GRATITUDE That ADORNS The GOSPEL-VI—Romans 1:15-25
OR: Gratitude That Graces The Gospel
Attention:
This coming Saturday, our church is going to have a Cleanup/Work Day. We will begin with a breakfast at 8:00, & the plan is to work until about noon. If everyone will take on a project, or work with someone else on a project, we will get the church building & grounds looking nice & running smoothly.
Such actions declare our heartfelt gratitude for what God has done & is doing thru us.
Need:
Our lives in Christ Jesus encourage celebration! God’s people continuously offer up sincere thanks to Him for offering them His wisdom, which in turn, causes them to view the world very differently than those who are without Christ in the world.
Christian influence in all societies encourages an appreciation for the life with which God has blessed them(although it is not always accepted).
Christians openly recognize God’s love expressed towards them in His sustained salvation & moment-by-moment blessings.
Christians openly recognize & prioritize God’s ever available invitation to approach Him with their actual needs.
Christians openly recognize God’s provision for them.
These realize that they have been abundantly blessed by the ever-living & loving Lord their God.
Those who are not so inclined may still be influenced by the Church to such a degree that they readily attach a religious sentimentality to holidays & to life in general.
“ADORN”—To make more beautiful, or attractive; To enhance.
Titus 2:9-10—“Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”
1Pet. 3:3-4—“Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” For the Christians in Rome, Paul delineated the relationship of gratitude to the Gospel.
Personal Gratitude must properly adorn the Gospel of Christ.
What manner of Gratitude properly adorns the Gospel of Christ?
OR...
How can your Gratitude adorn the Gospel of Christ?
8 assurances that your Gratitude is one that Adorns God’s Good News.
So far we have found that
Our Gratitude adorns the Gospel thru...
1. Our SHAMELESS TRUST(:15-16)
2. SHARING(:17)
3. REINFORCING GOD’s WRATH(:18)
4. KNOWLEDGE(:19)
5. SIGHT(:20)
6. CHOICE(:21)
7—Gratitude adorns the Gospel thru...
AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE(:22-23)
Explanation: (:22-23)
:22—“Professing to be wise, they became fools,”
Thus being dismissers of God’s glory & glorifiers of themselves(:21), ungrateful(:21), limited narrow thinkers(:21) & dark-hearted(:21), it is no surprise that these also believe & proclaim themselves to be “wise.” However, in reality, they are in the throes of utter foolishness!
To be ranked in the number of those considered to be “fools” is not a compliment. It is an insult! It is a huge insult particularly to anyone who consider themselves to be intelligent.
There is probably a no more unnerving thing for any person, than to have believed yourself “wise” only to discover that you have been a “fool” all along. Having lived your life as a “fool” would mean that all of your effort up till now has been a lie.
•But then that is exactly what every true Christian has been thru! Every true Christian has mentally ‘affirmed’ God’s truth, so that they are now, with good reason, expected to live by & ‘practice’ that truth in the real world. Truly ‘sold-out’ Christians forsake their former way of life.
?What are you a ‘professor’ of?
?What does your life declare to others?
?Is your ‘message’ absolutely truthful, or instead, one of foolishness?
“Professing”—faskw—Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masc.—1) To affirm, allege, portend or profess. Strong—To assert. Used 4X.?Prolongation from the same as—fhmi—To show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.
“Wise”—sofov—Adj.—1) Wise—1a) Skilled, expert: of artificers, 1b) Wise, skilled in letters, cultivated, learned—1b1) Of the Greek philosophers & orators, 1b2) Of Jewish theologians, 1b3) Of Christian teachers, 1c) Forming the best plans & using the best means for their execution. Denotes wise, skilled, an expert. Strong—Wise(in a most general application).
“Became Fools”—mwrainw—Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural—1) To be foolish, to act foolishly. Strong—To become insipid[lacking flavor]; figuratively, To make(passively--Act) as a simpleton.?English=‘Moron’ or moronic.
:23—“& changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--& birds & four-footed animals & creeping things.
“& changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image”
Our God is “incorruptible.” Thus His “glory” is unique & unapproachable by any created things or group of created things. His character is incorruptible. His truth is incorruptible. His promises are incorruptible. His love is incorruptible. His care is incorruptible. His holiness is incorruptible. His integrity is incorruptible. His design is incorruptible. His perfection is incorruptible!
In mankind’s foolishness they freely chose to openly deny & destroy God’s actual “incorruption” by pressing that incorruptible nature into a corrupting & corruptible representation.
We may attempt to capture or compress the immortal God of all perfection & the source of life in a two/three-dimensional“image.” BUT when we do, we actually limit God to our own limited abilities. God’s glory has become limited to a ‘man-derived’ “image.”
And when we have so restricted God’s glory, we deprive the world of a true witness. And we ourselves can become so effected by our own ‘creations’—even though well intentioned—that our own Christian lives can be deprived of His truth & remain limited to a visually stimulating representation.
This is why the Church incorporates images of the Cross rather than images of God Almighty. They are reminders of certain aspects of what God reveals of Himself to our hearts.
Jesus came to earth in the form of a man. BUT even when we attempt to ‘dimensionally’ depict Him, we severely limit His “glory” thru those representations.
Yet Paul is speaking of lost mankind in the general capacity of their worldliness...Or in the capacity of their suppressive ungodliness & unrighteousness(1:18).
“Changed/Exchanged”—allassw—Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural—1) To change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform. Strong—To make different. Used 6X.?From—allov—Strong—a primary word; "Else," i.e. Different (in many applications). Denotes numerical in distinction from qualitative differences. Generally denotes simple distinction of individuals. Every eterov is an allov but not every allov is a eterov.
“Incorruptible/Immortal”—afyartov—Adj.—1) Uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable—1a) of things; 2) Immortal—2a) Of the risen dead. Afyartov is properly incorruptible, unaffected by corruption & decay. It is applied to God, & to that which is connected with him. Strong—Undecaying(in essence or continuance).
“Image”—eikwn—Noun Fem.—1) An image, figure, likeness—1a) An image of the things(the heavenly things)—1a1) Used of the moral likeness of renewed men to God, 1a2) The image of the Son of God, into which true Christians are transformed, is likeness not only to the heavenly body, but also to the most holy & blessed state of mind, which Christ possesses, 1b) The image of one—1b1) One in whom the likeness of any one is seen, 1b2) Applied to man on account of his power of command, 1b3) To Christ on account of his divine nature & absolute moral excellence. Strong—A likeness, i.e. literally--Statue, profile, or figuratively--Representation, resemblance. Used 23X.?From—eikw—To resemble.
“...into an image made like corruptible man--& birds & four-footed animals & creeping things.”
Men “changed” or ex-changed God’s “incorruptible” “glory” into that of created & “corruptible” things such as men & animals afford.
“Corruptible” things—all created things—are those which utterly fail, falter, or otherwise never reach perfection. “Corruptible” things ‘break’, grow old, depreciate, wear-down or wear-out & in other ways reveal an inborn futility when disconnected from God.
Generally mankind chooses to worship himself & God’s creation before he will ever worship the God who created them. How foolish! In all that mankind observes from his birth, his free yet pride-filled heart won’t allow him to gain spiritual insight thru his seeing God’s handiwork.
This is not to say that no usefulness or civility or concern for the welfare of others can come from the secular mind. Only that no direct God-ordered ‘good’ can come of it! It may only be temporally mimicked at best!. That mimicry may be civilly & socially exerted thru laws.
•And THAT describes the potential danger of merely being socially associated with God’s Church. Very commonly people can very easily be duped into believing that the mere doing of ‘deeds’ is what makes you a Christian! To believe such is a lie from the pit of hell!
•Lost people can be tithers, & singers, & lawn-keepers, & church administrators & even pastors!
Man surrounds himself with that which resembles his world...those things with which he is most familiar—with those things which are created...Granting more power to those things which man has been charged with overseeing(Gen. 9:1-2). Man elevates these created things, determining their place in his false religion, And in so doing, man making himself the master of them & thus the god of it all!
“Made Like/Likeness”—omoiwma—Noun Neuter—1) That which has been made after the likeness of something—1a) A figure, image, likeness, representation, 1b) Likeness i.e. Resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity. Strong—A form; abstractly, resemblance. Used 6X.?From—omoiow—To assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively--To become similar.
“Corruptible/Mortal”(See “incorruptible” above)—fyartov—1) Corruptible, perishing. Strong—Decayed, i.e. by implication--Perishable. Used 6X.?From—fyeirw; probably strengthened from fyiw(to pine or waste); properly--To shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil(by any process) or generally--To ruin(especially figuratively, by moral influences--To deprave).
“Birds”—peteinon—Noun Neuter—1) Flying, winged; 2) Flying or winged animals, birds—2a) The birds of the heaven, i.e. Flying in the heaven(air). Strong—A flying animal, i.e. Bird. Used 14X.?Neuter of a derivative of—petomai; OR by prolongation--petaomai; OR contracted--ptaomai; middle voice of a primary verb; To fly.
“Four-footed Animals/Four-footed Beasts/Animals/Quadrupeds”—tetrapouv—Adj.—1) A fourfooted animal. Strong—A quadruped. Used 3X--Acts 10:12; 11:6; Rom. 1:23.?From— tessarev OR neuter--tessara—a plural number; Four.—&—pouv—a primary word; A “foot.”
“Creeping things/Crawling Creatures/Reptiles”—erpeton—Noun Neuter—1) A creeping animal, reptile—1a) Used chiefly of snakes; 2) An animal of any sort—2a) Four-legged animals & birds, 2b) marine animals. Strong—neuter of a derivative of erpw(to creep); A reptile, i.e. (by Hebraism[compare smr])--A small animal. Used 4X--Acts 10:12; 11:6; Rom. 1:23; Js. 3:7.
Argumentation:
Prov. 17:28—“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”
1Cor. 1:18-21—“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”
Job 38:1-3—“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, & said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, & you shall answer Me.”
The remainder of Job is a diatribe of God asking questions of Job which highlight man’s general lack of real knowledge.
1Cor. 2:9-16—“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
Mat. 6:19-21—“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust destroy & where thieves break in & steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys & where thieves do not break in & steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Acts 4:8-13, 18-20—[Peter ]“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people & elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, & to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter & John, & perceived that they were uneducated & untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”.....“And they called them & commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter & John answered & said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen & heard.””
Lk. 12:15-32—“And He[Jesus] said to them, “Take heed & beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns & build greater, & there I will store all my crops & my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, & be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, & is not rich toward God.” Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, & the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; & God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; & yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field & tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, & your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, & all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” We do not earn His Kingdom!
Js. 2:14-26—“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked & destitute of daily food, & one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed & filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, & I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, & I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--& tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, & by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, & it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, & not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers & sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”” Faith in the reality of God’s saving & directing grace, drives my heart & soul to practice the attitude & works He ordains!
Php. 2:12-13—“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear & trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will & to do for His good pleasure.”
1Cor. 15:30-34—“And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat & drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, & do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
Apart from personal affirmation & practice regarding Christ Jesus, the general recourse is to ‘party hearty’ today because there is no certainty of the future.
Illustration:
Our recent trips to the dentist/My wife & I are skeptical of some things that we are told in the dentist's office/We do not know them personally so some of what they suggested appears to be money or profit-driven/However they continually tell me that I need to floss or use a ‘Waterpik’/I had heard that growing up as a dentist’s son(who trusted his Daddy) but I never followed thru with it/I have since taken their advice & lessened my skepticism of them by buying a ‘Waterpik’—water flosser/I am now a practicing ‘flosser’ as such/AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE
Paying for a car or house loan/The buyer ‘affirms’ they need a loan from another entity(bank/credit union/dealership, etc.)/But in order to legally drive the car or move into the house, there must be proper paperwork agreed to/In ‘practice’ the loan must be minimally repaid regularly within a certain amount of time/
•Better yet, ‘saving’ for a car or house requires the discipline of regular giving from yourself to eventually attain that projected desire/AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE
Family diversity becomes apparent at large family gatherings/Varied & intense beliefs are made known by voice & action/AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE
Application:
?Do You Grace the Gospel of Christ in your AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE?
?Does Your Gratitude Grace the Gospel of Christ?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Who are you thankful to? Is your life lived as if it flows from that One?
Action:
Gratitude Adorns the Gospel thru...
7. AFFIRMATION & PRACTICE(:22-23)
1. SHAMELESS TRUST(:15-16)
2. SHARING(:17)
3. REINFORCING GOD’s WRATH(:18)
4. KNOWLEDGE(:19)
5. SIGHT(:20)
6. CHOICE(:21)
Pt# 7 only! Presented 04/07/2019am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave.(Se Ave. A).
Carrabelle, FL 32322
Pts. 3-8 Presented 11/20/2011pm(Needmore Community Thanksgiving @ South River UMC) to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
