"The Security of the Believer" (Romans 8:38-39)

"The Security of the Believer" (Romans 8:38-39)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, May 6, 2018Romans 8:38–39 (NIV)38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:9-11 ... And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 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. 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.
Romans 8:14-17 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:29-30 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
 

“God’s Unfailing Love” (Romans 8:35–39)

“God’s Unfailing Love” (Romans 8:35–39)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, April 29, 2018
Romans 8:35–39 (NIV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. There is no difficulty in this life that can separate us from God’s love.
2. There is no persecution that we can face for the cause of Christ that can separate us from God’s love.
3. The greatest enemy that we can face, death itself, cannot separate us from God’s love.
4. There is no higher, supernatural power that can separate us from God’s love.
5. There is nothing in our past, present, or in our future that can separate us from God’s love.
6. In case I left anything out, there is nothing in all of God’s creation (and that’s everything) that can separate us from God’s love.
Main Idea: If you are in Christ, God loves you, and he will always love you. His love is unfailing, and nothing in the universe can separate you from God.

“Not Guilty!” (Romans 8:33–34)

“Not Guilty!” (Romans 8:33–34)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, April 22, 2018
Romans 8:33-34, NIV33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
1. There is no accusation that God will accept against his chosen ones…
Because God has justified them.
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you." 5 Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. (Zechariah 3:1-5, NIV)
2. There is no one who can condemn God’s chosen ones…
Because Jesus died for them, rose again for them, and is now interceding for them.
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:7-9, NIV)

“God for Us” (Romans 8:31–32)

“God for Us” (Romans 8:31–32)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, April 15, 2018
Romans 8:31-32, NIV31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
1. If you are God’s child…
2. God is for us, not against us.
3. No living being or powerful force or created thing stands a chance against us.
4. God has already given us the greatest gift he could ever give.
5. So, to give us eternal life, resurrection bodies, a restored creation, and the honor of ruling over that creation with Christ…is no big thing.

“God’s Unshakable Purpose” (Romans 8:29–30)

“God’s Unshakable Purpose” (Romans 8:29–30)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, April 8, 2018
Romans 8:29-30, NIV29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
1. God loved his children before the creation of the world.
2. God determined from eternity past to glorify his children in the image of his Son, Jesus Christ.
3. At a point in time, God graciously and effectually called his children to salvation.
4. God’s gracious and effectual calling awakened faith in his children justifying them before God on the basis of Christ’s redemption.
5. Every beloved, predestined, called, and justified child of God will infallibly be glorified.

“All Things for Good” (Romans 8:28)

“All Things for Good” (Romans 8:28)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 18, 2018
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
1. Who is this promise for?
a. There is a limitation in this passage, not generally applicable to everyone. b. This promise is spoken:
i. To those who love God. ii. To those who are called according to God’s purpose.
1. Called2. God’s Purpose
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-- in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls-- she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (Romans 9:11-12, NIV)
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:11, NIV)
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3:10-11, NIV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2 Timothy 1:9, NIV)
a. Originates with him – his own purposeb. Eternal, unchangeablec. Predestined, settledd. All-encompassing, universale. Operates by grace not works/meritf. Works in concert with election/selectiong. Issues in a gracious, effectual calling
2. What does this promise say?
a. Various translations
i. All things work together for goodii. God works all things together for goodiii. In all things God works for the good
b. “All things”c. “Work together”d. “For good”
3. Do you believe this promise?
a. “We know that…”
4. How should you respond to this promise?
a. Love God. b. Trust God.

“The Holy Spirit, Our Helper” (Romans 8:26–27)

“The Holy Spirit, Our Helper” (Romans 8:26–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 11, 2018
Romans 8:26–27 (NIV) 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
1. The Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak (26).
2. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what we should pray for (26).
3. The Holy Spirit prays for us in accordance with God’s will (27).
Several applications:1. We are not alone in our times of weakness and suffering. God is not only all around us and ever-present, but in a very special sense, God is within us through his Holy Spirit.
2. We have an advocate in prayer, who intercedes for us and prays for us. But the implication is that to fully avail ourselves of this precious ministry of the Spirit, we must pray.
3. We don’t have to be overly anxious about whether we are asking God the right thing or are praying the right words to God. The Spirit is praying for us. He is praying for us in line with the will of God.
4. This ministry of the Holy Spirit is a further ground of our assurance that we are children of God. Just as the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children, so too his inner intercessory ministry is a gift given only to those who are God’s in Christ.
Main Idea: God has not left us alone. He has given us his indwelling Spirit to help us and to pray for us in our sufferings, weaknesses, and limitations.

“Our Future Glory” (Romans 8:18–25)

“Our Future Glory” (Romans 8:18–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 4, 2018
 
Romans 8:18–25 (NIV)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
 
1. Our present suffering magnifies our hope for the future (18).
2. The future for Christ’s people is so glorious, that all of creation longs for it (19–22).
3. Like the rest of creation, we as Christ’s people should long with great expectation for our future hope (23–25).
Main Idea: The troubles and sorrows that we face now can be viewed through the lens of hope instead of despair because we, along with all of creation, have the hope of a glorious future.

“Children of God” (Romans 8:14–17)

“Children of God” (Romans 8:14–17)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 25, 2018
Romans 8:14–17 (NIV)14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
 
1. The Holy Spirit provides assurance that we are God’s children (14, 16).
a. By leading us to walk in the ways of the Spirit producing the fruit of the Spiritb. By testifying with our human spirit that we are God’s children
2. The Holy Spirit guarantees our adoption into the family of God along with all of the rights and privileges of full sonship (15).
a. From slaves to sonsb. From fear to love
3. The Holy Spirit guarantees our final inheritance as an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ (17).
a. Full inheritance as a full child of God through Christb. Suffering is the path to glory.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

"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.

"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.
 

"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.
 

“Free from the Law” (Romans 7:1–6)

“Free from the Law” (Romans 7:1–6)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, November 12, 2017
 
Romans 7:1–6 (NIV)
7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
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.
 
The Principle: Death releases a person from his obligation to legal demands (v. 1).
 
The Picture: The principle is illustrated by the analogy of marriage. Death releases a spouse from the marriage vow and its legal obligation (vv. 2–3).
 
The Point: We died through our union with Christ and his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Therefore, we are no longer bound to the Law and its demands and penalties. We now belong to Christ to live for God (v. 4).
 
The Practice (vv. 5–6)
   a.  Our Past Practice: In the past, while in unbelief, our practice was to be in the bondage of the Law, which magnified sin, which results in death (v. 5).
   b.  Our Present Practice: In Christ, in the present, we are free from the bondage of the Law and are now free not to serve ourselves but to serve God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit fulfills and replaces the Law’s function in our lives and accomplishes it more perfectly and effectively (v. 6).

“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).