(Text Only)
Title: “No, no dig up, stupid!”
v1 “What then shall we say…”
At this point Paul moves his focus back to the Jewish believers in Rome. We understand this because of the inclusive use of the words “we” and “our.”
Point: In your sphere of influence, look for areas of inclusion. Your life experiences are a wonderful resource for your ministry. Nothing as quite as powerful in your sharing when you can listen to the story of someone who is hurting, who is doubting, who has little or no hope, and you can put both your hands on their shoulders and say, “Brother, sister, I have been there. There is hope!”
v1 “Abraham our father…”
This is a very bold move for Paul. As his teaching now moves to back to the Jewish believers in the Church of Rome, he makes an appeal to the father of the Jewish faith, Abraham himself. Paul is going to use Abraham as his test case for Justification by faith alone. If Paul can prove that Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith, was justified before God not on works, but by faith, he will help the Jews see how they have missed the point of the Law, he will be correcting their faith, and strengthening their walk with Christ.
V2-3 (read)
Normally, I wouldn’t have us read a full three verses in one sweep like that, but I want us to look closely at what Paul does, and how he teaches using the word.
1. He presents the incorrect concept. (Verse 2)
-That Abraham was justified by his works
2. He appeals to Scripture (verse 3)
-Genesis 15:6 “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
3. He comes to the Biblical conclusion.
-If you live believing your works make your right with God, that work doesn’t earn you grace, in fact, it earns you debt before God.
This brings us to the somewhat odd title our this morning’s sermon. (Simpsons example of digging the hole and getting trapped in it. Homer: No, no! Dig up, stupid!)
This is us if we think we work to our salvation. We are in a hole we’ve dug, and decided the only way out is to “dig up.”
Paul’s entire arguement rests on what the Scriptures teach. If tries to use this passage incorectly, he’ll be called to the floor. Why? Because his audience knows the scriptures! He can’t quote or use them incorrectly. That is my prayer every time I man this pulpit. I want your understanding of scripture to be so sound that if I try to weave the truth into what I want it to say, your “anti-truth” sensor will go off and you will call me to further explanation and if I can’t give it I command you to rebuke my false teaching.
However, if I can show you through scripture where your understanding is incomplete or lacking, then, as your pastor, I command you to renounce your doctrine that is steeped in tradition, or personal flavor, or laziness and to submit to what the scriptures say!
We need to use this simple model when we are teaching others, espeically non believers.
Example:
Non believer: “I think Jesus was a cool guy, he taught some good social rhetoric, but I’m not sure that all those other people are wrong for not believing that Jesus was the Son of God.”
(Step One: Present the Incorrect Concept)
You: “So if I am hearing you correctly, you’re doubting if Christ really is the only way to Heaven? Let’s look at what the Bible says.”
(Step Two: Go to the Word)
You: John 14:6 “You see here Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life nobody comes to God except through me’”
(Step Three: The Biblical Conclusion)
You: “Christ makes it pretty clear that He’s the only way to heaven. What you have to wrestle with is this: Do you believe Him?”
Close:
Now, to close, let’s look at an example that Paul himself may have had to deal with in his time. Everyone turn in your bibles to James 2:20-24 (read).
Brother Paul, I’m confused. We here in Rome have read brother James work. His was written before you, and he’s the head of the Christian Church in Jerusalem and doesn’t James tell us that Abraham was justified by his works?
Step One: You believe that Abraham was justified by his works.
Step Two: Let’s go to the word.
James entire point is in verse 20. Faith without works is dead! And read verse 22. The works of Abraham were a result of his faith. His faith was proved because he did what he said he believed. The “works” that James refers to in verse 24 are works that are the natural fruit of a faith in Christ. And, if you’ve read my book to the Ephesians, you’ll recognize I’m big on one’s fruit being a demonstration of what they believe.
Step Three: What shall we say then? There is one conclusion: Godly faith must produce Godly works. If you have no works, your faith is dead. But those works must come from that faith, if they come from anywhere else you are in a 50 ft. deep hole. Trying to get out, by digging up.