The Means Of Righteousness

December 11, 2011 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

“Faith In Jesus Christ”

Text: Romans 3:21-5:21

In our first lesson we saw that God does not ask the "Lost" person to clean himself up and behave before he can be saved. Many try this and fail.

What God ask each and everyone of us to do is to "Believe"! Upon that one thing will God give the free gift of life!

Remember the key to the Book of Romans:

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

We cannot be "Justified" until we have "Faith"!

This the truth of the Gospel!

In the second lesson we saw from "God’s Viewpoint" just how hopeless and dismal humanity really is.

Remember:

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

"Justification" does not come from any law of mankind. We cannot "justify" our selves by self-righteous living.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Let us now learn how to attain to the "Righteousness Required of God".

Justification can only come by "Faith"!

This is the "heart" of the Gospel.

The "Truth" is the entire world is guilty before God!

Our Text:

*****Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

"But Now", After we have seen how we have failed we will see that there is a way to escape this misery of sin without death and we will see what God expects!

We will see that what any law could not do, what no amount of works could do, but only what God can do.

The "righteousness of God" is much much more than just "Right-doing".

One of the biggest mistakes made in our way of thinking is that the "Law" still holds some place in God’s righteousness.

The "justification" that can come only from God is based on an entirely different principle.

Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before [for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof].

Remember this is God’s Plan of Salvation and we should not question How God Goes About Doing It!

Those old Laws served their purpose because God is a God of purpose but they are set aside for a New Way.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

If we do not believe that all history of "Our Sin" ended at the Cross, for even our Old Man died there, then we may try to hold on to some of those old laws of self righteousness.

This why there are many so weak in "Faith" that they still desire a teacher of the law:

1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

It is because there has never been even one person on this earth that could keep those laws. Remember there was only one chance to get it all right. We would all fail at some point in our life span.

This is why God was so "Gracious" and gave us His Christ to perform all the requirements of the Law for us.

God says that the "Believer" is not under law of any kind but dead to the law:

Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: [nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God], who loved me, and gave himself for me.

"This is a brand New Creature" that had not existed until inviting Jesus Christ to be his Savior!

To try to go back under any of those Old Laws would be trying to put Jesus, Our Lord back under the Law He has fulfilled.

Jesus Christ Himself said:

Mat 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, [but to fulfil]."

This fulfilled law is the "Royal Law" law of Our Lord:

Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the "royal law" according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

When we show respect for one of God’s children above another we have become a "Judge." God call us to be witnesses and not judges.

A Saint of God that sins after salvation has broken the "Royal Law" of Jesus Christ:

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We must pray a prayer of repentance to be forgiven and not carry this sin with us.

God showed just how "righteous" He truly is when He would not spare the life of His Son Jesus at the Cross.

Only such a "righteous" God as Jehovah can therefore forgive "Sin"!

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

God is able to come to us now in "Absolute Grace" but only because of Jesus Christ Our Savior! There is no amount of the sin of the believer that this "Grace" cannot cover.

God can then after His forgiveness, declare the believing sinner to be "righteous". Not righteous on his own merits and not because Christ merits have been transferred to him but only because we as sinners place our trust in Him, because God places us inside the Risen Christ.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; [that we might be made the righteousness of God in him].

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh

We should never think of ourselves apart from Jesus Christ!

*****Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

We as human beings always look at "righteousness" as something we lost and want to get back. This is self-righteousness at its worst.

The pure fact of God’s gift allows us all, who are still ungodly, to be reckoned as "righteous". This is the fact of the "Gospel".

Justification is by God Himself and His reckoning a sinner to be "righteous".

Man does not have to change before He is "Justified", Man must certainly believe. Faith is the key that unlocks this mystery. It is the "Shed Blood" of Our Savior and that alone, which has caused God to declare man righteous.

God’s "Grace" is the reason but our own "Faith" is the instrument of Our Salvation!

It is "Faith" that brings mans heart to the light of Jesus:

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is the Word of God that we must base our own Salvation and not words of any man, Preacher, or Pastor.

We must prove all things under the light of God’s Word.

We must have "Simple Faith" concerning God’s Own Testimony concerning His Son Jesus!

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is not the faith that Christ Jesus had in our salvation but it is "our Faith" in the redeeming work of Our Lord Jesus Christ that brings us to salvation.

This not just believing in Christ! But believing on the finished work of Christ Jesus on the Cross and His Resurrection. It is believing on a God who could cause all these things to happen.

I cannot imagine any religion that placed their faith in any thing that was less powerful than Jehovah God.

God does not simply place His righteousness on the Believer, God accounts righteousness to the Believer through "Faith" in Jesus Christ.

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, [his faith is counted for righteousness].

*****Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The phrase "all have sinned" is in the past tense. This sin began with Adam and everyone that came after him.

The phrase "come short of the glory" is in the present tense. Everyone from the time of Adam until the day we live that has sinned and that is everyone, they all have continually fell short of God’s Glory.

This not only means each individual but the entire human race!

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This means all mankind:

1.) Have failed to meet God’s "Approval":

2.) Have lost all "Spiritual Strength"

3.) Have no ability to stand in God’s "Presence"

We know that to be "justified" by "faith" is to rejoice in the "Hope of Glory of God".

Jesus says:

Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Man has found deliverance in the guilt of "SIN" and feel delivered by "SINS" power.

*****Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

This is by far the greatest verse in the Bible on "justification through faith"!

This does not mean man has been made righteous or holy. It does mean that righteousness is placed in our account. Justification is not a change God makes in us BUT IT IS A CHANGE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!

THIS IS A FREE GIFT UPON OUR "FAITH"!

Jesus says:

Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

The "Grace" of God is in fact a God with "no limits" giving His Love with "no limits" because of the Work Christ Jesus did on that Cross.

Because sin, which is described by the law, is no longer a snare we can have eternal and unhindered freedom of it.

Jesus Christ did all the Work and we that believe reap all the Benefits!

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

This word redemption comes from the Greek word "apolutrosis" and always means we have been delivered from the "Wrath of God":

Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We should be looking up right now because we can see all these things coming to pass right now!

Our liberty comes from the ransom that was paid by Jesus Christ.

This is the reason of our "Thanks Giving":

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

This is what we missed out on:

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament,[that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament], they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

We have missed out on that death because of Our Savior!

THIS IS GOD’S FREE GIFT TO THE BELIEVER!

*****Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

This verse plainly states that this was not just last minute decision that God made. God knew all along and He made His preparations. The "Lamb" was foreordained from before the time of "Creation". God created a perfect world but He knew this world would fail not because God’s creation of earth was not perfect but because "Sin" began in Heaven with Lucifer, whom we call Satan.

We must be clear in our thoughts of Our God. God is Holy in His being:

1.) God is righteous in His character.

2.) God’s righteousness appears in His dealings with His Creation.

3.) God will forever be righteous.

4.) God’s "Holiness" is not a word used to describe relationship.

5.) God would be Holy even if there were no creation.

6.) It is God’s Holiness that requires "Propitiation"

7.) It is not that God has hate for the sinner but that God has love for the sinner that required the death of His Son.

8.) God is seeking fellowship with Man, His greatest creation, and no sinful creature can stand before a Holy God and live.

9.) Because of Sin, there will be God’s Wrath against Sin, because of His Holy Nature.

10.) It is death to draw nigh to God, not because He is vindictive, because God is Love. We cannot draw nigh to God because He is Holy and we would die because we are sinful, unclean, and unholy.

11.) This is why Jesus had to die and become our "Propitiation".

12.) Jesus took our place on the cross because we could not do that and live.

If you look back at the Book of Leviticus chapter 16 you can study in "type" this act of "Grace" and "Mercy" that is God’s Plan.

We have no reason to question what God does for our benefit and are foolish to do so!

The fact that the Son of God has come, sent by the God of Love, and has born our sin for us, so that we will miss out on God’s judgment, but draw near to God by the Blood of Christ, REVEALS GOD’S HOLINESS TO US AND FOR OUR OWN SAKES.

The Bible says:

Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Heb 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

The Cross of Jesus stands as a witness to the "Unchanging Character of God"!

*****Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Before we could accept the reality of the "Cross", God had to take the time to show us examples of "His Divine Judgment".

There was:

1.) The Worldwide Flood.

2.) The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

3.) The Plagues of Egypt.

4.) The dispersion of Israel

Then and only then did God address the Sin of the individual man at the Cross!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Old Testament believers looked forward and were forgiven on credit. Today we look backward to the Cross, where Christ Jesus was judged for "OUR SIN".

Our "Faith" must stand on the Work of Christ on the Cross!

The Half Brother of Jesus gave us these words:

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves [on your most holy faith], praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

If our "Faith" is not Holy, we will not stand before a Holy God.

*****Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

There is no boasting of any law when the law of "Faith", that that is of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ has been applied!

Judaism and also no other religion has words that come close to what Our Holy God has given to us!

NO OTHER RELIGION CAN BOAST AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD!

IT IS THE LAW OF "FAITH" THAT STANDS ABOVE ALL OTHERS!

THAT "FAITH" THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, THE SON OF GOD!

*****Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

THIS IS GOD’S ANSWER TO ANY BOASTING OF OTHERS!

*****Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Paul recognized himself as a Jew and a descendant of Abraham in this verse. It was the Jew who had possession of the Old Testament. It was the Jew that had a Divine relationship with God, not any other nation. It was the Jew whose religion stood above all the rest.

And Abraham was the earthly father of the Jew!

Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Paul simply said that if Abraham had done these things on his own then maybe he could have boasted.

Paul simply said that Abraham, the father of the Jew because Abraham had "only believed" what God had told him. Abraham had "Faith"!

The Bible plainly states in the same scriptures the God had given to these Jew:

Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

It was the "faith" of Abraham that was counted for his righteousness and not anything that he had done in himself.

No matter your way in life, we all, rich or poor, have the same standing with God because it is "Faith" that unlocks the "Heart of God".

If we believe in our own hearts that what God says is true and beyond question, we can then begin a "personal relationship" with Our Father in Heaven!

When we turn our hearts away from ourselves and toward God and His promises, then God is free to fulfill those promises. Jesus Christ is our Channel of contact to this Holy God. The Holy Spirit is our Power of contact to this Holy God. It is "Our Faith" that binds it all together.

Because of Abraham’s "Faith" we all have an opportunity to meet our Father in Heaven:

Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

*****Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

The whole world thinks that being good and doing good are merits deserving credit enough to meet the God of "mercy". In fact no amount of works of the lost will gain him any favor with God and that same person will meet God but it will be the God of "wrath".

Righteousness is not based on doing right! When we think that God owes us something for the good things we do then we have failed in understanding the "Mercy and Grace" of God.

That thought is a thought of "wages" or of being paid for our goodness and we have no goodness before we have "Faith".

It seems to many that is declaring ungodly people righteous over those that do good things.

God does not say "godly" people will be saved, God does say "righteous" people will be saved and our righteousness is Jesus Christ.

All people must rely on God to become godly!

Remember what God has already said:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

When we take it on our own selves to judge one lost person above another we have committed an abomination in the eyes of God because even He does not do this!

All must stand by the Shed Blood of Jesus, we have no other ground to stand on and be saved!

*****Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

I.) What "justification" is not:

1.) Justification is not just making the ungodly, godly.

We are all still sinners.

2.) Justification is not a "change of heart".

3.) Justification is not "making an unjust man just" in his behavior.

4.) Justification is not to be confused with "Sanctification".

II.) "Justification" is:

1.) God’s declaration that a man can now stand before Him.

2.) This "justification" can only come through Christ Jesus.

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3.) The same God that said all the world is guilty, now "justifies" those that are convicted of this guilt and believe God’s means of Salvation.

4.) Justification is the accounting by God to a believing sinner, of the Work Christ Jesus did on the Cross and connecting this believing sinner with the Risen Christ in Glory and giving the sinner the same acceptance before Him as He has Christ Jesus. This sinner from this time on belongs to Jesus Christ until they are delivered to Our Father in Heaven.

In this first verse God does not say to be justified but He does say "having been justified". Once this takes place it will be eternal. What God does last forever!

What have we seen so far?

1.) Chapter three, Christ was set forth as a propitiation.

2.) Chapter four, Christ was raised for our justification.

3.) Chapter five, We have peace with God, through Jesus Christ.

Peace means our war with God is over and God is holding nothing against us.

a.) God judged our sin upon Christ Jesus, who is our substitute.

b.) God is wholly satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice.

c.) God is now at rest with us Forever.

No matter how much we understand. No matter how weak our "faith". No matter how we stumble in our walk with Him. God is looking at us through the Blood of His Son and all He sees is Jesus.

It is Christ Jesus that made this "peace" on the Cross:

Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Now that Jesus is raised from the dead, IT IS JESUS THAT IS OUR PEACE!

This is not the peace of God but the Peace With God.

*****Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Not only do we have "Peace" with God but now in addition, also access to God’s "Grace". These things take place the very moment we "Believe". We are now forever under God’s Grace and not affected by those condemning laws.

We now have a future, not of this world. We have the same promise of entering into the same "Glorified" state as Christ Jesus.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Jesus said to Our Father:

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Joh 17:24 Father, [I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am]; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

What Christ Jesus ask Our Father to do He will do!

*****Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God’s Love for the unworthy sinner.

1.) Verse six was not in our lesson but this verse says the sinner is helpless against the Devil and his ungodliness.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sin and ask nothing in return but our "Faith".

2.) Verse seven also not in our lesson, but this verse tells us that you could search the world and you would not find any man willing to do such as to die for a vile sinner though there may be some that would die for a good man.

3.) In our verse God "Commended His Love". While we were in the very act of sinning our worse sin God sent His Son Jesus. "Commend" means God treated every sinner as though they could be worthy. God loved us when we are worthless, full of sin, unable and even unwilling to pay for such "Grace" or to "Obey Him".

God shows His "Grace" in His "Love".

God "SO LOVED" the world.

Verse 10 we did not cover yet it says even though we were His "enemies" God reconciled us to Him by the death of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

What did God buy but we who still fail Him every day!

*****Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

But "Much More" than just sending the Lord Jesus to die for us, God will see to it that now we as believers and accounted "Righteous" by the Blood of Jesus, we shall be saved from the coming "Wrath".

It is the "Shed Blood" that places us on Justifying ground. This is where our security is found!

This not "spilled blood" for to spill is an accident. This is "shed blood" to shed is an intentional act!

This is the message God has given to everyone that has lived and will live before the "Second Coming" of Christ. Jehovah God is our Father in Heaven who wants the absolute best for all His Children.

The "Good News" of the Gospel is not that everyone is lost but THAT EVERY LIVING SOUL CAN BE SAVED!

We can be made "righteous".

We can be forgiven.

Our "SIN" can be covered by the "Blood of Jesus".

This is the "Good News" for all mankind!

Let’s Pray!

The Lack Of Righteousness

December 4, 2011 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Lack Of Righteousness

"Guilty Before God"

Our Text: Romans 1:18–3:20

Last week we ended with Romans 1:17 which says:

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith"

This may be the theme of the entire Book of Romans. God reveals His method for our own "righteousness" in this book and it comes by faith.

Faith should mean: We have settled in our own mind that the things of Christ Jesus and God’s Word are true.

2Th 2:13 says But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and [belief of the truth]:

And that truth is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and if this is not settled in our minds then we need to go back to the altar of God and pray again!

The word "righteousness" is used in one way or another over 50 times in the book of Romans. (some of these ways are the words, righteous, just, justified)

God reveals His Righteousness by:

1.) By punishing "Sin"

2.) By the "Resurrection" of the Lord Jesus Christ

3.) By making "Salvation" available to every sinner.

God is both "just" and the "justifier of the just"

Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

But we can see, God only "justifies" those which believe on Jesus Christ.

The Book of Romans is our study in "type" of God’s courtroom.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Court is now in session.

*****Our text:

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

When we study God’s Word we must apply it to ourselves. We must accept the Book of Romans as truth just like "ALL" God’s Word.

This book describes our own "sin nature". Our Pastor has just recently said that this world we live in looks upon sin as a "Cupcake" instead of the "Poison" that it really is.

Our world is not sweet but it is being poisoned by this serious mistake and it is creeping ever more into the Church.

Joshua told the children of Israel that their sin that they were doing were being done before God destroyed the world by the flood. These things are also being done in our time in this world we live in.

Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served [on the other side of the flood], and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

We can see that these things are becoming more and more prevalent in our day now and God says:

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

We are on the verge of seeing this prophesy fulfilled.

God says again:

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead

We can see these same conditions of Sardis as more and more of our Churches have little or no "Spiritual life" remaining in them.

Another sign that is missed is that God’s saints are growing in an eagerness to go home, as our home is not here but in Heaven.

If we apply the book of Romans to ourselves then we can more readily see how to lead others to Jesus in these last days.

"For ALL have sinned and fell short of the glory of God"

The Bible says:

Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

*****Verse 18.)

When we accept Our Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, and it is personal, then we accept the Word of God delivered to us. We cannot accept one without the other. The Bible is full of the "love of God" but we must not ever forget, God will deliver His "wrath" to the "unbeliever".

God has appointed a day in which He will "judge" this world:

Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

God will "judge" by the example given to us by Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Jesus is our example to live by:

Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

We should ask ourselves, How do we match up to the example Christ Jesus gave us in Himself?

When we read the scriptures from Rom 1:27 thru Rom 2 till Rom 3:8, this is not a description of the finally damned but it is a picture of the "Lost of this world".

Paul later says:

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 And [such were some of you]: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Paul is telling us that there is no sinner outside the reach of His Saving Power. It does not hurt us to look back on occasions to see where we came from as long as we do not tarry on something that God has already forgiven.

What else do these scriptures tell us? God will allow us to travel our own path to destruction. God insist that His Word be made available to all but He will not force His Word on anyone. God gave us all the freewill to choose our own way.

Ecc 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

All freewill, will end at the "White Throne of Judgment"

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

God says there will be none saved on that day. Whatever you were, that you will remain.

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

There is only one time of "Grace for the Church" and that is the time we live in now!

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

In fact we are in the last days of this time!

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

To be "ungodly" is to totally disregard God!

To be "unrighteous" is to be wicked in our conduct.

To know these things is to Know the "Holy Spirit". (Holy Ghost)

2Th 2:6 [And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work]: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

We find the "truth" of God in the Book of Romans but not many in this world will agree to what God calls "sin".

*****Verse 19.)

There has never been a time in human history that God has not made Himself known. The sad fact is that most of this world has rejected the Word of God and therefore Jehovah God since the days of Adam.

God has revealed Himself through "creation". There are many that try to find some other means of creation but the Word of God has the indisputable facts of "creation" that cannot be denied. It is not "science" that proves the Bible. It is the Bible that proves "science". Until evolution became the gospel of false science, true science was based on facts, which is the definition of "science"!

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The first step for man to be wise is to listen and keep the Word of God.

1.) The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge but the foolish will not listen.

2.) The "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of Him is understanding.

3.) The "fear of the Lord" is the instructions of wisdom and our honor comes from being humble in His presence.

4.) The "fear of the Lord" is the strength of Our Salvation.

5.) The "fear of the Lord" is His treasure to us all!

Men are without excuse of admitting there is a Holy God of Truth!

*****Verse 20.)

There are many men of their own renown that say our universe is a haphazard place of collision of stellar bodies. God has made the eye of the human to see farther than any thing man-made. When I look up into the heavens I see a thing of beauty. Most every object in orbit, and organized. God is not a God of "Chaos".

There will be a time of "Chaos" but not to the believer. We can read all about it in the Book of Revelation.

Because of God’s Creation that is clearly visible to the eye, not hidden or covered up, not in chaos but in order, man has no excuse, no basis for doubt to deny the existence of God and all mankind knows it.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

*****21.)

Every living human being, no matter what they say, knows there is a Creator. BUT man has chosen to refuse this thought and therefore are "godless" and "thankless". Because man cannot free himself from these thoughts, they create "idols" for them selves to worship.

What is the "Heart" in Spiritual terms? It represents the whole inner man, the seat of knowledge, and the seat of man’s feelings.

In our world the Bible explains that these things of the "Heart" have become "dark" and have "lost the light that they had about the true Creator".

Man now wanders blindly in this world and are easily influenced by the things of Satan.

This is exactly the way I was before I met Jesus on His terms!

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

There is no recovery except through the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Verse 22.)

Mankind have rejected the "Light of Jesus" in their consciences and abide in their own knowledge thinking they have wisdom, but that wisdom is of this world and not God’s World, which is not on this earth.

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

These are the same ones of our day that say (God is not a person, man evolved from monkeys, evil morals are just bad habits, if it feels good do it, go ahead and lust after all you see and make it happen if you can). This is man’s path of wisdom!

Job said it well when he said to depart from these things means we understand that these are all lies!

Solomon wrote to the younger generation but it holds true to all:

Ecc 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Ecc 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Walking in the things of this world will lead us to vanity which means to nothing.

What did Jesus tell us all:

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

God gave us the free will to choose to be "Nothing", a "Vain Thing" or to be a "Something" in Christ Jesus.

There will "No Vain Thing" in God’s New heaven! Only the "Somethings" will be there!

Until a man can know his state of "Sin" he will never feel the need for a "Savior".

Preachers and Teachers have soft-pedaled sin, until the "Fear of God" is VANISHING.

These men are employed and used by the "Devil".

Verse 23.)

God is glorious and self-existing, and "Incorruptibility" is the "Essence" His Being. No One that has "Sin" could ever forgive others of their sin.

Mankind who reject the knowledge of God but still retain the need to worship in their conscience are an insult to the God that created them.

If we as Christians allow "idols" to come between us and God, then we have insulted our Savior and are no better than the lost of this world.

Idols of man were prevalent in Greece.

Idols of animals were prevalent in Egypt.

Both types were found in Rome and still are found in a certain religion.

Idols of Serpent worship are found along with these others worldwide.

Where does your own "Idol" fall in place among these others?

From "idolatry" to "immorality" is just one short step!

Once man has rejected the True God, Our Lord, then he walks on his own path to destruction.

Remember what Satan told Eve:

Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and [ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil].

Satan has always wanted to be worshiped as God and we give this worship to him when we place our idols between us and Our Lord God.

The Apostle Paul takes us back to the Exodus of Israel and reminds us:

1Co 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

One way God reveals His "wrath" is by ABANDONING SINFUL MAN TO THEIR OWN LUSTFUL WAYS.

God withdraws His Holy Spirit of Conviction!

Mankind will then resort to a "depraved mind" and encourage others to join in with them in there sin.

We can see this growing in America every day. Even our own leaders have no morals along with those of the world we live in.

This is the "news" that is brought to our attention every day. Just turn on your T V. Or look on your computer.

There is no confusion to whom Paul addressed this Epistle:

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints"

We can only realize one thing in this Epistle and that is that "The Whole World Is Guilty Before God"!

*****Our Text:

Rom 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:

Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Up until verse 9 Paul was making it perfectly clear that if you chose to do some evil thing and some good came out of it, it would not change the character of that evil thing nor take away the guilty of the one that did the evil.

If you robbed a bank and gave all the money to the church and souls were saved because of this money, it would not mean that the one that had robbed the bank would be guilt free of his sin.

God will not allow His Name to be shamed for the furtherance of the Gospel. God cannot become guilty of any wrong toward any being whatever. Even though God condemns a sinner to eternal damnation, God will immediately forgive that same sinner if he accepts the Word of God and repents. That same sinner would then be a useful tool in the hands of his Savior.

God will also not exempt any Jew though they have kept all the laws of Moses nor will He exempt any Baptist, nor Methodist, nor Episcopalian who has not accepted The Lord Jesus Christ.

All mankind are exactly alike in the eyes of God. We are all sinners that deserve death! THE WHOLE WORLD IS GUILTY BEFORE THIS HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS GOD!

Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

*****God now speaks 14 horrible things about the "Natural Man":

God speaks first as the "Judge":

Verse 10.)

*****1.) "There is not one righteous"

Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

No human being to have ever lived on this earth has ever been "righteous". Adam was "innocent" but not "righteous"!

Most all false religions are based on someone who has declared his own self in favor with God and this cannot be true.

*****2.) in verse 11: "There are none that understand"

This can best be understood by the Words of Jesus.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

This phrase is last used by Paul as he instructs the church:

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We have the written will of God in our Bible. If we cannot be obedient to God’s "written will" He will not ask us to do anything else!

"In God’s Own Wisdom, the world through it’s own wisdom cannot know God" this is the truth.

*****3.) again in verse 11: "There is none that seek God"

We might say how is this possible?

The Bible says:

1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

When Adam sinned he turn his back on God:

It is God that became the "seeker".

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Since then the "natural" man has not sought after God.

Our God has become the:

a.) The Seeker

b.) The Convictor

c.) The Persuader.

d.) The Savior.

Through God’s Amazing "Grace", He brings all those that believe unto Himself.

*****4.) In verse 12 we find "They are all gone out of the way"

The Bible says:

Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psa 53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Church is told directly:

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

We have to realize that in the eyes of God the whole race of man is an awful case.

The world sees mankind as mostly good but some do some bad things.

God sees mankind as all bad even though some may do some good things.

*****5.) again verse 12 we see "They are all unprofitable"

God says the ‘Human race" is useless to Him in bringing man closer to Him.

That word "unprofitable" means "rotten fruit". The Bible says mankind has become "filthy".

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

These words are harsh but we cannot understand God’s "Grace" until we understand How a Holy God sees mankind.

*****6.) again verse 12 "There are none that practice goodness"

Mankind seeks "Corruption" not holiness.

Mankind seeks "Selfishness" not goodness.

Mankind seeks "Cruelty" not kindness.

We know this is true in the world we live in today. Our own governments are corrupt. The rich are more selfish than ever. The robber and the murderer are treated with respect while the innocent continue to suffer.

We have seen how Our Lord sees us as a "Judge" now let’s see the "Physician":

*****7.)) In verse 13 "Their throat an open sepulchre"

Doctors always look into the throat because it can tell him the state of health. Paul says these throats are open graves of death.

Death represents: decay, moral stench, unhidden but open and unashamed.

Watch the six o’clock news today and see the results.

*****8.) Again in verse 13 "Tongues using deceit"

All the world is being misled by those in power and are taught to believe in false things and a false hope. We know all theses things hold true even today and especially today.

God does not say things are getting better, No, God says things are getting worse:

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

*****9.) Again in verse 13 "The poison of Asp under their lips"

The fangs of the viper ordinarily are folded back in it’s upper jaw, but when it strikes those fangs drop down to deliver the poison that is gathered under its lips.

All men are born into this world as sinners, the world does not make us sinners. We all have immoral poison sacks like this in our lips. Even in America people brag about having the freedom to speak whatever words they will regardless who is hurt with those words. We call this freedom!

*****10.) Verse 14 "A mouth full of cursing and bitterness"

All you have to do to prove this is to take a stand for Jesus and the world will open its mouth in cursing and blaspheming.

This world is full of bitterness and those that believe there may be a Heaven find their own way to get their not accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as ‘The Way"!

*****11.) Verse 15 "Feet swift to shed blood"

Isa 59:7 says Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

*****12.) We will next see the "All-seeing" God as the Historian: Verse 16: "Destruction and Misery are in their ways"

All we have to do to prove this is to look in archeology of every old city and we will see that one is built on top of the ruins of another. Civilization has not proved that it can survive without destruction.

Those that say so are blind to "World History" and "Blind to present day facts"!

God says the world will resort to the same world before the flood that is also denied.

Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The World is "Not" getting better!

Gen 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Gen 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Gen 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

*****13.) Verse 17 "And the way of peace they have not known"

Isa 59:8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Talk about fulfilled prophecy how can this one be missed.

Without the wisdom of God there can not be world wide peace. The proof is all around us.

*****14.) Verse 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes"

Psa 36:1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Psa 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

There is no sense of Majesty and Holiness for Jehovah God. There is no sense of Godly Goodness, nor Godly Justice.

There is no Godly Fear in this world except in the believer!

A man once wrote that "Out of the contempt of the Most High God comes all wickedness". No doubt this is true.

Just as a doctor is guilty of a falsehood if he does not tell a patient of a destroying cancer, God would have been guilty if He had made known to us all our "Spiritual Cancer".

*****Our Text:

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: [for by the law is the knowledge of sin].

It is extremely important for every Christian to study their Bible but also to attend a Bible believing church. Many names, doctrines, and ordinances of the Bible have been falsely explained and it is harder to dislodge this falsehood than to disciple a babe in Christ.

1.) The Church is not to observe any of the Jewish rituals or feast days or any other Jewish doctrine.

2.) We do not see in the Bible where Christmas, Easter or Lent are celebrated by the Church.

We might ask if keeping God’s Law is not for my own righteousness then why is it in the Word of God? Why Did He Give It?

We then have to ask ourselves these questions and seek the answer in God’s Word:

A.) To what nation did God give the Law?

B.) Why did God give the Law?

C.) What is the ministry of the Law?

D.) How was the Law set aside for something new?

E.) What does "Under Grace" mean?

F.) How can we "Walk in the Spirit"?

G.) How can those that are not under the Law be "righteous"?

We must find three things as evidence:

a.) The broken Laws of God can only condemn!

b.) Even if we began today to obey God’s Law it would not make up for our disobedient past.

c.) The keeping of the Law is NOT God’s way to Salvation or of any Blessing.

The one thing that stands out is that only the knowledge of "SIN" comes through the Law.

This proves 3 things:

1.) The Law reveals what God approved in man and what God will not approve and forbids.

2.) The Law requires a man to be obedient.

3.) The Law condemns any that are disobedient.

These are some things we will seek answers for in this Book of Romans.

Let’s Pray!

The Revelation Of Righteousness “The Gospel”

November 28, 2011November 28, 2011 / Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

The Revelation of Righteousness "The Gospel"

Our Text today will be Romans 1:1-17

We will now begin a group of lesson’s in the Book of Romans. The "Roman Road" to "Salvation" is known worldwide I’m sure.

The Holy Ghost used the hand of the Apostle Paul to write this wonderful book but just as all the Bible, God wrote these things to us personally because Our Lord is seeking a personal one on one relationship with each and everyone of His children.

The Apostle Paul presents the "Saving Gospel Message" clearly in the Book of Romans.

The "Theme" of Romans is "Righteousness" and "our righteousness" can only come through "God’s Saving Grace" and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s begin:

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

A man named Paul introduces himself as the writer of this book but he tells us some things about himself. The name Paul was used a lot at this time.

This Paul says that he was a servant of Jesus Christ.

We know that this Paul became a servant on the Damascus Road:

Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

This Paul said he was an apostle:

There were certain requirements that had to be met to be an apostle.

The Apostle Peter said:

Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

To be an apostle meant you had to see Jesus after His resurrection.

Paul describes this day for us:

2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

There are those that say that Paul did not meet all the requirements to be an apostle but it can be just as easily said that only Paul was called with such a "Heavenly Calling".

I believe it can be said that no one was given more authority to deliver the "Gospel" than that of the Apostle Paul!

Jesus said:

Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, [He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me]; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

We have read where Jesus sent Paul and praise the Lord, he sent Paul to the "Gentiles". A "Gentile" is anyone that is not a Jew.

Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

To not believe the "Gospel" according to Paul then is "heresy".

Heresy means they have made an error in opinion..

They have made an error in opinion of true Church Doctrine!

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Paul then tells us what the word "Gospel" means:

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

When Paul says "according to the scriptures", he means just like it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Paul then goes on to say he also just like the other apostles was separated unto the "Gospel of God":

1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Paul made it his life long work to bring to Jesus His Bride:

2Co 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

*****Our first lesson here is to see that TO BE CALLED OF GOD IS TO BE SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

That’s the actual death, burial and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. To preach any other way is not preaching the "Gospel".

We need to have a very clear understanding:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1.) It is God that loved.

2.) It is God that sent.

3.) It is God that separates.

Our Job is to believe! To have "Faith" in the "Promises" of God.

Remember God will be "Faithful" to fulfill those promises.

Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: [for without me ye can do nothing].

*****Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to the Church?

Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to Israel?

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to all that will believe?

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

*****Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

1.) Jesus was that baby born to the Virgin Mary who was a direct descendant of David. Jesus was a Jew and to hate the Jew or to not stand with Israel is to be against the earthly family of Jesus.

2.) Jesus was that baby of "royal blood" because Mary would be married to Joseph who adopted Jesus as his own son.Joseph was in the kingly line of David through Solomon. This Mary was also in the line of David through David’s son Nathan.

3.) It took God’s Power to cause the "Virgin Birth". It took God’s Power to raise Jesus from the dead. These things happened by God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness.

This the "Gospel" according to Paul. This is the message of "Good News"!

We must realize that this "Good News" to the Church will be followed up by the "Bad News" from Heaven:

1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

a.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "Man" in the flesh and will keep all the promises to Israel as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

b.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "The Son Of God" declared so by the Power of the Holy Spirit and is High Priest of the Church and Our Lord.

Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

*****Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

We must "Receive" the gift of God’s Grace before we can serve Him. We must then be obedient to "Our Faith in The Gospel of Jesus Christ."

*****Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

We must not fall into the trap of thinking that Paul was establishing a New Christian religion as some do. To be Christlike is certainly to be a Christian but the "Gospel" preached by Paul is the same message given to us from the Old Testament that was fulfilled in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has had only one message since the fall of Adam. The Rapture of the Church will end the Church Age but God will continue on with the Promises made to Israel.

There is still only one way to Heaven and that will never change even in the Millennial Kingdom. Every Saint of God is connected to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is nothing in this world nor in Heaven that can sever the connection between Christ Jesus and His Saints!

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*****Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What we know is that God loves everyone in this world we live in:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There is no truer statement in the entire word of God BUT:

Only the Saints, His children, those of the Household of God are called "The Beloved of God"!

1.) "Grace" has only one source, God.

2.) "Grace" has only one channel, The Lord Jesus Christ.

3.) "Grace" has only one administer, The Holy Spirit.

So only those who have received Jesus Christ can truly become God’s Children!

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

*****Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul shows us that he is also related to us all in the family of God. Every believer no matter the race or nationality are tied together by their "Faith" in Christ Jesus. Just as "Faith" links every believer, it is the "Grace" of God that links us all to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not linked by denomination, or Apostle, or Preacher, or Missionary, it is God that gathers His People to Assemble!

It is the "Job" of every child of God to "sound this out to all the world with every means at our disposal.

*****Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

We can see that the "Power of God" moves only through "Prayer". These people could not have known how much Paul had prayed for them but God certainly knew and Paul was not afraid to say so.

My health has faltered these past couple of years and it is truly a humbling thing to know so many of my brothers and sisters are shouting my name all over Heaven.

We owe it to each other to pray for each other! This shows our Love to God better than any other way.

Paul said he served in his spirit:

There are a lot of people that do not believe in the trinity of man. They believe that the human body only consist of two parts, the "body" and the "soul".

The Bible is specific about this subject:

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God [your whole spirit and soul and body] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must remember our creation:

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Our God is a trinity and therefore in His Image, we are also a trinity.

But to serve in the spirit, is to serve in the Holy Spirit of God!

Paul said he did not hold "inspirational meetings" but he did hold "Spiritual Meetings". Any gathering without the Holy Spirit is just a social event.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We are not alive without being filled and sealed with the Holy Ghost of God. When we give our selves to the Lord, He will give us His Spirit.

*****Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Paul always prayed that his testimony would produce fruit for Our Lord.

God has said:

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

To produce fruit we must be in the will of God:

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We must showcase our "Faith" in our "Prayer Life"!

*****Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Paul is not saying that he could give gifts that only the Holy Spirit can give. Paul was saying that he could help them "grow in the Spirit".

I just recently witnessed a preacher that after preaching a fairly Biblical sermon asked at the end of that sermon if anyone wanted a little extra spirit. He then laid his hand on their forehead and said receive ye the Spirit.

God’s Holy Spirit will not flow through the laying on of hands. God’s Spirit only comes with acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The Laying on of Hands simply means you are joining with another in seeking the will of God.

Jesus Christ gives us our example:

Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

We must remember these people could not go home and find comfort in their Bible because they did not have one.

Paul preached to provide these things:

2Th 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

*****Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

This the comfort supplied by a "Pastor" of the Church. The "Pastor" is the earthly shepherd who will also look ahead to the mutual blessings that will come to those that "Love" the Lord Jesus Christ..

*****Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

The Apostle Paul was a perfect "Ambassador" for Christ Jesus and he longed to be used wherever he was led by the Holy Spirit. Paul could not choose his own path.

What was the fruit that Paul was seeking for these people?

Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God will never hinder the spread of His Word so if he was hindered then it had to be Satan that did this. We should not be surprised by the efforts of Satan to hinder the spread of the Gospel.

*****Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

The "Greeks" are those influenced by the Greek culture and were considered the elite of society.

The "Barbarians" were not Greek and considered a lower class of people.

The "Wise" and "Unwise" could be from either group.

Paul said he was in debt to the Lord Jesus for all classes of people because there is no class of people "righteous" in the eyes of a Holy God.

We are not "Sinners" because we sin!

We "Sin" because we are born "Sinners"!

Jesus Christ tasted death for every one on this world:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We must repeat these words for our own self or we are not one of God’s children.

The message Paul has for the Saints of God is this:

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

There are many that reject the "Gospel" according to the Apostle Paul and they have turned away.

1.) They reject the "Virgin Birth".

2.) They reject the "Death of the Messiah".

3.) They reject the "Burial and the Bodily Resurrection" of Our Lord.

4.) They reject John 14:6:

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

5.) They reject the "Gospel" according to Paul because they reject the Apostleship of Paul.

6.) They did this in Paul’s time and many do it now:

Paul wrote to Timothy:

2Ti 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;

We know where Asia is and they still reject the Gospel of Paul in Asia.

Jesus tells us in the Book of Revelation when it is all over:

It will be too late to make changes in the way you believe!

Today is the day of "Grace"!

*****Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

At this time in Rome the Jews were a hated and a despised people. They just refused to be ruled by some foreign power. I can’t say I would not be like these Jews if America ever fell.

The Apostle Paul was a short man and considered weak when compared to other men.

2Co 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Paul knew that any Jew that had influence in Rome would consider him a troublemaker. The Roman rulers considered themselves to be gods and what happened in Rome could influence what might happen throughout the Roman Empire.

The "Gospel" had already been rejected by these Jew.

Act 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

The entire world was against Christianity. This has not changed very much in our day because this world is under the guidance of Satan:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul had the Power of the Holy Spirit on him and he was not afraid of stiff-necked crowds, Paul was always ready to "Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Paul was always ready to die for the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Act 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

*****Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Verses 16-17 give us the "theme" of the Book of Romans.

Paul uses the word "For" to mean "There is no doubt"!

1.) For I Am not "Ashamed" of the "Gospel" (there is no doubt)

2.) For it is the "Power of God to Salvation" (there is no doubt)

3.) For the "Righteousness of God is revealed in this Gospel" (there is no doubt)

4.) For the "Wrath of God is revealed unto all ungodliness" (there is no doubt)

Paul was willing to go to the Home town of the Enemy that had crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul "despised the shame" and therefore was not ashamed of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Christ was crucified!

Christ did die!

Christ was buried!

Christ did rise from that death in the Power of God!

Paul said:

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

No Preacher will have the Power of God until he has fully accepted these "TRUTHS"!

And everyone that rest in these words can be saved!

This is God’s "Good News" the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

To "Preach" this ‘Gospel is to Please God!

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The Cross may be a symbol to many but it is the Preaching of the "Gospel" that is the "Word of the Cross"!

1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The Cross with no Savior cannot save!

The Christ with no Cross cannot save!

Our Salvation rest in a Christ That was Crucified!

This message is to be broadcast and not discussed or argued.

To proclaim this truth does not allow for such foolishness!

What the "Gospel" is NOT!

It is not the Power to reform.

It is not the Power to be educated.

It is not the Power of progress.

It is not the Power of development.

Those that are lost do not care about these things.

What the "Gospel" is, THE POWER OF SALVATION!

Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:

Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Jesus Christ was rejected by the Jew.

Then the Gospel was first delivered to the Jew and again it was rejected.

Paul went back to Jerusalem one more time before he died to preach the Gospel and again it was rejected by the Jew.

What we find is that even in Rome the "Gospel" was rejected:

Act 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Act 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Just as all the Lost, the Jew will not have any excuse.

*****Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Our "righteousness" is based from faith to faith, which means the only work we have to do is to "Believe"!

Our "righteousness" is of God but it is based on the "redeeming work of the Lord Jesus.

1.) The Blood of Christ, "Redeemed His Church"!

2.) It is God’s Word that we must Keep!

3.) But our "Faith" must be in the entire Word of God!

4.) The belief of the "Gospel" is the means of "Our Justification"!

This is God’s Plan we have no right to disagree!

Because Our "Soul" hangs in the balance!

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Though our "Soul" is not upright, we can be "Justified" by our "Faith" in the ‘Living Word of God"!

Let’s pray!

The Revelation Of Righteousness “The Gospel”

November 28, 2011 / Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment