Staying Rooted in Faith Amidst Challenges
Summary
In our current times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges and difficulties we face. However, we must remember that we are not without hope. We have a God to whom we can pray, and we must remain vigilant and alert, using our understanding to navigate these times. As we delve into Romans 11:18-22, we are reminded of the importance of applying biblical truths to our lives rather than approaching them in a detached or theoretical manner. The Bible is not just a historical document; it is a living text meant to speak to us and guide us in our daily lives.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses the historical fact of the Jews rejecting the gospel and the Gentiles being grafted into the church. This historical event is not just a fact to be studied but a lesson to be applied to our lives. The history in the Bible illustrates great spiritual principles that are eternal and relevant to us today. We must be cautious not to fall into the trap of viewing the Bible as merely an academic or historical text. Instead, we should see ourselves in the stories and teachings, recognizing that the principles taught are as applicable today as they were thousands of years ago.
One of the key principles highlighted in this passage is the tendency of God's people to fall away from the truth. This decline often occurs because we forget the original principles of our faith, such as justification by faith alone. When we lose sight of these foundational truths, we risk becoming like the Jews who rejected their Messiah. The history of the church is filled with examples of this tendency, and we must be vigilant to guard against it in our own lives.
Furthermore, we must be aware of the principle of delay in God's judgment. God is patient and often gives us time to repent and return to Him. However, we must not take this patience for granted, as there will come a time when judgment will be executed. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to the truth and ensure that the church remains pure in doctrine and practice.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible is not just a historical document but a living text meant to guide us in our daily lives. We must apply its truths to our lives and avoid approaching it in a detached or theoretical manner. [06:14]
- There is a tendency for God's people to fall away from the truth, often due to forgetting foundational principles like justification by faith alone. We must remain vigilant to guard against this tendency. [15:17]
- The principle of delay in God's judgment reminds us of His patience, but we must not take it for granted. There will come a time when judgment will be executed, and we must be prepared. [36:42]
- Our responsibility is to ensure that the church remains pure in doctrine and practice, focusing on the truth rather than external organization or tradition. [49:00]
- We must engage in constant self-examination to ensure we are not drifting away from the original principles of our faith. This vigilance is crucial to maintaining a vibrant and authentic relationship with God. [47:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:08] - Understanding Our Situation
- [02:43] - Divisions in Romans 11
- [03:48] - Importance of Application
- [06:34] - The Bible as a Living Text
- [09:06] - Eternal Principles in History
- [12:22] - Personalizing Biblical History
- [14:32] - Tendency to Decline
- [19:10] - Spirit vs. Form
- [22:28] - Forgetting First Principles
- [26:22] - Lessons from History
- [35:04] - Principle of Delay
- [40:02] - Modern Application
- [46:37] - Way of Safety
- [52:35] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 11:18-22
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Matthew 21:33-43
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 11:18-22, what warning does Paul give to the Gentiles regarding their attitude towards the Jews? How does this relate to the concept of being "grafted in"? [02:01]
2. According to the sermon, what is the danger of approaching the Bible in a detached or theoretical manner? [04:07]
3. How does the sermon describe the tendency of God's people to fall away from the truth? What historical examples are given to illustrate this tendency? [15:17]
4. What is the principle of delay in God's judgment as discussed in the sermon, and how is it illustrated through biblical history? [35:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "grafted in" challenge the Gentiles' understanding of their place in God's plan, and what implications does this have for modern believers? [02:01]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of applying biblical truths to our lives. How can believers ensure they are not merely treating the Bible as a historical document? [06:14]
3. What are the potential consequences of forgetting foundational principles like justification by faith alone, as highlighted in the sermon? [15:17]
4. How does the principle of delay in God's judgment affect our understanding of His patience and our responsibility to remain faithful? [36:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal approach to reading the Bible. Do you find yourself treating it as a historical document or as a living text meant to guide your daily life? How can you shift your perspective if needed? [06:14]
2. Consider a time when you may have drifted away from foundational principles of your faith. What steps can you take to realign yourself with these truths? [15:17]
3. How can you remain vigilant in guarding against the tendency to fall away from the truth in your personal faith journey? What practical measures can you implement? [15:17]
4. In what ways might you be taking God's patience for granted in your life? How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in your spiritual growth and repentance? [36:42]
5. The sermon warns against the danger of prioritizing external organization over the purity of doctrine and practice. How can you ensure that your involvement in church activities aligns with maintaining doctrinal purity? [49:00]
6. Engage in self-examination this week. Are there areas in your life where you might be drifting away from the original principles of your faith? What changes can you make to address this? [47:46]
7. Identify one specific way you can contribute to ensuring that your church remains pure in doctrine and practice. How can you actively support this goal within your church community? [49:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Bible as a Living Guide
The Bible is not merely a historical document; it is a living text meant to guide us in our daily lives. It is essential to approach the Bible with the intent to apply its truths rather than viewing it in a detached or theoretical manner. The stories and teachings within the Bible are not just ancient narratives but are relevant and applicable to our current situations. By engaging with the Bible as a living guide, we allow its wisdom to shape our decisions, attitudes, and actions. This approach requires an open heart and a willingness to see ourselves in the biblical stories, recognizing that the principles taught are timeless and meant for our growth and transformation. [06:14]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you apply a biblical truth today, and how will you let it guide your actions?
Day 2: Guarding Against Spiritual Decline
There is a tendency for God's people to fall away from the truth, often due to forgetting foundational principles like justification by faith alone. This decline can happen subtly as we become complacent or distracted by worldly concerns. It is crucial to remain vigilant and guard against this tendency by continually reminding ourselves of the core tenets of our faith. By doing so, we can prevent spiritual drift and maintain a vibrant relationship with God. This vigilance involves regular self-examination and a commitment to living out the truths we profess. [15:17]
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)
Reflection: What foundational principle of your faith have you neglected recently, and how can you actively incorporate it back into your daily life?
Day 3: Understanding God's Patience and Judgment
The principle of delay in God's judgment reminds us of His patience, but we must not take it for granted. God often gives us time to repent and return to Him, demonstrating His mercy and love. However, there will come a time when judgment will be executed, and we must be prepared. This understanding calls us to live with a sense of urgency and responsibility, ensuring that we are aligned with God's will and ready for His return. It is a call to remain faithful and diligent in our spiritual walk, knowing that God's patience is an opportunity for growth and repentance. [36:42]
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have been taking God's patience for granted? How can you respond to His call for repentance today?
Day 4: Maintaining Purity in Doctrine and Practice
Our responsibility is to ensure that the church remains pure in doctrine and practice, focusing on the truth rather than external organization or tradition. This involves a commitment to sound teaching and a lifestyle that reflects the values and principles of the gospel. It is easy to become distracted by traditions or organizational structures, but the true measure of a church's health is its adherence to biblical truth. By prioritizing purity in doctrine and practice, we contribute to a church environment that fosters spiritual growth and authentic worship. [49:00]
"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to maintaining the purity of doctrine and practice in your church community today?
Day 5: The Importance of Self-Examination
We must engage in constant self-examination to ensure we are not drifting away from the original principles of our faith. This vigilance is crucial to maintaining a vibrant and authentic relationship with God. Self-examination involves reflecting on our beliefs, attitudes, and actions to ensure they align with the teachings of the Bible. It is a practice that requires humility and a willingness to change when necessary. By regularly examining ourselves, we can identify areas of weakness and seek God's guidance to strengthen our faith and commitment. [47:46]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific aspect of your faith or behavior needs examination today, and what steps will you take to address it?
Quotes
We must always apply the truth the Bible and it's teaching and never to be approached in a detached or in a theoretical manner now that is of course the besetting sin of expositors it is still more the besetting sin of historians the danger always is to take a mechanical interest and to forget application. [00:04:00]
The Bible is to be preached it's always to be applied now the Apostle you see here makes us say this very thing here as I've been showing you is dealing primarily with an actual fact of history which have taken place that the Jews had rejected the gospel and or outside the church outside the kingdom. [00:06:34]
The history that is in the Bible is not only history that's the important point why not why is it that the history of the Bible must never be regarded merely as history the answer is that the Bible history is merely illustrative of great spiritual principles and that is undoubtedly why it has been given to us. [00:07:39]
The principles which are taught partly through history are always permanent and eternal principles that is why you see the Bible never dates that's why it's never out of date or putting it the other way around, that is why the Bible is always contemporary now you can believe you of what God did with the children of Israel thousands of years. [00:09:10]
There seems to be always a tendency in the church or if you like in God's people in the olive tree this always seems to be a tendency to decline and to fall away from the truth this of course is because we are not yet perfect because a sanctification is a process and because we have dull and slow of hearing. [00:14:42]
The struggle between the spirit and the form the spirit and the form now the spirit must have a form that's why you have such a thing as the Christian Church an idea must always take form if it is to be of any value now that's quite right you must have a form to the spirit but there is always a tension between these two. [00:16:49]
The cause of this decline is always because we forget first and of regional principles that's always the cause of the top it is always the direct result of forgetting an original principle what do I mean well I mean this the principle is and the Epistle to the Romans that shows more clearly proofs than any other single epistle is that you stand by faith and by faith alone. [00:22:38]
The history is invaluable by way of illustration and the supreme illustration of all these as I'm saying the nation of the Jew oh here it is standing out before us surely it should be unmistakable but unless it isn't you see what we tend to do is that we look at the Jewish objectively we don't see that in supplying to us. [00:26:22]
The principle of delay I emphasize this because failure to see this and to understand this has often confused people we all seem to have a notion that the moment we do anything wrong or begin to go astray that God will immediately deal with us but he doesn't do to them there's a principle of delay. [00:35:04]
The whole trouble with the modern equ medical movement non-roman and Rome is precisely this thing and nothing else it is entirely due to this very principle that the Apostle is putting here before us what do I mean well what I mean is that what was the trouble with the viewers of our Lord's time it was this wasn't it. [00:40:02]
The organization has taken the place of the spirit tradition has taken the place of truth men are no longer concerned in the truth which is believed or in a corresponding life the original basis of what makes of judge a church is entirely forgotten and the assumption behind the chimerical movement is that because of the historical and the external continuity of the organization that it is of necessity the church. [00:43:46]
The need of constant self-examine let him to thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall don't rely upon the fact that you sound in doctrine now there's no guarantee that you'll be in a year's time be careful lest in your correctness of doctrine you may become heard in your spirit and make your doctrine or no value to you. [00:47:46]
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