Crucified with Christ… (3 things)

• 1^st – A double standard … vs. 11-13
  • Apparently some time after the counsel of Jerusalem – Peter took a trip to Antioch…
    • This was Paul’s home church in Syria – it was a Gentile church…
      • When Peter first arrived he sat and ate with the Gentile believers…
      • But when certain Jews came from Jerusalem – Peter separated himself…
      • He ignored the Gentiles – and would only eat and associate with the Jews!
    • Peter had been accused of eating with Gentiles once before…
      • After Peter had gone to the house of Cornelius – at God’s command – Acts 10…
      • Acts 11:1 – “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
      • The accusation brought against Peter was not that he shared the Gospel…
      • The accusation was that he entered a Gentile’s house – and had dinner…
      • In those days everyone would eat from a common serving bowl…
      • No rules about ‘double dipping’ so you really ‘shared’ the meal…
      • For that reason the Jews were very careful whom they ate with…
    • Peter who had stood up at the counsel and defended the Gospel of Grace…
      • Buckled to peer pressure – the fear of what the Jews might think of him…
      • Often we know the right thing to do – we might even encourage others to do it…
      • But when the time comes for us to take a stand – we give in – we conform…
      • We know if we stand up for what is right – we will be made fun of / ridiculed…
      • Being a Christian means we follow the Word of God – not the opinions of the world
      • If we act just like the world – why would anyone want to hear about Jesus…
  • The rest of the Jews then followed Peter’s example – playing the hypocrite…
    • Even Barnabas – Paul’s traveling companion on the first missionary journey – followed!
    • Whether we know it or not – people are watching us – following our example…
    • If we are conforming to the world – chances are they will ‘stumble’ with us…
    • The opposite is also true – if we stand up for Jesus – it will give boldness to others…
    • When you are willing to go to Bible studies – you will find others follow…
    • When you stand up for Jesus around family / friends – it gives other boldness too!
  • So Paul stood up and rebuked Peter – and the rest of the Jews…
    • Peter was a man powerfully used by God – God has used him in founding the church…
      • But Peter was by no means perfect – he was still capable of making mistakes…
      • People tend to put spiritual leaders / pastors up on a pedestal…
      • There is the impression they are somehow bigger / more holy – than others…
      • The danger in men looking to a person/pastor – is that they will fail…
      • And if we have put our faith in a flawed man – rather than in a perfect Lord…
      • When the man stumbles – makes a mistake – we will fall with him!
    • Paul might have been intimidated to say anything to Peter…
      • Peter was one of the 12 Apostles – he was an undisputed leader in the church…
      • Yet Paul understood it did not mater who Peter was – only what he had done…
      • Just because someone is a ‘spiritual leader’ – does not mean they are perfect…
      • If we are not willing to confront them when they make a mistake – who will…
        
• 2^nd – Practice what you preach… vs. 14-16
  • Paul asked Peter a question – if you are trying to live like the Gentiles (saved by faith)…
    • Then why are you trying to make the Gentiles – live like Jews (following the Law)!
      • The Jews knew that the Law did not bring righteousness…
      • The Law brings the knowledge of sin – but has no power to keep us from sinning…
      • I know a lot of people who think they are good Christians because they follow rules
      • They may show up to church every Sunday – but what is in their heart….
      • We might be able to keep ourselves from having an affair with a beautiful woman…
      • Matthew 5:28 – “I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
      • But how many of us have never looked at a beautiful woman and thought…
      • If we did not know God’s Law – we would not know it was wrong to even look…
      • It is God’s Law that is the mirror that shows us the sinners we truly are…
      • Romans 3:20 – “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
    • Therefore no one can ever be justified by the Law…
      • The more we understand God’s Law – the more of sinner we realize we are!
      • If we disobey God’s Law – even once – we face the consequence – Romans 6:23
      • Either we live a perfect life – never making one mistake – or we are judged…
      • James 2:10 – “The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws.”
        

• The only way to be saved is by faith in Jesus Christ…
  • The simple Gospel message – there is nothing you have to do – just believe…
  • We do not have to do anything to earn it – we just receive the free gift from God…
  • Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…”
  • It couldn’t be simpler – it could not be more obvious – just believe and confess Jesus!
  • See your need for Jesus – that you are not ‘good’ – believe what He did on the cross!
  • Jew or gentile – it makes no difference – whoever calls on the Lord – Romans 10:13…
  • It does not matter who you are – what your background is – anyone can be saved!
  • You can be rich or poor / from any nation / have lots of sin or think you’re ‘good’…
  • The only way to get to heaven – believe and confess Jesus as Lord and savior!
• So if the Jews knew the only way to be saved was through faith and not the Law…
  • Why would they (Peter) revert back to the Law when around the Gentiles…
  • If I told you I have freedom in Christ – eat pork / work on Saturday…
  • Then turned around and told you to obey the Sabbath – follow the kosher laws…
  • You could rightly say to me – practice what you preach – do not be a hypocrite!
  • That was Paul’s point to Peter – practice what you preach…

What we are in fact saying is that we do not need Jesus…

3^rd – Living for Jesus by Grace… vs. 17-21

Can the law keep us from sin…

Many of the Jews were concerned without the Law – men would sin more…

People would use Grace as an excuse to sin – blame their sin on God!

Since our salvation is not based on our work/merit – simply saved by faith in Jesus…

No matter how much we sin – no matter what sin – Grace covers our sin…

So what if we have faith in Christ – but still sin – is our sin Jesus fault…

All of us – even though we are saved – still struggle with sin in our lives…

We still face temptations – still struggle with our desires – we can still choose to sin

We are tempted by the things of this world – to seek the pleasures of this world…

I John 2:16 – “For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.”

The question becomes how to do we overcome that sin…

We have two choices on how we choose to live – two resources we can rely upon…

We can chooses to live our lives dependent on or own abilities or strength – Law…

We can choose to live our lives in dependence on the Holy Spirit – Grace…

If we try to use the Law/rules to try to keep ourselves from sin…

Building a fence to keep us safe from the temptations and evils of the world…

This seems to be a good idea – and most people (and churches) take this approach…

But here is the danger – it can only control your actions – not change your heart…

Paul point out that by going back to the Law – we tear down grace!

We know we cannot be saved by keeping the God’s Law – we cannot be perfect…

But if we think God’s Law (knowing His rules) – once saved – can keep us from sin…

Go to church twice a week / pray 1 hour every day / read 1 Bible chapter ever day…

Then I will be able to avoid sin – live for Jesus – and follow Him…

As if somehow having been saved by Grace – our works can now keep us from sin…

To go back to the Law / our abilities – to keep us from sinning – tears down grace!

Colossians 2:21-23 – “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.  Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them.  These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts & desires.”

In the end we might think the rules make us strong in the Lord…

When in reality the rules will fail us – because we take our eyes off of Jesus… 

Because we trust in our rules – rather than looking to and depending on the Lord!

So how do you overcome sin – the cross…

Paul learned he could never earn his salvation through the Law…

So he died to the law – by being crucified with Christ…

Romans 7:6 – “We have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.”

The idea being our old man – sinful nature – was crucified and buried with Jesus…

We were then ‘raised from the dead’ – no longer the old sinful man we once were

We were given ‘new life’ – freed from sin to live for God – II Corinthians 5:17

We are ‘born again’ – not to live in sin / but to live in godliness

John 3:3 – “…Unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.”

It is no longer I that live – but Christ lives in me…

You do not go to a cemetery to hire people to work for you – they are dead!

If I am dead – then there is not point in me trusting in my abilities…

I do not even for a moment consider trusting in myself to overcome sin…

I have to depend completely and entirely on Jesus Christ!

Cause if we are full of ourselves – our flesh – then we will have a defeated life in Jesus

But when we are emptied – not depending on ourselves – full of Jesus – Holy Spirit

Then we will find God changes our hearts – our desires – we will find victory over sin

Not that we can no longer do the things we used to ‘want’ to…

We will no longer have the desire – instead we will ‘want’ to live for Jesus!

If righteousness (a right relationship with God) could come through good works…

Then Jesus dies on the cross of Calvary for no reason!

If we think we somehow can keep ourselves from sin – live a holy life on our own…

If we think we can keep the Law – obey the commands of God…