ROM-9-140518 - length: 71:30 - taught on May, 18 2014
Class Outline:
Welcome To
BARAH MINISTRIES
a Christian Church
Rory Clark
Pastor-Teacher
Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church…my name is Pastor Rory Clark. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One in whom I place my confidence. He is my Rock, my strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. He assures me, and He assures all believers in Isaiah, Chapter 54, Verse 17 that…
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.
As a Pastor, I sleep like a baby knowing these things. First Timothy, Chapter 5, Verse 17 says…
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Therefore I work tirelessly at the task of serving my Lord. My soul is comforted by His Word. In John, Chapter 8, Verses 31 and 32…
…Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
The Lord’s Word is described this way in Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verse 12…
For the word of God is (alive) and (powerful) and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing (even to) the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and (is a critic of) the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Therefore I have faith…Matthew, Chapter 17, Verse 14 says…
When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying…
“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.”
“I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring (the boy) here to Me.”
And Jesus rebuked (the demon), and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”
And (the Lord Jesus Christ) said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Therefore with faith in Him, no amount of suffering is intolerable…First Peter, Chapter 5, Verses 8 to 10 say…
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
MUSIC AND REFLECTION
Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ
Enjoy the Singing of His Praises
Here I Am To Worship
We begin our worship service today by worshipping the Lord in song. The opening song is HERE I AM TO WORSHIP.
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in Heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon the Cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon the Cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon the Cross
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray...
We’re grateful Heavenly Father for the privilege of studying the absolute
truth...the Word of God…
Guide our thoughts so that the result of learning your Word will guide our actions.
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit...in Christ’s name... Amen.
TODAY’S STUDY
Romans 2 -God Knows Your Blind Spots. Do you?
To the resident and non-resident members of Barah Ministries and to our guests who join us from time to time…welcome. Grace to you and peacefrom the God the Father…from God the Son…from God the Holy Spirit and from the manifest member of the Godhead, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessed are all those who perseveres under trial. Rest assured that all your trials will result in the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to you…you will be delivered. Press on.
We continue our study of the books of Romans. We are in its second section, and we’re studying the consequences of sin.
THE BOOK OF ROMANS
The Consequences of Sin
Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20
Everyone, as unbelievers, stand condemned before God.
Whether immoral or moral…whether good or bad…whether right or wrong…whether self-righteous or lascivious, everyone, as unbelievers, stand condemned before God from the moment of physical birth. In Romans, Chapter 1, Verses 18 to 32, Paul outlines God’s indictment against unbelievers who practice lasciviousness. In Romans, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 16, Paul outlines God’s indictment against unbelievers who practice self-righteousness and religion.
Paul begins Chapter 2 by saying that whenever you judge others you are condemning yourself. Here’s Verse 1…
Therefore you (who practice self-righteousness and religion) have no excuse (no escape from judgment), everyone of you who passes judgment (on others), for in that which you judge (condemn) another (like those practicing lasciviousness), you condemn yourself; for you who judge (those who practice lasciviousness) practice the same things (your lasciviousness is practiced “in the closet”…out of sight… lascivious things which are just as bad, perhaps worse than that of anyone else).
God’s indictment is against the entire human race. In God’s plan, there are not some of us that are more righteous than others in God’s eyes. However, those who practice self-righteousness and religion (believers and unbelievers alike) seem to think that they, somehow, have earned special favor with God because of something they are thinking or doing.
And we know that the judgment of God (also) rightly falls (according to truth, not only on those who practice lasciviousness, but also) upon those who practice (self-righteousness and religion).
The bible describes our God as the God of truth. In John, Chapter 14, Verse 6, the Lord Jesus Christ describes says that in His very Person, He is “the truth” …
Jesus said to (Thomas), “I am the way (to salvation), and (I am) the truth (in my very Person…and in my Word), and (I am) the (Zoe) life (the resurrection life); no one comes to the Father but through (believing in) Me.”
In Psalm 31, Verse 5, God the Father is described as a God of truth, in His very Person…
Into Your hand (God the Father) I (the Lord Jesus Christ) commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord(God the Father), God of truth.
In Isaiah, Chapter 65, Verse 16, the Lord directs His blessings to all those who choose, in their own free will, to be judged rightly by truth.
“Because he who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles (a reference to spiritual death and to the sovereignty of the sin nature) are forgotten, and because (the former troubles) are hidden from My sight!”
Picking it up at Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 3…
But do you suppose this, O (men and women who practice self-righteousness
and religion), (that) when you pass judgment on those who practice (lasciviousness) and do the same (lascivious things) yourself (or even worse things), that you will escape the judgment of God?
The lesson of the first three verses isn’t a lesson learned early in life…it’s the lesson that when we point a finger at others in judgment, there are three fingers pointing back at us. Yet the mirror is not something that any of us are all that comfortable looking into, because when we look into the mirror of the Word of God, if we see rightly, we really see our faults. There are sins each of us have which we are just not able to stop doing. Yet those who practice self-righteousness and religion are blind to their own faults and they are crystal clear on the faults of others.
In the Austin Powers movie Goldmember, actor Michael Caine’s character says, “There are two kinds of people I can’t stand…those who are intolerant of other cultures…and the Dutch.” As human beings we have an amazing double standard…we condemn in others the very offenses that we are committing. In Alcoholics Anonymous circles it’s called the “You Spot It-You Got It” syndrome. Whatever we criticize in others, we hate most in ourselves. And when you think about it, there is a lot to loathe in us. Isn’t it great that whether we are believers in Christ, or unbelievers, God doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves, and He certainly doesn’t see us the way we see others. God does not treat us the way we deserve to be treated. We’d do well to follow His lead in this matter. Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 4…
Or do you (who practice self-righteousness and religion) think lightly of the riches of (God the Father’s) kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God (the Father is what) leads you to repentance (a change of mind about Christ)?
Here’s another way to say Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 4…it’s Ecclesiastes, Chapter 8, Verse 11…
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
God’s kindness has a purpose. What is the purpose of the Lord’s kindness
toward mankind? Titus, Chapter 3, Verses 4 and 5…
But when the kindness of (the) God (who is) our Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ) and His (unconditional) love for mankind appeared…
…(the Lord Jesus Christ) saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in (self) righteousness, but (He saved us) according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and (through the) renewing by (God) the Holy Spirit…
The righteousness that we cannot manufacture from the source of ourselves, especially from the condition of spiritual death from physical birth, God manufactures for us…He provides us with His righteousness at the moment of salvation. We have a God of kindness and love and mercy.
Now…if you’re having trouble understanding the message God is sending to you right now through this lesson…if I’m being too complicated so that you leave the lesson not knowing the lesson…here’s the point…you have to ask yourself…
Are you righteous enough, because of something inherently good in you, to be able to stand in judgment of others? Whether you are an unbeliever, or a believer in Christ…this passage says NO!
So it would make sense to do regular self-examination.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What are you grateful for?
Who are you grateful for?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What difference do you make in the lives of others?
What difference does it make that you are even on the planet?
Take a five-minute break and reflect on these things…
BREAK
Come to the Well
When I Think About Home
Welcome back…
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What are you grateful for?
Who are you grateful for?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What difference do you make in the lives of others?
What difference does it make that you are even on the planet?
What am I grateful for? I am grateful for my clearly visible faults. I’m happy that no one has to look at me and think, “There goes a perfect person…there goes a guy who has it all together.” I don’t. Who am I grateful for? I am grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the never ending stream of challenges He puts I my life. I am grateful to all the people around me who are supportive of the mission I have for my life, which is to make a difference in the lives of others, one person at a time. I am even more grateful for the people He puts in my life to drive me crazy… those who look at me as defective and lacking and who are certain they have all the answers in this life…those who practice self-righteousness and religion. How about you? Are you grateful for your flaws? Or do you spend most of your time defending yourself?
What difference do I make in the lives of others? I don’t ever wake up at three in the morning in a cold sweat wondering if I am doing God’s will or wondering if I make a difference to others. I feel the difference I make, one person at a time, whether it is at Barah Ministries, or whether it is in my own home, or whether it is in the business world, which is every bit a part of my ministry. I get to use my spiritual gift in corporations throughout the world… one person at a time. It’s obvious to everyone I meet that the Lord Jesus Christ is at the center of my life and I mention Him and His Word every time there is opportunity. When adversity hits the people I serve in companies, I am grateful to get phone calls from people who want to know how to handle the challenges of their lives, and it’s fun to dispense advice free of charge about our glorious of God. I had several young people inquire about Barah Ministries during work this week in Los Angeles…young people…people who never really think about God on a daily basis…but they thought about Him this week because they heard me bring Him up. Of this, I am proud. And I am grateful that God is giving me work so that I can evangelize to those outside of the Gilbert community and the Phoenix community. I consider myself lucky to be able to touch lives this in this way and to get paid handsomely for it.
What difference does it make that I am on the planet? A huge difference…one person at a time…mainly because I am not deluded enough to think that there is something in me that makes me wonderful. I am aware that everything I am and everything I have comes from the source of God, even the permission He gives for me to endure the constant barrage of the kingdom of darkness that is designed to discourage a man who cannot be discouraged. I can do all things through the One who keeps on pouring His enabling power into me.
How would you answer those four questions if you were being honest with yourself?
Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 5…now a bit of transition…why do people take advantage of God’s kindness? Why do they ignore God’s kindness? Why do people get familiar with God’s kindness?
But because of your stubbornness and (your) unrepentant heart you (unbelievers, who practice self-righteousness and religion) are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and (in the day of the) revelation of the righteous judgment of God…
…(a God who) WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS…
Verse 6 comes from the Old Testament Scripture…Psalm 62, Verse 12…
And lovingkindness (grace) is Yours, O Lord, for You recompense (compensate) a man according to his work.
God compensates all mankind, all of His creatures, in a just way…He is fair and impartial…and He will deal with us based on our orientation to the truth. He will deal with us based on our obedience to His Word. What are “the works” that pay off? Obedience to God’s Word pays off. Proverbs, Chapter 24, Verse 12…
If you say, “See, we did not know this,” does (the Lord) not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does (the Lord) not know (the truth, the One) who keeps your soul? And will (the Lord) not render to man according to his work?
Willful ignorance is without excuse…God does not excuse unbelievers from His wrath because they claim ignorance…because God knows the heart…God weighs the motives of a person. God compensates obedience. God directs His stored up wrath toward disobedience.
The unbeliever will meet the Lord Jesus Christ one day at The Last Judgment, which is also called The Great White Throne Judgment...
Revelation, Chapter 20, Verse 11…
Then I saw a great white throne and (the Lord Jesus Christ) who sat upon it, from whose presence (unbelievers on the) earth and (in the) heaven(s) (in the whole created universe) fled away, and no place was found for them (to live).
The sentence against evil deeds that was postponed by God’s kindness, unconditional love and mercy will come pouring forth onto unbelievers at The Last Judgment. We could easily call this judgment, as Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 5 does, the righteous judgment of God…yet we could also easily call it God’s judgment of our righteousness. Since we are born as unbelievers, without righteousness, because of Adam’s original sin as the federal head of the human race being imputed to us at physical birth…since we were born in an ungodly and unrighteous condition…called sinners…and since we cannot manufacture righteousness ourselves…at The Last Judgment, God will be judging the very deeds that unbelievers think are deeds of righteousness which earn them a place in heaven. Self-righteous deeds fall way short of the glory of God. Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 5…
…(the Lord Jesus Christ) saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in (self) righteousness, but (He saved us) according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and (through the) renewing by (God) the Holy Spirit…
Now back to Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 7…
…(God) WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS(He will render payment) to (believers) who by perseverance in doing good (continually) seek for glory and honor and immortality…(God will render to them) eternal life…
…but to (unbelievers) who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but (continually) obey unrighteousness (evil deeds), (God will render to them) wrath and indignation.
God is just in the distribution wrath and righteousness. Do you want righteousness from God or wrath from God? Take your pick.
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What does your habitual conduct reveal about you?
What do others know about you that you don’t know about yourself?
<JOHARI WINDOW>
A word to the wise…find out what’s in your blind spot.
The Promises of the Lord Jesus Christ
Trust in the Lord and do good…
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord…and He will do it.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in (union with) Christ Jesus.
CLOSING SONG
You Raise Me Up
CLOSING PRAYER
Let us pray...
THANKS
INTERCESSION
PETITION
And we pray that You continue to shape the messages from this pulpit that are a reflection of Your unconditional love, Your Magnificent Person, Your perfect thinking, Your impeccable work, and Your indescribable essence...we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit, in Christ’s name, Amen.
Thanks for coming!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for listening!
www.barahministries.com
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