About Mount Hope Church

We Are Family. Mount Hope Church is a community of people who love God and others—and that includes YOU! As a church family, it’s exciting to grow alongside others of all ages and backgrounds, coming together to experience the hope that is found only in Jesus. It is our desire that as you encounter God’s love and amazing grace at Mount Hope Church, you will truly feel a part of the family as we say, “Welcome Home!”

Mount Hope Family Update – CoVid-19

Dear Mount Hope Family,

Greetings, grace, and peace to you!

In light of the President’s most recent recommendation that people do not gather in groups larger than 10, and the Governor’s new order that limits gatherings to no more than 50, we continue to make adjustments to how we pray, love, and serve you and our community. Although the response to the Coronavirus continues to change, our God remains the same, and so does our love for you, our neighbors, and the nations!

Sunday Services

Please join us online this Sunday at 10:30 am for a full worship experience on our website, app, Facebook live, and YouTube. The service will continue to be available for viewing on-demand throughout the week. Sharing these links with others, with a warm and friendly invitation to join our services online, is such a simple way to share hope in these challenging times. We would love to hear from you, so please be sure to post your thoughts in the comment section.

Wednesday Prayer Gathering

I’m also asking you to join our Wednesday Night Prayer Gathering at 7:00 pm via Facebook live. We want to be praying for you, so please post your prayer requests in the comment section. This is an amazing opportunity to pray together with family and friends as we have never done before. In the midst of all the noise around us, it’s time for a sound of praise and prayer to arise from the Church—that means you and me!

Stay Connected

Beyond the Sunday and Wednesday online gatherings, Life Groups are a great way to stay connected with others. It is the desire and design of God that each one of us is in a community with other believers. If you are not currently in a group but would like to be, simply text GROUPS to (517) 327-Hope (4673). Here are some other ways to stay connected:

Seize The Opportunity

This is a moment of opportunity to be seized. While we’ve never faced something quite like this, whenever crisis disrupts people’s lives, people are inclined to turn to the Church for assurance and hope. This is our time to glow in the dark and let the light of Christ shine brightly. Let’s determine to pray, love, and serve our community. Here are just a few ways we are planning to help:

  • Picking up groceries for the elderly who should avoid going out right now
  • Providing childcare for parents who need to work while schools are closed
  • Providing food for children and the homeless

Continued Support

While we see the world around us storing up food for themselves, as people who have been transformed by Jesus, let’s be more concerned with our giving than our getting. Will you help us care for others through your continued giving? To serve you best, you can give simply and securely online through our website at mounthopechurch.org/give, our app, or via texting an amount and the word “tithe” to 84321. Or of course, feel free to mail or stop by the church office; it would be great to see you.

We Are Praying For You!

Renee and I, along with our entire team, are praying for you! I know some of you have had to make substantial adjustments because your kids are out of school or your business has been impacted. Take heart! As a Christ-follower, remember we serve the divine multiplier! He takes a few loaves and fish and multiplies them to feed thousands, and what He did before, He can do again. What a God we serve! And, hey, if He can multiply your resources and food, I’m sure He can do the same with your toilet paper, too. 🙂

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all those whose thoughts are fixed on you (Isaiah 26:3).

Now I pray for you: May the Lord surround you with supernatural protection during this season. Yes, may the Lord grant His angels charge over you, so that no deadly thing harms you or your family. I pray for divine favor and advancement for you. May the Lord make a clear distinction between you, as His dearly loved child, and those who rebel against Him. I ask in the name of Jesus for divine multiplication for you. May the Lord multiply your resources and finances so that you have all you need, and plenty left over to share with others. May the Lord cause His face of favor to shine on you. In this unusual season, may the Lord give you peace!

Your Friend and Pastor,

Kevin Berry

Sunday Services – COVID-19 Update

Dear Mount Hope Family,

In light of the governor’s newest order that events and shared-space assemblies of over 250 people be canceled, we will not be holding in-person Sunday services starting this Sunday, March 15 through Sunday, April 5. We will update you if these dates change.

Online Services

I do look forward to having you join us online Sunday morning at 10:30am! Please join us for a full worship experience on our website, app, or by joining our Facebook live. The service will continue to be available for viewing on-demand throughout the week. We happen to be looking at Romans 13 this Sunday, where the Apostle Paul says, “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities.” I could not have planned the timing of this passage any better.

Opportunity to Shine

Remember, as Christians, we have a practical and spiritual response to moments like this. More than ever, this is a time for people to see hope on the inside of us. While we’ve never faced a crisis like this, whenever crisis disrupts people’s lives, people are inclined to turn to the Church for assurance and hope. This is our time to glow in the dark and let the light of Christ shine brightly. Let’s determine to pray, love, and serve our community. Hey, let’s not just get through this, let’s grow through this as we bring hope to a world filled with fear.

Following the Scriptures, let’s continue in prayer for our leaders—from the president to our governor and mayor. They need wisdom in navigating through this season. It’s our responsibility to bring them before God’s throne of grace.

Keep full of faith, and remember the words of the Apostle Paul who said,

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7

Other Gatherings

Although there is a temporary ban to gather on Sundays in large groups through April 5, we encourage our church members to watch online and then gather in smaller groups such as their Life Groups and classes to connect in prayer, faith, and discussion. Please be sure that in your smaller gatherings you take necessary precautions of staying home if you feel sick, washing your hands, and extra sanitation of all surfaces.

Tithes & Offerings

Your faithful giving allows us to continue to reach our neighbors and the nations. You can still give simply and securely online through our website at mounthopechurch.org/give, our app, or by texting an amount and the word “tithe” to 84321.

Thank you for your understanding as we communicate these updates and for uniting together in faith and prayer during this time.

Your Friend & Pastor,

Kevin Berry

2019 Missions Highlights

Church, thank you! In 2019, as a church family, we gave nearly 1.7 million dollars to local and foreign missions—that includes support for 329 missionaries in 122 countries working in previously unreached areas.

We gave BIG:

  • 21k to Arabic Broadcasting Network, a ministry broadcasting the gospel to Muslims.
  • 50k to New Directions, a prison ministry based here in Lansing.
  • 250k to Strategic Global Missions, to give scholarships to pastors internationally, intercity church planting, and intercity street ministry in Flint, Pontiac, and Detroit.
  • 30k to the House of Promise to invest in rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking.
  • 50k to Cai Alpha University Ministry internationally to reach college students in Spain, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and more.
  • 40k to Cai Alpha University Ministry here in Michigan ministering to Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University and more.
  • 20k to into the boots on the ground local outreach projects through our Saturday Serve and Into the Streets Ministries.
  • 20k to Courage Church, a Mount Hope Church partner that ministers to the people of Detroit
  • 40k to build a school in Gaza through one of our Mount Hope missionaries.
  • 150k to Speed the Light’s to drill wells in Africa through students, leaders, and matching.
  • 25k to Live Dead Ministries, partnered with our missionaries to plant churches in Egypt
  • 40k to serve foster kids through Bethany Christian Services
  • 30k to Saint Vincent’s Foster care

In addition to the 1.7 million we gave to missions, through matching and partnerships we were able to accomplish:

  • 1/2 a million dollars worth of bibles and teaching materials given to underground pastors in Northern Sudan
  • 5.4 million dollars worth of personal medical debt was eliminated in Ingham County. Over 5,400 families woke up to a letter saying their debts have been paid in full because Jesus paid their debts.
  • 29 girls that were registered by the FBI as missing, were found and rescued on the streets of Las Vegas out of sex trafficking
  • We responded to hurricanes in the Bahamas, Tornadoes in mid-America and devastating earthquake’s in Indonesia
  • Our children’s ministry partnered with local missionaries and built a community center in the jungles of Cambodia.
  • We sent short term teams around the world to West Virginia, Guatemala, Thailand, India, Peru, Israel, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Bhutan, New Zealand and Nepal.
  • During our Bless the City outreach, we ministered to our city with practical love and care. We gave 100’s of diapers, baby food, and needed assistance to moms in need, and we gave 1000’s of pounds of food to City Rescue Mission.
  • Every Saturday and Wednesday we have gone out to be Jesus’s hands and feet to our community. We’ve raked leaves, delivered groceries, painted houses, housed the homeless, fed the hungry and proclaimed Jesus to our neighbors.

Mount hope, God does not need our money but he asks for our obedience. As we look back at 2019 I thank you for your obedience.

#LetsGo!

If you want to give towards our current projects, you can do so by clicking here.

You Will Receive a Hundredfold

**The words below were written by 2 of our amazing Mount Hope Missionaries. Because the nature of the work they are doing this amazing young couple wishes to remain anonymous.**

The cost of missions is like the cost of discipleship, it’s hard and can leave you lonely at times. If a life dedicated to Jesus was only hard though, how could we make the claim that Jesus is closer to us than our closest friend? Though Jesus was honest with us in that we will face hardship in this world on account of His name, He was also clear that we would receive a hundredfold if we left everything behind for His name sake.

“Truly I tell you no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father of children of fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10: 29-30

There is eternal hope in Jesus and when we turn to Him we begin to experience Heaven on earth. There is a real cost to giving up your life for the work of overseas missions work; You give up the comfort of living in your home culture, you say goodbye to family and friends, sometimes you give up adequate health care, easy to cook food, transportation, internet, running water. Jesus promises though that if we leave everything behind for His name sake, we’ll receive a hundred times as much. After living in the Middle East for just a year so far, the joys surpass the sorrows. There is a joy that comes from sharing the Gospel with someone who has never heard it before that I have never experienced before. To have the opportunity to introduce someone to the living water and bread of life and seeing their faces light up in amazement is a treasure I will never let go of.

God is worthy.

Why do we go to the hard places to preach the Gospel? Because Jesus is worthy to be praised by every tribe, nation, and tongue! In Revelation 5 we read about a mighty Angel asking, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” No one was found worthy to open the scroll except the slain Lamb of God. God is worthy of our lives as a living sacrifice because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and we are not above our master. Why would we go to the hard and dangerous places to preach the Gospel? Because Jesus left His eternal dwelling place in Heaven and came to our broken dangerous world to reconcile us to Himself.
Let us join the Moravian slaves in saying “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.

Sheep among wolves.

We will not be surprised when we are rejected by men as we seek to glorify Jesus’ name among the unreached. At the heart of unreached people groups (UPG’s) is the center of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism and Atheism. We will not be shook when we are rejected, persecuted, or slain for Jesus’ sake. We will use wisdom and love, like serpents and doves.

We will not seek out persecution, but we will not shy away from proclaiming biblical truth or compromise His message for safety! Jesus promised the Kingdom of Heaven to those who are persecuted for righteousness. How will we muster up the courage to move beyond fear? By looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.

What does a win look like?

So what is a “Win”in regards to short term missions trips? One of our very own Mount Hope Missionaries took some time to give us some inside information on the subject. After a decade raising their missionary family in an extremist Muslim environment their words curious and authoritative weight. Their faithful walk shows me that they understand two things very well. They understand the pressure of missions life AND they very clearly understand what it means to walk in Holy Spirit power. In a moment of adrenaline, many can’t heroically run to the battle lines. It takes more then human heroics to have staying power when you see war up close.

Here’s what they said…

Before heading overseas, as a team, you should sit down as a group and define a ‘win’. What does a ‘win’ look like for your team? Maybe just going oversea for the first time will be your win. Maybe someone in your group who just became a new believer is joining you – that’s win! It’s easy to define lofty goals for your time overseas like “win them all to Jesus” or “100 people get healed” but you might want to just start with “make there and back with cohesion and unity”.

Why is this exercise important?

Why does it matter why you define a win. Well, believe it or not there are team members with different goals and expectations. Having a discussion like this, will bring these goals and expectations to the surface allowing your group to sift through the reality of what you will experience. It also may bring to light what the Lord is putting on your heart as a team for a ‘win’.

Secondly, as you define a ‘win’, you will communicate this to the “worker” hosting you. “Hey Sue, our team really wants to visit a local’s home and spend time with a local family. This would be a big ‘win’ for our team because everyone in our group has never left their home state before. This would really give them a new perspective about people around the world”. You and the “worker” can be on the same page and working together for the ‘win’.

Workers want to help you ‘win’. The reality of hosting you and your team is that it takes A LOT of time / effort / energy to host you. The second reality is that they REALLY enjoy doing it. So why not communicate what’s important and what will make your team feel like TRUE CHAMPS when they get on the plane to go back home?

How to make a ‘win’ possible.

  1. Make it measurable.
  2. Make sure the “worker” know what it is and you have communicated prior to your arrival.
    The “worker” on the ground may give you some great feedback to make your ‘win’ even bigger.
  3. Make it attainable.
    Winning the whole country to Jesus is great goal but highly unlikely during your week long trip.
  4. Make it yours.
    Don’t allow someone else to make it for you. But be open to have it refined.
  5. Do it as a team.
    And make sure to hear others out first
  6. Be in prayer about it.

Note: Lastly, if it isn’t accomplished, don’t be discouraged. Part of going overseas is the ability to be flexible, adaptive and learning to improvise. Come home, rejoice in Jesus and get to planning your next trip! Dozens of people have been called long-term, overseas, because they had gone with their church group on an overseas trip.

What’s Wrong With Us?

Words Written by Veteran Missionary in a sensitive location

Eph. 2:1-5 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved”

All of us intuitively know that something isn’t right in the world. Massive income inequality. An epidemic of opioid addiction and overdoses. Parents overdosing while their young children watch. Mass shootings. Intense polarization of politics and life.

This can’t be right.

We often engage in goodwill efforts to attempt to right these wrongs in society, as we should. Christians frequently call these efforts “missions”. Being materialistic we tend to focus our efforts on evangelizing those poorer than us. We attempt to bring about material change; like building better housing, providing clean water, offering medical care or providing opportunities for micro enterprise.

Such efforts are noble and must be done, yet they fail to address the root of the problem. Those who focus their efforts on raising the economic / political status of the oppressed are horrified at how quickly the oppressed become oppressors and marginalized their neighbors.

The core issue isn’t income inequality or poverty. I live in Vanuatu. The people here are poor, but they are happy. Vanuatu is frequently labeled, “The happiest place on Earth.” Ironically the counties in the US with the highest per capita incomes also have the highest per capita prescription rate of antidepressants. Wealth makes life easier but it doesn’t make people happy and fulfilled. Poverty makes life hard but doesn’t make people unfulfilled and unhappy.

But what about evil and injustice?

You need to understand, the central problem of humanity is not that people make mistakes and need a system of ethics to be better people, to create a better society. Religion, almost any religion or serious philosophy can achieve that. In the nation of Taiwan, a buddhist country, you leave your phone on the table to save a place at the food court. Try that in America, you will loose both your table and your phone. Yet the same society that protects your phone legally allows 14 year old girls to be sold to brothels. You see, even though religion can create a relatively safe, just society human brokenness still manifests itself.

So what is wrong with the world?

The core issue is that all have sinned Rom 3:23, and sin produces spiritual death Rom 6:23 and James 1:15 and that the only remedy for Spiritual Death is to be born again John 3. Only those who believe on Jesus Christ experience this new birth John 1:12-13. Many Atheists, Buddhist, Hindus or Muslims are good people, but spiritually they are dead because neither religion or philosophy produces spiritual life. Only Christ offers new life.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good or good people better, though he does that. He didn’t come to create a just society, though he does that. He didn’t come to make poor people rich though he often does that too. He came to make dead people live.

And that is the wonder of the Gospel.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” – Colossians 2:1

10 Practical Ways to Love

1. Listen without interrupting

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” –Proverbs 18:13

Many times we interrupt someone because we are more concerned about “winning the argument” instead of really listening to understand and work together for a resolution. Interrupting is a mechanism many use to keep control of the conversation. God has not called us to control; He has called us to love. We are seeking peace and resolution with our spouses. Therefore, be patient and listen to the full matter. Lay aside any pride and work together on the issue, instead of winning the debate. 

2. Speak without accusing

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” -James 1:19

Scripture tells us that the “accuser of the brethren” is the role Satan took when he chose to rebel against God (See Revelation 12:10) and was cast out of Heaven. When we lend our mouth to accusation, we invite Satan to use our life for his evil purpose. Avoid partnering with the enemy in your speech and speak from the position of grace and forgiveness, which is the seat Jesus gave us authority to sit in as His representatives. Remember that we were forgiven when we were still sinners, so treat others how Jesus treated you. Don’t accuse and shame. Forgive, rebuild trust, and move on.

3. Give without sparing

“Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!” -Proverbs 21:26

God’s nature is giving, and as His children, we ought to reflect Him in generosity. Many times we are tempted to withhold from our spouses because we fear they will take advantage of us. However “perfect love expels all fear” (See 1 John 4:18) and in order to really love, we must trust first. Instead of spending time worrying about a spouse’s motives, give because that is who you are—refuse to allow fear to rob you of the joy of giving. A giving heart is a greater treasure than any material thing here on earth.

4. Pray without ceasing

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” -Colossians 1:9

I once heard a story of a husband and wife who came to see their pastor for marriage counseling. When they arrived at the church to meet the pastor, he greeted them at the door on a Monday afternoon and then walked them into the empty sanctuary of the church. The pastor said, “Both of you spend one hour in prayer for your marriage, and then I will meet with you to council you.” The couple was a bit upset, as they just wanted the pastor to tell them what to do. However, they obeyed his request and began to pray. The pastor returned an hour later to find the husband and wife embracing one another, weeping, and apologizing to one another. The pastor never had to said a word to the couple. Through prayer, they rediscovered the power of God’s love, wisdom, and peace. Remember that prayer gives us access to the Holy Spirit and all the power to walk in God’s ways (See Galatians 5:22).

5. Answer without arguing

“If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.” -Proverbs 1:17 NLT

An argumentative person is a trap that most people will quickly learn to avoid. Be mindful of your tone and your motive. If you are upset, that is okay. But before you speak, be wise and take time to make sure your heart is in the right place and your motive is rooted in love. Agree to take some time to pray, cool off, and recalibrate your approach to how your loving Savior and Lord would have you respond.

6. Share without pretending

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” -Ephesians 4:15

I once saw a funny sign that read, “The first rule of passive aggressiveness is … you know what, never mind. It’s fine.” Marriage ought to be a safe place to express how we feel and not have to hide. “Speaking the truth in love,” means that we should not be afraid to say what needs to be said when motived by love and resolution. So share and speak without pretending. Be real, be genuine, and set aside any masks that hide who you really are and how you really feel.

7. Enjoy without complaining

“Do all things without complaining and disputing,” -Philippians 2:14

Complaining is the ugly offspring of pride and unbelief. As the people of God, we know that “contentment is great gain” (See 1 Timothy 6:6), and that thanksgiving is the very way we invite God’s presence into our lives and marriages. Stay thankful. Look for the good. Celebrate the small things and stay faith-filled and positive. I have heard it said, “to complain and compete is to live in defeat.” Be thankful and win with people.

8. Trust without wavering

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” -1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

I recently read a study lead by University of Chicago sociologist Linda Waite that found that two-thirds of unhappily married spouses who stayed married reported that their marriages were happy five years later. Furthermore, they went on to conclude, that in these cases, there was no evidence that unhappily married people who divorced were any happier than unhappily married people who stayed married! Could it be that the benefits of quitting on marriage has been oversold? Trust is a big part of love. Trust is also established in the patience and waiting for love to do what love will do … if given the proper time and effort. Don’t give up!

9. Forgive without punishing

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” -Colossians 3:13

This is huge! Let us never forget that our own salvation is in jeopardy every time we decide not to forgive. Jesus said, “But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15). We enjoy God and the promise of eternal life because while we were still sinners God forgave us. God simply asks us to now do the same for others. In scripture, He gives us this beautiful picture of casting our sin into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19), to remember them no more. If that is how He forgave our mistakes, then let us not continue to punish people for their past errors by bringing them up again and again. Forgive to the uttermost, because that is what Jesus did for you!

10. Promise without forgetting

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” -Proverbs 13:12

A promise plants hope in our spouse because of the inherit guarantee found in our words. That hope gives life to all sorts of plans, actions, and good things. However, if we continue to violate (or forget) our word, we will eventually trample all overe hope and its outcome. The result of breaking promises is the rotten feeling of disappointment, and the eroded integrity and character of the person who broke their promise. When making promises, ensure that it aligns with your true desires. Then be responsible to uphold your word without forgetting and without wavering. The nature of a promise is made valid by its guarantee.

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Getting YOU Out of the Way!

Wk 5 Romans | Getting YOU Out of the Way!

Sunday, March 17, 2019 | Kevin Berry

Introduction: Getting YOU out of the way

One of your biggest growth moments in life will be when you get YOU out of the way. The difficulty with the Jewish believers Paul addressed was that they were standing in the way of being right with God. They were relying on themselves, their Jewish status, smarts, and works, when they needed to rely on the Spirit’s work within them.

Every person can get “themselves” out of the way. How?

Paul moves from “they” – the corrupt, depraved Gentiles, to “you” – the moralist, to talking to the “Jew.” – The Jew would have likely responded something like this: “Well, certainly Paul, you can’t possibly treat us Jews like we are no different from the Gentiles. Have you forgotten that we have been given the Law of God, that we have been circumcised? We have the revelation of God and the sign of covenant with God. Don’t you see that this distinguishes us from all the nations of the world and protect us from God’s judgment?”  Paul replied by saying:

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:17-24 ESV)

The church in Rome was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. The Jews had been kicked out of Rome, then allowed back in. This resulted in the church, that was at one time primarily Jewish, being primarily filled with Gentile believers at the time Paul wrote his letter. The unseen problem that Paul is addressing is the same problem that has plagued the church throughout history – hypocrites.

Many of the Jews thought of their Gentile neighbors as barbarians who lived in ignorance. The Torah was for Jews the embodiment of knowledge and truth. Paul’s words burst the balloon of Jewish pride and, perhaps our own pride too, as he attempted to help them get out of their own way and receive salvation through Christ, not through themselves.

Stop leaning on YOU.

Now, you claim to be a Jew because YOU lean upon your trust in the law and you boast in your relationship with God (Rom. 2:17 MSG).

Aramaic can be translated, “you take comfort from the law.”

You call yourself a Jew who: Relies on the law:

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb (Ps. 19:7-10).

Ancient Jewish writings include statements like this:

In your law we have put our trust, because, behold, your Law is with us, and we know that we do not fall as long as we keep your statutes. We shall always be blessed; at least, we did not mingle with the nations. For we are all a people of the Name; we, who received one Law for the One. And that Law that is among us will help us, and that excellent wisdom which is in us will support us.

You call yourself a Jew who: Boasts in God:

This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Jer. 9:23-24)

As Paul addresses the Jew, boasting in God was not the problem… that was a good thing. But as we will see, the problem was boasting in God, while at the same time dishonoring Him with your behavior.

We are made to desire approval, to want acceptance – it’s why a father or mother can affect our lives so much. Everybody wants to feel like they matter, that they have worth. For the Jew, it was all about being Jewish, being God’s chosen people, they were entrusted with God’s laws… so instead of that just being a blessing, it became something they leaned on to find worth and approval in the eyes of God.

We are hard-wired to want approval and acceptance. What have you leaned on, in order to find approval? 

Teach yourself and start living what YOU know.

You know His will, convinced that you are a guide, a teacher – do you teach yourself?

If YOU are sure that YOU YOURSELF… (see Rom. 2:19):

– Know His will – see Ps. 119:105

Wow… we know more than just about who God is, we know His will, how He desires that we live, how we treat one another…

– Are instructed in the law

– Guide the blind

– Light those in darkness

– Instruct the foolish

– Teach children

The problem is they do not live up to their knowledge. Possession of the law means nothing if you don’t obey it.

We reproduce not what we know, but what we do.

Is it possible that you currently know more than you are living? That you know more about what you should be doing, than you are actually doing? What are you going to do about that? 

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.[a] So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach” (Matt. 23:1-3 NLT).

Jesus was always upping the game. Jesus said:

If you withhold something that is rightfully theirs, you are stealing (Mk 7:9-13).

If anyone looks at a woman with lust in his heart, he has committed adultery (Matt 5:27-28).

Beware of the destructive power of pride.

Your biggest problem in life isn’t somebody else, it’s you!

Having a teachable attitude wins over being a teacher any day. Being a “teacher” can make you look smart; being teachable makes you smart.

Most people are all about getting in life. They ask, “What can I get out of this job, this relationship?” The teachable are asking, “What kind of person do I need to become?”

What is your big dream in life?  What kind of person do you need to become to live that kind of life? 

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[g] but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things” (Matt. 23:23 NLT).

Become a mirror that reflects God more than YOU.

You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” (Romans 2:23-24 NLT)

The Jews were supposed to be a light to the Gentiles, a representation of who God is on the earth. But because of the way that they lived, instead of living a life that reflected God’s goodness, their lives reflected the wickedness that was in them.

What do people think about God as they watch your life?

Often the worst enemy to the gospel (or God’s honor) is the sin in the lives of those who profess to be believers.

Your authentic obedience is what matters.

What if every day your life could reflect the nature of God? What if your life was a mirror of His kindness, His compassion, His laughter, His joy, His empathy?

You will not reflect head knowledge about God; you will reflect a heart experience with God, or a lack of that.

I’m convinced that our world—that you and me—that we—need to be reflections of who God is to each other and to all those around us. Paul’s scathing rebuke of the Jew who knows one thing, but lives something else, is a healthy reminder for every one of us today.

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[a] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically[b] uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code[c] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God (Rom. 2:25-29 ESV).

First Paul said, “Just because you have the Law of God, doesn’t mean you are right with God;” it’s your obedience that matters! Now he says, “Just because you are physically circumcised, as an outward sign of covenant, doesn’t mean you are right with God; it’s your inside, your heart, that really matters!”

Circumcision was the mark of covenant relationship with God (see Gen. 17:9-14).

Rely on the inward work of the Spirit, not your outward works, to qualify YOU to be in God’s family.

Already in the first century A.D., the sign of circumcision had replaced the significance it represented, and was regarded as a “passport to salvation” and being in God’s family.

In contemporary Judaism, we find such statements as, “The circumcised do not descend into Gehenna,” or “at the last Abraham will sit at the entrance to Gehenna and will not let any circumcised man of Israel go down there.” To the average Jew, circumcision seemed to have carried an unquestioned pledge of security.

Paul parted ways from his fellow Jews on this issue. For them circumcision was the covenant; for him it was the sign of the covenant!

Its value depends on fulfilling the substance it signifies, i.e., the covenant of obedience, similar to wedding rings today that have meaning only so far as the vows or commitment symbolized by them are fulfilled.

The ultimate sign of membership in the covenant of God is neither circumcision nor possession of the law, but the obedience which both circumcision and the law demand. This is not salvation by obedience, but obedience as the evidence of salvation.

What Paul writes here about circumcision and being a Jew could also be said about baptism and being a Christian. The real Christian, like the real Jew, is one inwardly; and the true baptism, like the true circumcision, is in the heart and by the Spirit. It is not in this case that the inward and spiritual replace the outward and physical, but rather that the visible sign (baptism) derives its importance from the invisible reality (washing from sin and the gift of the Spirit), to which it bears witness. It is a grave mistake to exalt the sign at the expense of what it signifies.

The Bible warns against replacing obedience with ritual.

The inward work of the Spirit, not outward works of people, makes our heart right.

It will be an inward work of the Holy Spirit, such as the law as an external written code could never affect, that will transform a person. Paul is giving us a taste of what is coming in Romans 8 – life in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit or being led by your flesh.

An inward work of the Spirit will result in outward works… and not the other way around.

 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.[a] 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations (Ez. 36:26-27 NLT).

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Phil. 2:13 NLT).

Do you trust in the Spirit or yourself? It all comes back to the condition of the heart, by the Spirit, not the letter.

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.[b]And because we[c] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”[d] Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.[e] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir (Gal. 4:4-7 NLT).

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You Need To Hear This – Part 2

Wk 4 Romans | You Need to Hear This, Part 2

Sunday, March 10, 2019 | Kevin Berry

Introduction – Life is full of good news and warnings… and the truth is, we need both of them.

Luke 3:18 – speaking of John the Baptist: John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News. GOOD NEWS AND WARNINGS GO TOGETHER!

There are certain things we want to hear—good news. Spring is coming! Warm weather is coming! We want to hear things like: You are going to get through what you are going through; I know it hurts, I’m so sorry; You might not see it now, but you are going to be okay.

Then there are those things we need to hear—warnings. Renee and I will be heading to Florida soon, and on the plane we are going to hear these words, “In case of a water landing…” and very few will actually listen. I’ve heard it all before; I’ve actually plugged my ears because I didn’t want to hear it again. The problem is, it’s not just that we don’t want to hear warnings… we often ignore them.

It seems like we used to give more attention to warnings. As kids, a tornado warning meant we headed to the basement every time. But now, we have executives that actually pay to go with storm chasers to “relieve stress.” CRAZY! They are ignoring the warning!

The Bible tells you more than what you want to hear, it includes what you need to hear!

Paul begins Romans by announcing good news (Rom 1:16-17) and now we find him weaving in words of warning—what they must know… what we must know.

What You Need to Hear: (review from last week) You have no excuse, so stop judging.

Therefore, you have no excuse, you are just as bad (Rom. 2:1).

Again, Paul is making the point that everybody has sinned and everybody needs a savior. Because everybody

has sinned… that means you, too!

God is kind, so repent.

How you view God affects every area of your life.

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Rom. 2:4)

God’s kindness is meant to move you. It should move you to be kind to others, it should move to you repentance.

Repent and then times of refreshing will come (Acts 3:20).

Let the Lord wash over you! Remember, He’s the one who makes you clean!

If you pour a cup of coffee in the ocean, did you just dilute the ocean? Of course not; the ocean just swallowed up all the coffee. So it is with the love of God… come to Him and let the love of God swallow up all your sins.

Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest (Matt 11:27).

Jesus was talking specifically to those Jews who were trying to be right with God by their actions… and it wasn’t working out… it was tiring, draining, fatiguing.

You are responsible for your own heart.

Take responsibility for you—for your own heart.

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5 NLT).

He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism (Rom 2:6-11 NLT).

The ESV version puts it this way: He will render to each one according to his works.

“A day is coming” sounds like a warning… like something we may not want to hear, but need to hear. Somebody has to love you enough to tell you, not just what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. The idea of God judging people just doesn’t sit well with everyone.

Everybody will face judgment according to what they have done. 

It’s critical you understand Paul is not telling people how to get saved. We are not saved by works… we are saved by grace, through faith (see Eph. 2:8-9).

Good works show we have saving faith; they do not add to our faith in saving us. For the God-seeking they will be given eternal life:

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers (Rom. 2:7).

How do you know if someone is really a believer?

Not everyone who says they are a believer really is (see Gal. 2:4). You must prove your repentance by a changed life (Matt 3:8).

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it (2 Cor 13:5 MSG).

Christians are looking for more than this world. They have their eyes set on eternity!

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior (Phil. 3:20).

Beware beloved: Don’t get too comfy here… this is not your home. If we are not careful, we will throw ourselves into what this world offers—give our thoughts, time, money, emotion—into this world and forget this is not home! If your passion is not Christ, test yourself to see that you really are in Christ.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world (Col 3:5-7 NLT).

But for those who are SELF-SEEKING and are not followers of Jesus there will be wrath and fury. See Rom. 2:8-9.

God will judge those who did not receive salvation through Jesus. They will give an account for what they have done.

Is Paul is talking about hell? It’s a topic nobody wants to talk about. Some churches will purposely stay away from this one… it’s not popular… yet it is a clear biblical reality.

You are free to reject God, but you are not free from the consequences.

Have you ever been in your house when the lights went out? I remember a time here at the church when the lights went out while I was in the bathroom. I thought, who shut the lights out on me? Then I realized it was the sensors; with no movement the lights shut off. I moved and waved my hands, the lights came on, and it was all good.

A day is coming for some when the lights will be turned out, and there will be nothing you can do to turn them back on. You can wave, you can jump up and down… but there is no movement, no words, no tears, no prayers, no begging that can turn the lights back on. It’s the reality of Hell: the blackest of darkness; utter darkness; a bottomless pit.

I love to talk about the reality of God’ love, His immense kindness, the way that His thoughts about you are more than can be counted, the way He relentlessly pursues us.

I don’t like to think about Hell, much less talk about it. But there it is: The Apostle Paul talked about it, Jesus talked about it, Matthew talked about it, the Apostle John talked about it. You cannot read the Word of God without being confronted with its reality:

2 Peter 2:17—doomed to the blackest darkness Luke 16—fire, torment, anguish that is never ending

Matthew 8:12; 25:46 and Revelation 20:12-15 tell there is a separation process. The saved will enter Heaven and the unsaved will enter Hell.

See the parable of the fishing net in Matthew 13:47-50. Some fish were marketable and put in a pile while others were garbage fish, worthless, and put in another pile. Just as every fish was brought up on shore, so every person will come and stand before the Living God on that judgment day. No one is exempt. At the end of the story, Jesus said, “Do you understand these things?” He was saying, Do you get it? That’s a great question for us today—Do you get it?

Why would Paul talk about Hell to believers in Rome? They—and we—need to be reminded of what we are saved from. If you don’t know the bad news, the good news is just news.

We have to pause now and then and bust out in thanksgiving that we have been rescued! We were guilty as charged! We sinned and had a one-way ticket to eternal damnation. “Don’t forget” is a theme throughout the scriptures. Don’t forget what we have been saved from and what we have been saved to.

Whether you have been saved for 2 weeks or 20 years—if you aren’t enthusiastic about being saved, you are forgetting.

We have been entrusted with the responsibility to rescue others. 

We are invited to be part of the greatest rescue of all time—to reconcile people to Him (see 2 Cor. 5:18-19). Who else can set the captive free?

This Easter, will you invite someone to come with you? Will you pray for that family? Take them out for lunch? Let them know you love them? Will you love them enough to ask them afterward: What did you think about that? Do you know that things are right between you and God? Can I pray with you about anything?

When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life (Romans 2:12-16 NLT).

We are without excuse, but not without hope. 

Everyone will be judged based on what they know. We all are without excuse, but not without hope.

Romans 2:13—Paul is again making a point: you can’t be justified by keeping the law, because nobody can keep the law perfectly. Remember that Paul, like a great lawyer, is building a case that everybody has sinned. Sin void of repentance will be judged.

What about those who have never heard the gospel? Paul said, those who sinned without the law will perish without the law. They are all without excuse and will be judged based on:

  • Creation – Rom.1:18-32
  • Their own conduct – because the law is written on their hearts, Rom.2:14
  • Their conscience – Rom. 2:15, we all have a built-in sense that there is right and

Paul closes this thought with these words in Rom. 2:16, “According to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men.” For Paul, the gospel included the GOOD NEWS of being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ – specifically faith in what He accomplished on the cross for you! If there was no sin problem… there would be no cross. This is where hope comes into the picture for you.

Put a little differently in verse 16, why does Paul say, “as my gospel declares?” Because God’s just judgment is fundamental to his declaration about God’s Son. Without judgment, salvation has no meaning. Without the reality of God’s present and future wrath, the cross is emptied of itsglory.

We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For we all have sinned; all fall short of God’s righteous standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins (Rom. 3:22-24NLT).

That is GOOD NEWS that you need to hear!

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