A Cleansed Conscience Is Compelled By God’s Compassion Rom 9 1-18 Sermon Notes 11-25-18

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(1) Walk Thru The Word: Romans 9: 1-5  (ESV)

The Holy Spirit Transformed Conscience Is Burdened for the Lost

¹I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ²that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. ⁴They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. ⁵To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

(2) Walk Thru The Word: Romans 9: 6-12  (ESV)

God’s Children Are Not of Flesh But of “Faith”

⁶But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” ⁸This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ⁹For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹²she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

3) Walk Thru The Word: Romans 9: 13-18  (ESV)

Salvation Is A Work of God’s Compassion & Mercy

¹⁴What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! ¹⁵For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶So then it depends not on human will or exertion but on God, who has mercy. ¹⁷For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

(4) Message map — Rom. 9: 1 – 18

The Book of Romans: Session 14 “The Cleansed Conscience Is Compelled By God’s Compassion”

1. Rom 9: 1 A Cleansed Conscience Speaks Truth & Bears Witness in the Holy Spirit
2. Rom 9: 2-3 The Holy Spirit Transformed Heart Is Broken for the Lost
3. Rom 9: 8-18 Children of Faith (Not Flesh) Inherit the Promises of God.
4. Rom 9:15-16 Salvation Depends Not on Human Will or Works, but on God’s Mercy & Compassion.

(5) Overview of Romans

Romans can be thought of as 3 Divisions of Biblical Subject Matter

Column 1 is the Subject Matter of Doctrine, Dispensation and Duty

• Rom 1-8 = DOCTRINE of Salvation by Faith
• Rom 9-11 = DISPENSATION of Israel & It’s Future Hope But not of the Church
• Rom 12-16 = The DUTY of Christians

Column 2 is the Subject Matter of Salvation, Segregation and Service

• Rom 1-8 = Salvation by Faith Available to All
• Rom 9-11 = Segregation of Israel (not of the Church)
• Rom 12-16 = The Service of God’s Peoples

Column 3 is the Subject Matter of Salvation, Segregation and Service

• Rom 1-8 = FAITH in God’s Provision of Christ
• Rom 9-11 = HOPE in God’s Promises for those who Receive Christ
• Rom 12-16 = LOVE of God’s People & Church

The dispensation of ISRAEL (not the church) is dealt with by discussing

• Romans 9 = God’s Past Dealings with Israel
• Romans 10 = God’s Present Dealings with Israel
• Romans 11 = God’s Future Dealings with Israel

(6) Rom 9: 1 (ESV) A Cleansed Conscience Speaks Truth & Bears Witness in the Holy Spirit

In Rom 9:1 1And1I am speaking the truth in Christ (divine, universal truth revealed to man)—I am not lying; my conscience (the part of our being created in the divine image with the God-given capacity to know right from wrong as free moral agents (Gen. 1:26-27 & Jn. 1:4,7,9). bears me witness in the Holy Spirit (my conscience has been conformed to corroborate with God). 

• Paul is under the conviction of Divinely Inspired Truth = “the truth, as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of His purposes through Christ,
• 9:13-14 explains how Christ’s sacrifice makes this possible.

¹³For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify (make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually) our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.…

• Regarding this work the NIV & NAS = cleanse; NLT, ESV = purify, and KJV = purge  
• 1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
• Acts 23:1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day …
• 1 Timothy 1:19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

(7) Rom 9: 2-3 The Holy Spirit Transformed Heart Is Broken for the Lost    

Rom 9:2-3  ^2that I have great sorrow (grief, sorrow, affliction) and unceasing anguish (pain, sorrow, distress, of body or mind)  in my heart. ³For I could wish that I myself were accursed (without hope of being redeemed) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

• Paul identified with Christ who bore the curse of sin for us.
• 2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
• 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—  14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Disciples are filled with God’s love, which gives them great compassion for …

• Those who are in an unredeemed state, being cut off from Christ — are in a position that causes great self-inflicted sorrows and distress in this life, and damnation in the next.
• As was Paul, many of us are burdened (weighted-down) most over our kinsmen
• Biblically, a Holy Spirit given burden is one that must be carried by the individual, as it is something personal and hence is not transferrable. It cannot “be shifted” to someone else.
• We can find rest in Christ even for these personal burdens that may be connected to our ministry:  Matthew 11:30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 (8) 1 Pet 3: 15-16  Being Prepared To Defend Our Hope In Christ is not that Puzzling!

1 Pet 3: 15-16 says ¹⁵but in your hearts honor (render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate) Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (a well-reasoned reply with a well thought-out response) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

• Is 1:18 means that God considers His plan of salvation by grace, completely rational. He’s wired us to understand it, so we should have confidence that others will accept it if we share it.
• We’ve been told, “Never discuss politics and religion.” YET OUR US DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE LINKS THE 2 BY STATING THE RIGHTS ARE TO ENJOY CIVICALLY ARE ENDOWED BY OUR CREATOR. 
• To me, therefore, it seems completely irrational that Americans — and especially the American church — cite separation of Church and state as if it is part of our nation’s founding and intention. In fact, we could call our natural, decalogue, 10 Commandment rights our “Civic Rights,” because God designed us to enjoy them civically, publicly. 
• In fact, the Declaration of Independence says, Gov’ts are instituted for the purpose of securing the rights God endows to we-the-people! God is going to hold each government office holder accountable based upon how he/she administered the rights He endows with through the 10 CDs! 

Making a defense means to …

• present a well-reasoned reply with a well-thought-out response to adequately address the issue(s) that is/are being raised.
• Do we read and think enough of God’s thoughts to be able to present to others why we hope in Christ?
• apología = “reasoned defense” = making a legal defense in an ancient court.
• apología = “biblical apologetics” which is supplying argumentative evidences for the Christian faith.
• An “apology” in classical times had nothing to do with saying, “I’m sorry,” but rather was a reasoned argument (defense) that presented evidence (supplied compelling proof).

In the context of 1 Pet 3: 13-17, we see we are to expect, anticipate opposition, persecution and suffering if we gently as possible tell others about why we hope in Christ.

1Pet 3: 13-17 ¹³Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

• Honoring Christ in our hearts means we
• are prepared to make a defense of our hope in Christ
• vs 13 indicates people will seek “harm us as God’s witnesses if you are zealous for what is good,” which is spreading the Gospel to save people from attending a Christless eternity
• vs 14 tells us we’ll “suffer for righteousness’ sake, [and]
• we should have not fear, for we will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

By grace, God purifies our conscience in a Levitical sense

Rom 3:27 ^27”Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.”

Rom 3:27-31 ²⁷Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

(9) Compassion Motivates Us to Participate in Christ’s great commission

Sharing our faith – requires growth in boldness, and the ability to identify with Christ in all situations.

Sharing the Gospel requires vulnerability (1 Cor. 2:3) which requires loving and identifying more with Christ than we do our apprehensions.

Sharing our faith, which requires growth in boldness, and the ability to identify with Christ in all situations.

Sharing The Gospel means telling others which of the following?

1. God loves them — Yes / No / It Depends … 
2. Everyone goes to Heaven — Yes / No / It Depends … 
3. We all are sinners — Yes / No / It Depends …
4. Everyone goes to purgatory — Yes / No / It Depends …
5. Christ died for our sins on the cross — Yes / No / It Depends …
6. Christ is the “Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6, 1 John 5:12)

Sharing our testimony of what receiving the Good News of Christ (The  Gospel) has meant to us, requires the willingness to be vulnerable as Paul told the Corinthians, I was among you weakness, fear and trembling (1 Cor. 2:3), which requires loving and identifying more with Christ than we do our apprehensions.  [bctt tweet=”In Communion We honor Christ … The Good Shepherd Who Restores Our Souls (Psalm 23: 1-3)” username=”LibertyCF3″]

It also requires growth because sinners hold us accountable to walk our talk.

While we are not perfect, we should be making progress and confess to sinners when we are wrong.  They actually can help us grow!

(10) Rom 9:15-16 Salvation Depends Not on Human Will or Exertion (Works),b but on God’s Mercy & Compassion.

Rom 9:8 … ⁸This means that it is not the children of the flesh (human kindred nature) who are the children of God, but the children of the promise (those who put faith in the work God did through Christ’s Finished Work on The Cross, whereby we are redeemed through His substitutionary death, burial and resurrection) are counted (accredited, ascribed, imputed, regarded by God) as offspring (the seed of Abraham, adopted and legalized as blood born heirs who inherit God’s promise through him and the patriarchs).

(11) Rom 9:15-16 Salvation Depends Not on Human Will or Exertion (Works),but on God’s Mercy & Compassion. .

Rom 9:15-16 Salvation Depends Not on Human Will or Exertion (Works),but on God’s Mercy & Compassion.

• Through God’s Compassion & Mercy We Are Beneficiaries of The “law of faith” = the principles & rules to which God has bound Himself, upon our conviction to believe in, accept and rely upon Christ for salvation
• Compassion – sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
• Mercy (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) = Pardon & benevolence of heart to overlook injuries, & treat an offender better than deserved
• Strongs = to succor one afflicted or seeking aid & to bring help to the wretched
• We exercise faith by “believing” John 3:16 and putting trust and assurance in the system of beliefs that encompass what we call “Gospel Truth.”
• The law of faith involves Rom 3: 27 says, “… boasting [in works] … is excluded… by the law of faith.

Numbers 14:18. The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty.

Matthew 9:13 KJV But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Proverbs 28:13. Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy

 Pity; compassion manifested towards a person in distress.

(12) Review of The Word  Rom 3: 27 – 31

• In context Rom 3: 27 – 31 says “²⁷… boasting [in works]  … is excluded… by the law of faith.  ²⁸For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹[for] God [is] the God of Jews [and] Gentiles also, ³⁰… God … will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
• Rom 3:31 says, ³¹Do we then overthrow the [eternal moral] law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the [eternal moral] law.

(13) Let’s Pray that God ReAwakens, ReInvigorates & ReEstablishes Us in Our Calls In Christ!

Let’s Pray:

God, we ask You to work in our lives, and fill us with faith, and by your great compassion, mercy and grace to make us the kind of people, in whom Your Holy Spirit can increase our understanding of how You reveal Yourself through Your amazing Word. Use us for Your glory and honor. Amen

(14) Communion Symbolizes Committing To Christ

John 6: 53- 59 John 6: 53- 59

 ⁵³So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. ⁵⁵For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  ⁵⁶Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

⁵⁷As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹Jesusd said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

(15) Jesus’ counter-intuitive statement “eat my flesh & drink my blood” 

John 6:54 

ESV — Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

KJB — Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

NASB — “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

NIV — Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

NLT — But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.

(16) what Jesus meant when he says in John 6: 54 “eat my flesh & drink my blood”

In John 6:54 is Jesus is saying, “apply /appropriate what I give you to your whole life, as if you are consuming it as food and drink, which becomes part of your whole being.  Do not just sniff test or nibble on, as if sampling “Life In Christ”, but really sink your teeth into it! 

• Chew on the things of God
• masticate on Christ as the first step of digestion .
• ruminate on in the thoughts — as a cow chewing its cud. Noah Webster’s 1828 says, Ruminate means to muse; to meditate; to think again and again; to ponder.,

Christ is saying, consume what I Am and mean to you, for the whole of your eternal existence depends upon how you assimilate (you bring to a likeness; to cause to resemble) me into your whole being, life!   existence.   

In Communion   

We Reflect on Christ, …

 Whose Body Took On God’s Punishment for Our Sins.

(Hebrews 10:5-7)

Who Indeed Has Prepared A Place For Us (John 14:2)

In Communion

We honor Christ …

The Good Shepherd Who Restores Our Souls (Psalm 23: 1-3)

And Who Is Our Resurrection And Source of Abundant Life 

(John 14:6 & John 10:10)

In John 11, as Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He told Martha, “ 23… “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

1Cor. 11: 23- 26 the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Let’s EAT. 

25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Let’s Drink.   [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”334″]

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