It s Horribly Wonderful!

Transcription

1 It s Horribly Wonderful! Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/October 19, 2014

2 It s Horribly Wonderful! Sermon Notes October 19, 2014 I. The Tendency Toward Legalism A. Not just a Jewish problem 1. We all tend to earn it 2. Even unbelievers earn their righteousness B. Grace 1. The one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions 2. Grace must be received C. Faith 1. We apprehend grace by faith 2. We cannot earn right standing with God II. Abraham - the Father of Faith A. Who was Abraham? 1. He was from ancient Persia 2. His family had moved from Mesopotamia to Haran, in southern Turkey 3. Fabulously wealthy 4. Leader of a clan - but mostly relatives and servants 5. Travelled in high social circles B. His deepest desires 1. To be a father 2. To make an eternal impact on humanity 3. To experience adventure 2 19

3 Romans 4 By Greg Laurie When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. As a young Christian, I remember thinking that the reason God was blessing me was because of my disciplined Bible study. I would get up well before school every morning and study the Scripture for about an hour. Then I would pray for an hour or more (I know because I kept checking my watch). I could say to my friends, "While I was studying the Bible for an hour and praying for over an hour today, the Lord showed me...." It gave me bragging rights. I thought that when I got to school, God would use me because I had done so much for Him. Look at how faithful I was! Look at how diligent I was! I was so proud. Then one morning my alarm didn't go off, and I woke up very late. I didn't have time to pray or read my Bible... and it turned out to be one of the most blessed days of my life. God even allowed me the privilege of leading someone to Christ that day. I thought, What does this mean? Don't read the Bible or pray? I think what God was trying to say to me was, "Greg, don't do those things to seek My approval. Rather, do those things because you have My approval." III.God Encountered Abraham A. God s initiative 1. He led Abraham by promising to meet his desires 2. He became trusted and worshiped by Abraham because of his trustworthy character B. Abraham learned 1. God is faithful - He doesn t lie 2. God brings the dead back to life 3. He brings into existence what didn t exist before (Romans 4:17) C. Abraham walked by faith 1. God made audacious promises and Abraham believed Him 2. Abraham learned that God s ways are horribly wonderful 3. God s ways will always require death to self and suffering 4. That suffering we will do joyfully because of our love for Him 5. God s ways will always coincide with my deepest desires D. Faith makes us righteous 1. I cannot earn a good relationship with God 2. I can only receive it by faith It is not because of what we have done that we have God's approval; it is because of what God has done for us. We put our faith in Him, and then God puts His righteousness into our account. He loves us when we do well, but He also loves us when we stumble. 18 3

4 Life Group Questions for October 19, 2014 Message = Faithful Wisdom for Life Ice Breaker: Tell the group about the worst car you or your family ever drove. Read Romans 4: What sticks out to you about this passage? 2. How would you define the word righteous? 3. Tell what you think the difference is between earning righteousness and ge?ing righteousness by faith. 4. As a group, see if you can put together a sentence that describes faith from a Biblical perspective. This sentence must be able to be understood by someone who has never read the Bible or gone to church. 5. Have two or three people read verse 17 in different translations. Tell what you think about the verse as you hear it read. 6. Have someone read verse 21. Are you absolutely convinced that God is able to do what He has promised? Please explain. 7. Pray for one another. IV.And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors A. Acknowledge my sin and thank God for forgiving me through Jesus sacrifice on the cross B. Forgive and release others for their sins against me 1. Acknowledge that someone sinned against me and hurt me 2. Give the memory of the violation to God 3. Cut them loose from all debt they owe me 4. Acknowledge that bitterness has NO HOLD on me 5. Lavish love on them and pray for God to bless them V. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil A. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ) 1. The belt of truth (Mentally accept God s truth over lies I have been hearing) 2. Breastplate of righteousness (Thank Jesus for giving me His righteousness which enables me to boldly enter His presence) 3. Shoes of preparation (readiness) of the Gospel of peace (Take time to digest the scriptures - committing them to memory) 4. Shield of faith (Step out on God s truth for my situation) 5. Helmet of salvation (Thank God that He has saved me and remember that I am different than the world. Satan has no power over me except the power I give him by believing lies.) 6. Sword of the Spirit (Apply the Word to the lies I hear, and the situations I find myself in today.) B. Run to the Lord for protection (You are my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!) 1. I set my mind on things above, not on things of the earth 2. God has set His love upon me 3. He knows my name and will never leave me or forsake me VI.For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever A. Make your faith declarations B. Return to praise 4 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 17

5 Prayer Guide I. Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name A. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him Father by virtue of the blood of Jesus B. Hallow (lift Him above everything in your life) the names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the New Covenant and make your faith declarations Benefit Sanctify Spirit Soundness Success Security Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu Jehovah-M Kaddesh Jehovah-Shalom Jehovah-Shammah Jehovah-Rophe Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah-Rohi Meaning Jehovah our righteousness Jehovah who sanctifies Jehovah is peace Jehovah is there Jehovah heals Jehovah provides Jehovah my banner Jehovah my shepherd Personal Devotion Pages The following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom. LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God. BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol: INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol: II. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done (God, what are you doing? How can I (others) get in on what You are doing?) A. Myself Give me awareness of how to meet others needs today I choose to take the initiative to love others B. My family (spouse, children, other family members) C. My church (pastor, other leadership, faithfulness of people, the harvest) D. My nation (city, state, and national political and spiritual leaders, the harvest) III.Give us this day our daily bread A. Believe that God desires to provide for me B. Be specific C. Be tenacious D. Talk openly about my worries and give them to Him E. Today s needs - Tomorrow will care for itself ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him. These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming. Enjoy! 16 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 5

6 Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly read Romans Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you this week. Give Him permission to say whatever He wishes to you. Memorize Romans 5: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of this verse. Memorize Romans 5: 1-5. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of these verses. Memorize Romans 5: 1-6. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of these verses. Day Five Abraham never wavered in believing God s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. And because of Abraham s faith, God declared him to be righteous. ~Romans 4:20-22, NLT I like what Paul says about Abraham. He says ol Abe never wavered and grew stronger and stronger in his faith. If you know much about Abraham, you are probably joining me in saying, Uh, Paul, what about that little Ishmael incident? Wouldn t you consider that a little waver-age? Ishmael was the prodigy of Abraham s impatience and manipulation. Ol Abe didn t see God doing anything so he thought he would help Him out. Ishmael became the father of the Arab peoples - who in turn became the perennial enemies of Israel from that time forward. Yet Paul, speaking for God, casts no aspersions on Abraham for this. Overall, the father of faith held firm to what God promised and God did not condemn him for his mistakes. Abraham was considered right before God because of his faith, not because of his perfect performance. Think about that. My right standing before God that enables me to come before him with no inferiority, shame, or self hatred, is based on my faith, not my perfect performance. I receive by faith the righteousness given to me on the cross of Jesus - period. I can t work up my own righteousness - I can only accept His. Thanks Jesus for giving me Your righteousness before the Father! 6 15

7 Day Five 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate (ruminate on it, ask questions of it, think about it) on Romans 4: Take time to pray for God to show you what He is doing today and ask Him how you can get in on what He is doing. 4. Finish your Bible memorization today. Day One But the law brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So that s why faith is the key! God s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. ~Romans 4:15, 16, NLT Paul had grown up as the most law abiding Jew in his generation. He was really somebody when it came to obeying the law perfectly. Yet, on the road to Damascus, Jesus revealed himself to him and convicted him of murder and of persecuting the true church. Yet, in the midst of his conviction, Paul had the wonderfully horrible experience of repentance accompanied with lavish grace and forgiveness. From that day forward, Paul began preaching about repentance and faith rather than obedience and law. God used this formerly law centered Jew of Jews to convey to you and me the great riches of grace that comes through faith. The apostle writes extensively about faith in the book of Romans. All of Paul s Mediterranean churches had a population of Jews in them. Those Jews were still heavily influenced by the legalism of their culture. In writing to the Roman church, Paul wishes to convince both the Jewish believers and all other believers that faith, not obedience to law, is what makes a person right with God. Legalism is not a Jewish issue, it s a human problem. Legalism pulls on each of us daily. We default to it because it s me-centered, not Jesus-centered. 14 7

8 Day Two 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly and carefully read Romans 4: Take time to write in this space a deep desire that you believe is a desire from God. 4. Pray for your loved ones and family. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific requests for each one. 5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week. Day Four When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars, even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. ~Romans 4:18, 19, NLT Abraham had money. He had lots of it. He had position, power, wealth, servants, and prestige. He hung out with the most popular of people, like the Pharaoh of Egypt and the kings of other countries and city states. But he had three desires that had never been met. He deeply wanted to be a father and he had a profound need to make an eternal impact on the people of this planet. Finally, he was at his core, an adventurer - and he desired to forge a way to a new place that was unknown to his family and his clan. God knew Abraham s heart, and He led Abe to Himself by promising him his heart s desires. Abraham followed God because He lovingly led Him to his heart s desires. He trusted God because He came through - albeit much later than Abraham had hoped. Abraham s faith impressed God, even though it wasn t perfect. He stepped out and believed God s promise to him, even though what he saw in the natural realm completely contradicted what God told him. Oh God, that You would give me such faith in You! 8 13

9 Day Four 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read slowly through Genesis 17 today. 3. Take time to thank God for things you are praying for - believing in advance that He will provide an answer. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Two That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, I have made you the father of many nations. This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn t exist before. ~Romans 4:17, NLT Faith acknowledges what is and what will be. The first time Jesus met Simon, He said, You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter). Jesus saw the impetuous, impatient, imperfect, foot-in-mouth, Simon. He saw him and loved him. But Jesus also saw Peter. The Holy Spirit was going to transform Simon into the Rock. Jesus was doing what His father had been doing for eons. God introduced Himself to Abraham and called him into a faith relationship. God told him that he and Sarah would have a child even in their advanced years. He said, you are Abram (exalted father), but you shall be Abraham (Father of a multitude). For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations (Genesis 17:5). God spoke a child into being with that statement. It s what He does. He brings the dead back into life, or, He makes old people parents of a baby when they are closer to death than to parenting age. Abraham believed God. He allowed God to change his name and from that day for many years, Abraham, a childless man, was called the Father of a Multitude. It had to be a little humorous. He was Abraham long before he was a father. What indelible vision has God planted in my heart that I cannot stop believing Him for? Thank Him in advance for bringing it into existence. 12 9

10 Day Three 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly read over Romans 4: Read it over and over 5 times. 3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Three When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars, even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. ~Romans 4:18, 19, NLT Remember how we talked about how faith is always initiated by God? This is an awesome example of that principle. God promised Abraham that he would have a child. The promise was at once wonderful and also horrible. It was wonderful because God was promising Abraham both a child in his old age, as well as promising great significance. Yet, God was going to take a real long time to bring it about. A real long time. And Abraham just kept getting older and older. It was wonderfully horrible. People often wonder if they have heard God speak. Biblically speaking, God puts the very deepest desires in our hearts, so that what we want at our core, He also wants. Sometimes, discerning what is a God given desire is hard to figure out as opposed to a selfish desire. As we continue to lay our desires before God, He begins to filter our desires and reveal to us the ones He also wants. David said, In Your light, we see light (Psalm 36: 9). One key to knowing if my desire is God s desire is: Will it be horribly wonderful? Will I have to suffer to see this come about? Will I have to die to myself in order to see this desire come to fruition? Father, show me the desires of my heart that match Your desires