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.
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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 —