How did Israel come to be? How did they get where they are today? This is the third lesson in a series reviewing the history of the nation of Israel.

How did Israel come to be? How did they get where they are today? This is the first in a series reviewing the history of the nation of Israel.

We look at different responses one can have toward sin. Looking at the wrong responses in contrast to the biblical response.

We look at Paul’s use of prayer in the book of Romans as a pattern for us to use today.

GOD’S TWO-FOLD PURPOSE PT2

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth

1. SINCE THE BEGINNING (Review)

a) God’s will is clearly stated in Eph 1:9-11.

b) Since the world began – Luke 1:68-70, Acts 3:18-21

c) Before the world began – Rom 16:25, Col 1:25-26.

d) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, two different realms – Genesis 1:1, Psalms 102:25, Isa 48:13, 1Cor 15:48-49

2. GOD’S PLAN FOR HEAVENLY PLACES

a) This plan was kept secret since the world began – Rom 16:25 – (Hid in God) – Eph 3:9, Col 1:25-28.

b) Satan rebelled in pride and took angels with him – Gen 3:1, Rev 12:9, Isa 14:12, Luke 10:18, Rev 12:4

c) 1Cor 2:7-8 explains part of the reason God kept it secret.

d) The mystery is the Body of Christ, a new creature – 2Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15, Eph 5:30-32

e) You become a member of this new creature by grace through faith in the work of Christ – Eph 2:8-9, Rom 4:23-25.

f) Members of the new creature have a position in heavenly places – Eph 1:3, 2:6-7, 2Tim 4:18.

g) We will be working there, having a job to do – 1Cor 6:3

3. THINGS OF HEAVEN IN CHRIST

a) You are in Christ by faith in his cross work and resurrection – Rom 3:23-25, Gal 3:26-28, Eph 2:13, 1Cor 15:19-22,

b) The Spirit places you in Christ and seals you upon your faith - Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 1Cor 12:13, 2Cor 1:21-22

c) God will use his body in some way to assist in the ministry of redeeming the heavenly places – Eph 3:9-11, Col 2:10,

GOD’S TWO-FOLD PURPOSE PT1

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth

1. SINCE THE BEGINNING

a) God’s will is clearly stated in Eph 1:9-11.

b) Since the world began – Luke 1:68-70, Acts 3:18-21

c) Before the world began – Rom 16:25, Col 1:25-26.

d) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, two different realms – Genesis 1:1, Psalms 102:25, Isa 48:13, 1Cor 15:48-49

2. GOD’S PLAN FOR THE EARTH

a) This was plan was spoken since the world began, after Gen 1 – Gen 1:28, Psalm 8:4-9 – God gave man dominion over the earth.

b) Man sinned and corrupted the earth – Gen 3:17-19, 6:5-7…. Rom 1:18-32 explains this early period in Genesis.

c) God called Abram, Isaac, and Jacob - Gen 12:1-3, Isaac and Jacob – Gen 17:19-21, 26:3-4, 39:9-12.

d) Jacob’s name turned to Israel, Israel had 12 sons which make up the 12 tribes of Israel – Gen 49:1,28.

e) Not only did God make a covenant with the fathers of Israel, but with the nation, Israel’s seed – Exo 19:5-6, 23:20-23, Deut 5:2-3.

f) The covenant concerns a kingdom, a nation, a land on the earth – Isaiah 65:19-25, Zech 8:3

g) Those who make it in this kingdom must endure – Matt 10:22, 24:13, Heb 6:13-15, James 5:10-11, 1Pet 1:6-9 – Noah, Job, Daniel are examples of this.

h) God chose a nation to be a light to the world to show righteousness – Matt 5:14-20, Deut 6:24-25, Isa 2:2, 62:1-3.

i) God will use his nation to bring in the Gentiles – Isa 59:20-60:3, Zech 8:22-23.

j) The earthly kingdom is Jewish – Rev 21-10-14.

3. THINGS OF EARTH IN CHRIST

a) They have to abide in him – John 15:1-10

b) They will be able to keep the law because of the Spirit in them – Jer 31:31-34, Ezek 36:26-27, Act 4:31-32,

c) They have to believe in him – John 6:56 cf vs35, 11:25-26.

NO RESPECTOR OF PERSON’S

Romans 2:11 – For there is no respect of persons with God

1. PART OF GOD’S CHARACTER

a) We serve a God that changes not – Mal 3:6, Heb 13:8.

b) This doesn’t mean that he does not change what he is doing – 2Tim 2:15…. But now - Rom 3:21, Eph 2:13, Col 1:26.

c) God is true, loving, merciful, gracious, and just, the latter is our topic today – Isa 45:21, Jer 23:5, Rom 3:26

2. THIS IS NOT THE MYSTERY

a) That God has no respect of persons is not the mystery – Rom 2:11, Eph 6:9. 1Pet 1:17

b) It’s in the law – Deut 1:17, 16:19, James 2:9.

c) It is wise to not have respect of persons – Prov 24:23, 28:21.

d) Act’s 10:34 is not God revealing the mystery to Peter, but a simple truth and lesson that we learn from all scripture about God’s character and justice.

3. CLEARING UP CONFUSION

a) The mystery is not Gentile salvation or Jews OT and Gentiles NT – Isaiah 49:6, Ruth, Ninevah?

b) The key is understanding Romans 2:25-29

c) People make the mistake of making this passage talk about the church, but Paul is not revealing the mystery here. He is teaching a truth from scripture.

d) The key here is found in the phrases “if though keep the law” and “If it fulfil the law” – Vs 25, 27.

i. Ruth:

1) Ruth 1:4 – See Deut 7:3, 23:3 – Marriage of a gentile.

2) Ruth 1:14-16 – 2:2-3 – Lev 19:9-10.

3) Ruth 2:11-12 – Her work, keeping the law.

ii. Nineveh:

1) Jonah 1:3 – Jonah disobedient to God

2) Jonah 3 – Nineveh repents and God sees their works – vs 10.

iii. Cornelius:

1) Acts 10:1-4 – His prayers and alms have gone up before the Lord.

2) Acts 10:10-17 – Peters vision, realizes the meaning later – Acts 10:28

3) Acts 10:34-35 – He the worketh righteousness.

e) All of the above examples are Gentiles keeping the righteousness of the law, but today – Rom 6:14

f) All of the above examples have Gentiles being blessed by a Jew, but today, Israel is fallen and there is no difference because we are all counted as sinners, so God is offering grace to all – Rom 11::15,25, Rom 3:9,19-23, Acts 15:9.

g) He has created a new creature, a new man – Eph 2:13-17, Gal 6:15

h) We can conclude that God does not have respect of persons throughout all of scripture, but what he is doing has changed.

FORGIVENESS CONTROVERSY

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses

1. DIFFERENT TEACHINGS

a) You have to confess your sins to the priest – Biblical support from the OT and MMLJ

b) You have to confess your sins to God – 1John 1:9

c) There is an unforgivable sin – Matt 12:31-32….. What about Matt 6:14-15?

d) Forgiven of all sin – Found in Paul’s epistles (Eph, Col)

2. CONFESSING SINS TO A PRIEST

a) This is the Catholic teaching, they do have scriptural support.

b) Baptism for past sins – Acts 2:38. Penance after baptism.

c) A pattern seen in the OT – Lev 4:20, 5:5-10.

d) The Son of God had power to forgive sins – Matt 9:6…. And gave this power to men? – vs 7-8.

e) He gave the power to the apostles to carry on his commission – Matt 28:18-20, John 17:18 20:21.

f) John 20:21-23 Is clear – Matt 16:18-19.

g) The issue is that all of the scriptural support for the Catholic teaching comes from books of the Bible containing doctrine for the circumcision under the law/covenants – Rom 6:14,15:8

3. CONFESSING SINS TO GOD

a) This is the teaching of most protestants, you must repent and confess your sins for forgiveness.

b) It’s main support from scripture is found in 1John 1:9

c) David is seen as a pattern – Psalm 32:1-5, Psalm 51:1-3

d) Jesus is our priest – Heb 3:1, 4:14-15, 8:1 9:11,

e) The issue is that you could have unconfessed sin when you die. Therefore, unforgiven sins.

4. THE UNFORGIVABLE SINS

a) Found in Matthew and Mark – Matt 12:31-32, Mark 3:27-30.

b) You would think killing the Son of God would be unforgiveable…but – Luke 23:33-34

c) The context of Matt 12 and Mark 3 you have Scribes and Pharisees attributing Christ work to the devil – Matt 12:22-32, Mark 3:22-30

d) It concerns the work of the Holy Ghost.

e) “the world to come” – The world to come concerns the kingdom – Heb 2:5, Heb 6:4-8.

i. You do not taste of the Holy Ghost but are sealed – 2Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30.

f) One you don’t hear talked about - Matt 6:14-15

g) Forgive or you won’t be forgiven – Matt 18:21-35.

i. This teaching clearly contradicts Eph 4:32.

h) People say unbelief is the only unforgiveable sin…but – 1Tim 1:12-16. We were all in unbelief at some point and time, yet we are forgiven – 1Cor 6:11, Eph 2:1-3, Col 1:21-22,

5. FORGIVEN OF ALL SIN

a) Only found in Paul’s epistles – Eph 1:7, 4:32, Col 1:14, 2:13.

b) Because God is offering reconciliation today – 2Cor 5:18-21, Eph 2:13-16

c) Forgiven for Christ sake, not because you asked or are special - Eph 4:32.

d) Grace abounds over sin today – Rom 5:20-21.

THE NEW CREATURE

2Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. WHAT IS THE NEW CREATURE?

a) The Body of Christ, no longer Jew or Gentile – Gal 6:17, 1Cor 12:13, Gal 3:28. Your status in the flesh does not matter to God.

b) The new man – Eph 2:13-17, Eph 4:24, Col 3:8-11.

c) It’s God’s purpose kept secret until revealed in the mystery – Eph 5:30-33, Eph 1:9-11, 3:1-6.

d) Its also your new life in Christ as a member of His body 2Cor 5:17 “he is”…… Rom 6:4, Gal 2:20, 6:17.

2. IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST

a) Not just for the elite, upper class, wisest, Jews…. but for “any man”- 1Cor 1:26-29, Rom 3:29-30,

b) Because Christ died for all – 2Cor 5:14-15, 2Tim 2:5-6.

c) Offering grace freely to all – Rom 3:20-26, 4:16, Eph 2:8-9, Tit 3:5-7.

d) The key is being in Christ – Rom 8:1-2,38-39, 12:5, 1Cor 15:19,22, Gal 6:15, Eph 2:13…. which happens by faith – Gal 3:26, Rom 5:1-2, Phil 3:9.

3. OLD THINGS PASSED AWAY

a) Your old man – Rom 6:6,11, Gal 2:19-20, Col 3:9.

b) The law – Rom 6:14, Rom 7:4-6, Col 2:13-14.

c) Distinction between Jew and Gentile – Rom 3:21-23, 1Cor 12:12-13, Gal 3:28.

d) How we follow Christ – 2Cor 5:16, Rom 9:4-5,15:8,

i. Matt 4:19, 9:9, Luke 9:23, Matt 15:21-28.

ii. 1Cor 4:16, 11:1, Phil 3:17, Eph 3:8, 1Tim 2:7.

e) Gods operation in the world – Rom 16:25, 1Cor 2:7-8, Eph 3:1-5, Col 1:25-27,4:3…. God working through his body today, not one nation.

4. ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW

a) Your life – 2Cor 5:17, Rom 6:8-11, Gal 2:20.

b) Who you are, your position – Eph 2:6-7, Eph 5:30, Col 2:9-10.

c) Your calling – Phil 3:14, 2Tim 1:9.

d) Your hope – Eph 1:18, 4:4, Col 1:27, 1Thess 4:13,17, 5:8-10

THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

1. “I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK”

a) What is the mark? – Win Christ (vs 8). Having his righteousness by faith (vs 9). Being conformed to the image of Christ (vs 10, Rom 8:29, 2Cor 3:18, Rom 12:1-2, Col 3:10).

b) The mark is resurrection glory and living that way now – Phil 3:12, 1Tim 6:11-12, 2Tim 2:22, Rom 14:19, 1Cor 14:1.

c) Having the mind of Christ – Phil 2:1-5, 3:15-16 cf vs 19.

d) Not by our own righteousness – Phil 3:4-9, Gal 2:19-21.

e) Paul was pressing toward something, looking ahead – Phil 3:13, 1Cor 9:24-27, 2Tim 4:7

2. “FOR THE PRIZE”

a) The prize is what Paul kept his eyes on “resurrection – Rom 8:18, Phil 3:13,20-21.

b) Resurrection is the hope of our calling – Eph 4:4, 1:18-20, Rom 8:22-25.

c) If this world is all there is, then we are most miserable – 1Cor 15:12-20, 51-58, 2Tim 1:12

3. “OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD”

a) God has called you to a heavenly position in resurrected glory – Eph 1:3, 2:6, 2Tim 4:18

b) Far greater than your earthly vocation – 1Cor 1:26-29, 2Tim 1:8-10, Rom 8:28, 2Thess 2:14, 1Tim 6:17-20.

c) He has called you to be an ambassador – 2Cor 5:19-20, Phil 2:15-16.

d) Called you be ministers of the gospel and the fellowship of the mystery – Eph 3:9, 6:14-17, Phil 1:27, 2Tim 1:8.

4. “IN CHRIST JESUS”

a) This calling is to those in Christ Jesus – Rom 1:6-7, 1Cor 1;2,9, 2Tim 1:9.

b) Christ gives you a position in his body – Rom 12:4-5, Eph 3:6, 5:30, Col 3:15

c) We are in Christ by faith, not works – Eph 1:13, 1Cor 12:13, Gal 3:26.

d) We receive the prize of resurrection in Christ – Eph 1:13-14, Phil 3:20-21,

e) We press on in Christ – Phil 3:14, Rom 7:24-25, Phil 4:13,