John 8:12-30 Light of the World - Dominic A

Find somewhere quiet and spend time listening to this beautiful presentation of the Gospel.

Dominic gently but powerfully brings the message about Jesus being the light of the world, and reminds of the key verse, John 8:24 that unless we believe Jesus to be who he said he was, we will die in our sin.

He also encourages us to walk in the Light, to sanctify our lives, John 17:19, so that blessing can flow through us to those around us. Walking in sin, un-confessed and un-repented, quenches relationships and ministry. The blood of Jesus can cover all sin but family, church fellowship and those around us will suffer and be poorer because of the disobedience and unbelief.

John 8:1-11 Go and sin no more - Roly v N

A controversial passage.

Why?  It looks like it has been added to the gospel.  It is its own complete little story, and it kind of upsets the flow of the story already going on. 

So, it looks like what bible critics call an insertion, but at the same time critics also recognise that it is very authentic.  So, there is some confusion there.

The resolution

1. Is to recognise that this passage is an interruption, but we don’t need to assume because of this that it is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, or that John didn’t write it.  It is a deliberate interruption.

Why deliberate?  Because John wanted us to think about another place in the scripture where there is a very similar story which is also an interruption to a bigger story - the story of Tamar in Genesis 38. 

John 8		Woman in John 8	Story of Tamar
1	The story appears as an insertion or interruption	Interrupts the story of the Pharisees rejection of Jesus	Interrupts the story of the rejection of Joseph by his brothers
2	Woman as main figure	An unnamed woman	Tamar
3	Accusation is sexual sin	“a woman caught in adultery”	“Tamar has played the harlot”
4	Guilt undeniable	“in the very act”	“she is with child by harlotry”
5	Penalty indisputable: death	“…Moses commanded us to stone such women”	“Bring her out and let her be burned!”
6	Male offender not present at trial.	Unnamed offender	Judah
7	Hypocrisy of accusers exposed	Pharisees leave, older ones first	Judah recognized them (i.e. his signet and staff)
8	Accusation dropped	Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”	“She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.”
9	Offending stops	Go. From now on sin no more.”	And he did not have relations with her again.

2. The first thing to recognise is that the details of the story of Tamar are extremely similar to that of the woman caught in adultery.

3. The second thing to recognise is that the details of the story that gets interrupted are also very similar.  In Genesis, the story of Tamar interrupts the longer story of the rejection of Joseph by his brothers.  In John, the story of the woman caught in adultery interrupts the longer story of Jesus’ rejection by his own people. 

4. John wants us to think back to Genesis, and recognise that Jesus is re-living or embodying the life of Joseph.  Joseph had a very close relationship to his father, he was favoured by His father, and God spoke to him personally in dreams, and for these reasons he was hated by his own brothers.  In the story, they rejected him completely and threw him into a water-less pit, intending to kill him.  As a result of their rejection Joseph suffered, but as a slave in Egypt later rose to become a great king, second only to pharaoh.  The parallel should be plain: Jesus is being despised by His own brothers on account of his close relationship to his father, and his claim to speak and act for God.  They will sentence Him to death, but John wants us to see what God planned long ago - that Jesus will go on to be exalted and rise to kingship.

5. All of this is simply to recognise that, odds on, this interruption is deliberate.  The whole passage is authentic, it is part of John’s gospel.  Just because it is an interruption, that does not have to create a problem with its authenticity.  It is an interruption on purpose, to make us recognise what is going on here in terms of the bigger picture of the wisdom of God.

Exposition

John 8:1-6

What we have here is a situation orchestrated by the religious leaders to put Jesus in a very tight spot:

They wait till a large audience gathers. 

They bring a woman unquestionably charged with sin.

They put Jesus on the spot to see if he will say something against the law.  “In the Law of Moses it is written...But you, what do you say?”[1] 

Pressure!  If he supports the Law it will seem like He is condemning her to death; if he doesn’t, they will have him. 

Note, there is no compassion for the woman, she is just a tool.

[1] He said he didn’t come to abolish the law - let him prove it in a pressure situation.

What is the background here?

It is satanic.  The religious leaders are possessed by a satanically-driven hatred for Jesus.  Jesus knows it: “You are of your Father, the devil.  He was a murderer from the beginning.”  (Note that the word for accuse and Satan are the same in the Hebrew tongue.)  Satan is the main player here; the religious leaders are his puppets.  This is his show.

6a Jesus does something odd

But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

What does Jesus write on the ground?  Why does he do so?  John does not tell us, and hence there has been a lot of speculation on this point.  I am not going to try to guess what, but look at the things John has told us to try and understand why he did so.

- stoop – this word indicates a bent posture of humility (NT x2; LXX x19[1]).

- finger – (lit) “with the finger” Jesus was writing in the earth.  This signifies the finger of God, which in scripture (with the definite article) refers only to God’s finger when He wrote the 10 commandments on two stone tablets (Exod 31:18; Deut 9:10). 

- Lastly, here is “the finger” writing in the ground – or “earth” – which is what people are made of.

 If we take these ideas together, we have a rather vivid picture of Jesus as the God-man.  On the one hand he is the law-giver and judge of all the earth, but here he is stooped down, having humbled himself, to take on flesh.  Like the word written in the earth, he is the word embodied in earth, or human flesh. 

Why does this matter?  Because the religious leaders have just said “In the Law of Moses it is written.”  Now John is reminding us who Jesus actually is - the one who gave us the seventh commandment, the one that wrote “Do not commit adultery” in the first place. 

[1] Often includes the idea of “to the ground” e.g. at Exod 34:8; Num 22:23; 1 King 24:9; 28:14; 3 King 1:31; 18:42; 2 Chron 20:18; etc.

There is a definite irony here.  Jesus knows all about the Law, every jot and tittle.  This is the point John is making, and he is making it without putting any words in Jesus’ mouth.    

John 8:7-8 Jesus responds: “Fire away!”

7     But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

8   Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Jesus’ response is to invoke the Law.  He is not excusing her, as many think, but he is actually saying, “Go for it” - but at the same time he is reminding them of something else: a point of procedure: “The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people” (Deut 17:7).  The witness must throw first.

What gives Jesus the confidence to say this?  Answer: he knows another verse:

If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.’ (Lev 20:10)

The Pharisees have tried to put their case beyond doubt by saying the woman was caught “in the act.”  But if she was really caught in the act, then the witnesses must also know who the other party is, and even though they know who he is, they have chosen not to bring him before Jesus.   

9 The effect

When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.

The clear implication: they know that Jesus knows that they know who the guy is – and that they are unwilling to see him stoned along with the woman.  As soon as one or two of them picks up a stone, Jesus will say to him: “Since you are the witness, where’s the guy she was with?  Since you are without sin, you had better go fetch him too.”

That’s hypocrisy, in that they are acting innocent, but actually breaking the law by protecting the other culprit.  They solve the problem by avoiding it - sneaking off – before he asks them directly.  Jesus has exposed their hypocrisy.

10-11 The outcome

10     Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”

11     She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]

Jesus is left alone with the woman in the center of the crowd.

He says “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”  This is not to say she is innocent; it is just to say, no one is there to condemn her.

She says, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

How could Jesus not condemn her, when she was indeed guilty?  Under the Law, she has no-one to condemn her, so it is perfectly legitimate for Him to say “Go.”  Does He know she is guilty?  Of course, because He says “Stop sinning, from now.”  Which shows He is concerned about that aspect.

To Sum Up:

Jesus finds Himself in a stitch-up involving a woman caught in adultery.  The religious leaders put him in a position where He will either look bad, or break the law. 

Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground, which is John’s way to remind us that He is the God-man: God, the law giver, stooped down, in human form.

Eventually Jesus says: let the one without sin start the stoning, which is a reminder to them of how the law says you go about stoning someone.  He knows that this will identify the witnesses, who will be able to explain who the other guilty party is.  This is exactly what the woman’s accusers don’t want, so they start leaving. 

This leaves the woman without anyone to condemn her.  This leaves Jesus in a position where He too can legitimately say “Neither do I condemn you.” 

Jesus has found a way to rescue this woman without breaking the law.  He is giving her a second chance.

Application

This is a story about something that happened in Jesus’ life which shows us God’s attitude towards sin.  How do we interpret and apply it?

How not to apply this passage.

It would be a mistake to interpret this story as showing that Jesus showed a lenient attitude towards sin because He knew that everyone has sin, so it is just hypocritical for us to judge others for their sin. 

The reason is the teaching in the NT is the exact opposite - we are instructed to judge sin both in ourselves and in the church.  If you have read the New Testament you will know that there are many verses that state this plainly, or assume it. 

So, yes, we all make mistakes, we all have a sinful flesh, we all have a log in our own eye - but as believers we are not slaves to sin.  God has made provision for us to escape continual sin and he expects us to seek Him out on that.  So we cannot take Jesus’ words here and apply them in this way to the church. 

How to apply this passage

The point of the Gospel of John is given at the end of the book:

“…these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (20:31)

That is the point of the Gospel.  To believe in Jesus, and to have life in His name.

What we have here is a microcosm of the whole world, of every human.  We are in the centre of this drama.  In front: God, the law-giver and judge; beside us Satan, the accuser.  The problem we face – and everyone faces it – is sin.  Like the woman, we are guilty, we deserve to die.  Satan knows it, so he is accusing us before God, claiming the right to have us.

Now this story tells us to believe in Him, and have life in His name.

1. Believe in Him.

As John the Baptist puts it, the one who does not believe will not see life, the wrath of God rests on them (3:36).  That is the position of the unbeliever.  But God had provided an escape – he has stooped down, taken a position of humility, taken upon himself the form of sinful flesh, and died in your place.  Your choice is either to accept that gift, or reject it.  If you receive that gift, you escape death and hell.  That’s why we call it “getting saved.”

2. Have life in his name.

We tend to think of sin as what we do.  But sin is also what we are.  We do what we do because we are what we are – sin comes out of our hearts.

How do we escape that?  Is it really possible to “go, and sin no more”?

The answer is, yes, bit by bit, that is exactly what Jesus had made possible for us.  That’s part of the gospel.  Jesus did not just stoop down and take on flesh to die for us, but also to live a perfect life for us.  And he wants to do that today.  When we believe on Him, he plants His life in our hearts by His Spirit, like a little seed, and we have the privilege of yielding to that life, and watching it grow. 

Now, we need to remember that we have an adversary.  Satan can and does seek legal grounds to bring death into our experience of life, and our sin is his entry-point.  

This is not about losing your salvation.  God sets limits on what the devil may do, but it is still a fact that he accuses us, and he does not do so for no reason at all.  His goal is to see you in a waterless pit, like Joseph.  Water is life, and sin will allow him to take it from us.

So, this means we have to take sin seriously.  We can’t make excuses for it in ourselves or others.  We have to engage with what the bible teaches about being united with Jesus in his death and in his life.  We have to yield to him on every point that He brings to our attention.  That is the only way to “go and sin no more” like Jesus said. 

John 7:1-24 Who do you say..?- Ross P

Powerpoint Slides download

Who is this man Jesus?

What did his family think

What do the Public think

What the Jewish Leaders thought

What Jesus said about himself

What do you think?

John 6:1-21 Feeding 5000 - miracles John W (new)

Themes in the Gospel of John

Reasons to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God
The contrast between the light and the darkness
The relationship between the Father and the Son

Message PPT Download

Setting the scene John 6

• Miracles

• Jesus Training His disciples

• Reflections on the miracle

• The miracle as a sign for the people, and why they respond the way they do

• What is Jesus is saying to us?

What are the lessons that Jesus is teaching.....

1. He (Jesus) is in control. He is the creator, the Son of God, the bread of all life. Physical obstacles are no problem to him. He is sovereign over everything

2. When we accept Him, we can trust him in the storms and in impossible situations. We need to look to him. He is greater than the problems and the opposition that face you

3. When God works, he chooses to work through his people. What we bring to him, and give to others (in obedience to him) he will bless

God chooses to work through us

1. There is always the hungry multitude (physical and spiritual), there is always a little band of disciples with few resources, and there is always a compassionate Saviour...

2. God chooses to work through his people. What we bring to him he can multiply to meet the needs of many. What we give to others he will bless.

3. When we trust and obey he will work through us to bless others

Ultimate Wedding - are you ready for the Groom? - Ross P

In John 2 we get the first significant miracle recorded of Jesus’ ministry and that is the wedding at Cana. The institution of marriage is God given, Gen 2:24, and understood universally in all cultures as the basis for society’s well being and prosperity. Today Ross takes a wider look at marriage and examines why marriage rates have fallen and why it is not seen as vital or necessary.

Powerpoint slides download

Another aspect Ross looks at is how we are living as both single and married people in terms of sexual conduct and thought life, and how sex outside of a covenant marriage relationship is damaging to both the individual and those around. He asks the question whether we are getting ready for the ultimate wedding and the marriage supper where the Church will be presented spotless to the Lamb.

Preparing for your wedding

1. Pray for God’s choice

2. Seek guidance from friends and family

3. Keep yourself pure Arousal? Song 2:7, Song 5:9, Song 8:4

4. Learn self control Gal 3:23

5. Agree on boundaries

6. Enjoy the wife of your youth - Prov 5:18

Lastly, Ross gives example from his own marriage of nearly 50 years of how we can all prepare for our marriage partner, whether that be you future husband or wife, or as a single to preserve your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 6:12-20

John 1:19-34 John the Baptist - Ross P

Ross takes a look at John the Baptist with his full PowerPoint notes here to accompany the audio. John the Baptist's message was for his hearers to repent but he had a different application to different audiences.

What distinguishes John was that:

1. He knew his identity; when asked he knew who he was

2. He knew his place; "even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” Do you know your place before God?

3. He knew his role. His role was to point to someone else, Jesus the Lamb of God

4. He came to know Jesus

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God    John 1:10-12

How do we come to know Jesus? Once he knew who Jesus was he was able to proclaim that he was the Lamb of God. Ross's question is do you know Jesus? We each need to follow the ABC

Admit- I am guilty before God

Believe - Believe Jesus died and rose again for me

Confess - Put my faith in Jesus as my Lord

You might have a head knowledge of Jesus but it is with our heart that we must believe. Many people will miss Heaven by 18 inches, the distance between our head and heart. There is a big difference between believing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. Even the demons believe and shudder!

Jesus is revealed by the Spirit of God working in our heart. We hear the Gospel and we are prompted that this is right and am moved to do something about our sin and eternal destiny.

John 1: 1-18 _Introduction John W

John introduces our new series for 2020 on the Gospel of John. The powerpoint for the message is posted here with complete notes to download. The main theme of John is that it was written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

If you are looking for answers the Gospel of John is for you. By reading it you can find out who the Word of God really is.

2 Kings 9 Over Zealous for God? - Ross P

Ross takes a look at motivation and conduct of Jehu and his interaction with the prophet Elisha. At an initial reading the passages from 2 Kings 8-10 he gives the impression that no one can match his zeal for following God’s instructions to strike down the House of Ahab, 2 Kings 9:7.

Killed King Joram (Ahab’s son) 2 Kings 9:22-26
Killed Jezebel (Ahab’s wife) 2 Kings 9:30-37
Had 70 princes of Ahab murdered 2 Kings 10:1-11
Slaughtered 42 relatives of the (ex)king of Judah 2 Kings 10:12-14
Destroyed all Baal worshipers in their temple 2 Kings 10:18-28

He had a reputation for going to the limit in what he thought was his obedience to God. In v. 20 he is characterised as driving like a ‘maniac’ (NIV). Ross identifies is that despite the outward appearance of commitment and dedication Jehu lacked a genuinely committed heart for God. Jehu kept back and still worshiped idols. He did not keep the whole law of the Lord with all of his heart, 2 Kings 10:31

Our walk with God can be equally deficient, having the appearance of passion and zeal but underneath having hearts that seek after old sins.

Ross then looks at the the zeal of Elisha and finds a very different picture

Refused to leave Elijah’s side Ch 2
Care of the poor and childless Ch 4
Refused a fortune from Naaman Ch 5
Feeds his enemies Ch 6
Anoints kings Ch 8,9

The question is whether we really have a heart for the lost and those who have not believed in the Lord Jesus for their salvation. Are we showing the zeal we read of in Romans 12:11-18

[11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (ESV)

Romans 16- Finding gold in the dregs - Matthew W, Sam M, Jack v N

Our final message on the Paul’s letter to the Romans is shared by three young men, Matthew, Sam and Jack.

Chapter 16 continues as a list of seemingly minor references to a long list of people, and it is easy to dismiss this portion as unimportant.

Matthew starts and suggests that it is too easy to think of the last 23 versus as just a list of movie credits. All the actors and crew, more or less importance. If you look carefully though it shows the character of Paul’s love for real people and the network of people who are active in the Church. It is not a dry list of names. These are Paul’s friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. They are the people who make ministry possible. Considering that these people are recorded in God’s word shows that we have a personal and loving Father.

Sam takes a look at versus 17 through 23 and the issue of false teachers. Why would Paul put a warning against false teachers at the end of such a powerful letter of doctrine. It is because false teaching only needs a hint of influence to dilute people’s love for the truth and it is essential that Paul’s letter end with the warning. If false teachers can remove anything then Paul's teaching is in vain. False teachers are increasing in these last days. False teaching used to centre around doctrine but is now more existential about the condition of life rather than disputes about such as the resurrection. Love for the truth creates an opposition to falsehood. Christians can be deceived. Be active or alert to the issue. Pursue truth.

Deuteronomy 13:1–3 warns us to not listen to false words. “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (ESV)

Jack then considers 3 points:

1. Understanding the indwelling life of christ is what will produce love for people

2. Understanding the gospel is something the leads us to a dependence on God

3. God really cares about his own glory and wants that reflected in our life

Good doctrinal knowledge leads to a mentality of love and valuing other people but people can have good doctrinal knowledge and not love. How can this be? The point is that we don’t actually know how to live the christian life.

Romans 7:18–19 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Knowledge of God and what Christ has done allows people to be loved through you. The experience of living out Christ leads to a mentality of loving people. Doctrine shouldn’t lead us to self confidence and perceived ability to live the christian life but a dependence on God. God will establish you.

When we look at the Glory of God it changes us.

Romans 15:14-32 Our true worth in Christ - Casper v N, Ross P

What does shovelling dirt, excellence in asphalt, loading wheelbarrows, holding Stop-Go signs and cups of coffee have to do with boasting in Jesus Christ? Listen to this message from Ross and Casper to find out.

We come to the end of Romans and after the high peaks of doctrine, the work of the Gospel and our condition before God we have 48 verses of personal greetings and instructions. Ross likens this to a good coffee with the foamy introduction, full of anticipation, the longer flavoursome body and the remains in the bottom of the cup. Rom 15:14-32

Our attitude to these valedictory verses is that they don’t rank as highly as the rest of the epistle, but we find that there is gold to be discovered in the dregs. The scriptures are all God’s word and are profitable for teaching and correction unto righteousness. The value we get from the concluding verses is that it adds a human perspective to the message Paul is sharing and for that reason it makes the passage immediately useful and encouraging.

The reading is shared by Ross and Casper. Casper gives a powerful and encouraging message on why we should boast in the Lord Jesus and not in our own achievements. He explains where we find our true worth and meaning. If anyone is lacking self esteem and feeling of worth, then it is found in acknowledging the greatness and wisdom of God who loved us so much that he surrendered his Son’s life for our salvation. We are created in God’s image and we are so valuable in God’s sight that Christ was willing to die for our sake. When we affirm God’s true worth, we affirm God’s authority to declare us righteous in Christ. By boasting only in Christ then our position in Him is made even more sure.

Romans 15:4-13 Our Hope - Roly v N

In this message Roly asks what is our hope? It is not just vague concept. He encourages us that it is real and tangible. He considers the relationship between perseverance and hope and how unites believers together. How do the scriptures encourage us in confirming the truth of our hope?

The context: living to please God, not ourselves. This is the model that Jesus gives us. The goal is unity, a tremendous and very humbling challenge, if you know anything about the church.

What we move into now (up to verse 13) is a discussion that has at its centre the idea of hope. Notice verse 4:

Rom 4:3 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

What this verse is saying is that the point of scripture – the OT scriptures - is to gain two very important things, perseverance and encouragement, and how the point of both of these things is to gain hope. In the verses that follow, Paul will demonstrate how this is true.

1. What exactly is our hope? (A necessary recap).

2. How perseverance gives us a hope of sharing in Jesus’ glory

3. How our journey into hope unites us.

4. How the scriptures encourage us by confirming the truth of our hope.

1. What is our hope?

We back-track here to chapter Rom 5:1-2

v1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

v2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

1. Justification is only our introduction to faith, not the walk itself. We’ve only got our boots on and have not begun the journey.

2. The thing we are actually hoping for is entry into the glory of God – into a share of the glory of Jesus himself (i.e. “glorification”). What is His glory? God’s glory is that which is completely true of him, or owing to him, in terms of his essential being as God. If I share in his glory, I share in what is owed to his essential being, in terms of honour or splendour. That, we immediately see, is a very deep and rich thing that will carry many aspects to it in terms of both relationship and function in His kingdom.

2. “…through perseverance we have hope” (5:3-4)

The Christian’s hope is particular, not vague. Paul goes on to clearly spell out the relationship between perseverance and hope:

v3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

v4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope

1. There is a sequence that follows Justification:

Tribulation, i.e. the normal circumstances of trial on account of our faith.

Perseverance, i.e. patience to bear up under trial.

Proven character, i.e. character tested and approved. Not ours, but Christ’s in us.

Hope. The end-point of the process.

How does proven character bring about the hope of participation in the glory of God? The extent to which we now become conformed to the character of Christ in us is the extent to which we possess a legitimate hope of then receiving of the glory of God.

There are degrees of this – some saints go further than others and will receive a greater glory.

Matt 13:33 “…this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

1 Cor 15:41-42 “…For star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.”

God will judge us fairly. The extent to which we have denied Him and lived for ourselves is the extent to which he will deny us. Not salvation – He cannot deny Himself - but the degree of the reward of glory he will give (2 Tim 2:11-12).

3. Our hope brings us together as one (5:5-7)

Now we know the context Paul is speaking into here – acceptance of each other (Ch. 14). Unity. Preferring others. Not pleasing ourselves. How does our hope bring unity?

v5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

v6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

v7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

What Paul is saying here is tremendous

1. But God himself gives perseverance and encouragement. As Christ is formed in us, as we conform to Him, perseverance and encouragement are mediated to us, as a person (Jesus), not as qualities per se.

2. This is an incredibly unifying thing in the church. We are unified not to a religion or an idea of church, or to anything but, in Jesus, a person.

We are not even united by our own idea of what service to Jesus looks like, but to the endurance which leads to Jesus being increasingly formed in us. Try to unite Christians - good luck! We are very independent in our minds – in our idea of what we think is most important.

There are a lot of non-essentials that can divide us ( Rom 14 ). But Paul is saying, recognise this, that we are united to the extent that we are intentionally committed to the endurance that leads to conformity to Jesus.

In this, we are all together – as one voice - bringing glory to the Father, as Jesus did in his life, and now He is doing in his life in us.

For this reason we have strong encouragement to accept each other, in that everyone here has been accepted, though unworthy, into the same school.

To sum up

Having been justified, there is a degree to which all of us must persevere in order to bring Jesus into the experience of our character - who we are. As much as we are conformed to Jesus, this is the extent of his glory we may hope for, and will enter into, and thus we have a sure hope – “treasure in heaven.”

We are unified in this. There is no other path, and no divine help – perseverance and encouragement - for any other path.

4. “…through encouragement of the scriptures we have hope.”

Paul has talked about perseverance giving hope – a share in the glory of God. Now he will demonstrate how the scriptures also give us that same hope.

To sum up what is coming:

• Paul wants to show us how the scriptures give us encouragement leading to hope.

• He first shows that God’s faithfulness to Israel was for not purely for Israel’s own sake, but the purpose of showing his mercy to Gentiles also.

• He quotes four scriptures which all describe the Gentiles in some way participating with Israel in the hope that Israel has as God’s people – praise, glory, joy.

• These are all prophesies which must refer to the eschaton – post the coming of Messiah.

• What these scriptures show is above all else encouraging – they show that God’s plan for salvation is indeed great - the nations have a redemption to look forward to.

God’s faithfulness to Israel was to show his mercy to the Gentiles

Paul makes the point:

v8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

In other words, Jesus as Messiah became a servant to the Jews so that the promises God made to the Fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) might be made secure. That is, God demonstrated in Christ that there was no problem with His ability to do what He promised, and what he said was, “I have set apart one nation for Himself, Israel, to bear My glory.”

Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, ( Isa 43:6–7 ).

the Lord has redeemed Jacob and in Israel He shows forth His glory ( Isa 44:23 )

And I will grant salvation in Zion, and My glory for Israel. ( Isa 46:13 ).

He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in Whom I will show My glory” ( Isa 49:3 )

But wait, there’s more:

v9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy;

Jesus became a servant to the circumcision so that the Gentiles also might glorify God. Just as God’s promises to Israel are made secure by Jesus’ coming, in the same way, His promises to bless the nations through Israel are also made secure, which is encouragement for us.

The scriptures show that God’s hope extends to Gentile nations

Paul will now quote four different portions of scripture, all of which demonstrate the same thing, namely, that the Gentiles will be brought back into the family of God, and will share the blessings of the family of God with Israel, the firstborn.

To understand the meaning here, we need to bear in mind that these verses are not about the church. What they describe can never be achieved in this dispensation. They refer to the future. Presently, the Gentile nations are in a state of ever-increasing hostility against Israel – which is really against God.

The culmination of this is Zech 12:3 “all the nations of the earth will be gathered against her” (also 14:2-3).

The only place and time where this will end is in the eschaton, in the kingdom of God, after the return of Jesus. Both in the millennium and after that (Rev 21:22).

as it is written,

“THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,

AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” [Ps 18:49: praise and singing]

v10 Again he says,

“REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” [Deut 32:43: joy]

v11 And again,

“PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,

AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.” [Ps 117:1: Praise for the love of God]

v12 Again Isaiah says,

“THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,

AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES,

IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” [Is 11:10: Hope]

Paul is going big picture here. What he has spoken of up to now in Romans is the salvation of individuals – saving individuals from the effects of the rebellion in Eden. But that’s not the only fall that is reversed by the work of Jesus Christ. There is also the saving of collective humanity from the effects of the rebellion that began at Babel, when God separated people into (Gentile) nations, establishing their boundaries according to the “gods,” and setting apart Israel for himself (Deut 32), and this rebellion continues today.

So, there is an even bigger hope of which we are a part, the restoration of every nation, tribe and tongue to glorify God at the coming of Christ, and we in the church play a part in displacing those principalities which presently rule in rebellion against him and which rule over the nations of the earth. That is a very encouraging picture. (Cf Rom 11:15). God can do anything.

Abounding in hope.

v13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul ends up here where he started. God is the journey and the destination, both the thing we hope for, and the means by which we are strengthened and encouraged to attain to it. It is His earnest desire for us to abound in hope – in conformity to His Son, by the power of His Son made available through the Spirit.

To sum up:

• Our hope is a definite thing – the hope of sharing in the glory of Christ.

• We gain hope through 2 things: perseverance, and the encouragement of the scriptures.

• Perseverance means committing to the process of being conformed to Jesus.

• To the extent that this happens, we possess the hope of sharing in Jesus’ glory.

• This means, when we are judged, our conformity to Jesus is the standard by which He Himself will judge us.

• The scriptures give us hope in that they confirm a bigger picture.

• This picture is the restoration of all humanity to the glory of God – the truth of who God is.

• In terms of sharing the glory of God, the church as the bride of Christ has a part to play in the administration of this bigger picture – that is our hope.

Romans 14 - Showing love in disputable matters - John W

Guidance for how we should live when we disagree with each other over disputable matter.

Message powerpoint download

What is a ‘disputable matter’ and why is this an issue?
What principles does Romans 14 give us when it comes to disputable matters?
Leaning from these principles and what happens when they are followed and when they are not followed

What is a disputable matter in Romans 14?

This is an area where… A) there is ‘freedom’

Theologically there is freedom. There are no instructions to ‘always do this’ or to ‘never do this’
It may be that the Bible directly gives freedom, or it may be a matter where the Bible is quiet (God gives no direct command)
Many things in our lives are in this ‘grey zone’

Where… B) We do things differently

Where there is freedom, for a variety of reasons different people have different ways of looking at the issue, and as a result end up doing different things
The disputable matters are referring to ‘things we do’, the ‘way we live our life’
A person who believes this is right can do this action and give thanks to God
A person who believes this is wrong, cannot do this action and give thanks to God

Where C) We have different preferences and beliefs

These preferences are often based on ‘deeply’ held beliefs.
They may be based in our past experiences, in our culture – as such they are not ‘nothing’ but are very important to us

Principles for managing disputable matters

1. Accept one another

We are to accept those God has accepted.
We don’t get to make the choice. It is God who does the choosing!
We are to accept one another just as Christ has accepted us

How has Jesus accepted us? Jesus didn’t put me on probation and give me some tests to pass, he accepted me as I am, knowing that I would fail. He accepted me on the basis of His righteousness, not on the basis of my righteousness. We are to accept others warmly, without reservation, without holding back, without qualification, just as Jesus has accepted us.

2. Be Convinced in Your own Mind, and Live for the LORD

In a disputable matter each person should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Don’t ignore the matter. Bring the matter to God, and make a clear decision based on what you believe God wants you to do
Is this beneficial: Does it help by walk with God?
Is this beneficial: Does it help others?
Is this beneficial: Will this help the advance of the Gospel?
When we accept others, this allows space for God to direct peoples lives (we need to let go, and let God)

3. Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God

Lk 6v37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
We need to focus on our own account, not on the account of others
We are not in a position to judge or treat others with contempt, as we don’t fully understand the situation
Our brother and sister will not stand before us, but before God
As God will judge me, I should think about how I am living my life, rather than trying to control others

4. Live a life of Love: Choose to limit your freedom for the benefit of others

1 Cor 9 [19] Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Although I give you the freedom to make your decisions, I don’t demand you give me the freedom to allow me to always express my own decisions… Rather I will modify my behaviour to help rather than harm others

Make up your mind: Make a conscious decision,

Not to stumble others: By encouraging someone to do something they are convinced they should not do
Not to obstruct others: By stopping someone from doing something God has given them the liberty to do

5. Living by Faith

Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
Living by faith means that we are trusting in God, and obeying what God has convinced us of and has laid on our conscience
If we go against what God has convinced us is right, we are going against our conscience
When we go against the conscience God has given us, we are not loving God will all our heart, soul and mind. WE are moving away from God. This is sin

6. We should do what builds up others, because we follow the example of Jesus (Rom15v1-3)

The What would Jesus Do (WWJD) test.

We choose to accept others, because Jesus has accepted us [15v7]
We choose to limit our freedom for the benefit of Others, because this is what Jesus did for us [15v1-3 For even Christ did not please himself]

Luke 22 [42] “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

The Legalistic Church

A legalistic church is one where everyone needs to be the same…

Legalists love to tell you how to live your life

They have a list of do’s and do nots which not only applies to them, but also to everyone else as well (we should all have our own list, but it should stay as our own list)

If you follow the list of rules, then over time the rules tend to become more important than the truth

The legalistic church is uncomfortable with people who are different and do not agree on all points (both in terms of what we do and what we believe)

We must all be the same in all areas of our life (everyone should drive their car at the same speed as I do)

We should think and behave the same in areas such as…

Drinking, Smoking
Dancing, Styles of worship, type of music we listen to, use of drums
What we view (no mixed martial arts), What sort of books we read
What we think about home schooling
What we think about reproduction and contraception
What we wear to church, what we can do on Sunday
Playing cards…………………………………

The outcome

The church either dies (by closing or becoming a club) or it changes

The temptation

Don’t let you enthusiasm and zeal for God and your personal convictions lead you into a position where you want to influence others in ‘disputable matters’
Don’t build a fort where ‘everyone agrees’

Principles in disputable matters

1. Accept one another

2. Be convinced in your own mind, and live for the God

3. Focus on your own account with God

4. Choose to limit your freedom for the benefit of others

5. Live by faith

6. Follow the example of Jesus

Romans 12:1-2 Be Transformed - Dominic A

Cornerstone International Bible Church - 6th Oct 2019

Text:

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV): 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Meaning

1.      The task

1.1. An appeal to give our bodies and minds to God as an act of worship and a means to know and approve God’s will

2.      The incentive/ motivation

2.1. Facts that are meant to help us see the rationale of the appeal

Message

3.      The incentive/ motivation (2 fold)

3.1.  First incentive - Therefore of V1, refers to all the teachings in Rom 1- 11

3.1.1.    Suppose you personalise the passages in Rom 5:1-10 and Rom 8:14-17, 26, 28, 31-39.

3.1.2.    I stand amazed, in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene,

3.1.3.    And wonder how He could love me, A sinner condemned, unclean.

For me it was in the garden, He prayed: “Not my will, but Thine.”

He had no tears for His own griefs, But sweat-drops of blood for mine.

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;

If we know how much God loves us, we will never hold back ourselves from Him.

3.2. Second motivation – The mercy of God

Justice is when you get what you deserve.

Grace is when you get what you don’t deserve.

Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve.

In the English language “(be) at the mercy of somebody/something” has a negative connotation. It means not being able to stop somebody or something from harming you because they have power or control over you.   

Do you see your whole life as at the mercy of God? God’s mercy (pity, tender compassion) does not harm.

Psa 103:1-3, calls it a ‘benefit’ which he will not forget. My soul, bless the Lord who redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies.

Matt 18:23-27 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (to v27). We ought to see ourselves as the servant in that parable who owed so much and could not pay.

If we see ourselves as beneficiaries of God’s mercies, we will never hold back ourselves from Him.

4.      The task

An appeal to give our bodies and minds to God as an act of worship and a means to know and approve God’s will

Romans 12:1 (NIV): Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship

4.1. Offer your bodies

4.1.1.    Offer is volitional, i.e. with deliberate intention. This is not going to happen automatically

4.1.2.    Your bodies. Do you find this surprising? God is interested in your body! It may young or old, weak or strong, sick or healthy, short or tall, skinny or chubby, male or female, but God is interested in it.

Do you suffer from body image issues? This may help. God is interested in your body. He asks you to present it to Him.

He is not interested in how it looks, but in what you do with it.

Why? Because it the body is the vehicle/means by which we do God’s will in this physical world. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

4.2.    As a living sacrifice
4.2.1.     Sacrifice. Parallel to the sacrifices offered in the OT, which were for sin. We do not offer our bodies as a means to pay for our sins. That will be unaccepted by God, for such sacrifices ought to be perfect (cf. Mal 1:13). Jesus alone was the perfect Lamb of God.

4.2.2.    Living sacrifice. Meaning, God does not necessarily call all of us to be martyrs. He wants us to offer our bodies as living sacrifice, i.e. offer our day-to-day activities as an offering to Him.

Rom 12:1 MSG “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering”. 

Heb 13:15-16 “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God”.

1 Cor 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

4.3. Holy and pleasing to God

4.3.1.    The sacrifices must be holy and pleasing to God.

Rom 6:13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

Two warning from the Scriptures.

1) Nadab and Abihu – Lev 10:1-10.

Nadab and Abihu neglected to follow God's instructions for the sacrifice, perhaps out of presumption, or out of thoughtlessness and inattention. They were consumed by God’s fire.

4.4. This is your true and proper worship

4.4.1.    True and proper worship consist of using your body to do things that that are pleasing to God as a way to show to the world how much He is worth to you.

Joh 4:24 …The Father is looking for worshippers…

Romans 12:2 (NIV): 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4.5. Do not conform to the pattern of this world

4.5.1.    What is the "world"?

Not the physical world, for that is good (Gen 1-2; 1 Tim 4:4). But the system or culture. God created people, people made cultures.

4.5.2.    Do not conform to this world. What it does not mean?

1)     It does not mean avoid all earthly pleasures, as though there is something intrinsically wrong with experiencing pleasure in God’s creation.

Matt 9:14 One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”

2)     That Christians should refuse to benefit from advances in science, useful arts, improvements and discoveries of the world.

3)     May not mean avoiding physical contact with the world, (as some Christian denominations do). 

Psalm 1 should not be overstretched. Jesus was criticized for receiving sinners and eating with them. (Luke 15:1-2)

4.5.3.    Do not conform to this world. What it does mean?

To have certain principles and motives, or engage in certain actions/inactions the purpose of which are to benefit self (and indirectly, Satan?).

a)     Value or emphasize the temporary over the eternal

a.      Maximise fleshly pleasures over the spirit [Rom 8:12-13; 1 Pet 2:11]

b.     Time over eternity/ present world over world to come [Eph 5:15-16; Matt 16:26].

Lessons from Demas – a slow decline into the world

§  Demas my fellow labourer (Phile 24)

§  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you (Col 4:14)

§  Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me (2 Tim 4:9-10)

It happened to Demas, it could happen to you and me.

b)     Outward over inward [Matt 23:25-28].

Hypocrisy is a mark of worldliness. We are thought to not seek the outward over the inward in our giving and praying (Matt 6:1-6).   

1 Pet 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Are you more concerned about reputation (inc. in the Church), than you are about how God sees your heart?

Do I seek God’s glory or mine, e.g. when visitors are around and my children misbehave?

c)      Self above God and others [Matt 22:37-40].

We live in a world of rights. The Bible does not say much about our rights, but rather about our responsibilities. Jesus says you cannot be His disciple if you do not deny yourself (rights), take up your cross daily and follow Him.

Your worst enemy as a Christian is not Satan, it is self.

4.5.4.    Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. How do I renew my mind?

a.                  From God’s Word

                   i.     Heed the warnings (1 Joh 2:15-17; Jam 4:4)

The enemy of sanctification is conformity to this world.

Conformity to the world actually doesn't win the world to Christ.

                 ii.     See the proneness of your heart to worldliness (Jer 17:9).

Worldliness is first a matter of the heart’s desires, then the mind’s meditations, then the hands’ actions

The day I left my phone at home.

              iii.     See the glory of Christ (Titus 2:11-14; Joh 5:39-40)

It is by seeing Christ as more worthy of your love that you can escape the temptation of worldliness. (The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, Thomas Chalmers).

b.                 Fellowship (Heb 10:24-25)

Make use of a home group.

c.                  Prayer

O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Robert Robinson, 1757

d.                 Discipline your mind, until you have the mind of Christ.

Beware of passive allowance of the world into your life

§  Guarding the mind against ungodly entertainment, ungodly education, ungodly friendships (of formative influence)

§  Feed it with good information. God’s word, good books.

(e.g. Improvement of the mind, Isaac Watts)

§  Purpose to be godly

a)     Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself (Dan 1:18)

b)     Make every effort (2 Pet 1:3-5).

c)      Exercise yourself towards godliness (1 Tim 4:7). Work hard at it. ‘gym’ yourself into godliness.

Questions

I am afraid God will take my surrender to Him seriously.

Are you really saved by grace? Are you really a bondservant of Christ?

 I will do it later.

You are not guaranteed a later.

Is it worth living even one day of your life for yourself, and not for God?    

 I am too old. The moment is past

Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.   

 I want to surrender, but it is so hard.

Surrendering to God does not come easily, but it is the right thing to do, and God will help you.

 Romans 12:1–2 (NIV): 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prayers

"Take my life and let it be" F R Harvegal

Romans 11:27-36 God's plan of salvation - John W

Gods plan of salvation as demonstrated through the life, past present and future of Israel and the Church. The text is a picture of the olive tree which represents the blessing and goodness of God. In God's eternal plan he will enable the natural and un-natural branches to be grafted in to the New Covenant where all people will know him, there will be forgiveness, a belonging to God, and an inner transformation.

PowerPoint slides download Romans 11:27-36

Romans 11:1-15 Roland v N Our response to Israel

Roland teaches us today from Romans 11:1-15. Firstly, he recaps where we have been in chapters 9 and 10, looking at how chapter 9 reveals how God’s word hasn’t failed. Chapter 10 then shows us how Israel has failed to receive salvation through faith and is still trying to use works.

Chapter 11 then moves into talk of the remnant of Israel. Paul claims that as a descendant of the clan of Benjamin he is part of the remnant of Israel. He links back to Elijah to show that God has always kept a remnant for himself within Israel. This refers to the 7000 mentioned in 1 Kings 19:18 that God had kept from worshiping Baal. All of this is to show that God hasn’t forgotten Israel and still has a plan for them.

Roland then moved on to Romans 11:7 which talks of those not chosen as the remnant of Israel having their hearts hardened. He linked this back to promises in the Old Testament. Jews generally split the Old Testament into 3 parts. The law, the writings and the prophets. Paul makes reference to all 3 of these in verses 8-10. One from Deuteronomy, one from Psalms and one from Isaiah. All of this is to show that there is no works based salvation for Israel.

Romans 11 then goes on to focus on how the act of hardening Israel has paved the way for the salvation of the gentiles. This highlights the fact that without God hardening the hearts of Israel, we wouldn’t have salvation now. It also tells us in verse 14 that the salvation of the gentiles is to make Jews jealous so that some might be saved. We owe our salvation to Israel so we need to repay that favour by bringing them back to Christ.

Roland finished his talk with some application for us. The first of these is to come to Jews with humility as they have paved the way for our salvation. The second is to provoke them to jealousy that they might be saved. This is done through showing the love of Christ to them. Finally we need to respectfully ‘prod’ Jews towards Jesus.

Romans 10:1-22 The simplicity of the Gospel - Casper v N

Casper reads today through Romans 10 and makes the exhortation to not forget why we are here and how simple the gospel really is. Ch 10 sits between two controversial passages between Ch 9 on election and Ch 11 on the future of Israel, so the simplicity is to be treasured and shared.

Three observations:

The failure of the simple gospel; our failure to understand it.

The beauty of the simple gospel

and the calling of the simple gospel.

Romans 9:19-33 God's faithfulness to Israel - Zohar Gonen

Zohar speaks to us today as a Jewish Christian with a ministry to share Jesus Christ with Jewish people through the work of Celebrate Messiah.

Some say that we do not have to share the gospel with Jewish people because they can be saved by obedience to the Law, even within evangelical circles. At the other extreme people think that there is no need to evangelise the Jewish people because God is through with Jewish people. They had their chances. They did not recognise the Messiah when he came so there is no need to share the gospel. But Paul did not do this. His first priority was to reach the Jewish people first.

The Church lost the vision to reaching out to the Jewish people. They became an unreached people group. There has been a lack of outreach that was loving and longing for the Jewish people to recognise the Messiah.

Many people do not connect chapter 8 with chapters 9 and 11. The don't see that Paul's description of believers’ glorification also applying to Israel. Chapters 9-11 can only be understood in the context of chapter 8. By appealing to how God was faithful to the Jewish people only then we can be confident that he will be faithful to us. Romans 1:16 tells us that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe, to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles.

Zohar reflects on the promises of God being still reliable because this is God's character. God keeps his promises. He reviews the instruction of honourable vessels and dishonourable vessels, and the remnant that will be saved. A small group within a large group of people, a small people group who remain faithful to God. In Rom 11, Elijah thought he was the only faithful person alive. God was the one who kept 7000 men who did not bend the knee to Baal. God is the one who is faithful to keep a remnant, chosen by grace. God's faithfulness is not at stake even though the whole nation of Israel turned their back on God. Paul appeals to this faithfulness to demonstrate God's character.

Rom 1:16,17 is not a geographic, time bound order that the describes gospel going to the Jews first and then to the world so that this is no longer the case to reach the Jewish people because the gospel continues to be the power of God. It is not a past finished outpouring.

God is just. He is a righteous and just God and we don’t even have the tools to even measure whether God is just or not. He sees everything and knows everything where as we cannot. God is just. You cannot argue with God. One pot of clay cannot argue with the potter as to why it is not for honourable use. God's election of the Jewish people is absolutely right and fair. There is room for every type of pot. In God's plan there is a need for all people types and skills. No matter how we serve God we can all bring glory to God. Whether he made us a Jew or Gentile God will use us.

Why is God long suffering with vessels of destruction? We were all vessels of destruction at some point in our life. God was patient with us to turn to Him. We became vessels of mercy. He will demonstrate is glory out vessels of mercy.

If our relationship was based upon our faithfulness, then we would fail every time. We would be in trouble. It is only God's faithfulness that maintains the relationship with Him.

In every generation God left a remnant of a faithful Jewish people for himself and for this reason God did not pour out his wrath just as he would have withheld destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. For this reason, we can know that God has a future for his people. This people group is who he will show himself faithful to. Today's Jewish remnant are those who believe in Jesus Messiah. God has a future for the Jewish people. God will reveal himself and revive the Jewish people. God is not through with them and God will pour out his spirit on them.

How is it that the Jewish people who pursued righteousness did not attain it and yet the Gentiles attained righteousness while not seeking it. The answer is that the Jewish people put their faith in their own efforts whereas the Gentiles placed their faith in God. They put their faith in the right source.

True faith must be in God's perfect work, the atonement on the cross.

God's atonement must be the object of our faith. We must put of faith and trust in the Rock, the Messiah. The best thing we can ever do. Stop trying to impress God with your ability to perform. Trying to obtain righteousness in our own merit then we will stumble and trip every time.

Trust in God

Remember that God is fair, we do not have the tools to measure God's fairness

If God choses us to be a Jew or Gentile, he has the right as creator to do so.

God is a faithful God in his wisdom and his timing to save us and the Jewish people.

Romans 9:1-18 To the Jew First - Ross P

Download message powerpoint

Ross teaches from chapter 9 and this marks a shift from the first 8 chapters of doctrine regarding the sin of all men, and God's provision of Christ's righteousness through faith. He reminds us of the key verse of Romans being Rom 1:16-17 regarding the Gospel but today looks at the significance of the reference to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles.

Is there any future for Jewish people in the church if Gentiles are now included in the kingdom? Tension arose between the Jews and Gentiles of Rome. Paul writes to explain the promises of God to Israel and God's sovereign right to choose a people group for blessing. The heritage of the people of Israel was of great advantage. Covenants, promises, patriarchs, and the human ancestry of Christ.

Ross considers whether there is a future for Israel or are the Church and Israel one entity. This matter has divided the church over the centuries where the church is a replacement for Israel. Is Israel still important in God's plans? Will God ever abandon Israel? Scripture tells us that God will never abandon Israel. Jer 31:35-37. God's word will never fail. God's mercy is relentless.

God is is always absolutely right and fair and just, and because of this we can trust Him for His promise of forgiveness, justification and eternal life for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. Everyone who calls on the Lord shall be saved.

Open Worship - Basis and Practice - John W

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At Cornerstone we allow a time each week for a period we call Open Worship. For anyone used to a structured service or liturgy, where all the teaching, praise, prayer and singing is fully arranged beforehand, a period where you don’t know what happens next can be quite unusual.

Today, John unpacks the basis for worship, when we should worship and how it applies in a church setting.

John takes his references from 1 Cor 1:14 where conduct with a gathered group of believers is described by Paul in response to a series of difficulties that the Corinthian church had been experiencing.

• Worship comes from a heart that responds to God. Worship motivates us and impacts on everything we think, say and do

• Open Worship has similarities (and differences) to, and is based on the principles taught in 1 Cor 14: Equality, plurality of participation, encouragement, order and freedom, being lead by the Holy Spirit

• It is a time where we can respond to God both individually and as a church

• It is a time to put God first, both in our own life and in the life of the church

Please pray for your leaders, that we will correctly apply the overall meaning, emphasis, and the details of the scriptures to Open Worship as we practice it

Romans 8:28-39 Love for and from God - Geoffrey S

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