Romans #14,
2:1
Thou Art Inexcusable o Man
Sunday January 25, 1997 (Preparation)
Brian
Kocourek
This morning I would like to take our message from Romans chapter 2, beginning at verse 1.
[Romans 2: 1-11]
[Romans 2:1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, (this word inexcusable actually means that they are without defense, or defenseless) and isn’t it strange that they are not only left without an advocate or a defense as far as their justification is concerned, but I think that it I also interesting to note that the plagues that are coming forth are also plagues which affect the immune system which is the bodies defense system, leaving the victim defenseless and open or exposed.
Therefore thou art defenseless, O man whosoever thou art that judgest: Now, the liberal would say that we should not judge, but that is not what Paul is saying here. Jesus never told us not to judge, but He said we should judge with righteous judgment. [John 7:24] Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. [Luke 12:56] [Ye] hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? so we see therefore we see that whether we judge or not is not the real issue, but how we judge is altogether the issue. How, or by what means, by what criteria do we judge. For we are commanded by God to discern try the spirits, to see whether they are of God or not. [1 John 4:1] (read) [1 Thes 5:21]
[Romans 1:28] Notice here, the scripture tells us that because they did not like, this word like here tells us (they did not approve) of something, and since there judgment was not Gods judgment, then God turns them over to a reprobate mind. A Mind that can not pass the test. A mind that will fail His judgment. And notice what it was that they did not like or approve of. The scripture tells us they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, and this word retain is the word echo. NO what does an echo do? ___ . It repeats over and over. And in this case they did not like to repeat over and over the Knowledge of God. So God leaves them then to their own thinking which without His help they will surely fail the test.
Again we see in [Romans 12:2] that we are to prove what is the good and perfect will of God. Now this is not telling us that we can prove or disprove as though we have a say in determining what is the good and perfect will of God. But what this is telling us is that we are to approve of what God has already shown us to be His good and perfect will. This then speaks of approval which is a judgment, and it let’s us know here that when our minds are at this condition where we are in perfect harmony with the good and perfect will of God then our bodies will begin to transform from mortal to immortal. The word transformed here is metamorpho, which is what a butterfly does when it changes from one form to another.
We see once again God’s thoughts on how we should use discernment and judging. In [2 Cor 13:5] We are commanded to examine ourselves to see where we are at, to see whether we are in the Faith. To Prove our own selves. To show that what God thinks, we also think. Our examination of our own minds and our own lives should have then a stanard, and that standard is THE Faith. And why is this? Because once your Faith has been approved, then it will yield the peacable fruit of righteousness. [1Peter 1:7] The approval of your faith brings forth praise which is the fruit offering of your lips, which leads to honour which is knowing your place, and which then leads to Glory which is the very judgment, opinion and assessment of God. The very mind of God coming in. Therefore we should be constantly examining ourselves to see where we are in the Faith.
Therefore thou art defenseless, O man whosoever thou art that judgest: Therefore, we can see here that Paul is not telling us that if we judge we will be left without a defense, but Remember, we began to look at this back in chpater 1:18 where he said, “For the wrath of God is revealed -will be made known, from heaven against all who lack reverence toward God and (un-right-wiseness) of men, who hold down hinder or suppress, the truth using un-right-wise-sness; Therefore we are not speaking of those who would discern what is right by the word, but those who hold to their own opinions without regard to God’s opinion. “for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Here he is not saying that they are using the Word to judge with, but they are looking at the outward appearance only and not at what the Word of God says. This is exactly what Jannes and Jambres did, and all of Pharaohs court. They resisted Moses by doing the same things Moses did, and therefore said, we can do the same, who needs Him or His message. And they judged him as being just a magician.
Romans #14, 2:1-?
Sunday January 25, 1997 (Preparation)
As Brother Branham said, “They called what Moses did, a cheap magicians trick.” And therefore refused to hear and pay attention to His message. “for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Notice how Paul clarifies this in the next verse. 2:2 But we are sure (What are we sure of?) that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Therefore we find that God’s judgment stems forth from Truth. Even Peter tells us that Michael the Archangel, when He was disputing with the devil, said, “the Lord rebuke thee”. In other words, it’s not my opinion, but it’s God’s opinion that counts. 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Look, this message is full of people who are legalistic. And it has been my experience that those who are Oneness in their perception of the Godhead, are also the most legalistic in their treatment of others. Brother Vayles defintion of a legalist is someone who will condemn you for spitting on the side walk, and then will turn and commit adultery. But what is it Paul is saying here. He is telling us that those who are already condemned to receive the wrath of God are not only legalistic but because they reject and turn away from the very knowledge of God, they have rejected the only mercy that is available.
“But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; Now, what does Paul mean when he says that these men despise the forbearance and long suffering of God? How is it that they despise God’s long-suffering? It is because they do not redeem the time that has been given to them to repent. That is why Paul says here), “not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Repentance is what God’s long-suffering is all about. That is why Paul tells them that they are not using the time allotted for the right thing. We should be using this time of God’s long-suffering to come to a repentance which is a change of the mind. Because it is not what we hold as valuable, or to be the right way, but it is what God holds to be valuable and the right way that counts.
Notice here that Paul tells us that these guys have hardened their hearts toward God and His Word. These are the guys who hold back His Word from the people by using a word which has been altered. A Word which is un-rightly-wise. Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness (Stubborn, obstinate) and impenitent heart (impenitent means admitting no change of mind, unrepented) But after or according to thy own Stubborn, obstinate) and unrepented heart, treasurest up or store up, or prepare for yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; And these people that the wrath of God is coming against because they without the Word are condemned for the way in which they judge, because they are using un-right-wise-ness to judge in complete disobedience to God’s command.
These guys don’t realize it, but what they sew is what they are storing up as payback, and that’s what they’re going to reap. 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (There’s your sewing and reaping). 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, (Your payback will be) eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, (Now this word does not mean one who likes to disagrees, but it actually means one who desires to put themselves forward and who courts distinction, one who electioneers, which means they are those who are looking for popularity) and notice their attributes that follow them, They “do not obey the truth, but they obey unrighteousness, (And what can these guys look forward too?) indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without or apart from the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned within the law shall be judged by the law;
ROMANS.9:22-3 What if God was willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. And what if He did this that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Now, you might say, “Oh, God is a Good God, He would never do such a ting as that! And I would like to ask you, how sure are you about that? enough to gamble away your salvation
Romans #14, 2:1-?
Sunday January 25, 1997 (Preparation)
E-16 Preparation 53-1111 I believe that the people are in the preparation of the last great destruction this world will ever know. I believe we're at the end. You can speak to people; you could put a Billy Graham in every city in the United States; they'd drink whiskey and smoke cigarettes and laugh at you and everything else just the same. They are in the spirit of the last days. And God cannot send destruction before the people are in the spirit for destruction. God never did destroy anything. Man always destroys himself. The Message Trumpet is declaring, Grace and Mercy for all that would receive it, and to reject Mercy leaves only judgment.
Then, if we are examining ourselvs to see whether we are in The Faith, then what kind of preparations are we making. For Paul warned them that they are Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness (Stubborn, obstinate) and impenitent heart (impenitent means admitting no change of mind, unrepented) But after or according to thy own Stubborn, obstinate) and unrepented heart, treasurest up or store up, or prepare for yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Then what are we treasuring up. What are we storing up? Are we sowing for the wrath and tribulation? Or are we storing up Glory and Honour and praise? [Matt 6:21] Jesus said, “For where your treausre is, there your heart will be also.” Then how do we know what we are storing up? Let’s turn to the book of Luke for our answer. [Luke 6:45]
The scriptures tells us that there are those who are called the Bride and we are told that the Bride hath made herself ready. Then there are those who are fitted for destruction and we are told that they actually fit themselves for their punishment. In all these cases, both pro and con, we see that the law of sowing and reaping is in effect.
E-21 Preparation 53-1111 Now, God, in the beginning when Adam and Eve... Man has always tried to prepare himself. Oh, yes, sir, he tries to prepare himself. When he first sinned in the beginning, the first thing you know, he went out and prepared himself an apron: fig leaves, wrapped it around him. He's making himself... Now, the word "religion" means "covering." And Adam and Eve made themself a religion, a covering. But when God called them and they had to stand face to face with God, they realized that their manmade religion wasn't no good. And if you're anything short of the Holy Spirit and death strikes your body, you'll find out that manmade religion won't stand in the time of death. Oh, don't tell me, I've stood to the hospitals and seen the doctors shoot hypos in the arm when there was deacons and everything else. That's right. Hear them scream and say... call to their pastor, "You deceiver of man. Why didn't you tell the truth?" It'll tell when you get down at the end of the road. So the best thing to do is make preparation for it right now. Get the thing straightened up. Get right with God.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah by Faith saw the judgments coming and He didn’t just sit there, he did something about it. He spent 120 years preparing for those judgments. he weighed out the cost and his decision reflected Gods plan of redemption.
I Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.
He gives us a message of how o flee the wrath to come, God always makes ready a people prepared for the Lord. In fact that is what the message and ministry of elijah is all about. To make ready a prepared people.
Luke 12:42-7 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Romans #14, 2:1-?
Sunday January 25, 1997 (Preparation)
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].
Our whole life is about preparation. we spend at least 12 years of our life going to school to prepare our selves for a career. That is what planning is all about. We consider the cost of what life will be with or without and we weigh it our agianst the cost to get an education and then make our decisions based upon our value systems.
In fact I have spent twenty hours over the last 2 days just preparing for my trip to New Zealand. There are many things to prepare for when you make a trip like this. Not just the sermon material which I have nearly 40 pages, but what would happen to my children if the Lord took me home at this time? Therefore, I have had to make preparations for them as well. Do I have enough insurance to se them through financially, do I have a will to make sure that trhey will stay together. The two older are old enough to be on their own but what about the youngest? I need to make sure that Elisabeth can have custody of Sara. There are many things that we ned to do. Are my clothes ready. Are my tickets ok. Where will the girls stay while we are gone, and with each of these decisions, come more decisions. You can never over prepare yourself.
Then what about our souls. Have we applied the token, and on and on it goes.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 4:6 And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made [it] to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. 7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. 8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live.
Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Matthew 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are] killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage.
MATTHEW.25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
MARK.10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared.
MARK.14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished [and] prepared: there make ready for us.
LUKE.1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Romans #14, 2:1-?
Sunday January 25, 1997 (Preparation)
I.CORINTHIANS.2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
II.TIMOTHY.2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
HEBREWS.10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
HEBREWS.11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
REVELATION.8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
REVELATION.21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
EPHESIANS.6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
PSALMS.23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
PSALMS.65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Luke 14:25-32 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple
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Proverbs 20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Eccl 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Eccl 3:17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work.
Eccl 8:6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him.
Iisaiah 1:11 To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Isaiah 14:26 This [is] the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this [is] the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Roman 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
II Cor 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts.
II Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
II Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
I John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.