Would you turn back to the book
of Romans? Tonight, Lord willing, I'm going
to be speaking from Luke chapter 9, verses 23 through 26. And it's where the Lord said,
if any man will come after me, let him deny himself. Take up his cross daily and follow
me. Now, I believe I've been led
of the Spirit of God to preach through the book of Romans. I
preached through it in 2003, and I hope I have a little bit
more understanding now than I did then. And this morning, I'm going
to preach on the very first word of the first verse. Paul. Now I'm going to be preaching
the gospel. I'm not giving a historical lecture on Paul, but I'm going
to preach on Paul. God speaks and works through
men. He always speaks and works through
men. You haven't heard God's audible
voice. You've heard God's voice through
a man. God raised up men like Moses,
Joshua, Samuel, David, Josiah, Hezekiah, and he spake through
these men. God's Word, the holy infallible
scriptures, came through the pen of fallible, sinful men. Now, that doesn't mean the scriptures
have any error, they don't. But they came through the pen,
through the personality, and the words of men. Holy men of God, the scripture
says, spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Paul, is the
man God used more than any other man to expound the gospel. And Romans is perhaps the greatest
exposition of the gospel that we have. If you want to understand
the gospel, and if God the Holy Spirit is pleased to make it
known to you, read the book of Romans. Now in this epistle,
and I'd never really thought about this before, but I looked
at all the epistles and all the other epistles, Paul's written
13 epistles and all the other epistles, he's dealing with problems
in churches. And here, this is a church he
had not been to. He had not founded this church
and he was writing this church and he was simply declaring the
gospel. Look in verse 13 of Romans chapter
one. He said, now I would not have
you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purpose to come
to you. I've wanted to visit you many
times, but was led hitherto. I was hindered that I might have
some fruit among you, even as among other Gentiles, I'm a debtor,
both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise
and to the unwise. So as much as in me is, I'm ready
to preach the gospel. to you that are at Rome also,
for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it, the gospel,
is the power of God unto salvation." So his only purpose in bringing
this epistle was to preach the gospel to a place he'd never
even been. He didn't establish this church,
but he wanted them to hear these words. Now this epistle of Romans
has been used In law schools, as the greatest example there
is of logical argument, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles,
and indeed he did use logic. Now, we don't believe something
because it's logical. We believe something because
it's in the Bible. Understand that. But there's
nothing wrong with logic. I remember one time, I'll never
forget this, I was talking to a preacher and I was telling
him about how I believe the scripture definitely teach that Christ
died for the elect, that he didn't die for all men, but he died
for the elect. And if he died for all men, then all men would
be saved because the sin payment was made. And that's what the
scripture taught. And the guy said, he said to me, he said, you're just
trying to make sense. Sorry, but it does make sense,
but that's not why we believe something, not because it's logical,
but because it's the truth. But one man I read this week
said the book of Romans, if Paul didn't write anything else, the
book of Romans established him as the giant intellect. of all time. And indeed, Paul
was a very brilliant man. You can't read his writings and
see that he was not brilliant. Peter understood that. He said,
even as our beloved brother, Paul, speaking them of these
things in whom he writes of some things hard to be understood,
that they that are unlearned and unstable twist as they do
also other scriptures. See, Peter understood that Paul's
writing was actually scripture. And he says they twist what he
wrote to their own destruction. And I also read a list of the
10 most influential men to ever live. I don't know how they came
up with this, but one of these men was Paul as the most influential
man to ever live. Now, who says something is as
important as what is said? Now, let me repeat that. Who says
something? is as important as what is said.
This is Paul speaking. This is Paul, the servant of
God, the servant of Christ, called, called by God to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God. Now, Paul was probably born
around the same time Christ was. He was born from a wealthy family. We know that because that he
was born a Roman citizen. Remember when they said, he said,
I was born free. The only way you could be born
free at this time is if you were in a family of wealth and influence.
He was highly educated. He was brought up at the feet
of Gamaliel. And in all likelihood, he was
a widower. Because you couldn't have got where he got in the
Jews religion without being married. You couldn't have arrived at
that place. And I don't know why he never mentioned anything like
this. But in all likelihood, he was a widower. And I guess
he didn't have any kids. But he was a Pharisee. before
the Lord saved him. Turn with me to Philippians chapter
three. Philippians chapter three, and
here's his own testimony. He says in verse four, and he's
talking about his His background, he says, though I might also
have confidence in the flesh, if any man, other man thinks
he has, wherever he may trust in the flesh, I've got more than
him. I was circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews is touching the
law. I was a Pharisee. concerning zeal. I persecuted
the church. I believed it my moral obligation
to persecute anybody that didn't believe the way I did. Touching
the righteousness which is in the law, I was blameless. Now
that's his testimony about himself before God saved him. And Paul had a great hatred of
Jesus Christ. Now that's something that's very
apparent about this man. He had a great hatred of Jesus
Christ. Perhaps he was in Jerusalem when
Christ was, and perhaps he heard Christ's denunciation of the
religion of the Pharisees that he was so hard on, and it angered
him. I've wondered, I've said this before, and I kind of have
a suspicion that Paul was the rich young ruler. You remember
that story of the rich young ruler? And I can't prove this,
I know that. But the scripture says regarding
the rich young ruler, and Jesus beholding him, loved him. He
loved him. So that lets me know that the
rich young ruler at one time became saved because Lord loved
him. And you know, the Lord never,
he told him to follow me and I don't read anywhere in the
scriptures where the Lord commanded somebody follow me and he didn't
do it. I believe he ended up Following
the Lord Jesus Christ and Paul was a rich young ruler. He was
a ruler of the Jews He was somebody in the Jews religion. He really
enjoyed that so Paul I believe very possibly could have been
the rich young ruler and the rich young ruler had an uncommon
hatred of Christ because after the Lord said go sell all you
have and give it to the poor and come and follow me and he
had great possessions and And he was eaten up with covetousness.
And so he went away grieved because he had great possessions. Well,
Paul, what does he say in his own testimony in Romans 7? I
had not known sin, except the law said, thou shalt not covet.
Thou shalt not covet. He didn't realize that he was
eaten up with covetousness till the Lord exposed that about him. And I think at that time, he
became determined to wipe out the name of Jesus Christ and
to prove him and all of his followers wrong. Now in Acts chapter 7,
we read the sermon of the first New Testament martyr, Stephen.
And do you remember who was in the crowd when Stephen was preaching?
Saul of Tarsus. Paul. He was listening to every
word that was said. Would you turn back to Acts chapter
7? After this message, After hearing Stephen preach,
verse 57, and they cried out with a loud voice and stopped
their ears and ran upon him with one accord. These people were
mad and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And
the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet,
whose name was Saul, Saul of Tarsus, who would later be Paul.
And you know what Paul means? Little. He went from being big
So we thought to little. And they stoned Stephen calling
upon God and saying, Lord, Jesus received my spirit. And he kneeled
down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge. And when he had said this, he
fell asleep. And, you know, the Lord answered
his prayer because that sin wasn't led to the apostles charge. Let's
go on reading. And Saul. was consenting unto
his death. He was in complete agreement.
This man needs to be put to death. And at that time, there was a
great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem.
And they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen
to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for
Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house and
hailing men and women and committed them to prison. Pick up in chapter
nine, verse one, Acts nine and Saul. Yet, breathing out threatenings
and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high
priest and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues,
that if he found any of this way, the way of Christ, the way
of truth, whether they were men or women, he might bring them
bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came
near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light
from heaven. And he fell to the earth and
heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me? You see, when you persecute one
of the Lord's children, you persecute him. They're united to him. And he said, who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. It's hard
for thee to kick against the pricks. You kick against me.
You're just pricking yourself. And he, trembling and astonished,
said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto
him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what
thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless,
hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the
earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man. But they
led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was
three days without sight, neither did eat nor drink. And there
was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. This is the only
time we hear of this man. You'd think with the Apostle
Paul he was in Peter or John or one of those fellows, but
he just seemed Ananias, a nobody that we never hear of before
or after. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias.
And to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, behold,
I'm here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise,
and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold,
he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias
coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive
his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of
this man how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem.
And here he has authority from the chief priest to bind all
that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go
thy way. For he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before
the Gentiles and the kings and the children of Israel. And I'll
show him how great things he must suffer for my namesake. And Ananias went his way and
entered into the house and putting his hands on him, said, brother
Saul, isn't that sweet? brother Saul. The Lord, even
Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath
sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with
the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes, as
it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith, and rose, and
was baptized. And when he received meat, he
was strengthened. Then with Saul certain days with the disciples,
which were Damascus and straight way. He preached Christ in the
synagogues that he is the son of God. Don't you think people
were, this is Saul. This is Saul. He's preaching
this, but all that heard him were amazed and said, is not
this he that destroyed them, which called on this name in
Jerusalem and came hither for that intent that he might bring
them bound unto the chief priest. But Saul increased the more in
strength and confounded the Jews, which dwelt at Damascus, proving
that this is very Christ. Now, Paul was uniquely equipped
to be the apostle to the Gentiles. He was taught the gospel directly
by Christ himself. He was the last one to see Christ
physically. I want to show you some other
scriptures. Turn to first Corinthians 15. He talked about how the Lord
had appeared to the various disciples. Verse 7, after that, he was seen
of James, 1 Corinthians 15, 7. After that, he was seen of James,
then of all the apostles. And last of all, he was seen
of me also as of one born out of due time. He appeared to me
last. For I am the least of the apostles
that have not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted
the church of God. Now look in Galatians 1. I want
to show you three different scriptures that deal with the way the Lord
taught him directly. Galatians 1. Verse 11. But I certify you,
brethren, I assure you that the gospel which was preached of
me is not after man. It was not derived from any human
source, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught
it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you've heard
of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that
beyond measure I persecuted the church if God wasted it, and
I profited in the Jews religion above many mine equals in mine
own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of
my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my
mother's womb and called me by His grace to reveal His Son in
me, that I might preach Him among the heathen. Immediately, I conferred
not with flesh and blood." I didn't talk to anybody to say, do you
think this is right? I knew God revealed the gospel
to me. Neither when I went up to Jerusalem
to them which were apostles before me. I didn't go to Peter or John,
but I went into Arabia and returned again unto Damascus. Look in
2 Corinthians chapter 12. Back a few pages. He says in
verse 2, speaking of himself. Well, let's begin in verse 1.
It's not expedient for me, doubtless to glory, I'll come to visions
and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above
14 years ago. Notice he doesn't even say it's
himself, although he's talking about himself. He speaks with
such humility. Whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether
out of the body I cannot tell, God knows. Such a one caught
up into the third heaven. There's the heaven we see in
the skies, there's the heaven with the stars, and that's the
second heaven, the galaxies, and there's the third heaven.
And Paul says, I was caught up into the third heaven. I knew such a man, whether in
the body or out of the body, I can't tell, God knows. I don't
know what was going on, how he was caught up into paradise and
heard unspeakable words, which it's not lawful for a man to
utter of such a one like glory, yet of myself, I'm not glory,
but in mine infirmities. Ephesians three, one other scripture. Paul is speaking to the Ephesians
and he's letting them know how he knows what he knows. He says
in Ephesians 3, For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus
Christ for you Gentiles, if you've heard of the dispensation, the
stewardship of the grace of God, which was given to me, to Eward,
have it by revelation. He made known unto me the mystery,
that which we would have never known unless God made it known,
as I wrote afore it a few words, whereby when you read you may
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other
ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now
revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that
the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers
of the promise in Christ by the gospel. wherever I was made a
minister according to the gift of the grace of God given unto
me by the effectual working in his power unto me who am less
than the least of all saints is this grace given that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."
Now do you see how Paul was raised up by God in an unusual way to
expound the gospel, to expound the grace of God. Now I'd like
to consider some things Paul said about himself before we
get into anything else. Just some biographical or autobiographical
statements he made about himself. We just read where he said, I'm
less than the least of all the saints. And he wasn't saying
that because he knew it's the right thing to say. He's saying
it because he really believed it. He looked at everybody in this room
and said, I'm less than you. Can you imagine that, Paul, as
great as this man was? He said, I'm less. He said, I'm
the least of the apostles. We've already read that. I'm
less than the least of all the saints. And in 1 Timothy 1.15, Paul made
this statement. He said, this is a faithful saying.
It's worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners. Of whom, what? I am the chief,
the worst man to ever live. He also said this, for me to
live is Christ, and to die is gain. He said, I live, yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me. And the life that I now live
in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me. I don't frustrate the grace of
God. If righteousness came by the
law, then Christ died in vain. Paul said this, and I love this
statement. This is one of my favorite statements of the Apostle
Paul. Galatians 6, 14, he said, God forbid that I should glory.
Now, remember, he was caught up into the third heaven. He
was given these divine inspirations. He was used to write scriptures. He was used to preach the gospel
like nobody else ever was. I mean, Paul the apostle, and
yet he says, God forbid that I should glory, that I should
feel good about, that I should take credit for anything except
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said in 1 Corinthians 15,
9, by the grace of God, I am what I am. What are you, Paul?
I'm justified, and that's by the grace of God. I'm sanctified,
and that's by the grace of God. I'm a new creature in Christ
Jesus, and that's by the grace of God. Now, Paul was the man
that God chose to expound the gospel of God's grace. Let me
give you the way he opened every Epistle, Paul, a servant of Jesus
Christ. Christ made me a servant, and
my purpose is to serve him. He said Paul called to be an
apostle. Who called him? God did. Paul called, called by God to
be an apostle, separated into the gospel of Christ. In 1 Corinthians
1.1, he said Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through
the will of God. In 2 Corinthians 1, it says Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. In Galatians
1, Paul, an apostle, an apostle just means sent one, sent of
God. Paul, an apostle, not of man, neither by man, but by Jesus
Christ. In Ephesians 1, Paul, called
an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. In Philippians
1, Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1.1,
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will
of God. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, he just said Paul. I love that.
You know something? Paul never called himself as
the apostle Paul. He said, Paul an Apostle. Paul called to be
an Apostle, but he never called himself, I'm the Apostle Paul.
You know, I never say I'm Pastor Todd Nybert. I'm a pastor, but
I'm Todd Nybert. I'm Todd, that's all I am. I'm
Todd Nybert. I'm called to be a pastor. I'm called to preach
the gospel. I'm just Paul. Paul, Paul. First Timothy 1.1,
Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our
Savior. 2 Timothy 1.1, Paul called to be an apostle through Jesus
Christ, through the will of God. Titus 1.1, Paul a servant of
God, an apostle of Jesus Christ. And Philemon, Paul a prisoner
of Jesus Christ. Now Paul, when he opened these
epistles, he always made an issue that God called him to do this. Because if someone questions
whether God called him to do this, they're going to question
everything he says. He's doing the exact same thing that Elijah
did. But you turn back to 1 Kings 18, First Kings 18. This is Elijah's
prayer. Verse 36, you know the story
of 1 Kings 18 of the two sacrifices
and the fire coming down from heaven to accept Elijah's sacrifice
and the priests of Baal, nothing happened. But verse 36, and it
came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,
that Elijah, the prophet came near and said, Lord God of Abraham,
Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art
God in Israel and that I am thy servant and that I've done all
these things at thy word. I'm not doing this on my own.
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou
art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back
again. Now, I can say this, if God has
called me to preach, listen to me. Listen to what I say. I'm not claiming inviolability.
Try what I say according to the scriptures. But if God has called
me to preach, listen to what I say. God speaks through the
preaching of the word. Now, Paul said he was separated
to the gospel of God. And I like that name of the gospel,
the gospel of God, not the gospel of man, but the gospel of God. Now, this gospel of God, he also
called my gospel. Look back in Romans chapter 2. He separated into the gospel
of God, which is my gospel. He says in verse 16. in the day when God shall judge
the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. I like that, don't you? Is the
gospel your gospel? Can you say this is my gospel?
Look at the last chapter of Romans. He said this quite often in the
epistles. Verse 25, now to him that's of
power to establish you according to my gospel. Now, the gospel in the scriptures
are called several things. It's called in 1 Timothy 6, 11,
the gospel of the glory. of the blessed God. I love that. The gospel of the glory of the
blessed God. In Revelation 14.6, it's called
the everlasting gospel. I like this too. Never began,
never ends, is never modified, it never adapts to the times.
You know, when I hear preachers say, I can make, we make the
Bible relevant. Oh, it just sickened me to hear
somebody say that. You become totally irrelevant
when you make a statement like that. God's word doesn't need
to be made relevant. It's God's Word. We don't adapt
it to the times. We don't try to make it palatable
to the flesh or more understanding to the flesh. We just declare
the Word and trust God the Holy Spirit to bless it. It's the
everlasting gospel. And it's called in Acts 20, 24,
the gospel of the grace of God. It's called in Romans 10, 15,
the gospel of peace. And we're reading Colossians
1, 13 of the hope of the gospel. And I love what he says in Romans
1, 16, he says, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it's
the power of God. unto salvation. It's the powerful
gospel. This gospel is so powerful, all
we do is preach it. We don't try to do anything,
we just preach it. We know it's going to have the
results that God intends for it to do. It's the powerful gospel. Now, the gospel. Paul said, I'm
separated unto the gospel of God. The gospel is an objective
message with a definite content. called the gospel. Christ sent
me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Paul said in 1 Corinthians
15, one more over brethren, I declare unto you the gospel. Now the gospel is an objective
message. It's not subject to what me and
you think. It is what it is. Isn't it? It is what it is. But
Paul still called it my gospel. And here's what I want us to
close by thinking about. When does the gospel become my
gospel? When can I say regarding this
glorious gospel that Paul was separated to, the gospel of God,
when is the gospel my gospel? Well, the gospel becomes my gospel
when it's good news to me. It's that simple. The gospel,
it means good news, the gospel becomes my gospel when it's good
news to me. Now, We believe the Bible teaches
what are known as the doctrine of grace. Men are dead in sins,
totally depraved. God unconditionally elected a
people to salvation. Christ died for the elect and
accomplished their salvation. God's grace is irresistible and
invincible, and God's people shall persevere. Now, we see
that's taught in the scripture, but it's one thing to see it's
taught in the scripture, and it's another thing to find that
to be good news. Good news. I mean, it's wonderful. This
gives me hope. Now, how can I know that my gospel is the gospel? Now, let me give you some ways
we can tell if our gospel is the gospel, the gospel of God
that Paul was separated to. And here's the first point. I'm
going to give these very briefly. Just give me a few minutes. Number
one, and I want you to listen to these very carefully. Does
my gospel line up with the Old Testament scriptures? That's so important. Paul said,
I declare in you the gospel how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures. And he was talking about the
Old Testament scriptures. I mean, all kinds of preachers will preach
about what they call the substitutionary atonement of Christ. But does
what you believe regarding Christ line up with the Old Testament
scriptures? Was the sacrifice the day of
atonement for everybody or was it for Israel? Was it successful? Let's just
go on. Does it, does my gospel line
up with the old Testament scriptures? The old Testament scriptures
give us a picture of what the new Testament means. Now here's
the second thing. Does my gospel give God all the
glory in salvation? That's so important. How does
my gospel answer the question, who maketh thee to differ from
another? Who makes you to differ? Is it
you? Is it your free will? Is it something you did? No,
God made me to differ in eternal election. Christ made me to differ
in redemption. God the Holy Spirit makes me
to differ in regeneration. He did it all. Let me ask you
four questions. You've heard these. These are so important.
This world preaches, this is the basic message of religion. God loves everybody, Christ died
for everybody, God wants to save everybody, the Holy Spirit's
calling everybody, and it's up to you as to whether or not you'll
accept what he did for you to be saved. Now, if God loves everybody
the same, if he loved Judas just as much as Peter, what's the
love of God got to do with salvation? Nothing. If God wills the salvation
of all men the same, and yet some are saved and some are lost,
what does the will of God have to do with salvation? Nothing.
If Jesus Christ shed his blood for all men the same, if he shed
his blood for Judas and for Peter, and Peter's saved and Judas is
lost, what does the blood of Christ have to do with salvation?
Nothing. It's what Peter did that Judas didn't do. If God
the Holy Spirit calls all men the same, What does the Holy
Spirit have to do with salvation? Absolutely nothing. Does my gospel
give God all the glory in salvation? Thirdly, does my gospel give
the preeminence to Jesus Christ in all things? Now I'm justified. I'm justified
by his righteousness. I'm called, I'm called by his
grace. I'm chosen, I'm chosen in Him. Whatever doctrine we're
dealing with, the Lord Jesus Christ gets the preeminence in
all things. Fourth, does my gospel line up
with the character and attributes of God Almighty? Now, this is
of incredible importance. The Bible declares justice and
judgment of the habitation of thy throne. God is absolutely
just. Now, if I believe that Jesus
Christ died for somebody and they can go to hell anyway, what
I do is I deny the justice of God. You mean that sin can be
paid for and God make him pay for it again? Why, that would
make God unjust. That's contrary to the attributes
of God. God's immutable. If you believe
anything that could make God change in any way, it's wrong. My gospel must line up with the
attributes of God as He's revealed in Holy Scripture. Fifth, will
my gospel meet me where I am and save me? I love the parable
of the good Samaritan, where that fellow was laying in the
ditch. The Samaritan didn't say, if you can get out, I'll come
to you. He came to him where he was. Now that's the gospel
for me. Not where I ought to be, but
where I am. He comes to me where I am, dead
in sins with no ability. And he says, live. Will my gospel meet me? To tell
sinners God's done all he can do and now it's up to you is
no good news at all. Will my gospel save the chief
of sinners? Will my gospel save the worst
man to ever live? Well, if it won't, there's no
hope for me, and I don't have the gospel of God. And will my gospel keep a man
saved? If it doesn't keep a man saved,
it's not the gospel of God. The Lord said, I give unto my
sheep eternal life, not temporary. and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which
is given, who gave them me is greater than all, and no man
could pluck them out of my Father's hand. Will my gospel keep a man
saved? And let me ask you this, this
is a good question. Can I face death with my gospel? This is the most important question.
We teach people how to live here. Well, you already know how to
live. I want to teach people how to die. Well, you learn how
to live. You know you ought to pay your
bills. You know you ought not sin. Everybody knows that stuff. You're born into the world with
that in your heart. You know it's wrong to lie. You
know it's wrong to kill. You know it's wrong to steal.
Everybody knows that. Do you know how to die? Will your gospel enable you to
face death with assurance? My gospel does, because all that
God requires of me, all He requires of me, I have in Christ Jesus
the Lord. And I can face death without
fear. And I've done it, beloved. I've
done it. I'm not talking about something
I don't know. Bring it on. I love what Charlie Payne, a
man who went to the 13th Street Baptist Church, was dying. And
Brother Mahan said, do you have insurance? He said, well, if
what you told me is so, I do. Yep. Is my gospel able to make me
perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ? Paul said, for whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of Jesus
Christ, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Now if it can't do that, it's
not the gospel of God. One last comment. Turn with me
to Luke chapter 18. And I'll tell you something about
Romans from this passage of scripture. Paul's my hero. Verse 9. And he spake this parable unto
certain which trusted in themselves, that they were righteous and
despised others. Now, there we have the definition
of self-righteousness. If you believe you're righteous,
you're self-righteous. It's all it takes. If you believe
you have any righteousness of your own, you're self-righteous.
And you know what happens to every self-righteous person?
They always despise others. They look down their nose at
others. They always can find somebody
that they're better than. That's what makes them feel good
about themselves. That's what's self-righteous. I can always
look at someone, well, at least I'm not this way, at least I'm not
that way. It's a whole lot worse than you think. Beloved, I'm
telling you, you're worse than you think. Don't say, well, I'm
better than this person. No, you're not. No, you're not.
The only thing that's prevented you from this is the restraining
grace of God. Understand that. Now, he spoke
unto certain that trusted in themselves that they were righteous
and despised others. Two men went up into the temple
to pray. The one a Pharisee, the most religious and moral,
and the other a publican, the most despised and immoral. The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. God, I love the
way he says thus with himself. He wasn't praying to God. He
thought he was, but he wasn't. He prayed thus with himself,
God, I thank thee. Oh, he gave God the credit, not
for what Christ did, but that I'm not as other men are. Extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican, I fast twice in
the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican,
standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven. but smote upon his breast, saying,
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. I tell you, now that's authority,
isn't it? Jesus Christ saying, I tell you,
this is what makes this count. I tell you that this man, this
self-confessed sinner, went down to his house and what's that
next word? Justified. justified without guilt rather
than the other. For everyone that exalts himself
should be abased and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
Now, what I think is really neat about that is the Lord did not
tell how that is. He just made this comment, comment
he justified and he went on, never told how that could be.
Well, the book of Romans tells how that can be. Paul, an apostle, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. Let's pray together.