Is boasting always sinful? Paul tells us that it’s not – not when it’s in our Lord and Saviour!

Our passages today Psalm 20 and Romans 3:27-31. Preacher Ian Bayne Sunday 10th December.

Recap

We are all affected by depravity of man which is tainted by sin. The great conundrum is a sinful condition we all share that means we fall short of God’s standard.

Paul has spent the last couple of chapters rounding everyone up so everyone understands they are sinners.

We can’t work our way out. Nothing we can do will save us. Religious duties, sacraments: the Lords supper and baptism, church membership won’t make any difference.

Explanation

There’s one way to escape from the situation: Jesus. The one name given amongst men is the name of the Lord Jesus, son of God.

And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.”

Genesis 3:15 NASB

I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him.

Deuteronomy 18:18 NASB

Jesus is the fulfilment of the old Gospel. Jesus has achieved everything. Only through faith set alight through God’s revelation

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 NASB

He took the penalty for us. Only Jesus could be the just and the justifier.

Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

Romans 3:27 NASB

What can we boast about? Not our works, but our faith in Christ. Boasting is not bad, but it’s what we boast about.

God is a God of everyone. All people, believers and unbelievers will be accountable to him. Faith doesn’t take away from the law and our responsibility to follow his commands. Off we are in him then we ought to do that.

He will grant answers to our prayers and give us victory over our enemies. He will cause us to rejoice. He is sovereign over his creation. There’s no such thing as a Christian without joy.

We’re not always going to be happy: there will be difficult times. He will be our sacrifice and saviour. We may boast in God but not in the world’s currency.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

A recap of Paul’s narrative so far – we are all sinners and fall short. A summary of Romans 1-3 is in the PowerPoint below.

Our passage in focus: Romans 1-3, Preacher Ian Bayne, Sunday 3rd December.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

How can humans who don’t know God’s law be held to God’s standard? In this passage Paul explores how ignorance is no excuse and attempting to deflect blame is futile.

Our passages today: 1 Samuel 15:17-23 and Romans 2:12-29. Preacher: Ian Bayne, Sunday 19th November.

Recap

In Romans 1 there were 29 charges levelled at those who reject the truth of the gospel.

This has consequences: a result borne out of those who reject Christ.

We then looked at different types of hypocrites: Paul is gathering in all kinds of sinners and preaching the true gospel to the church at Rome; it’s like an avalanche.

Psalm 139 tells us that God knows our situation and our hearts. This should give us a sense of wonder and inadequacy.

Our passage explored

This week I was at the farm gathering my sheep into a pen to invite volunteers to go the abattoir. There were a few holes in the fences, so I wondered if they might sneak out of the pen. I fixed the holes in the fences first! Sure enough, some of the sheep were looking at the previous holes and would have escaped.

Paul starts on the obvious sins, then covers hypocrisy, and now he’s trying to fill in the holes that sinners may try and slip through.

Some years ago we were going to see my sister and heading down in the car. I was getting tired and handed over the driving. The police came up behind and said we were going a bit fast. We thought we were doing the speed limit and didn’t see the sign. But did we still get a ticket: yes we did.

Not seeing the speed restriction sign is not an excuse.

Paul’s point here is addressing the question of how people who don’t know the law need to follow the law. His response is that everyone should know by nature.

Possible responses

• “My foot is naturally heavy” the other response is that by nature we are not capable. But God’s law is.
• “Im genetically disposed” our race and human state make no difference to God’s law
• “Do you know who I am? I’m a son of Abraham” – being a Jew makes no difference, whether we are one race or another or bear the sign of circumcision – it’s not a get out of jail free card.
• “It was the woman” – there’s no deflecting to someone else. Adam was held responsible by God.

Ps 139 is about how God sees us. Paul is concerned that we see ourselves as guilty before God and that God is right. As we see here our human condition will always seek ways to avoid responsibility. Paul is trying to help us die to self and put on Christ.