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.
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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 —