Under Authority

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of the church to show his glory to the world.

*The Big Question: What does SANCTIFICATION look like?

*The Central Point: SANCTIFICATION looks like LOVE:

1.) LOVE ONE ANOTHER (vv. 9-13) – (Application: Sanctification likes like a deep affection full of love for the saints.) (THIS WEEK)

a. The Outward Flow of Love (vv. 9-10)

b. The Practical Marks of Love (vv. 11-13)

2.) LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (vv. 14-21) – (Application: Sanctification looks like an unexpected love for those who could, would and do hurt us.) (Next Week)

The Main Idea: God is leading us into Christ-likeness in the context of his body, the church.

*The Big Question: Why is the church SANCTIFICATION’S PRIMARY context?

*The Central Point: Because SANCTIFICATION is not merely a “me” thing, but a “we” thing:

1.) IT STARTS IN YOUR MIND (v. 3) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like, seek God for SOBER JUDGMENT about your role in his body, the church.)

2.) IT MOVES ON TO THE BODY (vv. 4-5) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like and have sober judgment, think schematically about how GOD ENVISIONS his body, the church.)

3.) IT POINTS US TO SERVING (vv. 6-8) – (Application: In order to be Christ-like think strategically how you can SERVE and BUILD UP others in his body, the church.)

The Main Idea: God doesn’t merely save us from hell—he saves us unto life.

*The Big Question: If SANCTIFICATION is simple, then why isn’t it easy?

*The Central Point: Because Sanctification Aims at Total Transformation by:

1.) EXTENDING GOD’S MERCY (v. 1a) – (Application: God’s TRANSFORMING GRACE flows from his heart of compassionate mercy to us —so REST in his commitment to you sealed by the blood of Christ.)

2.) CALLING US TO SACRIFICE (v. 1b) – (Application: God’s TRANSFORMING GRACE puts you on a collision course with the world—so expect some PAIN.)

3.) COMMANDING US TO SEEK GOD’S WISDOM (v. 2) – (Application: God’s way TRANSFORMING GRACE opens up the way of wisdom—so DISCERN its way by God’s word and Spirit.)

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.

*The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?

*The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:

1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].) (TWO WEEKS AGO)

2.) SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (LAST WEEK)

3.) WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (TODAY)

a. Curing Conceits by Fascination with the Wisdom of God (vv. 33-35)

b. Curing Conceits by Reflecting His True Glory Back to Him (v. 36)

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.

*The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?

*The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:

1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].) (LAST WEEK)

2.) SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (TODAY)

a. Curing Conceits by Removing Confidence in Self (vv. 28-29)

b. Curing Conceits by Acknowledging No Other Hope Except in Jesus (vv. 30-32)

3.) WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (NEXT WEEK)

The Main Idea: God Reveals the Mystery of Salvation in Christ to Cure Conceit.

*The Big Question: What’s the cure for conceit?

*The Central Point: Understand the Mystery of How God Works to Save in Christ:

1.) ELECTION AND REPROBATION (vv. 25-27) – (Application: God only sees two kinds of people: MAKE SURE YOU’RE “IN ISRAEL” [in other words: IN CHRIST].)

a. Curing Conceits by Submitting to God’s Electing Work (v. 25)

b. Curing Conceits by Trusting in God’s Saving Work (vv. 26-27)

2.) SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 28-32) – (Application: God’s mercy can only be extended to a disobedient people: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN AND RECEIVE JESUS.) (NEXT WEEK)

3.) WISDOM AND WORSHIP (vv. 33-36) – (Application: God’s way of salvation in Christ is beyond our imagination: STAND IN AWE.) (WEEK AFTER NEXT WEEK)

The Main Idea: God’s WRATH will catch up with “his people” if they continue in UNBELIEF.

*The Big Question: Why should we seek to rid ourselves from a PRESUMPTIVE FAITH?

*The Central Point: Because of three VALUES the elect should cultivate:

1.) FEEDING (v. 16) – (Application: Your identity is with the HOLINESS of Christ, so seek NOURISHMENT from that root.)

2.) HEEDING (vv. 17-18) – (Application: You’re ELECTED by God, not the other way around, so stay humble.)

3.) WEEDING (vv. 19-24) – (Application: You’re CALLED by God, so cultivate a REVERENT FAITH, not a presumptive faith.)

The Main Idea: God’s FAITHFULNESS Drives the Strategies He Uses to Save His People.

*The Big Question: What strategies does God use to save his people?

*The Central Point: God Brings the Gospel to Them and Then:

1.) USES ISRAEL’S REJECTION TO GATHER ELECT GENTILES (vv. 11a, 12a, 15a) – (Application: God’s plan IN ACTION is meant to fill you with GRATITUDE to him!)

2.) USES GENTILE ACCEPTANCE TO MAKE ISRAEL JEALOUS (vv. 11b, 13-14a) – (Application: God’s WILLINGNESS to make Israel jealous is meant to fill you with TRUST in him!)

3.) USES ISRAEL’S JEALOUSY TO GATHER ELECT ISRAEL (vv. 12b, 14b, 15b) – (Application: God’s FAITHFULNESS to gather all the elect is meant to fill you with AWE of him!)

The Main Idea: Don’t Worry… God Saves His People.

*The Big Question: Is God true to his word about SAVING his people?

*The Central Point: YES! GOD’S GOT A REMNANT:

1.) PAUL: PRESENT LIVING PROOF (v. 1) – (Application: God can save you or ANYONE ELSE you’re concerned about!)

2.) ELIJAH: PAST LIVING PROOF (vv. 2-6) – (Application: God SAVES you no matter what you go through.)

3.) PROPHETS: ETERNAL LIVING PROOF (vv. 7-10) – (Application: God NEVER stops reaching out to SAVE you.)

The Main Idea: God’s covenant grace provides clear revelation of SAVING faith in Christ vs. DECEPTIVE faith.

*The Big Question: How do we receive righteousness from God?

*The Central Point: BY SAVING FAITH IN THE GOSPEL which is:

1.) NOT BASED ON THE LAW OF GOD (vv. 5-13) – (Application: Make sure that what you CONFESS with YOUR MOUTH about Christ is really, truly ABOUT CHRIST!) (2 WEEKS AGO)

2.) BUT BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 14-17) – (Application: Make sure you are HEARING the WORD of CHRIST and NOBODY ELSE, including your own voice!) (LAST WEEK)

3.) AND VOICED OUT OF THE GRACIOUS HEART OF GOD (vv. 18-21) – (Application: Make sure you have NO EXCUSES, because God has called out CLEARLY to EVERYONE, including YOU!)

a. God Reveals Himself Clearly (vv. 18-19)

b. The Gospel Is Clearly Driven by God’s Irresistible Grace (vv. 20-21)