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This is the final message in a series of sermons on Romans. This message is based on Romans 16:21-27 and it emphasizes Paul's theme that God should receive all the glory for everything accomplished.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
Several years ago there was a craze among Christians for a popular
acronym “WWJD” – What Would Jesus Do?
A few weeks ago in the class I am taking at the college, I
learned a new acronym that ought to be one that we all learn and keep in the
forefront of our minds… “WDGG” – What Does God Get?
I already shared with you a portion of the lecture when I mentioned the
difference between “cat theology” and “dog theology.” (Comes from a book
written by Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison)
Dog says to his master: “You feed me, you pet me, you shelter me, you
love me. You must be God.”
Cat says to master: “You feed me, you pet me, you shelter me, you love
me. I must be God.”
Someone practicing “dog theology” focuses primarily on God and His
glory.
“Cat theology” focuses primarily on self and what God can do for me.
There are a lot of contrasts that have been made between the two viewpoints,
but let me share just a few.
Quiet Times: Both
Cats and Dogs have quiet times. Dogs focus on God’s glory (they think, “How is God’s
reputation being affected by my life?”) and Cats focus on themselves (how can [God
make] their life [better]…?)
Prayer: Dogs pray
to establish God’s kingdom. Cats pray to establish their own kingdom.
Worship: Dogs worship God primarily for who He is. Cats worship God
primarily for what He’s done for them.
Obedience: Both Cats and Dogs want obedience in their lives. Dogs
want to obey God. Cats want God to obey them. You usually see this reflected in
their prayer lives.
While trying to get us to
understand the two different perspectives and to realize the importance of
truly worshiping God, the author challenges us to raise this question, “What
does God get?”
What does God get out of my life
and the experiences I face each day?
As we now come to the end of
Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome
It’s as if Paul is reminding us
that all he has written comes down to the one final point – that God should
receive the glory due to Him for the great plan of redemption He has completed
through Jesus Christ.
This reminds me of a scene
portrayed in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV)
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Paul has masterfully expounded
the message of redemption through Jesus Christ and now, after sharing greetings
from those who are outside of Rome
In this one very long closing
sentence Paul provides a sequence of thoughts that provide the reasons for glorifying
God.
Here are the thoughts expressed
in this one long sentence:
1. God is able to establish His
children.
2. He stabilizes them through
the proclamation of the gospel.
3. The gospel was hidden, but
has been revealed.
4. It has been revealed to all
nations to lead them to obedience.
5. He alone deserves praise.
So, let’s quickly take them one
by one and explore them a little more.
1. God is able to establish His children.
The word “able” is the Greek
word “dunamis.” Emphasis is on dynamic ability or power.
“establish” – to fix, establish
or strengthen against presupposed threats.
Is there any doubt in our minds
that the same God who through His dynamic and infinite power created the worlds
is powerful enough to fix you and me steadfastly in the faith so that we can
stand firm against all threats?
2. He stabilizes them through the proclamation of the gospel.
The Apostle declares that God is
able to establish them according to his gospel and the proclamation of Jesus
Christ.
The word “gospel” means good
news and it includes the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ and available
to every one who believes in Him.
He affirms that the gospel
consists of the preaching of Christ and that is what we need to get established
in the faith. Jesus is the center core of our faith and the more we learn about
Him, the stronger we will be as disciples and followers.
3. The gospel was hidden, but has been revealed.
This message being proclaimed
was hidden for a while from the beginning of time.
It was a mystery. It was
unknown. It was hidden by the darkness of sin which blinds the spiritual eye
against the truth until the light of truth is shed upon our minds.
4. It has been revealed to all nations to lead them to obedience.
Paul has shown in earlier
chapters how that God’s salvation through Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of what
was revealed through the prophets.
As God progressively unfolded
the messages through His servants and prophets, He clearly revealed that He
intended for the message to be told to all the nations of the world.
God’s plan from the beginning
was for all the nations to hear the truth and be led to faith and obedience as
a result of hearing and receiving the truth.
Salvation was never intended to
be only for one nation or one people, but for the entire world.
One of the reasons we believe so
strongly in world missions and we make the effort to conduct missions
conferences like we are next weekend is because of our conviction that God
intends to save the world.
5. He alone deserves praise.
The final point of the sequence
of thoughts goes back to the giving of glory and praise; not only because He is
able to establish His people in the gospel, but because of His wisdom in
devising such a grand scope and plan for redemption.
Conclusion:
All in all, Paul brings us to
the realization that the salvation of Jews and Gentiles, even all the world, is
for the glory of God.
Eph. 2:6-7 “and raised us up
together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that
in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Worship Is A Part Of Life!
When Cats are so focused on themselves, they worship God during their
quiet times, during Sunday morning services, and possibly while listening to
worship music. Everything outside of those times is “everyday life.”
But “everyday life” was designed to be one big worship service. This can
happen when we start to ask the simple question, “What Does God Get?”
·
What
does God get when you hug a child?
·
What
does God get when you see a sunset?
·
What
does God get when you listen to music?
·
What
does God get when you look at a flower?
·
What
does God get when you see a butterfly?
·
What
does God get when you taste a chocolate covered strawberry?
To relate this thought to our
closing verses in Romans, let me ask, “What does God get when you think about
being justified by faith?”
“What does God get when you
meditate about sanctification?”
“What does God get for redeeming
the heathen?”
“Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb! Hallelujah,
Praise the Lamb! My heart sings this song again. Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb!”
A Prayer To The Lord:
·
Lord, we do not live for ourselves, we live for
Your greatest glory.
·
Bless us with all things or give us nothing.
·
Honor us before others or bring us low.
·
Put us to doing or appoint us to suffer.
·
Give us work or keep us unemployed.
·
Send us overseas or keep us home.
·
Shatter any dream that is not yours.
·
We freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to
Your pleasure and disposal.
·
All we ask is that we delight in Your glory!
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