(# 294) Romans 8 - Hail to the Victors

   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.  Barah Ministries teaches the Word of God from God’s perspective and not from the human perspective.  We want to know what God has to say to us though His Word, because we’re convinced that God knows exactly what He’s talking about.  And our God is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Hail to the Victors

 

Speaking of trials that are undeserved…Isaiah, Chapter 53, Verses 1 to 12…

 

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed our message?  And to whom has the arm (strength) of the Lord been revealed?

 

The Jews, at the Lord Jesus Christ’s first coming, rejected Him…and many of them reject Him to this day as if He is not their Messiah.

 

Isaiah 53:2

For the Lord grew up before God the Father like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; the Lord Jesus Christ has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

 

There was nothing royal looking about the King of kings.

 

Isaiah 53:3

The Lord was despised and forsaken of men (in fact, repulsed by them), a man of many sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

 

No one even wanted to look at Him.

 

Isaiah 53:4

Surely our griefs the Lord Himself bore (in His own body on the Cross), and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 

While He was doing the work to pay for the sins of the world and to provide the work for a “so great” salvation, it was thought that His rejection and subsequent punishments were what He deserved for “blaspheming” by saying that He is God (which is true).

 

Isaiah 53:5

But the Lord was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.

 

The Lord accomplished our salvation and our deliverance at the Cross.

 

Isaiah 53:6

All of us (in Israel…the Jews) like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

 

The Lord remains faithful to the faithless.

 

Isaiah 53:7

The Lord was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.

 

The Lord made a willing sacrifice.

 

Isaiah 53:8

By oppression and judgment He was taken away (to the Cross); and as for His generation, who (of His generation) considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living (led to death) for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

Isaiah 53:9

His grave was (pre-)assigned (to be) with wicked men (the two thieves that were also crucified that day), yet the Lord was with a rich man in His death (Joseph of Arimithea, a wealthy man, gave Jesus His tomb), because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

 

Isaiah 53:10

But the Lord (God the Father) was pleased to crush Him (Jesus Christ), putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days (for all eternity), and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.

 

Isaiah 53:11

As a result of the anguish of His soul, God the Father will see it (the work of the Cross) and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.

 

The Lord’s sacrifice was the ONLY perfectly satisfactory payment for sin in the eyes of God the Father, and all who believe in the Lord and His work will be saved.

 

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many,

and interceded for the transgressors.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the inventor of “other focus”… a key to great relationships…sacrifice of self…John, Chapter 1, Verse 14…

 

John 1:14

And the Word (God the Son…the Lord) became flesh (Jesus Christ), and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the uniquely born one from the Father, full of grace and full of truth.

 

As a result of His work, the Lord Jesus Christ is a victor…and because of our union with Him as believers in Christ…we are victors as well.  Hail to the victors!  Psalm 110, Verse 1…

 

Psalm 110:1

The Lord (God the Father) says to my Lord (Jesus Christ): “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

 

Psalm 23, Verses 5 and 6…

 

Psalm 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.

 

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness (unconditional love) and lovingkindness (grace) will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

The Victors will live face-to-face with their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever…so when we think of the tribulations and distresses and persecutions of this life, what can mere man do to any of us?  The Lord is for us…who can be successful in opposition against us?  Welcome to a place where you can revel in the victory provided for you by the Savior in the midst of and in spite of the trials of this life.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Steven Curtis Chapman

 

The opening song for this lesson is SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

 by Steven Curtis Chapman.

 

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 us the victory through Your amazing Son, the Lord Jesus Christ…thank you for always answering us when there is trouble brewing in our lives…thank you for always sending us the refreshment we need…thank you for always giving us the desires of our hearts…

 

During our trials, remind us that we are already victorious…bring Your Word to our minds in the form of calming thoughts that sustain us through the turbulent waters of this life…help us to stand up straight in the face of danger knowing that we have Your full protection and Your full pardon…and lead us occasionally by the still waters before the next storm…

 

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

 

Let’s begin this lesson by giving you a chance to make an offering…

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

In just a moment we’ll welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall to take the offering.

 

We appreciate the financial contribution you make to this ministry…we also need you to help this ministry grow, if you think it is valuable for the ministry to do so, by bringing new souls to the Lord and to His Word through this ministry.  We appreciate those contributions, too.

 

Please welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with the offering message.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

First John 2:15-16

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.//For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

 

 

OFFERING

FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE

Dave McClure, Instrumental

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Hail to the Victors

 

First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 57…

 

First Corinthians 15:57

…thanks be to God the Father, who gives us the victory through our (union with the) Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 37…

 

Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us unconditionally.

 

During this love letter from God, in Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 31 to 39, and throughout all eight chapters of absolutely foundational thought concerning the Christian Way of Life and the Christian Way of Living…we must never lose sight of one established and irrevocable fact, highlighted in Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 13…

 

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things THROUGH HIM who strengthens me.

 

Hail to the Victors!  First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 57…

 

First Corinthians 15:57

…thanks be to God the Father, who gives us the victory through our (union with the) Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In situations like the ones in the next passage, we have the victory…in Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 28 to 34…the Lord reminds His apostles, who are arguing about which of them is the greatest, that the greatest among them will be the servant…the one with “other focus” …

 

Luke 22:28

“You (apostles…the twelve) are those who have stood by Me in My trials…”

Luke 22:29

“…and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you a kingdom…”

 

Luke 22:30

“…that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom (absolute victory), and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

 

Hail to the Victors!  How bad can the ghetto be in heaven?  Why argue about who’s the best when the Lord’s plan includes the highest and best for each of us?  The Lord continues with a sobering reality…

 

Luke 22:31

“Simon (Peter), Simon (Peter), behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift all of you apostles like wheat…”

 

Nothing in the universe happens without the Lord’s permission…

 

Luke 22:32

“…but I (the Lord Jesus Christ) have prayed for specifically for you (Peter), that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned (back) again, (will then go and) strengthen your brothers.”

 

Luke 22:33

But Peter said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”

 

Luke 22:34

And the Lord said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

 

Hail to the Victors!  Peter was the first one the Lord looked for after His resurrection.  Peter’s betrayal of the Lord was real, yet so was his recovery.  Hail to the Victors!  Let’s take a quick music break and then we’ll

see why we can be so happy in the face of our trials, even when they are undeserved.

 

MUSIC BREAK

HAPPY

Pharrell Williams

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Hail to the Victors

 

Welcome back!  Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 36 and 37…

 

Romans 8:36

Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all the day of grace long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 

Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us unconditionally.

 

As believers in Christ we are KILLED PERPETUALLY and we are SHEEP FOR SLAUGHTER.  In First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 30 and 31, Paul says…

 

First Corinthians 15:30

Why are we also in danger every hour?

 

First Corinthians 15:31

I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily (on your behalf).

 

If this is true, why can we be so happy?  How can we as sheep being led to the slaughter be happy?  How do we come out victorious in every situation?

We conquer through Him that LOVED us.  What is often missed in the study of this verse is the tense of the verb.  When God describes His unconditional love for us, it is in the past tense.  John, Chapter 3, Verse 16…

 

John 3:16

“For God the Father LOVED the world unconditionally, and He LOVED it

so much, that He gave His uniquely born Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that

whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

 

Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verse 25…

 

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also LOVED the church and gave Himself up (as a substitute) for her…

 

Galatians, Chapter 2, Verse 20…

 

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who LOVED me unconditionally and gave Himself up for me.

 

This is why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper as we do every month…to look back on what happened in the past…the Lord Jesus Christ LOVED us at the Cross…He loved us before the Cross, and the result is there never was nor will there ever be a time He has not LOVED us.  Hail to the Victors!  This is why we celebrate the victory!  It’s easy to lose sight of the tense of the verb and to miss a deep truth that is available to calm us in the storm.

 

The Lord LOVED us before any of the things we are going through right now happened to us.  Even if we were to be shot in the head right this moment, the Lord LOVED us in the past and will keep on loving us forever.  Perils like this are the things the first century Christian had to contemplate, and God’s love for them is no less sure than His love for us.  In any and every circumstance this is true…Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 37…

 

Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us unconditionally.

 

How do we conquer?  David knew…First Samuel, Chapter 17, Verses 45 to 47…

 

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, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel…”

 

First Samuel 17:47

“…and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

 

The Lord is our paraclete…He comes powerfully to our assistance in all situations…He gives the victory into our hands…He never allows us to be defeated…Hail to the Victors!  Hail to the sheep who conquer in the midst of the slaughter.  Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 37…

 

Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us unconditionally.

 

We have victory in ALL these things.  Why?  Because God gives us the victory! There is nothing in us that is in any way superior or effective.  The victory is a free gift.  When we are in the midst of the chaos of adversity, and we have the thought that this might be the time to wander away from the faith, this is the time to walk right into the victory, because nothing can separate us from the unconditional love of God the Father which comes to us as a result of being in union with Christ Jesus.

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

The Most Important Decision of Your Life

Matthew 22:42

“What do you think about the Christ (the Messiah)…?”

 

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.//For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

 

John 10:9

Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, (maybe you will and maybe you won’t you have a choice) he will be saved, and then he will go in and out and find pasture.”

 

Luke 23:42-43

And the repentant thief was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”// And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

 

CLOSING SONG

HE’S BEEN FAITHFUL

June Murphy

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

          THANKS- INTERCESSION- PETITION

 

We pray that You protect our steps as we go out into the world, Father…and that you keep us on the narrow way, completely dependent on You and Your Guiding, Mentoring Spirit…we ask this in Christ’s name, Amen.

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

 

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