> 00:33:21.185 Maybe, maybe just maybe you're thinking that you might be the exception. 333 00:33:21.465 --> 00:33:23.865 Let me just encourage you with what Paul has to say about that. 334 00:33:25.165 --> 00:33:28.385 He says in chapter three, beginning with verse 10, that none are righteous. 335 00:33:29.045 --> 00:33:33.025 No not one. No one understands. No one seeks for God. 336 00:33:33.085 --> 00:33:35.665 All have turned aside together. They have become worthless. 337 00:33:38.135 --> 00:33:40.475 No one does good, not even one. 338 00:33:40.655 --> 00:33:44.995 And then he puts another exclamation point on that in 6 23 when he says, 339 00:33:44.996 --> 00:33:46.755 and the wages of sin is death. 340 00:33:47.015 --> 00:33:51.115 So Paul has given us this diagnosis as well as a prognosis. 341 00:33:52.055 --> 00:33:53.915 And honestly this looks pretty bleak. 342 00:33:56.185 --> 00:33:58.005 But until we see the depth of our sin, 343 00:33:58.006 --> 00:34:01.245 we will not recognize our need for a savior. 344 00:34:01.655 --> 00:34:06.405 Until we recognize or acknowledge that we are a hopelessly lost 345 00:34:06.425 --> 00:34:08.525 sinner that deserves death, 346 00:34:09.105 --> 00:34:12.125 we will not appreciate the gift of grace. 347 00:34:14.295 --> 00:34:17.675 So Paul is saying this, that there is a God, that he is righteous, 348 00:34:17.705 --> 00:34:22.065 that we are unrighteous, there is a God, he is righteous. 349 00:34:22.364 --> 00:34:23.197 We have this problem, 350 00:34:23.245 --> 00:34:27.225 we are unrighteous and we don't have the ability to make ourselves righteous 351 00:34:27.226 --> 00:34:32.145 with our own skillset. You can't go to Home Depot, you can't go to your garage, 352 00:34:32.175 --> 00:34:33.945 your garage, you can't go to your make. 353 00:34:33.946 --> 00:34:37.785 There's no you don't have tools or something in the cupboard or the cabinet or 354 00:34:37.786 --> 00:34:41.745 in the pantry that you can get together and whip it up and make yourself right. 355 00:34:44.005 --> 00:34:46.235 We're in a tight spot. And the tight spot is this, 356 00:34:46.425 --> 00:34:49.435 it's a place of condemnation and it's a place of separation. 357 00:34:50.585 --> 00:34:54.765 But fortunately, fortunately, Paul makes a third argument. 358 00:34:54.785 --> 00:34:58.005 He says There is a solution. There is a solution. 359 00:34:58.145 --> 00:35:01.205 God in his kindness sends his son who is sinless, 360 00:35:01.275 --> 00:35:05.965 he's righteous and sinless and he comes to take our place as a 361 00:35:05.966 --> 00:35:07.285 substitute in love. 362 00:35:07.286 --> 00:35:11.565 Jesus takes on our sin and transfers to us his righteousness. 363 00:35:13.675 --> 00:35:15.935 And then in this beautiful thread, 364 00:35:16.485 --> 00:35:19.535 Paul gives us summary of what Jesus has actually done. 365 00:35:19.555 --> 00:35:23.864 Now there's a lot of theological language in here and that's a good thing, 366 00:35:24.085 --> 00:35:25.745 but just don't be intimidated by it. 367 00:35:25.746 --> 00:35:29.864 But just understand this is a summary of what has actually been done for you. 368 00:35:30.875 --> 00:35:34.215 We are justified by his grace as a gift 369 00:35:35.715 --> 00:35:38.685 justified we're declared, declared not guilty through redemption. 370 00:35:38.725 --> 00:35:43.725 A price has been paid to redeem us from the of sin through the redemption that 371 00:35:43.726 --> 00:35:46.765 is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation. 372 00:35:47.075 --> 00:35:50.165 There's a word to use at your next meal. You'll impress your, 373 00:35:50.166 --> 00:35:53.795 you'll impress everyone. But it means to appease God's wrath, 374 00:35:54.655 --> 00:35:57.575 propitiation by his blood to be received by faith. 375 00:35:58.245 --> 00:36:02.655 This was to show God's righteousness because in his divine 376 00:36:02.656 --> 00:36:07.545 forbearance he passed over former sins. 377 00:36:08.245 --> 00:36:13.065 It was to show his righteousness at the present time so that he might 378 00:36:13.085 --> 00:36:18.065 be just and the justifier of the one who 379 00:36:18.125 --> 00:36:20.505 has faith in Jesus. 380 00:36:22.475 --> 00:36:24.575 And then from there, this is what Paul does. 381 00:36:24.835 --> 00:36:29.695 He turns to an Old Testament example to help us understand well how do 382 00:36:29.696 --> 00:36:32.594 you get made right with God? How? 383 00:36:33.055 --> 00:36:37.435 How do you get right with God? He provides an example that God's righteousness, 384 00:36:37.436 --> 00:36:41.195 righteousness can only be obtained by faith. 385 00:36:42.145 --> 00:36:45.205 And then maybe we need to pause and say, well what exactly is righteousness? 386 00:36:45.305 --> 00:36:46.885 And are we sure that we want that 387 00:36:49.055 --> 00:36:52.945 righteousness means to be right, to be judged, to be just. 388 00:36:53.614 --> 00:36:57.665 It's the act of doing what is in agreement with God's standard. 389 00:36:58.005 --> 00:37:01.025 The bottom line for righteousness is, is this. 390 00:37:01.094 --> 00:37:03.025 It's being in proper relationship with God 391 00:37:06.385 --> 00:37:08.685 and that's what we need desperately. 392 00:37:09.165 --> 00:37:12.925 A righteous person then does right things for the right reason. 393 00:37:14.675 --> 00:37:18.055 Our families need to see that. Our communities need to experience that. 394 00:37:18.395 --> 00:37:19.228 In chapter four, 395 00:37:19.725 --> 00:37:24.455 Paul begins to unpack the example of Abraham and how one becomes right. 396 00:37:25.395 --> 00:37:30.255 And really I see this as how not to do it because he says we 397 00:37:30.256 --> 00:37:32.575 can't be made right by our own works. 398 00:37:34.285 --> 00:37:37.665 For some of us that would be really cool. Just tell me what to do. 399 00:37:38.245 --> 00:37:42.645 Let me do the things, let me do the things. 400 00:37:43.025 --> 00:37:47.885 And then Paul says this in in four two, for if Abraham was justified by works, 401 00:37:48.225 --> 00:37:52.195 he has something to boast about. Because if we could do it and earn it, 402 00:37:52.196 --> 00:37:55.555 then we could brag about, look what I've done, why are you in heaven? 403 00:37:55.625 --> 00:37:59.855 Well this is why. Look at the things I've done. Paul says, 404 00:37:59.875 --> 00:38:04.114 but not before God. And then he gives us the other side of it in verse five. 405 00:38:06.364 --> 00:38:08.585 And to the one who does not work, 406 00:38:09.215 --> 00:38:14.025 realizing it's not about the works you do but believes. Believes in what? 407 00:38:14.026 --> 00:38:17.825 Believes in him, who justifies the ungodly. 408 00:38:18.725 --> 00:38:22.425 His faith is counted to him as righteousness. 409 00:38:23.145 --> 00:38:27.955 Righteousness comes through what he's done, not what we do. 410 00:38:28.695 --> 00:38:31.715 And then he lets us know that it we, we can't be, be, 411 00:38:31.815 --> 00:38:35.925 become righteous by religious rituals or religious activities. 412 00:38:36.625 --> 00:38:38.045 And this is disappointing as well. 413 00:38:38.525 --> 00:38:41.165 It means you don't necessarily get credit because you've come to church. 414 00:38:41.344 --> 00:38:44.525 How many Lord suppers have you taken well on this? Have you been baptized? 415 00:38:44.526 --> 00:38:46.565 Have you, how many Hail Marys have you gone to Mecca? 416 00:38:46.594 --> 00:38:50.605 What are the things Paul's saying? It's not by religious activities. 417 00:38:51.515 --> 00:38:53.485 It's not by religious rituals. 418 00:38:53.945 --> 00:38:58.045 And the example he uses in the life of Abraham has to do with circumcision. 419 00:38:59.025 --> 00:39:03.985 Is the blessing then only for the circumcised or also 420 00:39:04.005 --> 00:39:05.465 for the uncircumcised. 421 00:39:06.335 --> 00:39:11.275 For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 422 00:39:12.785 --> 00:39:15.655 Verse 10, how then was it counted to him? 423 00:39:16.395 --> 00:39:19.455 Was it before or after he had been circumcised? 424 00:39:20.655 --> 00:39:25.355 It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 425 00:39:25.655 --> 00:39:29.675 He was made righteous before he responded with right acts. 426 00:39:31.675 --> 00:39:32.508 Paul go, 427 00:39:32.715 --> 00:39:37.485 goes on and and continuing to making the case using Abraham's example and 428 00:39:37.486 --> 00:39:39.525 letting us know that it's not about our abilities, 429 00:39:39.825 --> 00:39:41.725 but it's about the power of God. See, 430 00:39:41.726 --> 00:39:45.045 Abraham was given a promise that the savior, the rescuer, 431 00:39:45.046 --> 00:39:46.805 the deliverer would come through his line, 432 00:39:48.135 --> 00:39:50.635 the Savior and the rescuer would come through his line. 433 00:39:51.015 --> 00:39:54.675 But then you start looking around and sometimes it's easy to get distracted by 434 00:39:54.676 --> 00:39:56.995 our circumstances and wonder what is God up to? 435 00:39:59.215 --> 00:40:03.495 Trusting can be a challenge in certain circumstances because if you're waiting 436 00:40:03.515 --> 00:40:07.094 for an heir to come through you and then you check your birth certificate and 437 00:40:07.095 --> 00:40:08.415 realize that you're a hundred, 438 00:40:11.255 --> 00:40:13.755 it seems like that would cause you to waver. 439 00:40:15.205 --> 00:40:20.055 And then you look over at your dear wife and she's 90 bless her 440 00:40:20.056 --> 00:40:20.889 heart. 441 00:40:23.855 --> 00:40:28.835 But it's amazing to me that that Abraham looks at this and doesn't 442 00:40:28.836 --> 00:40:31.114 dwell on his circumstances or his abilities, 443 00:40:31.815 --> 00:40:34.114 but trust in the power of God. 444 00:40:34.115 --> 00:40:37.875 Because look at this is amazing to me in verse 19. 445 00:40:38.094 --> 00:40:42.435 He did not weaken in faith. I mean, come on, 446 00:40:42.775 --> 00:40:45.155 in certain circumstances how many of us we just, 447 00:40:45.295 --> 00:40:46.995 we begin to weaken in our faith. 448 00:40:48.295 --> 00:40:51.995 It says in verse 20 that no unbelief made him waver. 449 00:40:53.364 --> 00:40:56.085 I don't know about you, but I feel like I waver all over the place. 450 00:40:56.305 --> 00:41:00.325 Moment by moment, day by day, Abraham did not waver. 451 00:41:00.425 --> 00:41:01.925 And not only did he not waver, 452 00:41:01.926 --> 00:41:06.435 but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 453 00:41:06.655 --> 00:41:11.635 he was fully consent convinced that God was able to do what he 454 00:41:11.815 --> 00:41:14.995 had promised. He was trusting not in his abilities, 455 00:41:15.455 --> 00:41:17.114 but in the power of God. 456 00:41:17.495 --> 00:41:22.435 He was trusting that God was good and that God was able and wanted better for 457 00:41:22.436 --> 00:41:24.795 him than he wanted even for himself. See, 458 00:41:24.796 --> 00:41:28.035 this is the way I look at it in Abraham, even in this circumstance, 459 00:41:28.094 --> 00:41:31.635 in this situation, he was faithing forward. 460 00:41:33.475 --> 00:41:34.614 He was faithing forward. 461 00:41:34.715 --> 00:41:38.535 He was looking ahead and trusting in the power and the goodness and the 462 00:41:38.536 --> 00:41:42.795 greatness of God and was not wavered by it. 463 00:41:43.655 --> 00:41:46.995 He didn't give up, he didn't give in. He continued to show up, 464 00:41:46.996 --> 00:41:49.155 he continued to trust. And I don't know about you, 465 00:41:49.156 --> 00:41:50.835 but that's a massive challenge in my life. 466 00:41:53.825 --> 00:41:58.195 And we are on the other side of who Christ is and what he's done. 467 00:41:58.255 --> 00:42:01.315 So we are faithing backwards. He was faithing forward. 468 00:42:01.945 --> 00:42:03.315 It's about trust. 469 00:42:04.545 --> 00:42:08.565 And as he comes to the end of his illustration of using Abraham, 470 00:42:08.585 --> 00:42:10.565 he points out to us that it's not about our plans, 471 00:42:10.745 --> 00:42:13.885 but it's about God's provision. It's not our plans, 472 00:42:14.025 --> 00:42:15.925 but it's about God's provision. 473 00:42:16.105 --> 00:42:21.085 He says it will be counted to us who believe I in chapter four, verse 24, 474 00:42:21.344 --> 00:42:25.925 who believe in him who raised from the dead? Jesus our Lord. 475 00:42:25.945 --> 00:42:27.445 So he's pointing to the resurrection, 476 00:42:28.614 --> 00:42:32.875 who is delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our 477 00:42:33.265 --> 00:42:34.114 justification. 478 00:42:35.285 --> 00:42:38.455 It's not about our plans of how we can get right and how we can become 479 00:42:38.456 --> 00:42:42.535 righteous. It's about how God provides for us. 480 00:42:44.505 --> 00:42:49.475 Will you trust in God's way or does it have to be your way? 481 00:42:50.305 --> 00:42:54.315 Paul then reminds us of how we even got into this mess in the first place. 482 00:42:56.015 --> 00:42:58.075 How did we get into this mess in the first place? 483 00:42:58.495 --> 00:43:00.395 And how will God provide a way out? 484 00:43:00.695 --> 00:43:05.114 He references all the way back again to the first book of the Bible genesis and 485 00:43:05.115 --> 00:43:08.755 to the first man Adam. And this is what he writes. Therefore, 486 00:43:08.775 --> 00:43:13.395 as one trespass led to condemnation, there's our word, 487 00:43:13.715 --> 00:43:17.075 remember that from the beginning, condemnation for all men. 488 00:43:18.705 --> 00:43:23.635 So one act of righteousness leads to justification 489 00:43:24.295 --> 00:43:29.205 and life for all men. And then this is what happened. 490 00:43:29.785 --> 00:43:31.775 But God 491 00:43:33.605 --> 00:43:38.165 shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, 492 00:43:38.935 --> 00:43:42.165 while we were not seeking what was right, we were not doing what was right. 493 00:43:42.175 --> 00:43:44.925 We're not seeking, we're not looking, we're not doing any of that. 494 00:43:45.855 --> 00:43:47.885 While we were still sinners. 495 00:43:48.265 --> 00:43:51.844 Christ died for us. 496 00:43:54.205 --> 00:43:58.655 But here's the challenge. Maybe you experience this. I know I do. 497 00:43:58.656 --> 00:44:03.495 We have this built in propensity to resist and reject both the problem and 498 00:44:03.496 --> 00:44:08.405 the solution. We resist and we reject. We we're thinking, 499 00:44:08.465 --> 00:44:12.205 I'm not a sinner and I do not need a savior because at the end of the day we 500 00:44:12.206 --> 00:44:14.605 think we, we've got this massive heart problem. 501 00:44:15.465 --> 00:44:18.045 And maybe this challenge needs to become a choice. 502 00:44:18.344 --> 00:44:22.005 We need to choose to follow. Maybe you've never followed before, 503 00:44:22.006 --> 00:44:24.844 you've never made this decision. Maybe that's the challenge. 504 00:44:25.975 --> 00:44:27.565 Maybe we need to choose to be faithful. 505 00:44:27.566 --> 00:44:31.045 We need to choose to keep on choosing the life of faith, even when our, 506 00:44:31.205 --> 00:44:33.645 our circumstances look bleak. 507 00:44:34.885 --> 00:44:37.465 And then when we go back to chapter one and we get a a, 508 00:44:37.625 --> 00:44:42.225 a glimpse at the theme that Paul is trying to get to in 509 00:44:42.844 --> 00:44:47.725 Romans in chapter one, verse 16, he says, 510 00:44:47.785 --> 00:44:48.844 I'm not ashamed of the gospel. 511 00:44:49.625 --> 00:44:54.535 For it is the power for salvation to everyone 512 00:44:54.715 --> 00:44:56.775 who believes to the Jew first 513 00:44:58.594 --> 00:45:03.455 and also to the Greek. He says, for it is the righteousness of God. 514 00:45:03.555 --> 00:45:06.055 The righteousness of God is revealed from faith. 515 00:45:06.515 --> 00:45:09.855 For faith as it is written, 516 00:45:10.675 --> 00:45:13.935 the righteous shall live by faith. 517 00:45:15.315 --> 00:45:20.005 Will you live by faith? See, the heart is tricky and shame will bubble up. 518 00:45:20.745 --> 00:45:22.445 And when shame bubbles up, I, 519 00:45:22.605 --> 00:45:27.485 I will resist and reject transformational news if I'm ashamed that I need it. 520 00:45:31.265 --> 00:45:32.965 And this will lead to misguided thinking. 521 00:45:32.966 --> 00:45:36.605 And then we'll begin to deny the truth and we will begin to suppress the truth. 522 00:45:36.625 --> 00:45:40.085 And then we'll start looking for substitutes that we think will give us 523 00:45:40.485 --> 00:45:44.775 satisfaction and fulfillment. Now, I would like to say this, 524 00:45:45.005 --> 00:45:48.135 that when we get to there's a, you know there's a a God, 525 00:45:48.136 --> 00:45:52.175 there's a problem and then there's a solution and now there's happy music and we 526 00:45:52.205 --> 00:45:55.655 skip off into the sunset. I would love to say that, 527 00:45:58.325 --> 00:45:59.265 but just not yet. 528 00:46:00.485 --> 00:46:04.475 There will be resolution but just not yet. 529 00:46:04.585 --> 00:46:08.675 Paul makes another argument that there's this ongoing struggle, 530 00:46:09.864 --> 00:46:13.395 this ongoing struggle as we strive for righteousness. 531 00:46:14.035 --> 00:46:18.155 I see two wrong ways towards righteousness. One is that we abuse grace. 532 00:46:19.135 --> 00:46:23.075 We abuse grace. Grace is this unmerited transforming favor of God. 533 00:46:23.295 --> 00:46:26.875 But we begin to think because of God's grace that we can live however we want. 534 00:46:27.055 --> 00:46:29.795 We can do whatever we want and there are no consequences. 535 00:46:32.285 --> 00:46:34.105 And we are in this mindset that, 536 00:46:34.135 --> 00:46:37.825 well doesn't God want me to be happy? 537 00:46:39.025 --> 00:46:43.695 Maybe you've even said that. Doesn't God want me to be happy? 538 00:46:45.255 --> 00:46:49.945 And I may surprise you, but the answer is yes. He does want you to be happy. 539 00:46:50.005 --> 00:46:52.505 And that's why he cannot support you living in sin. 540 00:46:52.725 --> 00:46:56.465 But it can condemns you and separates you from what is best 541 00:46:57.965 --> 00:46:58.798 him. 542 00:47:00.745 --> 00:47:04.205 It condemns you and separates you from what is best 543 00:47:06.175 --> 00:47:10.795 him. That's why Paul asked the question, what then are we to sin? 544 00:47:10.796 --> 00:47:15.385 Because we are not under the law, but under grace, no, 545 00:47:16.165 --> 00:47:19.225 by no means. And just to get into your business a little bit, 546 00:47:21.864 --> 00:47:24.625 let me just ask you this question. Have you become, 547 00:47:26.594 --> 00:47:29.205 have you become nonchalant towards sin? 548 00:47:31.425 --> 00:47:36.235 Have you become indifferent towards sin? 'cause if you have your, 549 00:47:36.755 --> 00:47:41.175 your abusing grace, the second wrong way is to ignore grace. 550 00:47:42.165 --> 00:47:47.055 This is a bent towards being self-righteous or being a little bit legalistic. 551 00:47:47.125 --> 00:47:51.655 It's the mindset of let me just keep the rules and perform my way into 552 00:47:51.656 --> 00:47:54.455 righteousness. If I do the right things the right way, 553 00:47:54.456 --> 00:47:56.335 then I'll deserve the right result. 554 00:47:58.555 --> 00:48:02.015 But there's a problem with this also. And and and what I'm about to give you, 555 00:48:02.016 --> 00:48:04.614 this is actually Paul's story who wrote a lot of the New Testament. 556 00:48:05.085 --> 00:48:09.975 This is his thinking and this is him describing his experience even 557 00:48:10.265 --> 00:48:15.255 after he is a follower of Christ. He says this in chapter seven, verse 15, 558 00:48:15.415 --> 00:48:17.215 I do not understand my own actions. 559 00:48:18.815 --> 00:48:21.094 I do not do what I want, 560 00:48:21.795 --> 00:48:26.395 but the very thing I hate. Come on. Does that sound familiar? 561 00:48:27.975 --> 00:48:30.705 Does that sound familiar? Because then he goes on and this is what he says, 562 00:48:31.045 --> 00:48:35.945 for I know that nothing good dwells within me that is in my flesh for I 563 00:48:35.946 --> 00:48:40.185 have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 564 00:48:41.975 --> 00:48:44.735 I can't win what is going on in my head. 565 00:48:49.614 --> 00:48:50.735 And I don't know about you in this moment, 566 00:48:50.755 --> 00:48:55.255 but this is where I'm happy to judge others by their actions and judge myself by 567 00:48:55.256 --> 00:48:56.094 my intentions. 568 00:48:59.375 --> 00:49:02.905 But where does this leave us? Where does this leave us? 569 00:49:02.925 --> 00:49:05.825 Can we just pause for a minute? Can we just, let's take a deep breath. 570 00:49:09.225 --> 00:49:10.415 We've covered a lot of ground. 571 00:49:12.135 --> 00:49:16.265 What is Paul saying in these first seven chapters? This is what he's saying. 572 00:49:16.295 --> 00:49:18.465 This is for me. And this is not necessarily for you. 573 00:49:18.535 --> 00:49:23.265 This is a fancy theological way to say it. A righteous God is righteously, 574 00:49:23.295 --> 00:49:27.715 righteous. The unrighteous, come on. Isn't that clever? 575 00:49:28.555 --> 00:49:33.435 ? Come on a righteous God is righteously, righteous, 576 00:49:33.755 --> 00:49:37.475 seen the unrighteous. But let me be clear this, 577 00:49:37.476 --> 00:49:39.275 this is what really Paul is saying. 578 00:49:40.344 --> 00:49:44.175 There is a God and he is righteous. There is a problem. 579 00:49:44.555 --> 00:49:47.695 We are unrighteous. There is a solution. 580 00:49:48.555 --> 00:49:53.535 God in his love send us his sinless righteous son so that we can have a 581 00:49:53.536 --> 00:49:57.094 substitute and we can take on his righteousness. 582 00:49:58.765 --> 00:50:00.025 But then there's that bit, 583 00:50:00.026 --> 00:50:04.905 there's that ongoing struggling towards righteousness that we 584 00:50:04.906 --> 00:50:09.725 are now living in. But chapter eight, 585 00:50:10.475 --> 00:50:12.605 despite the problem and the struggle, 586 00:50:12.735 --> 00:50:17.325 there is great comfort for those who are in 587 00:50:17.625 --> 00:50:19.995 Christ. This is what I'm learning. 588 00:50:20.665 --> 00:50:25.035 This is the reality that has set in for me as I've spent a lot of time in Romans 589 00:50:25.036 --> 00:50:28.685 and in these chapters that I am more sinful and broken 590 00:50:29.895 --> 00:50:32.945 than I ever imagined. Boy, 591 00:50:32.946 --> 00:50:36.065 that's tough to admit in front of God, Jesus and all of y'all, 592 00:50:37.335 --> 00:50:41.975 I am more sinful and broken than I ever imagined. Yet at the same time, 593 00:50:42.215 --> 00:50:47.015 I am more loved and accepted in Jesus than I ever dared 594 00:50:47.025 --> 00:50:51.795 dream. So why is Romans eight a big deal? 595 00:50:52.965 --> 00:50:57.915 Romans eight is a big deal because it gives us assurance for the future 596 00:50:59.255 --> 00:51:04.175 and responsibility in the present based on the work of Jesus in the 597 00:51:04.176 --> 00:51:07.175 past. See, 598 00:51:07.176 --> 00:51:10.655 once we've experienced righteousness and reconciliation vertically, 599 00:51:11.785 --> 00:51:14.645 we have a responsibility to express it horizontally. 600 00:51:17.195 --> 00:51:20.685 This way does not abuse grace, nor does it, 601 00:51:22.305 --> 00:51:26.065 nor does it ignore grace. It simply receives grace. 602 00:51:27.485 --> 00:51:31.864 And this is the way of transformation and this is the way of freedom. 603 00:51:32.844 --> 00:51:36.285 This way results in no condemnation 604 00:51:37.885 --> 00:51:38.805 and no separation. 605 00:51:40.195 --> 00:51:44.614 And this is great news to receive in a letter that should be read 606 00:51:45.065 --> 00:51:49.855 again and again and again. Each week of the series, 607 00:51:50.515 --> 00:51:53.975 you're gonna get a greater glimpse into the reality of what it means 608 00:51:56.645 --> 00:52:00.135 to be in Christ. Now as we wrap up, 609 00:52:00.755 --> 00:52:04.875 as we wrap up, I want to give you this theologian, 610 00:52:05.275 --> 00:52:06.108 JI Packer says, 611 00:52:06.515 --> 00:52:10.715 when the message of Romans gets into a person's heart, 612 00:52:11.425 --> 00:52:16.114 when the message of Romans gets into a person's heart, there is no telling 613 00:52:17.665 --> 00:52:18.498 what may happen. 614 00:52:19.975 --> 00:52:23.835 So I want to challenge you or encourage you or implore you or urge you. 615 00:52:24.225 --> 00:52:27.675 What if you spent some time digging into Romans, 616 00:52:29.465 --> 00:52:32.315 digging into Romans and what if Packer is right? 617 00:52:32.864 --> 00:52:34.515 There's no telling what may happen. 618 00:52:34.855 --> 00:52:38.594 Do you think that it would deepen your connection and your relationship with 619 00:52:38.595 --> 00:52:39.405 Jesus? 620 00:52:39.405 --> 00:52:43.715 Would it help you grow in living and thinking biblically? 621 00:52:45.655 --> 00:52:48.915 So this is what I wanna challenge you to do. Over the next few weeks, 622 00:52:49.114 --> 00:52:51.275 I want you to go to the Hope in Real Life app. 623 00:52:51.855 --> 00:52:55.435 And there you can partner with us and be a part of the reading plan. Say, 624 00:52:55.436 --> 00:52:56.555 here's a QR code. 625 00:52:58.735 --> 00:53:01.945 Join our reading plan over the se over the course of this series, 626 00:53:02.085 --> 00:53:04.705 and let's read through Romans eight together. 627 00:53:05.205 --> 00:53:08.145 So we're gonna read the Bible together and then this is what I want you to do. 628 00:53:08.705 --> 00:53:13.025 I want you to pray and ask God to speak to you. 629 00:53:14.085 --> 00:53:17.145 So join us in the Reading Plan. Show up each week, 630 00:53:17.715 --> 00:53:22.025 let's see what God will do and ask him to speak to us. Let me pray for us. 631 00:53:22.495 --> 00:53:25.485 Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your word. 632 00:53:26.045 --> 00:53:30.885 I pray for all of us that you would give us a desire to be in 633 00:53:30.886 --> 00:53:31.719 your word, 634 00:53:31.795 --> 00:53:36.045 that you would give us wisdom and insight and understanding into your word. 635 00:53:36.585 --> 00:53:41.364 And then I pray that you would give us ears that we would be able to hear you 636 00:53:41.375 --> 00:53:45.725 speak to us. And it's in the strong name of Jesus we pray. Amen.