ROM-77-150208 - length: 65:49 - taught on Feb, 8 2015
Class Outline:
Welcome To
BARAH MINISTRIES
a Christian Church
Rory Clark
Pastor-Teacher
Good Morning!
Welcome to Barah Ministries…a worldwide Christian Church based in Mesa, AZ…my name is Pastor Rory Clark.
Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 3 to 5 say…
…we believers in Christ also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance…
…and perseverance brings about proven character; and proven character brings about hope…
…and hope does not disappoint, because the unconditional love of God the Father has been poured out within our hearts through God the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Why do Christians exult in times of tribulation? Actually we don’t! J We hate these times. But surely we ought to love them! God gives them to us for our benefit. The word elpis is the Greek word for hope. It means absolute confidence. When you hope for something through God, do you have absolute confidence that it will happen? You ought to!
When you see the word hope in the New Testament, it means something quite different than hope means when we say the word in English. When Christians have hope, we have absolute confidence. Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 24 and 25…
For in hope (absolute confidence) we have been saved, but hope (absolute confidence) in that which is seen is not hope; for who hopes (has absolute confidence) for what he already sees?
But if we hope (with absolute confidence) for what we do not see (and we Christians do), with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
A wise person does not hope for the things already seen. There’s no need to hope for what you have. Christians have hope because of what we have been told in the Word of God. Christians have hope because of the One in whom we hope. Our hope is in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we have not yet seen…John, Chapter 20, Verse 29…
Jesus said to doubting Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Why do we hope? Romans, Chapter 4, Verses 20 and 21…
…with respect to the promise of God, Abraham did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God the Father…
…and being fully assured that what God the Father had promised, He was able also to perform.
We have absolute confidence in the Lord’s deliverance in all circumstances, and we are pleased to have the chance to worship Him today. Welcome to a place where the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of the Lord gives you hope.
MUSIC AND REFLECTION
Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ
Enjoy the Singing of His Praises
His Strength is Perfect
Let’s begin our worship of the Lord with a song…we hope because we have access to His strength…the opening song is…HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray...
We’re grateful to you, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…
Give us the confidence to use our freedom as You would have us use it…help us to take advantage of the hope we have in You…make us consciously aware of Your power at work in us…help us pass it on to everyone we meet…
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit...in Christ’s name...
Amen.
TODAY’S STUDY
Do You Honor the Freedom of Others?
Turn in your bibles to Romans, Chapter 6 where we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, a foundational biblical work that teaches us the Christian Way of Living. The letter opens by asking you to reflect on this question…
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What is the proper use of your freedom?
Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 20 and 21…
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…
…so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Romans Chapter 6, Verses 1 and 2, Paul is asking you to consider the proper use of your freedom…
What shall we believers in Christ say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
Paul is asking if we think we should sin more to get more grace? Paul says, in Romans, Chapter 6, Verse 2…
May it never be! How shall we believers in Christ (such ones as we…royalty…the children of a King), who died to sin (as an established fact at the moment of our salvation), still live in sin (as if sin is still our master)?
So we have taken a quick trip over to the book of Galatians to see the use of freedom in action. The Galatian believers used their freedom against themselves, much like we do. After believing in Christ, and being freed from the prison of spiritual death, they allowed false teachers to influence them to abandon the sphere of grace that is Christianity, a relationship with Christ, and to go right back to the slavery of the Mosaic Law…a law they were not even under as Gentiles…and to entertain such lies as circumcision is necessary for salvation. In our day and age we do the same thing…we are always looking for an oppressor to tell us how to think and how to act…an oppressor who seeks to make us slaves. <Obamacare>
In the final chapter of the book of Galatians, Paul deals with some of the practical matters of faith in Christ. For example…as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, what do you do when another believer in Christ is entangled by a sin that is his weakness? For example…drunkenness; the love of money; sexual sins, like fornication or adultery or some other form of sexual perversion; drugs; abuse of sugar (not a sin); stealing; lying; gambling (not a sin); nicotine (not a sin); some obsession of choice, which may or may not be sinful…something over which your Christian friend is powerless; something over which you too, are powerless…when you notice the problem…when you want to help…what do you do? Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 1…
Brethren (believers in Christ), even if anyone is caught in any trespass (someone running from sin but sin is faster), you who are spiritual (mature), restore (help mend) such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Here’s an example of a person caught in a trespass…and a legalistic handling of the situation…John, Chapter 8, Verses 3 to 5…
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court…
…they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women to death; what then do You say?”
They’re asking the person who wrote the Mosaic Law to weigh in on the subject. If this woman were your friend, what would you do? The legalists sought to embarrass her publicly…the Lord restored her, mended her, in a spirit of gentleness…John, Chapter 8, Verses 7…
But when they persisted in asking Him, Jesus straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The Lord restored her with gentleness. Do we look at people who make mistakes this way? John, Chapter 8, Verses 10…
Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they (your accusers)? Did no one condemn you?”
She said, “No one, Lord (she is a believer in Christ).” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 1…
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with Christ Jesus.
By the way, if you’re the one who is entangled in the sin, it’s probably a good idea for you to receive the help from another believer graciously. All of us can easily fall into our area of powerlessness. It’s a good idea to let those around you who care for you help you out of your predicaments. Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 2…
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
When those around us encounter spiritual failures, as they inevitably will, we are to be there for them in unconditional love. What if you don’t feel this way toward the other person? Then you are probably not what these verses describe as “spiritual.” You probably have some spiritual “growing up” to do. Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 3…
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
When we think we can’t or won’t be entangled by a sin in our area of weakness, we are kidding ourselves. When we are judgmental of others, we’re missing looking at ourselves. James. Chapter 1, Verses 23 and 24…
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror…
…for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law (which is no law at all, rather it is), the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
We are blessed when we hold to the teaching of our Lord. When believers are demonstrating an attitude of unconditional love that is powered by God the Holy Spirit, they are not demonstrating an attitude of intolerance of the mistakes of others. None of us are so spiritual that we don’t make mistakes. Paul encourages us not to be relative in our thinking, comparing ourselves to others who are weaker than us, and thus getting a sense of assuredness that we have no problems. Instead we are to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith without looking to compare ourselves to others…Galatians, Chapter 6, Verses 4 and 5…
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
For each one will bear his own load.
Take a five-minute break…
BREAK
Lord I Lift Your Name on High
Welcome back…Galatians, Chapter 6, Verses 4 and 5…
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
For each one will bear his own load.
The burdens referred to in this verse are not the burdens that are too heavy to bear alone, as in verse two…these burdens are the ones we encounter as Christians that are part of our normal load as Christians. Next, Paul addresses the congregation’s attitude toward the Pastor-Teacher…
The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
Members of the congregation are to support the financial needs of their Pastor with an attitude of joy in service, not begrudgingly or under compulsion.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Paul is dealing with financial support for Pastors in this verse, even though the verse has much broader application. When you sow your funds at the bar, you’ll reap a headache…when you sow your funds in the church, you’ll reap a harvest. As good stewards of the Lord’s financial blessings, we always look to invest in places where the investment has a tremendous return. Now Paul illustrates the idea…
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life (the Zoe life…the resurrection life).
However, God does not always work on our time frame…the blessings from God often take time to set up…Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 9…
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
…the coming harvest is always a sure thing in the plan of God.
So then, while we have opportunity (which God always provides), let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
We are to have priority in our helping…to those in our periphery…in our family, first and foremost…with our friends…in our church community…in our neighborhood…and in the broader community as we are able. Now Paul summarized his thoughts from the letter to the Galatians.
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Paul is writing himself now and has taken the pen from the scribe.
Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh (the Judaizers) try to compel you to be circumcised (for salvation), simply so that they will not be persecuted for (preaching) the Cross of Christ (they are people pleasers, not God pleasers).
For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
They are many Christians who brag of the number of converts they have. Paul reminds us to reflect on this question…
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What is the proper use of your freedom?
You can glorify the flesh (works) as the religious and the legalists do, or you can glorify the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 14…
But may it never be that I would boast, except (to boast) in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I (have been crucified) to the world.
Now Paul makes the point that keeping the ceremonial law is irrelevant to salvation…Galatians, Chapter 6, Verse 15…
For neither is circumcision anything (of spiritual significance), nor (is) uncircumcision (anything of spiritual significance), but a new creation (the spiritual birth, is everything).
Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 17…
Therefore if anyone is in union with Christ (and all believers are), he is a new creature; the old man things passed away; behold, new man things have come.
For those who live by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and for those who create a lifestyle of walking in the sphere of grace, they will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.
And those who will walk by this rule (concerning the new man), peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
The blessings of God fall upon believing Gentiles and believing Jews.
From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
The brand marks of Jesus were the scars from the beatings Paul had taken for worshipping Christ openly. Paul closes his letter with an affectionate close.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Do you honor the freedom of others? Do you value your own freedom? Do you take advantage of your freedom in a godly way? Or do you take advantage of yourself with your freedom?
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What is the proper use of your freedom?
The opening of Romans, Chapter 6 invites you to take a good hard look at yourselves. You are children of a King. Do you act like it, toward yourself and toward others?
Do you understand the principle of freedom? Do you understand that freedom is a higher calling than the rules oriented right-wrong life that we have been sold by the kingdom of death? Do you understand that the right wrong life is not the life of a child of a King?
If we’re being honest, we’d have to say, “No! We don’t use our freedom properly!” That’s not cause for guilt. It’s a cause for adjustment. What kind of adjustment?
It’s one thing to KNOW that you have freedom. Do you act like it? Do you DO freedom? Do you KNOW how to DO freedom?
The proper use of your freedom is easy for a Christian…just say YES to everything the Lord asks of you. Make yourself a vessel of His will. We do so, in every area of life. We must decide not to have a problem doing it in our spiritual lives as well.
The Promises of the Lord Jesus Christ
are Guarantees!
When God makes a promise…
it’s a guarantee!
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own private interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men carried along by God the Holy Spirit spoke directly from the exact thinking of THE God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
CLOSING SONG
Walk in the Light
CLOSING PRAYER
Let us pray...
THANKS- INTERCESSION- PETITION
And we pray that You continue to shape the messages from this pulpit that are an accurate reflection of Your unconditional love, Your glorious Person, Your lucid thinking, Your impeccable work, and Your magnificent 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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1220 S. Alma School Rd. Suite 201 Mesa, AZ 85210 |
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