Trinity Reformed Baptist Church

In Romans 1.18-32, Idolatry is the main theme in Paul’s description of the decline of humanity. Although ancient idolatry is difficult to understand, the assertion can be made that today’s society is the most idolatrous in the history of mankind, even though it presents itself in a different disguise. For Paul, idolatry was a profound theological disorder, the root of all evil. Idolatry is not an ignorance of God, but a willful suppression of the true knowledge of God. However, because man is incorrigibly religious, the Creator must be exchanged for something created. This begins with the rejection of God’s glory and the failure to honor God, followed by false worship and the perversion of understanding. This is the sequence we are seeing in our culture today. However, the final event is not man’s freedom from God, but his abandonment by God. As it is written “Therefore God gave them over...for they exchanged the truth of God for a lie”

Verse 17 is one of the most powerful verses in all of scripture. For in it, “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. The righteous by faith will live.” Unfortunately, the word “faith” that set Luther on fire, has become synonymous with spiritless intellectual belief, blind trust, passivity and an excuse for non-obedience. However, Luther never understood “faith” as being anything other than a non-meritorious means by which the believer (continually) receives the revealed righteousness of God. Luther wrote that “There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith.” The key here is that faith, like everything else, is a “gift” of God. Faith is not the basis of righteousness but the means of its reception. God gives the believer righteousness, and faith receives it as a gift. This reflects the prayer of Augustine: “Lord, command what You will, give what You command”. Everything that God requires, He first gives.

It seems to me, that Romans 1:3 and 1:4 refer to the same Jesus and are a single syntactical unit. The relationship between the verses is not a contrast between two persons, but two modes or phases of the one Son’s existence, expressed through parallel clauses. The contrast is between vs 3: “according to the flesh” and vs 4: “according to the Spirit of holiness.” These are not two identities but a dual description of the same Son (human vs divine nature). Vs 3 emphasizes historical descent, messianic lineage and incarnation. Vs 4 emphasizes resurrection, exaltation, power and authority. Jesus does not become a different person in v.4 nor does He become the Son only at the resurrection. The resurrection marks a transition in status and manifestation, not identity. The identity of Jesus is constant, His mode of existence changes. The purpose of Paul in vs.3-4 is to set the incarnation and resurrection within a historical context. This unified identity becomes the foundation for verse 5.

I am so encouraged by this message. Thanks

Thank you for preaching on this debated text and giving your reasons for including it in your sermon series. I recently used John MacArthur’s sermons to study the Gospel of John and when he reached John 7.53-8.11 he refused to preach on this text. His reasons were basically what you gave in your discussion about the absence of ancient manuscripts that include this section of John. I personally think this is a mistake. This passage has a beauty and depth that equals many of the other parts of John’s gospel. It is firmly grounded in biblical law, which Jesus never violated, and it expresses the wisdom, compassion and mercy of our beloved Lord Jesus. Whether it is a late addition to the Gospel or not I don’t think anyone will ever know for sure. However, God will certainly not hold anyone guilty of preaching these verses because the glory of God shines brightly in every word.

Free-will has finally clicked for me from this explanation. God is infinite, we are finite and creaturely, therefore our volitional capacity is limited. Our ability to choose does not compare like that of the Creator. God is creator of all things, including faith to believe/choose. We will make human nature decisions because that is all we have the capacity to do.

This was very helpful. Thank you for posting these sessions from the conference there. Tom Hicks has really helped me think through many issues related to theonomy and CN, and I am sure he has helped many others also.

Brother Paul is one those pastors who always has the ability/gift to speak to my heart !

God bless Connie’s family and thank you Pastor for sharing the Gospel to those present for I pray any unsaved will realize their need for Jesus in their life.

Solid exposition, applicable and helpful

Thank you for reminding us we walk by faith, not site.

This is a very timely treatment of a subject easily taken for misuse and hypocritical abuse of Christians. Thanks be to God for your faithful exposition. I will borrow liberally, with attribution, for the benefit of my SS class.

This sermon puts into perspective how Christians should react to authorities even when they act as ungodly people. We will have a difficult 3 years and must study our Bible even more.

Brother John does an excellent job showing the importance of truly knowing Jesus Christ more every day. Studying the Bible brings up closer to Jesus Christ and strengthens us more as we get to know Him more. Reading and studying about Jesus Christ should be part of our daily life -- will give us so much enjoyment as we grow in Him.

Powerful. This blessed me mightily. Thank you.