WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.240 So Romans chapter 3 verses 1 through 8 will be our text today. 00:00:05.620 --> 00:00:13.220 ! My hope for this morning is to keep my comments brief, as I know many of us have good post-church plans, 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:20.460 and so we're going to get right into it. But I do want to say, as I was joking about rebuking fathers, 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:27.019 that I am generally and largely encouraged by the fathers of our church. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:32.920 It doesn't go unnoticed that you men are working hard to lead your families well. 00:00:33.259 --> 00:00:41.179 We always have improving to do, certainly things that could be addressed, but broadly I just want to say, 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:48.079 keep it up. Keep pressing. Rely on the grace of God to parent well in your homes. 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:53.939 So we're going to continue in Romans chapter 3. I have a sabbatical plan for July, and Lord willing, 00:00:53.939 --> 00:01:00.599 we will finish Romans chapter 3 before I leave for that. And so today we're going to look at the first eight verses. 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:07.560 Before I read them, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us, that it was written for his glory and for our good. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:14.319 And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:15.819 And Paul writes, 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:22.039 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:28.899 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 00:01:29.899 --> 00:01:35.119 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:46.120 By no means. Let God be true, though everyone were a liar, as it is written, that you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:51.800 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? 00:01:52.540 --> 00:01:57.500 That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? I speak in a human way. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:01.620 By no means. For then how could God judge the world? 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:08.280 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:11.379 And why not do evil that good may come? 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:14.920 As some people slanderously charge us with saying, 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:18.460 Their condemnation is just. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:30.400 In today's text, Paul anticipates and responds to three potential objections to the doctrine he has taught in chapters 1 and 2 of his letter to the Romans. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:37.840 Paul has a wonderful way of doing this all throughout this letter, as we'll see again and again. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:45.819 And just coming to the first occasion of it, right, his anticipation of objections to what he's saying, 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:51.819 it just causes me to pause and consider the grace given to such a man as Paul. 00:02:51.819 --> 00:03:00.560 His unique ethnic background, his training in the scriptures, and his intellect and ability to write. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:11.620 I just hope for a moment you can appreciate, too, Paul himself and the way that God used him as he's laying out this treatise on the Christian faith. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:17.060 He's in his own mind going, oh, people aren't going to like this, and I know exactly what they're going to say, 00:03:17.140 --> 00:03:20.500 and more than likely had experienced these objections. 00:03:21.140 --> 00:03:27.219 And so he's answering them right here in the text for his original readers and for us. 00:03:28.480 --> 00:03:35.480 Moreover, his anticipation of objections causes me to pause at the grace given to us, 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:39.699 as we have the opportunity to study this letter together. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:44.120 God is just truly gracious to his people. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:52.120 I'm thankful for the clarity of the Bible and the labors of its writers moved by the Spirit 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:57.899 to help us to rightly understand all that's necessary for life and godliness. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:07.099 So, in a sweeping summary fashion, there's a bit of me that wants to totally go through chapter 1 and 2 again 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:12.900 to help you understand why Paul will bring up these matters, but we can't do it with great length. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:20.639 So, in a sweeping way, let's think together what Paul has taught so far that might elicit some objections. 00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:25.639 Let's do so by reading a selection of verses from chapter 1 and 2, 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:29.439 and you may want to flip back pages and follow along with me. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:35.279 We do well to begin with Romans chapter 1, verse 16 and 17. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:40.339 I have said this is the thesis statement for the entirety of the letter. 00:04:40.539 --> 00:04:41.240 There Paul says, 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:47.800 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, 00:04:48.099 --> 00:04:51.060 to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:57.060 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 00:04:57.240 --> 00:05:00.500 the righteous shall live by faith. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:07.340 Paul is proud of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:13.220 Not the law, but this good news of Jesus Christ. 00:05:13.220 --> 00:05:20.380 This power is not limited to Jewish people only, those of Jewish descent, 00:05:20.580 --> 00:05:25.700 but it is also efficacious for other ethnic groups as well. 00:05:26.080 --> 00:05:33.640 The Jew first and also to the Greek would have been a broad extension of the gospel to all peoples. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:39.979 And we see in just these two verses that we are saved by grace alone, 00:05:40.219 --> 00:05:44.399 through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:48.599 This is the total theme of the book of Romans. 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:50.219 So he lays it out quick. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:53.959 He's really unpacking the argument found in these two verses 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:58.079 all throughout the rest of the letter with their implications. 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:03.079 So he goes on, Romans chapter 2, verse 12 and 13. 00:06:03.359 --> 00:06:04.120 Here he says, 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:09.699 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:13.240 He's there talking about those who are non-Jewish people, 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.939 who weren't aware, didn't have the Torah. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:21.639 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:23.699 Verse 13, chapter 2, 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:26.819 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:30.680 but the doers of the law who will be justified. 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:32.800 Declared righteous before God. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:36.319 Those who perfectly keep the law. 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:40.279 And he's established at great length through the last half of chapter 1 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:44.139 and into the beginning of chapter 2 and on to its end 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:47.659 that no one has kept the law perfectly. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:52.399 Next week's text, he's going to continue to drive that very point. 00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:56.740 You must keep the law with perfection in order to be justified. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.759 We have justified before God and we can't. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:02.019 And it leaves us in a great problem. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.620 Romans chapter 2, verse 25. 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:06.439 There he says, 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:10.920 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:15.620 But if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:20.360 So if you have Jewish ethnicity, if you've been circumcised, 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:25.079 it's of value to you if you have perfectly kept the rest of the law. 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:28.779 But if you have not, then it becomes uncircumcision, 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:31.719 as if you're not God's people. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:34.079 Skip down to verse 28. 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:35.459 There he says, 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:39.819 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:43.120 nor is circumcision outward and physical. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:45.779 But a Jew is one inwardly, 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:49.379 and circumcision is a matter of the heart by the Spirit, 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:50.719 not by the letter. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:54.780 However, his praise is not from man, but from God. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:08:00.300 And this is what leads him here to the beginning of chapter 3. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:02.260 To begin with the question then, 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:06.160 what advantage has the Jew? 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.560 Is there any advantage of all? 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:09.460 If circumcision is a matter of the heart, 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.800 then is there any advantage? 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:16.040 And Paul here, as the great apostle to the Gentiles, 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:20.259 will take up this defense of the Jewish nation 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:23.180 quite regularly throughout this letter, 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:27.180 as he's arguing that the gospel goes beyond just ethnic Israel. 00:08:27.340 --> 00:08:28.080 He'll also say, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:31.720 but let's not forget about the Jews. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:36.659 So the three potential objections that Paul anticipates 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:39.399 and responds to are as follows. 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:44.399 Has Paul offended God's people? 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:45.480 That's number one. 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:48.720 Has Paul offended God's people? 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:49.699 And I mean that broadly. 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:51.159 Certainly individuals were offended, 00:08:51.319 --> 00:08:52.079 but I mean broadly. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:57.360 Is he speaking antagonistically against the Jewish people? 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:02.019 Secondly, has Paul offended God's promises? 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:07.899 And thirdly, has Paul offended God's holiness? 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:11.799 He knows his readers, at least his initial ones, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:14.379 well enough to think these are the kinds of questions 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:16.919 that are going to come to their mind. 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:20.039 Let me just go ahead and address them. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:25.079 So firstly, has Paul offended God's people? 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:27.639 He says, then what advantage has the Jew? 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.480 Or what is the value of circumcision? 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:33.480 It's as if he is saying, 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:35.019 you will say to me then, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.799 which he actually says later on in the letter. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.720 But Paul, people might say, 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:44.279 the Jewish people are God's people. 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:47.100 What do you mean a Jew is one inwardly 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:50.199 and circumcision is a matter of the heart? 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:54.759 Jews, after all, are an ethnic group. 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:59.419 They're descendants of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:02.319 The ones to whom the promise came. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:06.159 Abraham, the recipient of the grand promise of God 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:08.439 to make a mighty nation of his descendants, 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:11.179 is their forefather, right? 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.079 They saw themselves as those descendants. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:17.620 That promise of God. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:20.059 Their mind may have gone, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.059 as Jewish readers, 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:23.559 to all sorts of texts. 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:26.039 Let me just give you two. 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:29.860 Deuteronomy 10, verse 14 and 15. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.719 Behold, to the Lord your God 00:10:32.719 --> 00:10:34.899 belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.959 the earth with all that is in it. 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:39.959 Yet the Lord set his heart in love 00:10:39.959 --> 00:10:40.860 on your fathers 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.980 and chose their offspring after them. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:45.679 You above all peoples, 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:48.959 as you are this day. 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:51.500 But wait, Paul. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:54.879 Well, isn't our ethnicity significant 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:58.059 in God's plan for his people? 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.059 Elsewhere, Psalm 78, verse 5 and following. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:04.720 There it says, 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:06.899 God established a testimony in Jacob 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:08.779 and appointed a law in Israel, 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:10.700 which he commanded our fathers 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:11.820 to teach their children, 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.340 that the next generation might know them, 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.600 the children yet unborn, 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.580 and arise and tell them to their children, 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:20.059 so that they should set their hope in God 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.659 and not forget the works of God, 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:24.259 but keep his commandments. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.539 A thing that has been established 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.979 to be passed on from generation 00:11:27.979 --> 00:11:29.559 to generation to generation. 00:11:29.719 --> 00:11:30.879 Are you saying now 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:33.979 that's of no value at all? 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.959 And of course, Paul says, 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:38.019 no. 00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:40.839 Does the Jew have an advantage? 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.759 Yes, he says in the beginning of verse 2. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:46.079 Much in every way. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:48.220 And then he gives us one 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:50.220 and the most significant advantage. 00:11:50.400 --> 00:11:51.480 To begin with, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.820 the Jews were entrusted 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:56.620 with the oracles of God. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.980 This is an advantage 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.259 to ethnic Israel. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.600 Paul will develop this case 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.840 further throughout his letter, 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:06.680 but he begins significantly 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.139 with this, 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:12.000 entrusting with the oracles of God. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:15.240 An incredibly significant thing. 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:18.060 The word here translated oracles 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:20.299 is a diminutive of the word logos, 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:23.100 which is often translated word. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.000 This diminutive form 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.379 emphasizes the supernatural nature 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:30.779 of what they have been entrusted with. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.259 So the point he's saying 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.580 is that it is an inspired word. 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.879 It's a miraculous thing 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:40.259 that they have this word of God. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.399 Oracles makes it feel rather mystic. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.679 Greek. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.340 I'm not sure it's the word 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.340 I would have chosen, 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:49.019 but I'm also not a Greek scholar. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:52.220 But it has that sense to it, 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.539 this form of that word, 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.779 that it's a miracle. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.319 It's an incredible thing 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:59.699 that men were carried along 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.579 by the Spirit 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:02.179 to give to them 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:05.100 the Old Testament scriptures. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:08.079 They had the Old Testament, 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:10.240 all of which designed 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.879 to point them to this coming Messiah, 00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:15.960 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.879 They had the very utterance of God 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.080 for their benefit. 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.539 They were taught it. 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.460 From babies, 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.419 they were told, 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:24.779 like, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.960 look for this Messiah, 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.440 for this Christ. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:29.539 They were told to put their faith 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:31.460 in the future hope 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.519 that Christ would bring. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.980 Now, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.539 how can I know 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.279 that Paul is referring 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.439 to what we call 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:39.279 the Old Testament, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.919 which is not what it had been called 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:42.460 in his day? 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.960 Bear with me for just a moment 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.240 and I'll show you. 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.939 I want you to have a confidence 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:50.159 in the canonicity 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.039 of the Old Testament. 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.480 This is what Jewish people 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:55.159 held as their scripture. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.839 So, 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.639 Jesus validated 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:59.019 the Old Testament's inspiration 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:00.039 by quoting from 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.519 all three sections, 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.000 the Law, 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:02.740 the Prophets, 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.259 and the Writings. 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:06.039 You can see this in Luke 24, 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.139 verse 44. 00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:09.639 He endorsed the inspiration 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.339 and authority 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.360 of the Old Testament 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.259 in detail. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.179 Matthew 5, 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:17.279 verse 17 and 18. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.899 What is he specifically talking about? 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.100 Well, 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.559 we have a significant clue 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:24.319 that the Bible of Jesus' day 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.200 was our Old Testament. 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:29.460 And we find it in Luke 11, 00:14:29.760 --> 00:14:31.620 and verse 49. 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.379 I invite you to join me there 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.760 if you would like to. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.720 Certainly don't have to. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.620 Well, I drink water. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.580 Luke 11, 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.440 verse 49. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.200 There Jesus says, 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:52.060 Therefore, 00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:54.879 also the wisdom of God said, 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:56.720 I will send them prophets 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.940 and apostles, 00:14:58.540 --> 00:15:00.160 some of whom they will kill 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:01.420 and persecute, 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:02.600 so that the blood 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.660 of all the prophets 00:15:03.660 --> 00:15:04.820 shed from the foundation 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.420 of the world 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.420 may be charged 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:08.620 against this generation. 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:08.920 So, 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.620 pause for a second. 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:11.340 This is the point 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.360 of what he's doing here 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.620 in this text, 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.879 is he's placing 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.860 the guilt 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.420 of the persecution 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.160 of the apostles 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.079 on the generation 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.559 that he's speaking to. 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:20.759 So, 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.159 the primary thing 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.500 he's doing is that. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.719 But then he says something 00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:25.679 very interesting 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.159 in verse 51. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:27.480 So, 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.079 it's the blood 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.559 of all the prophets 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.159 from the foundation 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.600 of the world 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.740 charged against this generation 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.539 from, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.079 verse 51, 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.779 the blood of Abel, 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:38.399 the blood of Zechariah, 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:39.100 who, 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.379 a specific Zechariah, 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.159 who perished 00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.459 between the altar 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:44.039 and the sanctuary. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.500 He's giving us a clue there 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.080 from Abel 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:49.240 to this specific Zechariah 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.659 who perished 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.259 between the altar 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:52.220 and the sanctuary. 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:52.559 He says, 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:52.799 yes, 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.340 I tell you, 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.340 it will be required 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:56.379 of this generation. 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:57.700 So, 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.639 he calls Abel 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.179 the first prophet. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:01.220 This is the Abel 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:03.940 of Genesis chapter 4. 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.120 There in verse 10 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.559 we can see, 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:06.539 and the Lord said, 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.519 what have you done? 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.559 The voice 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:11.200 of your brother's blood, 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.320 the blood of Abel, 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.220 is crying to me 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.320 from the ground. 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.100 Here, 00:16:18.660 --> 00:16:19.440 Jesus is saying 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.040 that that was 00:16:20.040 --> 00:16:21.399 a prophetic work 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.300 of Abel, 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.940 his blood crying out 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.440 guilt against 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:27.019 his brother Cain. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.340 Okay, 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.300 so there's Abel 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.540 the prophet 00:16:29.540 --> 00:16:30.300 early, 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.660 early in the history 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.860 of the world. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.500 But then we have 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:36.220 this Zechariah, 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.139 and he's the bookend 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:41.100 of Jesus' speech 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:42.040 in verse 51 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.980 of Luke 11. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.300 He says, 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.059 from Abel 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.719 to the blood 00:16:44.719 --> 00:16:46.859 of Zechariah. 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.659 But why? 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.359 Why is he the bookend? 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.339 We can read of him 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:53.779 in 2 Chronicles chapter 24, 00:16:54.479 --> 00:16:56.579 verse 20 through 21, 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.159 where it says, 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.879 the Spirit of God 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.879 clothed Zechariah, 00:16:58.939 --> 00:16:59.819 the son of Jehoiada, 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.419 the priest, 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.240 and he stood above 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.639 the people 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.439 and said to them, 00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:03.539 thus says God, 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.680 why do you break 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.139 the commandments 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.740 of the Lord 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.159 so that you cannot prosper? 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.180 Because you have 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.000 forsaken the Lord, 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.359 he has forsaken you. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.740 But they conspired 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.339 against him, 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.039 and by command 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.439 of the king 00:17:13.439 --> 00:17:14.279 they stoned him 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.939 with stones 00:17:14.939 --> 00:17:15.679 in the court 00:17:15.679 --> 00:17:16.859 of the house 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:18.059 of the Lord. 00:17:18.419 --> 00:17:20.099 This is where he dies 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.339 there between the altar 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:23.319 and the sanctuary. 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:24.859 Now, 00:17:25.179 --> 00:17:26.019 chronologically, 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:27.519 the last martyr 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.339 of the Old Testament 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.500 was Uriah, 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.019 whose death 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.639 is described 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.419 in Jeremiah 00:17:31.419 --> 00:17:33.679 chapter 26. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.380 So, 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.460 why does Jesus 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.060 not say 00:17:36.060 --> 00:17:36.820 from Abel 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:38.539 to Uriah, 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.360 but from Abel 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:41.320 to Zechariah? 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.080 I hope you already know. 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.539 I hope you're going, 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:44.700 oh, 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.539 I know the answer to this. 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:47.100 It's very cool 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:47.840 if you don't. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:47.980 So, 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.500 you're going to know it 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.360 at the end of today. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.180 The Jewish Bible 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.080 of Jesus' day 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:53.360 was ordered 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.279 differently 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.759 than ours. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.660 Historical fact. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.400 Our Old Testament 00:17:59.400 --> 00:17:59.860 is grouped 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:01.799 by literary type. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:03.519 Jesus' Bible 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.259 was ordered 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.240 differently. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.559 1 and 2 Chronicles 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.639 were one book 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.339 just called 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.119 Chronicles 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:11.460 and was written 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.379 as an overview 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.399 of Israel's history 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.159 with a particular 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:15.339 emphasis on David 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:16.599 and the temple. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.099 It was placed 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:18.799 at the end 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.759 of Jesus' canon 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.879 to help God's people 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.659 look forward 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.859 to a better David 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.639 and a better worship. 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.099 They read it 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:26.819 from Genesis 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.559 through the book 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.259 of Chronicles. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.519 It was setting them up 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.180 to expect 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.879 this coming 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:32.200 Messiah. 00:18:34.020 --> 00:18:34.440 So, 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.240 in Luke 11, 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.220 when Jesus says, 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.220 from the blood of Abel 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.400 to the blood of Zechariah, 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.420 he's indicating 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.900 the generation 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.840 that he is in 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.380 for the death 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:42.960 of the prophets 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.020 of his Bible. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.300 They knew exactly 00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:47.460 what he was talking about 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.420 because they had read 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.440 that canon, 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:49.860 right? 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.720 They knew 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:52.220 who these prophets 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.580 were. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.320 Abel 00:18:53.320 --> 00:18:54.380 all the way 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.420 to this specific 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.080 Zechariah 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:56.660 who died 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.500 in this particular 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.200 way, 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.580 right? 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.520 He was indicting them 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.639 for all of those. 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.299 This was the Bible 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.500 of Jesus' day, 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:03.839 right? 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.279 So, 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.379 if you believe 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.319 Jesus at all, 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:06.940 you have to believe 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.720 in the Bible 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.180 of Jesus, 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.039 which is our 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.859 Old Testament, 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:11.279 right? 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.619 This is what 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.660 the Jews 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.339 had. 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.579 These oracles 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.980 of God, 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.119 they were entrusted 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:19.819 with this very 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.500 particular 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.960 special word 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.200 for them. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.980 But just because 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.039 they had God's word 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:27.039 did not mean 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.680 they listened 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.799 to or 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.720 obeyed 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.920 God's word. 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:31.220 There's 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:33.619 much evidence 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.220 of this, 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.480 tragically. 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.180 A couple of 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.359 evidences 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.339 of Jesus' day. 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.359 In Mark 12 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.159 and verse 24, 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.119 Jesus says 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:42.879 to the scribes 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:43.519 and the Pharisees, 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.619 is this not the reason 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.399 you are wrong? 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.399 Because you know 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.460 neither the scriptures 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.700 nor the power 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.460 of God? 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.920 You have them, 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.259 but you do not 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.839 know them? 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.039 Or in John 5, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.619 verse 39 and 40, 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.339 there he says, 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.119 you search the 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:58.740 scriptures because 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.399 you think that 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:00.240 in them you have 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.920 eternal life. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.379 And it is they 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:03.240 that bear witness 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.339 about me, 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.700 yet you refuse 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.539 to come to me 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:08.259 that you may 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.859 have life. 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:10.859 Beloved, 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.700 it is altogether 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.420 possible to have 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.759 a Bible, 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:15.619 to read that 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:15.920 Bible, 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.279 to attend church 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.779 and listen to 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.480 the Bible taught, 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.139 to listen to 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:20.180 sermons from 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.559 the Bible 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.379 throughout the week, 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.700 to read articles 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.200 and listen to 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.899 podcasts that 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.559 discuss the 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.859 Bible, 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:26.279 and to not 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.599 heed its warnings, 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:29.019 believe its promises, 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.439 or obey its commands. 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.939 The Bible itself 00:20:33.939 --> 00:20:35.919 will not save you. 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.559 It's telling us 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.679 a story 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:39.639 and a message 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.359 that we must 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.879 place our faith in 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.879 and ultimately 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.339 in a person 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.419 that we must 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:47.319 place our faith in. 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.740 So, 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:50.819 Paul offended 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.979 God's people. 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.819 Is he saying 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.639 that God's people 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.399 don't have a 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.700 special place 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.460 in God's 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.259 redemptive history? 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.399 No, 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.559 absolutely not. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:20:59.980 And we'll get to 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.759 see more of this, 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.379 particularly into 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.460 chapter 11. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:03.839 So, 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.299 a year from now, 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.200 I'm going to 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.740 guess. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.119 He'll continue to 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:11.559 work this truth 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.599 out for us. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.919 But I appreciate 00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:14.519 Paul is going to 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.119 get it in there, 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:15.339 right? 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:15.819 He's not going to 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.639 let somebody linger 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.819 until chapter 11. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.799 He wants to be sure. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.299 No, 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.579 no, 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.279 God's people. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.139 God's people, 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.000 much in every way, 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.960 they were entrusted 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.879 with God's word. 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:26.539 Secondly, 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:26.799 though, 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.940 has Paul offended 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.819 God's promises? 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.299 Beginning in verse 3, 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.379 what if some 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.220 were unfaithful? 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.159 He's talking here 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:34.980 about the Jewish people. 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.619 Does their faithlessness 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.619 nullify the faithfulness 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.940 of God? 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.940 If some of those 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.980 declared God's people 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.839 showed themselves 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.379 not to be God's people, 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.480 does that make God 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.259 unfaithful? 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:50.039 And he says, 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.460 by no means, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:51.839 and he's going to 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.720 say this phrase 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.660 over and over again 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.680 throughout the letter, 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.140 me denoito, 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:58.000 is the strongest 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.220 of negative Greek 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.000 expressions. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.119 He's saying, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.319 rather emphatically, 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.140 impossible. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.799 Absolutely not. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.019 Just because 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.279 those people 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.299 of ethnic 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.259 Jewish descent 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.259 were unfaithful 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.879 to God, 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.400 he remains 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.319 faithful. 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.319 It's not possible 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.160 that God 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.920 would cease 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:19.060 to be faithful 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:20.279 to his promises. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.100 He goes on to say, 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.400 let God be true 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.380 though everyone 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.920 were a liar. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.080 That is to say, 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.380 if God were accused 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.279 as faithless 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.660 by every human 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.580 who ever lived, 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:31.800 God would be found 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.640 true and everyone 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.740 else would be found 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:35.259 to be a liar. 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.000 As it is written, 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.600 this is from Psalm 51 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:39.580 and verse 4, 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.640 that you may be 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.960 justified in your words 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.759 and prevail 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.539 when you 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.680 are judged. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.279 God is true 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.420 to his word 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.259 all the time 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.620 because he is 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.799 God 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.299 and he cannot lie. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.460 We have to be 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.560 so very careful 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:55.200 that we don't 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.580 personify God 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.340 and think that 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.460 it's even possible 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.759 for him to not 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.340 be true 00:23:00.340 --> 00:23:02.000 to his word. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.980 So how do we think 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.019 then of these 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.080 Jewish people 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:07.259 that were unfaithful 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.259 and how that relates 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:10.580 to God's promises? 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:10.980 Now, 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.619 God's promise 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.259 to Abraham 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.319 was an 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.399 unconditional 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:17.039 promise. 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.019 If you will, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.639 please join me 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:20.960 in Genesis chapter 15. 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:21.579 I'm going to read 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.039 the entirety 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.759 of the chapter 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.379 so you may 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.259 appreciate being 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.419 there with me. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.699 I'll begin in verse 1. 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.319 You'll be able 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.960 to catch up to me. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.519 After these things, 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.199 the word of the Lord 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.139 came to Abram 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.759 in a vision. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.900 Fear not, Abram. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.079 I am your shield. 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.879 Your reward 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:44.079 shall be very great. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.460 But Abram said, 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.259 O Lord God, 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.619 what will you give me? 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.960 For I continue childless 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.180 and the heir of my house 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:52.319 is Eleazar of Damascus. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.420 He's already 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.440 gotten this promise 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.319 that God's going to 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.160 make a great nation 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.559 of him, 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.259 but he has yet 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.740 to have any offspring. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.299 And Abram said, 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.700 Behold, 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.319 you have given me 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:01.859 no offspring 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.420 and a member 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.240 of my household 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.140 be my heir. 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.480 And behold, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.259 the word of the Lord 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.980 came to him. 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.220 This man shall not 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.759 be your heir, 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.619 your very own 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:11.219 son shall be your heir. 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.639 And he brought him 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.819 outside and said, 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.739 Look toward heaven 00:24:14.739 --> 00:24:15.859 and number the stars 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.379 if you are able 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.019 to number them. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.439 Then he said to him, 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.379 So shall your offspring 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.139 be. 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:23.299 And he believed the Lord 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.919 and he counted it to him 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:26.299 as righteousness, 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.679 his faith. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.779 And he said to him, 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.299 verse 7, 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.259 I am the Lord 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.199 who brought you out 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:33.699 from Ur of the Chaldeans 00:24:33.699 --> 00:24:34.659 to give you this land 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.079 to possess. 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.039 But he said, 00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.179 O Lord God, 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.279 how am I to know 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.460 that I shall possess it? 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:42.159 He said to him, 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.199 Bring me a heifer 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:44.159 three years old, 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.039 a female goat 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.799 three years old, 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:47.399 a ram three years old, 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.480 a turtle dove, 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.679 and a young pigeon. 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.659 And he brought him 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.460 all these, 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.839 cut them in half 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:55.139 and laid each half 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:56.339 over against the other. 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.359 But he did not 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.379 cut the birds in half. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.059 And when birds of prey 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.179 came down on the carcasses, 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:03.699 Abram drove them away. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.880 And we won't get into the details 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.740 of all those animals 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.759 and what they mean. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:08.059 But this was a common practice 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.680 in the day 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.680 of making a promise 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.220 with somebody. 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:11.340 You would cut an animal 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.720 in half 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:13.299 and you would walk together 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:15.059 between those animals. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.980 And it was saying, 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.900 if I don't keep my end 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.500 of this bargain, 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.960 let me become 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.720 as these animals 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.180 have become. 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.840 So this is the significance 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:25.700 of this affirming 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.960 of the covenant 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.900 that God has made. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.140 There's something 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.120 very particular 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.819 that happens 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.640 that's unique 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.539 in this case. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.460 Verse 12, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.700 As the sun was going down, 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:36.259 a deep sleep fell 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.740 on Abram. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.839 So he's having now a dream. 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:40.899 And behold, 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.399 dreadful and great darkness 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.399 fell upon him. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.200 Then the Lord said to Abraham, 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.539 Know for certain 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.339 that your offspring 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.180 will be sojourners 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.279 in a land that is not theirs. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.159 There will be servants there 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.500 and that they will be afflicted 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:53.299 for four hundred years. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.839 But I will bring judgment 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.319 on the nation 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.879 that they serve 00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.460 and afterward 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.339 they shall come out 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.700 with great possessions. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.440 He's talking about 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:01.019 their slavery in Egypt. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.059 Know for certain 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.480 this will come to pass. 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:04.519 Verse 15, 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.139 As for you, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.279 you shall go to your fathers 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.000 in peace. 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.159 You shall be buried 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:09.879 in a good old age. 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.659 And they shall come back here 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:12.659 in the fourth generation 00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.519 for the iniquity 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.399 of the Amorites 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.940 is not yet complete. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:18.039 When the sun had gone down 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.599 and it was dark, 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.079 behold, 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:20.440 a smoking fire pot 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.619 and a flaming torch 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.539 passed between 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.059 these pieces. 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.079 These things signified 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.000 God himself. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.960 On that day, 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.079 the Lord made a covenant 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.019 with Abram saying, 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.819 To your offspring 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:32.319 I give this land 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.579 from the river of Egypt 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.399 to the great river 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:35.619 to the river Euphrates, 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.179 the land of the Kenites, 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.939 the Kenizzites, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.759 the Kadmonites, 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.399 the Hittites, 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.179 the Pesaites, 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.000 the Raphaim, 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.199 the Amorites, 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:42.960 the Canaanites, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.859 the Girgashites, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:46.019 and the Jebusites. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.479 This particular land, 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.179 he's marking it off for him. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:51.099 And what God is doing here 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.639 is he's saying 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:53.879 that I will make of you 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.759 a great nation 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.919 and you will dwell 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:56.759 in this land 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:59.819 and I am going to accomplish it. 00:27:00.199 --> 00:27:01.179 Notice that the fulfillment 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.619 of the promise 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:03.139 is out beyond Abram, 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.179 even his life. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:06.599 God is going to do this thing. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:09.240 It is not conditional. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.519 For the nation, 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.639 it's going to happen. 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.920 This in totality 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:17.080 is going to come to pass. 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.780 And praise be to God 00:27:17.780 --> 00:27:18.940 that it also comes to pass 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.220 in the inclusion 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.800 of the nations 00:27:21.800 --> 00:27:23.460 amongst those peoples, 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.460 those stars, 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:26.180 too many to number. 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.420 That's part of the fulfillment 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:30.140 of this unconditional promise. 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:33.060 But, individually, 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:35.120 there is a conditionality 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:37.200 to God's promises. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.220 Let me give you one example. 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:42.360 Isaiah 55, verse 6 and 7. 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.359 Verse 7, 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.199 Seek the Lord 00:27:44.199 --> 00:27:45.899 while he may be found. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.579 Call upon him 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.419 while he is near. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:50.459 Let the wicked forsake his way 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.639 and the unrighteous man 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.439 his thoughts. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.299 Let him return to the Lord 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:56.039 that he may have compassion on him 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.419 and to our God 00:27:57.419 --> 00:28:00.839 for he will abundantly pardon. 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:04.019 We must believe 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:06.759 that God will deliver us 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.119 from our sin. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.279 And we now, 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:10.119 standing in the position 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.119 we are today, 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:13.099 know that it's by believing 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:15.000 in the completed work 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.759 and the person 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.199 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.199 So, 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.839 there's an individual conditionality 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:21.919 to this. 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.679 Is every Israelite 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.559 ever born 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.740 justified before God? 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.240 No. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.180 They are not. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:30.539 Right? 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.019 So, 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.960 to his very question 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.519 at the beginning, 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.000 if some were unfaithful, 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.519 does their faithlessness 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.240 nullify the faithfulness 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.620 of God? 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.740 Absolutely not. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.519 God always keeps 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.740 his promises. 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.220 God's promise 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.059 to Israel as a nation 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.700 will be fulfilled. 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.359 Again, 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.079 chapter 11. 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.380 We'll pick up that more. 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.620 But that promise 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:53.039 never extended 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.740 to specific 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.740 individual Jews. 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.380 Jews. 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.460 So, 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.740 has Paul offended 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.920 God's promises? 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.180 No. 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.220 No, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.000 he has not. 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.539 Lastly, 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.460 has Paul offended 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:07.059 God's holiness? 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.299 Verse 5, 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:09.640 he says, 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.500 but if our unrighteousness 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.819 serves to show 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:14.339 the righteousness of God, 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.980 what shall we say? 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.779 That God is unrighteous 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.660 to inflict wrath on us? 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.180 And Paul inserts this, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.620 I speak in a human way. 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.900 It's as if he's saying, 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.599 I know this sounds dumb. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:28.420 If our disobedience 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:30.140 displays God's 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:31.039 perfect nature, 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.160 if when we don't hold up 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.079 our end of the bargain, 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.400 God's hold up his, 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:38.079 then is God unjust? 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.980 If our unfaithfulness 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.559 puts on display 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.839 his faithfulness, 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.740 isn't that a good? 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.579 Isn't that honoring God? 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.299 Doesn't that make him 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.299 look great? 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:47.640 Well, 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:49.160 it does. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.240 And then the question 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.620 follows, 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.939 then why would God 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.619 punish us 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.919 for such a thing? 00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:56.259 If his glory 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.039 is achieved, 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:58.439 then why are we 00:29:58.439 --> 00:29:59.719 held accountable 00:29:59.719 --> 00:30:01.139 for that action? 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.459 And once again, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.119 we see this 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.519 strong phrase, 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.440 may genoito, 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.200 by no means 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.680 at the beginning 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:09.220 of verse 6, 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:11.019 for then how could 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.859 God judge 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.000 the world? 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:16.440 If God is unrighteous 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.200 in his judgment, 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.920 then he is not 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:19.180 a fit judge. 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.660 He is God, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.740 therefore he must be 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.500 a perfect, 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:25.080 righteous judge. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:25.960 Now, 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.740 the Jews understood 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:29.120 God as judge. 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.560 In Genesis 18 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.299 and verse 25, 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:31.900 he is called 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.600 the judge 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:34.980 of all the earth. 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.680 The psalmist 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.820 repeatedly referred to him 00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:39.240 as judge. 00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.299 Examples like 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.039 Psalm 50, 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.900 Psalm 58, 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:43.860 and Psalm 94. 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:46.100 The major theme 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:47.680 of nearly all the prophets 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.980 is that of God's 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.660 judgment. 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.980 Judgment past, 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.920 judgment present, 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.279 judgment imminent, 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.539 and judgment 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:57.480 in the distant future. 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.319 So all Paul is saying 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.460 is it's not possible 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.599 that God would be 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.579 unrighteous 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.539 in his judgment 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:05.900 of our unrighteousness, 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.740 even if it serves 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.360 to show 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:09.059 the righteousness 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:10.660 of God. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.420 Because then God 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.440 would be disqualified 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:15.240 from being a judge. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.400 And the reasoning 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.940 goes on, 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.400 verse 7, 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.660 but if through my lie 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:19.640 God's truth abounds 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.259 to his glory, 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.700 why am I still 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.519 being condemned 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.920 as a sinner? 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.820 And why not do evil 00:31:26.820 --> 00:31:28.880 that good may come? 00:31:29.540 --> 00:31:30.279 As some people 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.860 slanderously charge us 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.480 with saying 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:34.180 their condemnation 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.300 is just. 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.740 So the reason 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.600 goes, 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.580 if my sin 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.259 ends up bringing 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.980 God glory, 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:41.320 then why is my sin 00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:43.160 considered sin? 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:46.000 this presents to us 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:47.100 one of the apparent 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:48.440 paradoxes of the Bible. 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.420 And I say apparent 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:51.320 because it seems so 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:52.560 at first consideration. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.220 But we will see 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.200 in future study 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.080 that this isn't 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.840 a paradox 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:57.340 at all. 00:31:58.340 --> 00:31:59.259 Paul will address 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.400 this potential objection 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.140 again in this letter. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.320 And let me just give you 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:03.900 two examples 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.740 of where he does so. 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:08.060 1st Romans chapter 5 00:32:08.060 --> 00:32:08.860 and verse 20, 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.320 he says, 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.720 Now the law came in 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.299 to increase the trespass, 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:14.539 but where sin increased, 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.240 grace abounded 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.059 all the more. 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:18.879 So here we see this. 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.859 The law comes 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.960 so that the trespass 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.399 increases, 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.919 and when the trespass 00:32:22.919 --> 00:32:23.319 increases, 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.559 grace abounds. 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.419 And this seems like 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.619 a good result, right? 00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:28.079 This is good in the end. 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.559 And then just a few 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.119 verses later 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.500 at the beginning 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.519 of chapter 6, 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:31.899 he says, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:33.259 What shall we say then? 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:35.099 Are we to continue 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:35.919 in sin 00:32:35.919 --> 00:32:36.960 that grace 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:38.159 may abound? 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:40.019 Should we go on sinning 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.800 so that God can show 00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:41.940 himself to be gracious? 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:42.580 And then again, 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.259 chapter 6 and verse 2, 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.440 May genoito, 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:47.380 by no means. 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:49.100 How can we who died 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:49.640 to sin 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:52.040 still live in it? 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.880 Understanding that 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.759 we justly deserve 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.980 God's wrath 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.540 for our sin, 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.120 and having been 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:58.080 delivered from it, 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.120 why would we want 00:32:59.120 --> 00:33:00.420 to go on living 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:02.019 in it? 00:33:02.560 --> 00:33:03.440 And he'll make the case 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.380 that God continues 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.940 to show his graciousness 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.500 towards us 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.960 in that he helps us 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:09.880 not to sin. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.940 We'll get all into that 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:12.920 at the end of chapter 7 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:15.039 and into chapter 8. 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.619 Another place, 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.759 Romans chapter 9, 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:19.539 verse 18 through 20. 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.240 In this chapter, 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.299 Paul has previously 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.539 cited the Old Testament 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:25.039 seven times. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.640 Direct citations. 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.220 Seven times 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.640 up to this point. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.680 And then in verse 18, 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.220 he says, 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.860 So then, 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.240 he has mercy 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.400 on whomever he wills, 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:35.779 and he hardens 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:37.319 whomever he wills. 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:37.600 And here, 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:39.640 Paul anticipates 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:40.200 the objection. 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.360 You will say to me then, 00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:42.620 why does he still 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.380 find fault? 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.319 For who can resist 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.839 his will? 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.100 And this is my favorite 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:49.759 of all of Paul's responses 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:51.600 to these potential objections. 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.279 He says, 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:54.360 But who are you, 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.299 O man, 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.819 to answer back 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.839 to God? 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.779 Who do you think 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.199 you are? 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:00.939 Is what he says. 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:02.179 To even ask 00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:02.980 these kinds of questions. 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.819 I have just told you 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.539 from the Old Testament 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:06.240 seven different times. 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.559 And I say to you, 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.360 he who has mercy 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.059 on whom he wills, 00:34:09.299 --> 00:34:09.779 he hardens 00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.460 who he wills, 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.039 and then at the end 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.420 of verse 20, 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.779 he says, 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.840 Well, what does molded 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.940 say to its molder? 00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:15.340 Why have you made me 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:17.299 like this? 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.980 You are clay. 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:20.039 You have no right 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:22.179 to ask of the potter. 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.079 Why did you make me 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.239 in this way? 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:28.599 In Jude, 00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.439 verse 4, 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.639 here Jude is writing, 00:34:31.959 --> 00:34:32.779 speaking of the church 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.459 at Corinth. 00:34:34.279 --> 00:34:34.719 He says, 00:34:34.799 --> 00:34:35.639 For certain people 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:37.619 have crept in unnoticed, 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.279 who long ago 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.959 were designated 00:34:39.959 --> 00:34:41.500 for this condemnation, 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:42.779 ungodly people, 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:44.500 who pervert the grace 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.139 of our God 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:46.279 into sensuality 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.419 or licentiousness, 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:49.259 and deny our only 00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:50.639 Master and Lord, 00:34:51.439 --> 00:34:52.199 Jesus Christ. 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:52.319 Christ. 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:53.960 So, 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.779 whose condemnation 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.779 is just? 00:34:56.859 --> 00:34:57.599 That's the question 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:59.339 that we might ask, 00:34:59.399 --> 00:34:59.559 right? 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.859 There at the very end 00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:01.539 of verse 8 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.839 of Romans chapter 3, 00:35:03.399 --> 00:35:03.839 these people 00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:05.419 slanderously charge them 00:35:05.419 --> 00:35:05.960 with saying, 00:35:06.419 --> 00:35:07.559 Why not do evil 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:09.159 that good may come? 00:35:10.279 --> 00:35:10.779 Here, 00:35:10.899 --> 00:35:11.779 Jude finds himself 00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.719 having to address 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.599 some people 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.179 who had come in 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:15.099 at the church of Corinth, 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:16.899 making that very case. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.399 Ungodly people 00:35:18.399 --> 00:35:19.500 who pervert 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.399 the grace of God 00:35:20.399 --> 00:35:21.419 into sensuality. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.659 This is what they're doing. 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.900 They're asking 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.500 and answering 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.320 that question 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.139 in the affirmative, 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:26.760 right? 00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.599 We should live 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.599 however we want to live 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.720 because then God's grace 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:31.300 would abound. 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.260 So, 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.019 whose condemnation 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.780 is just? 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:35.440 Those who play 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:37.059 with the words 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.139 of God. 00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.019 So, 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:40.460 Paul, 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.200 in just such 00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:42.780 a great labor, 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.940 an inspired labor 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.579 to be sure, 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:46.539 but I imagine 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:48.579 his pin hand 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.659 growing tired 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.619 to be careful 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:52.000 to be sure 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.539 that we have 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:53.899 a good and right, 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.859 clear understanding 00:35:54.859 --> 00:35:56.099 of the gospel 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.799 of Jesus Christ. 00:35:56.879 --> 00:35:57.319 It's a gospel 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.119 that goes to 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:59.319 all peoples 00:35:59.319 --> 00:36:01.139 but has not 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.940 forgotten 00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:04.239 the ethnic Jew. 00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:05.619 So, 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.299 has Paul offended 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:07.119 God's people? 00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:08.159 Has Paul offended 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.759 God's promises? 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.059 Has Paul offended 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.859 God's holiness? 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.159 And the answer 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.219 is an affirmative 00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:16.679 no. 00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:18.159 Let's pray together. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.199 Let's pray together.