“It’s Not All on You” (Exodus 18:13–27)

“It’s Not All on You” (Exodus 18:13–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, February 18, 2018
Exodus 18:13–27 (NIV)
13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.
1. The Problem: Shouldering the Responsibility Alone (vv. 13–18).
a. Moses was rightly serving as judge and overseer over the people (13, 15–16).
i. The people did need God’s Word and His Will, and Moses was in the position to mediate that Word to the people (13, 15).ii. The people did need matters that were in dispute to be decided by someone who knew God’s Word and His Will (16).
b. Moses was wrongly thinking that he needed to do it all by himself (14, 17–18).
i. Just because the people needed God’s Word didn’t mean that Moses had to give it to them directly and personally himself.ii. Just because the people needed matters that were in dispute to be decided by a judge who knew God’s Word didn’t mean that Moses had to be the only judge deciding every matter.
c. Shouldering the Responsibility Alone leads to overworked servants of God and frustrated and under-served people (18).
2. The Plan: Share the Responsibility with Others (vv. 19–23).
a. The one suggesting the plan: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-lawb. The plan itself:
i. Moses should be the primary mediator between the people and God (19).
1. Bringing matters to be decided to God2. Bringing God’s Word/Judgments to the People
ii. Moses should be the primary teacher of God’s Word and God’s Ways to the people (20).
1. Teaching God’s people God’s Words2. Teaching God’s people God’s Ways
iii. Moses should select and appoint men of character and capability to help shoulder the load of judgment and leadership (21).
1. Capable men 2. God-fearing 3. Appoint them to various levels of leadership and responsibility commensurate with their level of experience and qualifications
iv. The ministry of judgment/leadership can be shared with these qualified men, and Moses can continue to handle the more difficult cases. He is still the ultimate mediator of God’s word and his judgments to the people (22).v. Shared Responsibility lessens the stress of fatigue on the minister/leader and provides more personal and consistent ministry to the people (23).
c. The approver of the plan: this plan comes from Jethro; it is his advice. But still God must give the approval for this plan.
i. The text seems to indicate that this plan is subject to approval by God:
1. May God be with you (v. 19).2. If you do this and God so commands (23).
3. The Process: Begin the Process of Training and Selecting Others to Share the Responsibility (vv. 24–27).
a. No matter how good a plan is, it still must be implemented (24) – Moses listened and implemented (assuming God’s approval).b. A plan such as this can’t be implemented overnight. It appears that the implementation of shared judgment and leadership was a process.
i. It takes a process to show the people the value of shared leadership.ii. It takes a process to train the leaders to know God’s Word and become capable of handling their sphere of responsibility.iii. It takes cooperation and humility for everyone to maintain their sphere of responsibility and not try to do more than what they’ve been given or slack in doing less.
Main Idea: Ministry is not intended to be responsibility of one person, not even one leader. Ministry is intended to be shared by godly, qualified leadership, and by willing, serving people.

“Killing Sin” (Romans 8:12–13)

“Killing Sin” (Romans 8:12–13)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 18, 2018Romans 8:12–13, NIV12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.1.    Believers in Christ do not have to live under the reign of the flesh anymore.2.    Believers in Christ must not and will not live under the reign of the flesh anymore.3.    Believers in Christ can live under the reign of the Spirit and mortify the sinful deeds of the body.4.    Believers in Christ must and will live under the reign of the Spirit and mortify the sinful deeds of the body.Main Idea: Christ’s people do not live according to the flesh and eternally perish; Christ’s people live according to the Spirit and live forever.

“A God Worthy of Praise” (Exodus 18:1–12)

“A God Worthy of Praise” (Exodus 18:1–12)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, February 11, 2018
Exodus 18:1–12 (NIV)
18 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer,  for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.
9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
Setting: A Family Reunion
1. The one true and living God is worthy of proclamation (1–8).
2. The one true and living God is worthy of praise (by all peoples) (9–12).

“The Spirit Who Gives Life” (Romans 8:9–11)

“The Spirit Who Gives Life” (Romans 8:9–11)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 11, 2018
Romans 8:9–11 (NIV) 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
1. Every true believer in Jesus Christ is in union with Christ.
a. Belong to Christ (v. 9)b. Christ in you (v. 10) and you in Christ (5:12–21)
2. Everyone who is in union with Christ has the indwelling Holy Spirit.
a. If you belong to Christ (v. 9), you have the Spirit of Christ.b. The Spirit of Christ = The Spirit of God = The Holy Spirit.c. Every believer/every true Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit.
i. From conversionii. In totalityiii. Permanently (lives, dwells v. 9)
3. Everyone who has the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ is no longer “in the flesh” but is “in the Spirit.”
a. If the Spirit of God lives in you, then you are not in the realm of the flesh but in the realm of the Spirit (v. 9).b. Positional – transfer from one realm to the other. – True of all believers. A Christian cannot rightly be said to be “in the flesh” in this sense.
4. Everyone who has the indwelling Holy Spirit has been granted new spiritual life because of the righteousness of Christ (v. 10).
a. Your physical body is still subject to decay and death, but you have been made spiritually alive through the life-giving Spirit based on the work of Christ (his righteousness imputed to you).
5. Everyone who has been made spiritually alive by the Spirit will also one day be made physically alive at the resurrection (v. 11).
a. God raised Jesus from the dead.b. If his Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is in you then you too will be raised from the dead physically and transformed into and immortal existence at the resurrection.
Main Idea: Every true believer in Christ has the indwelling Holy Spirit, who has transferred us from the realm of spiritual death in the flesh to the realm of spiritual life in the Spirit, and one day he will also grant new resurrection life to our physical bodies that grow old and die.

“The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:8–16)

“The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:8–16)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, February 4, 2018
Exodus 17:8–16 (NIV)
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”
15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”
 
The journey for God’s people will be difficult and dangerous (v. 8).
20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. (John 15:20-21, NIV)
"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.  2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.  3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.  4  I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. (John 16:1-4, NIV)
 
God’s people have a moral right to use legitimate means to defend themselves against unjust attack (vv. 9–10).
35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.  36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  (Luke 22:35-36, NIV)
 
Every challenge and difficulty that God’s people go through provides an opportunity for God to display his glory.
God will defend his people, and he has a long memory and will seek justice for their oppression.
 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."  15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.  16 He said, "Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." (Exodus 17:14-16, NIV)
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." (Numbers 24:20, NIV)
17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.  18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.  19 When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!  (Deuteronomy 25:17-19, NIV)
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.  3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"  (1 Samuel 15:2-3, NIV)
 
Main Idea: The faithful Lord is among his people to defend them.

“Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit” (Romans 8:4b–8)

“Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit” (Romans 8:4b–8)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 4, 2018
Romans 8:1–8, NIV      1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
     5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
1. A different sphere of existence/domain
a. In the fleshb. In the Spirit
2. A different mind-set
a. Minds set on what the flesh desiresb. Minds set on what the Spirit desires
3. A different way of life
a. Living according to the flesh
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV)
b. Living according to the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24, NIV)
4. A different orientation toward God
a. Hostile toward Godb. At peace and reconciled with God
5. A different moral capability
a. Does not submit to God’s law, and can’t submit to God’s law, cannot please God.b. Freedom from slavery to sin and become slaves of righteousness.
6. A different destiny
a. Death
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21, NIV)
b. Life and Peace
Main Idea: Believers in Christ are now in the Spirit, not in the flesh. This means that they have a fundamentally different way of thinking and living—one that is oriented toward God and not toward the self. This new way of life leads ultimately to eternal life.

“Water from the Rock” (Exodus 17:1–7)

“Water from the Rock” (Exodus 17:1–7)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, January 28, 2018
Exodus 17:1–7 (NIV)17 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
1. The Lord tests his people again (vv.1–3).
a. The Lord leads his people into the test (v. 1).b. The Lord tests his people by leading them to a place of need and dependency (v. 1).c. The Lord’s people failed the test, because they failed to trust their God to provide.d. When the Lord tests his people and they respond with unbelief, they are in reality sinfully testing the Lord (v. 2).
2. The Lord provides for his people again (vv. 4–7).
a. The Lord’s provision begins with intercessory prayer (v. 4).b. The Lord responds to the prayers of his people and supplies their need (vv. 5–6).

“The Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us” (Romans 8:1–4)

“The Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us” (Romans 8:1–4)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 28, 2018
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4, NIV)
Summary of vv. 1–2:
1. Believers in Christ are not condemned and will not be condemned.2. Believers in Christ are free—free from the penalty of sin and free from the power of sin because of the work of Christ and the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God.
Verses 3–4 are meant to address the question of how verses 1–2 are possible:
1. The good and righteous Law was hampered by the inability of our flesh to perform it (3a).
2. God accomplished our salvation for us by sending His Son Jesus Christ to be our representative in life and death (3b).
3. Jesus Christ won the victory over sin and death and fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law for us (3c–4a).
4. As beneficiaries of this grace of God, believers in Christ Jesus now live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and not under the pull of our sinful flesh (4b).
Main Idea: We can’t keep the Law, so Christ fulfilled it for us in his life and death, so that we might now live without condemnation in the realm of the Holy Spirit.

"Bread from Heaven" (Exodus 16:1-36)

“Bread from Heaven” (Exodus 16:1–36)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, January 21, 2018
Exodus 16:1–36 (NIV)
16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”
9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ”
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.
11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer  for each person you have in your tent.’ ”
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”
20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’ ”
24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”
27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.  It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’ ”
33 So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come.”
34 As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
36 (An omer is one-tenth of an ephah.)
1. Rebellion against the Lord indicates a lack of faith (1–8).
⦁ They doubted the Lord’s power.⦁ They doubted the Lord’s goodness.⦁ They doubted the Lord’s faithfulness to his word. ⦁ They distorted reality.
⦁ They overemphasized the helplessness of their current situation. ⦁ They overidealized their past condition.
2. Receive the Lord’s gracious provision with an awakened faith (9–20).
⦁ The Lord awakened their faith by revealing his glory to them (v. 10).⦁ The Lord awakened their faith by providing abundantly for their needs.⦁ The Lord awakened their faith by providing for them daily (and only daily).
3. Rest in the Lord’s provision as an exercise in faith (21–30).
4. Remember the Lord’s provision to rekindle faith (31–36).
Main Idea: Our God is powerful, good, and faithful, who provides and guides. We need to receive his provision, rest in that provision, and remember that provision, so that we do not rebel against him in a lack of faith.

"No Condemnation" (Romans 8:1-2)

“No Condemnation” (Romans 8:1–2) Pastor Cameron Jungels Eastside Baptist Church Sunday AM, January 14, 2018Romans 8:1–2 (NIV) 8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Greatest Chapter in the Bible?Therefore…(Romans 5:1, NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(Romans 5:9-10, NIV) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(Romans 5:18-21, NIV) Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.1.    Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not condemned!2.    The Holy Spirit (through Christ) has set us free from the power/reign of sin and death.
a.    Free from the penalty of sin = death (justification). b.    Free from the power of sin (sanctification).
(Romans 6:1-2, NIV) What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?(Romans 6:6-7, NIV) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.Implications: a.    We are viewed judicially by God as not condemned. b.    Because we have been set free from the power of sin, we are now empowered to live a new life. Main Idea: As believers in Christ, we are not going to be condemned by sin, and in the present we don’t have to live in sin. We have been forgiven, and we have been set free.

"God, Where Are You?" (Psalm 10)

“God, Where Are You?” (Psalm 10)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, January 10, 2018
Psalm 10:1–18 (NIV)
1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”
12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.
1. God, where are you when evil is running rampant? (1–11)
2. God, please arise and act on behalf of the oppressed! (12–15)
3. God, I believe you are the just and righteous King who defends the oppressed (16–18).

"Water in the Wilderness" (Exodus 15:22-27)

“Water in the Wilderness” (Exodus 15:22–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, January 7, 2018
Exodus 15:22–27 (NIV)
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. ) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
1. The Lord tests his redeemed people (22–23).
2. The Lord graciously hears the cries of his redeemed people and provides (24–25).
3. The Lord expects the obedience of his redeemed people (25–26).
4. The Lord refreshes and restores his redeemed people (27).
Main Idea: God tests us through troubles and trials so that we might learn that God is ‘the LORD who heals you.’ This growing faith fuels obedience to our Redeeming God.

"Not under Law, but under Grace" (Romans 7:13-25)

“Not under Law, but under Grace” (Romans 7:13–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 7, 2018
Romans 7:13–25 (NIV)
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
1. In Romans 7:13–25, Paul is describing the frustrating experience of a God-fearing Jew seeking to obey God’s Law in the power of the flesh.
2. But Christians are no longer under the Law, but under Grace. Therefore, we do not seek to obey God in the power of the flesh but in the power of the Spirit (6:14; 7:4–6).
3. So, what is the New Covenant Christian’s relationship to the Law of Moses then?
a. All of Scripture, including the Law of Moses, is God’s Word and is useful for the instruction of the believer (2 Tim 3:16–17).b. Our relationship to the Law, however, is different under the New Covenant. Something has changed. This is a new era.c. The primary authority for Christians in this age is not the Law of Moses, but it is the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.d. This does not mean that Christians have no written revelation to guide our moral decisions. The NT and the “law of Christ” provide certain commands that Christians are to obey.e. What do we do with OT commands?
i. It is not as simple as dividing up the Law of Moses into moral, ceremonial, and civic laws. The OT never makes this distinction. The Law is viewed as a unity.ii. The Law of Moses also included the penalties and judgments for breaking the written laws.iii. The primary lens through which to view the Law of Moses and the entire Old Testament is through the Lens of Christ and the Gospel.
1. Anything having to do with the tabernacle/temple; priesthood; sacrifices has been fulfilled in Christ’s cross work.2. Anything intended to keep the Israelites set apart from the nations as a distinct people has been set aside because the Gospel is inclusive of all peoples, and we are all one in Christ.3. Anything specifically reaffirmed in the New Testament from the Old is still binding on the Christian’s conscience (such as most of the 10 commandments).4. Specific Laws that have been set aside in the NT (such as circumcision or the food laws) are no longer binding on the Christian’s conscience.5. Other laws that are not specifically addressed in the NT are to be read through the lens of Christ’s cross work and the inclusion of all peoples into one people of God.
iv. The Old Testament is still of great profit to the Christian.
1. It provides the foundation for understanding the New Testament.2. It serves as a prophetic witness to the coming of Christ and his fulfillment of the Old Testament (Matt 5:17).3. Many of the specific Old Testament laws can serve as case studies in how to apply New Covenant morality.
a. For example, the laws regarding personal injury in Exodus 21, provide useful guidance on how to continue to apply the law of love of neighbor.b. For example, the specific laws regarding sexual immorality in the OT fill out the NT’s general prescriptions against sexual immorality.
 

"God and His Word in Times of Trouble" (Psalm 119:121-128)

“God and His Word in Times of Trouble” (Psalm 119:121–128)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 31, 2017
Psalm 119:121–128, NIV121 I have done what is righteous and just;           do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant's well-being;           do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,           looking for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love           and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment           that I may understand your statutes. 126 It is time for you to act, LORD;           your law is being broken. 127 Because I love your commands           more than gold, more than pure gold, 128 and because I consider all your precepts right,           I hate every wrong path.
 
1. We are reminded in times of trouble, that we can put our hope in God to do what is just and right (v. 121-22).
2. We are reminded in times of trouble, that God's timing is not always the timing that we would want (vv. 123, 126).
3. We are reminded in times of trouble, that we belong to God and can trust in his unfailing love (v. 124).
4. We are reminded in times of trouble, that God's word (his commands) must maintain a central place of importance in our lives (vv. 124c, 125, 126).
5. We are reminded in times of trouble, that God's word must remain the guide of our lives for every decision we make (v. 128).

“Song by the Sea” (Exodus 15:1–21)

“Song by the Sea” (Exodus 15:1–21)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, December 17, 2017
 
Exodus 15:1–21 (NIV)
15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
 
2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
 
7 “In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy boasted,
‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
11 Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
 
12 “You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
16  terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone—
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought  pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
 
18 “The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.”
 
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.”
 
 
The Lord is worthy of our praise in song (1–5) …
 
…Because he has redeemed his people (6–11) …
 
…And provided a dwelling place for them in his presence (12–18).
 
Main Idea: The Lord is worthy of our praise, because he has redeemed us and provided a dwelling place for us in his presence.

“Rescue at the Sea” (Exodus 14:1–31)

“Rescue at the Sea” (Exodus 14:1–31)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, December 10, 2017
 
Exodus 14:1–31 (NIV)
Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.
5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
 
The Lord is zealous for his own glory, and he will magnify his name.
 
The Lord is faithful and gracious to faithless and undeserving people.
 
The Lord brings judgment on his enemies and delivers his people.
 
The Lord is worthy of our trust and worship.
 

"The Living God Leads His People" (Exodus 13:17-22)

“The Living God Leads His People” (Exodus 13:17–22)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, November 26, 2017
Exodus 13:17–22 (NIV)
17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” 
20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
1. God leads his people in his way, because God always knows which way is best (17–18).
2. God fulfilled his promises and demonstrates that he is always faithful to help his people (19).
3. God is always present to guide his people (20–22).

"Life under the Law" (Romans 7:13-25)

“Life under the Law” (Romans 7:13–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, November 26, 2017
Romans 7:13–25 (NIV)
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
 
Who is this passage referring to and what does it mean?
The two dominant views of the passage are that it is either referring to a mature believer in their struggle with sin (Paul in his present status as a mature believer) or to an unbeliever in their moral struggle to do right in an unregenerate state (Paul in his pre-conversion life).
I believe the passage is best understood as referring to a person’s struggle with sin under the law of Moses. Thus, it refers to Paul’s or Israel’s struggle to obey God’s law in the power of the flesh without the aid of the indwelling Holy Spirit. So, the debate is not properly framed around whether the person in question is a believer; the debate is better framed around the question of whether the person is operating under the administration of the old covenant (under law) or under the administration of the new covenant (in the Spirit). Chapter 7:7–25 describes the life of a person struggling to obey God under the old administration of the Mosaic law without the help of the indwelling Spirit who is the gift of God to those under the new covenant.
Below are some arguments put forward for the two different views:
1. Arguments for Romans 7 describing the experience of a believer in Christ (including a mature believer, such as Paul in his present experience).
a. The “I” is autobiographical and most naturally refers to Paul.
i. Response: the “I” does refer to Paul but not just to Paul. It also includes the experience of any Israelite under law and even to some degree the experience of Adam in the Garden of Eden when confronted with God’s good commandment.
b. The verb tenses shift in verse 14 to the present tense. While verses 7–12 are primarily in the past tense, the verbs from v. 14 on are in the present tense. Therefore, a transition must have occurred beginning in v. 14. In verses 7–12 Paul must be describing his past experience before conversion, and after v. 13 is describing his present experience as a believer.
i. Response: The switch to the present tense is not in itself conclusive. It is common in narrative descriptions to use a present tense verb to describe the scene from the perspective of the narrator. If Paul is employing a narrative framework to describe the personal struggle of someone (including himself) under the law of Moses, it would not be out of place to employ a present tense verb. It makes the description vivid and personal. So, the present tense can be understood in a literary, narrative way that fits in the passage with Paul’s purpose, but it does not necessarily prove that Paul is referring to his present state as a believer in Christ. The present tense of the verbs needs to be subservient to Paul’s overriding concern in the passage, and this concern is to show the powerlessness of the flesh to obey God while under the reign of the law of Moses.
c. The very positive comments of the “I” in describing his desire to do good or obey the law seems to point to a regenerated person. It is hard to imagine an unbeliever saying that he delights in God’s law.
i. So, we have statements like this:
1. The law is holy, righteous, and good (12).2. The law is spiritual (14).3. What I want to do (obey the law) (15).4. I agree that the law is good (16).5. I have the desire to do what is good (17).6. I don’t do the good that I want to do (want to obey the law) (19).7. I want to do good (21).8. In my inner being, I delight in God’s law (22).9. Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ (24).10. In my mind, I am a slave to God’s law (25).
ii. However, we also have seemingly contrary statements that do not fit the perspective of a believer:
1. Sin sprang to life and I died (9).2. I am unspiritual (14).3. I am sold as a slave to sin (14). Compare with Romans 6:6–7, which says that we have been set free from sin and are no longer slaves to sin.4. What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do – describes a conflicted, double-minded person (15).5. Good itself does not dwell in me, in my flesh (18).6. The good that I want to do I cannot carry it out (can’t do good) (18).7. Another law at work in my mind is making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work in me (23). Compare with Romans 8:2, which says that believers are set free from the law of sin and death. 8. In my flesh a slave to the law of sin (see 8:2).
iii. Response: The debate cannot be solved by comparing these statements, because they are in conflict. The good statements do not fit an unbeliever, but the bad statements do not fit a believer’s perspective either. The answer must come from the context and purpose of what Paul is doing. If we understand that Romans 7 is from the perspective of the law, then the positive statements can be understood as coming not from any unbeliever but from a God-fearing Jew under the law. Paul, the Pharisee, could agree with all of the positive statements about God’s law in chapter 7, but he did not have the power to carry it out in his flesh without the aid of the Holy Spirit. So, the struggle is chapter 7 is not descriptive of an unbeliever per se, but the struggle of someone under the law of Moses who has a desire to obey it but does not have the ability.
d. The passage seems to fit our personal experience as believers in our struggle against sin and the flesh.
i. Response: We want to be careful to not interpret Scripture in light of our own experience or our own perceived experience. We want to interpret the text with an understanding of the historical and literary contexts and then reading and interpreting the words themselves (lexical, grammatical) in a way that Paul and his original readers could agree with. Christians do have an ongoing battle with sin and our desires. Christians are not perfect, and diligent effort must be applied to grow in holiness. Paul himself said in Romans 6 that since we are free from the power and reign of sin we must offer our bodies to God and righteousness. This is an imperative that flows from the indicative reality of our new life in Christ. We find numerous exhortations in the Scriptures for believers to pursue diligently with great effort a life of holiness in the power of Christ through the Spirit. I agree that there is a struggle with sin in chapter 7, but it is a struggle that is being fought under law, and the law has been coopted by sin to multiply sin and transgressions to leave the sinner condemned to death. Chapter 7 describes a struggle with sin that cannot be won. The struggle is the flesh vs. sin under the reign of law, which is why the passage ends in defeat and despair (v. 24). The Christian’s struggle is vastly different. It is not a struggle that ends in despair and defeat. Why? Because it is a pursuit of righteousness away from sin in the power of the Holy Spirit not in the old way of the written code.
2. Arguments for Chapter 7 referring to Israel’s/Paul’s experience under the law of Moses.
a. The earlier references to the law in Romans:
i. The righteousness of God comes to believers apart from law (3:21).ii. A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law (3:28).iii. The law brings wrath (4:15).iv. The law actually increases transgressions (5:20)v. The believer is no longer under the law, but under grace. Therefore, sin can no longer be the master of a believer (6:14).vi. Believers have died to the law and now belong to Christ (7:4). vii. Under the law, our sinful passions bore fruit for death (7:5). viii. Believers have been released from the law and now serve in the new way of the Spirit (7:6).
b. The structure of Romans.
i. Romans 6 and 7 are extended “asides” to deal with potential objections to Paul’s argument that we are no longer under law but under grace (5:20). ii. 7:7–25 is a defense against possible misunderstanding after Paul’s definitive statement in 7:1-6 that we are no longer married to the law and are now married to Christ.iii. 7:5–6 are key to understanding 7:7–8:17.iv. 7:5 is life under law – unregenerate experience described (7:5).v. 7:6 is life in the Spirit – regenerate experience described (7:6).vi. 7:7–25 is an elaboration of 7:5.vii. 8:1–17 is an elaboration of 7:6.
c. The contrast between 7:14–25 and 8:1–17 is so dramatic that it is difficult to believe that the experience described is that of a Christian in both cases.d. Nowhere does 7:14–25 mention life in Christ or life in the Spirit. It is always in reference to law. Chapter 8 refers to the Holy Spirit 19 times. The “I” that attempts to but fails to keep God’s law lacks the resources of the Holy Spirit. This is vastly different than the experience of the believer with the Spirit in ch. 8.e. The description of the person in chapter 7 who delights in God’s law is not a believer in Christ in the Spirit, but a devout Jew or moral person who desires to do what is right but who lacks the resources to do it. Verse 22 – in my inner being I delight in God’s law – is the description of a pious/God-fearing Jew under law. So, the portrait in 7:14–25 is not true of all unbelievers; it depicts a person who delights in God’s law but cannot keep it. (Paul as a Pharisee; David; etc.).f. But doesn’t Paul say that he was blameless with regards to God’s law (Philippians 3)? Yes, but surely Paul didn’t consider himself as sinless. In terms of exterior performance, he was blameless in the eyes of other people. But they cannot see his coveting, which he describes in 7:7–12. Remember the rich man who came to Jesus who said that he had obeyed all the commands of God since his youth, but he could not part with his wealth. He was guilty of coveting just as Paul describes his coveting in ch. 7. Coveting is the perfect example command, because in many ways it encapsulates the whole law. A covetous person is not worshiping God and God alone with no other gods before him. Also, a person coveting is not truly obeying the commands to not steal, commit adultery, etc. So, coveting is a disobedience of the two great commands to love God and neighbor. Life in the flesh under the law without the Spirit is powerless to transform the heart and cure it of coveting and thus of breaking God’s law.g. The whole argument of the larger section of Romans is that Christians are no longer under law; we have been married to another (Christ). Thus, 7:7–25 cannot be describing a person in Christ in the Spirit because everything said is in relationship to law. But the NT believer in Christ has been set free from the law. The burden of this whole section is to show how believers are not under law but under grace, while at the same time not disparaging God’s good law. God’s law is good, but we are not. The problem is that we are powerless to obey it. This powerlessness leads to the desperate lament at the end of the passage (7:24). Our only hope from this desperate situation is Jesus Christ and his life-giving Spirit.
Main Idea: If you try to justify yourself by keeping the law, you will fail. If you try to sanctify yourself as a believer by keeping the law, you will fail. The only hope that we wretched, dead, miserable human beings have is the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ who justifies us through faith and then gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit who makes us righteous in a way that the law could never achieve.

“Sin’s Use of the Law to Bring Death” (Romans 7:7–12)

“Sin’s Use of the Law to Bring Death” (Romans 7:7–12)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, November 19, 2017
 
Romans 7:7–12 (NIV)
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
 
 
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.  20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (Romans 3:19-21, NIV)
 
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.  14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,  15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.  (Romans 4:13-15, NIV)
 
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law.  14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.  (Romans 5:13-14, NIV)
 
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,  21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 5:20-21, NIV)
 
14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.  15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!  (Romans 6:14-15, NIV)
 
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.  6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:4-6, NIV)
 
The Law of Moses is holy, just, and good.
 
Though the Law of Moses is holy, just, and good, it has had the effect of making the condition of sinful people even worse.
                       a.  The Law reveals our sin.
                     
                        b.The Law arouses sin and increases transgressions.
 
                       
                        c.The Law condemns the sinner to death.
 
Our only hope for deliverance is through the grace of Jesus Christ.
 

“Redemption and Remembrance” (Exodus 13:1–16)

“Redemption and Remembrance” (Exodus 13:1–16)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, November 12, 2017
 
Exodus 13:1–16 (NIV)
13 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. 5 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.
11 “After the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, 12 you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.
14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ 16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
 
Redemption: (vv. 1–2, 11–16): God has rights over his people and they are to be consecrated to him because he paid the price to redeem them.
 
Remembrance: (vv. 3–10): God’s mighty acts are to be remembered and celebrated by his covenant people.