ROMANS

A MAN’S CONDUCT–ROMANS 12:1-2

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A MAN’S CONDUCT
ROMANS 12:1-2

Introduction:
“A man’s conduct is the fruit of what he believes. The flower of a godly life has its roots deep in the soil of experienced grace.” —C. D. Cole
I. THE APOSTLE PAUL’S GREAT APPEAL
A. Paul beseeches…
1. He does NOT command as Moses did, Leviticus 6:8-9, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 9Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.”
2. He INSTRUCTS or teaches the brethren, 1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”
3. He ADMONISHES and exhorts, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
B. He beseeches by the MERCIES of God, v. 1.
1. The “mercies of God,” is the GREATEST ARGUMENT for consecration:
a. It leads us to REPENTANCE, Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
b. It brought us to know the RICHES of His glory, Romans 9:23, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”
2. It creates a GOOD QUESTION in our hearts, Psalm 116:12, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”
a. It causes us to bless the Lord, Psalm 103:2-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3-Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
b. It reminds us that we are bought with a price, 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
C. He beseeches the BRETHREN, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
“Exhortation is a ministry to the saints. He is not appealing to the sinner, but to those who have an experience of grace and mercy.” —C. D. Cole
1. “Suffer” a word of exhortation, Hebrews 13:22, “And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.”
2. The “brethren” are “urged” to serve the Lord out of love for Him, Philemon 8-9, “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”
D. He beseeches them to present their BODIES to God, Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
1. This is to acknowledge the blessing of salvation, 2 Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
2. It is a sacrifice of praise, Hebrews 13:15-16, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
a. Pleasing to God, 2 Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
b. Everything must be done as unto the Lord, 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
3. It is our reasonable service, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
God does not impose upon us any thing hard or unreasonable, but that which is altogether agreeable to the principles of right reason. —Matthew Henry
a. Our service MUST be according to the Word, Philippians 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”
b. God’s Word MUST live in us, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
1) Our spiritual life prospers when the word of God dwells in us richly.
2) We sharpen ourselves and improve our knowledge by communicating the Gospel.
CONCLUSION
The motivation for the believer is “the mercies of God” in our life. The Lord moves us to greater service because he has made us “new creatures.”
We have been instructed in the Word of God for years and we have received God’s blessing when our lives have been “a living sacrifice” for Him.
Those who will not serve the Lord are like lap dogs to Satan. They are under his complete control and don’t even know it.

CONVERTED AND REGENERATED–ROMANS 6:16-23

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CONVERTED AND REGENERATED
ROMANS 6:16-23

Introduction: Key verse: 17
The Apostle Paul knew whereof he spoke. He knew the Lord in Redemption and Conversion. These are great subjects to study. Every believer should know and understand what the Lord has done for him in redemption.
I. THE HUMAN RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL
A. Conversion requires a commitment…
1. Of the total personality, Matthew 18:3, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
2. Of the intellect, Matthew 13:15, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
3. Of the will, Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
B. It requires an understanding of God’s atonement [the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation].
1. To feel the guilt of sin, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
2. To feel the love of God, 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
3. To repent of that sin, Mark 6:12, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
a. To change one’s mind for better, with abhorrence of one’s past sins, Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
b. After repentance comes conversion, Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
4. To surrender to God’s offer of salvation, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
II. THE RESULTS OF CONVERSION IS…
REGENERATION: The buying back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom.
A. Redeemed from the curse of the law, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
1. The law makes us guilty and subject to the judgment of God, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
2. For if we break one point of the law we are guilty of all, James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
B. Redeemed out of the slavery of sin, Revelation 5:9,“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
III. THE RESULTS OF REDEMPTION IS…
A. A new creature, a changed man, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
1. Old things are passed away, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
a. In the past we fulfilled the desires of the flesh, Ephesians 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
b. We walked in the vanity of our minds [depravity, devoid of truth], Ephesians 4:17, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”
2. All things are become new, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
B. A new man with a nature to obey God, Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
1. We are His people, Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
2. We are the works of His hands, Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
3. We shall fear Him, Isaiah 29:23, “But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.”
C. A new man with a nature to glorify God, Romans 15:6, 9, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”
1. A righteous nature, Isaiah 60:21, “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”
2. Partakers of the divine nature in Christ, 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
CONCLUSION
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy, His child, and forever I am.
No. 92 in the Broadman Hymnal

FREE AT LAST–ROMANS 8:1-13

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FREE AT LAST
ROMANS 8:1-13

Introduction:
Imagine what might have been if Adam had not sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. What glorious fellowship man had before the Fall could be ours today.
Now think of what God has done for man since the Fall. God was ready with the plan of salvation immediately. Man’s disobedience caused immediate spiritual death severing fellowship between God and man. The Lord was ready with His plan of redemption to restore that fellowship. He was ready to FREE MAN from his GUILT, from the FEAR OF HELL, and much more. Consider the following:
I. FREE FROM GUILT
A. We were guilty before God, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
1. The whole world is guilty before God, James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
2. Every man has fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
B. We are delivered from the bondage of sin and death, v. 2-3;
1. The Law of God caused us to know our sin, Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
2. We were freed by the law of Faith in the Son of God, John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
a. We are blessed whose iniquities are forgiven, Romans 4:7, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
b. We are blessed because God does not impute our sin, Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
II. FREE FROM THE FEAR OF HELL
A. How can there be punishment for the guiltless? v. 2; John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
B. He who believes is not condemned, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
III. FREE TO APPROACH THE FATHER’S THRONE
A. You were unable to see the Father’s face, Exodus 33:18=20, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
B. You could not speak with him, Psalms 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”
C. Now you have ACCESS with BOLDNESS by Jesus Christ, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
1. To the throne of God, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
a. To obtain mercy, Psalms 13:5, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
b. To find grace to help, Psalms 30:10, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”
2. To present our petitions before Him, 1 John 5:15, “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
IV. FREE TO ENJOY THE PRIVILEDGES OF A SON OF GOD
A. The PRIVILEGES you might have enjoyed, if you had never sinned, ARE NOW YOURS because you have been justified by faith in Christ, vv. 30-31, 33-34, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
B. For we have AN INHERITANCE in Christ, Colossians 3:24, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
1. Our inheritance is forever, Psalms 37:18, “The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.”
2. The Lord has made us worthy of the inheritance through Christ, Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”
3. Our inheritance is incorruptible, 1 Peter 1:4, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
CONCLUSION
We are free from the condemnation of unbelief by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By His mercy we enjoy His great blessings and especially salvation through our Savior. Perhaps this poem will express it better than I.
A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear with thy righteousness on,
My person and offerings to bring:
The terrors of law and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS–ROMANS 12:1-2

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BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS
ROMANS 12:1-2
Introduction:
People are always demonstrating for something or the other. Well, it is time that Christians demonstrated that the Lord has made a change in their lives.
It is time that our lives were dedicated to the One who saved us from our sins. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Let’s demonstrate what the Lord can do in our lives and in whomsoever will trust Christ as Saviour.
I. GOD’S PEOPLE
A. Professed Christians that are CHRIST-LIKE, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
1. Those that demonstrate the NEW MAN, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
2. Those that demonstrate that they are a NEW CREATURE, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
a. We demonstrate that we are NO LONGER instruments of unrighteousness, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
b. We demonstrate that sin NO LONGER DOMINATES us, Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
B. Professed Christians that are NOT like Christ, 2 Peter 2:9-10, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
1. Those that demonstrate their CARNALITY, Romans 8:5-6, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
2. Those that demonstrate their PRESUMPTUOUSNESS (shameless and irreverently daring), Numbers 15:30, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
3. Those that demonstrate their SELF-CENTEREDNESS (self-pleasing, doing their own will), Proverbs 21:24, “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
a. Their pride brings CONTENTION, Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
b. Pride and selfishness is NOT of the Father, 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
II. GOD’S IMITATORS AND FOLLOWERS
A. FOLLOWERS of the Apostle Paul,
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
1. An ENSAMPLE (the mark or impression of a stroke or blow, a print), John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
a. The MARKS of a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
b. The MARKS of a clean life, Luke 5:12-13, “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.”
1) The CANKER of sin is compared to gangrene, a disease by which any part of the body suffering from inflammation becomes so corrupted that, unless a remedy is soon applied, the evil continually spreads, attacks other parts, and at last eats away the bones.
2) The CLEANSING POWER of Christ, Luke 6:18-19, “And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”
2. An EXAMPLE (something shown), Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
B. FOLLOWERS of God, Ephesians 5:1, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
1. Walk in LOVE, Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
2. Let not UNCLEANNESS be named among you, Ephesians 5:3-5, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
3. Let no man deceive you with VAIN WORDS, Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”
CONCLUSION
Too many Christians are giving a bad testimony in the world today. They look, sound and smell like to world to the point that they have no testimony for Jesus Christ at all. The hypocrites (ACTORS) playing a part. Their friends see them as they really are, just RELIGIOUS and nothing more.
We who know Christ will not be dominated by sin. Rather God can make us instruments of Righteousness.

WHAT IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE?–ROMANS 3:1-18

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WHAT IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE?

ROMANS 3:1-18

Key verse: Romans 3:3, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”

Introduction:

“What advantage then hath the Jew?” The Apostle Paul “has shown that the Jews were more wicked than the Gentiles; that their possession of the law, circumcision, and outward profession of relation to God, were no ground of acceptance with him (the Lord).” —Adam Clark’s Commentary.

With all the advantages that the Jews had you would think that they would have been faithful, but that is not the case. Salvation and God blessings have always been DETERMINED BY FAITH IN Jesus, the Messiah (Christ). So what advantage does the Jew have?

I. THE ADVANTAGES GOD GAVE ISRAEL

A. “Much in every way,” vv. 1-2; Romans 9:4, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;”

1. The Oracles (Word) of God, v. 2; Acts 7:38, “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”

2. The covenant of Circumcision, the sign of obedience, Genesis 17:11, “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.”

3. The promises of God, Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

a. Paul here speaks of the faithfulness of God in Israel, Genesis 48:21, “And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.”

b. They saw the promises “afar off” and believed them, Hebrews 11:39, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”

B. They have a relationship with God, Romans 11:28, “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”

1. God established His covenant with Abraham and his posterity, Genesis 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”

2. They are a chosen people, Deuteronomy 7:6, For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

II. MANY WERE DISOBEDIENT

A. They have not all obeyed the gospel, Romans 10:16, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

1. Moses had warned them, Deuteronomy 11:27-28, “A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”

2. God would not tolerate disobedience, 1 Peter 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

B. The word preached did not profit some of them, Hebrews 4:2, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

1. They heard the Gospel, Acts 3:26, “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

2. It did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith, Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

III. SHALL THEIR UNBELIEF MAKE THE FAITH OF GOD WITHOUT EFFECT?

A. God continues to be faithful to His Word, 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

1. His Word stands, Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

2. He does not change, Hebrews 6:13-18, “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

B. The Faith of God’s elect is well placed for He is the Faithful God, Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”

1. His testimonies are faithful, Psalms 119:138, “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.”

2. God will fulfill His Word and turn away the ungodliness from Israel, Romans 11:26, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

CONCLUSION OF CHOICE