* vs 1-3 - Abe wasn’t a “Christian,” but he had a credit on his account.
* This is how people got saved in the Old Testament.
* Their trust in God was credited as righteousness (being in “right relationship” with God).
* Like me at the Chipotle line - all five of my family members go first, the lady at the register punches in their order and amount, then runs a tab until I get there to pay the bill.
* They were able to take their food and eat because their meals were “credited” to them.
* I happen to be the one who pays the bill - always!
* The same is true - Abe’s faith gave him the credit he needed so Jesus could pay the bill.
* vs 4-5 - Switching Accounts
* Paul is telling them they can’t work for salvation - only faith can get it for you.
* Otherwise God would be in your debt - when you work your boss “owes” you something, but God owes us nothing.
* Jesus “switches accounts” with us.
* Imagine you have $10 in your account and another guy has $1million.
* He tells you he wants to switch accounts with you if you simply trust that he has the money and he will do what he says, and that you will tell the world about his generosity.
* Would you do it?
* This is what Jesus does for us, but it’s our choice.
* We have nothing. He has everything. He will give it to us if we place our faith in Him.
* It’s like me not just paying for my kids at the Chipotle line, but giving them my credit card.
Romans 4:1-5 (8/2/18)
Credited as Righteousness
August 2, 2018 • Benham Brothers
Romans 1:1 (3/12/20)
March 12, 2020 • Benham Brothers
* Your business card does not define who you are. * What’s on your business card? * Your name, contact and company info, and your title. * Your title shows the thing you do, but says nothing about who you are and why you do it. * Paul’s business card looked a little different. * He typically opened his letters with his credentials. * Vs 1 - He put three things on there: * 1) WHO I am (identity) - “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus…” * He saw himself as a slave - the lowest of the low. * This put him in the position of servant-leader right out of the gate. * His one job was to do what the master wanted him to do - he was not his own. * 2) WHAT I do (calling) - “….called as an apostle…” * A slave was assigned a task to complete. * “Apostle” means “the person sent with full authority.” * An apostle was a catalyst, a creator, the person who set things up and established a firm foundation upon which something could be built. * An apostle downloaded God’s plan then entrusted faithful shepherds (pastors) to steward that plan. * Paul recognized his calling as a builder (he was prepped for it as a tent-maker). * He knew he was not to be the pastor. * 3) WHY I do it (mission) - “….set me apart with a mission to reveal God’s wonderful gospel.” * “Gospel” means “good news.” “News” means something happened you should know about. * God’s kingdom had come to earth and Jesus was King - that was the good news. * Paul’s WHY was so that the world would come to know Jesus! * Most people only talk about the second component - WHAT I do. * *** But if they don’t know the other two then it will lead to burnout. * Knowing these three things kept Paul from staying in one place and building a big church. * Here’s the KEY - all of us should have the same WHO and WHY as Paul, but what differentiates us is the WHAT. * So answer these questions: * WHO are you? * WHAT do you do? What’s your calling? * WHY do you do it?
Romans 1:1-7 (7/28/16)
July 28, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• Two of the greatest revivals in history were sparked by the book of Romans - the Protestant Reformation and the Wesleyan Revival. • The book is all about “righteousness” - how we can be in “right relationship” with God. • Paul is setting the stage for his most famous letter that establishes the foundation of Christianity. • He starts with an intro of Jesus - observe that he said: • 1) He was promised beforehand (vs 2) - everyone was looking for the Messiah. • 2) He was God’s Son (vs 3A) - not just a man, but God’s very own Boy. • 3) He was a King (vs 3B) - descended from the line of David, which meant royalty. • 4) He had power (vs 4) - He defeated Satan, sin, and death. • 5) He appointed leaders to spread the message and teach others to obey (vs 5) - you can’t be righteous unless you obey His Word. • vs 7 - Paul wanted believers to experience grace and peace. • Little do the readers know what they are about to read! • He power-hand slaps his readers with a scathing rebuke (vs 18-32). Why? • Because God’s grace & peace can’t be experienced apart from brokenness over sin. • Sean Connery in First Knight - “there is a peace that can only be found on the other side of war.”
Romans 1:9 (7/25/18)
July 25, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Paul knew he was about to sharply rebuke the Romans. * Notice what he did before he brought the rebuke - he prayed for them. * We shouldn’t walk around mad at the world - we need to pray for them. * Then, if necessary, bring a proper rebuke. * When you pray for someone you gain the heart of the Lord for that person. * You begin to see them as God sees them. * Then, on that foundation of love, you will rebuke to restore. * That’s a proper rebuke.