(# 324) Romans 9 - Being a Christian is Easy – Just Be a “Taker”

Class Outline:

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Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church based in Mesa, AZ…my name is Pastor Rory Clark.

 

You’ve heard it said that there are “givers” and there are “takers” in this world.  I’ve found that to be true.  To be a Christian, first you have to learn to be a “taker.”  John, Chapter 3, Verses 16 to 21 tell you why…

 

JOHN 3:16

“For God the Father loved the world unconditionally…and He loved the world so much…that He GAVE His uniquely born Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

 

God the Father gave the resurrection life, and it’s there for the “takers!”

 

JOHN 3:17

“For God the Father did not send the Son into the world to judge the world (damnation), but that the world might be saved (salvation) through believing in Him.”

 

God takes no pleasure in seeing unbelievers not be “takers” of a relationship with Him, instead going to the Lake of Fire…but He allows them to choose this path.  It is God’s will that ALL be saved.

 

JOHN 3:18

“He who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is not judged…he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the Person of the uniquely born Son of God.”

 

“Takers” take a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

JOHN 3:19

“This is the judgment, that the Light (the Lord Jesus Christ) has come into

 the world, and men loved the darkness (of Satan) rather than the Light (of the Lord Jesus Christ), for their deeds were evil.”

 

“Takers” want the Light.

 

JOHN 3:20

“For everyone who practices evil (and that’s unrighteous, ungodly

unbelievers) hates the Light (the Lord Jesus Christ), and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

 

JOHN 3:21

“But he who practices the truth (believers in Christ) comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested (made clearly visible) as having been wrought in God.”

 

Real “takers” want to be exposed for all they have taken from the Lord…welcome to a place where you can be a “taker” … take all of the Word of God that you want!

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Being a Christian is Easy - Just Be a “Taker”

 

I was talking to a friend this week, and he just couldn’t accept it that God would allow some people to go to the Lake of Fire.  “Didn’t the Lord Jesus Christ die on the Cross for everyone?”  Yes.  “Everyone?!”  Yes.  “Then I can’t believe He would let someone He died for go to the Lake of Fire.  I mean…what if they didn’t know about Him?”  They knew.  “But how do you know they knew about Him?” God says so in His Word.  “But what if they didn’t know?!”

 

God is Sovereign…He’s not sentimental.  Most of all He’s fair.  So, for any of you who are worried about people you love who are rejecting a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ…just teach them to be “takers.”  Why?  Because our gracious God loves to give.  John, Chapter 1, Verses 11 to 13…

 

JOHN 1:11

The Lord Jesus Christ came to His own, and those who were His own (the Jews) did not receive Him.

 

The Lord went to His own hometown, Bethlehem…and to His own people, the Jews…and to His own nation, Israel…and they rejected Him.

 

JOHN 1:12

But as many as received Him (believing in His Person), to them the Lord Jesus Christ gave the right to become children of God (adopted adult sons), even to those who believe in His name…

 

JOHN 1:13

…who were the born again ones, not born of blood (by physical birth) nor born of the will of the flesh (through human decision) nor born of the will of man (a husband’s decision to be a father), but the born again ones of the sovereign God.

 

We’ll learn about the wisdom of being a “taker” in today’s lesson.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

BEYOND ME

TobyMac

 

As we turn, for a few moments, from the cares of this life to rest in the

Word of God…let’s listen to…BEYOND ME sung by TOBYMAC.

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Father, thank you for giving Your Son to pay for our sins, so we could be “takers” of the free gift of salvation as a result of His Work on the Cross and His shed blood…

Encourage us as Christians to take more from You so we can learn how to give as You do, especially giving the gift of the good news of the gospel message to our friends and our enemies about Your free gift…help us to help them be “takers…”

 

We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...

Amen.

 

A few announcements…

 

BARAH MINISTRIES ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Next Deacon’s Meeting

November 12

7:30A-9:00A

 

Note the date change…

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The Next Lord’s Supper Celebration

November 13, 2016

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

NO FACE-TO-FACE TEACHING

November 20 and December 4

December 25 and January 1

 

PRAYERS

Barah Ministries Prayer Request Group

 

Join me in prayer directed at all the intercessions and all the petitions of the

people visiting the Barah Ministries Prayer Request Group.

 

Prayers especially for all those who need the Lord’s support and aren’t asking for it…

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Debbie Cramer

November 1

 

The big 5-0…only fifty more years to go Deb!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Pastor John Farley

November 2

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Being a Christian is Easy - Just Be a “Taker”

 

We are studying Romans, Chapter 9…the second passage…and the backdrop of this passage is God’s Sovereignty…God is able to do all that He wills.  If creatures don’t respond to God’s will, it’s not His fault.

 

CHAPTER 9 - PASSAGE 2

 

ROMANS 9:6

But it is not as though the word of God has failed (simply because unbelieving Jews rejected their Messiah). For they are not all Israel (spiritual Jews in the eyes of God) who are descended from Israel (as racial Jews)…

 

ROMANS 9:7

…nor are they all children of God (in God’s eyes) simply because they are Abraham’s descendants…but “through Isaac (a believer in Christ) your descendants will be named.”

 

ROMANS 9:8

That is, it is not the children (the born ones) of the flesh (Ishmael’s seed) who are children of God, but it is the children (the born ones) of the promise (Abraham’s seed…the born ones of God that) are regarded (by God) as descendants (of Abraham).

 

ROMANS 9:9

For this is the word of promise made by God to Abram and Sari, “At this time next year I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

 

ROMANS 9:10

And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac…

ROMANS 9:11

…for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His sovereign choice would stand, not because of works but because of God the Father who calls…

 

ROMANS 9:12

…it was said to Rebekah, “The older will serve the younger.”

 

ROMANS 9:13

Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

 

The Lord gives His all to us…all we have to do is be “takers!”  What did He give to us?

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

HIMSELF

Announcing Himself as the God of Israel

 

FIRST SAMUEL 17:45

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.”

 

FIRST SAMUEL 17:46

“This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands…”

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

LEADERS

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

PROMISES
The Five Covenants with Abraham

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

BLESSINGS

Multiplying their Seed and Giving them Land

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

          STATUS

Promising David a line of perpetual royalty on earth

 

GOD’S GIFTS TO THE JEWS

 

A FUTURE

Prophesying a Great and Glorious End for Israel

 

Voice your choice!  Be a “taker!”  Were the Jews “takers?”  Romans, Chapter 9, Verses 6 and 7…

 

ROMANS 9:6

But it is not as though the word of God has failed (simply because unbelieving Jews rejected their Messiah). For they are not all Israel (spiritual Jews in the eyes of God) who are descended from Israel (as racial Jews)…

 

ROMANS 9:7

…nor are they all children of God (in God’s eyes) simply because they are Abraham’s descendants…but “through Isaac (a believer in Christ) your descendants will be named.”

 

The unbelieving Jews were selfish…but not selfish enough to be “takers.”  They didn’t take a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and they left all the magnificent gifts from God on the table.  Let’s take a quick music break and see what the Lord Jesus Christ has to say about what real “takers” do that distinguishes them.

 

MUSIC BREAK

ALREADY THERE

Casting Crowns

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Being a Christian is Easy - Just Be a “Taker”

Welcome back!  Romans, Chapter 9, Verses 6 and 7…

 

ROMANS 9:6

But it is not as though the word of God has failed (simply because unbelieving Jews rejected their Messiah). For they are not all Israel (spiritual Jews in the eyes of God) who are descended from Israel (as racial Jews)…

 

ROMANS 9:7

…nor are they all children of God (in God’s eyes) simply because they are Abraham’s descendants…but “through Isaac (a believer in Christ) your descendants will be named.”

 

Are the Jews “takers?”  Nope…not the right kind of “takers” … this is made clear by the Lord in John, Chapter 8, Verses 31 to 44…

 

JOHN 8:31

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him (they were paying attention to Him but not believing in Him), “If you continue in My word (the gospel message…maybe you will and maybe you won’t…you have a choice), then you are truly disciples of Mine…”
 

JOHN 8:32

“…and you will know the truth (of salvation), and the truth will make you free (you will be saved).”

 

JOHN 8:33

They answered Him … “We are Abraham’s descendants (racial Jews) and have never yet been enslaved to anyone…how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

 

They evidently forgot the 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

 

JOHN 8:34

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin (the original sin of Adam in this case, as they are unbelievers…they are in bondage to sin as their sovereign).”

 

JOHN 8:35

“The slave does not remain in the house forever (as was true of Ishmael) …the son (like Isaac) does remain forever (because he has spiritual kinship with the Christ).”

 

JOHN 8: 36

“So if the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) makes you free (maybe He will and maybe He won’t…you have to choose), you will be free indeed.”

 

JOHN 8:37

“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants…yet you seek to kill Me, because My Word has no place in you (because you are unbelievers).”

 

JOHN 8:38

“I speak the things which I have seen with My Father…therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”

 

JOHN 8:39

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham (like Genesis 15:6).”

 

JOHN 8:40

“But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God the Father…this Abraham did not do.”

 

JOHN 8: 41

“You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication (like you)…we have one Father…God.”

 

JOHN 8:42

Jesus said to them, “If (for the sake of argument) God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God the Father, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but God the Father sent Me.”

 

JOHN 8:43

“Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word (as unbelievers…psuchikos men).”

JOHN 8:44

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father (Satan). He was a (soul) murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

 

Religious privilege…birth privilege…is not spiritual privilege.  Who are the real sons of Abraham?  Galatians, Chapter 3, Verses 6 to 9…

 

GALATIANS 3:6

Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

 

 GALATIANS 3:7

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith (alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone) who are sons of Abraham.

 

GALATIANS 3:8

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

 

GALATIANS 3:9

So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

 

My friend was having trouble realizing that God is Sovereign…He is able to do all He wills to do and He has will for you as a believer in Christ.  Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verse 10…

 

EPHESIANS 2:10

For we believers in Christ are His workmanship, created in union with Christ Jesus for good works, which God the Father prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 

With this idea as a backdrop, are you truly a “taker” as a believers in Christ?  Or are you just “fakers?”  Are you taking advantage of God and all He has given you?  Or are you creating your own works to walk in.  This is a struggle of my spiritual life and I know it is a struggle of yours.  For example, God has given us the gift of time.  How well do you use it?  God has given some the gift of being single.  Are you comfortable with His blessing or are you forcing your will and paying the consequences for it?  After all, People aren’t in charge of the realization of our desires…God is.  Speaking of blessings, do you ever ask God why He has given you certain blessings?  We’re famous for asking why He has given us tribulation…but why did He give you the blessings you have…why are you in the exact circumstance He wants you in right now…what is the blessing designed to teach?  Psalm, Chapter 16, Verse 11…

 

PSALM 16:11

You will make known to me the path of life…in Your presence is fullness of joy…in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

 

Here’s the point…God is Sovereign…He is the Source…He has willed something for you.  Are you willing to be “takers” enough to take advantage of it?

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

ACTS 16:30

“…the jailer asked, “Sirs (talking to Paul and Silas), what must I do to be saved?”

 

ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

ROMANS 10:10

…for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

 

SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of, but instead He is patient toward you unbelievers, not wishing for any to perish (in the Lake of Fire) but for all to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).

 

LUKE 19:10

“For the Son of Man (the Lord Jesus Christ) has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

CLOSING SONG

HE’S BEEN FAITHFUL

June Murphy

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

 

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