THE PROBLEM WITH RELIGION
Text: Rom. 2:17-24
Introduction
1. Illustration: When we Pastored in Yellville, AR there was a little restaurant that I used to like to hang out at called The Hill Top. One day a man from a nearby town called Zinc stopped in for lunch. The town of Zinc was famous for one of it's residents, he was the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan, and this was the gentleman that had stopped in for lunch that day. While he was there, he was overheard saying, "If there are any...I want to use the term he used, but if you use your imagination you can imagine what he said...in heaven then I don't want to go. I've always thought since then that if he doesn't change his attitude that God will someday take him up on his offer.
2. It's human nature to think that we are somehow better than others. We point to something that makes us stand above others around us, perhaps a successful relative or a past accomplishment.
3. For the Jews it was there family tree. They thought that being the ones that God gave the law to made them God's favorites. In Romans 2:1-16 Paul makes it clear that Jews and Gentiles are equal before God as sinners who cannot keep the law.
4. The Jews knew they were sinners, but they thought that having the law gave them special privileges. But in our text today Paul bursts that bubble too!
5. Paul talks about...
A. Four Advantages
B. Four Obligations
C. Four Failures
D. Insulting God
6. Let's all stand together as we read Rom. 2:17-24.
Proposition: Let’s live lives that honor God in every way.
Transition: First, Paul talks about...
I. Four Advantages (17-18).
A. You Who Call Yourselves
1. Paul here is addressing the Jews who saw themselves as superior to the Gentiles because of the fact they had the law.
2. In v. 17 Paul says, "You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law..."
A. The first advantage the Jews believed they had was relying on the law. Paul starts out saying, "You who call yourself Jews."
B. This was a name that was given to the Hebrew people by pagans and was later adopted by the Hebrews as a way to refer to themselves, and it has both national as well as religious meaning to it.
C. When you think about it the Jews are unique in the fact that they are both a religion and a country.
D. By saying that they were relying on the law Paul means that they depended upon the law for the religious identity.
E. Now Paul's comment is positive in the sense that they should rely on the law by living their lives according to it.
3. The second advantage they thought they had was they "...boasted about their special relationship with God."
A. Now taking pride in our relationship with God can be a good thing, until we start thinking it's because we deserve it.
B. People like that have a lack of humility because they focus status rather than having an actual relationship with God.
C. It's like the self-righteous deacon of a church that walks around lording it over everyone that comes through the door.
D. In fact, we once Pastored a church that apparently, at one point in their past, the deacons would stand at the back door and decide who could come in.
4. In v. 18 Paul says, "You know what he wants..."
A. The third advantage they thought they had was that they knew the will of God.
B. Since they had the law, they assumed that in all circumstances they knew what God wanted.
C. Again, in one sense this can be seen as a positive because having the law gives someone the basis to know what God expects of us.
D. But the context of the passage seems to imply that the Jews relied on their knowledge of the law and thought that alone made them right with God.
E. However, Paul brings out later that it's one thing to know what to do and another thing to do it.
F. Have you ever been in someone's house where they cuss like sailors, drink like fish, live together even though they're not married, but they have a family Bible on the coffee table that is big enough to choke a hippopotamus? What's wrong with this picture?
5. The fourth advantage they thought they had was they knew what was right and wrong because they had been taught the law.
A. By this Paul means that they believed they knew what was truly superior or excellent.
B. They discovered what was best because they were taught the law, meaning the law of Moses was the only basis by which they made decisions, which it should have been, but any study of the New Testament shows that this was not always the case.
B. Christians And The Bible
1. Illustration: Biblical Illiteracy Concerns: Seminaries concerned about lack of basic Bible knowledge have prompted some schools to send CD-ROM Bibles to incoming freshmen. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville discovered only 1 in 10 students could list the 10 commandments, while 3 in 10 Wheaton College frosh could identify Mathew as an apostle.
2. Having the Bible and using the Bible are two different stories.
A. Joshua 1:8 (NLT2)
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
B. The Bible is our instruction manual for the Christian life.
C. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT2)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
D. We have more Bibles, translations, study Bibles, online Bibles and Biblical resource capabilities than ever before, but biblical illiteracy is at an all-time low!
E. We are so blessed to have the Bible available to us as so many Christians in other places in the world would do anything to have the access that we have to Scripture.
F. But having the Bible and using the Bible are two different stories.
G. We ought to be in this book every day. We ought to live in it and live by it.
H. We ought to read it, study it and apply it to our lives.
Transition: After the four advantages
II. Four Obligations (19-20).
A. Guide For The blind
1. From the four advantages of the Jews Paul now moves on the four obligations they had because they had the law.
2. The Jews thought they had the epitome of truth and knowledge because of the law.
A. While the Gentiles had the natural revelation of creation, the Jews felt themselves superior because they had the divine revelation of the law.
B. Like we discussed earlier, this is mostly correct because the law was God's Word.
C. But at the same time, they were without excuse because they didn't keep the law.
3. In v. 19 Paul says, "You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness."
A. These are both things that were commanded of them from Isaiah 42:6-7.
B. Isaiah 42:6-7 (NLT2)
6 I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.
7 You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
C. But all we have to do is look at the Gospels to see that this is not what they did.
D. In fact, Jesus said they did the exact opposite of what God commanded them to do.
E. Matthew 23:15 (NLT2)
15 What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
F. Now it is right to think that those who have the law should teach those who do not, but you fail to teach yourself you give up the right to teach others.
G.
4. A Jew would have seen himself as a light to those in darkness, but again Jesus told them they were the exact opposite.
A. Matthew 15:14 (NLT2)
14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”
B. They claimed to be a beacon of light, but yet they failed to recognize they light of the world in Jesus!
5. In v. 20 Paul says, "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."
A. The next two obligations the Jews had was that they were to instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God.
B. The Jews that Paul had in mind considered themselves not only better than the Gentiles, but also capable of teaching those whom they considered ignorant in spiritual things.
C. These people knew they had the truth and were proud of it!
D. But assuming the role of a teacher carries with it heavy responsibility, especially in spiritual training.
E. James 3:1 (NLT2)
1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
F. Knowing what ought to be taught is only one part of being an good teacher.
G. Practicing what you teach is the clearest test of a good teacher (Barton, 588).
B. Mission
1. Illustration: A well-known Bible teacher has just finished speaking to a large class of businesspeople on the Christians' responsibility to be light in the world. He had emphasized that as believers we all have the obligation to reflect the Light in the world, the Lord Jesus. After the class, one the members related to him an experience he had in his home that impressed upon him the same truth. He said that in the darkest corner of his basement he had made a surprising discovery. Some potatoes in that darkest corner had sprouted and where growing. At first, he could not figure how they had gotten enough light to sprout and grow. Then he noticed that hung from the ceiling near the basement window was a shiny copper kettle that was brightly polished, and it was in the perfect position to reflect the sun's rays onto the potatoes in that darkest corner of the room. The person relating the story said, "When I saw that, I thought, I may not a preacher or a teacher with the ability to expound Scripture, but a least I can be a copper kettle catching the rays of the S>O>N and reflect His light to someone.
2. We have an obligation to shine the light of Christ in a dark world.
a. Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT2)
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,
15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
b. When you live in a world filled with hate, murder, destruction and despair how can we not share the light of Jesus.
c. When you live in a world filled with people addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex and materialism how can we not shine the light of Jesus?
d. When you live in filled with depression, anxiety, fear and suicide how can we not shine the light of Jesus?
e. This little light of mine I've got to let it shine!
f. I've got to shine this light like it's the only thing burning on a silent night. I've got to shine this light!
Transition: Next Paul talks about...
III. Four Failures (21-22).
A. Teach Others
1. Paul moves from what they should do to what they didn't do.
2. In v. 21 he says, "Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?"
A. Paul here is saying, "If you teach it walk it!"
B. Don't teach others not to do it if you are doing it yourself.
C. Paul does this by using a series of rhetorical questions based on the Ten Commandments, which was the center of the law.
D. He starts with "You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?"
E. Exodus 20:15 (NLT2)
15 You must not steal.
F. Remember when Jesus cleared the Temple and chased out the money changers with a whip?
G. Do you know why? Because they were taking advantage of people.
H. They would come long distances from their homes for the Passover and need to have sacrifices to offer.
I. So the Temple authorities knew they had the people where they wanted them, so they would sell the animals for sacrifice for outrageous prices.
J. Isn't that stealing?
3. Paul continues addressing their failures in v. 22 saying, "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."
A. Now Paul takes another one of Ten Commandments and asks the Jews a rhetorical question, "You say it's wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery?
B. Exodus 20:14 (NLT2)
14 You must not commit adultery.
C. Do you remember the story of the women caught in adultery?
D. She was caught it the act of adultery, and they brought her before Jesus in an attempt to trap him.
E. After all, he preached so much about love, and everybody knows telling people to stone someone to death isn't exactly a good way to love them.
F. But if he says not to stone her, he was going against the law.
G. Instead of answering their question he stooped down and began writing in the dirt.
H. People have often wondered what Jesus wrote, but I think he was writing the names of the Pharisees girlfriends.
I. When they pressed him for an answer he said, "He that is without sin cast the first stone."
J. Before we can accuse someone else, we should look in the mirror and see if that same sin is a problem for us.
4. Then Paul asks them about idolatry. Is idolatry a big deal? If you don't think so read the OT some time!
A. God clearly states in the Ten Commandments that he is a jealous God and would not accept his people worshipping other gods, and yet they did so repeatedly.
B. Each of the questions touches on matters in the Ten Commandments.
C. Theft, adultery, idolatry, and dishonoring God were all prohibited.
D. His assumption is not that every reader would answer yes to each question, but that there would be something there that with which they struggled.
B. Walking The Talk
1. Illustration: "Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do."
2. If you going to talk it you'd better walk it!
A. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT2)
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
B. Have you ever considered the biggest reason that people don't come to Christ?
C. I'd say one that has to be at the top of the list is hypocrisy..."Christians are all hypocrites!"
D. Brennan Manning's quote about the cause of atheism in the world today. "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
E. We have to live a life that is believable!
Transition: Paul concludes his argument against the Jews by saying they are...
IV. Insulting God (23-24).
A. Dishonor God
1. Paul tells the Jews that they had been the opposite of what they were supposed to be, and in doing so dishonored God.
2. In v. 23 he says, "You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it."
A. Paul points out that they are so proud of keeping the law, but they dishonor God by not keeping it themselves.
B. They dishonor God because of their hypocrisy. The whole point of the law was to help the Jews honor God by keeping it. But they didn't!
C. That term dishonor means to "disgrace" or "insult" someone.
D. By being so proud of having the law and then basically ignoring it they were slapping God in the face.
3. Then Paul concludes in v. 24 saying, "No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
A. In the book of Isaiah, the exile of Israel is seen as the result of their sin as a nation, which caused God's to be mocked by the other nations.
B. So here, their disobedience to God in spite of having the law has caused God to be blasphemed among the nations.
C. They saw themselves as better than the Gentiles because of the law and yet they were not better than they were.
B. Honor God
1. Illustration: Faith honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally, the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season. They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that she wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, "Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed." God honored that dear woman's faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord's super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived.
2. Let's determine to honor God with our lives.
A. Colossians 1:10 (NLT2)
10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
B. We should honor God by the things we say.
C. We should honor God by the things we think.
D. We should honor God by the things we do.
E. We should honor God by the way we treat others.
F. God has been so good to us now let's show our appreciation by living lives that honor him.
Conclusion
1. Paul talks about...
A. Four Advantages
B. Four Obligations
C. Four Failures
D. Insulting God
2. THINGS TO REMEMBER...
A. WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THE WORD OF GOD AVAILABLE TO US SO LET'S NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
B. LET'S BE THE REASON PEOPLE COME TO GOD RATHER THAN THE REASON THEY DON'T.
C. LET'S LIVE LIVES THAT GIVE HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD.
