View source for Romans 2:17-24 The Gospel - Gods Mission

=Romans 2:17-24 The Gospel - God's Mission=

'''Theological Proposition/Focus: In [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ro2.17-29 Romans 2:17-29], Paul addresses the Jewish believers who prided themselves on their heritage and the Law, emphasizing that mere possession of knowledge about God does not equate to righteousness. Instead, true righteousness and relationship with God come from a transformed heart and living out that faith. True righteousness is not about knowledge or heritage but about a heart transformed by faith in Christ.'''

'''Christ Focus: In the context of all Scripture, this passage points to Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the ultimate means of transformation for believers. Through Christ's sacrifice, those who have faith in Him are given a new heart, enabling them to fulfill the righteousness that the Law intended.'''

'''Homiletical Proposition/Application: This passage encourages Christians today to reflect on their own faith and relationship with God, reminding them that a true follower of Christ goes beyond just knowing the Scriptures. It urges believers to seek genuine heart transformation over mere outward demonstrations of faith, serving as a guide in spiritual growth and authenticity.'''

=Introduction=

==Image: Memory Verse Romans 1:16==
<p>For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.</p>

==Setting the Stage:==
====In Romans Paul argues that God is the impartial judge.====
We have been working through Romans in January and have seen Paul make a strong argument that God is an impartial judge in that He judges Jews and Gentiles alike for their unrighteousness. Two weeks ago, we ended [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ro2.16 Romans 2:16] with a reminder that the only solution to our sin problem, the only way to deal with God's justice, is by placing one's complete dependence on the righteousness of Christ to meet God's righteous standard.
====God's impartial judgement means that the only way to deal with God's justice is to place one's complete dependence on the righteousness of Christ.====
=====The Gospel becomes God's mission because it is only God who can accomplish the mission of salvation.=====

==Need: We need to recognize that truly relying on Christ's righteousness means that we abandon reliance on self.==

==Preview: Knowledge of the Law helps us know God but is no substitute for righteousness.==

==Text: [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ro2.17-29 Romans 2:17-24] read all at the beginning==

=Body=

Paul challenges the Jewish believers who depend on their identity and knowledge of the Law for their righteousness. He highlights that knowing the Law is not enough if it is not lived out. This emphasis on internal transformation over external knowledge can encourage listeners to evaluate their own reliance on religious heritage or information instead of genuine faith. By acknowledging the insufficiency of knowledge alone, we can begin to see the necessity of a relationship with Christ, who transforms us from the inside out, truly fulfilling the Law.

===Image: A life of knowledge and not wisdom===

====Have you ever met someone who has spent their lifetime acquiring knowledge and completely missed out on wisdom?====

Growing up, I remember a man—since I believe he is still alive today, we are just going to call him John. John knew a lot, I mean a lot. This was before Google was popular, let alone AI, but you could count on it: if you had a question about something, John almost certainly knew something about it.

The problem was, John never waited for people to have questions about it. He just made a point of injecting himself into every conversation and flexing his knowledge muscles by stating something about whatever was being talked about. It drove people nuts!

<p>One day, after a long day at church, we got home and were expressing our frustration with John when my younger brother hit the nail on the head. My brother stated, "The problem is, John has spent his lifetime acquiring knowledge and never stopped to learn wisdom."</p>

<p>[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Pr17.27-28 Proverbs 17:27-28]: "The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues."</p>

<p>The problem was that John knew a lot, but nobody cared because John didn't know when to speak and when to wait. We couldn't trust John to teach a class because he would drive all the students away. We couldn't trust John in leadership because he would offend people for insignificant reasons.</p>

<p>While not identical, I think there is a parallel here in [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ro2 Romans 2]. It is possible to go through the Bible and learn every detail, but if those details do not change your heart, you have completely wasted your time. I think this is what Paul is working toward here in [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ro2 Romans 2].</p>

====The hypothetical argument from the beginning of chapter 2 continues here.====

When we talked through the first 16 verses of chapter 2, I mentioned that Paul has formed a hypothetical individual with whom he is arguing. Paul continues this hypothetical argument in verses 17-29. Here, in verses 17-21a, Paul gives us more information on his hypothetical opponent.

Paul's hypothetical opponent claims Jewish heritage and special knowledge about God that comes through knowing the Old Testament Law.

=====Here is the thing: the Old Testament Law does reveal some important things about God, but if we are not careful, we will find ourselves falling victim to five common myths.=====

==''Mighty Misnomers'' - There are 5 knowledge myths we must watch out for (17-18).==

===Titles don't trump obedience.===

Paul's hypothetical opponent has self-identified as a Jew. But Paul is going to argue that one's standing before God is not dependent on how one identifies. 
====Since God is the impartial judge, no title is going to solve anyone's sin problem.====

===The Law will not support your weight.===

Paul's hypothetical opponent also believes that having the Old Testament Law will grant him some special favor. 
====Several passages address the futility of relying on the Law, but I want to call attention to two passages in particular:====

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ga2.16 Galatians 2:16] "know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."======

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Heb10.1-4 Hebrews 10:1-4] "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming&mdash;not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."======

===Boasting in God is not obedience to God.===

This statement is tautologically true but still deserves an example. Having a church or God bumper sticker on your car does not make you a good driver! In fact, I have a seminary license plate holder that was given to me as a gift. I will admit, there are times when I think, "Oops, I kinda wish I didn't have that license plate holder because I should not have done that."

Paul tells his hypothetical opponent, you can boast all you want about God, but if it doesn't reflect your behavior, it is meaningless.

===Knowing God's will is different from doing God's will.===

I am reminded of: 

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Jas1.22 James 1:22] "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."=====

We may know exactly what God wants from us, but if we are not doing God's will, then we are all wrong.

===Being able to identify righteousness is not the same as being righteous.===

=====Image: I can identify a good throw, but that doesn't make me a quarterback.=====

I love to watch football, and even more, I love to play football. But here is the thing: I am not really that good. I can sit on the couch and watch a game and identify some really good throws. I can appreciate the skill and difficulty and say, "Wow! That was really well done."

However, that does not mean I am a good quarterback. In fact, I am pretty bad. 

Paul's hypothetical opponent is able to approve of what is superior, to be able to identify righteousness, but that does not mean the individual is righteous!

===MTR: Ask yourself, "Which of the 5 myths do I need to be most careful about in my life?"===

==''Tempting Traps'' - There are four traps that we must avoid (19-22).==
<p>
The text begins with the phrase "if you are convinced." The word that we translate as "convinced," πεποιθάς, is in the perfect tense and so carries the idea of something that is settled. In other words, Paul is not going to argue whether these are true responsibilities; rather, the question on Paul's mind is how these responsibilities are handled. You have this responsibility, but you first need to make sure you are applying it to yourself.
</p>

===Don't lead the blind into destruction ([https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt15.7-14 Matthew 15:7-14]).===

====Jesus had harsh words for those who pretended to have knowledge but were themselves leading others into destruction.====
<p>Look at [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt15.7-14 Matthew 15:7-14]:  
"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:  
‘These people honor me with their lips,  
but their hearts are far from me.  
They worship me in vain;  
their teachings are merely human rules.’"
Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."Then the disciples came to Him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
</p>

=====The problem is not leading people; in fact, we are commanded to disciple others. The problem is when we blindly lead the blind.===== 
Here is the reality: we need to know our limits. We should lead, but not out of ignorance. Instead, we should lead out of a complete and total dependence on God.  

====What does this look like? I am convinced that we need to lead as empowered by the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at a couple of verses: ====

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ac1.8 Acts 1:8] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."======

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Ga5.25 Galatians 5:25] "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."======

Ultimately, [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Jas3.1 James 3:1] tells us:  

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Jas3.1 James 3:1] "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."=====

======I am convinced this verse does not mean that we should avoid teaching but rather that we must be careful in our teaching.====== 
How do we do this, by relying on the Holy Spirit not some superiority complex or perception of secret knowledge that only we possess.

===Don't put your light under a basket ([https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt5.14-16 Matthew 5:14-16]).===
====Israel failed to be the Kingdom of Priests====
<p>As I look through the Old Testament, one of the things I am convinced of is that the Israelites were supposed to be God's priests to the world—people who represented God and brought His will to fallen humanity. Instead, time and time again, the Israelites failed in this mission. They turned inward and away from God, taking the light of God's revelation and hiding it under a basket woven of sin and idolatry.</p>

====However, not all was lost. Jesus came to earth and accomplished what Israel had failed to do, providing a true light to the Gentiles and fulfilling:====

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Is42.6-7 Isaiah 42:6-7] "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."=====

In [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt5.14-16 Matthew 5:14-16], Jesus gave direct instructions on how we should operate with the knowledge we possess:  

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt5.14-16 Matthew 5:14-16] "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."=====

The proper response to the revelation—the knowledge—that we possess is to light up everything around us.

===Don't lead fools away from God ([https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Eph5.17 Ephesians 5:17]).===
====There are people out there who do not know the will of God. We are called to lead these people, not away from God, but rather to God.====
According to:  

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Eph5.17 Ephesians 5:17] "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."=====

the opposite of being foolish is to understand God's will.  

[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Je9.23-24 Jeremiah 9:23-24] expands on this idea:  

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Je9.23-24 Jeremiah 9:23-24] "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."=====

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.1Ti2.3-4 1 Timothy 2:3-4] "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."=====  

expands on this by reminding us that God's will is for people to know Him personally.  

And then we have:  

=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.2Pe3.9 2 Peter 3:9] "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."=====

===Don't over-judge your maturity.===

====We all have areas in which we are immature, but we all should also be growing in maturity. Let me put this another way: none of us has arrived, but we all should be further along than we were a year ago.====

====We need to be a church that takes [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.2Ti2.2 2 Timothy 2:2] seriously: ====

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.2Ti2.2 2 Timothy 2:2] "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."======

====We should be teaching others to go on and teach others. But we also need to be a church that understands we are far from perfect and, in a very real sense, we are all children seeking to grow.====

[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.1Co10.12 1 Corinthians 10:12] is a sober reminder:  
=====[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.1Co10.12 1 Corinthians 10:12] "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!"=====

====The problem Paul was tackling here was the hypothetical opponent who viewed everyone else as a spiritual child and himself as the adult in the room.  ====

=====The minute you start thinking too highly of yourself, you have fallen into the trap!=====

===MTR: Strive to disciple others, but as you do so, watch out for the traps!===

==''Hypocrisy'' ''Hinders'' — There are five hypocrisies that lead others to blaspheme God (22-24).==

<p>This passage calls out hypocrisy among those who teach others, yet do not practice what they preach. Paul stresses the importance of aligning one's actions with one's words, exposing the inadequacy of superficial righteousness. By highlighting the consequences of hypocrisy on one's witness, this point propels us to live our own lives in light of Christ's example. It is through genuine transformation by Christ that believers can authentically live out their faith, reflecting His righteousness to others.</p>

===Teachers who do not practice what they teach.===

====Unfortunately, teachers who do not practice what they teach are more common than they should be. Jesus called out such behavior in:====

======[https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Mt23.2-3 Matthew 23:2-3] ""The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."======

It often seems there is no shortage of people willing to tell others what to do, yet finding individuals who truly practice what they teach is a more difficult task. People are observant and will notice inconsistencies, often using them as an excuse to reject God.

===Preachers who steal.===

=====The Bible teaches in [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.1Ti5.17 1 Timothy 5:17]: "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching," and in [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.1Ti5.18 1 Timothy 5:18]: "For Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages.'" This shows that a pastor deserves pay, and really, a pastor deserves to be well paid. However, there are cases where this is taken to excess.=====

One of the problems facing many churches today is the so-called prosperity gospel. This branch of preaching teaches that financial blessing and physical well-being are always God's will for believers. Often, it emphasizes that through faith, positive declarations, and donations to the church, believers can attract wealth and prosperity.

In many of these cases, pastors become incredibly wealthy, building on the poverty of others.

===Rule enforcers who break the rules they enforce.===

Rules matter, and there are rules we need to proclaim. Adultery, for instance, is wrong no matter how you look at it. But those who proclaim or enforce rules must themselves follow those rules!

<p>On two separate occasions, in completely different environments, I encountered situations where someone wrote a strict rule and, when questioned about their ability to follow it, proclaimed, "Well, we can make exceptions."</p>

<p>No! This opens the door to hypocrisy and can easily lead people to reject God. Our goal should be to lead people to God, not to control people.</p>

===Idealists who compromise for their own benefit.===

=====The phrase "You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" in verse 22 is a challenging one. What are these people doing who hate idols but rob temples? Paul may be referencing [https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleNIV.Dt7.25 Deuteronomy 7:25]: "The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God."=====

The idea here is that God warned against opening the door to idolatry by taking idols, even with good intentions, from other temples. Here's a practical way to think through this: the end does not justify the means! We should have high standards but cannot compromise to achieve those standards.

Picture someone who sees a pagan temple and immediately feels distaste for the idolatry taking place there. In what they think is a righteous act, they break into the temple, steal all the idols, and hide them in their basement. Have they accomplished anything? No—they have broken the law, turned the idolaters into martyrs, and introduced temptation into their own lives.

People commit violent acts against abortion clinics, false religions, and the like. These acts are wrong and give others a reason to speak against the God of the universe.

===Legalists who break their own rules.===

Again, having rules is not wrong in and of itself. However, there are many ways to misuse rules, and these can lead to significant issues.

===MTR: Ask yourself, am I living in a way that is consistent with who God has revealed Himself to be?===

====We know the God of the universe, but that knowledge brings great responsibility. We must realize that our manner of life can hurt others significantly!====

<p>Let me summarize and try to bring it all together. The Gospel is God's Mission, not your mission. You are instead called to preach the Gospel. That is you bring people and the Gospel together, you don't do the saving and you don't do the changing. I think if we set our minds on bringing the Gospel and people together we will have a much easier time avoiding Mighty Misnomers, tempting traps, hypocrisy.</p>


[[Category:Sermons]]