Before we can understand the fullness of God’s grace we need to understand the judgement that is due to sin. Paul explains here in Romans 2.
Romans 2: God's Righteous Judgment
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.
3 Do you suppose, O man---you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself---that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
11 For God shows no partiality.
God's Judgment and the Law
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth---
21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the law dishonour God by breaking the law.
24 For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Things to think about…
1. Paul is referring back to chapter 1 when says “those who practise the things” he listed out are under judgement, whether they do them or speak out against those that practice them and yet do them are under judgement, Rom 2:1, 2. Paul says how will such a judge escape the ultimate Judge, vs 3. Paul says we cannot presume upon God’s grace. Such kindness should lead us to repentance, Rom 2:4, not harden our heart. Such harness and hypocrisy only adds to God’s judgement, vs 5. But He will grant eternal life to those who obey, vs 7.
2. As a result of these things the Lord shows no partiality on those who receive judgement or eternal life, Rom 2:11. We often take this verse out of context and apply it in a general sense, but the context here refers to God being impartial in judgement. Why? Because God has a Law and we have all broken that law, vs 12. Therefore not the hearers, but the doers of the Law will be justified and receive salvation vs 13.
3. The letter to the Romans very much declares God’s sovereignty and that we are called out by His grace, however Paul in Romans 2 speaks about being justified by our works, Rom 2:6, 13. Paul speaks about judging others by the law, Rom 2:1, but essentially call out those who live by the law as law breakers and therefore hypocrites, Rom 2:3, 17-29. Martin Luther called the book of James an ‘epistle of straw’, because he considered justification by works in conflict with justification by grace. It is important to hold these two things in hand as we seek to honour to honour the Lord. We all sin, Rom 3:10-12, but we should never presume upon the Lord’s grace; His kindness and forbearance and patience are the things that should lead us to repentance, Rom 2:4.
4. Paul had a great concern that the gospel was being misrepresented by those who claimed to follow after God. He quotes Ezekiel, Ezek 36:20, 23 by saying, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” Rom 2:24. The nations blasphemed God when Israel did not follow His laws. The same of course is true within Christianity. We have seen this to be the case with the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse within religious institutions and more recent abuses by Christian leaders. It’s this hypocrisy that Paul is referring to that will receive the Lord’s judgement. The world sees this and despises the church and therefore its message. Hypocrisy truly is a cancer to spiritual life and reformation. Yes the world is hypocritical as well, but as Paul says, such things should not be named among us, Eph 5:3 (the Church).
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon title was “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem” - from 2 Kings 25:1-21
1. Zedekiah feared man. He listened to his nobles and officers that encouraged him to resist the Babylonians rather than listen to God and surrender to the Babylonians. Has there been a situation where you have feared man and the consequences of obeying God and have not done what you knew to be right.
2. Jeremiah the prophet told Zedekiah that if he surrendered to the king of Babylon his family would be spared and the city would not be burned. He did not listen and in the end tried to escape when it was too late. The city and the temple were destroyed and he lost his family. Discuss how you know for certain that the Lord is leading you one way or another and that you are walking in obedience.
3. Jay mentioned 2 Christian men who fell in love with women who came from Muslim families. There were 2 different outcomes. Discuss the challenges of marrying someone who does not believe what you do.
Prayer Points
1. Wisdom in dealing with Qld government restrictions that legislate isolation. Pray church is a place of freedom hope and attendance for all.
2. Growth in our kids and youth ministries
3. Pray for testimonies that people will be giving every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Witness over the Christmas season.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. People encouraged by Sunday’s message.
2. Worship team and technical team. Thankyou Zac, Jean, Dan and Melinda.
3. More visitors and spirit of joy on Sunday.
Announcements
1. Members meeting 28th Nov after the service.
2. Country Carols, monster trucks, fire works – Sat 11th Dec. Feel free to park at CBC if required.
3. Kids@church back. Please check your rosters
4. Recharge Youth – back on Friday 6:30pm at church all high schoolers.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
