Romans 122: Romans 3 - Righteousness Eliminates Our Condition

Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church…my name is Pastor Rory Clark.

 

Turn in your bibles to Ephesians, Chapter 5.  The apostle Paul speaks of a life of righteousness.  What exactly does a life of righteousness look like?  Paul explains it well.  Ephesians, Chapter 5, beginning at Verse 1…

 

EPH 5:1

Therefore be imitators of God the Father, as divinely loved children…

 

Children imitate their parents.  So we as believer children imitate our God and Father.

 

EPH 5:2

…and we imitate the Father by walking in a lifestyle of unconditional love, just as Christ also loved you unconditionally with His walk, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant (perfectly satisfactory) aroma.

 

We imitate God by being willing to do what the Lord Jesus Christ did…to sacrifice our lives for others, even to the point of death.

 

EPH 5:3

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints…

 

We imitate God by avoiding evil…

 

EPH 5:4

…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather the giving of thanks.

 

We imitate God by avoiding tearing down others with our tongues…and we use this advice to inspect ourselves, not others…

 

EPH 5:5

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

 

A reference, of course to unbelievers, but we as believers are encouraged not to make evil a lifestyle, which we are fully capable of doing.

 

EPH 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (sins) the wrath of God the Father comes upon the sons of disobedience.

 

God’s wrath is always directed toward sin, and for those who reject the unconditional love of Christ that paid for their sins, they face the wrath of God the Father for themselves, instead of simply accepting Christ’s finished work on their behalf.

 

EPH 5:7

Therefore, believers in Christ, do not be partakers with them…

 

We are to avoid the “deeds of the flesh” which we are fully capable of indulging in…we are light…they are darkness…we are not to imitate the “darkness” lifestyle.

 

EPH 5:8

…for you believers in Christ were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as is befitting of children of Light…

 

There’s another BUT NOW…similar to the one in Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 21…another great turning point in the Word of God.  Darkness WAS us…now we believers in Christ are light.  This is a great reinforcement of the case for not being unequally yoked with unbelievers…we are children of light…they are children of darkness and wrath.  When we, as children of light, are shrouded by their darkness, how great is the darkness.

 

EPH 5:9

…(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth )…

 

Fruit is a reflection of God the Holy Spirit’s instruction.  We bear fruit as Christians when we reflect goodness and righteousness and truth…

 

EPH 5:10

…as we learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

 

That is why we come to bible study…to learn from the Lord how to live the life of righteousness.

 

EPH 5:11

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them…

 

EPH 5:12

…for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

 

We expose darkness when we reflect the light.  We don’t have to become self-righteous activist who act in a manner that is “holier than thou,” in critique of the lifestyles of others as if we are spotless.  We are not to hold ourselves up as role models.  Rather, we realize where we came from… darkness…and we invite others to the light.

 

EPH 5:13

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, foreverything that becomes visible is light.

 

EPH 5:14

For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

 

Believers, who are committed to the deeds of darkness, must elevate to the calling with which they have been called…light.  They must wake up to their position in Christ.

 

EPH 5:15

Therefore be careful how you walk as a lifestyle, not walking as unwise men do but walking as the wise do…

 

 

EPH 5:16

…making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

 

As believers in Christ we have a choice…to live the righteous lifestyle…the lifestyle of light…or to live the “deeds of the flesh” lifestyle…the lifestyle of darkness.  We are encouraged to live righteously.

 

EPH 5:17

So then do not be foolish, but instead understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

Another reason we come to bible study.

 

EPH 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…

 

EPH 5:19

…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord…

 

EPH 5:20

…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father…

 

EPH 5:21

…and be subject to one another in the respect of Christ.

 

Be filled with the Spirit.  But we are!  God gave us the indwelling Spirit at the moment of salvation as a seal of our redemption.  So what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

 

It means to be fully influenced by the Spirit.  It means to be given a certain quality by the Spirit.  It means to have our deficiencies compensated for by the Spirit.  It means to be lead by the Spirit.  It means to accept the abundance of blessings being directed at you by the Spirit.  The verb is in the passive voice, meaning that “being filled with the Spirit” is something that God does to you and for you; it requires no effort on your part.  When we accept the leadership of God the Holy Spirit, He will lead us into the truth concerning a life of righteousness.  Welcome to a place where you can let God teach you about your righteousness and how to us it.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

WORD OF GOD SPEAK

 

As God prepares your soul for RENEWING, let’s hear June Murphy worship our Lord in song.  The opening song is WORD OF GOD SPEAK.

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

Let us pray...

 

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

 

Thank you for filling us up to all the fullness of You…thank you for your instruction in righteousness…thank you for calling us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have called us…

 

Reveal more of Yourself to us…illuminate Your hand in our lives…make us reflections of Your unconditional love, and Your grace, and Your righteousness…

 

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

 

TODAY’S STUDY

Romans 3

Righteousness Eliminates Our Condition

 

First, a few announcements…

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The next Lord’s Supper Celebration is August 10, 2014

NEXT WEEK!

 

THIS WEEK!

Coeur d’Alene Bible Conference

August 8 and 9

John and Monica Miller

Red Lion Templin’s Hotel

414 E. 1st Avenue

Post Falls, Idaho

 

Go to barahministries.com for more information and for important phone numbers under the tab “Latest News.”

 

Informal Bible Study

August 27

7:00PM-8:30PM

 

Discuss you biblical questions with the Pastor.

 

BARAH MINISTRIES IS ON FACEBOOK

 

Like us on Facebook and Google Plus.  Thanks to Tracy Bixby for setting us up.  Over 850 “Likes.”  We’re building a nice community, and I’m looking forward to the things we’ll be able to pass on to this community of people.  Get your friends to like us today!

 

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 many 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 3:13-14

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

OFFERING SONG

Always Been About You

 

TODAY’S STUDY

Romans 3

Righteousness Eliminates Our Condition

 

To the resident and non-resident members of Barah Ministries,to our guests who join us from time to time, and to all believers in Christ…grace and peace to you from God our Father.

 

As we study the subject of righteousness, which is a position given to us by God at the moment of salvation, it brings forth the question in Christians, “What about our condition?”  I still sin after salvation.  The next few verses in our study of Romans, Chapter 3, Verses 21 to 26, answer these concerns.  Look at Romans, Chapter 3, beginning at Verse 21…

 

 

ROM 3:21

But now apart from law, another principle entirely, the righteousness from God, which has been made clearly visible, being witnessed to by the Mosaic Law in the sacrificial offerings and being witnessed to by the Old Testament Prophets in direct statements…

 

ROM 3:22

…a righteousness that comes as a gift from God the Father through the principle of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not through the principle of faith in yourselves for righteousness…and that free gift is available for whosoever believes; for there is no distinction between Jews and Greeks…

 

ROM 3:23

…for all have sinned in the past when Adam sinned and all keep on sinning…and keep on falling short of the glory of God…

 

Now Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 24…

 

ROM 3:24

…yet all keep on being justified by God the Father as a gift (free of charge) from His grace through the redemption which is a result of being in union with Christ Jesus…

 

Believers in Christ are justified by God the Father, through expressing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.  The unrighteous person simply agrees that Christ’s saving work is the ticket to eternal life.  Then they are justified by God the Father.  To be justified by God the Father means that we are announced as righteous by God the Father.  From an accounting perspective, God the Father drops a blessing into your account called righteousness.  Then He announces on a loudspeaker in the halls of the third heaven, “<Your Name> is now righteous.”  Your justification is a change in your relationship with God the Father.  You are no longer His enemy.  Instead you are His friend, by your choice.  God does not see creatures as His enemies.  We see Him that way when we are unbelievers.  Righteousness changes your status with God.

 

There is much rejoicing in heaven when you are saved.  Luke, Chapter 15, Verse 7 says…

 

 

 

LUK 15:7

“I (the Lord Jesus Christ) tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner (an unbeliever) who repents (changes His mind about Christ) than over ninety-nine righteous persons (believers) who need no repentance.”

 

The blessing of righteousness changes our position and ELIMINATES OUR CONDITION.  We are no longer ungodly, no longer unrighteous, no longer considered by God to be a sinner when God the Father justifies us, even though we continue to sin after salvation.  Before salvation we have a condition, a temporary state, as an unbeliever (ungodly, unrighteous, sinner), until we accept our new position in union with Christ.  If we reject the new position in union with Christ, our condition becomes a position at the moment of physical death.  We are permanently “in Adam” at that moment, thus destined for the Lake of Fire, set to incur the wrath of God the Father.  But when we accept the position of union with Christ, when we accept God’s righteousness as a free gift, we are no longer in a condition of ungodliness and unrighteousness…we are no longer a sinner.  We are saints, holy and blameless in the eyes of God the Father.  How do we know?  Take a five-minute break and we’ll tell you.

 

BREAK

Somewhere over the Rainbow

 

Welcome back!

 

THE BOOK OF ROMANS

Righteousness:

Your Justification is ONLY by Faith

 

Romans 3:21 to Romans 4:25

 

The one thing we have to notice as we proceed though our study of justification by faith is that the passive voice permeates these verses.  When the passive voice is in play, we rejoice, because we know that the subject matter under consideration involves God doing all the work while we receive all the benefit.  It’s something the self-righteousness in us just doesn’t want to accept.

We are justified, but not because of a cause in us.  There is nothing in us that merits justification.  God the Father, in righteousness, is able to justify us because we accept the only perfectly satisfactory payment for our sins to God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

 

We are redeemed by the gift of righteousness.  What is redemption?  In today’s language, it’s a stay of execution.  Without righteousness, we are on death row, slated for the Lake of Fire…condemnation…total destruction…at the wrong end of the wrath of God.  Romans, Chapter 3, Verses 24 and  25…

 

ROM 3:24

…yet all keep on being justified by God the Father as a gift (free of charge) from His grace through the redemption which is a result of being in union with Christ Jesus…

 

ROM 3:25

…whom God the Father displayed publicly as a propitiation, through a sacrifice of His blood, for the benefit of all who have faith.  This was to demonstrate God the Father’s righteousness, because in the forbearance of God the Father, He passed over the sins previously committed…

 

There is a movie out called The Purge…this verse, Romans, Chapter 3, verse 25 is a description of God the Father’s purge.  What does it mean to purge?

 

PURGE

To remove…as from guilt, uncleanness, obligation to law…to evacuate…to purify.

 

God the Father made all of your sins legal on a single day.  That’s the premise of the movie.  In the movie there is no penalty for any crime you commit for a twelve-hour period.  It only took the Lord Jesus Christ three hours to purge all the crimes of all creatures.  Luke, Chapter 23, Verses 44 to 46…

 

LUK 23:44

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour..

 

 

LUK 23:45

…because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

 

LUK 23:46

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

 

In this purge, all the crime was credited to one person, Jesus Christ.

 

ROM 3:24

…yet all keep on being justified by God the Father as a gift (free of charge) from His grace through the redemption which is a result of being in union with Christ Jesus…

 

ROM 3:25

…whom God the Father displayed publicly as a propitiation, through a sacrifice of His blood, for the benefit of all who have faith.  This was to demonstrate God the Father’s righteousness, because in the forbearance of God the Father, He passed over the sins previously committed…

 

Why did God the Father allow His Son to purge sins?  Why did He overlook the sins previously committed?  Romans, Chapter 3, Verses 26…

 

ROM 3:26

…for the demonstration, I say, of God the Father’s righteousness at the present time, so that God the Father would be seen as just and as the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus Christ.

 

In one action at the Cross, God the Father allows His Son to do it all for us.  God the Father found the One Way He could overlook our sins.  He gives us a position when we express our faith in His Son and His work, so we never have to worry about our condition again.

 

JOH 10:28

…and I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

 

You are in union with Christ, the greatest position ever, and you never have to worry about your condition again.

 

The Promises of the Lord Jesus Christ

 

1TH 5:16-18

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God the Father’s will for you (who are) in (union with) Christ Jesus.

 

1PE 5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God the Father, 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, to him who lacks might He increases power.

 

CLOSING SONG

Hero

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

THANKS  

INTERCESSION

PETITION

 

And we pray 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!

 

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