April 13, 2025 • 38 mins
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, revealing the righteousness that comes from faith for faith as prophesied in scripture.
• Paul declared he was not ashamed of the gospel despite being treated as "scum of the earth"
• Christians worldwide face persecution while media remains silent about their suffering
• The gospel was given to the Jews first, then extended to the Gentiles through Christ
• The phrase "the righteous shall live by faith" appears in Habakkuk, Romans, Galatians and Hebrews
• Moses prophesied about Christ in Deuteronomy, embedding the gospel within the law
• The work of God is that we believe in Christ, not that we follow rules or regulations
• In Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile - all believers are one
• The new covenant is an everlasting covenant that will never be replaced or superseded
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Episode Transcript
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announcement (00:01):
Hello and welcome to the Waking Up to Grace
podcast, where we celebrate andexplore the finished work of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Tune in to the Waking Up toGrace podcast on every major
platform.
You can also listen to ourepisodes and read our full
transcripts atwakinguptogracecom.
And now here's Lenny.
Lenny (00:22):
Welcome back to the podcast.
Everyone.
Good morning.
Just wanted to the podcast.
Everyone.
Good morning.
Just wanted to make a quickannouncement.
I'm not really going to begoing over any of the details of
the announcement, but I've madesome changes to the website,
some of our past episodes andvarious things that we're pretty
excited about, and I justwanted to let you guys know that
(00:42):
some changes have been made andyou can check out those changes
on our community page atWakingUpToGracecom.
Just go on toWakingUpToGracecom, hit on the
community page tab and you'llsee my post with the various
changes that I made.
So if you want to check thatout, please do.
But today we're just going toget right into it.
(01:04):
We're going to be continuingour Roman study with Romans,
chapter 1, verses 16 and 17.
So just two verses today, witha whole lot of studying to do.
Yeehaw, we're going to bedigging in and it's going to be
good.
Melissa (01:21):
So, starting with Romans 1.16, we read For I am
not ashamed of the gospel, forit is the power of God for
salvation to everyone whobelieves, to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek.
Lenny (01:37):
So my first question is why do you think Paul might have
declared that he was notashamed of the gospel?
Paul might have declared thathe was not ashamed of the gospel
.
I'd like to look at a referencepassage as an example of what
Paul might be speaking of here,to give us a little something to
talk about.
Melissa (01:56):
In 1 Corinthians 4, verses 11-14, we read and thirst
.
We are poorly dressed andbuffeted, homeless and we labor,
working with our hands.
When reviled, we bless.
When persecuted, we endure.
When slandered, we entreat.
Lenny (02:16):
We have become and are still like the scum of being
ashamed of the gospel to hisaudience.
Melissa (02:37):
Yeah, everything he was willing to go through because
he knew the value of the truth,of the gospel message.
Lenny (02:44):
Right.
Shows he was not ashamed, butthey were being shamed
everywhere they went.
Imagine being considered thescum of the earth for your
beliefs.
The scum of the earth.
Melissa (02:57):
I don't think that's something we can really imagine
here in America.
Lenny (03:01):
Absolutely.
I mean, there's people outthere that would consider you
that.
But as a whole our religion ispretty well accepted, socially
accepted in a sense.
Melissa (03:13):
True.
Lenny (03:18):
People might not want to hear what Christians have to say
, might not seem interested, butbut we're not really viewed, at
least at this time, as scum ofthe earth.
Melissa (03:23):
Exactly.
Lenny (03:24):
The next question would be would you say that Paul found
it to be important to not beashamed of the gospel, and why?
Why would it be important notto be ashamed of the gospel?
That's why I brought up thatCorinthians passage.
It was important for them tonot be ashamed of the gospel,
because the gospel was the powerof God for salvation and they
(03:45):
were being shamed for it.
Melissa (03:51):
Right, and if you're focusing on your shame, then
you're not focusing on youridentity as beloved children,
amen.
Lenny (03:55):
So do you think it's just as important for Christians
today as it was then to not beashamed of the gospel?
Even though we live in asociety as we said, that is not
gospel.
Even though we live in asociety as we said, that is not
necessarily constantly shamingus when we come out with
something, or just if you sayyou're a Christian, they're not
shaming you.
But is it just as importanttoday as it was then?
Melissa (04:17):
It sure is.
Lenny (04:18):
I think it is Going into the next question.
Do you see Christians beingshamed today?
And we absolutely do, but it'sin a different way and I think
most of the shame that we get isfrom other Christians.
Melissa (04:34):
There's a lot of that, yeah.
Lenny (04:35):
When you share the truth of Christ, when you oppose
legalism, you start to get theidea that people think you're
kind of the scum of the earththat you are giving people a
license to sin.
Melissa (04:54):
The power of the cross offends people who call
themselves Christians?
Yes, it does, and a lot of thatis that attitude of if we have
to follow these rules andregulations, so do you.
Lenny (05:02):
But then we also have in other countries.
Christians are beingslaughtered for their beliefs
and the media is not evensharing these things with us.
When we turn on the news andwhen we talk to people in our
country, the Holocaust inGermany was the event that comes
to our mind.
We're always like, oh, thosepoor people, and it was a very
(05:25):
sad event.
But why are people holdingthese other world leaders in
high regards on the media whoare killing Christians?
And do you realize that theseother leaders in the Olympics
are killing Christians?
And we're rejoicing and talkingabout how great they are and
what they're doing for theirculture?
It's ridiculous.
So there's Christians allaround the world being shamed.
(05:47):
We're just not seeing it, and Ithink that's intentional.
Melissa (05:52):
Definitely so.
If we take an honest look atthese other countries, we would
find that the Christians thereare poorly dressed, buffeted,
homeless.
They are seen as scum of theworld and they're being killed
for it.
Lenny (06:06):
Absolutely, and I even heard it said that there are
more Christians around the worldbeing killed right now in our
days than ever in history.
Yeah, I heard that too, and yetyou don't hear it talked about.
You don't hear our governmenttalking about it.
You don't hear the mediatalking about it.
What's the deal with that?
(06:30):
Who's running the media?
Melissa (06:30):
the media only seems to care about the temple being
built in israel.
Lenny (06:32):
Something's very wrong with that didn't want to get too
far down that tangent, but youcan't help but be a little bit
bothered by that, can you?
Melissa (06:39):
no, and I know something that we did in our
life was turn off the TV andstart opening our Bibles.
I just want to extend thatthought to people.
Maybe we should be turning offour TV, maybe we should be
paying attention to where we'reat.
Lenny (06:52):
The real news is in the Bible.
Melissa (06:53):
Yes.
Lenny (06:54):
Our Bible is the truth.
You're going to turn on the TV.
You're going to listen to yourfavorite politician and look for
the truth.
You're not going to find itthere, but when you open up your
bible, you're going to findtruth.
You are.
So if you want to fill yourmind with truth, then start
studying.
Scripture protects us from thelies right.
You find that the more you knowabout scripture, the more you
(07:17):
can see through all of the liesthat are going on in the world
today all of them, and there areso many more than people
realize.
Melissa (07:24):
I just wanted to say one more thing about Christians
being shamed today.
When we talk about in the othercountries what these people are
having to go through, it makesme feel pretty weak, because I
know here in America you and Ihave mentioned that it seems
like there's a we're not beingshamed, but we're being silenced
and we really need to stand upfor that.
(07:44):
That needs to stop.
It's been going on a long timeand it's getting much worse, and
so if these people in othercountries can risk their lives,
it sure seems like we could riskour pride here of just having
somebody get mad at you fortrying to talk about the gospel
or hurt your feelings.
I think that we need to, uh,just be okay with that here to
(08:05):
stand up for the gospel notbeing silenced in America.
Lenny (08:09):
Amen.
So, looking back at verse 16,why did Paul say the gospel was
the power of God for salvation,to the Jew first, then to the
Greek?
Melissa (08:20):
Because the Jews were God's people first, and then he
extended the gospel to thegentile exactly christ's
ministry was to the jews.
Lenny (08:29):
He came to them first.
He sent paul out to thegentiles, so the gospel came to
the jews first and then to thegentiles.
It's important to know it isbecause we actually believe in
the God of Israel.
Melissa (08:44):
Yes.
Lenny (08:45):
So they would follow that we'd want to learn about the
God of Israel.
Our Old Testament of our Bible,is important.
Melissa (08:52):
It is important.
And another important point isthat the Jews needed the gospel
too.
Lenny (08:58):
Exactly.
Melissa (08:59):
Just because they were God's people first doesn't mean
they were good to go Right.
They needed the gospel.
Lenny (09:05):
So what does Paul list as the requirement for salvation
in this passage?
It's the gospel.
Exactly, it's Christ.
Christ is the requirement forsalvation, isn't he?
Does this line up with whatYeshua declared to be the work
of God in John 6, 29?
Go ahead and read John 6, 29,melissa.
Melissa (09:24):
This is the work of God , that you believe in Him, whom
he has sent.
Lenny (09:28):
Who did he send?
Melissa (09:30):
He sent.
Lenny (09:30):
Yeshua Alright, so the Messiah has come.
To whom did Yeshua make thefollowing statement?
Melissa (09:38):
I am the way and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me.
Lenny (09:45):
That's in John, chapter 14, and that's Christ Yeshua
speaking to a Jewish audience.
He's telling the Jews directlyI am the way, I am the truth, I
am the life.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me.
Kind of a funny thing thatthere's actually Christian
(10:07):
preachers in America here thatsay the Jews have a different
covenant with.
Melissa (10:09):
God.
Lenny (10:09):
Yes, they say they don't need Jesus.
They just need to rebuild thetemple and keep their covenant
with God.
That doesn't sound like thatjives with the gospel, does it?
Melissa (10:18):
Not at all.
Somebody like John Hagee is avery dangerous person.
Lenny (10:23):
Yeah, and he's a warped political figure as well.
Melissa (10:26):
Exactly.
Lenny (10:27):
Loves his politics, just like the first century Jews did.
Melissa (10:31):
So stay away from him and anything he's spewing out.
Lenny (10:35):
So why would he declare this to a people who had the law
and the prophets?
Why would Christ declare thatto them?
Because it was true, yeah, andthey didn't know it, and because
some of them would be saved bythat.
Melissa (10:49):
Yes, a remnant.
Lenny (10:51):
A remnant Continuing into Romans, verse 117, since we
promised to go through 16 and 17.
Melissa (11:00):
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
, from faith for faith.
As it is written, the righteousshall live by faith.
Lenny (11:12):
So the question is had the righteousness of God been
revealed before Christ?
No, and I would agree and Iwould disagree.
It had not been revealed in away that people could see it,
seemingly because they had noclue what was going on.
But the gospel was revealedsince the beginning of time.
(11:33):
It was actually given to themwith Moses, and we're going to
talk about that a little bitlater.
Melissa (11:39):
So you're right and you're wrong.
Lenny (11:42):
What do you think Paul means by from faith for faith?
What do you think he means bythat, Melissa?
Melissa (11:48):
Well, I was thinking two things.
You look at faith as Christ,then we receive the
righteousness of God from Christ.
For Christ, because we are histhe Father gave us to him as a
gift.
Lenny (12:03):
And that's really cool.
That's something that a lot ofpeople don't really put a lot of
thought into.
Melissa (12:07):
Yeah.
Lenny (12:08):
We were his gift that he suffered for.
Melissa (12:11):
Yes.
Lenny (12:12):
I mean that makes him really pleased about us.
We were a gift to him.
Melissa (12:17):
Yes.
Lenny (12:18):
That's pretty cool.
Melissa (12:19):
That is just.
Lenny (12:20):
He cherishes us.
Melissa (12:22):
Yes, I also think it means faith was given to us from
Yahweh, from Yeshua, for faith,so that we could believe, for
belief so that we could be saved.
Lenny (12:34):
In order that we could have faith.
So it was kind of like fromGod's faith for our faith, in a
sense.
Melissa (12:41):
Yeah.
Lenny (12:42):
So that we could have some of his faithfulness.
Melissa (12:45):
Because that's how we are faithful.
Lenny (12:47):
And we project that back to him.
Melissa (12:51):
Yes.
Lenny (12:51):
In worship and in honor.
Melissa (12:53):
Yes.
Lenny (12:54):
So it's kind of a two-way street in that way.
Melissa (12:57):
The only way we can believe and be saved and believe
and have faith is if he givesit to us.
Lenny (13:03):
Yeah, and he has it for us, and that's why it's so
stable, because his faith isactually what's carrying us and
giving us ours.
Melissa (13:10):
Right.
Lenny (13:11):
And even if we run out, he's always got some left.
Melissa (13:14):
When we are not faithful, he remains faithful.
Very comforting.
Lenny (13:18):
What would be the opposite of living by faith and
what is the significance of that?
The opposite of living by faith, in their days especially,
would be living by the law.
Melissa (13:29):
Yes.
Lenny (13:30):
By living by the law, I mean not in a faithful sense,
not following God's commandsbecause you love him, but
following them because youbelieve you're getting right
with God through them.
That was the flaw in themindset of the first century
Jews they thought they werebeing right with God because of
(13:50):
the law, and they weren't evenfollowing it correctly.
They were making up their ownrules in order to allow
themselves, in their minds, tobe obedient to the law, because
if you follow the law truthfully, it proves that you're a sinner
.
They followed it erroneously,proving to themselves, in their
(14:11):
own minds, that they wererighteous.
Melissa (14:13):
They made little loopholes.
Lenny (14:15):
And that's why Jesus called them hypocrites.
Melissa (14:17):
Yes.
Lenny (14:18):
When Paul says it is written, the righteous shall
live by faith, he's actuallyquoting scripture, he's not just
saying it.
A lot of people don't catchthese things.
Paul quotes scripture.
He's saying, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
faith.
Melissa (14:34):
He gets that from Habakkuk 2.4, and it reads like
this Behold, as for the proudone, his soul is not right
within him, but the righteouswill live by his faith.
Lenny (14:48):
So what do you say this Old Covenant passage refers to?
What is he referring to?
You said it earlier when yousaid by Christ for Christ, he's
referring to Christ.
The righteous shall live by hisfaith.
It's the same thing Paul istalking about here in this
passage by faith for faith.
And it was quoted before Christ, one of many passages talking
(15:12):
about Christ before he came.
Who would be the proud one it'stalking about?
Well, those would be the Jewsfollowing it's talking about.
Melissa (15:16):
Well, those would be the Jews following the law, like
you were just talking of.
Lenny (15:20):
Exactly.
The proud ones here would bethe Jews who believed in their
own righteousness through thelaw, or it could even be the
Jews who did not believe in therighteousness of the law and
obeyed other gods.
It could be one of any of thosetwo things, but who would the
righteous one be?
Melissa (15:40):
The righteous ones are those who believe in Yeshua.
Lenny (15:44):
Yeah, the righteous will live by his faith.
He's again talking about thefuture believers in Christ.
He's talking about therighteous will live by his faith
.
Melissa (15:54):
So wasn't he kind of saying to the Jews at that time
behold, keep in mind, listen up.
As for the proud one, you whothink you're following all these
laws, your soul's not rightwithin you.
That would really make themthink, like what does that mean?
Because they didn't know aboutChrist at that time?
Yeah, but the righteous willlive by his faith.
That probably left themscratching their heads, right,
(16:15):
Because they didn't know at thattime.
Lenny (16:18):
Yeah, and actually that brings me to my next question
Whose faith will they live?
By Yeshua and Yahweh.
Yahweh's faithfulness, they'lllive by his faith.
They'll have faith in him.
You know that return scenariothat we were talking about.
He gives you faith and we canproject that back to him From
faith for faith.
So did obedience to the lawgive you faith?
(16:40):
Not one bit, no, not at all.
It would either make you proudor it would make you humble one
or the other.
The faithful would be humbledby the law, the proud would
become self-righteous.
And that self-righteousness, ifyou follow Scripture them
always worshiping other gods itjust kind of leads them astray.
(17:01):
Their own efforts always leadthem away from God's
faithfulness.
Melissa (17:06):
Sure, making them think I don't need anything else.
I'm good I got this.
Lenny (17:12):
Religion does not bring us closer to Yahweh.
Only closer to ourselvesReligion does not bring us
closer to Yahweh, Only closer toourselves.
This passage that we read inHabakkuk also is quoted in
Galatians and Hebrews.
Melissa (17:23):
In Galatians 3.11 we read Now that no one is
justified by the law before Godis evident for the righteous man
shall live by faith.
Lenny (17:34):
So, according to Paul, how many people were justified
by the law here?
No one.
No one is justified by the lawno one.
I think there's certain peopleout there that don't realize
that yet.
For example, if you were goingto build a temple in Israel or
something and had an idea thatthat was going to justify
(17:54):
anybody.
Melissa (17:55):
You'd have to be ignoring that passage.
Lenny (17:57):
It's kind of silly, and so many others.
Melissa (17:59):
It is.
Lenny (18:00):
Does this passage display a contrast between law and
grace?
Melissa (18:04):
Yes, it does.
Lenny (18:05):
A strong contrast.
There is no mixing those twothings.
Law and grace do not mix, andthe covenant age of grace is
upon us.
Law is over, forever Foreveryone.
That's right, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
So was our Habakkuk 2.4 passagea prophecy about what was to
(18:27):
come.
Melissa (18:28):
Absolutely.
Lenny (18:29):
Yeah, it was about Christ .
If faith existed under the law,what was the difference in
faith then and now?
Because the righteous will liveby faith would have also
applied to the forefathers,would it not?
They had faith.
Abraham had faith.
Moses had faith.
They had faith.
Melissa (18:49):
But now the gospel has come.
Lenny (18:51):
So, from my vantage point , the difference is they had
faith in what was coming.
We have faith in what has come.
Melissa (19:00):
Yes, that's the way to say it.
Lenny (19:01):
They believe in what was going to happen.
We believe in what has happened.
Melissa (19:07):
Yes.
Lenny (19:08):
Nothing more is going to happen in that way.
It's all happened.
Melissa (19:12):
We see this passage quoted again in Hebrews Hebrews,
10.38 reads but my righteousone shall live by faith, and if
he shrinks back, my soul has nopleasure in him.
Lenny (19:25):
So, being that the letter of Hebrews was written to
Hebrews, which were Jews, whatstruggles do we see them facing?
It takes some insight intoHebrews to understand this, but,
knowing how the letter ofHebrews is written and the
context, the struggles that theywere facing was Judaism, the
Judaizers, many of which wereChrist-rejecting, some of which
(19:50):
were promoting Jesus plusJudaism.
Melissa (19:54):
And the ones that were're calling Christian scum.
Lenny (19:58):
So would Yahweh have pleasure in those who rejected
his son?
Absolutely not.
In a sense here it seems thatthe context of who he has no
pleasure in is Christ rejectingJewish people.
The letter to the Hebrews isvery much in its context
directed, talking about christrejecting jews, and he's talking
(20:22):
a lot about christ rejectingjews because the christ
rejecting jews were convincingjewish christians to go back to
the law.
They were trying to get them toreject christ.
So the next question is didthose who reject Christ, yeshua,
try and convince Christians togo back to the law?
Yes, that's what they weredoing in the letter of the
(20:43):
Hebrews.
So who would be the ones whoshrink back?
It's those who rejected Messiah.
They were the holy people.
They rejected their Messiah.
That's the whole theme of theletter of the Hebrews.
It talks very much about Christrejecting Jews and people often
take those passages as toChristians and it's very
dangerous.
The Bible is like a weapon inthat way.
(21:06):
If you pull it out of context,it can be very dangerous.
Melissa (21:10):
That's again why we should all know Yahweh and
Yeshua, our history and ouridentity by reading it.
Lenny (21:17):
It's not a scary thing.
I think the biggest problem iswhat we could call what Yeshua
called the leaven of thePharisees.
It's the influence of theinstitutions that makes our
Bibles impossible to understand,because you're reading it in
light of error.
You're going in with an errantmindset as soon as you start
(21:38):
reading because of what you'veheard taught Some things not so
wrong, almost everythingcompletely wrong.
Melissa (21:46):
And if you're under the spell of thinking that you have
to go to these institutions andyou have to listen to people
with credentials, well then,that's how you're always going
to read your Bible.
Lenny (21:56):
And that's the leaven of the institutions.
It produces that thinking.
It guilts you for not havingenough to do with the
institution.
They may teach some things thatare good, but their influence
causes you to take in all oftheir teaching, and when you put
all of their teaching together,it just leaves you around in
(22:17):
circles.
Melissa (22:19):
Getting back to the ones who shrink back, the author
of Hebrews actually goes on totell the faithful but we are not
those who shrink back and aredestroyed, but of those who have
faith and preserve their souls.
Lenny (22:33):
So if the author knew the faithful were not those who
shrink back, why does he seem totell them this as if it
pertains to them in some sense?
That goes back to what I wasjust talking about.
He was talking in depth to themabout the Christ-rejecting Jews
who were trying to deceive them.
It was a lot like John's firstepistle, 1 John, where he's
(22:56):
talking to them about those whowere deceiving them.
And so if we take thesepassages as written to
Christians, we just butcher ourfaith.
We just ruin our doctrine.
The letter of the Hebrews isvery similar and actually Romans
.
We're going to get into it andyou're going to see the same
thing.
Paul talks about Christrejecters in certain passages
and you hear people just goingcrazy over you can lose your
(23:20):
salvation.
Paul says it right here.
We have to be aware of this inour scripture, we have to be
aware of these things, and sowe're going to find these things
as we study.
But, getting back to our Romanspassages for some more insight,
we're going to read verses 16and 17 together this time, for I
am not ashamed of the gospel?
Melissa (23:37):
some more insight.
We're going to read verses 16and 17 together this time, for I
am not ashamed of the gospel,for it is the power of God for
salvation to everyone whobelieves, to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek, for in it therighteousness of God is
revealed from faith.
For faith, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
(23:58):
faith.
Lenny (24:00):
In Paul's letter to the Romans he directs his points at
times to Jews and other times toGentiles, but his letters to
both, both Jew and Gentile,benefit from all of his teaching
.
But we need to discern theproper context to have the most
spiritual gain.
For example, it is helpful forthose who were not Jews to
understand that therighteousness of Christ Yeshua,
(24:22):
which was considered by Paul tobe apart from the law, was
actually announced by Moses withthe declaration of the law.
That's right.
The righteousness of Christ isactually found within the law.
The promise of the new covenantwas given with the old covenant
.
Melissa (24:39):
Wow.
In Deuteronomy we read,starting with chapter 18, verse
15, the Lord, your God, willraise up for you a prophet like
me, from among you, from yourbrothers.
It is him you shall listen to.
Lenny (24:55):
Did Christ Yeshua come from among their people, the
people of Israel?
He sure did.
Did Moses make it clear who wasmore important between him and
this prophet who is Yeshua?
Melissa (25:07):
Well, he said it's him you shall listen to.
Lenny (25:10):
Yeah, he didn't say me, did he?
He did not Kind of interestingbecause Moses has a lot to say
about the law, but he says youshould listen to him.
Melissa (25:20):
Wow, that's a good catch.
Lenny (25:23):
And then in verse 18 he continues.
Melissa (25:26):
I will raise up for them a prophet like you, from
among their brothers, and I willput my words in his mouth and
he shall speak to them all thatI command him.
Lenny (25:37):
Who put the words in the mouth of Christ Yeshua.
According to this prophecy,Yahweh.
Yahweh or the highway.
Did he speak?
Only some of what was commandedto him.
Melissa (25:49):
All that I commanded him.
Lenny (25:50):
He did everything.
And then we read on in verse 19.
So, going back to our passagesin John's Gospel, we can observe
this requirement.
John 6.29 reads that's Yeshuaspeaking there.
(26:17):
And then in chapter 14, verse 6, he says he says I am the way
and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the fatherexcept through me.
So was this requirement fromfaith and for faith why it was
did this require any specialworks or deeds on their part?
Melissa (26:41):
being that the work of god, is that we believe in
Yeshua, I say no.
Lenny (26:47):
Yeah, and whose work was it that you believe?
The work of Yeshua?
It says it right there the workof God is this that you believe
.
Melissa (26:57):
That's right.
I love that.
It's just so straightforward.
Lenny (27:02):
Is there peace in knowing that the work has been done?
Melissa (27:05):
There is endless peace in knowing the work has been
done.
That is the peace.
That is the peace, that's theonly peace.
Lenny (27:12):
Peace on earth that you hear about in that Christmas
song Peace on earth.
Melissa (27:17):
That's how we have it.
That's the only way to have it.
Lenny (27:19):
It's not literal peace on earth.
People aren't just gettingalong out there are they?
Melissa (27:23):
They never were and never will.
But those who have Yeshua willforever have peace.
Lenny (27:30):
Absolutely.
Melissa (27:30):
Here and once we're with him.
Lenny (27:33):
Yeah, heaven, and just like with faith, we can give
that peace unto others.
We've been given it and we candistribute that to others
because we've been given it.
Melissa (27:42):
Yes, and because it's so wonderful and comforting and
we know that it's the only wayto live, we want to share it.
That's why we want to share thegospel.
Lenny (27:53):
As we read further in Deuteronomy, we see that the
rejection of Christ Yeshua wouldnot be a surprise to Yahweh.
In fact, he knew the outcomelong before the events took
place and even told the holynation of Israel these things in
detail through Moses.
Melissa (28:18):
Deuteronomy 31, 29.
And in the days to come, evilwill befall you because you will
do what is evil in the sight ofthe Lord, provoking him to
anger, through the work of yourhands.
Lenny (28:32):
Kind of interesting that he declares this with the law,
isn't it?
And then he goes on in chapter32, verses 4 through 5, to say
something even more interesting.
Melissa (28:42):
The rock.
His work is perfect, for allhis ways are justice, a God of
faithfulness and withoutiniquity.
Just and upright is he.
They have dealt corruptly withhim.
They are no longer his childrenbecause they are blemished.
They are a crooked and twistedgeneration.
Lenny (29:05):
So who's the rock in this passage?
Melissa (29:07):
Yeshua.
Lenny (29:08):
He's mentioned again when Moses is distributing the law
to everybody.
Melissa (29:13):
You're right, he's embedded in there.
They just didn't realize.
Lenny (29:19):
I think most people realize Christ is the rock.
Melissa (29:21):
If you don't look it up , he's the rock.
Lenny (29:23):
What did Christ Yeshua and his apostles declare about
the Jewish leaders in theirgeneration?
Christ Yeshua and his apostlesdeclared almost the same exact
thing about the Jewish leadersin their generation.
It was almost like they werequoting this.
They are a crooked and twistedgeneration, Perverted I mean all
the words that they use.
(29:44):
It sounds just like that,doesn't it?
It does, Because it's aboutthem.
Was Christ just and upright andwithout iniquity?
Melissa (29:52):
You better believe it.
Lenny (29:53):
Like a rock.
Did the first century Jews dealwith him corruptly?
Melissa (29:59):
Well being that they crucified him.
Lenny (30:01):
I think the answer is a unanimous yes, what was?
The result of their corruptdealings with their Messiah Well
being that they crucified him?
I think the answer is aunanimous yes.
What was the result of theircorrupt dealings with their
Messiah.
Melissa (30:11):
Separation from God.
Lenny (30:12):
Yes, god divorced the nation of Israel.
They're no longer his children.
The nation of Israel is nolonger children of God, because
they are blemished.
Melissa (30:23):
We read about that.
God divorced them.
Lenny (30:25):
you literally divorce them the book of Malachi was all
about that pretty fast.
It was like his letter ofdismissal because Christ was the
bridegroom you know, to them,specifically to Israel, and he
rejected them so an adulterousand corrupt generation and so
they were blemished and they'reno longer his children.
(30:46):
That's something that peoplecan't wrap their heads around
today.
Melissa (30:50):
The ones who didn't believe were no longer.
Those that did believe are theremnant, along with the Gentiles
.
Lenny (30:56):
Yeah, there were Jewish Christians, Jewish brothers and
sisters in Christ.
That was the first century Jews.
That was when the law was stillin effect.
That was when judaism was areal thing.
We no longer have that todayand we're no longer going to
have that.
The lineage is gone, temple'sgone.
God is not instructing anybodyto build another one, so anybody
(31:17):
that's supporting anything likethat should reconsider the fact
that they are actually possiblymore Jewish than they are
Christian.
So true, and I don't meanJewish in a real sense, because
the true Jews accepted Messiah.
Getting back to our Romanspassage Romans 1, 16 through 17.
Melissa (31:38):
I love this, for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for
it is the power of God forsalvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first, andalso to the Greek, for it is the
righteousness of God, for in itthe righteousness of God is
revealed from faith.
For faith, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
(32:02):
faith.
Lenny (32:03):
By law, by faith, by law by faith.
We read of this very topic inPaul's letter to the Galatians.
These passages written by Paulwere directed toward Jewish
Christians, but can teach allChristians much about our Lord
and the new covenant he made,including all people, not only
the Jews.
Galatians 3, 22-23.
Melissa (32:25):
But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin
so that the promise by faith inJesus Christ might be given to
those who believe.
Now, before faith came, we wereheld captive under the law,
imprisoned until the comingfaith would be revealed.
Lenny (32:45):
What was the coming faith ?
Melissa (32:47):
It was the gospel, the gift of Yeshua.
Lenny (32:50):
It was Yeshua, wasn't it?
It was as you said.
It was Christ.
When would the coming faith berevealed?
It was Christ.
It was when Christ revealedhimself.
But actually he didn't reallyfully reveal himself until
Pentecost, when the Spirit wasgiven, because they really had
no clue before then.
Melissa (33:08):
But he did say, when John the Baptist, when the dove
landed on his shoulder and Godsaid this is my son.
Lenny (33:16):
Yeah.
Melissa (33:17):
He was revealed.
He said I'm the way, the truthand the light.
Lenny (33:21):
But, like we've talked about, there was the gospel
before the cross and then thegospel and the light.
But, like we've talked about,there was the gospel before the
cross and then the gospel.
After the cross it increased inpower because of perception and
understanding.
The gospel was there all along,but it was not fully revealed
until the spirit was given.
They didn't know exactly whatchrist was going to do and how
(33:41):
he was going to do it, eventhough, if you really study
prophecy, it was there all along, but the angels nor the human
beings had it figured out.
We continue in verses 24 and 26.
Melissa (33:55):
What does Paul say was the purpose of the law here.
Lenny (34:17):
To lead to Christ.
So what makes us sons of Godthrough faith?
Christ Jesus?
Exactly, it's Christ.
When did the new covenant begin?
Because christ yeshua taughtunder law, so it's not when
christ came per se.
It's when he completed acertain work that he came to do,
(34:37):
and it was at pentecost whenfaith was revealed.
Melissa (34:43):
Yes, he had to die, rise again and then give us the
Holy Spirit.
Lenny (34:49):
And then our eyes were opened.
We realize that his blood wasshed and cleanses us, as Hebrews
says, made perfect forever byhis sacrifice, and then he gave
us his spirit.
He gave the Christians then hisspirit.
He gives us his spirit now andchristians then his spirit.
He gives us his spirit now andit's the seal of our eternal
life and it's that peace we weretalking about absolutely, and
(35:12):
we continue in verses 27 through29 for as many of you were
baptized into christ, have puton christ.
Melissa (35:19):
There is neither jew nor greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is neithermale nor female.
So are Jew and Gentilebelievers now one.
From God's view, we are all one.
Lenny (35:43):
Yeah, it's a mystery that Paul fully reveals later in
Romans.
So are you, as a Christian, asholy as the ancient Jews of the
first covenant?
Melissa (35:56):
Sure are.
Lenny (35:57):
Actually more holy.
Melissa (35:58):
That's what I was going to say.
Lenny (36:00):
Paul reveals that in the mystery of true Israel Was
Abraham highly regarded amongthe Jews.
Melissa (36:08):
Abraham was not a Jew.
Lenny (36:10):
That's true.
Melissa (36:11):
There were no Jews.
Lenny (36:13):
But Israel came from Abraham.
Melissa (36:15):
That's right.
Lenny (36:16):
He was a patriarch to the .
Jews.
So was Abraham under the firstcovenant law when he was
declared faithful by God.
Melissa (36:24):
No.
Lenny (36:25):
No, he wasn't.
Was God's new covenant with theJews the same as the new
covenant with the Gentiles?
Melissa (36:32):
That it was.
Lenny (36:33):
It's the same.
He says we're one in this newfaith.
Same covenant Jew and Gentile.
We have the same covenant withGod.
You guys Anybody followingHageeie turn the tv off now.
Is there another covenantcoming that will change any of
this?
Melissa (36:53):
prophecy has been fulfilled.
Lenny (36:55):
Book is closed it's an everlasting covenant, according
to our scriptures, never to endlike you said.
The book is closed.
Our bible isn't an openprophecy waiting for somebody to
write some more stuff in.
It's done, case closed, andchrist is living in and through
every one of us and again thatgives us so much peace the heart
(37:17):
of christ is still beating inthe world today forever so
that's what we got for this week, guys.
I hope you join us next week.
I believe we'll be continuingto dive into our Roman study
unless I get distracted bysomething really cool and bring
that to you guys.
We're starting to get into somemeat here, so keep on joining
us and don't forget, you can getthese study guides at
(37:40):
wakinguptogracecom.
You can actually go to thedescription section of this
podcast episode on your platformand click on the link to the
episode and that will lead youto where the study guide is.
And don't be afraid to leave usa review on your favorite
podcast platform and spread thegospel through algorithms.
Thanks a lot, you guys, andhave a good day out there.
announcement (38:02):
Thank you for listening to the Waking Up to
Grace podcast brought to you bythe finished work of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
If you enjoyed today's episode,we would love to hear from you.
You can send encouragement ourway right from our episodes and
transcripts page or reach Lennyprivately from the contact form
at wakinguptogracecom.
Hello and welcome to the Waking Up to Grace
podcast, where we celebrate andexplore the finished work of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Tune in to the Waking Up toGrace podcast on every major
platform.
You can also listen to ourepisodes and read our full
transcripts atwakinguptogracecom.
And now here's Lenny.
Lenny (00:22):
Welcome back to the podcast.
Everyone.
Good morning.
Just wanted to the podcast.
Everyone.
Good morning.
Just wanted to make a quickannouncement.
I'm not really going to begoing over any of the details of
the announcement, but I've madesome changes to the website,
some of our past episodes andvarious things that we're pretty
excited about, and I justwanted to let you guys know that
(00:42):
some changes have been made andyou can check out those changes
on our community page atWakingUpToGracecom.
Just go on toWakingUpToGracecom, hit on the
community page tab and you'llsee my post with the various
changes that I made.
So if you want to check thatout, please do.
But today we're just going toget right into it.
(01:04):
We're going to be continuingour Roman study with Romans,
chapter 1, verses 16 and 17.
So just two verses today, witha whole lot of studying to do.
Yeehaw, we're going to bedigging in and it's going to be
good.
Melissa (01:21):
So, starting with Romans 1.16, we read For I am
not ashamed of the gospel, forit is the power of God for
salvation to everyone whobelieves, to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek.
Lenny (01:37):
So my first question is why do you think Paul might have
declared that he was notashamed of the gospel?
Paul might have declared thathe was not ashamed of the gospel
.
I'd like to look at a referencepassage as an example of what
Paul might be speaking of here,to give us a little something to
talk about.
Melissa (01:56):
In 1 Corinthians 4, verses 11-14, we read and thirst
.
We are poorly dressed andbuffeted, homeless and we labor,
working with our hands.
When reviled, we bless.
When persecuted, we endure.
When slandered, we entreat.
Lenny (02:16):
We have become and are still like the scum of being
ashamed of the gospel to hisaudience.
Melissa (02:37):
Yeah, everything he was willing to go through because
he knew the value of the truth,of the gospel message.
Lenny (02:44):
Right.
Shows he was not ashamed, butthey were being shamed
everywhere they went.
Imagine being considered thescum of the earth for your
beliefs.
The scum of the earth.
Melissa (02:57):
I don't think that's something we can really imagine
here in America.
Lenny (03:01):
Absolutely.
I mean, there's people outthere that would consider you
that.
But as a whole our religion ispretty well accepted, socially
accepted in a sense.
Melissa (03:13):
True.
Lenny (03:18):
People might not want to hear what Christians have to say
, might not seem interested, butbut we're not really viewed, at
least at this time, as scum ofthe earth.
Melissa (03:23):
Exactly.
Lenny (03:24):
The next question would be would you say that Paul found
it to be important to not beashamed of the gospel, and why?
Why would it be important notto be ashamed of the gospel?
That's why I brought up thatCorinthians passage.
It was important for them tonot be ashamed of the gospel,
because the gospel was the powerof God for salvation and they
(03:45):
were being shamed for it.
Melissa (03:51):
Right, and if you're focusing on your shame, then
you're not focusing on youridentity as beloved children,
amen.
Lenny (03:55):
So do you think it's just as important for Christians
today as it was then to not beashamed of the gospel?
Even though we live in asociety as we said, that is not
gospel.
Even though we live in asociety as we said, that is not
necessarily constantly shamingus when we come out with
something, or just if you sayyou're a Christian, they're not
shaming you.
But is it just as importanttoday as it was then?
Melissa (04:17):
It sure is.
Lenny (04:18):
I think it is Going into the next question.
Do you see Christians beingshamed today?
And we absolutely do, but it'sin a different way and I think
most of the shame that we get isfrom other Christians.
Melissa (04:34):
There's a lot of that, yeah.
Lenny (04:35):
When you share the truth of Christ, when you oppose
legalism, you start to get theidea that people think you're
kind of the scum of the earththat you are giving people a
license to sin.
Melissa (04:54):
The power of the cross offends people who call
themselves Christians?
Yes, it does, and a lot of thatis that attitude of if we have
to follow these rules andregulations, so do you.
Lenny (05:02):
But then we also have in other countries.
Christians are beingslaughtered for their beliefs
and the media is not evensharing these things with us.
When we turn on the news andwhen we talk to people in our
country, the Holocaust inGermany was the event that comes
to our mind.
We're always like, oh, thosepoor people, and it was a very
(05:25):
sad event.
But why are people holdingthese other world leaders in
high regards on the media whoare killing Christians?
And do you realize that theseother leaders in the Olympics
are killing Christians?
And we're rejoicing and talkingabout how great they are and
what they're doing for theirculture?
It's ridiculous.
So there's Christians allaround the world being shamed.
(05:47):
We're just not seeing it, and Ithink that's intentional.
Melissa (05:52):
Definitely so.
If we take an honest look atthese other countries, we would
find that the Christians thereare poorly dressed, buffeted,
homeless.
They are seen as scum of theworld and they're being killed
for it.
Lenny (06:06):
Absolutely, and I even heard it said that there are
more Christians around the worldbeing killed right now in our
days than ever in history.
Yeah, I heard that too, and yetyou don't hear it talked about.
You don't hear our governmenttalking about it.
You don't hear the mediatalking about it.
What's the deal with that?
(06:30):
Who's running the media?
Melissa (06:30):
the media only seems to care about the temple being
built in israel.
Lenny (06:32):
Something's very wrong with that didn't want to get too
far down that tangent, but youcan't help but be a little bit
bothered by that, can you?
Melissa (06:39):
no, and I know something that we did in our
life was turn off the TV andstart opening our Bibles.
I just want to extend thatthought to people.
Maybe we should be turning offour TV, maybe we should be
paying attention to where we'reat.
Lenny (06:52):
The real news is in the Bible.
Melissa (06:53):
Yes.
Lenny (06:54):
Our Bible is the truth.
You're going to turn on the TV.
You're going to listen to yourfavorite politician and look for
the truth.
You're not going to find itthere, but when you open up your
bible, you're going to findtruth.
You are.
So if you want to fill yourmind with truth, then start
studying.
Scripture protects us from thelies right.
You find that the more you knowabout scripture, the more you
(07:17):
can see through all of the liesthat are going on in the world
today all of them, and there areso many more than people
realize.
Melissa (07:24):
I just wanted to say one more thing about Christians
being shamed today.
When we talk about in the othercountries what these people are
having to go through, it makesme feel pretty weak, because I
know here in America you and Ihave mentioned that it seems
like there's a we're not beingshamed, but we're being silenced
and we really need to stand upfor that.
(07:44):
That needs to stop.
It's been going on a long timeand it's getting much worse, and
so if these people in othercountries can risk their lives,
it sure seems like we could riskour pride here of just having
somebody get mad at you fortrying to talk about the gospel
or hurt your feelings.
I think that we need to, uh,just be okay with that here to
(08:05):
stand up for the gospel notbeing silenced in America.
Lenny (08:09):
Amen.
So, looking back at verse 16,why did Paul say the gospel was
the power of God for salvation,to the Jew first, then to the
Greek?
Melissa (08:20):
Because the Jews were God's people first, and then he
extended the gospel to thegentile exactly christ's
ministry was to the jews.
Lenny (08:29):
He came to them first.
He sent paul out to thegentiles, so the gospel came to
the jews first and then to thegentiles.
It's important to know it isbecause we actually believe in
the God of Israel.
Melissa (08:44):
Yes.
Lenny (08:45):
So they would follow that we'd want to learn about the
God of Israel.
Our Old Testament of our Bible,is important.
Melissa (08:52):
It is important.
And another important point isthat the Jews needed the gospel
too.
Lenny (08:58):
Exactly.
Melissa (08:59):
Just because they were God's people first doesn't mean
they were good to go Right.
They needed the gospel.
Lenny (09:05):
So what does Paul list as the requirement for salvation
in this passage?
It's the gospel.
Exactly, it's Christ.
Christ is the requirement forsalvation, isn't he?
Does this line up with whatYeshua declared to be the work
of God in John 6, 29?
Go ahead and read John 6, 29,melissa.
Melissa (09:24):
This is the work of God , that you believe in Him, whom
he has sent.
Lenny (09:28):
Who did he send?
Melissa (09:30):
He sent.
Lenny (09:30):
Yeshua Alright, so the Messiah has come.
To whom did Yeshua make thefollowing statement?
Melissa (09:38):
I am the way and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me.
Lenny (09:45):
That's in John, chapter 14, and that's Christ Yeshua
speaking to a Jewish audience.
He's telling the Jews directlyI am the way, I am the truth, I
am the life.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me.
Kind of a funny thing thatthere's actually Christian
(10:07):
preachers in America here thatsay the Jews have a different
covenant with.
Melissa (10:09):
God.
Lenny (10:09):
Yes, they say they don't need Jesus.
They just need to rebuild thetemple and keep their covenant
with God.
That doesn't sound like thatjives with the gospel, does it?
Melissa (10:18):
Not at all.
Somebody like John Hagee is avery dangerous person.
Lenny (10:23):
Yeah, and he's a warped political figure as well.
Melissa (10:26):
Exactly.
Lenny (10:27):
Loves his politics, just like the first century Jews did.
Melissa (10:31):
So stay away from him and anything he's spewing out.
Lenny (10:35):
So why would he declare this to a people who had the law
and the prophets?
Why would Christ declare thatto them?
Because it was true, yeah, andthey didn't know it, and because
some of them would be saved bythat.
Melissa (10:49):
Yes, a remnant.
Lenny (10:51):
A remnant Continuing into Romans, verse 117, since we
promised to go through 16 and 17.
Melissa (11:00):
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
, from faith for faith.
As it is written, the righteousshall live by faith.
Lenny (11:12):
So the question is had the righteousness of God been
revealed before Christ?
No, and I would agree and Iwould disagree.
It had not been revealed in away that people could see it,
seemingly because they had noclue what was going on.
But the gospel was revealedsince the beginning of time.
(11:33):
It was actually given to themwith Moses, and we're going to
talk about that a little bitlater.
Melissa (11:39):
So you're right and you're wrong.
Lenny (11:42):
What do you think Paul means by from faith for faith?
What do you think he means bythat, Melissa?
Melissa (11:48):
Well, I was thinking two things.
You look at faith as Christ,then we receive the
righteousness of God from Christ.
For Christ, because we are histhe Father gave us to him as a
gift.
Lenny (12:03):
And that's really cool.
That's something that a lot ofpeople don't really put a lot of
thought into.
Melissa (12:07):
Yeah.
Lenny (12:08):
We were his gift that he suffered for.
Melissa (12:11):
Yes.
Lenny (12:12):
I mean that makes him really pleased about us.
We were a gift to him.
Melissa (12:17):
Yes.
Lenny (12:18):
That's pretty cool.
Melissa (12:19):
That is just.
Lenny (12:20):
He cherishes us.
Melissa (12:22):
Yes, I also think it means faith was given to us from
Yahweh, from Yeshua, for faith,so that we could believe, for
belief so that we could be saved.
Lenny (12:34):
In order that we could have faith.
So it was kind of like fromGod's faith for our faith, in a
sense.
Melissa (12:41):
Yeah.
Lenny (12:42):
So that we could have some of his faithfulness.
Melissa (12:45):
Because that's how we are faithful.
Lenny (12:47):
And we project that back to him.
Melissa (12:51):
Yes.
Lenny (12:51):
In worship and in honor.
Melissa (12:53):
Yes.
Lenny (12:54):
So it's kind of a two-way street in that way.
Melissa (12:57):
The only way we can believe and be saved and believe
and have faith is if he givesit to us.
Lenny (13:03):
Yeah, and he has it for us, and that's why it's so
stable, because his faith isactually what's carrying us and
giving us ours.
Melissa (13:10):
Right.
Lenny (13:11):
And even if we run out, he's always got some left.
Melissa (13:14):
When we are not faithful, he remains faithful.
Very comforting.
Lenny (13:18):
What would be the opposite of living by faith and
what is the significance of that?
The opposite of living by faith, in their days especially,
would be living by the law.
Melissa (13:29):
Yes.
Lenny (13:30):
By living by the law, I mean not in a faithful sense,
not following God's commandsbecause you love him, but
following them because youbelieve you're getting right
with God through them.
That was the flaw in themindset of the first century
Jews they thought they werebeing right with God because of
(13:50):
the law, and they weren't evenfollowing it correctly.
They were making up their ownrules in order to allow
themselves, in their minds, tobe obedient to the law, because
if you follow the law truthfully, it proves that you're a sinner
.
They followed it erroneously,proving to themselves, in their
(14:11):
own minds, that they wererighteous.
Melissa (14:13):
They made little loopholes.
Lenny (14:15):
And that's why Jesus called them hypocrites.
Melissa (14:17):
Yes.
Lenny (14:18):
When Paul says it is written, the righteous shall
live by faith, he's actuallyquoting scripture, he's not just
saying it.
A lot of people don't catchthese things.
Paul quotes scripture.
He's saying, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
faith.
Melissa (14:34):
He gets that from Habakkuk 2.4, and it reads like
this Behold, as for the proudone, his soul is not right
within him, but the righteouswill live by his faith.
Lenny (14:48):
So what do you say this Old Covenant passage refers to?
What is he referring to?
You said it earlier when yousaid by Christ for Christ, he's
referring to Christ.
The righteous shall live by hisfaith.
It's the same thing Paul istalking about here in this
passage by faith for faith.
And it was quoted before Christ, one of many passages talking
(15:12):
about Christ before he came.
Who would be the proud one it'stalking about?
Well, those would be the Jewsfollowing it's talking about.
Melissa (15:16):
Well, those would be the Jews following the law, like
you were just talking of.
Lenny (15:20):
Exactly.
The proud ones here would bethe Jews who believed in their
own righteousness through thelaw, or it could even be the
Jews who did not believe in therighteousness of the law and
obeyed other gods.
It could be one of any of thosetwo things, but who would the
righteous one be?
Melissa (15:40):
The righteous ones are those who believe in Yeshua.
Lenny (15:44):
Yeah, the righteous will live by his faith.
He's again talking about thefuture believers in Christ.
He's talking about therighteous will live by his faith
.
Melissa (15:54):
So wasn't he kind of saying to the Jews at that time
behold, keep in mind, listen up.
As for the proud one, you whothink you're following all these
laws, your soul's not rightwithin you.
That would really make themthink, like what does that mean?
Because they didn't know aboutChrist at that time?
Yeah, but the righteous willlive by his faith.
That probably left themscratching their heads, right,
(16:15):
Because they didn't know at thattime.
Lenny (16:18):
Yeah, and actually that brings me to my next question
Whose faith will they live?
By Yeshua and Yahweh.
Yahweh's faithfulness, they'lllive by his faith.
They'll have faith in him.
You know that return scenariothat we were talking about.
He gives you faith and we canproject that back to him From
faith for faith.
So did obedience to the lawgive you faith?
(16:40):
Not one bit, no, not at all.
It would either make you proudor it would make you humble one
or the other.
The faithful would be humbledby the law, the proud would
become self-righteous.
And that self-righteousness, ifyou follow Scripture them
always worshiping other gods itjust kind of leads them astray.
(17:01):
Their own efforts always leadthem away from God's
faithfulness.
Melissa (17:06):
Sure, making them think I don't need anything else.
I'm good I got this.
Lenny (17:12):
Religion does not bring us closer to Yahweh.
Only closer to ourselvesReligion does not bring us
closer to Yahweh, Only closer toourselves.
This passage that we read inHabakkuk also is quoted in
Galatians and Hebrews.
Melissa (17:23):
In Galatians 3.11 we read Now that no one is
justified by the law before Godis evident for the righteous man
shall live by faith.
Lenny (17:34):
So, according to Paul, how many people were justified
by the law here?
No one.
No one is justified by the lawno one.
I think there's certain peopleout there that don't realize
that yet.
For example, if you were goingto build a temple in Israel or
something and had an idea thatthat was going to justify
(17:54):
anybody.
Melissa (17:55):
You'd have to be ignoring that passage.
Lenny (17:57):
It's kind of silly, and so many others.
Melissa (17:59):
It is.
Lenny (18:00):
Does this passage display a contrast between law and
grace?
Melissa (18:04):
Yes, it does.
Lenny (18:05):
A strong contrast.
There is no mixing those twothings.
Law and grace do not mix, andthe covenant age of grace is
upon us.
Law is over, forever Foreveryone.
That's right, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
So was our Habakkuk 2.4 passagea prophecy about what was to
(18:27):
come.
Melissa (18:28):
Absolutely.
Lenny (18:29):
Yeah, it was about Christ .
If faith existed under the law,what was the difference in
faith then and now?
Because the righteous will liveby faith would have also
applied to the forefathers,would it not?
They had faith.
Abraham had faith.
Moses had faith.
They had faith.
Melissa (18:49):
But now the gospel has come.
Lenny (18:51):
So, from my vantage point , the difference is they had
faith in what was coming.
We have faith in what has come.
Melissa (19:00):
Yes, that's the way to say it.
Lenny (19:01):
They believe in what was going to happen.
We believe in what has happened.
Melissa (19:07):
Yes.
Lenny (19:08):
Nothing more is going to happen in that way.
It's all happened.
Melissa (19:12):
We see this passage quoted again in Hebrews Hebrews,
10.38 reads but my righteousone shall live by faith, and if
he shrinks back, my soul has nopleasure in him.
Lenny (19:25):
So, being that the letter of Hebrews was written to
Hebrews, which were Jews, whatstruggles do we see them facing?
It takes some insight intoHebrews to understand this, but,
knowing how the letter ofHebrews is written and the
context, the struggles that theywere facing was Judaism, the
Judaizers, many of which wereChrist-rejecting, some of which
(19:50):
were promoting Jesus plusJudaism.
Melissa (19:54):
And the ones that were're calling Christian scum.
Lenny (19:58):
So would Yahweh have pleasure in those who rejected
his son?
Absolutely not.
In a sense here it seems thatthe context of who he has no
pleasure in is Christ rejectingJewish people.
The letter to the Hebrews isvery much in its context
directed, talking about christrejecting jews, and he's talking
(20:22):
a lot about christ rejectingjews because the christ
rejecting jews were convincingjewish christians to go back to
the law.
They were trying to get them toreject christ.
So the next question is didthose who reject Christ, yeshua,
try and convince Christians togo back to the law?
Yes, that's what they weredoing in the letter of the
(20:43):
Hebrews.
So who would be the ones whoshrink back?
It's those who rejected Messiah.
They were the holy people.
They rejected their Messiah.
That's the whole theme of theletter of the Hebrews.
It talks very much about Christrejecting Jews and people often
take those passages as toChristians and it's very
dangerous.
The Bible is like a weapon inthat way.
(21:06):
If you pull it out of context,it can be very dangerous.
Melissa (21:10):
That's again why we should all know Yahweh and
Yeshua, our history and ouridentity by reading it.
Lenny (21:17):
It's not a scary thing.
I think the biggest problem iswhat we could call what Yeshua
called the leaven of thePharisees.
It's the influence of theinstitutions that makes our
Bibles impossible to understand,because you're reading it in
light of error.
You're going in with an errantmindset as soon as you start
(21:38):
reading because of what you'veheard taught Some things not so
wrong, almost everythingcompletely wrong.
Melissa (21:46):
And if you're under the spell of thinking that you have
to go to these institutions andyou have to listen to people
with credentials, well then,that's how you're always going
to read your Bible.
Lenny (21:56):
And that's the leaven of the institutions.
It produces that thinking.
It guilts you for not havingenough to do with the
institution.
They may teach some things thatare good, but their influence
causes you to take in all oftheir teaching, and when you put
all of their teaching together,it just leaves you around in
(22:17):
circles.
Melissa (22:19):
Getting back to the ones who shrink back, the author
of Hebrews actually goes on totell the faithful but we are not
those who shrink back and aredestroyed, but of those who have
faith and preserve their souls.
Lenny (22:33):
So if the author knew the faithful were not those who
shrink back, why does he seem totell them this as if it
pertains to them in some sense?
That goes back to what I wasjust talking about.
He was talking in depth to themabout the Christ-rejecting Jews
who were trying to deceive them.
It was a lot like John's firstepistle, 1 John, where he's
(22:56):
talking to them about those whowere deceiving them.
And so if we take thesepassages as written to
Christians, we just butcher ourfaith.
We just ruin our doctrine.
The letter of the Hebrews isvery similar and actually Romans
.
We're going to get into it andyou're going to see the same
thing.
Paul talks about Christrejecters in certain passages
and you hear people just goingcrazy over you can lose your
(23:20):
salvation.
Paul says it right here.
We have to be aware of this inour scripture, we have to be
aware of these things, and sowe're going to find these things
as we study.
But, getting back to our Romanspassages for some more insight,
we're going to read verses 16and 17 together this time, for I
am not ashamed of the gospel?
Melissa (23:37):
some more insight.
We're going to read verses 16and 17 together this time, for I
am not ashamed of the gospel,for it is the power of God for
salvation to everyone whobelieves, to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek, for in it therighteousness of God is
revealed from faith.
For faith, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
(23:58):
faith.
Lenny (24:00):
In Paul's letter to the Romans he directs his points at
times to Jews and other times toGentiles, but his letters to
both, both Jew and Gentile,benefit from all of his teaching
.
But we need to discern theproper context to have the most
spiritual gain.
For example, it is helpful forthose who were not Jews to
understand that therighteousness of Christ Yeshua,
(24:22):
which was considered by Paul tobe apart from the law, was
actually announced by Moses withthe declaration of the law.
That's right.
The righteousness of Christ isactually found within the law.
The promise of the new covenantwas given with the old covenant
.
Melissa (24:39):
Wow.
In Deuteronomy we read,starting with chapter 18, verse
15, the Lord, your God, willraise up for you a prophet like
me, from among you, from yourbrothers.
It is him you shall listen to.
Lenny (24:55):
Did Christ Yeshua come from among their people, the
people of Israel?
He sure did.
Did Moses make it clear who wasmore important between him and
this prophet who is Yeshua?
Melissa (25:07):
Well, he said it's him you shall listen to.
Lenny (25:10):
Yeah, he didn't say me, did he?
He did not Kind of interestingbecause Moses has a lot to say
about the law, but he says youshould listen to him.
Melissa (25:20):
Wow, that's a good catch.
Lenny (25:23):
And then in verse 18 he continues.
Melissa (25:26):
I will raise up for them a prophet like you, from
among their brothers, and I willput my words in his mouth and
he shall speak to them all thatI command him.
Lenny (25:37):
Who put the words in the mouth of Christ Yeshua.
According to this prophecy,Yahweh.
Yahweh or the highway.
Did he speak?
Only some of what was commandedto him.
Melissa (25:49):
All that I commanded him.
Lenny (25:50):
He did everything.
And then we read on in verse 19.
So, going back to our passagesin John's Gospel, we can observe
this requirement.
John 6.29 reads that's Yeshuaspeaking there.
(26:17):
And then in chapter 14, verse 6, he says he says I am the way
and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the fatherexcept through me.
So was this requirement fromfaith and for faith why it was
did this require any specialworks or deeds on their part?
Melissa (26:41):
being that the work of god, is that we believe in
Yeshua, I say no.
Lenny (26:47):
Yeah, and whose work was it that you believe?
The work of Yeshua?
It says it right there the workof God is this that you believe
.
Melissa (26:57):
That's right.
I love that.
It's just so straightforward.
Lenny (27:02):
Is there peace in knowing that the work has been done?
Melissa (27:05):
There is endless peace in knowing the work has been
done.
That is the peace.
That is the peace, that's theonly peace.
Lenny (27:12):
Peace on earth that you hear about in that Christmas
song Peace on earth.
Melissa (27:17):
That's how we have it.
That's the only way to have it.
Lenny (27:19):
It's not literal peace on earth.
People aren't just gettingalong out there are they?
Melissa (27:23):
They never were and never will.
But those who have Yeshua willforever have peace.
Lenny (27:30):
Absolutely.
Melissa (27:30):
Here and once we're with him.
Lenny (27:33):
Yeah, heaven, and just like with faith, we can give
that peace unto others.
We've been given it and we candistribute that to others
because we've been given it.
Melissa (27:42):
Yes, and because it's so wonderful and comforting and
we know that it's the only wayto live, we want to share it.
That's why we want to share thegospel.
Lenny (27:53):
As we read further in Deuteronomy, we see that the
rejection of Christ Yeshua wouldnot be a surprise to Yahweh.
In fact, he knew the outcomelong before the events took
place and even told the holynation of Israel these things in
detail through Moses.
Melissa (28:18):
Deuteronomy 31, 29.
And in the days to come, evilwill befall you because you will
do what is evil in the sight ofthe Lord, provoking him to
anger, through the work of yourhands.
Lenny (28:32):
Kind of interesting that he declares this with the law,
isn't it?
And then he goes on in chapter32, verses 4 through 5, to say
something even more interesting.
Melissa (28:42):
The rock.
His work is perfect, for allhis ways are justice, a God of
faithfulness and withoutiniquity.
Just and upright is he.
They have dealt corruptly withhim.
They are no longer his childrenbecause they are blemished.
They are a crooked and twistedgeneration.
Lenny (29:05):
So who's the rock in this passage?
Melissa (29:07):
Yeshua.
Lenny (29:08):
He's mentioned again when Moses is distributing the law
to everybody.
Melissa (29:13):
You're right, he's embedded in there.
They just didn't realize.
Lenny (29:19):
I think most people realize Christ is the rock.
Melissa (29:21):
If you don't look it up , he's the rock.
Lenny (29:23):
What did Christ Yeshua and his apostles declare about
the Jewish leaders in theirgeneration?
Christ Yeshua and his apostlesdeclared almost the same exact
thing about the Jewish leadersin their generation.
It was almost like they werequoting this.
They are a crooked and twistedgeneration, Perverted I mean all
the words that they use.
(29:44):
It sounds just like that,doesn't it?
It does, Because it's aboutthem.
Was Christ just and upright andwithout iniquity?
Melissa (29:52):
You better believe it.
Lenny (29:53):
Like a rock.
Did the first century Jews dealwith him corruptly?
Melissa (29:59):
Well being that they crucified him.
Lenny (30:01):
I think the answer is a unanimous yes, what was?
The result of their corruptdealings with their Messiah Well
being that they crucified him?
I think the answer is aunanimous yes.
What was the result of theircorrupt dealings with their
Messiah.
Melissa (30:11):
Separation from God.
Lenny (30:12):
Yes, god divorced the nation of Israel.
They're no longer his children.
The nation of Israel is nolonger children of God, because
they are blemished.
Melissa (30:23):
We read about that.
God divorced them.
Lenny (30:25):
you literally divorce them the book of Malachi was all
about that pretty fast.
It was like his letter ofdismissal because Christ was the
bridegroom you know, to them,specifically to Israel, and he
rejected them so an adulterousand corrupt generation and so
they were blemished and they'reno longer his children.
(30:46):
That's something that peoplecan't wrap their heads around
today.
Melissa (30:50):
The ones who didn't believe were no longer.
Those that did believe are theremnant, along with the Gentiles
.
Lenny (30:56):
Yeah, there were Jewish Christians, Jewish brothers and
sisters in Christ.
That was the first century Jews.
That was when the law was stillin effect.
That was when judaism was areal thing.
We no longer have that todayand we're no longer going to
have that.
The lineage is gone, temple'sgone.
God is not instructing anybodyto build another one, so anybody
(31:17):
that's supporting anything likethat should reconsider the fact
that they are actually possiblymore Jewish than they are
Christian.
So true, and I don't meanJewish in a real sense, because
the true Jews accepted Messiah.
Getting back to our Romanspassage Romans 1, 16 through 17.
Melissa (31:38):
I love this, for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for
it is the power of God forsalvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first, andalso to the Greek, for it is the
righteousness of God, for in itthe righteousness of God is
revealed from faith.
For faith, as it is written,the righteous shall live by
(32:02):
faith.
Lenny (32:03):
By law, by faith, by law by faith.
We read of this very topic inPaul's letter to the Galatians.
These passages written by Paulwere directed toward Jewish
Christians, but can teach allChristians much about our Lord
and the new covenant he made,including all people, not only
the Jews.
Galatians 3, 22-23.
Melissa (32:25):
But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin
so that the promise by faith inJesus Christ might be given to
those who believe.
Now, before faith came, we wereheld captive under the law,
imprisoned until the comingfaith would be revealed.
Lenny (32:45):
What was the coming faith ?
Melissa (32:47):
It was the gospel, the gift of Yeshua.
Lenny (32:50):
It was Yeshua, wasn't it?
It was as you said.
It was Christ.
When would the coming faith berevealed?
It was Christ.
It was when Christ revealedhimself.
But actually he didn't reallyfully reveal himself until
Pentecost, when the Spirit wasgiven, because they really had
no clue before then.
Melissa (33:08):
But he did say, when John the Baptist, when the dove
landed on his shoulder and Godsaid this is my son.
Lenny (33:16):
Yeah.
Melissa (33:17):
He was revealed.
He said I'm the way, the truthand the light.
Lenny (33:21):
But, like we've talked about, there was the gospel
before the cross and then thegospel and the light.
But, like we've talked about,there was the gospel before the
cross and then the gospel.
After the cross it increased inpower because of perception and
understanding.
The gospel was there all along,but it was not fully revealed
until the spirit was given.
They didn't know exactly whatchrist was going to do and how
(33:41):
he was going to do it, eventhough, if you really study
prophecy, it was there all along, but the angels nor the human
beings had it figured out.
We continue in verses 24 and 26.
Melissa (33:55):
What does Paul say was the purpose of the law here.
Lenny (34:17):
To lead to Christ.
So what makes us sons of Godthrough faith?
Christ Jesus?
Exactly, it's Christ.
When did the new covenant begin?
Because christ yeshua taughtunder law, so it's not when
christ came per se.
It's when he completed acertain work that he came to do,
(34:37):
and it was at pentecost whenfaith was revealed.
Melissa (34:43):
Yes, he had to die, rise again and then give us the
Holy Spirit.
Lenny (34:49):
And then our eyes were opened.
We realize that his blood wasshed and cleanses us, as Hebrews
says, made perfect forever byhis sacrifice, and then he gave
us his spirit.
He gave the Christians then hisspirit.
He gives us his spirit now andchristians then his spirit.
He gives us his spirit now andit's the seal of our eternal
life and it's that peace we weretalking about absolutely, and
(35:12):
we continue in verses 27 through29 for as many of you were
baptized into christ, have puton christ.
Melissa (35:19):
There is neither jew nor greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is neithermale nor female.
So are Jew and Gentilebelievers now one.
From God's view, we are all one.
Lenny (35:43):
Yeah, it's a mystery that Paul fully reveals later in
Romans.
So are you, as a Christian, asholy as the ancient Jews of the
first covenant?
Melissa (35:56):
Sure are.
Lenny (35:57):
Actually more holy.
Melissa (35:58):
That's what I was going to say.
Lenny (36:00):
Paul reveals that in the mystery of true Israel Was
Abraham highly regarded amongthe Jews.
Melissa (36:08):
Abraham was not a Jew.
Lenny (36:10):
That's true.
Melissa (36:11):
There were no Jews.
Lenny (36:13):
But Israel came from Abraham.
Melissa (36:15):
That's right.
Lenny (36:16):
He was a patriarch to the .
Jews.
So was Abraham under the firstcovenant law when he was
declared faithful by God.
Melissa (36:24):
No.
Lenny (36:25):
No, he wasn't.
Was God's new covenant with theJews the same as the new
covenant with the Gentiles?
Melissa (36:32):
That it was.
Lenny (36:33):
It's the same.
He says we're one in this newfaith.
Same covenant Jew and Gentile.
We have the same covenant withGod.
You guys Anybody followingHageeie turn the tv off now.
Is there another covenantcoming that will change any of
this?
Melissa (36:53):
prophecy has been fulfilled.
Lenny (36:55):
Book is closed it's an everlasting covenant, according
to our scriptures, never to endlike you said.
The book is closed.
Our bible isn't an openprophecy waiting for somebody to
write some more stuff in.
It's done, case closed, andchrist is living in and through
every one of us and again thatgives us so much peace the heart
(37:17):
of christ is still beating inthe world today forever so
that's what we got for this week, guys.
I hope you join us next week.
I believe we'll be continuingto dive into our Roman study
unless I get distracted bysomething really cool and bring
that to you guys.
We're starting to get into somemeat here, so keep on joining
us and don't forget, you can getthese study guides at
(37:40):
wakinguptogracecom.
You can actually go to thedescription section of this
podcast episode on your platformand click on the link to the
episode and that will lead youto where the study guide is.
And don't be afraid to leave usa review on your favorite
podcast platform and spread thegospel through algorithms.
Thanks a lot, you guys, andhave a good day out there.
announcement (38:02):
Thank you for listening to the Waking Up to
Grace podcast brought to you bythe finished work of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
If you enjoyed today's episode,we would love to hear from you.
You can send encouragement ourway right from our episodes and
transcripts page or reach Lennyprivately from the contact form
at wakinguptogracecom.
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