Romans - July 20, 2008

SECTION --- Four: Sanctification (6:1-8:39) .
(continued from previous Class Follow Up)

V. {Rom 6:20-23} A warning to those in Christ (the justified)
A. Introduction
1. Review — The readers have been shown the one that is obeyed is the one who is their master. Continuing the argument why they should desire not to serve sin, their ex-master.
2. Preview — The immediate and long range fruit of not being (in fact or action) a slave to sin.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What is the “fruit or benefit” of a Christian serving their ex-master sin and of not serving their ex-master sin?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (6:20) Were they slaves of sin because they were born totally depraved? What makes you said that?
a. No, context establishes they became slaves to sin because they rejected God (Rom 1:25) and all laws of merit were not designed to remove a person from God’s judicial wrath (Rom 3:20), thus, they were slaves to sin based on who they served. (cf. Rom 3:23)
2. (6:20) Were they free from righteousness because they were totally depraved, i.e., could not understand nor have any concept of what pleased God and what did not please God? Why that answer.
a. No, context establish at one time they knew God (Rom 1:19-21) and since there are but two powers — one leads to life and one leads to death (Rom 6:23) — and if you are a slave to one you are not a slave to the other is an axiom. (An example of this conflict will be seen at 7:14.)
3. (6:21) What does this have to do with the question of Rom 6:1-2?
a. If they understand the results of serving sin was of no value why would they want to continue to serve sin when they had been set free from having to serve sin.
OBSERVATION: Paul is addressing Christians, thus, this informs us a person who has been justified can serve sin and in doing so will received God’s judicial wrath for “new sins” unless they repent. (Being “re-baptized” is not required. [1Jo 1:9])
4. (6:22) States as an accepted fact they are free; what, according to the immediate context, freed the readers from sin and enslaved them to God?
OBSERVATION: There are four levels of context: Specific, Immediate (paragraph or paragraphs directly relating to specific text); Extended (book’s background and major outline); Remote (all the Bible has to say on the subject)
a. Baptism into Jesus death (Rom 6:3-7).
5. (6:21-22) After a person is set free from sin as his master, i.e., he is a slave of righteousness (Rom 6:18); after one set free what are his choices?
a. To continue serving sin and receive death or be a slave to God and be sanctified and receive, in time, eternal life.
b. (6:22) “unto” [“resulting”] = G1519. eis; used at Acts 2:38 (for); A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place or time...
(1) Justification is not the first step on the way to sanctification it is sanctification in the same manner baptism is not just the first step nor just a sign of forgiveness of sin.
6. (6:23) This is a response to the questions of 6:1-2; thus, this is a warning given to what group of people?
a. Not to those who have not been baptized (6:3-4) but to those who are in Christ — it is possible for a justified (sanctified to serve God) person to not receive eternal life.
b. To give this warning implies it is possible for Paul’s readers, the justified, to receive the wages of sin — i.e., continue serving sin by choice.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is the “fruit or benefit” of a Christian serving their ex-master sin and of not serving their ex-master sin?
1. Serving your ex-master brings death; not serving your ex-master brings eternal life.
E. Conclusion — Paul has shown, in response to why not keep on sinning, the cost of continuing to sin. You will not forfeit your justification for past sin, but you will receive God judicial wrath for continuing to serve your ex-master sin (Rom 6:6). Not serving our ex-master is a choice the justified make, not a choice forced upon or made for them against their will or desires (Rom 6:11-13).
Ponder: Is it possible for a person that has been justified (baptized into Christ’s death [Rom 6:3)) to become un-justified? [cf. Heb 10:26-27]
Thinking Out Loud: No. One may choose to not live a sanctified life, thus, spend eternity with Satan, but one is not re-baptized into Christ’s death if they choose to return to living a sanctified life (1Jo 1:9).
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A LOOK AHEAD

VI. {Rom 7:1-3}
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has established in chapter 6 those who have been justified stop serving sin as their master and now serve Christ as their master, thus, will not continue to sin — i.e., make the choice to not continue lliving as if sin is their master.
2. Preview — All laws have established the principle at some point an accepted law is put aside when the application of the law no longer applies. To properly apply Paul’s teaching it is important to remember Paul is not discussing how one is “justified” but what it means to be “sanctified”.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What does Paul’s illustration add to answering the question of (Rom 6:1-2)?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:1-3) Is Paul establishing the standard or criteria for re-marriage? If not what is the purpose of Paul’s statement?
a.
2. (7:1-2) What is it the readers know for a fact, i.e., does not need to be proven?
a.
3. (7:2) PONDER: Besides the “law of marriage” being well known why do you think Paul chose the “law of marriage” as an example of a law that ceases to be binding after one dies?
a.
4. (7:3) What does Paul’s illustration tell us about a wife’s obligation to her living husband.
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What does Paul’s illustration add to answering the question of (Rom 6:1-2)?
1.
E. Conclusion —