DATE: 11-16-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

Can you believe it? Today we finish the book of Romans.

• We began Romans back in 2017. I wasn’t even the Senior Pastor at the time — that’s how long ago we started Romans. We finished chapters one and two of Romans that year.
• In 2018 — I was the Senior Pastor now — we looked at chapters three and four.
• In 2019 we looked at chapters five, six, and seven — woo-hoo — three whole chapters that year!
• But — then — things slowed down quite a bit for us. Romans chapter eight was eighteen sermons long — which we split between 2020 and 2021.
• We then took a two year break — no Romans in 2022 and 2023 — you may not even remember that. I knew we’d taken a break but had forgotten how long it was.
• But we picked right back up — in Romans chapter nine — in September of 2024. And — other than breaks for Christmas and Easter, a short series on suffering, and our recent two week break — we’ve been in Romans ever since.

So — if you’re newer to Gateway — maybe today’s your first day with us — obviously you’re coming in at the end of a long investment for some of us. But know that you can catch up on all that you’ve missed by going to our website — gatewayepc.org — where you’ll find all of the sermons that have been preached from the book of Romans. 

And since you know what’s ending today — here’s what you can expect for the rest of the year. Next week — one of our elders — Matt Heft — will be preaching as part of our Westminster Shorter Catechism series. A catechism — if you don’t know — is a resource that has questions and answers that focus on what we believe. I find catechisms to be a very helpful resource because — often — a question I’m asking is answered in a catechism.

That’s next week. Then we’ll begin our Christmas series — which will take us up through Christmas Eve. And — the final Sunday of the year — December 28th — we’ll have a combined campus worship service. Only one worship service that morning and we’ll all gather at our County Road 9 Campus. That morning will be focused on prayer and — you won’t want to miss it because — one — it won’t be live-streamed — so no online option that day — two — we’ll be taking the Lord’s Supper together — and three — we’re going to have some Gateway family members visiting with us who we sent out earlier this year to serve in a country that — in 2025 — is ranked as the tenth most dangerous place for Christians. I’m going to interview them during the service so you all will get to hear directly from them. But — since we’re live-streaming right now — I won’t say their names or their location — but — if they’re watching — we love you and look forward to seeing you soon.

So that’s what you can expect in the coming weeks. But now let’s turn to our final verses in the book of Romans. Here are Paul’s final words to the Christians living in Rome. We’re in Romans chapter sixteen — beginning in verse seventeen.

Romans 16:17–20 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And skipping to verse twenty-five we read…

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

In Paul’s concluding words to the Christians in Rome we find his final words of warnings and his final words of blessings to them. Final warnings and final blessings. This is Paul’s focus as he ends his letter — and it’ll be our focus for our final sermon in Romans.

FINAL WARNINGS

First, his final warnings. We’re in verse seventeen.

Romans 16:17–19 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

After praising so many in the church — which we looked at last week — Paul takes an abrupt turn here. “Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you’ve been taught; avoid them.”

Watch out! Be careful! Don’t be duped — because — there are people in the church who cause division and create obstacles. These people don’t serve Jesus — regardless of what they say — they don’t serve Jesus — they serve themselves. And these people are cunning and are able to deceive those who are naive. Paul’s final warning to the Christians in Rome.

But this isn’t the only time Paul shared such a warning. To the Christians in Corinth Paul wrote…

2 Corinthians 11:12–15 NLT

12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

To those in Philippi he writes…

Philippians 3:2 ESV

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

And later he tells them…

Philippians 3:18–19 ESV

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

And notice the similar language between Paul’s description — of the kind of people we’re to watch out for — and what’s found in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 6:16–19 ESV

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

• False apostles. 
• Deceitful workers. 
• Servants of Satan who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 
• Evildoers. 
• Enemies of the cross of Christ. 
• Lying tongues. 
• Hearts that devise wicked plans. 
• Those who sow discord. 
• People whom Paul warns us to watch out for.

About Paul’s description — that these people use “smooth talk and flattery” — one pastor has said, “The word for flattery [means] blessing. And smooth talk…means pleasant and plausible. So the reason we must be so vigilant over biblical doctrine is that those who depart from it take simple people with them by pleasant, plausible speech that presents itself as a blessing. False teachers don’t get a following by being rough and harsh. They get a following by being nice.”

Be vigilant in knowing what you believe — don’t be naive or simple — because the naive will be led astray by the pleasant, nice sounding words of false teachers. 

But here’s my question for us: How do you know when you’re dealing with someone who’s misguided versus someone who’s using smooth talk and flattery to be divisive so they lead people away from the truth?

Meaning — how do you know when someone’s a false teacher versus a mistaken teacher? There is a difference!

But it’s so hard to know who’s who, isn’t it? Perfection can’t be the standard — for we all make mistakes — even doctrinal ones. But how do you know if it’s not a mistake — but is intentional deception meant to lead people astray?

Here’s something I’ve learned having been a pastor for nearly twenty years: Rarely does the conversation go well when someone says to me, “Pastor, this book (or this sermon or podcast or whatever) has changed my life. Would you read (listen or watch) it and tell me what you think?” Because — when whatever they share is bad  — meaning it’s deception or heresy or the like — me saying so doesn’t go well.

Here’s a real life example. A few years ago I was given a book by a member of Gateway. He handed it to me and said, “This book has changed my life!” Now I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover — but — by the title I knew it was a health, wealth, and prosperity kind of book. If you’ve never heard of that phrase before — it’s a false gospel that teaches that God always wants you to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous — usually accompanied by a request for money to be sent to their ministry so that God’s blessing on your life can be guaranteed. And — if the blessing seems to be delayed — well — you probably need to send a bit more money — to their ministry, obviously — so the blessing gets to you faster. I so wish that wasn’t an exaggeration.

But I read the book. And I told the guy — who gave it to me — that I’d read it, had some concerns, and would like to talk to him about it. We met on my front porch. And do you know what happened? Every concern I brought up — even with Bible passages to back up my concern — he dismissed because, “He had discovered the truth and I just wasn’t willing to accept it.” Afterall, that’s exactly what the author told him would happen — the author literally wrote to expect that your pastor is going to disagree with the “truth” found in this book. Talk about a worker of Satan.

But here’s the sobering part to this story: The guy who was duped by the book wasn’t a new Christian. He’d been at Gateway longer than I’d been. He’d sat under solid Bible preaching for years — and yet — was deceived by the smooth talk and flattery of an author. And he left Gateway because I disagreed with an author that had changed his life.

I bring this up to let you know what’s become my ministry philosophy when it comes to the true gospel versus false gospels. It’s based on a well used preaching illustration that — turns out — is actually true! The illustration is about federal agents and how they’re taught to spot counterfeit money. They’re taught to spot counterfeit money by studying — not counterfeit — but real money. 

Here’s how this relates to my ministry philosophy: Instead of warning you of false teachers that are writing books, preaching sermons, and producing podcasts — my goal is to make you so familiar with the true gospel that you’re able to spot an impostor without my help. That’s what grieved me about the man who left Gateway. Somewhere, somehow he’d not become familiar enough with the true gospel to not be deceived by that wicked imposter.

And my ministry philosophy is also why I emphasize the difference between the essentials of our faith and the non-essentials. False teachers go after the essentials. And I don’t want you to mislabel a true teacher of God’s Word — who you disagree with over a non-essential — as a false teacher. Disagreements over a non-essential doesn’t mean someone’s a false teacher. 

Another reason why I have this philosophy of ministry is because there’s just not enough time in my day to make exhaustive lists of who are the false teachers and who are true teachers — but would disagree over a non-essential — and who are true teachers — who agree with all of our non-essentials — and so on. There’s just no way to keep up in our day and age with all of the books, podcasts, and sermons that are out there.

So I do my best to teach you — as clearly as I can — the true gospel — and what’s essential to the Christian faith versus non-essential. And — I do so — so you’re equipped to recognize the true gospel — and its false imposters — as you follow Jesus.

But — let’s do the even more difficult task — and move from out there — to the people out there writing books, preaching sermons, and producing podcasts — and let’s move in here — to us — to Gateway. For Paul’s writing to a local church — and he warns them about divisive and obstacle-creating individuals who were among them. What are we to do about such people?

In one of his other letters — Paul gives a clear biblical command as to what we’re to do with such people. He tells Titus…

Titus 3:10–11 ESV

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

First warning. Second warning. Then have nothing more to do with a divisive person in the church. 

Now — think about it: Who really does this? Have you been part of a church that’s this swift to act? There’s some sort of expectation — isn’t there — to not be so “strike one, strike two…you’re out!” — when it comes to divisive people — especially in the church, right? Why?

Because no one’s a fan of church discipline — which is the topic we’re now talking about. Where someone in the church is creating division — they’ve been warned about their behavior — and they’ve been warned a second time — and now — instead of obeying Paul’s words — we give them a third warning. Maybe a fourth. A fifth. 

We start to think, “Maybe if we ignore them this will all go away.” Church leaders wrestle with, “What will the rest of the congregation think if we actually do something about this individual? Some will definitely get upset — remember — smooth talk and flattery wins people over. Others will leave. Some will want to know more than they need to know. Others will think anything we do is heavy handed and anything we say is gossip.”

What I’m pointing out to us is how the church has lost her ability to practice church discipline. Not just Gateway — but God’s Church has lost this important skill.

Do you know why church discipline is a good thing? The purpose of discipline — according to our church constitution — is…

• To maintain the honor of God.
• To restore the sinner.
• And to remove the offense (the sin not being repented of) from the church in order to keep the church pure and holy.

When Paul — in verse nineteen — tells the Christians in Rome “to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil” — I wonder if he had something like the purpose of church discipline in mind. 

• For it’s good to maintain the honor of God. 
• And it’s good to restore sinners. 
• And it’s good to keep the church pure and holy. 
• Similarly, anything that doesn’t maintain God’s honor, or restore sinners, or keep the church pure — is evil. 

And when we realize that excommunication — or removing individuals from the fellowship of the church — is only reserved for the most grievous and unrepentant of sinners — which should be on the rarest of occasions — we see that most discipline that happens in the life of the church is actually what’s called discipleship. Where individual members commit to grow in Christ-likeness and holiness and purity so that God is honored in our lives. For — and I think this is obvious — the words discipline and discipleship are similar in their spelling — because — they’re words that are related to one another.

Discipline is what happens to disciples who — instead of growing in Christ-likeness and holiness and purity — head off in a sinful direction that brings dishonor to the Savior who gave his life for them. And — the practice of discipline — helps all who follow Jesus — catch a glimpse of how easy it is to head off in a sinful direction: that fleeting lustful thought that caught your attention, that desire to switch to private mode in your browser to search for porn, the ease it is to tell a lie and to believe the lies you tell, how good it feels to gossip. None of us are beyond sin — thus discipline is God’s gracious way of keeping us from destroying our lives for all eternity by giving into sin.

This is Paul’s final warning to his readers.

FINAL BLESSINGS

And — now — his final blessing. We’ll begin with a verse we’ve already looked at — verse nineteen.

Romans 16:19–20 ESV

19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And skipping to verse twenty-five we read…

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Paul’s final words of blessing. Words of blessing which include, “Your obedience is known to all — so I rejoice.” What wonderful words to write to the Christians in Rome. He writes a similar praise to the Christians in Thessalonica when he tells them…

1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

This verse has become one of the prayers I pray for us as a church. For I regularly pray that “reports of our faith in God will spread and be an encouragement to others. Not for our glory — but for God’s glory.” A prayer that I’d encourage you to join me in praying for us — so that our testimony of what Christ has done for us — and is doing in and among us — encourages other churches and Christians to live more faithfully for Jesus. Where our obedience to Christ — both individually and corporately — would inspire other Christians and churches to live in obedience to Christ. That our example would spur on others to do far more for Jesus than they might have ever dared dream is possible.

But what an opportunity to rejoice. When we recognize — even more than we do right now — how God’s hand of blessing is upon us. 

• We witness people come to faith in Christ. 
• We get to celebrate when people are baptized. 
• We have parents bring their children before us with the intention of raising their children up to know and love Jesus. 
• We’ve sent a couple to one of the hardest places in the world to be a Christian. 
• We’ve got someone else leaving soon to go overseas long term. 
• Another couple is also in the process. 
• We’ve got our first pastoral resident joining us in January. Someone who we’ll train in pastoral ministry, get him the seminary education he needs, and then send him and his family out with our blessing to go pastor God’s people in a local church.
• We’re becoming more and more of a sending church — which is a blessing and a reason for us to rejoice.

Yet there’s even more blessings for us to recognize. For — in verse twenty — Paul writes…

Romans 16:20 ESV

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

A few weeks ago we looked at God’s covenant promises to his people — including us today. One promise is found shortly after Adam and Eve rebelled in the Garden. When God says…

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

As I told you in that sermon — on the cross — though Satan bruised Christ’s heel on the cross — Jesus crushed the head of our foe — for on the cross our victory was secured. Yet — as of now — our victory isn’t fully experienced. For Jesus must still return for that final day of victory to be inaugurated. But the blessing Paul reminds us — in his closing words — is that: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

So the day is coming soon — and it’s a reason for us to rejoice. But what about this: God will crush Satan under our feet.

“Under our feet? Under my feet?” Yes, under your feet. “I thought Satan was crushed by Jesus’ feet.” He was. But dear Christian — the blessing here for us is in knowing that every step of obedience we take — every moment when you choose holiness over wickedness — faithfulness over rebellion — joy in Jesus over joy in the things of this world — each and every one of these moments is a step closer to the Serpent being finally and forever defeated. Every step of faithful obedience that you take is another blow to the head of our enemy.

CONCLUSION: DOXOLOGY

Which — with such blessings bestowed upon us — is it any wonder that Paul ends his letter with worship? That’s what he does — he ends Romans with praise — what’s called doxology.

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

To him — the only wise God — to him who is all powerful — which means he’s able to strengthen you by his power — which he does through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To him who’s revealed what was once a mystery — that his plan has always been to save people from all nations. To him the only saving God — who brings people to faith and obedience so that his Son looks glorious to the world — to this only wise and all-powerful and saving God — be glory forever, and ever. Amen. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, what more can we pray than what we just heard. You are the only wise, all-powerful, and saving God whose plan has always been to rescue people from all nations.

Holy Spirit, you shine the light of the gospel into the hearts of people as the Good News is faithfully preached — as you do the wonderful mysterious work of raising spiritually dead people to eternal life. 

Jesus — all of this is possible because you gave your life in love for us. Crushing the head of the Serpent on the cross. Shedding your blood for our sins. Clothing us in your righteousness.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — to you alone be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go knowing that the only wise God has — and is — making you wise and strong for his glory. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

I want to begin with a few comments about the Bible verses quoted in the question.

First, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” isn’t the entire verse. In fact, Paul shows us that his statement isn’t culturally specific, but is rooted in being transformed by faith in Christ. For he writes…

You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NET)

In no culture is it appropriate to allow unwholesome words to come out of your mouth. And, in all cultures, it is wholesome to speak words that build up others.

Second, “neither…the effeminate… shall inherit the kingdom of God” is from the King James Version (KJV). If you don’t know, the KJV uses English from centuries ago, which can make it challenging to interpret as we impose modern English definitions on a non-modern translation.

Here are some modern English translations of the entire passage being quoted (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – ESV

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – NET

These modern translations shift our focus from masculinity or femininity (which is what comes to mind with the KJV’s use of “effeminate”) and show us that the verse is focused on sexually immoral behavior. And the morality or immorality of sexual behavior is not dependent upon the culture in which we live, but is based on the authority of God’s Word.

Finally, regarding what the Bible does say about men, women, and what they wear, I’d suggest considering Deuteronomy 22:5 (though carefully, as it’s easy to become legalistic in defining which clothes are men’s and which are women’s).

Regarding the topics of transgenderism and transvestitism, two different issues by the way, the primary biblical categories to consider are God as Creator and that of lying (especially as it pertains to the ninth commandment).

As Christians, we believe that God is the Creator of everyone and everything. Just as he had Adam name all of the creatures in the Garden, God has an even greater authority over all of his creation. Those he creates as men are men. Those he creates as women are women. God, not us, has the final say on who we are sexually (and gender, for those who separate sex and gender).

Regarding lying and the ninth commandment, the Westminster Larger Catechism question 144 asks, “What does the ninth commandment require?” It’s answer…

The ninth commandment requires that we maintain and promote truthfulness in our dealings with each other, and the good reputation of others as well as ourselves. We must come forward and stand up for the truth, speaking the truth and nothing but the truth from our hearts, sincerely, freely, clearly, and without equivocation, not only in all matters relating to the law and justice but in any and every circumstance whatsoever. We must have a charitable regard for others, loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good reputation as well as regretting and putting the best light on their failings. We must freely acknowledge their talents and gifts, defending their innocence, readily receiving a good report about them and reluctantly admitting a bad one. We should discourage gossips, flatterers, and slanderers; we should love and protect our own good reputation and defend it when necessary; we should keep every lawful promise we make no matter what; and finally we should do the best we can to focus our lives and thoughts on things that are true, noble, lovely, and admirable.

Question 145 asks, “What particular sins does the ninth commandment forbid?” It’s answer…

The ninth commandment forbids everything detrimental to the truth and the good reputation of others as well as our own, with special reference to legal matters in the courts. We must not give untrue evidence, suborn perjury, knowingly appear and plead on behalf of an evil cause, or engage in overbearing and boastful exaggeration. We should never participate in passing an unjust sentence, call evil good or good evil, or reward the wicked in a way appropriate to the righteous or the righteous in a way appropriate to the wicked. Forgery is forbidden, as is concealing the truth, remaining silent in a just cause, and not taking it on ourselves to reprove or complain to others about some wrong. We must not speak the truth at an inappropriate time, or maliciously to promote a wrong purpose, nor pervert it into a wrong meaning, into ambiguous equivocations, or in such ways as to undermine truth and justice. Also forbidden are: saying anything untrue, as well as lying, slandering, backbiting, belittling, gossiping, whispering, ridiculing, reviling, and expressing any kind of judgmental opinion that is rash, harsh, or prejudiced; misconstruing intentions, words, and actions; flattery and ostentatious boasting; thinking or speaking too highly or too poorly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts of God or the effects of his grace on us; exaggerating the significance of trivial faults; concealing, excusing, or rationalizing our sinful behavior when we are called to confess it voluntarily; gratuitously revealing the problems and failings of others; spreading false rumors, receiving and approving evil reports, and refusing to listen to a just defense; harboring evil suspicions; being envious of or grieved by the deserved honors others receive, trying to discredit those honors, and rejoicing at someone else’s disgrace or evil reputation; scornful contempt and foolish admiration; breaking our lawful promises; and, finally, failing to promote everyone’s good name, and doing, not avoiding, or not hindering in others, as we can, those things that give people a bad name.

If, as Christians, we believe that God created everyone and everything and that his words are true, just as he is Truth, then, when it comes to human sexuality, God’s truth of who we are must influence our view of transgenderism and transvestitism. Especially if we want to obey the ninth commandment.

DATE: 10-12-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and — I don’t want to get you all too excited — but we’re down to our last four sermons in Romans. I believe that today’s sermon is the seventieth one I’ve preached during our time in Romans. And — if you think that’s a bit much — pastor John Piper preached around two hundred and twenty-five sermons when he took his church through the book. We literally could go through Romans two more times to equal that number. So — yeah — you’re welcome for the speediness at which we’ve made our way through the book.

If you’ve been with us in recent weeks and months — you know that we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul’s now in the “so what” section of his letter. Meaning he’s addressing how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. Or at least how it should influence the way we live.

And we just finished a three part mini-series within our series in Romans — as Paul just concluded a lengthy section on how Christians are to disagree with one another regarding secondary issues — or what are sometimes called non-essentials.

For over a chapter Paul has stressed how uniting around the essentials that we believe — beliefs about God, salvation, sin, the Bible, and so on — along with our love for one another — will create an atmosphere of unity even when we disagree with each other over non-essential beliefs or behaviors. And this kind of unity is a signal to the unbelieving world that our faith in Christ actually affects and shapes the way we live.

For we live in a world where division is the norm. Where even the smallest and most minor of disagreements is reason for judgment, name calling, questioning of character, and so on. God dishonoring behaviors that have found their way into the church and among God’s people as we’ve taken our cues from the world instead of the Word. And — any behavior that dishonors God — brings joy and delight to our enemy and foe — the devil. And he’d much rather we fight against our fellow Christians than unite together to fight against him.

Thus the question Paul’s put before us is this: Who will we fight against? One another or our real enemy?

Now — though the mini-series on how to disagree was only a three parter — today’s sermon does reveal to us a result of what happens when we disagree biblically with one another. What result is that? That as a faith family we’ll experience and display hope-filled, Christ-exalting living. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting living is a characteristic of God’s people when they’re unitied together on the essentials of the faith and disagree — biblically — when it comes to non-essentials.

This is what we find in our text for today — which is Romans chapter fifteen — verses eight through thirteen. So if you have your Bible — please turn with me there — to Romans chapter fifteen — we’ll begin in verse eight. There Paul writes…

Romans 15:8–13 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives — that’s our focus for today. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives will be a result of our commitment to being united and unified on the essentials of the faith. Hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives fueled by knowing that…

• One — Christ came to reveal God’s truth.
• Two — Christ came to confirm God’s promises.
• Three — Christ came to show God’s mercy.
• Which leads to Christ being our hope.

That’s where we’re headed today — today — like every time we gather together — is all about Jesus. For he came to reveal God’s truth, to confirm God’s promises, to show God’s mercy, which results in him being our hope.

CHRIST CAME TO REVEAL GOD’S TRUTH

Let’s begin by seeing how Christ came to reveal God’s truth. We’re back in verse eight. There Paul writes…

Romans 15:8 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness…

Here Paul tells us that Jesus came to earth to be a servant to the circumcised — that’s the Jewish people. And Paul tells us that Jesus became their servant to show them God’s truthfulness. 

Now — before we get to how Jesus did this — we need to remember that — part of the reason there was disagreement and conflict in the church in Rome is because there were Christians coming from Jewish backgrounds along with Christians coming from Gentile — or non-Jewish — backgrounds. The examples of what they were disagreeing over — that Paul used in the previous chapter — show us how their different backgrounds — even different religious backgrounds and upbringings — was causing division and disunity in the church.

I bring this up as a reminder because — here in our verse — Paul reminds us that Jesus came to earth as a Jewish man to show the Jewish people God’s truthfulness. Why would Jesus need to come to reveal God’s truthfulness to the Jewish people? Because the Jews had drifted from God’s truth. 

There are all kinds of reasons for their drift from God’s truth — but they’d drifted so far that — when Jesus came to earth — the Jewish people — especially the Jewish religious leaders and experts in the law — or the Old Testament — thought Jesus was a rebellious law breaker when all he was doing was revealing to them how far they’d drifted from God’s truth.

Think of how far one must drift from the truth in order to see Jesus — not as revelation of God’s truthfulness — but the opposite. I wonder how accurately your view of Jesus aligns with God’s truth? The only way to know is to compare the Jesus you believe in with the Jesus found in God’s Word.

The apostle John — in his gospel — his account of the life of Jesus — emphasizes the connection between Jesus and God’s truth.

For example, in some of the first words of his gospel — John describes Jesus this way.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word (that’s Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A few verses later — John adds…

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

A few chapters later John records Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman who he met at a well. In his conversation with her — the topic of worship comes up — to which Jesus replied…

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

True worshipers of God will worship him in spirit and in truth. Truth matters — for Jesus came to reveal truth.

And pay close attention to what we read in a lengthy encounter that Jesus has with a crowd of people. The crowd was split in their opinion of Jesus. Some believed him — others didn’t.

John 8:31–47 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide (or stay) in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They (these are the folks who didn’t believe in him…they…) answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Jesus tells the crowd — and us — that the words he speaks are words of truth. Then he adds that — in believing his words of truth — one will find freedom. Freedom from what? Freedom from being enslaved to sin. Freedom from being ensnared by the lies of the devil. Freedom from self-salvation and other false forms of salvation — for there’s only one way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ.

• We’re not saved by our opinions about Jesus.
• We’re not saved by our political affiliations.
• We’re not saved because we attend church.
• We’re not saved because the popular vote happens to agree with Scripture.
• We’re not saved because they — the other side of whatever division we find ourselves in — welcomes worse sinners than our side.
• No — we’re saved when we repent of our sins — the big ones and the small ones — and turn to Jesus Christ in faith for our salvation — for he is the only way of salvation.

Well that sounds awfully intolerant. Is Jesus the only way of salvation? This is exactly what Jesus said to his disciples when they were troubled. Jesus said these comforting words to them.

John 14:1–7 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus is the only way of salvation. He is the revelation of God’s truth. And he is where life — the “abundant and overflowing with joy for all eternity” life — is found.

And — in his tenderness towards us — those who follow him today — Jesus says…

John 14:15–17 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

In his love for us — Jesus — who reveals to us God’s truth — with the Father has sent the Spirit of truth to live in his people. And the Holy Spirit lives in us to lead, guide, and direct us according to the truth.

Yet Jesus is still not done revealing to us the truth. For Jesus prayed this prayer.

John 17:14–19 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Sanctify means “to make holy” — the word can also mean to be “set apart.” And — here — Jesus says that he’s set his disciples — those who believe in him — apart from falsehoods and apart from lies and has set them in the truth. 

And where is this truth found? According to Jesus — now that he’s in Heaven — truth is found in God’s Word to us — the Bible — and in the Holy Spirit — who dwells in us. Thus we long to be Word and Spirit Christians here at Gateway — followers of Jesus who are being made holy by the truth — for Jesus came to reveal God’s truth.

CHRIST CAME TO CONFIRM GOD’S PROMISES

Which leads us to another reason why Jesus came — to confirm God’s promises to his people. This is what Paul tells us in verse eight when he writes…

Romans 15:8 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

Here Paul echoes back to something he wrote earlier in Romans. Way back in chapter nine we read…

Romans 9:1–5 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Both here — and in our chapter — Paul’s wanting to remind the Christians with Jewish background that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises God had made to their ancestors — the Israelites. Promises that God made to his people are often called covenant promises. In fact, one definition of the word covenant is a “relationship God establishes with people on the basis of his promises.” (Lexham Survey of Theology)

• Examples of covenant promises would include the covenant God made with Abraham — when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. 
• A covenant promise is what God made with the Israelites after he rescued them out of their slavery in Egypt. 
• God made a covenant promise with David — for God promised to David that — from his line will one day come a King whose reign and rule will never come to an end. Paul even alludes to this covenant promise with David in some of his first words in the letter when he writes…

Romans 1:1–4 NLT

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

And what may be the most familiar covenant promise of all — is what’s called the new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 NLT

31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. 33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

And — in Jesus — we see the confirmation of all of God’s promises come to fruition. In Christ — God shows us that he can be trusted to fulfill every promise he’s made to us. For from his birth through his death and resurrection — and all that comes in between — Jesus reveals to us the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises to his people. 

CHRIST CAME TO SHOW GOD’S MERCY

Which leads us to another reason why Christ came — to show God’s mercy. Let’s go back to verse eight again.

Romans 15:8–12 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

In these verses Paul quotes from the Old Testament a lot! For example, “I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name” — in verse nine — is a quote of…

2 Samuel 22:50 ESV

50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

And…

Psalm 18:49 ESV

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.

David sang these words of praise to his God who had rescued him from the hands of his enemies. Though the “waves of death” nearly overwhelmed him — and the “torrents of destruction” terrified him — David called upon his God for his rescue — for his salvation — and believed that God would deliver him. And it’s in response to being saved that David praises God — and sings songs of praise to God’s glorious and mercifully saving name — and longs for these songs of praise to be sung by people of all nations.

In our verses Paul also quotes…

Psalm 117:1 ESV

1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!

And…

Isaiah 11:10 ESV

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

The nations, the nations, the nations! 

• People from all nations praising the God who saves. 
• Praising the One who’s a descendant of Jesse — King David’s father. 
• Praising the One who fulfills the promise that God made to David — that he would have a descendant sitting on an eternal throne as King of kings forever and ever. 
• This is the One whom people of all nations will turn to in praise.

And — in this church in Rome — the nations were represented. For many in the church were believers in Jesus who came from Gentile backgrounds. Paul acknowledges this near the beginning of his letter when he writes…

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The gospel — the Good News that God is merciful and saves sinners who put their faith in his Son — the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. People of Jewish background as well as people from all nations.

This is why you’ll often hear that one of our desires — for those who follow Jesus here at Gateway — is that we’d all be Kingdom-minded. Where our desire is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to not only change our community, our state, and our country — but that the gospel would be Good News that changes our world. For that’s what God intends his news to do. For the gospel is news of God’s mercy towards sinners who turn to his Son in faith.

Mercy for all who turn to Jesus. No matter your race or gender. No matter your nationality or socio-economic background. No matter all of the ways the world tries to divide us. Christ came to show all people the mercy of God.

CONCLUSION

And where does all of this lead? That Christ came to reveal God’s truth, that he came to confirm God’s promises, and that he came to show us God’s mercy — where does all of this lead us? What destination have we arrived at? 

To hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives.

In verse twelve Paul writes…

Romans 15:12–13 ESV

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

The root of Jesse — the descendant of King David — Jesus Christ — is the hope of all who believe in him. For Jews who believe — Jesus is their hope. For Gentiles who believe — Jesus is their hope as well. And — in being our hope — those who believe in Jesus are filled with joy and peace — echoing back to what Paul said earlier are characteristics of what it means to live according to the values of the kingdom of God.

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For the Holy Spirit — who lives in the people of God — fills us with joy, peace, and hope — a hope that abounds — or overflows — in our lives because of what Christ has done. And — by hope — Paul doesn’t mean wanting something to be true while being uncertain if it’ll come to pass. No — hope — according to Paul — and all the authors of Scripture — is a confidence in God’s faithfulness to his people. A confidence that his words are true and trustworthy. A confidence that every promise he’s made will be fulfilled. A confidence that he is merciful to all who believe in his Son. A confidence that overflows in a person’s life — changing how they live and how they view the world. Leading to a life that is hope-filled and that exalts — or magnifies — the worthiness and beauty of Christ.

The way we describe this kind of hope-filled, Christ-exalting life — here at Gateway — is a life that worships, connects, serves, and goes.

Though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of worship is much more than just gathering on Sundays with God’s people — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize weekly worship with God’s people who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of connecting to others — or fellowship, as it’s sometimes called — is much more than gathering with God’s people in small groups — what we call Life Groups here at Gateway — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize regularly gathering with God’s people to apply God’s Word to life and care for one another — who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of service is much more than serving God’s people in a local church — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize serving God’s people in a local church who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of going is much more than a local church’s missions program — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize going with people in their local church to proclaim the gospel who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting living in the rest of his or her life.

And — like Paul — for in just a few verses he’s about to start name dropping in his letter — naming people who model a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of worshiping, connecting, serving, and going in this church in Rome — it’s tempting for me to want to get ahead of Paul and start name dropping the many of you who are examples of what it means to live hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives here at Gateway. To praise the good works you’re doing to make your Savior look glorious to the world. To tell others of your commitment to God’s truth as revealed to us in his Word. To share stories of your trust in his promises to his people even in the midst of sorrows and tragedies of life. To thank you for displaying God’s mercy to those suffering and in need of care in life’s most sensitive moments.

But — like Paul — I’ll resist name dropping for now. That’ll come when we get to chapter sixteen. Instead — a general thank you will have to suffice for now — a thank you to the faithful ones of our Gateway Church family.

Thank you for worshiping, connecting, serving, and going. Thank you for your commitment to the truth which is God’s Word. Thank you for your trust in God’s promises. Thank you for displaying his mercy to one another. And thank you for living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. Thank you — for you are making your Savior look glorious to the world. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for always and only speaking words of truth. For this makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. Thank you for guaranteeing that every promise that you’ve made to your people will be fulfilled. This also makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. And thank you for being merciful towards us — your people. Mercy is not what we deserve — but mercy is what you’ve chosen to give — making you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy.

Holy Spirit, for the truthfulness of your Word to be seen and believed — we first need you to open our eyes and give us hearts to receive. For without you doing so — we remain spiritually blind and cannot see — with spiritually dead hearts that cannot respond. This act of mercy — you giving us eyes to see and hearts to respond — is the fulfillment of a promise given to your people. Open more eyes — give life to more hearts — we ask — so that more might respond and experience your mercy.

And — Jesus — we can confidently and expectantly pray such a prayer because of all that you’ve done for us. You came to seek and save those who were lost. To reveal truth to those who’d fallen for the lies of our enemy. To fulfill promises that would cost you your life — so that — we might live. For the life we live is because of the mercy we’ve received which came at the cost of your death.

But not even the grave could keep its hold on you — for there was another promise to be fulfilled. The resurrection. The defeat of death. The defeat of sin. The defeat of the devil. And the defeat of hopelessness. For your resurrection is the reason why we can live lives full of hope that make you look glorious to the world.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — thank you for truth. Thank you for fulfilling your promises to us. Thank you for mercy. And — friends — “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / How to Grow booklet)

May you go living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

I’m glad you asked for verses(s), because there’s not a single verse that conveys the idea I shared. The idea comes from multiple passages in the Bible. I’ll share a few below, but know there are many that I’m leaving out!

Overall, when we take what we learn in the verses below, and elsewhere in Scripture (especially in the historical accounts of people who didn’t speak honestly), we see there being a tie between dishonesty in our lives (even about what’s going on personally, which is what I referred to as “keeping up appearances”), and the experience of anxiety. For those of us who follow Jesus, who is the Truth, speaking truthfully is the standard for all areas of our lives. For when we don’t speak truthfully, there will be a consequence for our disobedience. Often, when our dishonesty is over a personal matter, anxiety is often a consequence we experience.

On anxiety:

Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Matthew 6:25-34 – ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

Philippians 4:4-8 – ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

On honesty:

Psalm 32:3 – For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

Psalm 101:7 – No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. 

Jeremiah 9:5 – Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

Mark 8:36 – “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 4:15 – Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

God’s Word teaches us truth and reveals to us why things are so wrong in this world and in our lives. And its answers are different than the answers given by society and culture, which change from generation to generation. Yet God’s Word remains steadfast.

The call to be an example to other Christians. In your speech, conduct, love, and faithfulness. In your patience, joy, teaching, and prayer. In your relationships, mercy, gentleness, and pursuit of truth. Be an example. For this is your calling.

Release Date: March 7,  2023

Preciousness of Christ https://gracetothenation.wordpress.com/2022/06/17/the-preciousness-of-christ-to-his-people-above-everything/ (3:05)

3 Benefits of Writing Your Prayers https://aaronarmstrong.co/3-benefits-of-writing-your-prayers/ (6:00) 

Book Recommendation: Love, Dad and Me https://www.instagram.com/p/CnwW9u1OZv-/ (6:55) 

Questions

Question from last week’s sermon…Our life group had some great conversation about generosity. One follow up question that came up was wondering what constitutes giving to the local church? Is it considered tithing to give to a missionary (a church plant, directly supporting someone doing campus outreach or another similar) or even a small Bible preaching church that you don’t regularly attend but who needs support to stay open? Is splitting our tithe between the church we regularly attend and these examples displeasing to God? (9:45)

You were talking about in the sermon how we are all liars and how we bare false witness constantly against God and one of the main arguments I’ve heard when we are defending the bible is authenticity and the reason why we can trust it is that there are so many eye witnesses that we rely on to write what they saw down. How do we reconcile knowing that we are all liars but still say the bible is true? (17:10)

At the end of the sermon you said we are the worst of the worst, the bottom of all the liars and we have to trust Jesus to see us through that and our honesty, what is some real life application to trust in Jesus to tell the truth and be a reliable witness. (22:40)

If lying is simply the absence of truth, then is it sin for Christian parents to do Santa Claus with their kids? (29:20)

Is suicide considered a sin? If so, where does it discuss this topic in the Bible? (31:35)

SCRIPTURE: Multiple

DATE: 2-3-19

It’s good to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And one thing I want you to know — and it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time with us or if you’re worshipping at our North Main campus — is that God loves you and I love you too. 

SERIES INTRODUCTION

We’re in week five of our series that we’ve titled Evil. And we’re calling this series “Evil” because there’s a dangerous tendency to call things good that God has said are evil. Where we blur the lines between good and evil, acquire a taste for evil, and even allow evil practices to become acceptable. And this is just as true for the church as it is anywhere else — so we’ve been looking at ways we’re exhausting God by calling good — things He’s said are evil. And what it means to experience His justice for doing so.

And the idea behind this series is found in the Old Testament book of Malachi who wrote these words. 

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (And then the prophet gives some examples of the evil going on in his day.) “Then I (that’s God speaking…then I) will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:17; 3:5 ESV)

And these two verses have been guiding us in this series. We began by looking at God’s justice and we saw how it has both a retributive and a liberating side. There’s the side of justice we usually think of — judgment — punishment — getting what you deserve — and then there’s the unexpected freeing — liberating — side of God’s justice. And we’ve been seeing how these two sides of God’s justice apply to life.

For instance, we’ve seen how God’s justice applies to the different religions in our world and to the foreigners living among us and to the topic of life. 

Next week, we’ll finish this series with something a bit spicy — we’ll look at God’s justice for the adulterer. Now two things about next week. First, you’ll want to make sure your young children attend Kidway as the topic is definitely meant for a more mature age level. And — second — bring your teenagers with you. Do them the favor of hearing from God’s Word on this subject because the world is teaching them all kinds of lies about adultery — that’s next week. 

And today we’re going to look at how God’s justice applies to lying. So let’s turn to our passages for today and — yes — we’ll be looking at quite a few.

ANNOUNCE THE TEXT

If you have your Bible please turn with me to 2 Timothy chapter 3. We’ll be looking at verses 16 and 17. Then we’ll head to some other places in the Bible. But — for now — find 2 Timothy chapter 3.

And, if you’re a guest with us, something we like to do at Gateway is let you ask questions. So if you have a question during the sermon, you can text it in to the number printed on the bottom of the sermon notes sheet or you can submit it on the Gateway app.

RE-ANNOUNCE AND READ THE TEXT

Here are the words found in 2 Timothy chapter 3. Beginning in verse 16. 

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

SERMON INTRODUCTION

So here’s how we’re going to tackle this topic. We’re going to look at God’s justice for the liar — but with a twist. 

• We’re going to look at four different ways where we claim to know better than God. 
• Where we say that we’ve got things figured out better than He does. 
• Where we say — and this may shock some of you — but where we say, “God, You’re the liar.” 
• Then we’ll look at how God’s justice applies to those who call Him a liar.

And here are the four ways we call God a liar — this is where we’re headed for the rest of the sermon.

Way #1 — We call God a liar when we say that what His Word says isn’t true.

Way #2 — We call God a liar when we say that what His Word commands isn’t what I must do.

Way #3 — We call God a liar when we say that who His Word says He is isn’t who God really is.

And way #4 — We call God a liar when we say that who His Word says I am isn’t who I really am.

So let’s begin.

WAY #1

The first way we call God a liar — here’s how we blur the lines between good and evil — we call God a liar when we say that what His Word says isn’t true. We call God a liar when we say that what His Word says isn’t true.

Here’s what our verses in 2 Timothy teach us. That all scripture — the entire Bible — is breathed out — or inspired — by God. That means that God’s Spirit guided human authors so they wrote down God’s words exactly as He intended. Just as God spoke the universe into existence, so He spoke His Word into the Bible. 

And notice that Paul says that all scripture — not some of it — not the parts you like — or only the parts you agree with — but all of the Bible is God’s breathed out — inspired — perfect Word. So all of the Bible is true. And what Paul’s wanting the Christians in Ephesus to understand is that because all of the Bible is breathed out by God, they were to believe and live under the authority of all of it.

And that’s to be our view of the Bible as well. This book — being the Word of God — is to be believed and lived under as the supreme court of your authority on truth. And if it’s your supreme court of authority on truth, then you’ve got to know it — read it — study it — so you understand what it says so you can use it — as Paul says — for being made complete and equipped for every good work. 

One pastor has said that the Bible “shapes our beliefs as well as our lifestyle. It relates to both doctrine and conduct, and it is totally sufficient to shape us into the image of Christ by the power of the Spirit.”

So — to say that God’s Word says something that isn’t true — is to call God a liar — because the Bible is His Word to us. 

Now, if you’re here and you’d say you’re not a Christian, you may be thinking, “Who cares about the Bible?” Maybe you believe there is no God or — if there is — God can’t be known. So — for you — the only thing we can do is figure out the best way to live for ourselves — right and wrong are purely subjective. Or maybe you believe there’s no such thing as a universally binding absolute truth — so everyone has to choose for themselves what’s right and wrong. 

The problem — and I’m not the first to point this out — is that to say that right and wrong are purely subjective is itself an objective statement. To say there’s no such thing as universally binding absolute truth is — itself — a universally binding absolute truth statement. Here’s my point:  Everyone believes in absolute truth. Everyone is dogmatic about what they believe — everyone thinks they know what’s right and wrong — not just religious folks.

But the question for all of us is this:  Who determines absolute truth — who’s the author of the truth you believe in? 

Are you the author? Do you really think you’ve got the authority to determine truth? And if so, can you please rewrite the truth about metabolism slowing down as you age cause I love pizza, ice cream, Cheetos, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but the truth is — whether I like it or not — the older I get the harder it is to eat those delicious foods without gaining weight.

So if you’re not the author of truth — and neither am I — we can eliminate all other humans as well. So what are we left with? Either there is no truth — which can’t be true — or God is the author of truth. And if God is the author of truth, then we call Him a liar when we say that His Word isn’t true. 

Now this sermon isn’t meant to be a defense of the Bible, but a resource I highly recommend for you to check out — this is for the skeptic and for the Christian — a resource I’d recommend to you is Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert. This book gives a good overview of the common arguments against trusting the Bible and — especially for those who think the Bible is untrustworthy — it’s a good way to understand why we Christians view the Bible the way we do. We don’t have our heads in the sand. We’re not idiots — at least not all of us — and even if we are — that doesn’t make the Bible untrustworthy. Check out this book to understand why the Bible is reliable and can be trusted.

WAY #2

On to the second way we call God a liar — another way we blur the lines between good and evil. We call God a liar when we say what His Word commands isn’t what I must do. We call God a liar when we say that what His Word commands isn’t what I must do.

OK. So if you believe that God’s Word is true, you can still call Him a liar by not believing His commands are what you’re supposed to do. Now I can think of a few reasons for someone doing this. The first is you just don’t know the Bible — so you don’t even know what God expects of you. That’s one reason. 

An example of this is found in Peter’s second letter. “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant (that words means the uneducated and unlearned — the ignorant…) and unstable (those who are not firmly set, those who don’t have a solid foundation of what they believe — so the ignorant and unstable do what? They…) twist (things) to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:15-18 ESV)

Peter’s writing about people who want to talk about the Christian faith without knowing the Bible. They want to discuss things like the patience of God without going to God’s Word on the matter. And what happens? They twist things around due to their ignorance of the Bible. And what’s the end result? Their destruction. Now there’s a compelling reason to know your Bible. One way to disobey God’s commands.

Another way people do this is by knowing the Bible, but you disagree with parts of it, so you pick and choose what you obey. This is what we see when Jesus speaks to some religious leaders in Matthew’s gospel. 

“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.‘” (Matthew 15:1-9 ESV)

Jesus calls out the religious leaders because they were blatantly ignoring God’s commands. They created their own rules so they could ignore God’s rules. And Jesus says — in doing so — they were making God’s word void — they were — through their actions — calling God’s Word invalid — not true — in essence — they were calling God a liar. Another reason people disobey God’s commands.

And — finally — and I’m sure there are other reasons but this is all we’ve got time for — but a final reason is that you know the Bible and you want to obey it, but life…is…war. We give in to sin, we get attacked by the enemy, we experience physical, mental, emotional, and relational conflict that weakens our resolve and we disobey God’s commands. 

Paul uses a lot of war imagery in describing the Christian life. He talks about putting on the armor of God and preparing for battle. And war — though sometimes necessary — is always tragic because there are always casualties. 

But it’s not just attacks from others that causes casualties. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. Paul describes this in his letter to the Christians in Rome. He writes, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15 ESV)

He then writes about going back and forth between doing good and doing evil and just when he’s on a doing good streak — evil’s right there — coming from within him — to get him off the path of obedience.

Now — let me say — this last scenario isn’t really us calling God a liar so much as the struggle — the wrestling — the war going on — which proves that you believe God’s commands are to be obeyed — you’re just in the muck of spiritual conflict. I bring it up so that — if this is you — you don’t carry an unnecessary burden. Keep fighting by the power of God’s Spirit and the authority of His Word. 

But the other two scenarios, well I don’t know how else to understand them. Either through ignorance or by picking and choosing what you want to obey — you end up calling God a liar by saying what His Word commands isn’t what you must do.

WAY #3

We’re to the third way we call God a liar. We call God a liar when we say that who His Word says He is isn’t who God really is. We call God a liar when we say that who His Word says He is isn’t who God really is.

Now all of these ways kind of build on each other don’t they? If you don’t believe God’s Word is true, then you won’t believe what it commands or what it says about God. If you don’t know the Bible, then you’ll be ignorant of its commands and what it says about God. And — obviously — just like you can purposely pick and choose which commands you obey, you can pick and choose which parts of the Bible you allow to tell you something about who God is.

But the goal — for the Christian — should be to allow this Word to shape your understanding of who God is — because this book is God’s Word to us. And God has told us much about Himself in the Bible — and — we’re going to fly through a bunch of these — but here are some things that God has told us about Himself.

He is eternal — He has no beginning or end. The first verse in the Bible says, “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1a ESV) 

God is Creator — He has made all things. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 ESV)

God is love. The apostle John writes, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8 ESV)

God is patient. Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)

God is all powerful. The psalmist writes, “He (God) determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” (Psalm 147:4-5 ESV)

Those last words tell us that God knows everything, which we also find in Isaiah. “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” (Isaiah 46:8-10 ESV)

God is good. Psalm 107 begins by declaring, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1 ESV)

God is holy — He is completely pure, untainted by sin, perfect. The apostle John records a vision of Heaven. “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”” (Revelation 4:8 ESV)

God is the giver of every good gift. James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

And — there at the end — we learn that God does not change.

And — finally — and by finally — I mean the final one for this sermon — because this would go on for a long time if we looked at all the ways God describes Himself in the Bible — but the last one for us —God is wrathful. In the gospel of John we read, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36 ESV)

Paul writes about God’s wrath in multiple places. In his letter to Christians in Rome, he writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Later he writes, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 1:18, 12:17-21 ESV)

To ignore what God has said about Himself — in His Word — is to call Him a liar. It’s to — intentionally or unintentionally — it’s to say that you know who God is better than He does. Sounds pretty silly, right? A bit arrogant? I mean you should probably have a book or two in the Bible named after you if you’re so knowledgeable about God, right? 

Yet we do this all the time, don’t we? Because there are some things about God that make us uncomfortable. There are some things about God we don’t understand. There are some things about God that frighten us. 

But He’s told us who He is and to ignore what He’s said about Himself is to find yourself at odds with God.

WAY #4

And — finally — a fourth way we call God a liar — another way we’re blurring the lines between good and evil — we call God a liar when we say that who His Word says I am isn’t who I really am. 

Let’s take that last characteristic of God — His wrath — and learn something about ourselves. Paul writes these alarming words. “And you (if you believe in Jesus — you can insert your name here — and you — Josh) were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1-4 ESV)

Now Paul’s writing to Christians — to believers — to people like many of us. And notice how he describes them. Prior to believing in Christ, they were spiritually dead — not sick — not unhealthy — they were dead in their trespasses and sins. They were spiritually dead, but notice — in verse two — they were physically alive. Spiritual zombies walking around. 

So you — yes you — if you’re a Christian — this was you — and if you’re not a Christian — this is you. So you were — or are — spiritually dead, following the ways of the world, following Satan — that’s what the prince of the power of the air means. You lived — or are living — carrying out the passions and desires of your flesh, and you were — or are — what? How does Paul describe us at the end of verse three? He describes us as “children of wrath” — that’s God’s wrath by the way.

But hardly anybody — even Christians — see this as who they are or who they used to be. Because — if we did — we’d be a lot more humble and definitely more obedient. Because we’d know that we owe everything to the One who’s saved us out of this disastrous situation. You see — your and my obedience — is usually lacking when we think, “Ahhh, I wasn’t really in that bad of a situation before Jesus saved me.” I mean, if Jesus didn’t have to save you from that bad of a situation, then you don’t really owe Him much, do you?

But if you were dead, a child of wrath, destined for Hell, and Jesus rescued you from that — well then — He’s got your number now doesn’t He? 

But that’s OK — right — because we just had a glimpse of how wonderful He is — so no need to fear Jesus having your number — it’s more like — I can’t wait for Jesus to call me — oh wait — He already did — He’s told me everything about who I am and who He is and all that I’m to do — it’s all in His Word.

But to ignore what the Bible says about you is to call God a liar — it’s to change the scenario you were rescued out of — or maybe the situation you’re in right now. You see, Jesus didn’t die for spiritually sick people. He died so dead people would experience a resurrection — both spiritually and physically. 

CHRIST CONNECTION

And all of these ways we call God a liar are directly related to what you believe about Jesus. The apostle John calls Jesus the Word of God in the opening of his gospel. Later on in the gospel, Jesus calls Himself the “way, the truth, and the life.” So we can trust that God’s Word is true because Jesus is the Word of God who is truth. You can’t really believe in Jesus and not believe that God’s Word is true because Jesus is God’s Word.

Jesus shows us that obeying God’s commands isn’t an option for us to choose or reject. He didn’t view God’s commands this way — instead He obeyed all of them on our behalf, in order to fulfill the requirements of the law for all of us. Jesus shows us that God’s commands are to be obeyed by His people.

Jesus also shows us that God has revealed Himself to us in the Bible. Jesus is the visible image of God. Through His actions and words, Jesus reveals to us who God is, what He’s like, and what He values.

And Jesus shows us who we really are. As one pastor is fond of saying, “We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” In the Bible, you discover your truest self on both fronts — the side revealing how sinful and flawed you are — and the side revealing how deeply loved by God you are. But you only find both of these truths about yourself in the Bible — only when you let God have the final say on the matter. Where you stop blurring the lines between good and evil and start listening to the One who has been more honest to you than you’ll ever be to yourself.

CONCLUSION

Blurring the lines between things God has said are good and evil shows us something about ourselves: That we’re often quick — and comfortable — with calling God a liar. And He promises justice for the liar. His retributive justice will come on all who trust their own words more than God’s Word. But God offers His liberating justice — His freeing justice — to those who submit themselves to His Word as being the final say on all things — allowing the Bible to be the final word on what’s good and evil — what’s right and wrong — on who He is — and who we are — and what He’s commanded us to do. 

How have you determined who God is and what He expects of you? Who are you listening to when it comes to what you believe about yourself? Who has the final word in your life? Let’s pray. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, first we thank you for Your Word. How gracious of You to not leave us floundering around, spiritually blind, and unable to know Your Word on all things. Yet even with this gift You’ve given us, how often do we chose to flounder around, walking in spiritual blindness, remaining purposefully ignorant of Your Word? So help us — Father, Son, and Spirit — to be people of Your Word.

And Jesus — You are the Word of God. You have revealed to us who we are and who God is. That we were spiritually dead — You the giver of life. We — prisoners of war — You the liberator who sets captives free. We — children of wrath — You the beloved Son of God who satisfied God’s wrath on our behalf so we could be adopted as God’s sons and daughters.

Spirit, guide us. Teach us. Lead us towards a greater desire to know the Bible better so we stop blurring the lines between good and evil — so we stop calling You a liar — and submit ourselves under Your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION

May God’s Word be the final word in your life. Amen. God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 2:18-27 (ESV)

DATE: 6-18-23

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRODUCTION

If you have your Bible — and I hope you do — please turn with me to First John chapter two — we’ll be looking at verses eighteen through twenty-seven together today. And while you’re finding First John chapter two — let me remind you why we’re studying this particular letter in the Bible. Our reason is the same as John’s — who wrote this letter so that Those who believe in God can know that they have eternal life.

In First John chapter five — verse thirteen — we read, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. – 1 John 5:13 (ESV)

John wants his readers to know — with certainty — whether or not they have eternal life. His goal isn’t to make them doubt their faith — he’s not writing to make true believers confused — he’s written this letter for the exact opposite reason — John wants true believers to know they have eternal life when they read or hear his letter. However — John knows that pretenders will begin to doubt, be confused, and will wonder why his message seems so different than what they believe. 

Which means two things. First, the message of this letter gives assurance, hope, and joy for true believers because it affirms both what they believe and the life transformation they’ve experienced because of the power of the gospel taking root in their life. And — second — for John’s opponents — for people who are pretending to be Christians without truly believing the gospel — this letter contains a message that challenges everything they believe. 

Which leads us to the words found in First John chapter two — beginning in verse eighteen. 

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us — eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. 

But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. – 1 John 2:18-27 (ESV)

INTRODUCTION

You’ve probably heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe — what matters is if you’re sincere in your beliefs.” Or you may have heard, “That may be true for you, but that’s not true for me.” Or the claim “this is my truth.” Or even “There’s no such thing as absolute truth.”  

For over half a century — there’s been an attack on truth — an arrogant dismissal of objective truth. And — ironically — in the name of tolerance — there’s been a recent shift back to a kind of absolutism — the forcing of a new dogmatism — a cultural “truth” — that you’re either to accept or be cast as a bigot, racist, sexist, or some sort of phobic — homophobic, transphobic, and so on — if you reject this cultural dogmatism. 

And the world — meaning the culture around us that’s against God — is asking us to deny our faith by forcing on us certain expectations and behaviors of society, the workplace, and so on. And we simply cannot do this — nor should we be surprised by this. Why? For we’re living in the last hour. 

And I hope you feel the need for us Christians to step into the light of our calling and not hide in the shadows that others may want us to hide in. Our public perseverance in the faith is needed now more than ever. A Christ-like perseverance — not using the weapons of the culture war — not “jerks for Jesus” — but “cross carrying servants” for Jesus. And this is what we’re going to explore today — which I’ve summed up this way. 

Because we’re living in the last hour, we must actively persevere in our faith. Now — in our country — this looks drastically different than persevering in countries like Syria that are much more hostile towards Christians. Nonetheless, there’s an active perseverance that we Christians in the US must be engaged in so that our faith proves to be genuine which will grow our confidence in knowing that we believe and have eternal life. 

So what should a Christian’s life look like in this last hour? How should you and I live in — and persevere in — what the Bible calls the last days — the end times — the last hour?

MEET TOGETHER

First…Because we’re living in the last hour, we must not abandon meeting together. Don’t stop meeting together. Look with me in verse eighteen. 

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 (Yet) They (some who used to be part of us have done what? They…) went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have (done what? They would’ve…) continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. – 1 John 2:18-19 ESV)

Because we’re living in the last hour, we must not abandon meeting together. 

Why do we need to meet together with other Christians? Because…We live in the end times. John tells us, Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. – 1 John 2:18 (ESV)

Yes, this is the same point I just made — in reverse — but this is how we’re to view the times in which we’re living and the importance of us gathering together. John tells us that it’s the last hour, which is a theological term that refers to the end times or the last days. For John — Jesus coming into the world the first time — was the beginning of the end. Christ gave a death blow to the Devil on the cross and — through his resurrection — Jesus has given eternal hope to all who believe in him — and all of this was the beginning of the end.

And this idea — of living in the last hour or the end times or the last days — is found throughout the Bible. The apostle Paul writes, But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 

3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)

One time, Jesus’ disciples asked him about the end of the age — what would it be like in the end times — and Jesus replied, They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV)

And Jesus’ words are happening all around the world — right now — as people are put to death because of their faith in Christ. 

Additionally, we live in a day where false religions and false teachers lead people away from the truth. And — the time in which we live — is summed up in Jesus’ words — for the love of many people has grown very cold — all because we’re living in the end times. 

Additionally…We live among antichrists. How’s that for a shocking statement? Again — in verse eighteen — John writes, Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. – 1 John 2:18 (ESV)

Now most people — when they hear the word antichrist — they think of the Antichrist — meaning the individual who’ll be a really, really, really bad guy when the world is coming to an end. But John’s focus is not on a single person — he’s referring to a group of people who are causing division in the church. They’re tearing the church apart — they’re disrupting the peace and unity that God desires for believers to have among themselves — and John calls these divisive folks the antichrists.

“Well that sounds like a bad group to be part of — what exactly do we know about them?” Well their name obviously means that they’re “anti” — or opposed — to Christ. So they stand against Christ and his claims of truth. Antichrists may try to gain influence, authority, and power within a local congregation in order to lead the church astray or simply to cause a congregation to be ineffective in accomplishing God’s mission. But you’ll recognize them because they’re against Christ and his mission being accomplished.

Additionally — in our verses — we see that the antichrists have already come. This means that antichrists were already present when John wrote his letter. Thus we should be aware that — our verses aren’t describing a situation that’ll happen in the future — antichrists are a present day foe. 

In verse twenty-two we see that antichrists are liars and — in verse twenty-six — they’re called deceivers — and John tells us that these antichrists deny that Jesus is the Christ. Finally — we see that — though the antichrists were part of the local church — eventually they left. Which leads to our next point.

We live in an age of abandonment. John describes this age of abandonment in verse nineteen when writes, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. – 1 John 2:19 (ESV)

Now I want to be careful here — so hear me: Not everyone who leaves the church — or our church in particular — is an actual antichrist. There are many reasons why people leave a church that do not deserve the label “antichrist.” But we’d be fools to think that none of the people who’ve left us were antichrists or — at the very least — influenced by the Evil One or the world.

Satan is a seasoned deceiver. The world’s grip on our hearts can be strong. And many good people leave churches under the influence of Satan or the world resulting in them — and the church they’ve left — being less effective in accomplishing the mission God has called them to. 

You’ve seen this, right? The person who leaves a church because it doesn’t do __________ any longer? 

And I’m not talking about “preach the gospel” or “exalts Christ” or something like that. I mean stuff like “doesn’t serve coffee” or “switched to small groups instead of Sunday school classes” or “someone saw sin in my life — lovingly asked me about it — and I didn’t like that!” or “stuff that’s not eternally consequential, but I’m going to huff and puff my way out of the church” type stuff. And they’re just gone and — often — they don’t even find another church to attend. 

Other people leave the church even though they aren’t upset about anything — they’ve just decided they don’t need to attend the gathering of the saints any longer. Yet God’s desire is that his followers gather together to worship him. This is why — in Scripture — we’re called the body of Christ. No single Christian is the entire body — all of us together are the body of Christ. Thus we find here a warning. For when a Christian separates him or herself from the church body — who are they actually separating themselves from? The body of who? Christ, right? 

And — listen — there’s not one example — in the entire New Testament — of a solo Christian. There isn’t one example of a Christian who isn’t actively involved in a local church. The Christians in the New Testament are active members in a local church. 

About the only example you could argue would be Paul — or one of his missionary companions — who were out starting new churches where none existed. So there’s your alternative: Be an active member engaged in your local church or we can buy you a one way plane ticket to an Unreached People Group and let you take the gospel to them. 

Come on folks — this is serious — this is dangerous stuff we’re talking about. Abandoning the fellowship of the saints has serious implications for your soul and eternity. And there’s no such thing as “my truth” as to what abandoning the local church means. Are you gathering with us to worship God? Not just showing up — not just making an appearance to serve, or talk to others, and so on…are you part “of us.”

KNOW TRUTH

Additionally…because we’re living in the last hour, we must know the truth. Look with me in verse twenty. 

John writes, But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 

And in verse twenty-six we read, I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. – 1 John 2:20-22, 26-27 (ESV)

John emphasizes this idea of truth because — in the last hour — truth will be attacked. So how do we know the truth? 

First…God’s Word and Spirit teach us truth. Look with me again in verse twenty. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. And in verse twenty-six, I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. – 1 John 2:20-21, 26 (ESV)

John tells his audience that they know the truth — and so can we today — there is truth and it can be known. Additionally, John tells them to have confidence in the truth that’s found both in God’s Word and by God’s Spirit — a confidence coming from them having been anointed by the Holy One. What does that mean?

In other places in the New Testament we see that Christians are anointed with the Holy Spirit when they believe in Jesus. The Spirit of God takes up residence — or lives — in all Christians when they believe. And Jesus has promised us that God’s Spirit will be our Teacher, Helper, and Guide and will remind us of the truth that we’ve believed. And this same Spirit of God is the One who inspired the people who wrote the Bible — like our author John. 

Additionally, the Spirit of God and the Word of God always agree with one another. Thus — the better you know this book — the more God’s Spirit will use the truths in this book to teach and help and guide you as you live the life God’s created you to live. For God — in his amazing grace to us — has given us both the Truth — his Word — and the Power — his Spirit — so we can know with certainty that we believe in his Son and have eternal life.

For this is what God’s Word and Spirit teach us. God’s Word and Spirit teach us that Jesus is the Christ. In verse twenty-two John writes, Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. – 1 John 2:22 (ESV)

If the liars — or the antichrists — deny that Jesus is the Christ — true Christians believe what about Jesus? That he is the Christ, right? And believing that Jesus is the Christ is a truth that comes from God’s Word and Spirit. 

I think of Peter’s words in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus has just asked the disciples who people say that he is, And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 16:14-17 (ESV)

Here’s a test for our faith — a passable test that will increase your confidence in your faith: Who do you say that Jesus is? The true believer will respond with Peter, “You are the Christ — the Son of the living God.” Is this your response?

Finally…God’s Word and Spirit live in us. In verse twenty-seven John writes, But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. – 1 John 2:27 (ESV)

I mentioned this earlier — but don’t forget that God’s Spirit lives in you. And he desires to use God’s Word to shape you, mold you, and perfect you — all so he can use you for God’s glory. But this is only possible if you get his Word in you. 

Sometimes preaching feels like being a broken record — I just keep saying the same things week in and week out — and this is one of those broken record sayings of mine: Get this Word in you. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Share it with others. Pray and ask God to use his Word to change you by the power of his Spirit. Whatever you do — don’t neglect God’s Word.

Practically speaking, this is why we devote a large portion of our worship services to the preaching of God’s Word — because we believe that this is the primary way the Spirit teaches, guides, and leads us as a congregation — by his preached Word. So that — what you hear from God’s Word and Spirit — as you gather with us — will shape you throughout the week. 

This is why we recommend that our Life Groups use the sermon discussion guides our staff put together so that — the preaching of God’s Word is a point of unity for us — something that shapes us as a community — instead of all of us just doing our own thing. And this is why actually gathering together for worship with us is so important. It’s not enough to just make it to one of our campuses — are you joining us to worship God and hear him from his Word? 

I’m so thankful for the many folks who serve here at Gateway — but serving is not a substitute for worshiping with your brothers and sisters. Talking to others in the lobby — and not joining us during the worship service — is not a win — it’s a loss — it’s not unifying — that kind of behavior is divisive — it reveals that something’s wrong in your relationship with us — for you’re not joining us to do the most important activity we do as Christians — worshiping God together. You’re among us — physically — but you’re not part of us — spiritually. For you’re keeping the main reason why the church exists — the corporate worship of God — off your list of priorities even though you’ve made the drive to one of our campuses.

I say this because we’re living in the last hour — and there are antichrists among us. So let’s not neglect the gathering of the saints to worship God for this is when God’s Word and Spirit teach us — as a congregation — the truth that Jesus is the Christ — the Son of the living God. The time of corporate worship is when God’s Word and Spirit strengthen us — not just as individuals — but as the body of Christ.

CONFESS THE FAITH

Finally…Because we’re living in the last hour, we must confess our faith. In verse twenty-two John writes, Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. – 1 John 2:22-25 (ESV)

And what do we confess? We confess that the Son and the Father are One. In verse twenty-three we read, No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. – 1 John 2:23 (ESV)

John makes it clear that to deny the Son — to deny Jesus — is to deny the Father. But — if you confess the Son — you have the Father also. This is what makes Christianity unique — this is what makes Christianity exclusive. To be right with the Father you must go through the Son. But — to deny Jesus — is to oppose God — for God the Father has sent his eternal Son to be the only way of salvation for all people. 

The Westminster Confession is helpful here. It states, In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, having one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. – WCF 2.3

Later it states, The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, is truly the eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father. – WCF 8.2

One God — three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To deny one person is to deny them all. Thus to deny the Son is to deny the Father. So we confess — in these last days — that Jesus and the Father are One. 

Finally…We confess that eternal life is found only through faith in Christ. In verse twenty-four John writes, Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. – 1 John 2:24 (ESV)

And — what John’s readers have “heard from the beginning” — is the gospel — that salvation is found only through a relationship with Jesus — which means that eternal life is found only through faith in Christ. And John tells us that our faith in Christ abides in us — it lives in us — which tells us that our faith is alive and is to be active. 

Faith isn’t something cooped up in our heads — faith is to be lived. The Christian faith isn’t solely intellectual — it transforms not only our minds — but our entire lives. 

For when the truths found in God’s Word unite with God’s Spirit — who lives in us — like water boiling in a tea kettle — the steam of life transformation refuses to be kept bottled up inside of us. For God’s Spirit in us desires that we obey God’s Word — which compels us to live in a way that pleases our Heavenly Father. 

CONCLUSION

Here’s the bottom. We’re living in the last hour and we don’t have time to waste our lives on anything other than being obedient to God’s will — obeying his commands — living for his glory. And we know God’s will by knowing his Word and by depending upon his Holy Spirit who lives in us. 

And my hope and prayer is that all of us would live wisely in these last days — for it is the last hour. And many deceivers are among us — antichrists working for our Enemy — hoping to make us ineffective in our witness as individuals and as a congregation. 

But if we don’t abandon meeting together — and if we know the truth — that Jesus is the Christ — as taught to us by God’s Word and Spirit who live in us — and if we confess the truths of our faith — that the Son and the Father are one — and that eternal life is found solely in Jesus — we will persevere — and we will know — with certainty — that we have eternal life because we believe in the name of the Son of God. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, transform our hearts and minds by reminding us that it is the last hour. Our Enemy is wanting to destroy our witness. And — in knowing this — we ask you to develop within us a desire to live for you more zealously than ever before.

Spirit, empower us to persevere in this last hour by turning to Jesus. May we not abandon the gathering of the saints. Help us to not give into this age of abandonment that we’re living in. May we not cripple this body of saints by our absence.

Spirit, help us to persevere in this last hour by knowing the truth. Help us to grow in our understanding of your Word. Help us to hear you and your words of instruction through the preaching of your Word and by gathering together with fellow believers to discuss your Word. Spirit of God, equip us so we persevere in this last hour by living out our confession of faith. May we confess that the Son and the Father are One and that to deny the Son is to deny the Father. And may we confess that eternal life is found in Christ alone and live according to this truth.

So — Jesus — together we declare that we will obey you, we will follow you, we will not abandon one another — but will love each other — because you’ve first loved us. Thank you for your love for us. In your name we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION

May you persevere as you live in the last hour — going with confidence that your faith in Christ is genuine. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:1-7 (ESV)

DATE: 10-11-20

It’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And the one thing I always want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us in person at our North Main or Bowling Green campuses — or are worshiping with us online — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too. 

SERIES INTRODUCTION

We are continuing our series in the book of Acts this weekend. And — if you’re just joining us — what we’re seeing in Acts are some various barriers that the early Christians had to overcome in order to fulfill the mission that Jesus had given them — the mission of taking the news about him — the gospel — to the whole world.

And we’ve already seen how the early church overcame some potential barriers to their joy. Then we saw how they overcame the barrier of being fearful of persecution. Next, we saw how even men like Barnabas and Paul submitted themselves to a local church as they were called and sent out by the Spirit of God to do a specific task of ministry.

And — last week — we saw the importance of knowing our Bible — and particularly — knowing our biblical history — the stories of God’s faithfulness to his people as we find throughout the Bible. But today, we’re going to discover something else we glean from God’s Word — there’s something more for us to know beyond the facts and the stories of history found in the Bible. And that is — what’s called in our verses — the word of grace. So let’s discover what this word of grace is and why it’s important by turning to our passage for today.

ANNOUNCE THE TEXT

If you have your Bible please turn with me to Acts chapter 14. We’ll be looking at verses 1-7. We’re in Acts chapter 14. Beginning in verse 1. 

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:1-7 ESV)

SERMON INTRODUCTION

Before we look at the word of grace, I first want to point out the obvious — something obvious in our verses for today but also obvious from what we’ve already seen in Acts — and the obvious is that we will face opposition. 

We see the opposition Paul and Barnabas faced in verses 2 and 5 and the results of the opposition in verse 4. 

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers…(the results?) But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. (And more opposition.) 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them… (Acts 14:2, 4-5 ESV)

So we have this war going on — a battle between Paul and Barnabas and the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. And it’s not the kind of war we typically think of for this is a spiritual war of words. 

Now — before we get to what happens — here in Acts — I want us to think about how we respond to people who we disagree with. Now — maybe this isn’t how you respond — but — generally speaking — what’s the default position of many in our country when it comes to disagreements? 

Well I’ll tell you what it seems to be. “Oh, we disagree on this? Well that means I’ll just reject everything else you say as well.” It’s as if upon hearing the slightest of disagreements with someone else that we begin to stuff our fingers into our ears and stop listening to the other person. 

Now — and I don’t want to go down a rabbit trail — so I’ll just mention this briefly. But the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma — well — if you haven’t watched it yet — go watch it. But here’s why I bring it up. The documentary reveals how social media — and my guess is that the rules apply beyond social media — the documentary reveals how companies use algorithms to manipulate all of us with the content we consume on the internet. 

And one of the startling connections is between the political polarization in our country — how we have few moderates these days — how more and more people are to the far left or far right — there’s radical polarization in our country and an inability to have civil discourse with those we disagree with — and this polarization has a direct link with social media and our smartphones. 

The algorithms — these companies use — figure out what kind of content will keep us glued to our screens — which is how the companies make money — so they keep feeding us content — to consume — they feed you content that will keep you on their site — and that content isn’t necessary true — but it reinforces our extreme views. And we all need to wake up to this. Why?

Because we no longer know how to disagree with each other — just look at the political debates going on in our country. Are we not embarrassed at how — because one of these men will be our next president — are we not embarrassed at how these men have acted on the debate floor? 

And yet — the culture we live in thrives on this kind of polarization — this kind of talking over one another and interrupting one another and putting each other down — instead of talking about things that matter. And — again — websites thrive on this. So do the news channels that you watch — regardless if it’s Fox or CNN. And this has all resulted in us pitting one group of people against another group of people. 

And what we now have is a clash of extreme worldviews that’s only exacerbated by the racial tensions going on in our country, COVID-19, and the presidential election. 

But — as followers of Jesus — we’re to step out of this culture that thrives on conflict and putting down the other guy. And we’re to show people an alternative to rejecting others simply because we have a differing opinion. Why? Because we cannot allow these things that are polarizing the people in our country to be a barrier for us accomplishing what Jesus has called us to. And our primary mission is to proclaim a word of grace to the world. 

And — yet — we do so knowing that the message we have is a message that will be rejected by many people and yet we’re commanded to love them even if and when they reject our message. Thus we’re to live in a polarized culture knowing that our message will be met with mockery and rejection even as we continue to show those who mock and reject us what it means that God loves them and that we — God’s people — love them to. 

TWO WORDS OF OPPOSITION

So we know that — as God’s people — we know that we’re in a spiritual war — but we can’t forget that it’s also a war of words. And the word we have is the word of grace. But — before we look at it — I thought it’d be helpful for us to recognize two words of opposition that we face.

The two words of opposition — we face — are the word of the world and the word of religion. And both of these words oppose the word of grace — the gospel — that we’ve been called to proclaim.

What is the word of the world? Well — in many ways — I’ve already covered this. It’s the polarization going on in our country. It’s the idea that — if we disagree — we cut each other off. You insult them. You cancel them. You do everything you can to make them look incompetent. And — if that fails — you flat out attack them with below the belt verbal punches. 

The word of the world is a godless word — it’s a jealous word. Jealousy runs deep in our culture as we constantly compare ourselves and our accomplishments to others. In our verses in Acts, we see the word of the world in how the Gentile leaders in the town stir up opposition against Paul and his companions — even to the point of being willing to take their lives.

That’s the word of the world.

Now the word of religion is a bit different — but kind of the same. We see Paul encounter the word of religion through the Jewish people in Iconium — and in most of the places he travels. This word is just as godless as the word of the world, but it clothes itself in religion making itself appear to be holy and righteous when it’s unholy and unrighteous. 

Almost always, the word of religion is a word of works based righteousness. Where what you do is what makes you right with God. It’s where morality is taught — “here are the right behaviors” — as if a person can change the way they live without first being changed by God. 

It’s a therapeutic word — meaning — it gives a false sense of peace to those whose consciences should be shaken so they awaken to their need for a Savior. And it’s a word that acts as if God exists but is not concerned with what’s going on in the world today. He’s the big man up in the sky — not a personal God who is involved in our lives and in his creation. 

And this kind of religious word has been prevalent in our country for decades. But it’s not the message of grace — the message of the gospel that we’re called to proclaim — though the word of religion has often been confused with the gospel. 

And here’s the crazy thing about the word of religion. It’s a jealous word — just like the word of the world. This kind of religious jealousy can be found in churches who see other churches as competition rather than as on the same side of this spiritual war we’re in. 

And both of these words — the word of the world and the word of religion — both of these words oppose the gospel because people who hold either of these words despise being confronted by their sin. Two biblical examples. When John the baptist confronted Herod about his sin with his brother’s wife — well — John ended up with his head on a platter. That’s the word of the world. And when Jesus confronted the Pharisees — well — the Pharisees had Jesus killed. That’s the word or religion.

And both of these words will oppose us because they’re fearful of who and what God’s people represent. For we are sent out to represent Christ to the world and we can’t forget what Jesus told us. For he said, ““If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 

21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”

And here’s a sobering thing to remember — especially with the season our country is in. Some who speak the word of the world and the word of religion will oppose us because of political pressure. When John the baptist was killed, it was partly due to Herod wanting to save face in front of a variety of political folks who were at the party he was throwing. The Pharisees used their influence to persuade those in political power to have Barabbas released instead of Jesus — resulting in Jesus’ execution. 

And I give this sobering reminder because none of us are beyond being influenced by politics in ways that put us in opposition to the mission Jesus has given us to accomplish. That goes for those of us who are registered Democrats and those of us who are registered Republicans. All political parties are influenced by sin — including your party. And all political parties speak words that are in opposition to the message of grace that we’ve been entrusted with. 

Thus we should be very careful in showing such strong allegiance to a political party — for — our allegiance to Christ must always come first. And we must be careful to not be deceived by the words of religion and the world so that we believe Christ is for our party and against the other. I think God’s relationship with our political parties is like when Joshua ran into the commander of the Lord’s army — in Joshua 5. Joshua asks the man, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” And the commander says, “No.” I — think — if God’s people were really listening today and if we were brave enough to ask, “God, are you for my political party or are you for the other one?” We’d hear him say, “No. That’s the wrong question. The question is are you for me or are you for your political party?” 

That’s the war we’re caught up in — a war of words — a war where we will face opposition.  

So how should we respond to this opposition? How should we respond to those who oppose us by speaking the word of the world or the word of religion? 

First, we shouldn’t be surprised. Opposition isn’t new. It isn’t strange. In fact, opposition is normal. What’s not normal is for God’s people to think they’re living in a time of peace when they’re living in a time of war. So don’t be surprised by the opposition.

Second, be calm. The opposition displays outrage and anger and we’re not to fight their outrage and anger with our own. And — yet — all too often this is where we find ourselves. If you listen to our podcast, we recently did an episode on a book titled Unoffendable and in the episode I mentioned that anger isn’t one of the fruit of the Spirit — not even righteous anger. God’s people haven’t been given the command to be angry — we’ve been commanded to love — even to love our enemies — even those who oppose us. So, stay calm.

Third, there will be times when we need to repent. Sometimes the opposition makes a point that hurts — but is true. Many in our country don’t respect Christians and — if we’re honest — many don’t respect us because we’ve earned their disrespect. And we should repent of our behavior. 

Sometimes we’re called hypocrites and our response should be, “You’re right.” Words of repentance are an often unused — but powerful weapon — in this war we find ourselves in.

And, finally, keep loving one another. When we face opposition from the outside, it’s easy to be tempted to turn against one another on the inside. And this year has been full of reasons for us to turn against each other and — yet — each of these reasons is also an opportunity for us to practice loving one another — to grow closer together — instead of turning against each other. Thus as we face opposition, we must be determined to not turn against each other, but instead show the world that we are Jesus’ disciples. For as he said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

THE WORD OF GRACE

So those are the words of opposition — the word of the world and the word of religion and how we’re to respond to both. And now we turn to the word of grace. This is our word — the word we proclaim. Let’s begin back in verse 1.

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:1-7 ESV)

So let’s talk about this word of grace that we’re to be witnesses of. Three observations about our word.

First, what we say matters. What we say matters. In verse 3 we read that they “bore witness to the word of his grace.” So what is the word of grace? 

The word of grace is another name for the gospel. The Good News. We see this connection in verse 7 where “they continued to preach the gospel.” The gospel is the good news that God saves sinners. Paul explains it this way to Christians living in the city of Corinth. He writes, “Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you — unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 

Paul basically tells them, “If you believed in the gospel you better still be believing it now.” Meaning, don’t abandon the gospel as if there’s something else for you to move on to now that you’re a Christian. Christians are saved by the gospel, are being saved by the gospel, and will be saved by the gospel for all eternity. Stick to this word of grace. Don’t abandon it for another word — that of the world or of religion. For if you do, your belief in the gospel was never true to begin with. So — Paul says — the gospel is the Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you. And here’s that message.

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”

This is the message of grace — the gospel — in its simplest form. And — this is great news for all of us — because our message isn’t about us or how remarkable or awesome we are. As it’s been said, “That I have something to say is not a personal achievement. I have something to say because I am a Christian.” And you and I are Christians — not because of something we’ve accomplished. We’re Christians because of what Christ accomplished. 

So the word we have to share isn’t about us, but is about Christ. And — this word about Christ — is what the world needs to hear from us. Meaning if your social media pages are filled more with political stuff, or COVID stuff, or racial stuff instead of the gospel — then you’re spreading the wrong word. Does the sheer quantity of what you post show that you’re primarily committed to the word of grace or to another word?

Now — for many of us — this word about Christ excites us. You love to tell others about Jesus and I’m so thankful for you. Your words show what your heart truly loves. But for others of us, for some reason, we get all afraid about telling others about Jesus. And — first — know that I so sympathize with you because I can relate to this. And — second — though I can relate — this makes absolutely no sense to me — which is why I wonder about this in my own life. Because there are so many things we’re not afraid to talk about. 

Our political opinions. Our favorite sports team and why you should be a fan. If we like a movie, we tell someone about it. Same with our favorite podcast or a new recipe we love. And we know that — when we share these things — we know that not everyone is going to agree with us. For example, you may love that fish recipe but if you share it with me you will see a grossed out face because I do not eat seafood. Period. It’s not up for debate. You’re not going to convince me. And you Ohio State fans know you’re not going to convince Jon McKanna — our North Main campus pastor — to abandon his love for the Wolverines. 

But isn’t it crazy how we’re still willing to talk about politics or sports teams or recipes — even though we know we’ll face those who disagree with us — and yet we often give into fear — this barrier — of someone disagreeing with us when it comes to sharing the word of grace with them?

And what’s most likely the biggest barrier to sharing the word of grace — of sharing the gospel with others — is feeling unprepared to do so. And do you know what the solution to being unprepared is? To get prepared. Listen to the apostle Peter’s words. He told Christians living in a culture hostile to their faith, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that you have. But make sure the words you use — in making your defense — are words that are gentle and respectful — not like the words of the world and religion. 

Which leads us to a second point about the word of grace that we’re to be witnesses of. And that is this:  the way we speak matters. The way we speak matters. How did Paul and his companions speak? In verse 1 we read that they “spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” And in verse 3 we read that they spoke “boldly for the Lord.” The words we speak matter but we can’t dismiss the importance of our delivery. 

Now you may hear all of this “speaking with boldness” and think, “This sounds great!” Maybe you’re more of an extrovert type. Or you may think, “This sounds like my worst nightmare!” And you’re more of an introvert. To my fellow introverts, listen to what author Adam McHugh writes. 

“Introverted seekers need introverted evangelists. It’s not that extroverts can’t communicate the gospel, either verbally or nonverbally, in ways that introverts find appealing, it’s that introverted seekers need to know and see that it’s possible to lead the Christian life as themselves. It’s imperative for them to understand that becoming a Christian is not tantamount with becoming an extrovert.”

What we say matters. How we say it matters. And, finally, what we do matters. What we do — in addition to what we say — matters. We find this in verse 3 where we read that signs and wonders were done by the hands of those who were speaking. Now — we don’t have time to talk about the miraculous in this sermon — whether or not signs and wonders are something to be expected today. But what I want us all to notice is that the signs and wonders — in and of themselves — weren’t convincing enough to get the opponents to believe. But the words we speak must be accompanied by action. Why? 

Because our actions prove that the message we proclaim — the message of grace — has changed us — has made us different from those who don’t believe the message. And this change is seen through what we say and what we do.

We’ve already mentioned some of the change that the gospel brings into our lives once it’s been believed. Instead of being offendable, God’s people allow God’s Spirit to work in them an unoffendability. Instead of being angry, we’re kind. Instead of being greedy, we’re generous. Instead of being selfish, we look out for the interests of others. Instead of demanding our own way, we ask, “What does love require of me?” Instead of being timid and afraid, we speak boldly the word of grace to a world that needs to hear it — and we speak knowing that we do so entering into a war of words.

CONCLUSION

We’re all living in a world at war — a spiritual war of words. A world that rejects those with whom they disagree. Who talk about — instead of talk to — those who have a different opinion. 

We live in a world that’s slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to get angry — though James told us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.” 

And — yet — there’s one final part to this story I don’t want us to miss. Because we may hear all of this talk about speaking boldly in the face of opposition and feel like losers. Did you notice what Paul and the others do when they hear news that people in the city are out to get them? They flee. Paul and the others leave Iconium and flee to some other cities. 

What’s up with that? Were they acting cowardly by running away? Possibly. Were they acting with common sense knowing that people were going to cause them harm? Again, the answer is possibly. 

There’s much we don’t know — but here’s something we do know. We know that fleeing from the city — leaving the city to go out into the wilderness — was also a kind of suffering. 

The trip from Iconium to Lystra and Derbe was most likely very hard and unpleasant. They would’ve travelled through a cold, poorly watered landscape with very few trees for protection from the elements. And this journey was over 25 miles long.

All that to say that they weren’t fleeing from conflict to a place of comfort. They weren’t fleeing from opposition to a warm bed with a roof over their head. Their commitment to the gospel — the word of grace being proclaimed to the ends of the earth — caused them to leave one conflict only to face a different kind of barrier. Yet Paul and his companions refused to let any barrier keep them from proclaiming the word of grace that had been entrusted to them. 

And — like them — we’re to be people who are committed to proclaiming the word of grace — the gospel — no matter the barriers we face. Whether that be the barrier of the word of the world or the word of religion. Whether that be the barrier of our own fears of the opposition or people within the church who oppose us. 

We are — together — to prepare ourselves now — so we’re “always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope we have” — hope we have because of the word we have believed in — a word we’ve been entrusted with to proclaim to the world. The word of grace. Let’s pray. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word of grace. The gospel. The Good News that Christ has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Help us to believe your Word, trust your Word, obey your Word, and be devoted to proclaiming your Word above all other words.

Jesus, thank you for your commitment to the word of grace — a commitment that cost you your life. May we — who have believed — respond with a renewed commitment to live for you and for your word. May the word that we’re most known for be the word of grace. May your word of grace be what others hear out of our mouths and see on our social media feeds. May there be no doubt in what word we are committed to — your word of grace.

Finally, Spirit of God, give us wisdom and discernment in knowing when we’re confusing the word of the world or religion with the word of grace. We know we won’t always get it right, so show us when we’re wrong and may we respond in humble repentance. Help us to always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope we have. And help us to speak your word in a way that is gentle and respectful — in a way that demonstrates to others that you and we love them. 

And for any who desire to respond to your word of grace today — Father, Son, and Spirit — may you show them your love, shower them with your grace, call them to repentance, and give them life. And we pray all of these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION 

May you always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you have — ready to share with them the word of grace. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.