Posts by Yong Joo Park:
Entrusted With the Revelation: Israel’s Unmatched Advantage
Romans 3:1–2 (NLT)
1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
Message
I. The Advantage of Being a Jew: Entrusted with God’s Word (1–2)
In Romans 2:25–29, Paul shows that true circumcision is a work of the Spirit in the heart, not merely an outward sign or religious identity. This leads directly to his next question in Romans 3:1: What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew? (1) There are great benefits (2a). First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God (2b).
II. God’s Revealed Truth and Israel’s Privilege in History
God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and only God knows the future (Isaiah 46:9-10, Ecclesiastes 3:22, 6:12, 8:7, 10:14).
Solomon declared in Ecclesiastes 10:14b,
No one really knows what is going to happen;
no one can predict the future.
And, Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 8:7 NLT,
7 Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen?
David knew he would defeat Goliath before fighting him (1 Samuel 17:32, 36–37, 45–47). See 1 Samuel 17:46–47 (NLT).
46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
The Bible records that King David asked God about the outcome of battles before going out to fight (1 Samuel 23:2–4, 9–12; 1 Samuel 30:7–8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19; 2 Samuel 5:23–25), and he knew the results of the battles before he fought.
The above examples show the privilege that the Jews had throughout history, as recorded in the Bible.
The Spirit’s Cut: A Changed Heart
Romans 2:25–29 (NLT) 25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s […]
Knowing the Law vs. Living the Law
Romans 2:17–24 (NLT) 17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people […]
God’s Law Written on the Heart and His Final Judgment
Romans 2:12–16 (NLT) 12 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. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the […]
God’s Impartial Judgment According to Deeds
Romans 2:6–11 (NLT) 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey […]
Repentance Before the Day of Anger
Romans 2:5 (NLT) 5 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. Message I. God’s Kindness Rejected (5a) See verse 5a. 5a But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn […]
A Call to Repent, Not to Judge
Romans 2:2–4 (NLT) 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does […]
Do Not Judge Others — God Alone Is the Judge
Romans 2:1 (NLT) You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Message I. Introduction and Context See verse 1. You […]
The Seriousness of Sin and the Spread of Rebellion
Romans 1:32 (NLT) 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Message See verse 32a. 32a They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, This statement reflects the clear teaching […]
The Death-Dealing Catalogue of Sin: The Sins of Those God Abandoned in Romans 1:28
Romans 1:29-31 (NLT) 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have […]
