Keeping it Real

Notes: Keeping it Real

Pastor Jeff L.

Romans 2

Harvest OC Valor

October 23, 2018

The Heathen, The Hypocrite, The Hebrew

Practicing hypocrisy is wearing a mask.

Be careful not to judge someone because they sin differently then we do.

Romans 2:1 NKJV

[1] Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Romans 2:2 NKJV

[2] But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

Romans 2:3-4 NKJV

[3] And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? [4] Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

We are not to make judgments for condemnation, we are to make judgments for identification.

Sinning is not necessarily hypocrisy, hypocrisy is pretending to not sin.

Why does our sin look so much uglier on other people?

Religion begun in hypocrisy will most surely end in apostasy.

The best of saints can be tempted to the worst of sins.

Romans 2:9 NKJV

[9] tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

Romans 2:12 NKJV

[12] For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

God has given evidence:

1. Creation

Romans 1:20 NKJV

[20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

2. Conscience

Romans 2:15 NKJV

[15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

3. Christ

Romans 2:16 NKJV

[16] in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The most scathing words Jesus used were towards the religious leaders.

What about us? Where is our heart?

You are a sinner saved by grace.

: Everybody Needs Jesus!

Notes: Everybody Needs Jesus!
Greg Laurie
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Series: Relentless Grace: Paul's Letter to the Romans
Romans 1
Music: Harvest Worship Band

Are people basically good? 80% of Americans believe we are. Romans clearly shows how we are all sinners.

The early church our prayed and out lived Rome.

Romans 1:16-20 NKJV
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

1. Salvation is not earned, it is given to us as a gift from God.

Romans 1:18 NKJV
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV
[11] Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'

John 3:16 NKJV
[16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:36 NKJV
[36] He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

3. There is no excuse for living in rebellion against the God who loves you.

Romans 1:19 NKJV
[19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

God will reveal himself to the true seeker.

Proverbs 8:17 NKJV
[17] I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

4. When you are out of fellowship with God, you have conflicts with others, too.

Romans 1:28 NKJV
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

5. When you reject God, ruin follows

Romans 1:21 NKJV
[21] because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

6. When you reject God, you lose perspective in the way you think and live.

7. God will not force you to believe, but rather, will let you go your own way.

You are not defined by your temptations. 

Romans 2:1-4 NKJV
[1] Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. [2] But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. [3] And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? [4] Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Everybody needs Jesus!

All of these sins of Romans 1 flow out of unbelief.

The worst sin is unbelief!

Blasphemy is the only unforgivable sin.

Sweet and Sour Christians

Notes: Sweet and Sour Christians
Pastor Tim Harding
October 9, 2018
Harvest Valor

We can do things our way or Gods way. 

This scripture has some heavy eternal balances

Romans 1:18-32 NLT
[18] But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [19] They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. [20] For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. [21] Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. [22] Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. [23] And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. [24] So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. [25] They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. [26] That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. [27] And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. [28] Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. [29] Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. [30] They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. [31] They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. [32] They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

1. Reality Check
Paul is building out the case against us.

There is no excuse!

We need a reminder and remind others.

Psalm 19:1-4 NLT
[1] The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. [2] Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. [3] They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. [4] Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

All creation points to a creator.

2. The Brilliance of Bitter

God’s wrath here is an abandonment.

Separation from God is the worst case scenario. Separation from God is Hell.

When you turn to other things other then God, things will get worse.

3. Sweet Motivation 

Romans 1:32 NLT
[32] They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

We should be motivated. 

We all have things we need to work on. But we should all still work to bring people to Christ. 

Let the sweet smell of all the things God has done for us motivate us to be about our Fathers business. Knowing God and making Him known.

1. The man 2. The call 3. The message 4. The power 5. The faith

Notes:

Pastor Adam Eaton

Romans 1

October 2, 2018

Romans was written to help its readers have a better understanding of the Gospel.

Romans 1:1-17 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. [5] Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. [6] And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. [7] I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. [8] Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. [9] God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. [10] One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. [11] For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. [12] When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. [13] I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. [14] For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. [15] So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. [16] For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-the Jew first and also the Gentile. [17] This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

1. The man

2. The call

3. The message

4. The power

5. The faith

1. Paul, was Saul. He used to hunt down Christians. He was converted on the road to Damascus.

2. Called to be an apostle. A slave of Christ.