WEBVTT 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:04.240 Welcome to the program Study in the Chapel. 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:07.599 God's Word is supreme at Chapel Ministries. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:12.400 We consider it absolutely essential to a proper relationship with God. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.760 We study it, we love it, we rely on it every minute of every day. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:33.759 The following program is an edited recording of the regular Bible studies we hold, and we decided to share these with you in the hope that you too will be able to find inspiration, encouragement, and ultimately salvation through discovering Christ in Scripture. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.600 Our intention is to travel all the way through the Bible. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:42.719 It will be a challenging journey, but one that will undoubtedly bring you to a decision. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:48.240 Through this study, you will be faced with either believing or rejecting what God has said to us. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:54.399 It is our intention to provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision about God and his word. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:04.879 We strongly encourage you to listen intently and diligently, because though at the moment you may not realize it, these things are truly a matter of life and death. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:09.359 In fact, these are matters of eternal life and eternal death. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:11.599 Never treat what God has said lightly. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.400 There's truly nothing more important to you. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:19.200 Now join us as we seek God's will through his inspired word. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:42.480 The entire, from Genesis 1-1 all the way to Revelation 25 or whatever it is, it's all about Jesus. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:02:01.359 And really that's why it's important for us to spend some time getting to know the nuances of Scripture, why we spend so much time on the details, because this is about the person that we say that we love, the person that has done so much for us, sacrificed so much for us. 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:09.439 And all of the things that we learn about Christ in the Bible just enhances our love for him. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:14.319 But to be honest, our love for him isn't really as important as our faith in him. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:37.039 And the more we find out that Christ has been a part of the plan since the beginning, the more our faith grows, the more we can feel that rock beneath our feet, the thing that we stand on, the power that we stand on, the assurance that we have that we have become children of God, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:45.520 That's why we decided to jump over into Romans, in addition to our Genesis study that we do all week. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:47.280 We're also going to do this as well. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:55.199 We're going to do Romans because we really need to see in parallel how the Old Testament and the New Testament align. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:58.400 And by the way, we're going to talk a lot about that today. 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:00.319 So let's go ahead and get started. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:05.439 We are currently in the letter to the Romans, a very fascinating study. 00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:08.800 It's going to take us a long time to get through it, but that's okay. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:14.080 We are still in the first couple of verses of chapter one. 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:16.719 We're going to continue to do that tonight. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:18.319 So let's go ahead and do that. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:21.520 Let's read just the first few verses, first couple of verses. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:22.400 Here we go. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:23.840 Romans 1 1. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:25.919 I read from the King James. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:39.680 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in holy scriptures. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:49.919 In the King James, it says, in the Holy Scriptures that does not exist in the original, which he had promised afore by his prophets in holy scriptures. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:51.919 What if I use the article? 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.080 What if I say the word the it's okay? 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:57.039 It's just understand it wasn't there in the beginning. 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:58.639 Don't know why it wasn't. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:08.879 Now, as I just reminded you, and I'm very fond of telling you, and of which you are painfully aware, I use the King James Bible. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:11.840 It is my preferred version. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:19.040 Now, with the possible exception of my wife, I would imagine not a one of you does too. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:23.600 And I think most of the time that doesn't present too much trouble. 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:31.759 If you're careful, most of the versions, the English language versions of the Bible are not so dissimilar. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:42.560 At least in this study, there shouldn't be all that much impact if you use one of the other more well-known English language Bibles. 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:46.959 If you use the English Standard Version, fine. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:50.240 The new international version, go ahead. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:53.439 The international standard version, okay. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:05:00.079 But I still think the old King James is the best, but to each his own. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:06.879 Now I will say, in this case, I think the King James wins out hands down. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:22.560 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, open parentheses, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, close parentheses. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:29.680 Now your version not only reads differently than mine, but I'm sure it even looks different. 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:36.800 You see, in my Bible, as you heard me read it, verse two is in parentheses. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:56.800 Now you could probably say that since some English language Bibles do and some English language Bibles don't have this in parentheses, verse two in parentheses, that the inclusion of it isn't necessary, which I suppose is true. 00:05:57.120 --> 00:06:00.959 Technically, the parentheses are interpretive. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:12.879 They're an interpretive addition to the original, since actually, believe it or not, none of the oldest Greek manuscripts had any punctuation whatsoever. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:22.639 I've been in Bible museums and I have seen reproductions of these ancient Greek documents, and I can attest to this fact. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:28.560 There are no extra marks in the originals, just letters and numbers. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:38.959 Now, when you first look at this sort of thing, I admit it's rather off-putting, but that's because we're used to punctuation. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:43.680 Some may even say we rely on punctuation. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:50.319 Nevertheless, in the original, no punctuation, and therefore no parentheses. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:07:00.959 So those that say these do not belong in Romans 2 are essentially more correct than those of us who like them there. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:13.279 But then we could say that about we could say that about every period, every comma, every semicolon, even chapter and verse, all of that was added. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:24.319 But I think everyone agrees that these things are valuable to someone who wants to fully understand what the Bible is telling us. 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:33.360 Yes, every mark of any sort, above and beyond the actual letters, can be considered interpretive. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:42.160 We all know a well-placed period or comma can drastically change the meaning of a sentence. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:45.519 The classic memes say it all. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:51.360 For instance, I like cooking, my family and my pets. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:57.360 Without punctuation, that's a whole different thought. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:08.160 Therefore, it is my opinion that number one, this is not all that important, and didn't there's I was waiting for Catherine to put that up there. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:09.920 That looks completely different. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.319 I like cooking my family and my pets. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:17.839 You gotta throw some commas in there, or you sound like a psycho, as the meme says. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:28.480 Therefore, it is my opinion that number one, this is not all that important and didn't merit the five minutes we've spent on it. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:33.679 And number two, I think the King James scholars got it right. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:37.279 Now let's read the first two verses again. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:54.720 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, verse two, open parentheses, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, close parentheses. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:09:10.000 The purpose of parentheses in general, not just here, but in general, can be accurately deciphered by simply breaking down the original Greek word that formed it. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:20.559 The word parentheses comes to us through the Greek word parentheses, which literally translates a putting in beside. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:23.200 Now I'm getting somewhere with this. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:28.240 This is still Bible study, but I'm trying to make a point. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:48.639 The Oxford Dictionary defines the English word parentheses as meaning, quote, a word or phrase inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage, listen to this, which is grammatically complete without it. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:51.200 That is the key to my point. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:55.600 Hey, I thought I thought you said this wasn't worth the time we're spending on it. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:57.679 I think I changed my mind. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:09.840 I find this interesting, and it gives us an important glimpse into the mind of the man that's responsible for most of the New Testament. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:25.519 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, open parentheses, which he had promised before by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, close parentheses. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:34.559 Paul was in the middle of making one point when he decided to make another, and the parentheses tells us that. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:41.519 Now, maybe decide is not so accurate a characterization, and this is my point. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:11:04.480 As we found out in our study in Ephesians, as we'll find out as we go through this letter to the Romans, and as we'll find out as we go over all of Paul's other letters, he is a man who very often gets, delightfully for us, distracted. 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:16.799 As Paul does in most of his writings, he begins with a more or less general introduction of what he will later expand upon. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:22.080 That's what he's doing here in verses one and two of Romans 1. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:37.440 When this important thought crossed his mind, and it's my argument that this important thought, this that is bounded by these parentheses, actually reveals his true intention. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:41.360 Maybe I should say his primary intention. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:47.840 Certainly it's his primary motivation for writing to this church and Rome. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:55.360 And as I said, with this parentheses here, his thought process is brought out. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:12:15.679 And it would seem to me that those 17th century scholars appointed by King James knew that Paul was prone to, shall I say, multifaceted thinking, and that it was part of his brilliance and personality. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:35.679 Using, quote, a word or phrase inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage which is grammatically complete without it, when they put that parentheses in there, they cleverly and clearly highlighted Paul's endearing tendency. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:45.200 Paul sometimes yields to these distractions and inserts them into the flow of the expression of his thoughts. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:49.039 And by the way, this isn't a random diversion. 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:59.600 This is Paul reaching out to his fellow Jews in a very powerful and I believe entirely intentional way. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:12.799 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in holy scriptures. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:14.240 Listen to me. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:31.840 The only type of Christian in those early days of the church that would care about or even understand this parenthetical statement about the prophets and holy scriptures are the Jewish converts to the faith. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:44.480 Judging from the amount of material pointedly found throughout this letter, that, and we will bring this up quite a bit as we're going through this. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:56.240 All of the things that Paul is saying appears, not all, most of what he is saying appears to be for the Jewish Hebraic mindset. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:14:15.200 And the fact that Paul pretty much opens up with such material tells me that his overriding concern, at least the impetus of sending this letter, was to deal with issues directly related to his fellow Jews. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.960 Now, why is this important? 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:21.039 Well, first of all, I think it helps us to understand. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:24.559 It helps us to put reality on these things. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.360 For so long, we've heard these things in church. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:35.120 We've heard somebody read the Bible, we've read the Bible ourselves, and we don't make the personal connection to what's going on. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:41.360 We think of this as some far-off person, something that is someone who is so different from us. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:49.120 Well, we can see through the way that Paul preaches and teaches and writes that he's just like us. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:56.799 And when we come to that realization that helps us to see, maybe this applies to me. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:15:05.759 Maybe I can think this way, the way that Paul thinks, maybe all of this is real to me, like it appears to be real to him. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.960 There's something else I have to say. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:34.240 I think that we the church, the reason why this is important, the reason why we have to understand how focused Paul was on the Jews, why that's important to us 2,000 years later, is because I think we the church are largely in a similar position as the Jews were at the time of Christ. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:41.440 The Jews had drifted significantly from their true faith, just like we have now. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:52.240 And that backsliding and our backsliding have caused substantial confusion when faced with the simple gospel. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:16:05.039 The gospel is and always has been simple, but we foolish humans are always trying to complicate it for our own purpose to the point. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:17.120 And this is what happened to the Jews, this is what's happened to us, is that when we are presented with the simple gospel, the simple scriptural gospel, it looks entirely different. 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:25.759 We know of a gospel that's preached in the church and the gospel that's here in Scripture. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.519 They're completely different. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.039 They're not supposed to be. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:35.440 Paul said if anyone comes preaching a different gospel, they are to be cursed. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:41.039 It is the gospel that we see in God's word that is the true gospel. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.879 That's why we go over this. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:49.840 We're starting to see, we will see, we'll continue to see that the Jews had drifted away from truth. 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:53.440 We will see how Paul dragged them back in. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:17:06.799 That way, in this, when we study this hard, we can start to see how far we've drifted as Christians, and we use the same methods to bring us back in that he used for the Jews. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:25.759 Therefore, listening to Paul's gentle yet unrelenting correction of those first century Jewish converts will help today's church to restore the proper foundation of our mission and calling. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:37.119 In this statement, verse 2, Paul is declaring that God has all along been working toward this same outcome. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:44.640 God, throughout his relationship with mankind, has been sharing this very same good news. 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:55.599 And if the good news that you're being, if you're being told a good news that's dissimilar from this, you must understand you've changed what God has said all along. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:03.599 That is the point that Paul is going to be using with the Jews, and it's something we will find extremely valuable. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:11.519 Paul, an undisputed expert on all things Old Testament, is informing the Jews at Rome. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:22.960 Listen, converts or not, many of the unconverted, hard-line Jews throughout the region were becoming a concern for the Apostle Paul. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:30.000 He's not just focused on Jewish Christians, but all Jews, converted and unconverted. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:51.680 Here in verse 2, or what we call verse 2, Paul is pointing out the connection between Jesus Christ and all of the sacred writings of Judaism, with the intention of showing and affirming the legitimacy of the Christian movement. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:19:01.680 If you can make the connection to what God has always said, it shows that truly Jesus was the Son of God. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:06.799 Precisely what Peter did on the day of Pentecost. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.640 Now I'll say it again. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:15.119 To me, this is an indication of Paul's intent in writing this letter. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:24.079 He is laying down the foundation of Christianity in this letter to the Romans and showing its connection to God's word. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:28.160 And that has sustained the church right to this very day. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:41.599 We keep vacillating, but the only way we're going to see what the truth of the gospel is, is seeing that God has been saying the same thing from the beginning consistency and constancy. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:53.119 Paul is going to do his best to show the Jewish believers that they were in the will of God by accepting Jesus as their Messiah. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:20:14.960 Though not as clear yet, Paul is also going to engage in a great deal of, shall I say, clarification of what he sees as some misunderstanding, some confusion, even deception that's been going on among those early converts. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:32.240 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, open parentheses, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures or in Holy Scriptures closed parentheses. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.839 Now, Dr. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:21:01.519 Martin Lloyd Jones, in his teaching on Paul's writings, regularly brings out the point that what we have in these letters, these letters of Paul found in the New Testament, are really only summaries, they're synopses, abbreviated headlines in some cases of the overall teaching Paul delivered when he was among his congregations. 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:07.759 In other words, these letters from the beginning were meant to be the basis for preaching. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:12.160 These letters of Paul's are not full sermons in themselves. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:16.000 They're not the full sermons that he originally delivered. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:22.559 They are more or less the highlights of the things he had already said in person. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:38.559 Now, lest some smart Alec wish to fact-check me, which happens a lot on YouTube, I am not referring to the Roman congregation because Paul had not yet preached to them, because he had not been there yet. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.640 That's why he wrote this letter. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:56.079 What we see in this apostle, this epistle, what we see in this epistle are likely versions, condensed versions of the sermons he either preached or intended to preach elsewhere. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:59.599 Now, my point with bringing this up is to show you. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:10.400 That throughout this letter, throughout Paul's letters, at times he's brief and nonspecific, and that will sometimes jump out at you. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:13.200 And here is a perfect example. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:23.440 When he states that the gospel was promised afore by God's prophets and holy writings, he doesn't expand on that thought. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:27.680 He doesn't give any examples, any references. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:34.319 In these letters, Paul is not intending to be comprehensive. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:38.559 He is instead choosing to be concise. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:52.240 In many instances, Paul is merely introducing topics that he hopes to expand either himself or the preach the presiding pastors and teachers already in place. 00:22:53.119 --> 00:23:08.799 Here in the Romans letter, as we'll see later on, Paul expresses his intention to visit them, to visit Rome in the future, and to develop the topics he is now only introducing. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:17.440 These letters of Paul are talking points that must be further explored and articulated. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.039 And listen, listen to me. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.720 That is why it takes so long to teach from them. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:50.240 That's why it takes so long, because that is Paul's intention. 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.839 Listen to me. 00:23:52.400 --> 00:24:02.720 Any thorough treatment of these epistles, especially the epistle to the Romans, will be many times the size of the original letters. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:06.960 They should be many times the size of the original letters. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:21.759 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, open parentheses, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, close parentheses. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:33.680 As I said, this parenthetical statement we now know is verse 2 is aimed directly at the Jews, but without specificity at this moment. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:52.480 But before we continue, let me just make sure that you realize that the good news, the gospel of God that Paul is speaking of in verse 1, listen to me, is euphemistically referring to the coming of the Messiah. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:56.559 The Messiah and the Christ are the same thing. 00:24:56.799 --> 00:25:05.359 This was not explained here by Paul, but that's because it was already a well-known fact at that time. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.400 It's very important for you to understand. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:26.640 Whenever the gospel was mentioned, or Jesus was mentioned, or the Son of God was mentioned, there was an automatic association, an understood association with the Hebrew concept of the coming of the Messiah. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:30.480 The apostles had taught from the very beginning. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:36.720 Christ Himself taught from the very beginning that he was the promised Messiah. 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:42.400 And here in Romans chapter 1, Paul is expanding on that teaching. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:52.400 So again, this gospel of God to the Jew was the fact that the Messiah had come and his name was Jesus. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:55.119 But there was so much more to it. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:59.200 You couldn't just accept Christ and move on. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:02.960 Especially in those days, there was more to it than that. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:06.640 But Paul was not yet specific. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:09.039 So how about we do that for him? 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:13.680 Paul says that he was separated unto the gospel of God. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:20.720 And then in the next couple of verses, he makes some bold assertions about that gospel. 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:29.519 First of all, he says that no one, no, no Jew especially, should be surprised that this gospel had arrived. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:33.839 This was something the Jewish people had long been expecting. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.119 Listen to me. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:43.119 There is this false division between Jew and Christian that was never intended by God. 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:51.759 Remember when we talked about the wall of separation in the letter to the Ephesians and how that came down when Christ died on that cross? 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:56.480 That is what Paul is going to harp on over and over and over again. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:27:02.960 Though in our world and largely in his world too, there were the Jews and there were the Christians. 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:05.039 That was never God's intention. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:09.599 Once Christ came, the two were to come together. 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:25.920 Now, Paul simply makes the statement about the Messiah coming and the good news of God being known since the beginning, but as I said, he doesn't attempt to back it up with specifics. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:29.359 Now, why do you suppose he neglects to do that? 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:36.079 Well, I think he probably simply didn't feel it was necessary to do so here. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:40.720 He's really only in introduction mode at this point. 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:48.400 And remember, as I just said, these letters were not meant to be full treatment of these topics for the most part. 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.720 He's just laying out bullet points. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:28:06.720 Yes, there are some things he spends time on in the body of these letters, but most others he expects to expand on either himself or some other preacher or teacher or pastor at some later time. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.720 That's what we're doing. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:16.960 We are following up on Paul's stated or at least inferred intention 2,000 years ago. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:19.519 We're spending time on these things. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:25.359 In some of his letters, he may be summarizing what he had already said. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:33.680 Either way, we are never to get the impression that the things he says in his correspondence is all that needs to be said. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:45.599 In verse 2, we read that the gospel was promised afore by God's prophets in Holy Scripture, but Paul doesn't add any examples. 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:48.640 And that's what we're going to start doing today. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:50.400 So why don't we begin? 00:28:50.640 --> 00:29:01.440 Now, this letter is as much for you and me as it was for those Christians in the imperial city of 2,000 years ago. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.680 That's why we're spending time here. 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:10.960 Our challenge, though, is not where to begin with these scriptural references, but rather where to end. 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:22.000 You see, the gospel of God, the story of the coming Messiah, the Redeemer, the reconciliation of sinning man is found throughout the Old Testament. 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:25.680 In fact, let's go all the way back to nearly the beginning. 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:31.839 Now, this one is rather familiar to most of these people gathered here with me. 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:34.799 Genesis 3.15. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:45.039 And I will put enmity between, remember this, and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:49.519 It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:56.720 The context here, as you remember, is Adam and Eve have brought on the fall of man. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:30:03.359 They have themselves made necessary this plan of redemption by sinning. 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:08.799 And immediately God goes about implementing the correction. 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:23.039 And here in that passage we just read, God is wrapping up the curse he placed on the serpent, the devil himself, because he was the deceiver who was the catalyst of this disaster. 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:29.119 All I'm doing is reminding you of what's going around around Genesis 3.15. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.720 Let's read it again. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:36.720 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed. 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:41.039 It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:48.160 Now, this is the very first of the aforementiones of the gospel of God. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:51.200 This is good news to Adam and Eve. 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:58.400 This is good news to the Christians at Rome, and it's good news to us all the way in our day. 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:13.759 The good news, the good news that God just promised is that someone is coming who will be related to Adam and Eve, who will destroy the one who's led them to their fall from grace. 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:20.400 Paul is saying to those Jewish converts in Rome that this gospel is not new. 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:32.880 Its appearance may have happened only recently, within the, I guess, the previous 20 years, but the promise of it is as old as the human race. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:34.880 It goes all the way back. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:39.359 The gospel goes all the way back to that prophesied seed. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:55.599 That prophesied seed is the gospel, the prophesied seed of the woman who would bruise the head of the serpent while also having his heel bruised by that selfsame serpent is the same gospel. 00:31:56.160 --> 00:32:02.000 That is exactly how it played out before the eyes of those early Christians. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:27.200 You see, they either saw themselves or knew someone who saw or heard from a reliable source that Jesus, after being crucified, rose from the grave to break the power of that serpent, a near word-for-word fulfillment of the promise aforementioned in holy scriptures, particularly Genesis 3.15. 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:43.119 Paul may not have been specific in this letter at this point, but I am sure that many of those who were reading it knew about Genesis 3.15 and were now making the connection to it in Christ. 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:48.960 And I'm sure it must have brought more than a few tears of joy. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:53.119 Just like good news does very often. 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:07.359 Most of us have been greatly moved when a particular truth hit home. 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:09.680 I believe that's the point. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:26.960 You see, we become emotional when something we've been hoping for, something we've been leaning on, something that just seemed too incredible would but would be so wonderful, when that finally becomes real to us, we become emotional. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:49.359 And I'm sure that those born and raised Jews who now see Christ as their savior, their Messiah, the one who had been promised, once they made that connection to what they had been looking for and its realization in Christ, they must have been struck with intense emotion. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.720 Can you imagine? 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:53.359 It's true. 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.680 He's finally here. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:34:02.559 Everything I've ever hoped for has come true. 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:08.159 That is the point that Paul was trying to make. 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:10.639 You know this man, Jesus. 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:15.360 You've known it all your life, and every one of your ancestors has as well. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:18.880 He is that one you've been waiting for. 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:22.079 I can't imagine how that must have felt to them. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:24.800 How about another one? 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:26.800 Genesis 22, 15. 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:57.599 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of the out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore, and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. 00:34:57.760 --> 00:35:08.559 Verse 18, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice. 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:19.280 Let me ask you, in what other way can the whole earth be blessed except through the coming of this good news? 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:23.440 Of course, that's a rhetorical question. 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:32.480 And if any of those Jewish converts wondered the same thing, well, Paul just cleared it up for them. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:43.599 If throughout their lives they weren't sure how God was going to bless all nations, Paul put it in context right here for them. 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:52.480 God was talking about the good news, the good news that would arrive through Abraham's seed. 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:56.079 That is a direct reference to Christ. 00:35:57.519 --> 00:36:08.400 Likewise, if the Jewish people were wondering what God meant when he told Jacob that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, well, here you go. 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:18.159 Here is the lion of the tribe of Judah, and he is going to be the king sitting on an everlasting throne. 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:24.639 The everlasting throne was mentioned over and over and over in God's word. 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:27.679 And they knew kings came and went. 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:29.840 They knew judges came and went. 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:34.079 They knew that throne was there, sometimes appeared to be empty. 00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:39.280 And they must have thought, how could that throne be everlasting if kings come and go? 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:41.039 Well, here's their answer. 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:52.400 Someday, my friend, you're going to see Christ on his throne. 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:54.960 Can you imagine what that's going to be? 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:59.599 You will be like those Jews when they first found out their Messiah was Jesus. 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:03.119 When you see him sitting on the throne, you're going to go, it is true. 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:06.000 I've been worshiping right all this time. 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:18.159 The lion of the tribe of Judah will be sitting on that everlasting throne because the scepter has been promised to them, the tribe of Judah. 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:22.639 Now, they won't know that Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.800 He is from the tribe of Judah. 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:39.840 They knew that, but they did know he was going to be called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah for some time, since he's not actually referred to by that title until the book of Revelation arrives, which is about 50 years in their future. 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:44.239 But if any of them are around by that time, they'll know. 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:50.480 They have this promise to Jacob about the scepter being permanently in the house of Judah. 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:57.760 And they will by then know Jesus has been a promise afore by the prophets and holy scriptures. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:38:04.079 All they need to do is put it all together with, of course, the help of the Holy Spirit. 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:08.559 And when they do, again, tears will flow. 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:12.719 God made similar promises to David. 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:13.679 They love David. 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:16.320 Of course, they loved Abraham, but they loved David as well. 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:23.760 He made similar promises to David, but let me tell you with far more force and far more specificity. 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:31.679 And when thy days be fulfilled and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers. 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:34.159 In other words, when you're dead and buried. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:44.559 And when you're dead and buried, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of the bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:54.000 Remember, we talk about, and we'll talk a lot more about it later, but the Bible very often references Jesus as a son of David. 00:38:54.159 --> 00:39:01.840 This is why they call him that, because God is making this promise to the relative of David. 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:10.000 Verse 13, he shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:14.880 I will be his father, and he shall be my son if he commit iniquity. 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:21.920 I wish we could get into that a little bit more, but we're moving on. 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:22.960 Verse 15. 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:36.320 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee, and thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee. 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:40.079 Thy throne shall be established forever. 00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:43.440 I mean, can you imagine? 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:50.079 These Jews had heard these passages and these promises all their lives. 00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:59.440 They attend the synagogue, they went to the temple in Jerusalem at least once a year, and this is what they were hearing. 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:09.599 And to have an expert tell you that these things are coming true right before your eyes, it must have been overwhelming. 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:12.880 Even for those who already believed. 00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:22.239 Listen, when Paul taught about Jesus as the promised Messiah, they knew Paul was speaking with authority. 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:29.840 Listen to me, those devout Jews were not novices when it came to their scriptures, unlike we are today. 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:35.280 Those ancient Jews could pick out a phony a mile away. 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:40.800 But that also means that they could perceive someone who knew what he was talking about. 00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:44.719 Listen to me, the Jews loved their Pharisaical experts. 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:58.800 They leaned on them, they followed their every word, and here they have one writing this letter to them and preaching to them when he was in their midst, and they must have been spellbound. 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:01.760 Promised a four indeed. 00:41:02.239 --> 00:41:04.480 Deuteronomy 8:15. 00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:12.079 Who do you think he was talking about? 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:15.440 From the midst of thee. 00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:20.480 That's why it's important for you to know that Jesus was Jewish. 00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:35.519 Because it was always promised that this prophet, meaning Jesus, would be from the midst of them, of they, of thy brethren, like unto thee, unto ye shall hearken. 00:41:35.679 --> 00:41:37.360 Unto him ye shall hearken. 00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:44.800 When you see that prophet coming from amidst you, from you, as a part of your brethren, you shall hearken unto him. 00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:46.159 Who do you think that was? 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:47.679 It was Christ. 00:41:47.920 --> 00:41:52.639 Everyone that read read that passage in Deuteronomy knew it meant the Messiah. 00:41:52.719 --> 00:41:57.280 And here Paul is saying, Your Messiah is Jesus. 00:41:58.320 --> 00:42:04.719 Though we could we could do this for another hour, how about we stop now and pick it up right there next time? 00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:05.840 See that. 00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:27.119 Please join us again soon. 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:31.840 New content is being added all the time, so make sure you check back often. 00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:43.039 For more information on Chapel Ministries, including our YouTube channel and podcasts, please visit www.chapelontheweb.com. 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:50.800 And if God has laid it upon your heart to share materially with us, we encourage you to follow the links to our secure giving page. 00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:59.679 Please note, Chapel Ministries is not an IRS 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