Romans 102: Romans 2 - The Lord Sees the Secrets of Your HeartWelcome To BARAH MINISTRIES a Christian Church Rory Clark Pastor-Teacher
Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church…my name is Pastor Rory Clark. For many of us in the resident congregation of Barah Ministries, including me, this is our first venture into the challenges of a resident congregation. I can't speak for everyone here, but I’m starting to envy the days when I was in a non-resident congregation. Paul dealt with many of the things we deal with here at Barah Ministries, which caused him to ask, in Galatians, Chapter 3, Verse 1a…
GAL 3:1a You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?
What was the malady that was happening in the Galatian region? Galatians, Chapter 1, Verses 6 to 19…
GAL 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting (the Lord Jesus Christ) who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel…
GAL 1:7 …which is really not another (gospel); only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
GAL 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
GAL 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if (for the sake of argument) any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received (from me), he is to be accursed!
GAL 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
GAL 1:11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
GAL 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it (by man), but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
GAL 1:13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it…
GAL 1:14 …and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
GAL 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased…
GAL 1:16 …to reveal His Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood…
GAL 1:17 …nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia (to consult with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself), and (then) returned once more to Damascus.
GAL 1:18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas (Simon Peter), and stayed with him fifteen days.
GAL 1:19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
I was informed recently that the Word of God is not enough to attract people to Barah Ministries. Well if it isn’t, then the Lord Jesus Christ is a liar. Isaiah, Chapter 55, Verses 9 and 10 say…
ISA 55:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater…”
ISA 55:11 “…so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
We gather here today to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, to study His Word, and with the confidence of faith we know His will be done…on earth, just as it is in heaven.
MUSIC AND REFLECTION Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Enjoy the Singing of His Praises
Worthy
As God prepares our souls for the celebration of worshipping Him, let’s adore our Lord in song. The opening song is WORTHY.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray...
We’re grateful Heavenly Father for the privilege of studying the absolute truth...the Word of God…
Saturate us with Your Word…keep your promises to us…make Your Word visible in our lives…silence those with wavering faith…show us Your kindness and mercy and love…answer our prayers…
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit...in Christ’s name... Amen.
TODAY’S STUDY Romans 2–The Lord Sees the Secrets of Your Heart
First, a few announcements…
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mark Your Calendars! The next Lord’s Supper Celebration is June 8, 2014
We’re in Our New Location! 1220 S. Alma School Road (Alma School and Southern) Suite 201 Mesa, AZ
Happy Birthday Emilie Goodall May 23
Visit the Vets June 22 1:45PM See Susan Embree for details
Now let’s take the offering.
Let’s remember to give with the motivation suggested in Scripture
2CO 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful (grace oriented) giver.
Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall.
TODAY’S OFFERING Deacon Denny Goodall
Barah Ministries Financial Policy
Even though we are sanctioned by God to charge for the things we provide so you can worship God, we choose not to exercise our right. Therefore no price appears on any material from Barah Ministries so that anyone who desires biblical teaching may have it free of charge.
Barah Ministries Financial Policy
Even though the materials we provide are free of charge, they are not free of cost. We appreciate it when the Word of God motivates you to give financial support so as to provide biblical teaching, both for yourself and for others.
OFFERING VERSE
PHI 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
OFFERING In Your Presence
TODAY’S STUDY Romans 2 – The Lord Sees the Secrets of Your Heart
THE BOOK OF ROMANS The Consequences of Sin Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20
Who are you really? The Lord knows. We can fool people, but not God. This is the lesson of Romans Chapter 2, Verse 1 to 16. Our practice of self-righteousness and religion neither fools, nor impresses God, whether unbeliever or believer. We pick things up at Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 9…
ROM 2:9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man(kind) who does evil (unbelievers), (men and women) of the Jew(s) first and also of the Greek (the Gentiles…in other words tribulation and distress for the whole human race)…
The human race consists of Jews and Gentiles (called Greeks here). Romans, Chapter 2, Verses 10 and 11…
ROM 2:10 …but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good (believers in Christ…the regenerate ones), to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
ROM 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
What is partiality?
PARTIALITY
A show of favoritism
Our God is a God of justice…He doesn’t play favorites. So to those who practice self-righteousness and religion…those who think there is something wonderful in them that is missing in others…a loud and clear message of this lesson is that God does not play favorites. Therefore, lest you miss the message, you are not special to God on the basis of any deeds you do in self-righteousness. Romans, Chapter 4, Verses 3 to 5…
ROM 4:3 For what does the (Old Testament) Scripture say (in Genesis 15:6)? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD (Jehovah Elohim…the Lord…God the Son…Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate state), AND (HIS FAITH IN THE LORD) WAS CREDITED TO HIM (imputed to his account) AS (absolute) RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
ROM 4:4 Now to the one who works (for salvation by practicing self-righteousness or religion), his wage (payment) is not credited as a favor (grace), but (his payment is credited) as what is due.
Unfortunately, self-righteousness credited will not get you to heaven.
ROM 4:5 But to the one who does not work (for salvation), but believes in (the Lord Jesus Christ) who justifies the ungodly (unbelievers for salvation), (this person’s) faith is credited as (absolute) righteousness (the admission ticket to heaven).
Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 12…
ROM 2:12 For all who have sinned without the (Mosaic) Law (a reference to the Gentiles who were not under the Mosaic Law) will also perish (be evaluated) without the (Mosaic) Law, and all who have sinned under the (Mosaic) Law will be judged by the (Mosaic) Law…
No one is exempt from obedience to God. There is no partiality with God. Romans, Chapter 2, Verses 13…
ROM 2:13 …for it is not the hearers of the (Mosaic) Law who are just(ified) before God, but the doers of the (Mosaic) Law will be justified (before God).
There was only One doer of the Mosaic Law, the Lord Jesus Christ. Take a five-minute break and we’ll hear what Paul has to say about them.
BREAK When I Think About Home
Welcome back…Romans, Chapter 2, Verses 12 and 13…
ROM 2:12 For all who have sinned without the (Mosaic) Law (a reference to the Gentiles who were not under the Mosaic Law) will also perish (be evaluated) without the (Mosaic) Law, and all who have sinned under the (Mosaic) Law will be judged by the (Mosaic) Law…
ROM 2:13 …for it is not the hearers of the (Mosaic) Law who are just(ified) before God, but the doers of the (Mosaic) Law will be justified (before God).
Paul amplifies this point in Romans Chapter 9, beginning at Verse 1. Turn there please…
ROM 9:1 I (Paul) am telling the truth in (union with) Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the (filling of the) Holy Spirit…
ROM 9:2 …that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
ROM 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ (to hell) for the sake of my brethren (the Jews), my kinsmen according to the flesh…
ROM 9:4 …who are Israelites (racial Jews), to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants (given by the Lord to Abraham) and the giving of the (Mosaic) Law and (who were given) the temple service and the promises…
ROM 9:5 …whose are the fathers, and from whom (these Jews) is the Christ (the Messiah to come) according to the flesh, who is (the God) over all, (the) God (who is) blessed forever (the Lord Jesus Christ). Amen.
ROM 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God (the gospel message) has failed (because some Jews did not respond to it). For they are not all Israel (spiritual Jews) who are descended from Israel (racial Jews)…
Back to Romans, Chapter 2 at Verse 14…
ROM 2:14 For when Gentiles who do not have the (Mosaic) Law do instinctively the things of the (Mosaic) Law, these (Gentiles), not having the Law, are a law to themselves…
The Gentiles proved what is said in Romans, Chapter 1, Verses 18 and 19…
ROM 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and (against all) unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…
ROM 1:19 …because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
The Gentiles, without the Mosaic Law, proved that the Mosaic Law was not only written on stone tablets by God, but also it is written in the very souls of all mankind. Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 15…
ROM 2:15 …in that (the Gentiles) show the work of the (Mosaic) Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them…
The Gentiles are accused when they reject the Lord’s unconditional love and remain in the condemnation of unbelief…they defend themselves when they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that faith is credited as absolute righteousness.
ROM 2:16 …on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
The Jews, in the practice of self-righteousness and religious judgment toward the Gentiles, actually are put to shame by the Gentiles. For even though the Gentiles did not have the “sacred” Mosaic Law, the still had all they needed to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, if they wanted salvation. The Jews on the other hand had everything handed to them in the Mosaic Law, and they still rejected their Messiah.
The Lord will illuminate for each person the secrets of their hearts that they were able to hide from men…remember Romans, Chapter 2, Verse 1?
ROM 2:1 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 (lasciviousness practiced “in the closet”…out of sight… lascivious things which are just as bad, perhaps worse).
God is the Creator, and He is the Sovereign of the universe. God has made his absolute standards abundantly clear to His creatures, both written on the hearts of their souls, and surrounding them in the entire created universe.
God’s wrath is directed toward the unbeliever. God’s righteousness is directed toward those who believe. The only Righteous One is the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 16 make it clear that no human being whether immoral or moral…whether good or bad…whether right or wrong…whether self-righteous or lascivious, stands before God in righteousness, except the ones who appropriate His righteousness by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…
ACT 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and (everyone in) your household (who also believes).”
John, Chapter 3, Verses 17 and 18…
JOH 3:17 “For God (the Father) did not send (God) the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
JOH 3:18 “He who believes in (the Lord Jesus Christ) is not judged; he who does not believe (in the Lord Jesus Christ) has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the (uniquely born) Son of God.”
The Lord knows the secrets of your heart. You may be able to hide those secrets from men…but you cannot hide those secrets from God. And no creature will escape the justice of a Lord who is not one to show partiality.
The Promises of the Lord Jesus Christ
1TH 5:16-18 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you (who are) in (union with) Christ Jesus.
1PE 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
EXO 14:13 “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today…”
ISA 40:29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.
CLOSING SONG We are Royalty
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 person, Your thinking, Your work, and Your 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!
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