Look, Turn, Trust and Love ... Repeat

Have you got rhythm? Are you in a rhythm? How about a gospel rhythm? Do you have a strategy for any situation?

So what do you do when you lose your job? When your marriage is falling apart? When you fail to have your quiet time? When your car breaks down? When you spill your coffee on your pants on your way to work? When you sleep through church? When you get angry at your children? When you get angry at your parents? When the President takes away some of our freedom? When Congress increases our tax burden? When you spend more money on gas than on groceries? When you are hurt deeply? When you hurt someone deeply? When you lose something or someone dear to you? When you lack something that you think you need or that you desire greatly? When you don’t think you can go on? So what do you do when you’re not perfect? When others aren’t perfect? When life isn’t perfect?

This past Sunday we focused on Romans 10:9-10 and looking and living.

Last week we said, according to Romans 10:8-10 and other Scriptures like John 3:14-16 and Romans 4:5, being saved is as easy as looking outside of ourselves to Christ and what He has done, without any dependence on what we do (like those who looked to the brazen serpent and were healed). But doing the easy thing (looking to Jesus alone to save us apart from our own goodness) is as hard as letting go of a branch while hanging on the side of a cliff (because of our unbelief and pride). And doing the easy thing is followed by doing hard things (in loving as Christ calls to love) just as the easy “I do” of a marriage ceremony is followed by the hard thing of loving and laying down our lives in married life. And yet neither of these realities means that salvation itself is not an easy thing. (Matthew 11:28-30) We also said that looking to Jesus alone for salvation should impact the way we look at ourselves (Confessions of a Justified Sinner), so that we honor Jesus when we see ourselves differently simply because of what He has done for us, not because of anything we do.

This week we saw that looking has a necessary impact on living.

You may remember the farmer who set out to teach his son to plow (this is my version). He put him behind the plow, strapped him in the harness and gave him instructions before he went on his way. He told his son, “Now the key to plowing a straight row is to pick a object in the distance and keep your eye on it and plow straight for it. Do you think you can do that?” His son said enthusiastically, “Oh, yes!” The father said “Good!” and left the boy to plow the back 40 acres. At the end of the day, the farmer returned to see how things had gone with his son and to his horror, he saw a field with terribly crooked and criss-crossed rows. When he asked his son what had happened, the son replied, “Well, Dad, I did what you said. I picked an object in the distance, kept my eye on it and plowed to it.” “Then how did your rows get so messed up?” the father asked in astonishment. The boy thought a minute and said, “Well, maybe it was because the cow I was looking at kept moving!”

The steps of this young man were guided by where he was looking and therefore, what he was trusting that “object” for. It is important for us to know that salvation comes to us simply by looking to Christ alone for our salvation from sin, but our looking to Christ and what we are trusting Him for will impact profoundly the way we live and the direction our lives take.

What should looking to Jesus as Savior and Lord look like in everyday life?

There should be a gospel rhythm in life that causes us to look, turn, trust and love (obey). (Colossians 2:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In every situation and in every relationship, we are:

· To look at the truth of the gospel: about God, man and Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 8:31-32; Galatians 2:20)

· To turn from sin: self-righteousness (pride), idolatry and self-determination (unbelief). (Acts 2:38; 20:21; 11:21; Mark 1:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9)

· To trust in all that God has promised us through Jesus: peace, provision, pleasure. (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 11:6, 24-27; Psalm 16:11; Philippians 4:13, 19; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

· To love (obey) by walking out the commands and wisdom principles of Scripture. (Romans 12:1-2; 1:5; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 2:4-6; 3:23)

· Look, turn, trust, obey/love, then repeat in every situation and relationship, without growing weary in well doing, in every season of life. (Galatians 6:6-10; Luke 6:27-38)

Most people know the story of Jack and Jill. But few know the rest of the story (smile). Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. What happened after fetching the pail of water and just before Jack fell down and Jill came tumbling after? Maybe … Jack complains of a bad back and wants Jill to do all the hauling herself. Jill doesn’t buy it and Jack is spoken harshly to by Jill (ie, insult). Jack does not respond well either (ie, insult returned). Jill smacks him so hard that not only does Jack fall but Jill does as well.

Later, Jack puts on his “gospel glasses” as he thinks about what happened (with vinegar and brown paper on his head to cure the bruises, according to later additions to the nursery rhyme), so that he looks at it through the lens of Jesus and what has been done for him (holding up the Bible, so to speak).

He sees that his response of pride and anger and bitterness and returning the insult was wrong and he sees that he must turn (repent) of it because Jesus died that we might be freed from the penalty and power of sin.

He sees that God has forgiven him because of what Christ as done and has given him the power to do what pleases Him in every situation and has promised to reward him for doing what is right in each situation, and he is to trust God for these things.

He sees that God calls him to obey His Word and to rejoice and pray and give thanks, to forgive as he has been forgiven by God, to accept as he has been accepted by God and to love as he has been loved by God and that he is to seek reconciliation with those he has sinned against and he is to overcome evil with good.

So Jack looks and turns and trusts and loves in his relationship with Jill. The next day, Jack receives an exorbitant water bill in the mail. And John must repeat the process in order to live out his faith.

If my “faith” does not move me, to one degree or another, in situations and relationships each day, to look at things through the lens of the gospel, to turn from my sinful responses, to trust God for what He promises through Christ and to lay down my life to love as He commands, then my “faith” is dead. If we find our “faith” doing this only a “little,” then, at best, our faith is weak and needs strengthening. (Galatians 5:6)

What should you do? Ponder (think), pray (ask for help), plan (think about how to apply it in different situations), practice (take action), persevere (don’t give up in failure) and praise (thank God for grace). (James 1:21)

To confess Jesus as Lord is to submit to His Lordship and to live to trust and obey Him daily by applying the gospel – looking, turning, trusting and loving.

If you find yourself lacking obedience, don’t go back to what you are suppose to do first, but address your faith by going back to the good news: who Jesus is, what He has done, what He promises us, and His great love. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 4:16-21) We need to look – long and hard – at Jesus so that we can turn and trust and love, to the glory of His name.

Where are you today? What do you need to do? Look to Jesus and live!

Praying to a Sovereign and Good God

Praying to a Sovereign and Good God

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Romans 10:1-4; Coast Community Church; Pastor Earl Miles; January 15, 2012

Look at Romans 10:1-4.

• The Bible is God’s Word and the Bible addresses where we are spiritually. (slide 1)

In order to be where we need to be spiritually, we have to understand the truth of the gospel, which is what the book of Romans is all about.

• The gospel begins with the God who created us.
  

• But those God created fell into sin.
  

• And the consequences of sin have been great.
  

• There are only two ways that we can try to solve this problem.
  

• But God sent His Son to be a Savior for sinners.
  

• Because of what Jesus did, God promises us wonderful things.
  

• But these promises must be received by faith in Jesus.
  

• Those who trust in Jesus are to live to glorify and enjoy God by trusting and loving in every situation and relationship.
  

Two main points today:

1. I am to trust that God is sovereign and good and pray.

2. I am to love by praying for unbelievers to be saved.

1. I am to trust that God is sovereign and good and pray. (Romans 10:1-4)

A. Paul says this on the heels of a strong passage on the sovereignty of God over the salvation of men.

- Romans 9:15-16, 18

B. Paul says this in light of God’s revelation of His glory to Moses in terms of sovereignty and goodness.

- Exodus 33:18-19

C. Paul says this in light of books like Jonah that un-ashamedly portray God as profoundly sovereign and profoundly merciful.

– Jonah 1:4

– Jonah 1:17

– Jonah 2:10

– Jonah 4:6-8

– Jonah 1:14-16

– Jonah 2:7-9

– Jonah 3:4-10

– Jonah 4:1-3

– Jonah 4:10-11

D. Seeing Paul’s prayer life in light of his faith in the sovereignty of God is important because of psychological dangers.

“There are theological dangers. First, a person might conclude that God is unjust in the exercise of his sovereignty. So Paul raises this question in verse 14: "Is there then injustice on God's part?" And secondly, a person might conclude that man can no longer be faulted for his sin if God is sovereign. So Paul raises this question in verse 19, "Why then does he still find fault?" So Paul is not unaware of the theological dangers in the doctrine of God's sovereignty.

But these are not our concern this morning. There are psychological as well as theological dangers, and these are our concern today. Specifically, there are three emotional mistakes that we might make in response to this doctrine. Paul knows of these too and guards us from them. That's what we want to talk about today.

1. First, the doctrine of God's sovereignty might lead us to feel no sorrow for those who are perishing.

2. Second, the doctrine of God's sovereignty might lead us to feel no desire that they would be converted.

3. And third, the doctrine of God's sovereignty might lead us to give up praying that they would be saved.

In other words, our limited and sinful human reasonings might respond to the sovereignty of God by saying, "If God decides who will be saved and who won't, then why grieve over any who are lost, why desire for more to be saved, why pray in the face of God's eternal decrees?"

Paul knows about these dangers too. And I think he chooses the most effective means possible to guard us against these dangers. At the beginning of Romans 9 and at the end he shows us his heart. Now I urge you, don't let your own heart dictate what a compassionate person can believe about the sovereignty of God. Rather let the apostle show you what a person who believes in the sovereignty of God can and should really feel for the lost. (John Piper, My Heart’s Desire: That They Might Be Saved – Romans 10:1)

Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11; Matthew 23:37-39; 5:43-48; Deuteronomy 5:29; 29:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

E. If I trust in God’s sovereignty rightly, then I will pray for the salvation of others. (Romans 10:1-4)

Therefore, when he says in Romans 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they might be saved," he means, "Be like this. Have a heart like mine." … Paul prays for God to actually save Israel. That is, Paul does not pray for God just to make them able to save themselves. He prays for their salvation not for their saveability. Here's what I mean. If you believe that God has the right and power to raise the spiritually dead and to grant repentance to the disobedient and have mercy on whom he will have mercy, then you pray that God will do that. You ask God to actually save them—pull them up from the bottom of the lake, slide their limp bodies over the edge of the boat, and to do whatever he has to do to make them alive spiritually. (John Piper, ibid)

2. I am to love by praying for unbelievers to be saved. - Romans 10:1-4

A. Paul is testifying to his obedience to Christ’s command. - Matthew 5:43-48

WE ought to have an intense longing for the salvation of all sorts of men and especially for those, if there are any, that treat us badly. We should never wish them ill, not for a moment, but in proportion to their malice should be our intense desire for their good. Israel had persecuted Paul everywhere with the most bitter imaginable hate. When he addressed them in their synagogues, they rushed upon him in their fury. When he left them alone and preached quietly to the Gen-tiles, they made a mob, dragged him before the mag-istrates, charged him with causing a tumult and either stoned him or beat him with rods. He was “an Israel-ite, indeed,” but his people regarded him as a turn-coat, indeed, because he had become a Christian! Mad as they were against all Christians, they had a special spite and fury against the apostate Pharisee. Paul’s only reply to all their infuriated malice is this gentle assertion—“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.”

Brethren, let us pray for men that they may be saved! Simple as the statement is, I feel sure that we shall see more conversions when more people pray for conver-sions. If, as we went about the streets, we made a rule that whenever we heard a man swear, we would pray that he might be saved, might we not hope to see a great many more saved? If, whenever we saw a case of special sin, or read of it in the newspaper, we were to make it a habit always to offer our heart’s desire and prayer for such offenders that they might be saved, I cannot tell what countless blessings would come from God’s right hand. (Charles Spurgeon, Zealous But Wrong – Romans 10:1-3)

B. Paul is testifying to his obedience to the law of love. – Matthew 7:7-12

We must feel compassion for the perishing and a longing for their conversion because our own salvation is such a precious undeserved gift. Surely it is unthinkable that we should be drug from the bottom of the lake, resuscitated at the cost of another's life, handed the instruments of rescue, and then just sit down and play cards on the beach while others are drowning. Is that not unthinkable in your own life?

And did Jesus not tell a parable about a servant who was treated with immense mercy but then refused to show compassion for his fellow servant (Matthew 18:23–35)? How can we feel the wonder of having been rescued freely by Christ, and then not live for the rescue of others? Surely there would be something ominous and fearful in such an inconsistency! (John Piper, ibid)

C. Paul obviously prayed that they would submit to the gift of righteousness in Christ. - Romans 10:1-4

D. Prayer in general and prayer for unbelievers requires that I love by laying down my life to do so.- Colossians 4

I am now, in 1864, waiting upon God for certain blessings, for which I have daily besought Him for 19 years and 6 months, without one day's intermission. Still the full answer is not yet given concerning the conversion of certain individuals. In the meantime, I have received many thousands of answers to prayer. I have also prayed daily, without intermission, for the conversion of other individuals about ten years, for others six or seven years, for others four, three, and two years, for others about eighteen months; and still the answer is not yet granted, concerning these persons [for whom I have prayed for nineteen years and six months] . . . Yet I am daily continuing in prayer and expecting the answer . . . Be encouraged, dear Christian reader, with fresh earnestness to give yourself to prayer, if you can only be sure that you ask for things which are for the glory of God. (George Muller, Autobiography, p. 296)

Conclusion

Do you desire to see others know the grace you’ve known?

Do you need to pray for unbelievers or do you need to be prayed for?

Have you submitted to God’s righteousness?

Have you received the gift of Christ’s righteousness?

Two Roads, One Way

Two roads, one way #2

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The GPS
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves, as Christians, of our Biblical GPS for 2012 – our spiritual triangulation for determining where we are and what direction we need to head. What our goal should be. What our highest priority should be. And what our basic strategy for living should be.

Reality Check: Where are you really?

• Goal: What do you really want?
• Priority: What is really important?
• Strategy: What do you really pursue?

Biblical GPS: Where should you be (where Christ is)?

• Our Goal (aim of our lives): to glorify (honor God as ‘God’) and enjoy God (rest in Him as my supreme Good). (1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11)

• Our Priority (important in every situation/relationship): to trust (His promises) and love (according to His Word). (Galatians 5:6; 1 John 3:23)

• Our Strategy (specific plan of action): to lay down our lives (John 12:24-26; 1 John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)

Today, we want to be encouraged and equipped for living this way from Romans 9:30-33.

Let highlight six things from this passage.

I. Human Responsibility and God’s Sovereignty


Is God fully sovereign or is man fully responsible? Yes!

Does God have everything planned out or does man make real choices? Yes!

Does God have to give man faith or does man have to believe? Yes!

Is God alone to be praised for our believing or is man alone at fault for not believing? Yes!

• Romans 9:30

Paul has been discussing his sorrow over Israel’s rejection of the Messiah (Romans 9:1-5) and the question of whether this rejection means that God has failed to keep His Word of promise to Israel (Romans 9:6). Paul says that that is not the case because God never promised to save every Israelite by natural birth but only those who were of the faith of Abraham (Romans 9:6-9). And because no one will believe apart from God’s sovereign grace, it is part of God’s plan that only a remnant of Israel has been saved thus far (Romans 9:7-18). God has graciously chosen to save a portion of natural Israel and to save many of the Gentiles at this point in history (Romans 9:19-29). Indeed, God predicted that the majority of the Jewish people would reject their Messiah. But this does not mean that God’s rejection of most of national Israel is simply based on His arbitrary choice but is the result of their responsible rejection of the Messiah that God has provided for Israel.

Some want to erase all paradox from the Bible, but when we attempt to do so, we erase the Bible itself. This is a paradox (an apparent contradiction): God is fully sovereign and man is fully responsible. We need to treat God as fully sovereign and we need to treat man as fully responsible. Anything less is to deny the Bible.

Dinosaur Bones

Trying to think through this paradox is like trying to piece bones together without a complete picture of what the animal looks like. It’s like finding two dinosaur bones and then trying to come up with a way to fit it all together. Some just throw one bone away and say “this is the only real dinosaur bone.” Others try to keep both bones as “dinosaur bones” but how they imagine them going together essentially does the same thing and practically results in saying, “this is the only real dinosaur bone.” Others simply and humbly say, “Both of these bones belong to a dinosaur, indeed, the same dinosaur, but how they fit together, we don’t know.”

• Romans 11:33

II. Righteousness and LIFE

When I was in school my strategy for success was to figure out what the teacher required and to pursue that to the best of my ability. To disregard what the requirements of the course were was to ensure failure.

What is it that God requires? Good intentions? Your best? Religious ritual? Being a good person? Not doing certain things? Having more good works than bad? Being sorry for your mistakes/sin?

• Romans 9:30-31

Paul says the bottom line is righteousness. And righteousness is important because God blesses the righteous. God’s promises for now and eternity are for the righteous. The only other category for people to be other than the “righteous” category is the “wicked” category. And the “wicked” receive the wrath of God. So righteousness is crucial for what it doesn’t receive (wrath) and for what it does receive (the promises of God’s blessing).

• Romans 2:13

• Romans 5:21

But what is righteousness? Righteousness is conformity to the Law of God. Someone is righteous if they keep the Law. The Lord Jesus said that the Law us is summed up in the commands to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. One deviation from this in attitude or word or action and the wages of any sin is death.

Baptism of the Lord Jesus

• Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 5: the Pharisees, the real meaning of the Law and being perfect as the Father is perfect

• Matthew 5:17-20

• Matthew 5:21-22

• Matthew 5:27-28

• Matthew 5:38-39

• Matthew 5:43-48

III. Only Two Kinds of Approaches to God

Have you ever felt inadequate to address people of different religions and have even wondered where to start?

Even though there are many and varied religions in the world, there are only two approaches to God.

• Romans 9:32

We either approach God by faith alone or by works in some form (whether in combination with faith or not).

“Pursue” means earnest striving as in a footrace or to run swiftly after something as in hunting.

In the Garden, Adam and Eve tried to make coverings for themselves and God made a covering for them.

• Genesis 3:7

• Genesis 3:21

Prayer meeting of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

• Luke 18:9-14

The King’s Feast

• Matthew 22:1-14

IV. Righteousness by Works

What kind of relationship do you have with ‘to do lists’?

Ancient Israel is a picture of modern ‘me.’ It is Satanically natural for me to disbelieve in God’s provision and rely on my own righteousness and efforts.

Romans 9:31-32

I must fight to avoid the stumbling block that God is loving me or not loving me depending on whether I have been “good enough.” My ‘gut feeling’ that ‘works’ are necessary is true, but I must see that I am saved and forgiven and accepted and loved because of Jesus’ works, not my own. So I am saved by works, but not by my own works.

We can have the right goal (righteousness) and the wrong approach (dependence on my own effort and works).

Pursuing obedience to God’s Law is not rejected here, but the pursuing of it by a works or legalistic or self-righteous mentality rather than by faith in the Messiah.

Rich Young Ruler: The Law Promises Life If We Keep It

• Romans 7:10

• Matthew 19:17

Sinai: But We Can’t and This Was Not God’s Intent

Think about the terrifying spectacle of God’s giving the Law on Mt. Sinai. Why this fearful picture? Because in the giving of the Law God was communicating the danger involved in sinners trying to approach Him on the basis of their own efforts to keep His perfect Law.

• Hebrews 12:18-24

• Romans 3:20

• Galatians 2:21

• Galatians 3:24

V. Righteousness by Faith

What do you think could be the most freeing thing anyone could ever tell you?

The whole point of the book of Romans is that the good news of God to sinners who deserve only His wrath is a gift of Christ’s righteousness which is offered to all men and is received by faith alone so that they can enjoy all that God has promised those who are righteous in His sight.

• Romans 9:31-32

• Romans 1:16-17

• Romans 4:4-5

• Romans 5:17

• Philippians 3:9

• Matthew 5:3

This is why I can approach God boldly for mercy and for the grace I need, since I come in the name of Jesus, not in my own name.

In contrast to Sinai, we hear the Lord Jesus saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

The Gift of a Lazy Boy?

The righteousness by faith which God offers is like the offer of a Lazy Boy recliner in the shade with a tall glass of sweet tea to a slave picking cotton in the hot sun. The work has already been done on the chair and I am called to receive and rest – to receive the chair and to lay back while my full weight on it, ceasing my work.

Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love. (Westminster Confession of Faith, Article XI:II)

The Thief on the Cross

• 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”- Luke 23:39-43

VI. No Disappointment in Jesus

Are you ever disappointed?

If we have received the righteousness of Jesus by faith, we need not fear losing or missing out or failing to receive the blessing of God, now or throughout eternity. It is 100 % guaranteed in Jesus. God cannot fail to bless us and love us any more than He can fail to love His own Son.

Romans 9:33)

“Offense” is a bait stick of a trap.

“Shame” is often associated with judgment in the OT.

• Isaiah 28:16

• Isaiah 8:14

• 1 Peter 2:6

• Matthew 21:42

• Acts 4:11

• Psalm 118:22

• Ephesians 2:20

• 1 Corinthians 1:22-23

I may be disappointed now because of my limited understanding and knowledge, but in the life to come, I will experience no disappointment over the past or the future.

Those who are not righteous, when they trust in the righteousness of Jesus, are declared righteous and treated as righteous.

• Romans 5:1-2

• Romans 8:1

• Romans 8:28

Getting What You Ask For

If our heart is crying out for righteousness before God through Jesus, God will grant it.

• Matthew 5:6

If our heart is crying out to be satisfied in God through Jesus, God will grant it.

• Matthew 5:8

God will not disappoint us by not granting the cry of our hearts if we are looking to His Son, Jesus.

• Matthew 7:9-11

Faith and Love

Let’s make some quick application. We glorify and enjoy God by trusting God and loving others. In every situation and in every relationship my priority should be to trust God and to love. So how does this passage encourage us to trust and love more?

How does this passage encourage me to trust God?

o Trust God for the promises of God in Jesus (Romans 5:1-2)
o Peace
o Provision
o Pleasure

Reformed Theologians and Slavery

What Do We Do With Our Slavery-Affirming Theological Heroes?
by Trevin Wax | January 5, 2012

When I read the works of men like James P. Boyce and Jonathan Edwards, I am amazed at the depth of their biblical knowledge and the keenness of their personal application. At the same time, I am astounded that these theological giants could justify the owning of slaves, support slavery as a system, and conform to the racial prejudice common in their day. John Piper is right: “One of the central cadences of the gospel walk is the breaking down of ethnic hostilities and suspicions, and the impulse of unity and harmony” (Bloodlines, 175). So how is it possible to believe the gospel and articulate so clearly the doctrine of justification by faith alone, yet miss how this doctrine severs the root of racism and ethnocentrism forever? Even more, how can one’s life be so out of step with one’s theology? … Remember that justification by faith levels us all. So what do we do with our heroes? For starters, we cannot stand smugly and chide our forefathers for their shortcomings. We would then ourselves be guilty of denying justification because we would be speaking from a place of moral superiority and chronological snobbery. Justification by faith alone kills the pride that comes from legalism, racism, pedigree, and yes, even chronology. We are no more righteous because of our time period than they were in theirs. It also won’t do for us to abandon the theology of Edwards, Boyce and others simply because they were wrong on slavery. All theology must be measured by its fidelity to the truth of God’s Word, not by our ability to live up to God’s Word. So what to do? Instead of abandoning the biblical understanding of justification expressed eloquently through our heroes despite their flaws, we ought to lean harder into it. Here’s the glorious truth: the reality they saw so clearly provides the answer to the sin they didn’t. In other words, they discerned the reality of justification by faith alone better than they discerned the sinfulness in their own hearts and lives. And it’s that reality of justification by faith alone that levels us all and drives us to our knees — thankful for the clear example of horrendously flawed theologians articulating the only doctrine that gives hope to all of us who are horrendously flawed. Slavery is a great evil, but even slavery cannot stand in the way of the grace and glory of the gospel. And just as we learn from the blind spots of the generations who have gone before us, we trust that the blood of Christ will cover our own blind spots. That’s why the more we walk with God, the more we cry like David: “Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” It’s only in the security of being wrapped up in the righteousness of Christ that we can say, “Challenge me, Lord. Change me, Lord. Expose my wickedness.” And in the midst of it all, we cling to the hope that God’s grace is bigger than our biggest flaws.

How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to my fellowship with God?

o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o To fellowship with God (live like a branch), (John 15:1-11)

I am to approach God daily through His Word and prayer, regardless of my performance, expecting God to speak to me and hear my prayers, not because of my own work or righteousness, but because of the finished work and righteousness of the Lord Jesus.

Can you yell at your kids and drop to your knees?

How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to speaking the truth in love to other believers?

o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o to speak the truth in love to one another (live like a body member) (Ephesians 4:11-16)

I am to fight to rest in the righteousness of Christ and to resist speaking condemnation into the lives of my fellow believers, but rather to encourage them to also rest in His righteousness.

Can you be sinned against and pray that they rest in the righteousness of Christ?

How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to being a fisher of men?

o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o to be a fisher of men (live like a missionary/messenger). (John 1:29-46)

I am to preach the good news of a gift of righteousness which God offers to all men through faith alone in the Lord Jesus.

Is the ‘good news’ you try to communicate primarily about what God has done in Jesus or about what they must do or about what they can’t do?

Who embraces this kind of life?

o Those who receive Jesus for who He is: Lord and Savior (John 1:12)
o as the Way (of acceptance with God – our Pardon and Perfection)
o as the Truth (our Wisdom and Guide for living in this world)
o and the Life (our Help and Happiness). (John 14:6)

Receiving Jesus

Have you received Jesus as your righteousness (the Way to acceptance with God)?

What your step – don’t stumble over Jesus!

Turn and Look to Jesus and Live!

• John 14:6

If we have looked to Jesus as our righteousness, our hearts should sing moment by moment and day by day and sin by sin and failure by failure and obedience by obedience and triumph by triumph and trial by trial and blessing and blessing:

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

o Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. (The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)