“Free Slaves” (Romans 6:15–23)

“Free Slaves” (Romans 6:15–23)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, November 5, 2017
 
Romans 6:15–23 (NIV)
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
Christians are living in a new era and are citizens of a new kingdom.
 
The salvation-historical then/now.
 
The salvation-experiential then/now.
 
Then: You used to be slaves of sin and bound for death.
 
Now: You are now slaves of righteousness bound for eternal life.
 
Summary: We are now part of the era and kingdom of grace, but being under grace instead of Law doesn’t mean that we are free to sin or free to indulge in lawlessness. Being under grace means that we are now citizens of a new Kingdom with a new Lord. It is to this gracious and righteous King Jesus that we now owe our loyalty and obedience. Let us serve him as willing servants, because the benefits are joyous and eternal.
 
Main Idea: Jesus sets us free to serve God in righteousness and holiness.

“Dead to Sin, but Alive to God” (Romans 6:1–14)

“Dead to Sin, but Alive to God” (Romans 6:6–14)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, October 22, 2017
 
Romans 6:1–14 (NIV)
6 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? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 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.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
1. Can we keep sinning because God’s grace is so bounteous? No! (vv. 1–2)
2. Why can’t we keep sinning in light of God’s abundant grace? (vv. 3–11)
a. As believers, we have been united with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (vv. 3–5).
i. God’s action: We died with Christ and will be raised like Him (vv. 4a, 5).ii. God’s intention: That we should live a new life (v. 4b).
b. In union with Christ, we have died to sin and have been made alive to God (vv. 6–11).
i. God’s action: Our old self was crucified with Christ (v. 6).ii. God’s intention: That we should not serve sin (vv. 6–7).iii. God’s action: We know that we will live with Christ (vv. 8–10).iv. God’s intention: So see yourselves in Christ Jesus as dead to sin but alive to God (v. 11)
3. God’s abundant grace does not give us permission to use our bodies however we like; rather, it teaches us to use our bodies to serve God and his righteousness (vv. 12–14).
a. Do not let sin reign (vv. 12–13a).b. Offer yourselves to God (vv. 13b–14).

“Dead but Alive” (Romans 6:1–14), Part 2

“Dead but Alive” (Romans 6:1–14), Part 2Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, October 15, 2017
Romans 6:1–14 (NIV)
6 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? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 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.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
1. The true preaching of justification by grace through faith alone often results in misunderstanding by those who would seek to abuse it for licentiousness (1).
2. But the grace of God does not give us a license to sin (2).
3. No, the grace of God has delivered us from the reign of sin and death and has brought us into the reign of righteousness and life (2b-5).
a. Our break with the old life of sin, judgment, and death is so complete that it can be described of as a death (2b–4).
i. What does “dead to sin” in Romans 6 mean? [See Tim Keller, Romans 1–7 for You.]
1. It does not mean (either wrong or insufficient or not appropriate to the context of Romans 6):
a. That we no longer want to sin or that sin no longer has any power or influence over us.b. That we no longer ought to sin; sin is now inappropriate for the Christian.c. That we are moving slowly away from sin; sin is weakening in us.d. That we have renounced sin; at some moment we disavowed sinful behavior.e. That we are no longer guilty of sin; our sins cannot condemn us for they are pardoned in Christ.
2. What “dead to sin” does mean in Romans 6:
a. We are no longer under the “reign”—the ruling power—of sin. Sin still has power, but it can no longer force its dictates on you.
b. And, our entrance into the new life of grace, righteousness, and life is so complete that it can be described of as a resurrection (4b–5).
Main Idea: Our union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection means that sin no longer has power over the believer and is no longer welcome in the life of the believer.

“Dead but Alive” (Romans 6:1–14), Part 1

“Dead but Alive” (Romans 6:1–14), Part 1Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, October 8, 2017
Romans 6:1–14 (NIV)
6 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? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 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.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
 
1. The super-abounding grace of God does not open a door of freedom to go on living in sin (1–2a).
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, (Romans 5:20, NIV)
2. On the contrary, our break with the old life of sin, judgment, and death is so radical that it can be described of as a death (2b–4a).
a. We are no longer under the condemnation of sin and its penalty of death.b. We are no longer under the power and dominion of sin.
i. Because we are united with Christ.ii. Being united with Christ, his death on the cross was our death.iii. Being united with Christ, his burial was our burial.iv. So, Christ conquered the reign of sin and death over us when he died on the cross for us.v. This new standing and transfer from the realm of sin and death to the realm of grace and life is applied to us at our conversion – represented by baptism.
3. And, our entrance into the new life of grace, righteousness, and life is so complete that it can be described of as a resurrection (4b–5).
Main Idea: Our union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection means that sin no longer has power over the believer and is no longer welcome in the life of the believer.

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21)

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, October 1, 2017
 
Romans 5:12–21 (NIV)
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
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.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 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.
 
We are either in Adam or in Christ; those are the only two options (12–21).
 
In Adam we are sinners condemned to death; in Christ we are justified, declared to be righteous (18–19).
 
Under Moses our sins were magnified; in Christ grace is magnified (20).
 
In Adam we were enslaved under the tyranny of sin and death; in Christ by grace we reign with him in life (17, 21).
 
Main Idea: “The combined power of sin, law, and death is defeated by the superabounding power of grace and righteousness in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), part 2

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), part 2
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 24, 2017
 
Romans 5:12–21 (NIV)
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
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.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 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.
 
Adam is a type of Christ. They both represent their people, but Christ’s headship over his people is so much superior to Adam’s. Note the contrasts between Adam and Christ:
Difference in kind of representation: We are in Adam physically; we are in Christ spiritually.
Difference in character: Adam’s trespass brings death as a matter of justice; Christ’s obedience brings life as a matter of grace.
Difference in the nature of their actions: Adam’s act was a selfish act of pride; Christ’s act was a selfless act of love.
Difference in the immediate effect: Adam’s act brought condemnation, with judgment following only one sin; Christ’s act brought justification, with grace following many sins.
Difference in ultimate effect: Adam’s act brings the reign of death (physical, spiritual, and eternal); Christ’s act brings our reign in life (physical, spiritual, and eternal).

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), Part 1

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), Part 1
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 17, 2017
 
Romans 5:12–21 (NIV)
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
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.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 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.
Adam, the first human being, sinned and brought sin into the world (12).
Sin brings the consequence of death into the world (12).
Every person is under the curse of death and is guilty of sin, because Adam was the representative of the whole human race (12–14).
Every human being sinned in Adam, because he was our representative.
Before the Mosaic Law was given, sin was in the world.
But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses – even over those who did not sin by breaking a specific, explicit command as Adam did.
Therefore, we are sinners in Adam.
Therefore, we are guilty in Adam.
Therefore, we all incur the consequence of death in Adam.
Adam was the representative head of the whole human race in sin and death.
The trespass of one man brought death or condemnation to all men (5 times in 15–19).
The analogy between Adam and Christ is broken if Adam is not our representative. If Adam cannot represent us as our covenant head in death, then neither can Christ in life.

“God’s Love on Display” (Romans 5:6–11)

“God’s Love on Display” (Romans 5:6–11)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 10, 2017
 
Romans 5:6–11, NIV
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  9 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!  11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
 
God’s Love Came at the Right Time: When We Were Weak and Powerless and in Desperate Need of It (6).
 
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Gal. 4:4–5, NIV)
 
God’s Love Is Not Like Human Love (6–7).
 
God’s Love Is Given to the Most Unlovable (8).
 
God’s Love Not Only Gives Us Grace in the Present; It Will Also Give Us Grace in the Future (9–10).
 
God’s Love Is Worthy of Our Ultimate Praise and Becomes the Source of Our Life’s Joy (11).

"Peace and Hope" (Romans 5:1-5)

“Peace and Hope” (Romans 5:1–5)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, September 3, 2017
Romans 5:1–5 (NIV)
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
1.    Believers in Christ have peace with God (1–2a).
       a.    Peace with God means we have entered into a relationship of love and friendship.               i.    The atoning work of Christ made this relationship of peace with God possible. 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!  11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  (Romans 5:10-11, NIV)17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Co. 5:17-19, NIV)21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- (Colossians 1:21-22, NIV)              ii.    We enter into this state of peace with God through faith.        b.    Peace with God means we have access (a way of approaching) before the throne of God.               i.    Christ is our mediator.               ii.    This blessing of access to God is a state of grace.
2.    Believers in Christ have hope for their future salvation (2b–5).
       a.    Our future hope causes us to rejoice/boast in God and his glory.       b.    Our future hope enables us to rejoice/boast even in the midst of suffering:               i.    Because we know that suffering is molding our character to be like that of Christ.              ii.    Because we know that suffering in this world is the path to future glory (as it was for Christ himself).       c.    Our future hope is based on God’s love for us.       d.    Our future hope is revealed and made certain to us in our experience through the gift of the regenerating Holy Spirit.
 

“Abraham, Our Father in the Faith” (Romans 4:17–25)

“Abraham, Our Father in the Faith” (Romans 4:17–25)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, August 20, 2017
 
Romans 4:17–25 (NIV)
17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-- the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.  18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."  19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-- since he was about a hundred years old-- and that Sarah's womb was also dead.  20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,  21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."  23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,  24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
 
Abraham serves as a model of faith for all who believe in Jesus Christ and receive God’s gracious gift of justification.
So, what does Abraham’s example teach us about the nature of faith?
 
Abraham’s faith was in God (17).
Abraham’s faith meant acknowledging man’s helplessness (18–19).
Abraham’s faith meant trusting that God would keep his promises (20–22).
Abraham’s faith becomes a model for all Christians (23–25).
The Christian’s faith is in God’s promise that justification is based on Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection.
The object of the Christian’s faith: The God of the impossible, who raised Jesus from the dead.
The source of the Christian’s faith: The promise of God that Jesus’ death and resurrection atone for our sins (25).
The result of the Christian’s faith: Justification apart from human works to the glory of God (23-24a, 25b).

“Promise, not Law” (Romans 4:13–25)

“Promise, not Law” (Romans 4:13–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, August 6, 2017
Romans 4:13–25 (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.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”  He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
1.    We are not saved by keeping the law (13–15).        a.    Abraham was not saved by keeping the law; he was saved 430 years before the law was given to Moses at Sinai (Gal 3:17).        b.    Salvation by keeping the law would render faith unnecessary and make the promise null and void.        c.    Salvation can’t come by keeping the law because the law was not given to save people, but to show them that they need to be saved (Gal 3:10).2.    We are saved by grace through faith in the promise of God (16–17a).        a.    God gave the promise by grace: Abrahamic covenant.                i.    Promise of land               ii.    Promise of descendants              iii.    Promise of universal blessing               iv.    Promise of a Redeemer         b.    Abraham believed the promise and was justified.                i.    Righteousness received by faith magnifies God’s grace.               ii.    Righteousness received by faith magnifies God’s grace to the whole world.

“Faith Alone for All Peoples” (Romans 4:9–12)

“Faith Alone for All Peoples” (Romans 4:9–12)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, July 30, 2017
 
1.  Religious ritual cannot save you (4:9–10).
 
Historical Argument: Abraham’s justification by faith came before his circumcision. Implication: Circumcision has nothing to do whatsoever with one’s justification.
 
Theological Argument: Circumcision did not justify Abraham, because that was not its purpose and function. The purpose and function of circumcision was to serve as a sign and seal of Abraham’s faith that justified him before God.
 
2.  Ethnic heritage cannot save you (4:11–12).
 
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. (Gal. 3:7, NIV)
 
27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:27-29, NIV)
 
These two points stated can be converted into two important, positive statements about the gospel:
 
Only faith justifies you before God.
It is faith alone that justifies anyone, from all of the world’s peoples.
 

“God’s Grace to David (and Us)” (Romans 4:6–8)

“God’s Grace to David (and Us)” (Romans 4:6–8)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, July 23, 2017
 
Romans 4:1–8 (NIV)
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” 
 
God does not owe anyone anything (1–5).
God does not owe anyone any of the credit for their salvation—because it is all by grace through faith (1–3).
God does not owe anyone anything in return for their attempts at good works—because salvation is all of grace through faith (4–5).
No sin is too great to be forgiven by God’s grace (6­–8).
David was a great sinner (like us).
David’s God was a greater forgiver.

“God’s Grace to Abraham and David” (Romans 4:1–8)

“God’s Grace to Abraham and David” (Romans 4:1–8)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, July 16, 2017Romans 4:1–8 (NIV)4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:7 “Blessed are thosewhose transgressions are forgiven,whose sins are covered.8 Blessed is the onewhose sin the Lord will never count against them.” Romans 1:1–2 NIV1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy ScripturesRomans 3:21 NIVBut now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.Romans 3:31 NIVDo we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.1. God does not owe anyone anything (1–5).      a. God does not owe anyone any of the credit for their salvation—because it is all by grace through faith (1–3).Genesis 15:6 NIVAbram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.      b. God does not owe anyone anything in return for their attempts at good works—because salvation is all by grace through faith (4–5).Romans 3:25–26 NIV25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

“Where Is Boasting?” (Romans 3:27–31)

“Where Is Boasting?” (Romans 3:27–31)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, July 9, 2017
 
Romans 3:21–31 (NIV)
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
 
Since righteousness is based on grace through faith in what God has accomplished in Christ and not on human works or merit, boasting is completely ruled out (v. 27–28). (The gospel of justification by faith alone humbles sinners and excludes boasting.)
 
The oneness and exclusivity of God demands that Jews and Gentiles are justified in the same way: by faith (vv. 29–30). (The gospel of justification by faith alone unites believers and excludes discrimination.)
 
Faith does not nullify the Law, but establishes it. It does this by causing the ethical commands of the Law to be fulfilled in us through faith. (The gospel of justification by faith alone upholds the law and excludes antinomianism.)

"Christ, Our Propitiation" (Romans 3:25-26)

“Christ, Our Propitiation” (Romans 3:25–26)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, July 2, 2017
 
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood-- to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21–26, NIV)
 
God took the initiative to justify us.
 
God justifies us through the sacrificial death of his Son Jesus Christ.
 
Christ is the ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion)– the sacred place in God’s presence where the means of sacrifice is accepted, which atones for our sins, placating the holy wrath of God against sinners, being consistent with and for the magnification of God’s glory.
 
God’s gracious gift of justification is received by faith in Christ.
 
In justifying sinners through Christ, God satisfied his justice for all time, past, present, and future.

“Everyone Is a Sinner; Everyone May Be Saved” (Romans 3:22b-24)

“Everyone Is a Sinner; Everyone May Be Saved” (Romans 3:22b–24)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, June 25, 2017
 
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood-- to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21–26, NIV)
 
When it comes to the severity of our sin and our desperate need of God’s salvation, every person is the same (22b).
 
“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,”
 
We are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory (23).
 
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
 
“everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23, NIV)
 
“There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.  12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10–12, NIV)
 
We all may be forgiven and declared righteous before God through the atonement of Christ (24).
 
“and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
 
Main Idea: Today, we need to know that we are all sinners, and we all need to be saved and can be saved only through the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Righteousness of God Made Known” (Romans 3:21-22a)

“The Righteousness of God Made Known” (Romans 3:21–22a)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, June 11, 2017
 
Romans 3:21–22a (NIV)
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
 
      1.  The righteousness that comes to us in the Gospel is God’s.
              a.  The Gospel is God’s Gospel.
              b.  The Righteousness is God’s Righteousness.
      2.  The righteousness of God that comes to us in the Gospel was planned from eternity past and testified of in the Old Testament.
              a.  The Gospel is not God’s alternative plan when the Law did not work to save people.
              b.  It was never God’s intention to save people through the Law. The Law brings us a knowledge and conviction of our sinfulness.
              c.  God’s intention to save people by his righteousness was prophesied in the Old Testament.
              d.  We don’t have a full understanding of the Gospel of God without the testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures.
      3.  The righteousness of God that comes to us in the Gospel has now been revealed in this New Covenant era (But now…).
              a.  The righteousness of God that comes to us in the Gospel is not new; it was there testified of in the Old Testament. “But now” that righteousness of God has been fully revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ – his incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
              b.  The “Christ event” introduced a new era in God’s salvation plan. We are now beneficiaries of this New Covenant epoch.
              c.  The righteousness of God that comes to us in the Gospel introduces a new epoch in history, but it also introduces a new epoch in each of our lives personally. For all who are in Christ there was a “Then…” followed by a “But now…”
      4.  The righteousness of God that comes to us in the Gospel comes through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Law.
              a.  The righteousness of God that we receive in the Gospel is not earned by us; it was earned by Jesus Christ. It is his righteousness that justifies us before our Holy God.
              b.  This righteousness of God in Christ is not obtained by our performance of the deeds of the Law; it is obtained through complete trust and dependence on Jesus Christ.

“The Universality of Sin”

“The Universality of Sin” (Romans 3:9–20)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, June 4, 2017
 
Romans 3:9–20 (NIV)
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11    there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” 
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.” 
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 
14    “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16    ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.” 
18    “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 
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.
 
All Are Guilty: When it comes to the standard of Divine justice, neither Jews nor Gentiles have an advantage; all are guilty (9).
       2.  All Are Under the Power of Sin: The power and pervasiveness of sin is universal; all are under its grip (10–18).
The ungodliness of sin.
The pervasiveness of sin.
The universality of sin.
       3.  All Have Only One Hope: The human race (Jews and Gentiles) has one and only one hope for salvation from the power of sin and its penalty: not our own attempts at good works but the righteousness of God that comes through faith (19–20).
 

“Final Remarks”

“Final Remarks” (Titus 3:12–15)
 
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. (Titus 3:12–15, NIV)
 
Provide faithful shepherds for the Lord’s church (12a).
 
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis,
 
Take practical steps to advance gospel work (12b).
 
because I have decided to winter there.
 
Give sacrificially to provide for gospel workers (13).
 
Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.
 
Make your life count by doing good deeds to advance the gospel and love other people (14).
 
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
 
Love your fellow brothers and sisters in the faith (15).
 
Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.