John 8 (KJV) Our main verses are 32 & 32
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Our minds this weekend are, naturally, because it’s the Fourth of July weekend, focused on our freedom as a nation. Our freedom is a precious thing, bought with the sweat, blood, toil and tears of countless Americans who fought to obtain it, as well as those who have fought to keep us free since that day in 1776. I am grateful for those who sacrificed, some with their lives, for our freedom and for those who continue to do so.

My mind, however, is also focused on a greater freedom we’ve been given, purchased with the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His was the greatest sacrifice of all. Not only He, but others that came before us, who died so that the truth could be passed on to us, these are on my mind today. I am grateful to our brothers and sisters in Christ who gave their lives so that we may know Jesus and what He has done for us.

When Jesus came, even the religious people were full of sin. As we just read, some who heard Jesus’ promise to “continue in my word, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” self-righteously objected. They said that they had never been in bondage to anyone. Not only was their objection inaccurate (historically they had, indeed, served as slaves in Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and many Jews were slaves in Rome even as they spoke), they were still missing his point. Jesus explained He was talking about their being in bondage to sin (John 8:33-36).

These religious leaders were full of pride and pretentiousness; they were hypocrites and greedy; full of hatred and selfishness. They held to outward religious show; self glory and human tradition, often setting aside God’s commandment in favor of their traditions. They were self-righteous and hard-hearted. Jesus came to free them from all that, and us as well. Sin and religion are cruel slave masters which will always leads to spiritual death in the end (Romans 6:23).

We Have Liberty in Christ

There is an even greater freedom than our national freedom, and that is our freedom in Christ.

While the Jews dealt with these things, the Gentiles were no better off. They were in bondage to false gods (Galatians 4:8). Jesus came to set us all free. He was the only One who could. We could not free ourselves it had to be Jesus, God’s Son. In Him we are set free as we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Remember Jesus’ own words about it; this freedom is related to and dependent upon our “abiding in His word” (John 8:31).

In HIS WORD, not in what religion tells us His word is. That’s why study in the original is so important. Things were changed, most were interpreted correctly, some words mistranslated were unimportant but some were very important. It’s important to know the truth. The truth you know and live will set you free.

Romans 8:1 Common English Bible (CEB)
So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (This is one of those scriptures that was changed in the King James Version due transcription error) The CEB and some other versions, have translated it correctly.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NIV)

Ephesians 3:12
In him [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (NIV)

Galatians 5:1

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV)

The specific danger Paul addresses in the above passage (Galatians 5:1-15) is a return to or dependence upon Judaism for salvation. Paul has many good things to say about the Law of Moses. It is good; it is righteous; it led us to Christ as a schoolmaster, it spoke of the Christ to come; it is profitable for study and learning from its examples, and so forth. But it could not justify, and returning to it for justification would only result in enslavement.

False teachers were demanding the continuing observance of the Law; and even that the Gentiles, to whom the Law was never given, subject themselves to its ordinances. Paul writes, “Therefore, let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day…” (Colossians 2:16).

Additionally, there were false teachers of other sorts trying to adulterate the gospel with human philosophy and traditions (Colossians 2:8-10). Paul’s answer: “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 6:8).

Be Not Subject Again
“… and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1b).

What am I trusting in today?

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to consider our freedom—as Americans and as Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite worth.

We must stand guard over our freedom in Christ, or else we may well find our liberty eroded and ourselves in bondage once again. Peter warns that the final state of enslavement can be even worse than the first so encourages the faithful not to allow themselves to be led astray by false promises and teachings (2 Peter 2:18-22).

Even as Jesus referred to the Pharisees of His day as being in bondage, there are those today who think like the Pharisees thought. They are prideful and hypocritical. They look for a physical kingdom of silver and gold instead of a spiritual kingdom of truth and righteousness.

They are steeped in human religious tradition and creeds, while setting aside the doctrine of Christ. Do not let the modern version of the Pharisee rob you of your freedom!

The Answer To Avoiding Losing Our Freedom

“For sin shall not be the master over you, for you are not under Law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14).

Acts 11:1-17
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Romans 14:14
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Romans 4:13
Where there is no law, there is no transgression

Romans 14:23
Whatever is not of faith is sin

James 4:17
To him that knows to do good and does not do it is sin

We must stand guard over our freedom in Christ, or we may find our liberty eroded and ourselves once again in bondage. Peter warns that the final state of bondage can be even worse than the first so encourages the faithful not to allow themselves to be led astray by false promises (2 Peter 2:18-22).

Even as Jesus referred to the Pharisees of His day as being enslaved, there are those today who think like the Pharisees thought. They are prideful and hypocritical. They look for a physical kingdom of silver and gold instead of a spiritual kingdom of truth and righteousness. They are steeped in human religious tradition and creeds, while setting aside the doctrine of Christ. Do not let the modern version of the Pharisee rob you of your freedom!

Do not let empty human philosophy take your freedom away. The names of the philosophies may have changed but the effects are still the same. They cannot save. Only the gospel can do that (1 Corinthians 1:18-22). The world is constantly bombarding us with words to entice us away from our salvation. Our answer: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1).

Jesus distilled the 10 Commandments into two. He wasn’t kidding when he said his yoke was easy, his burden is light.

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mark 12:28-31 (King James Version)
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

As you celebrate the Fourth of July, celebrate too, your freedom in Christ.

To download a copy of this sermon, go to

http://www.clwcchurch.com/Freedom.pdf

Most people do not really know what Jesus was like. We all have heard the saying, “What would Jesus do?” And everyone has their own opinion of what he would do, according to their own personal beliefs. So many use that phrase, to hurt, offend, and drive people away from him instead of pointing them to Jesus.

What do I mean? You’ve all heard people say something like this.
• I’ll never set foot in a church again, all they do is make me feel guilty.
• Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it
• All those people do is judge me
• I’d like to know what Jesus would think if he walked into one of these churches today
• I don’t think he’d go to any of them
• He’d probably die laughing, or crying

So who is Jesus, really? What is he really like? In a book my mother gave me, I found this:

If you were to pass him on the street, you probably wouldn’t notice him. He was nothing special to look at. In fact, he had the kind of face you would shy away from. He was a gentle man. He could silence detractors without ever raising his voice. He never bullied his way, never drew attention to himself. He never pretended to like what vexed his soul. He was real, to the very core.

And at the core of him was love. We don’t’ even know what love is until we saw his love. It was everyone too, even those who hated him. He still cared for them, hoping somehow they would find a way out of their self-inflicted souls to recognize who stood among them.

And with all that love, he was completely honest. Yet even when his actions or words exposed people’s darkest motives they didn’t feel ashamed. They felt safe, really safe with him. His words conveyed not even a hint of judgment, simply an entreaty to come to God. There was no one you would trust more quickly with your secrets. If someone were going to catch you at your worst moments you’d want it to be him.

He wasted no time mocking others, nor their religious trappings. If he had something to say to them, he’d say it and move on and you would know that you’d been loved more than anyone had ever loved you before.

I’m not talking about mamby-pamby sentimentalism either. He loved, really loved. It didn’t matter if you were a Pharisee’s, a prostitute, disciple or blind beggar, Jew, Samaritan, or Gentile. His love held itself out for any to embrace. Most did too, when they saw him. Though so few ended up following him, for the few moments his presence passed by them, they tasted a freshness and power they could never deny even years later. Somehow he seemed to know everything about them, but loved them deeply all the same.

And when he hung there on that filthy cross, that love still poured down – on mocker and disillusioned friends alike. As he approached the dark chamber of death, wearied of the torture and feeling separated from his Father, he continued to drink from the cup that would finally consume our self-will and shame. There was no finer moment in all of human history. His anguish became the conduit for his life to be shared with us. This was no madman. This was God’s Son, poured out to the last breath, to open full and free access for you to his Father.

Let’s stop wasting time ragging on religion, ragging on each other for our shortcomings, our different beliefs. Let’s instead concentrate on Jesus. He wants to be our friend without any strings attached. He will care for us, and given a chance become more real to us than our closest friend, and we will cherish him more than anyone or anything else we could desire. He will give us a purpose and a fullness of life that will carry us through every stress and pain and will change us from the inside to show us what true freedom and joy really are.

(So You Don’t Want to go to Church Anymore Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman ©2006 by Wayne Jacobsen Published by Windblown Media 4680 Calle Norte Newberry Park, CA 91320)

The church, God’s people need to allow Jesus to flow through us. How do we do that? Jesus told us how. He gave us two commandments.

Matthew 22:37-40

And Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

This is the love that Jesus showed us. You see, when we love really love, it will look like this:

1 Corinthians 13 (AMP)

Love endures long and is patient and kind, love never is envious or boils over in with jealousy; is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited – arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love [God’s love in us] does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self – seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it – pays no attention to a suffered wrong.
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening]:
Love never fails – never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.

(NIV)

Love is patient, is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of person I want to be. I want to be like Jesus, someone that people can trust with their secret shames, someone that people can turn to when their at their lowest, that they can be transparent with, know that they will not be judge. I want to be someone that people can share their joys with, someone who lets people see the love of God.

Let’s take a look at the early church to see how they were able to let Christ’s love show through them.

Acts 2:44-47

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord, added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Now, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a church like that? Everyone’s needs were taken care of. They shared all things in common. No one had to go without anything. Amazing.

Acts 4:33-37

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

So what do we see? People gave everything they had to make sure no one went without. Everyone did their part. They treated each other with love, respect, and dignity. They treated each other like the precious brothers and sisters in Christ they were.

Not only were their physical needs met, but so were their emotional and spiritual needs. No one was left out. They went from house to house daily, eating and spending time together praising God.

1 Peter 5:14

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Corinthians 16: 1-4 Shows us that they took collections for the poor. They really took seriously meeting each others needs.

Romans 14 & 15:13

• Don’t judge others
• Do everything as unto the Lord
• We only give account for ourselves – don’t worry about what someone else is doing or not doing.
• Nothing is any longer unclean unto itself, but if it causes a brother to stumble don’t do it in front of him.

Uncleanness and unnaturalness are not sins. We are not allowed to judge one another. We can judge sin, but not people. We cannot call anything a sin that God has not called sin. I bring this up specifically because the church judges harshly homosexuals. There is so much hatred in the church, not even for a perceived sin, but at the people who are gay. Let’s look at Romans 1.

Romans 1:24- 29
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Natural/Unnatural

Now, to understand unnatural, let’s look at what that means. What, exactly, is the unnatural in Romans 1? First, nature, physis in the Greek, is that which is characteristic, consistent, ordinary, expected, regular. Paul was speaking of something of its particular kind or character. Something is natural when it responds to its own kind, when it is as expected. For instance, if I’m a person who is consistently on time but show up a half-hour late without calling, that is not natural for me. It is against my nature, unnatural, para physin in the Greek.

So when Paul says women and men were going against nature, it meansthey were engaging in sexual practices that were not usual for them to perform. The practices were beyond the regular, outside the ordinary, more than the usual, not the expected. There isn’t a sense in those words being something sinful. As a matter of fact, Paul uses those words when talking about God in Rom 11:24, when he describes how God grafted Gentiles into the olive tree that is Israel. To Paul, God himself acted para physin. God did what was unnatural. He behaved in an unusual way. So, if to act para physin is immoral, then God must be immoral – and there is no way we can say that He is immoral!

So, what does this mean for the verses we’ve been discussing? During Paul’s day, their philosophy was that the purpose of sex was to procreate. So by this use and definition, any sex acts that were indulged in for the mere purpose of pleasure were deemed unnatural. Instead, another word was used when describing procreative sex, kata physin – according to nature. So, para physin means any sex that is not procreative, which includes man with man, woman with woman, sex during a menstrual period, oral sex, anal sex, masturbation, etc.

The “unnatural” sex was then, and is still in majority today, unseemly (doesn’t seem appropriate), disgraceful, unaccepted, etc.

Uncleanness

This is not a sin. If Paul had wanted to say that it was “ethically wrong or sin” he had words to use for that, both in Hebrew and Greek. In fact he did use those words earlier in the same chapter of Romans before he talks of men with men, and again after the section of men with men, but they do not occur in the section of men with men.

In verse 18 Paul notes the ungodliness and the wickedness of the people who suppress truth. These words translate the Greek asebeia and adikia. They mean something that is really wrong, unethical behavior, sin. Then adikia occurs again in verse 29. With it there is a long list of things that are clearly wrong in themselves, wicked and evil, not just things that might offend people’s sensitivities.

We’ll talk next week about what is sin, so that we can be clear. Sin we can judge, not the person sinning however. But we need to know exactly what God calls sin so that we don’t sin. Just remember in the meantime, if you think its sin, don’t do it. If it will cause someone harm, don’t do it. If it’s more important than God to you, leave it alone. It has become idolatry.

We are called to love, that is our commandment, and our covenant.

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Bibles

The Thompson Chain – Reference Bible Fourth Improved Version Frank Charles Thompson D. D. PHD. BB Kirkbride Bible Co., Inc. Indianapolis Indiana. USA. ©1964 62nd. Printing King James Version

The Comparative Study Bible A Parallel Bible presenting the New International Version – New American Standard Version –

Amplified Bible and King James Version. ©1984 The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI.

The Interlinear Bible, Hebrew – Greek – English With Strong’s Concordance Numbers Above Each Word. Jay P. Green Sr., General Editor and Translator. Second Edition ©1986 by Jay P. Green Sr.

Online Interlinear/Hebrew
http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm

Online Interlinear/Greek
http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm

Nave’s Topical Bible Orville J. Nave. ©1979 by Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers

The Bible text designated YLT is from the 1898 Young’s Literal Translation by Robert Young who also compiled Young’s Analytical Concordance. This is an extremely literal translation that attempts to preserve the tense and word usage as found in the original Greek and Hebrew writings. The text was scanned from a reprint of the 1898 edition as published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids Michigan. The book is still in print and may be ordered from Baker Book House. Obvious errors in spelling or inconsistent spellings of the same word were corrected in the computer edition of the text.

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Youngs-Literal-Translation-YLT-Bible/

The 1611 Authorized King James Translation
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611-Bible/

Nave’s Topical Bible
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/naves-topical-bible/

Torrey’s New Topical Textbook
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/torreys-topical-textbook/

Any Version:
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Concordances
The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible James Strong, L L. D. ©1990 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance – Online
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/,

Dictionaries/Lexicons/ Septuagint
http://www.lexilogos.com/english/greek_ancient_dictionary.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/

The Septuagint LXX: Greek and English by Sir Lancelot C.L. Brenton
http://www.ccel.org/bible/brenton/

Other Various Helps

The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times Ralph Gower, Moody Press, Chicago ©1987

Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible J L Packer, M.C. Tenney, Editors ©1980 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

Bible Manners and Customs Online Links

PDF http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books%20II/Manners%20and%20Customs.pdf

http://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=3&sub=256&cat_name=Ancient+Greece&subcat_name=Manners+%26+Customs

http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/OTStudies/MannersandCustomsInBibleLands1953/tabid/232/Default.aspx

The Layman’s Bible Encyclopedia by William C. Martin, MA., B.D. ©1964 by The Southwestern Company, Nashville, Tennessee

The Wycliff Bible Commentary Edited by Charles F. Pfeiffir, Old Testament, Everett F. Harrison, New Testament. ©1962 by the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Fourth printing, 1968

Halley’s Bible Handbook, Revised Edition. By Henry H Halley ©1959 by Henry Halley

The Complete Works of Josephus, translated by Wm. Whiston ©1981 by Kregal Publications, a division of Kregal, Inc. P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI. 49501

The Works of Flavius Josephus – Online Version
http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/

Philo of Alexandria on Early Jewish Writings – Online Version
http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/philo.html

ORIGINAL LANGUAGE TOOLS GREEK, HEBREW & ENGLISH
http://www.preceptaustin.org/Greek_to_Me.htm

A page that has a lot of choices.
http://bible.christiansunite.com/

Includes
- Online Bible Versions
* Authorized Version – KJV
* American Standard Version
* Bible in Basic English
* Darby Bible
* Webster Bible
* Young’s Literal Translation
* World English Bible
- Bible Commentaries Online
* Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the whole Bible.
* People’s New Testament
* John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible.
* JFB Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.
* The Geneva Study Bible
* John Nelson Darby – Synopsis of the New Testament
- Christian History
* Flavius Josephus
* Fox’s Book of Martyrs.
* Sketches of Church History

- Bible Dictionaries
* Easton’s Bible Dictionary

- Bible Concordances
* Torrey’s Topical Textbook
* Nave’s Topical Bible
- Devotionals
* C.H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening – Today’s Devotional – Archive
* Faith’s Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon – Today’s Devotional – Archive
* Daily Light on the Daily Path
* Marketplace Meditations
- Biographies
* Autobiography of George Fox
* Autobiography of Charles Finney
* Autobiography of John Bunyan
* The Life of John Bunyan, by Edmund Venables
- Christian Writings
* Augustine
* John Bunya

Learn Greek Online – Free Online Greek Classes
http://www.kypros.org/LearnGreek/

Why is bible study so important for a Christian? Scripture teaches us that we need to study for a few simple reasons. Paul said that ministers should study to show themselves approved. Now, in case you’re thinking, “But I’m not a minister”, it’s still important for you to study. Why? Consider this. People become involved in cults because they do not know scripture, people follow man-made doctrines, not God’s doctrine, because they do not know what the scriptures say, or what they mean.

Galatians 1:6-10 KJV
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

As you can see, things were being changed by preachers early on. It’s important for us to know what God has said by searching the scriptures to ensure that what we are being taught is so. The only way you will know for sure if something is true, is to study it for yourself.

There are many Bible study tools available. If you do not have any, I have listed the ones I believe are important, along with links (all these tools are free for you to use) for you on the Bible Study Tools in the next article. I’ve listed all the tools that I use.

When we study, what is it that we are looking for? We are simply looking for truth. We want to know what God said. We do not want man’s opinion of what God has said. The best way to accomplish this is to look at three major areas: The text (verse/s) itself, the historical context, and the interpretation of the text.

The text is important because God desires that we, His kids, know Him. He wants a relationship with us and the scripture is one of the main ways He communicates with us. It’s how we get to know Him, His attributes, His personality, and His ways. He shares with us about His love for us, His desires for us and what He expects from us.

When looking at a text we’re going to look specifically at what He’s saying to us. What does He mean? Why is He saying what He’s saying? How does it apply to us today? We need to look at all the famous, who, what, where, when and why questions.

We will need to look at words specifically. What the words mean today may not mean what they meant to the writer and the people of the time of the writing. For instance, when we say that someone is a “fox”, we mean that they are good looking. When Jesus called Herod a fox in Luke 13:32, He meant a cunning person. Neither we, nor Jesus, would be talking about the animal fox.

Simple, I know, but it shows how language changes. Of course, you can read the new versions of the Bible, but have you ever looked at them? Even those translate very important words differently. So, in that light, do yourself a favor and look the words up! I’ve been shocked at what I’ve found! If we don’t have the correct meaning of the words, we won’t know what God is saying to us. That defeats the purpose of having the scriptures.

We’re going to need to look at the grammar as well. So that we keep things in context, we’ll also need to look at the context of the whole chapter, perhaps the ones before and after it. We want to be seekers of truth, so let’s seek it out.

When looking at historical context, we’ll be looking at who is this written to? What were the manners and customs of their time? Why was this message being given to them? Are we in a similar situation today? How does this apply to us in this time? Does it apply to us? Before you say, “of course it does”, consider this. Do we still give animal sacrifice? Why not? We need to examine everything to have a clear understanding.

Interpretation is very important. An honest interpretation will give us truth. It will harmonize with the rest of the Bible. I have found that supposedly “problem” scriptures are not really problematic when you understand what is being said. It will all “fit”. God is not schizophrenic. It will make sense. You’ll have several “ah ha” moments. Study is a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun!

Hebrews 3:12-13
Beware, brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in  departing from the living God but exhort one another daily while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Some of the things that have been brought to my attention:

• Gossip – James 4:11  James 3:14-16

• Money – Looking at money as the answer instead of God being the answer. Money has become an idol. Sometimes lack of money brings this on more than having money, because it becomes our focus.  Matthew 13:22 Proverbs 11:28

Psalm 37:3-6 trust in the lord
Luke 16:10-12 shows spiritual attitude
Luke 14:28-30  demands budget

• Family disputes – Causing problems in the family. Instead of keeping it between you and the family member, getting everyone involved, making things worse. Letting family members know your business, then getting mad when they try to involve themselves. Some things you need to keep private – even from family. These can be finances, marital problems, etc. Find trusted advisors instead. Don’t cause problems. Read Proverbs 6:19 in the New Century version.

All are sin. We have to repent. James 4:7-12

Satan’s plan – Divide and conquer Starts like this – Why Isn’t God????? or  Did God really say?
Ps.44:23-24 Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself. Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face?
We get disappointed in God when our experience falls short of our expectations.

• First comes disappointment.

• Then a seed of doubt.

• Then comes anger, a feeling of betrayal of God.

We question whether God is trustworthy and wonder if we can really count on him. James 4:4
This really is nothing new. Remember Adam and Eve? The strategy to get us to doubt God is the same. Look, feel, evaluate whether the experience matches the word. We get our eyes off the answer and look at the experience. When we do that, we keep having the same experience and God fails our test.
Yes, we give God tests. And then, when he fails to meet our expectations, we get mad. Sometimes we doubt he exists, or believe that he doesn’t care about us. We think God is unfair. We complain that he is silent when we most need to hear his voice. We feel he’s hiding from us in our time of need.
Malachi 3:13-15
Philippians 4:8
Galatians 5:6-10

I’m tired of people who are haters of God, coming to me for counsel, and I’m not doing it any more. That’s it. I’ve had it.
I’m tired of people who are haters of God who are coming to the church for money. That’s it. I’ve had it.
I’m tired of people who are haters of God coming to us for family counsel. That’s it. I’ve had it.
You say, “I don’t hate God!” Really? You don’t?” Then why do you align yourself with satan? To align yourself with him and what he says is to align yourself against God. In my book, that’s a God hater. If you don’t want God and don’t want to hear what he says, I’ve nothing for you. I’m no longer going to hit my head against a brick wall to try to convince you to trust God. Keep hating him and agreeing with satan and suffer the consequences. I’m done people. I’m just done. God is all I have to offer you. If that’s not enough then I can’t help you nor will I try.
Get in the Word, spend time with God, grow your relationship with him – then we can talk. We Forget How God Works. Yes there are miracles. And we in this church have received many. God does work in mysterious ways. But – and this is the one we tend to forget, God works through people! Remember, he’s chosen to work through his kids.

• We are made in his likeness and in his image.

• Thoughts are things and the things we think on manifest.

• The things we believe manifest.

• The things we say manifest.

Too many in this church choose to isolate themselves from others when things aren’t going the way they want them to.

Proverbs 18:1&2  “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding. But in expressing his own heart.”
“Well, God isn’t coming through for me.”  Or “I’m sinning and I don’t want anyone to know.” Or “No one would understand how I feel.” “I’m depressed and I’m just going to stay by myself.”
When we isolate ourselves, we’re falling in with satans plan. Dividing ourselves from the help and support we need to get through what is happening in our lives.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself and if you scoff, you will bear it alone
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counsel there is safety.
Proverbs 13:3&4
A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards rebuke will be honored.
Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Abide in me and MY word will abide in you.
Proverbs – he who keeps alone
Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 23:17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day
Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.
If you don’t like what you’re receiving, change your thoughts, change your beliefs, and change what you speak.

• For every promise there is a condition. If you don’t meet the condition, you will not receive the promise. Romans 12:2

• Look at the promise. What are the conditions to that promise? Meet them, and receive the promise.

Proverbs 11:28
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Romans 8:6

2 Timothy 1:13
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Don’t let it happen to you. Do not be deceived. Keep your eyes on Christ and receive the promise.

Scripture tells us we were created to know God, to be a friend of His and to walk and talk with Him face to face.  We have been made in His image and likeness.  We have been made to rule and to reign with Him for eternity.  At one time, God even walked and talked with man in the Garden of Eden.  When man fell through committing treason against God, He already had a plan to restore man into his rightful place.

Think about this with me for just a minute.  God yearned for someone to talk to, someone to have companionship with, and someone to work with.  So, He made a companion for Himself. Today, He still longs for someone who loves Him and wants to be with Him as much as He wants to be with them.  However, it is impossible to be that someone if you don’t know Him.

For this reason, God sent His Son Jesus as the way to bring reconciliation between Himself and man. In the book of John, chapter three in the Bible, we see that God sent His Son because He loved us and wanted us to be reconciled to Him. All we have to do is believe that God made this sacrifice for us, and to accept this sacrifice. Once we accept Jesus as that sacrifice, we are restored into the family of God as His children.

Scriptures tell us what Jesus did for us. God the Son was born of a virgin to become a man, Jesus. He lived a sinless life and became the perfect sacrifice, and chose to die for us on a cross.  Not only did He die, but He then came alive again and is still alive today. Not only can we be restored to right fellowship with God, we have also been given the power to become the sons of God. When we accept Jesus as Savior, we become God’s children, literally a son of God.

Have you been reconciled to God? Do you want to be? If you do, in your own words, ask Him. Let Him know that you accept the sacrifice of His Son for you, and that you want to be reconciled to Him. You do not have to pray a special prayer. Just speak to Him from your heart. Once you have done that, whether you “feel” anything or not, you are forgiven and reconciled to Him. You have been reconciled by accepting God’s sacrifice of Jesus for you. If you could have been reconciled any other way, Jesus would not have had to die for you. So accept what Jesus did, and ask God to reconcile you to Himself on the basis of what Jesus did.

[Excerpt from Hearing God's Voice For Yourself...A Beginner's Guide by Marilyn Parmelee, used with permission]