Romans - August 24, 2008

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

OBSERVATION (v.11): Paul was not deceived by God’s command but by the occasion of giving the commandment — “deceived me” modifies “the occasion” not “the commandment”. Paul was not deceived by God’s command but at the occasion of God giving a good command. God’s commandments do not deceive, i.e., stir up the desire to do what God forbids. God’s commands to not “murder” or not steal does not stir up a desire to murder and steal.
OBSERVATION (7:10-11) God revealed His will as a means to provide life to those doing His will, but God’s revealed will resulted in death. Sin using our God given desires (not a depraved but misused nature or desires) caused us to do what was contrary to God’s will, thus, separated us from God.
9. (7:12) What is Paul answer to the rhetorical question of Rom 7:7? How does it relate to the rhetorical question of Rom 6:1-2?
a. Living in sin is not the fault of the Law nor is it the fault of grace but it is cause by a person’s desires being seduced by Mr. Sin.
OBSERVATION (7:12) Point proven: The Law is holy and the commandments it contains are not sin. The sin is the lack of humans to control their God given desires. Desires required for the continuation of the human race.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
1. The Creator of Time, Space, and Mass (Gen 1:1) and all life, including us, reveals the way He expects us to control, for our own physical good, what He has given us (our desires and our right to chose) and Mr. Sin uses what God has given us to reject God’s desires or will.
E. Conclusion — Paul is not addressing what one must do to not be spiritually killed but why one cannot be righteous under any law depending on the power or desires of humans to be righteous — weakness of the flesh. Paul is proving the answer to question of 6:1-2 given in 6:5-7.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

IX. {Rom 7:13- 20} Desires of the Flesh Makes The Law Appear Sinful
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown a person set free from the legal obligation of serving Satan does not require the restraints of a Law of Merit to not serve Sin because the function of all Laws of Merit are not to provide salvation but to make a person aware of Sin’s influence. Paul shows the evilness of Sin in practice not in an esoteric or abstract fashion.
2. Preview — The reason God’s Law of Merit produces evil in one seeking to serve God, i.e., seeking to do God’s will. Reason why the Law is not required.
3. Two statements, each with two supports or proofs and a conclusion...
a. Rom 7: 13 (14 & 15) 16
b. Rom 7:17 (18 & 19) 20
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:13) How did something good show how utterly sinful is sin (a violation of divine law)?
a.
2. (7:14) Why is there a conflict between the Law and Paul?
a.
3. (7:14) When was Paul sold into bondage
a.
4. (7:15) Is this person “totally depraved”? The concept one is born as a sinner and will remain a sinner without a concept of right and wrong until they are given, in some better felt than told way, enlightenment by God.
a.
5. (7:16) What does Paul’s desire tell us about the Law?
a.
6. (7:17) Why is Paul is not making an excuse for sinning but explaining why the Law is not the reason for his sinning?
a.
7. Do you feel it is fair to say sin once and sin owns you? Why do you feel that way?
a.
8. (7:18) Why can Paul not do good?
a.
9. (7:19) Why does Paul practice evil?
a.
10. (7:20) What does the conflict described by Paul have to do with those wanting to retain the Law as a means to not sin (Rom 6:1-2) thinking Paul is saying the Law is bad (Rom 7:7)?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
1.
E. Conclusion —

Romans - August 17, 2008

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

OBSERVATION (7:8) Sin used the physical desires of the outward man to do what was contrary to the Creator’s will as revealed in the Law — caused the one under the Law (any law of merit) to sin.
5. (7:9) In what way did the one Paul is discussing die?
a. He was separated from God, i.e., he died spiritually
OBSERVATION (7:9) There is a point in time when one is not aware of God’s will (thus, sinless) but when they became aware of God’s will if they do the same thing they are now sinning . (cf. 1:18-23)
OBSERVATION: When one, based on their knowledge, becomes aware there is something greater than they (their Creator) it is their responsibility to discover their Creator and the Creator’s will. [Father Time & Mother Nature (evolution) are often considered the creator by many.]
6. (7:10-11) “deceived” (exapatao, G1818) = to seduce wholly; completely made me lose my way.
7. (7:10-11) From all the places where the word “deceived” is used {Rom 7:11; 16:18, 1Co 3:18, 2Co 11:3; 2Th 2:3} how were they deceived? Was it their depraved nature — i.e., they did not know they were doing wrong?
a. They became alive, became their own boss (were convinced the outward man has the right to rule), then they did what they wanted to do not what God wanted — was not a deceiving law or a sinful nature but a nature that had the ability (mature enough) to be convinced (not forced) it could do as it wished (“I am boss of me.”)
b. Even if their desires were restrained by the rules of “being a good moral person” it was still their will not God’s will they obeyed. (song “I did it my own way”)
8. (7:10-11) Why did that given by God for good seem to be evil?
a. In the battle of who to serve, God or Sin, the outward man’s desires will often win, we want to be our boss of self, thus, restrains we do not like are rejected.
(1) Serving God demands we mature to see our Creator is our boss.
b. We tell a child not to play in the street, however, a child chooses, based on a friend’s input, to play in the street. The parents rule was given for the child’s benefit but the child is convinced, by his friend, it as an unwanted restraint on his impulse, thus, in his mind bad.
c. Even if the child should agree playing in the street is bad, thus, not play in the street he is doing so not because he was told not to but because he agreed with the rule. God, as our Creator, expects us to obey even when we disagree with the rule.
OBSERVATION (v.11): Paul was not deceived by God’s command but by the occasion of giving the commandment — “deceived me” modifies “the occasion” not “the commandment”. Paul was not deceived by God’s command but at the occasion of God giving a good command. God’s commandments do not deceive, i.e., stir up the desire to do what God forbids. God’s commands to not “murder” or not steal does not stir up a desire to murder and steal.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

OBSERVATION (7:10-11) God revealed His will as a means to provide life to those doing His will, but God’s revealed will resulted in death. Sin using our God given desires (not a depraved but misused nature or desires) caused us to do what was contrary to God’s will, thus, separated us from God.
9. (7:12) What is Paul answer to the rhetorical question of Rom 7:7? How does it relate to the rhetorical question of Rom 6:1-2?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
1.
E. Conclusion —

IX. {Rom 7:13- 20} Desires of the Flesh Makes The Law Appear Sinful
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown a person set free from the legal obligation of serving Satan does not require the restraints of a Law of Merit to not serve Sin because the function of all Laws of Merit are not to provide salvation but to make a person aware of Sin’s influence. Paul shows the evilness of Sin in practice not in an esoteric or abstract fashion.
2. Preview — The reason God’s Law of Merit produces evil in one seeking to serve God, i.e., seeking to do God’s will. Reason why the Law is not required.
3. Two statements, each with two supports or proofs and a conclusion...
a. Rom 7: 13 (14 & 15) 16
b. Rom 7:17 (18 & 19) 20
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:13) How did something good show how utterly sinful is sin (a violation of divine law)?
a.
2. (7:14) Why is there a conflict between the Law and Paul?
a.
3. (7:14) When was Paul sold into bondage
a.
4. (7:15) Is this person “totally depraved”? The concept one is born as a sinner and will remain a sinner without a concept of right and wrong until they are given, in some better felt than told way, enlightenment by God.
a.
5. (7:16) What does Paul’s desire tell us about the Law?
a.
6. (7:17) Why is Paul is not making an excuse for sinning but explaining why the Law is not the reason for his sinning?
a.
7. Do you feel it is fair to say sin once and sin owns you? Why do you feel that way?
a.
8. (7:18) Why can Paul not do good?
a.
9. (7:19) Why does Paul practice evil?
a.
10. (7:20) What does the conflict described by Paul have to do with those wanting to retain the Law as a means to not sin (Rom 6:1-2) thinking Paul is saying the Law is bad (Rom 7:7)?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
1.
E. Conclusion —

Romans - August 10, 2008

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

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — According to Rom 7:4-6 why does one saved by grace (not law of merit) not continue to live in sin? (Rom 6:1-2)?
1. One saved by grace (law of Christ) can now be legally obligated to another.
E. Conclusion — Before one has died to the Law if they serve another they commit adultery. After one been set free from the law (died to the law) to once again serve the law (Law of Moses) or sin is to commit adultery. The issue Paul is addressing is not marriage, per se, but our relationship to the law of merit and to the law of Christ. (cf. Rom 3:31)

VIII. {Rom 7: 7-12} Laws of merit are not evil
A. Introduction
1. Review — In response to the question, “Can one saved by grace, not works of merit, continue to sin, thus, establishing the power of the reign of grace in granting eternal life. [5:21-6:1]. Paul response by showing why it is illogical for one freed from sin as their legal master would want to return to sin, i.e., would chose to sin. Christian are those who have legally died to sin, thus, can now legally serve a new master with their inward man (spirit).
2. Preview — Having established Christians are those having been set free from the eternal consequences of sin (justified) now willingly want to serve the one who sanctified them, those who felt it was necessary to be obligated to a “law of merit” (serve because they have to) would proclaim Paul was saying the Law of Moses was sin. They would make an emotional plea for they could not destroy Paul’s logical arguments with facts.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
OBSERVATION: The issues in not “what is sin” — i.e. who determines what is a sin. Sin is an action not a thing. Refusal to say, do, or think that which is according to God’s will; doing or planing to do what is contrary to God’s will. In Paul’s writing Sin is often personified (given human characteristics), however, it is still an action, or lack of action, that is a deviation from God’s will.
OBSERVATION: All law is the expressed and binding will of another, the issue is not without the Law (any law of merit) one can do as they wish. Law of faith or law of Christ requires obedience and law of works or merit requires flawless obedience.
1. (7:7) In this verse what is the definition, i.e., purpose, of the Law (merit)?
a. It is the means of knowing what is sin (deviation from God’s will).
2. (7:7) Without the Law what is the stated consequences?
a. One could not sin for God’s will is not known, thus, God will not apply His judicial wrath. {cf. 4:15}
OBSERVATION (7:7) The Law is the revealer of sin.
3. (7:8) Why is sin dead without the law? In what way was sin dead? What is meant when Paul says sin is dead?
a. Dead is used metaphorically, thus, it does not mean without power but destitute of a life that is devoted to God and inactive in doing God’s will; without Law sin cannot know what is not according to God’s will.
4. (7:8) How did Sin produce covetousness in the person of v.8?
a. Sin used God’s revealed “right and wrong”, that was to control the outward man, to persuade the man to serve man’s own desires to the upmost — to do wrong.
OBSERVATION: Sin attempted the annihilation of God, however, by using the Law (Mat 4:3-10) Mr. Sin failed for Mr. Sin was revealed as sin (contrary to God).
OBSERVATION (7:8) Sin used the physical desires of the outward man to do what was contrary to the Creator’s will as revealed in the Law — caused the one under the Law (any law of merit) to sin.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

5. (7:9) In what way did the one Paul is discussing die?
a.
6. (7:10-11) “deceived” (exapatao, G1818) = to seduce wholly; completely made me lose my way.
7. (7:10-11) From all the places where the word “deceived” is used {Rom 7:11; 16:18, 1Co 3:18, 2Co 11:3; 2Th 2:3} how were they deceived? Was it their depraved nature — i.e., they did not know they were doing wrong?
a.
8. (7:10-11) Why did that given by God for good seem to be evil?
a.
9. (7:12) What is Paul answer to the rhetorical question of Rom 7:7? How does it relate to the rhetorical question of Rom 6:1-2?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
1.
E. Conclusion —

IX. {Rom 7:13- 20}
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown a person set free from the legal obligation of serving Satan does not require the restraints of a Law of Merit to not serve Sin because the function of all Laws of Merit are not to provide salvation but to make a person aware of Sin’s influence. Paul shows the evilness of Sin in practice not in an esoteric or abstract fashion.
2. Preview — The reason God’s Law of Merit produces evil in one seeking to serve God, i.e., seeking to do God’s will. Reason why the Law is not required.
3. Two statements, each with two supports or proofs and a conclusion...
a. Rom 7: 13 (14 & 15) 16
b. Rom 7:17 (18 & 19) 20
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:13) How did something good show how utterly sinful is sin (a violation of divine law)?
a.
2. (7:14) Why is there a conflict between the Law and Paul?
a.
3. (7:14) When was Paul sold into bondage
a.
4. (7:15) Is this person “totally depraved”? The concept one is born as a sinner and will remain a sinner without a concept of right and wrong until they are given, in some better felt than told way, enlightenment by God.
a.
5. (7:16) What does Paul’s desire tell us about the Law?
a.
6. (7:17) Why is Paul is not making an excuse for sinning but explaining why the Law is not the reason for his sinning?
a.
7. Do you feel it is fair to say sin once and sin owns you? Why do you feel that way?
a.
8. (7:18) Why can Paul not do good?
a.
9. (7:19) Why does Paul practice evil?
a.
10. (7:20) What does the conflict described by Paul have to do with those wanting to retain the Law as a means to not sin (Rom 6:1-2) thinking Paul is saying the Law is bad (Rom 7:7)?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Mr. Sin used the Law to do evil, but the Law was not evil (Rom 7:12). What proof is offered in this passage (Rom 7:13-20) to support the claim the Law is holy, righteous, and good but appears to be bad.
1.
E. Conclusion —

Romans - August 3, 2008

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

VII. {Rom 7 :4-6} Applying “husband law”.
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown when one is legally obligated to one person it is to commit adultery to be joined with another person.
2. Preview — Christians no longer are to serve sinful passion. Law does not control sinful passions but arouses sinful passions.
a. The power of therefore (for while, but now) shows Paul is going to make an application of the former example, not that the former example is to be treated as allegory, where every part has a corresponding part.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. According to Rom 7:4-6 why does one saved by grace (not law of merit) not continue to live in sin? (Rom 6:1-2)?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:4) What is the similarity between the Christians in Rome and the wife?
a. Death has enable both to be set free from a Law they were under (obligated to).
2. (7:4) What is the channel or means releasing the wife and releasing the readers?
a. For the wife it was the husband’s death, for the readers it was Christ’s death.
OBSERVATION: Jesus did not die in our place, i.e., a vicarious death, but He was the channel or means enabling God to forgive us of our sins and still remain the God who hates sin and cannot look at (ignore) sin. (Isa 59:1-2; Rom 3:25)
3. (7:4) What was the consequences of Christ death?
a. The readers could legally be joined to one who had been the propitiation for sin (died) and was resurrected
4. (7:4) What was the purpose of being joined with Christ?
a. As the wife join another to bear fruit, the readers joined Christ to bear fruit.
OBSERVATION (7:4) As the wife was set free by the death of her husband the readers are set free because of their death to the “law that bound” [7:6] through (channel) the death of Christ so they could be subject to another, the one raised from the dead, for the purpose of bearing fruit. Romans 7:4 is the Salvation Plan (Steps) of Romans
5. (7:5) What was the weakness of and resulting consequences of the Law of Moses (all laws of merit)?
a. The desires of the outward man caused the followers of all Laws of merit to produce fruit leading to death.
b. The problem is not physical desires but the lack of controlling the God given physical desires; i.e., bearing fruit contrary to what pleased God and also contrary what is best for humans.
OBSERVATION (7:5) The problem was not with the Law of Moses but with the physical desires of mankind; Laws of merit are designed to control the physical desires (outward man). Laws Of Merit say, “Do righteous, be righteous,” The law of grace (law of Christ) says, “Be righteous, do righteous.”
6. (7:6) What is the difference between how the readers served God in the past and should now serve God?
a. In the past the readers, who are Christians [6:3-4], served with the idea “we do righteousness, thus, are forgiven”; now serve with the idea “we are forgiven, thus, do righteousness”.
OBSERVATION (7:6) Have been released, based on our death (via Jesus’ propitiation [3:25]), from what controlled the outward man, i.e., only the physical desires, thus, the readers now serve with a different attitude; i.e., a spiritual attitude, one motivated by the inward man (understanding and appreciation of what Christ has done) not the outward man (letter of the law).
OBSERVATION: Where does Christ (the Bible) say “I have to...”? Answer, Christ tells you why you want to and/or need to. A mature Christian is one having grown or is growing beyond the “letter” (that appealing to the flesh) to that appealing to the spirit (inward man). Will not help the “asker of the question” to be treated as a child by applying peer pressure to make them “come around” — easier but not the best (cf. Heb 5:11-6:2). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — According to Rom 7:4-6 why does one saved by grace (not law of merit) not continue to live in sin? (Rom 6:1-2)?
1.
E. Conclusion —

VIII. {Rom 7: 7-12}
A. Introduction
1. Review — In response to the question, “Can one saved by grace, not works of merit, continue to sin, thus, establishing the power of the reign of grace in granting eternal life. [5:21-6:1]. Paul response by showing why it is illogical for one freed from sin as their legal master would want to return to sin, i.e., would chose to sin. Christian are those who have legally died to sin, thus, can now legally serve a new master with their inward man (spirit).
2. Preview — Having established Christians are those having been set free from the eternal consequences of sin (justified) now willingly want to serve the one who sanctified them, those who felt it was necessary to be obligated to a “law of merit” (serve because they have to) would proclaim Paul was saying the Law of Moses was sin. They would make an emotional plea for they could not destroy Paul’s logical arguments with facts.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:7) In this verse what is the definition, i.e., purpose, of the Law (merit)?
a.
2. (7:7) Without the Law what is the stated consequences?
a.
3. (7:8) Why is sin dead without the law? In what way was sin dead? What is meant when Paul says sin is dead?
a.
4. (7:8) How did Sin produce covetousness in the person of v.8?
a.
5. (7:9) In what way did the one Paul is discussing die?
a.
6. (7:10-11) “deceived” (exapatao, G1818) = to seduce wholly; completely made me lose my way.
7. (7:10-11) From all the places where the word “deceived” is used {Rom 7:11; 16:18, 1Co 3:18, 2Co 11:3; 2Th 2:3} how were they deceived? Was it their depraved nature — i.e., they did not know they were doing wrong?
a.
8. (7:10-11) Why did that given by God for good seem to be evil?
a.
9. (7:12) What is Paul answer to the rhetorical question of Rom 7:7? How does it relate to the rhetorical question of Rom 6:1-2?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why does something designed to bring life bring death?
1.
E. Conclusion —

IX. {Rom 7:13- 20}