ADVENT 4 – December 20, 2020 – Romans 16:25-27
“GOD’S ONE REASON: TO BRING ALL PEOPLE TO FAITH”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Romans 16. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- As we approach our celebration of the birth of Jesus, our dear Savior and Lord, we rejoice all the more in the gracious love of God. We hear what the angel says to Mary about her Son. He is the Son of the Most High God, an exact image of God [Heb. 1:3]. And His Name is Jesus – which means “the Lord saves.”
- In the Old Testament reading God responds to David’s desire to build a house for the Lord, a great temple. He tells David: “I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more . . . I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever.”
- These promises were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, a descendant of David and the Divine Son of God. The eternal house and kingdom of David is the Holy Christian Church! And note: no humans build this house, but God Himself builds this house. And from the outset with the miraculous conception of Jesus, all is based in this reality: “Nothing will be impossible with God.”
- Entry into this kingdom is by simple faith alone, faith in the gracious love and mercy of God in Jesus, that in Jesus all of our sins have been paid for, are forgiven and washed away, so that we have peace with God, knowing that God is love! Everything recorded in Holy Scripture reveals this love of God and we can see that:
I. God’s Principle Purpose And Goal Is To Bring People To Faith And Salvation, All Peoples And All Nations
1 Tim. 2:4 “God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Ezek. 33:11 “As I live declares the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his ways and live.”
Text: So in our text the gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ has this principle goal: “to bring about the obedience of faith.”
Statement: It is critical that we understand this – so that we know God as He truly is, how He reveals Himself as being. We must see the utter graciousness of God Who does everything to bring human beings back from wickedness and death and into the kingdom of His beloved Son. He provides Jesus as our Savior, and Jesus lays down His life for us as the Good Shepherd – all out of love for us. And He not only loves us, but His love is extended to all people – He loves the world, all people.
Application: First and foremost, then, let us heed the good news of Christmas that Jesus has come to save all humanity from their sin and guilt. This is the message of Holy Scripture from beginning to end. It restores what was lost in the garden, in Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God – and that is the knowledge that God is love!
Transition: And God is even now carrying out His plan of bringing people to faith and sustaining them in faith.
II. God Accomplishes His Gracious Purpose By Means Of His Word
Text: “He is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages, but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.”
A. Note That It Is The Gospel, The Word Of God Concerning His Gift Of Salvation That Brings About The Obedience Of Faith, Both New Testament And Old Testament
Rom. 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.”
Rom. 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”
B. So Also Our Faith Is Strengthened And Preserved By The Word Of God
Text: “He is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.”
Statement: All those to whom God has graciously given the obedience of faith, He also directs into the fellowship of Jesus, the Holy Christian Church! And if we are to truly be part of that Church, working to fulfill God’s primary goal and purpose – that of bringing others to the obedience of faith – then we must center all things in the precious Word of God that has the power to bring about faith and salvation! That Gospel is not only preached and proclaimed, but is also received in the precious Sacraments of Christ, Holy Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and the Lord’s Supper – given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Application: So, here we are, blessed by the goodness and love of God, having been brought into proper faith relationship with Him by the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And here within the Church of Jesus Christ we continue to be strengthened and confirmed in our faith and relationship with God. Our joy only increases as we are taught the truth of God’s love and we come to believe it more fully.
Transition: And as we exult in this love of our beautiful Heavenly Father and His beloved Son, the glorious Lord Jesus Christ:
III. All Of This Results In The Glorification Of God
Text: “To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Statement: Once the gracious mercy and love of God is grasped by faith, through the teachings of Holy Scripture, the Gospel, praise and thanksgiving to God increases dramatically! This good news of God’s great love for us becomes our principle foundation and hope as we go through this life and anticipate the life to come in God’s heavenly kingdom!
Application: Once again, the church is the center of this praise and thanksgiving to God, and by church I mean the real church, the Holy Christian Church, which consists of believers in Christ. For only those who truly know and believe God’s great love for us can give genuine praise to God!
Conclusion: So God builds us a “house” and a “kingdom,” one which is made sure forever! It is the church, our church, in which God has accomplished His purpose, bringing us to the “obedience of faith.” May we truly thank and praise Him forever, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.