REVIEW
Last week we saw Paul’s disdain for bad teachers in the Church.
Philippians 3:2-3 NKJV
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
When God implemented circumcision of the flesh as a sign of covenant with Him, He had the New Covenant in mind. Now the sign of covenant has been moved from the Flesh to the Spirit. —BBT
The main source of teaching the Law of Moses was coming from the Jews, still including Moses in the same breath as Jesus.
Paul addresses the Law-Abiding Jews in Romans 2, who believe they are right with God because of their WORK.
DETECTING SARCASM
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART
Romans 2:17-20 NLT
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
THESE VERSES ARE SARCASM!
SARCASM (Definition)
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
EXAMPLES OF SACRCASM
• Gah! I’m sorry!
• If I had a dollar for every smart thing you say, I’d be poor.
• Everyone has the right to be stupid, but you are abusing the privilege.
• I’m sorry I hurt your feelings when I called you stupid. I honestly thought you already knew.
SACRCASTIC PRAISE FOR THE LAW
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
Romans 2:23-24 NLT
23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
• It’s no wonder the world doesn’t want our God, when He is constantly described as mean, judgmental, and vindictive.
HERE’S THE TRUTH
Romans 2:28-29 NKJV
28 For he is not a Jew (one belonging to God) who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh (false circumcision);
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART
29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart (true circumcision), in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise (approval) is not from men but from God.
Men will shout your approval when they see you keeping the rules. God’s approval comes simply by having faith in His Son.
CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH
HERE COMES PAUL’S RESUME
Philippians 3:4-5 NKJV
4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day (born a Jew), of the stock of Israel (emphatically a Jew), of the tribe of Benjamin (tribe of the first king), a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Acts 22:3-4 NKJV
Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel (member of the Sanhedrin), taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women…
Philippians 3:6 NKJV
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
What’s the problem with RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE LAW???
MASTERPIECE
In Romans 10, we see the true danger of teaching the Law of Moses.
Romans 10:1-2 NKJV
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel (those under the law) is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Those who live under the law are super-busy doing lots of stuff, trying to stay in right-standing with God. This is entirely against God’s New Covenant! —BBT
Romans 10:3 NKJV
3 For they (those under the law) being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
Submit (Greek)
• Place yourself under a position.
Before the Cross, Righteousness was a DIY project.
ILLUSTRATION – DIY Christianity
When you Do It Yourself, you are relying on your wit and strength to accomplish PERFECT. Friend, there is NO WAY!
The LAW is PERFECT. It’s 613 Masterpieces.
Leave PERFECTION to the Professionals!
GOD’S MASTERPIECE
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
What makes ART valuable?
The person who touched it.
Reproductions aren’t valuable, because it doesn’t carry the DNA of the artist.
ILLUSTRATION – Tom Brady Superbowl Jersey
Tom Brady’s 2017 Superbowl jersey was stolen from the locker room after the game.
It is estimated that the jersey would sell for $500,000!
Why not just go to Foot Locker and buy one?
Because this one had Tom’s DNA on it.
Your value comes from the One who lives in you, Christ!
END OF THE LAW
Romans 10:4 NKJV
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Christ is the end of Moses. —BBT
CONCLUSION
Believers are to put no confidence that they are righteous in the flesh. That is to say, don’t ever think that any amount of effort can make you right, or keep you right, with God. It is by faith alone in what Jesus did that you have been made perfect!