Morning Message: Glorious Liberty

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Glorious Liberty"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Upon teaching the reader of the difference between a fleshly life, and a Spirit-Filled life, the Apostle Paul informed the readers of this Epistle, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1, from last week)

The curse of the Law is undone when we find ourselves at the foot of Jesus’ cross, proclaiming Him as our Lord and Savior. It IS a humbling experience, and it’s also an admission that living OUR way, following OUR own hearts just isn’t working, after hearing the Good News brought by Jesus. Now, being humbled by a competitor is not something that this world teaches us to look forward to, but walking in the Spirit makes us forever aware that approaching Jesus humbly as Lord of lords and King of kings, is an enviable position. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Was I too distracted by the world when He was knocking? I wonder how long He was outside knocking? Did I keep Him waiting? I also wonder about others as I see them struggling with one thing or another, waiting for the world to fulfill their desires. This is something that even Amazon Prime cannot supply. (Though you would never know it as the Amazon trucks are everywhere these days.) A worship song reminds us, “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

The job of lifting us up is filled already. It’s His! We read today, “Abba, Father,” and He comes to us as our Holy and Loving Father, giving Himself to us as our new family. The pressure to perform is “off.” The unrealistic expectations of others dissipate like smoke, and all we want to do is be with Him and the rest of His family.

Once we are His, Shirley Goodness, & Anne Mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. (Paraphrased from Psalm 23:6, and I think Joy Forevermore comes along with them!)

[ You will never again read Psalm 23 quite the same way! Read it with Joy! ]

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 8:14-27 - "Glorious Liberty"

Summary/Additional Commentary and Definitions:

The underlying theme in Romans chapter 8 is really about triumphant living. It's not only desirable, but also possible! First, because we have the Spirit dwelling in us (Romans 8:1-13). Second, because we have an honored position in God's family (Romans 8:14-17). The Spirit from God is not a spirit of slavery. God did not save us simply to compel us to do His bidding. Instead, this Spirit is a spirit of adoption. God makes us His sons and daughters. His Spirit enables us to cry out to God as a little child cries out to their daddy. Since we are heirs of God, we will share in all the glories of God's kingdom with Christ forever (Romans 8:12–17).

SEVEN ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM ROMANS 8:

• The Holy Spirit frees us from sin and death – Vs. 2-3
• The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the law of God because He gives us the righteousness of God – Vs. 4
• The Holy Spirit changes our nature from the inside out, which is called regeneration – Vs. 5-11
• The Holy Spirit empowers us to claim the victory God has already given us – Vs. 12-13.
• The Holy Spirit guarantees that we will be glorified with the Lord one day – Vs. 17 – 25
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us – Vs. 26-27
• The Holy Spirit confirms our adoption – Vs. 14-27

And now because, in spite of our present suffering, we have a glorious future to look forward to (Romans 8:18-30). Something wonderful is going to happen. And that can make a difference in the way we live our lives right now.

We also share in Christ's suffering, including the everyday suffering of living on this fallen planet. Paul is quick to say that our suffering here and now is not worth comparing to the glories of eternity, but he doesn't say that this suffering doesn't hurt. In fact, Paul writes that we groan right along with all of creation under the consequences of sin. We're all waiting. Creation waits for God's children to be revealed and all to be made right once more. We, God's children, wait for our adoption to be complete in the redemption of our bodies. When that happens, we can be with our Heavenly Father (Romans 8:18–25).

Until then, we wait, and we suffer. But we don't do it alone. God is with us spiritually in the form of His Holy Spirit, who helps us many different ways as our teacher and comforter.  The Spirit even intercedes for us (Romans 8:26–27).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

Led by the Spirit (8:14) - Believers are not led through subjective, mental impressions or promptings to provide direction in making life's decisions - something Scripture nowhere teaches.  Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads His children sometimes through the orchestration of circumstances (Acts 16:7) but primarily through illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds (Luke 24:44, 45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Ephesians 1:17-19).  Also, through sanctification, divinely enabling us to obey Scripture (Galatians 5:16, 17; 5:25).

Sons of God (8:14) - When a person experiences the Spirit's leading in those ways, he gains assurance that God has adopted him into His family.

Spirit of Bondage . . . to Fear (8:15) - Because of their life of sin, unregenerate people are slaves to their fear of death (Hebrews 2:15, 15), and to their fear of final punishment (1 John 4:18).

Spirit of Adoption (8:15) - Not primarily a reference to the transaction by which God adopts us but to a Spirit-produced awareness of the rich reality that God has made us His children, and, therefore, that we can come before Him without fear or hesitation as our beloved Father.  It includes the confidence that we are truly sons of God.

Abba (8:15) - An Aramaic term for Father that conveys a sense of intimacy.  Very much like the English terms "Daddy" or "Papa," it connotes tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of fear or anxiety.

Bears Witness with Our Spirit (8:16) - God's Holy Spirit confirms the validity of our adoption, not by some inner, mystical voice, but by the fruit He produces in us (Galatians 5:22, 23) and the power He provides for spiritual service (Acts 1:8). 

Heirs (8:17) - Every believer has been made an heir of God, our Father (Matthew 25:34; Galatians 3:29; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Hebrews 6:12; 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4).  We will inherit eternal salvation (Titus 3:7), God Himself (Lamentations 3:24; cf. Psalm 73:25; Revelation 21:3), glory (5:2), and everything in the universe (Hebrews 1:2). 

Joint Heirs (8:17) - God has appointed His Son to be heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2).  Every adopted child will receive by divine grace the full inheritance Christ receives by divine right (cf. Matthew 25:21; John 17:22; 2 Corinthians 8:9).

If We Suffer with Him (8:17) - Proof of the believer's ultimate glory is that he suffers - Whether it comes as mockery, ridicule, or physical persecution - because of his Lord (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-21; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 3:12).

Glory...revealed in Us (8:18) - Looking forward to the resurrection of the body (v.23) and the subsequent complete Christlikeness which is the believer's eternal glory.  See Philippians 3:20, 21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2.

The Creation (8:19) - This includes everything in the physical universe except human beings, whom Paul contrasts with this term (vv. 22, 23).  All creation is personified to be, as it were, longing for transformation from the curse and its effects

The Manifestation (8:19) - The Revealing, literally, "an uncovering," or and "unveiling."  When Christ returns, God's children will share His glory.

Firstfruits of the Spirit (8:23) - The fruit which the Spirit produces in us now (Galatians 5:22, 23) provides hope that we will one day be like Christ.

Groan (8:23) - With grief over our remaining sinfulness (&;24; Psalm 38:4, 9, 10).

Adoption (8:23) - The process that began with God's choice (Ephesians 1:5) and included our actually becoming His children at salvation (Galatians 4:5-7) will culminate with our inheritance (see vv. 29:30).

Redemption of our Body (8:23) - Not the physical body only, but all of man's remaining fallenness.

Groanings Which Cannot be Uttered (8:26) - Divine articulations within the Trinity that cannot be expressed in words, but carry profound appeals for the welfare of every believer (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11).  This work of the Holy Spirit parallels the high priestly work of intercession by the Lord Jesus on behalf of believers (see Hebrews 2:17, 18; 4:14-16; 7:24-26).

The Mind of the Spirit (8:27) - No words are necessary because the Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.

Morning Message: Victory In Christ

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Victory In Christ"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Last week we read of the Apostle Paul’s frustration with himself, as he revealed two warring natures within himself, and therefore extant in every human being. Man’s sin nature reveals our appetite for sin, and the Spiritual nature to please God shows how we desire to worship and obey our Creator, for we are His. Paul admitted that he does the things in the flesh that in the spirit, he doesn’t want to do, and finds no strength within himself to change that sin nature. But, placing our trust in our Creator is a game changer. The battle of the flesh vs. the Spirit is simply evil vs. good. Both reside within us.

As we begin Chapter 8 of Romans, Paul tells us of the victory he has found: “No condemnation” for them that follow after the Spirit, in spite of the flesh demanding satisfaction. Our faithful God sees our hearts and minds, and He sees our flesh too. But for God, His judgment is an easy choice, for flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. The flesh is temporary; we all die, casting off the flesh, but our spirit is eternal, and that’s what God judges accordingly. His judgment of the flesh is completed, but He will not condemn the spirit to hell, unless our hearts and minds reject His Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Jesus is our example: Born of the Spirit, but born in the likeness of our human flesh, Jesus lived a sinless life. He was not controlled by fleshly appetites, He lived to fulfill the will of His Father. And upon His crucifixion and death, released Himself from the grave after three days, raising up and revealing Himself alive to the Apostles, and many others before rising up into heaven, where He awaits the arrival of those that love Him, love the example He has shown us, who live in the same hope. Fighting with the flesh can consume us, but Jesus tells us to trust in Him. Like Jacob, when wrestling with an angel, give up, and win! Jesus leads us to victory!

As Jacob wrestled with an angel, neither prevailed for it was a fleshly match. But Jacob saw the day dawn, and the angel said let me go. Jacob said “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” The angel indeed blessed him, changing Jacob’s name from Jacob to Israel. “Isra-El, meaning “Prince of God,” and variously translated “Prince with God.”

“And I will give him a white stone, and in the stone, a new name written, which no man knows, saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2:17

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 8:1-13 - "Victory In Christ"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:  

Romans 8 is one of the most loved chapters in all of Scripture. Paul begins and ends this passage with statements about the absolute security of those who are in Christ. First, there is no condemnation, at all, for those in Christ. Last, nothing will ever be able to separate us from God's love for us in Christ. By this, he refers to those who have been saved by their faith in Jesus (Romans 3:23–26). As Scripture makes clear, the promise of salvation is only given to those who believe in Christ (John 3:16–18). Those who reject Jesus reject God (John 8:19) and will not be saved (John 3:36). For those who come to faith, their salvation is absolutely secure (John 10:28–29). Hardships may test their faith and strengthen it (Hebrews 12:3–11), but they never imply that God has abandoned His children (1 John 3:1). In between these bookends, Paul makes the case for why this is true.

He begins with another simple explanation of the gospel, God's good news about His Son's life on earth as a man and death on earth for our sin. That allowed the law to be fulfilled and justice to be done for human sin. Those who come to faith in Christ are described as living according to God's Holy Spirit. We no longer live according to the flesh, as all non-Christians do. Those in the flesh—the world's way of living for self before and above all else—are hostile to God. They can't please Him (Romans 8:1–8).

God's Spirit lives in every Christian. If someone doesn't have the Spirit, he or she is not a Christian. The Spirit, given to us by God, is the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. He will resurrect us, as well, after these sin-wrecked bodies have died (Romans 8:9–11).

This Spirit from God is not a spirit of slavery. God did not save us simply to compel us to do His bidding. Instead, this Spirit is a spirit of adoption. God makes us His sons and daughters. His Spirit makes us able to cry out to God as a little child cries out to their daddy. Since we are heirs of God, we will share in all the glories of God's kingdom with Christ forever.

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference: 

We apologize in advance that this week's reference materials will be posted at a later date. We will be posting online as soon as possible.

Morning Message: Paul's Conundrum Is Ours

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Paul's Conundrum Is Ours"
Written By: Pastor Bob Lawrenz


“Conundrum”: A riddle, enigma, brainteaser, or problem.

In the days of silent films, the entertainment world included the comedy team of Laurel & Hardy. Stan Laurel was the straight man, and Oliver Hardy played the victim regularly. Stanley Laurel played the quiet simplistic man, and Oliver Hardy was always figuring out how to get out of their messy situations. A familiar line in many of their skits was Oliver’s:

“Well, Stanley, this is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into!”

Their plots were then, how to get out of the mess. But Oliver always over complicated things, and over-thought their next moves, while Stanley usually chose a more direct and less twisted path, but went along with the “smarter” Oliver. Stan always trusted that justice would prevail, regardless of what Oliver would do. It was slap-stick humor at its finest! Their popularity lasted from the 1920’s to TV in the 1950’s.

Impossible problems were overcome. Can that apply to us also? Stan put his faith in justice and simplicity. Our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, of Who the scriptures say, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

God has made it simple and direct for us to be made righteous. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Put your faith in Christ for He is faithful and just.

On the Spiritual level, we are to count ourselves as dead to sin, and alive in Jesus Christ. Being lead by the Spirit will always work out to our good, and therefore God’s best for us.

From Hebrews 10:10 - 

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Christ once and for all.”

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 7:14-25 - "Paul's conundrum Is Ours"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Romans 7:14–25 is a passage that has caused some confusion among Bible students because of the strong language Paul uses to describe himself. How can the greatest of the apostles characterize himself, and by extension, all Christians, as “unspiritual,” a “slave to sin” and a “prisoner of the law of sin”? Aren’t these descriptions used in Romans 7:14–25 descriptions of unbelievers? How can Paul describe himself in these terms if he is truly saved? The key to understanding Romans 7:14–25 is Paul’s description of the two natures of a Christian. Prior to salvation, we have only one nature—the sin nature. But once we come to Christ, we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), but we still abide in the old flesh which has the remains of the sinful nature within it. These two natures war constantly with one another, continually pulling the believer in opposite directions.

The desires of the believer’s spiritual nature pull him in the direction of good while the flesh in which he lives pulls him in the other. He wants to do one thing but has something within him that does the opposite. So how do these evil desires differ from those of an unbeliever? Simply put, the believer hates the evil flesh in which he lives and desires to be freed from it, whereas unbelievers have no such desire. So strong is Paul’s desire to live godly and so frustrated is he that his flesh wars against his spirit that he finally cries out in desperation, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Of course, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord (verse 25). One day believers will be completely freed from the body of death in which we live when we are glorified with Christ in heaven, but until that day we rely on the power of the Spirit who indwells us and gives us victory in the ongoing battle with sin.

In Romans 7:14–25, the apostle Paul puts into practical language the fact that he is a redeemed sinner who still has a carnal body, the flesh that wars against the indwelling Spirit. In another place the apostle says, “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). The personal pronouns in these passages are not just an artifice but a statement of reality and the honest evaluation of a man who examines himself in the light of who he is and who our Lord Jesus is and comes to the conclusion that he is a wretched man in need of deliverance. This is not the deliverance from the penalty of sin—that was paid for on the cross—but deliverance from the power of sin.

As a faithful teacher, the apostle Paul in Romans 7:14–25 uses his own experiences and what he has learned through them to teach other believers how to use God’s provision and our position in Christ to overcome the struggle with our carnal nature. Praise God that we have such a wonderful thesis that not only truthfully exposes the struggle between the spiritual nature and the flesh in which it resides, but most importantly presents us with the tremendous hope and confidence in our salvation: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Salvation begins the moment we receive, by faith, God’s offer of forgiveness through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 1:12). Jesus called it being “born again” (John 3:3). In repenting and giving up our old life, we receive the new life Jesus purchased for us with His blood (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). We are washed clean, and God chooses to remember our sins no more (Psalm 103:12). But we soon notice that our propensity to sin is still part of us. How can that be, since we are new creatures in Christ? We still sin because we, though forgiven, are still fallen human beings.

Salvation breaks the power that sin once had over us. We were slaves to sin and served it willingly (Romans 6:20–23, 7:14–15). While slaves to sin, it was impossible to please God (Romans 8:8).

Upon surrender of our lives to the lordship of Jesus, we became God’s sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15). But just as children sometimes disobey their parents as they grow, God’s children sometimes disobey Him. We rebel, get angry, or doubt for a while; the difference is, we can no longer live lifestyles of sin because our nature has changed (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:4–10). A fish may long to live on the beach, but once it has flipped itself onto the sand, it wants nothing but to return to the water because its nature is not designed for dry land. A fish was created for the water. So, it is with us. The nature of those indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to live in righteousness. We may flip ourselves into sin at times, but we can’t survive there. The new nature thrives in righteousness and obedience to God. The degree to which we allow the Holy Spirit access to every area of our lives is the degree to which we live as God intended us to live.

First John 1:9 tells us that we can confess our sin and be forgiven. Confession means we humbly agree with God about how bad sin is. We admit we were wrong and ask His forgiveness. The awareness of our sin and the confession of it should be a regular practice.

As we “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), we overcome besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1). Peter lists steps we can take in developing our new nature and ends with the promise that, if we do these things, we “will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:3–10). Our holiness is the goal, but John acknowledges that we still sin: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1).

God’s desire for us is that we not sin, and one day our sanctification will be complete (1 John 3:2). But, until that time, we still inhabit fallen bodies in a fallen world, and we struggle with the flesh and sometimes lose the battle. But we will not be lost; Jesus Himself intercedes for us as our High Priest (Romans 8:34).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

The Law Is Spiritual (7:14) - It reflects God's holy character

Carnal (7:14) - Meaning "of the flesh."  This means earthbound, mortal, and still incarcerated in unredeemed humanness.  Paul does not say he is still "In the flesh" but the flesh is in him.

Sold Under Sin (7:14) - Sin no longer controls the whole man (as with an unbeliever; cf. 6:6), but it does hold captive the believer's members, or his fleshly body (v. 23; cf. v. 18).  Sin contaminates him and frustrates his inner desire to obey the will of God.

I Allow Not (7:15) - In other words I "understand" not. This refers to knowledge that goes beyond the factual and includes the idea of an intimate relationship (cf. Galatians 4:9).  By extension, this word was sometimes used to express approving or accepting (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:3).  That is its sense here, i.e., Paul found himself doing things he did not approve of.

I Consent with the Law that it is Good (7:16) - Paul's new nature defends the divine standard - the perfectly righteous law is not responsible for his sin (v.12).  His new self longs to honor the law and keep it perfectly (v. 22).

No Longer I Who Do It (7:17) - The Greek adverb for "no longer" signifies a complete and permanent change.  Paul's new inner self no longer approved of the sin that was still residing in his flesh, like his old self did (cf. v. 22; Galatians 2:20), but rather, strongly disapproved.  Many have misconstrued Paul's comments as abdicating personal responsibility for his sin by embracing a form of Greek dualism (which would later spawn Gnosticism).  Paul has already acknowledged personal guilt for his sin (v. 14; cf. 1 John 1:10).

Sin that Dwells in Me (7:17) - His sin does not flow out of his new redeemed innermost self, but from his unredeemed humanness, his flesh "in me" (Galatians 5:17).

My Flesh ... Dwelleth No Good Thing (7:18) - The flesh serves as a base camp from which sin operates in the Christian's life.  It is not sinful inherently, but because of its fallenness, it is still subject to sin and is thoroughly contaminated.  The part of the believer's present being that remains unredeemed. Paul, before his conversion, could boast that he was, as "touching the righteousness, which is in the law, blameless" (Philippians 3:6).  But then he came to see that all his "righteousness [were] as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) and accepted "eternal life through Jesus Christ" (6:23).  If such a man as Paul would have to confess that in his flesh there was nothing good at all, then surely every Christian must say the same.

Law (7:21) - Not a reference to God's law, but to an inviolable spiritual principle.

I Delight in the Law of God (7:22) - The believer's justified, new inner self no long sides with sin, but joyfully agrees with the law of God against sin (Psalms 1:2; 119:14, 47, 77, 105, 140; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16).

Inward Man (7:22) - The "inward man" is evidently here the same as the "new man," for the "old man" (6:6) could never "delight in the law of God."

Another Law (7:23) - A corresponding spiritual principle to the one in verse 21.  But this principle, which Paul identifies as "the law of sin," operates in the members of his body - that is, his unredeemed and still sinful humanness - waging war against his desire to obey God's law.

Law of My Mind (7:23) - Equivalent to the new inner self (2 Corinthians 5:17), which longs to obey the law of God.  Paul is not saying his mind is spiritual and his body is inherently evil.

Law of Sin (7;23) - The "law of sin," which is in our members, is the sin-nature inherited from Adam.

Wretched Man (7:24) - In frustration and grief, Paul laments his sin (cf. Psalms 48:14; 130:1-5).  A believer perceives his own sinfulness in direct proportion to how clearly he sees the holiness of God and perfection of His law.

Deliver (7:24) - This word means "to rescue from danger" and was used of a soldier pulling his wounded comrade from the battlefield.  Paul longed to be rescued from his sinful flesh (8;23).

Body of Death (7:24) - The believer's unredeemed humanness, which has its base of operation in the body.  

With the Mind...I Myself...The Flesh...Law of Sin (7:25) - The first half of this verse answer the question Paul has just raised (v. 24) - he is certain that Christ will eventually rescue him when He returns (cf. 8:18, 23; 1 Corinthians 15:52, 53, 56, 57; 2 Corinthians 5:4).  The second half summarizes the two sides of the struggle.