Romans - September 28, 2008

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

10. (8:3) What was, according to this verse, the results of God’s action?
a. “condemned” = to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment; to condemn; by one’s good example to render another’s wickedness the more evident and censurable.
b. Was an offering that judged sin as evil, i.e., show the evilness of sin. (cf 7:8-11)
c. God also proclaimed sin has no right to reign in mankind.
11. PONDER: What would be implied if God’s judicial wrath for breaking His good commandments only required saying we are sorry and repenting.
a. Sin is not so bad for God did not think breaking one of His commandments was that evil or His commandments were not that good.
OBSERVATION (8:3) Law Of Moses could not remove condemnation for it operated through the flesh, thus, God condemned sin by providing His Son as the propitiatory sacrifice for sin (Rom 3:25) in the flesh, flesh that did not succumb to what made the Law weak (cf. Mat 4:1-11).
12. (8:4) According to this passage why did God send His Son (the Word) in the flesh.
a. So those in Christ (those walking in the Spirit) could fulfill the requirements (righteousness) of the Law.
13. (8:4) What is the requirements (righteousness, ordinance) of the Law?
a. Not to give life (Gal 3:21) but to regulate conduct so God could honorable be served — to enable the pure God to have nothing impure in His presences.
14. (8:4) What is meant by “do not walk after the flesh”?
a. Could mean depending on their own ability or after their sinful desires. Am inclined to believe it is the desires God’s Law controls, the sinful desires.
15. How does this verse answer the question of Rom 6:1-2?
a. Those is Christ no longer walk after the desires of the flesh but after the desires of the Spirit (the gospel), thus, do not continue is sin.
OBSERVATION (8:4) Jesus’ sacrifice enabled those walking according to the Spirit of life, not the law of sin and death, i.e., the flesh, to fulfill God’s good requirements.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — According to this passage how is the man of Rom 7:24 set free from the body of death.
1. Those walking in the Spirit of life (the gospel) have been set free from the body of death (outward man is mastered by the law of sin for flesh does not have the self control to perfectly serve the pure God) by the offering of the one (Jesus Christ) who was in the flesh but had the self control to not walk according to the flesh, thus, fulfilling the requirements of God’s good commandments for all who walk in the gospel.
E. Conclusion — The reason one saved by grace does not continue in sin (Rom 6:1-2) is they have been set free from Mr. Sin as their master by God’s offering of His Son for those not walking after the desires of the flesh but after the gospel. Christians have the help of deity, specifically Christ Jesus, in their war with Mr. Sin (Satan) [Rom 8:1]

XII. {Rom 8:5-14} Second Argument — Sons of God led by the Holy Spirit
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul is continuing his logical response to the, perhaps rhetorical, question of Romans 6:1-2 on why a Christian saved by grace and not restrained by the Law of Moses will not continue in sin. Paul has presented the first of seven arguments or reasons found in Romans chapter eight on why or how the man of Roman 7:24 has been set free from the body of death by the efforts of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When a person saved by grace understands what deity has done and is doing to help them overcome sin it would be illogical for one to think they require the Law of Moses to keep them from continuing in sin. The ones Paul is addressing are not interested in only using the Law of Moses as personal tool but want to bind the Law’s requirements, and perhaps some of their own, on those saved by the gospel as a means to be sanctified.
2. Preview — The part played by the Holy Spirit in helping the saved remain saved. A failure to understand how the Holy Spirit operates has caused some misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit’s efforts or work in our salvation and sanctification.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:5) “do mind”; “mind”; “set mind” = verb; to have understanding, be wise; to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to judge. Paul is not addressing one obeying (minding) but a person that is understanding.
2. (8:5) Is the contrast of masters between the outward man (flesh) and the inward man (spirit) or the Holy Spirit?
a.
3. (8:5) What is the contrast in this verse?
a.
4. NOTE: (8:6) “minded”; “mind” = noun; what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes (the inward man)
5. (8:6) Is the issue the results of a mind set on good and a mind set on evil?
a.
6. (8:6) What is the death Paul is discussing?
a.
7. (8:7-8) Why can the mind (inward man) set on the flesh not able to serve God?
a.
8. PONDER: What is required for a mind set on the physical (flesh) to be saved?
a.
9. PONDER: Considering Rom 7:24 why does a person with mind set on flesh serve flesh, even when he does not want to do so?
a.
10. (8:9) “dwell” (reside) is used in Romans only at 7:17,18,20 and 8:9,11. As Paul is using the word what does he mean by “dwell in”?
a.
11. (8:9) What are your thoughts on flesh and Spirit, i.e., is Spirit referring to the Holy Spirit or the inward man (spirit)?
a.
12. (8:9) Is this verse teaching God has a Spirit, Christ has a Spirit, and there is also a Holy Spirit?
a.
13. (8:10) Considering the contrast is it “Spirit” or “spirit”?
a.
14. (8:10) Is “dead” and “life” referring to physical, spiritual, or something else?
a.
15. (8:11) The conflict of 7:16 is the inward man wants to serve God but the outward man will not let him. How does this verse prevent the doctrine that our relationship with the Holy Spirit means the inward man can serve God and the outward man can or will continue to serve evil and will not impact their spending eternity with God?
a.
16. (8:12-13) When a disciple of Christ is obligated to the flesh does this mean they are obligated to do evil?
a.
17. (8:12-13) What is meant by “shall die”?
a.
18. What is the eternal consequences of being obligated to the flesh?
a.
19. PONDER: Does “putting to death the deeds of the body” mean just stop doing evil?
a. .
OBSERVATION (8:12-13)
The readers do not have an obligation or a debt to serve the outward man, to strive to please the outward man, to live according to the desired (be they good or bad) of the flesh. For living as if you have a relationship with (serving) the flesh you will die spiritually, if you live as if you have a relationship with (serving) the Holy Sprit you will not die a spiritual death.
20. In what sphere of influence does a son of God live?
a. .
21. Paul does not inform how one is lead by the Holy Spirit, why not?
a.
OBSERVATION (8:14)
Those belonging to God are lead by the Holy Spirit, not feeling, emotions, or desires (be they good or bad) of the flesh. If one ceases to walk in the sphere of Holy Spirit influenced they cease being a son of God, even if they have been baptized to receive remission of their sins.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XIII. {Rom 8:15-16} Third Argument — Assurance of the relationship (The Spirit’s testimony)

Romans - September 21, 2008

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

10. (7:25) Does this teach when we sin it is only the outward man sinning and not the inward man sinning, thus, I cannot sin enough to not go to heaven?
a. This verse is stating we have two options serve law of God or the law of sin not both. No one can serve two master (Luk 16:13) and to suggest Paul is saying “cannot sin enough to not go to heaven” fails to understands what it means when an accountable person is given two choices (one evil and one good) in everyday life.
OBSERVATION (7:25) Thanks to Christ he has a choices: 1) Serve the good laws of God with the inward man (what he wants to do) or 2) Serve the law of sin with his flesh (what he does not want to do). One sin committed and Mr Sin owns you (6:12-14, 19) but thanks to Christ perfectly keeping God’s good laws this man has the help he needs (Rom 3:21-26). (cf. Luk 16:13, two masters)
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What enables one to live a sanctified life — serve God the way God expects to be served?
1. Christ’s, by His perfect obedience to God’s law, provided mankind the way to be justified and sanctified; a way to know our war against sin is not hopeless, a way to know we are not alone in our daily fight with sin.
E. Conclusion — We know God’s laws are good, we also know we do not have the ability to keep the perfect laws of a perfect God perfectly without the help of a perfect Savior; and that Savior is Jesus the Christ our Lord.

XI. {Rom 8:1-4} First Argument — No Condemnation, Thanks to Christ Jesus
A. Introduction
1. Review — Thanks to Christ this man that wanted to obey God’s good commandments but knew such was not possible without God’s help recognizes the help was through Jesus the Christ.
2. Preview — Chapter eight is the explanation of the help those in Christ (Christians) receive from the three members of the (those containing the Godhead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; cf. Col 2:9) Trinity in the Christian’s Sanctification and eventual Glorification (final victory). This passage give the how the inward man serves God while the outward (flesh) serves sin.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. According to this passage how is the man of Rom 7:24 set free from the body of death
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:1)To who or what does “now” make reference?
a. Those trying to obey God’s good commandments but falling short, i.e., being condemned (Rom 7:19)
2. (8:1)Who is now without condemnation?
a. Not those serving the Law of Moses but those in Christ?
3. (8:1) This verse does not inform how one gets into Christ, why not?
a. This is written to those in Christ, thus, it is not necessary to tell them how to get in Christ (cf. Rom 1:6-8; 6:3-4)
4. (8:1) Is Paul saying, in this verse, once in Christ Jesus a person will never again be in condemnation?
a. Paul is discussing how one becomes un-condemned, he is not addressing if a person can leave Christ. To answer if one can leave Christ and be condemned will require studying other letters written by those inspired by the Holy Spirit.
5. PONDER: How long does one need to be “in Christ” before they can be a happy toiling Christian confident in their salvation.
a. When they recognize Jesus the Christ as their Lord and come up out of the water of baptism.
OBSERVATION (8:1) Point to be proven — Why those in Christ are not now condemned.
6. (8:2) What two laws (rules) are under discussion in this verse?
a. Rule of Sin and death and the rule of Spirit and life (gospel). One appealing to the flesh and one appealing to the inward man.
7. (8:2) Why are the two laws (rules) defined as they are?
a. Rule of Sin leads them to guilt and death (Rom 7:9) and rule of the Spirit leads to freedom from guilt and sets them free from their body of spiritual death(7:24).
b. Rule of Sin is the good rules of God misused by Sin to bring death.
OBSERVATION (8:2) The law (rule) of the Spirit of life set those in Christ free from the all laws (rule) of Sin and death (all laws of merit, including the Law of Moses).
8. (8:3) What prevented Law from controlling the desires of mankind, i.e., being obeyed?
a. Mankind’s physical desires were stronger than mankind’s ability to control them.
9. (8:3)What did God do to overcome this weakness in the Law’s ability to control mankind.
a. He send His Son to be a “flesh” offering for sin.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD
10. (8:3) What was, according to this verse, the results of God’s action?
a. “condemned” = to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment; to condemn; by one’s good example to render another’s wickedness the more evident and censurable.
b.
11. PONDER: What would be implied if God’s judicial wrath for breaking His good commandments only required saying we are sorry and repenting.
a.
12. (8:4) According to this passage why did God send His Son (the Word) in the flesh.
a.
13. (8:4) What is the requirements (righteousness, ordinance) of the Law?
a.
14. (8:4) What is meant by “do not walk after the flesh”?
a.
15. How does this verse answer the question of Rom 6:1-2?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — According to this passage how is the man of Rom 7:24 set free from the body of death.
1.
E. Conclusion —

XII. {Rom 8:5-14} Second Argument
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul is continuing his logical response to the, perhaps rhetorical, question of Romans 6:1-2 on why a Christian saved by grace and not restrained by the Law of Moses will not continue in sin. Paul has presented the first of seven arguments or reasons found in Romans chapter eight on why or how the man of Roman 7:24 has been set free from the body of death by the efforts of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When a person saved by grace understands what deity has done and is doing to help them overcome sin it would be illogical for one to think they require the Law of Moses to keep them from continuing in sin. The ones Paul is addressing are not interested in only using the Law of Moses as personal tool but want to bind the Law’s requirements, and perhaps some of their own, on those saved by the gospel as a means to be sanctified.
2. Preview — The part played by the Holy Spirit in helping the saved remain saved. A failure to understand how the Holy Spirit operates has caused some misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit’s efforts or work in our salvation and sanctification.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:5) “do mind”; “mind”; “set mind” = verb; to have understanding, be wise; to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to judge. Paul is not addressing one obeying (minding) but a person that is understanding.
2. (8:5) Is the contrast of masters between the outward man (flesh) and the inward man (spirit) or the Holy Spirit?
a.
3. (8:5) What is the contrast in this verse?
a.
4. NOTE: (8:6) “minded”; “mind” = noun; what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes (the inward man)
5. (8:6) Is the issue the results of a mind set on good and a mind set on evil?
a.
6. (8:6) What is the death Paul is discussing?
a.
7. (8:7-8) Why can the mind (inward man) set on the flesh not able to serve God?
a.
8. PONDER: What is required for a mind set on the physical (flesh) to be saved?
a. he needs to hear and accept the gospel.
9. PONDER: Considering Rom 7:24 why does a person with mind set on flesh serve flesh, even when he does not want to do so?
a.
10. (8:9) “dwell” (reside) is used in Romans only at 7:17,18,20 and 8:9,11. As Paul is using the word what does he mean by “dwell in”?
a. “in” = with the Impersonal Dative (impersonal recipient of action) it means “in a car”, “in heaven”, etc. or with the Personal Dative (personal recipient of action), as used here, it means “influenced by”, i.e. does not mean living in someone but “influencing” someone.
11. (8:9) What are your thoughts on flesh and Spirit, i.e., is Spirit referring to the Holy Spirit or the inward man (spirit)?
a.
12. (8:9) Is this verse teaching God has a Spirit, Christ has a Spirit, and there is also a Holy Spirit?
a.
13. (8:10) Considering the contrast is it “Spirit” or “spirit”?
a.
14. (8:10) Is “dead” and “life” referring to physical, spiritual, or something else?
a.
15. (8:11) The conflict of 7:16 is the inward man wants to serve God but the outward man will not let him. How does this verse prevent the doctrine that our relationship with the Holy Spirit means the inward man can serve God and the outward man can or will continue to serve evil and will not impact their spending eternity with God?
a.
16. (8:12-13) When a disciple of Christ is obligated to the flesh does this mean they are obligated to do evil?
a.
17. (8:12-13) What is meant by “shall die”?
a.
18. What is the eternal consequences of being obligated to the flesh?
a.
19. PONDER: Does “putting to death the deeds of the body” mean just stop doing evil?
a. .
OBSERVATION (8:12-13)
The readers do not have an obligation or a debt to serve the outward man, to strive to please the outward man, to live according to the desired (be they good or bad) of the flesh. For living as if you have a relationship with (serving) the flesh you will die spiritually, if you live as if you have a relationship with (serving) the Holy Sprit you will not die a spiritual death.
20. In what sphere of influence does a son of God live?
a. .
21. Paul does not inform how one is lead by the Holy Spirit, why not?
a.
OBSERVATION (8:14)
Those belonging to God are lead by the Holy Spirit, not feeling, emotions, or desires (be they good or bad) of the flesh. If one ceases to walk in the sphere of Holy Spirit influenced they cease being a son of God, even if they have been baptized to receive remission of their sins.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XIII. {Rom 8:15-16} Third Argument

Romans - September 14, 2008

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

X. {Rom 7:21-25} Cannot serve God without Christ’s help
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul is showing and has shown any law of merit (good works providing a person with the false assurance they are approved by God), including the Law of Moses, is not required to live a sanctified life when one has been reconciled with God through the death of Jesus (Rom 3:21-26; 5:6-11). Those who have died to all laws of merit “bear fruit for God” (live sanctified lives) not because they have to but because they can and want to thanks to the death of God’s Son. (Rom 7:4)
2. Preview — Presents only solution to what prevents this God fearing man from serving his good God’s good Laws the way God expects His law to be served.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What enables one to live a sanctified life — serve God the way God expects to be served?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:21) What prevents this person from serving God?
a. Sin has control of his choices, i.e., once he violated God’s Law Mr. Sin became his master (Rom 3:23; 5:12)
OBSERVATION (7:21) The principle or law mentioned in 7:18-19 is presented or explained as a visual based on the real struggle of striving to serve God by obeying the good Law of Moses or any good law of merit — but falling way short and knowing it.
2. (7:22) Is this a situation of being totally depraved, if not is there any thing is this verse suggesting otherwise?
a. He wants to do good and knows he is not doing good. Totally depraved person does not know difference between good and evil, much less when he is not doing good. (TULIP)
OBSERVATION (7:22) The non-physical part of mankind (Rom 2:29); the part created in the image of God (Gen 2:7; 1:27), the part influenced by the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:16); knows the Law is good and wants to obey.
3. (7:23) What is the different law preventing this man from serving the law of God?
a. The law of sin?
4. (7:23) Where does each law operate?
a. The law of sin operates in the outward man, the law of God operates in the mind.
OBSERVATION: There are only two laws. There is not a law of the mind, a law of sin, and a law of God. The law of God works in the mind (inward man) for the law of God is spiritual and the mind of man is spiritual (7:14) and the law of sin works in the flesh.
5. (7:23) PONDER: Based on the area of operations what are your thoughts on Rom 5:20; 7:8,14 and the design of the Law of Moses?
a. The LOM was not designed to make mankind righteous for it operated in the area that was controlled by desires of flesh (Gen 3:2f). The LOM was designed to let man know the part of mankind made in the image of God needed help to be able to serve a pure (sinless) God with the physical (fleshly) part of man.
OBSERVATION (7:23) The outward man, the desires of the flesh (Rom 6:19), war against and take as a prisoner the inward man and its desire to do good, thus, the good Law is violated. There are two laws: 1) Law of sin and 2) Law of God, and the law of sin is winning in this man’s struggle.
6. (7:24) What is it that has made this man “wretched” (miserable through the exhaustion of hard labor)?
a. His struggle to serve the Law and knowing he is not able to serve law for the law is spiritual and he is physical (Rom 7:14)
7. (7:24) From what is the man requesting he be delivered?
a. Not from his struggle with sin but from bondage to sin into moral freedom where his body shall not longer serve as the seat of death.
OBSERVATION (7:24) The inward does not want to do evil but is knowingly doing evil, knowingly serving his master Mr. Sin through his flesh (desires) with the result being death (cf. 1Co 15:54-57). The inward man is not depraved but is powerless, is without a choice, against Mr. Sin’s use of the outward man (Rom 7:5,8) with spiritual death being the end result.
8. (7:25) Why is Christ able to give this man what he wants — freedom from his body of death?
a. (Rom 3:21-26) Christ did what this man could not do — be righteous.
9. (7:25) PONDER: What is required of this man to receive what he wants?
a. (Rom 3:26) Faith in Jesus [Rom 6:3-4].

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

10. (7:25) Does this teach when we sin it is only the outward man sinning and not the inward man sinning, thus, I cannot sin enough to not go to heaven?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What enables one to live a sanctified life — serve God the way God expects to be served?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XI. {Rom 8:1-4}
A. Introduction
1. Review — Thanks to Christ this man that wanted to obey God’s good commandments but knew such was not possible without God’s help recognizes the help was through Jesus the Christ.
2. Preview — Chapter eight is the explanation of the help those in Christ receive from the three members of the Trinity in the Christian’s Sanctification and eventual Glorification (final victory). This passage give the how the inward man serves God while the outward (flesh) serves sin.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. According to this passage how is the man of Rom 7:24 set free from the body of death
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:1)To who or what does “now” make reference?
a.
2. (8:1)Who is now without condemnation?
a.
3. (8:1) This verse does not inform how one gets into Christ, why not?
a.
4. (8:1) Is Paul saying, in this verse, once is in Christ Jesus a person will never again be in condemnation?
a.
5. PONDER: How long does one need to be “in Christ” before they can be a happy toiling Christian confident in their salvation.
a.
6. (8:2) What two laws (rules) are under discussion in this verse?
a.
7. (8:2) Why are the two laws (rules) defined as they are?
a.
8. (8:3) What prevented Law from controlling the desires of mankind, i.e., being obeyed?
a.
9. (8:3)What did God do to overcome this weakness in the Law’s ability to control mankind.
a. .
10. (8:3) What was, according to this verse, the results of God’s action?
a. “condemned” = to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment; to condemn; by one’s good example to render another’s wickedness the more evident and censurable.
b.
11. PONDER: What would be implied if God’s judicial wrath for breaking His good commandments only required saying we are sorry and repenting.
a.
12. (8:4) According to this passage why did God send His Son (the Word) in the flesh.
a.
13. (8:4) What is the requirements (righteousness, ordinance) of the Law?
a.
14. (8:4) What is meant by “do not walk after the flesh”?
a.
15. How does this verse answer the question of Rom 6:1-2?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — According to this passage how is the man of Rom 7:24 set free from the body of death.
1.
E. Conclusion —

XII. {Rom 8:5-14}

Romans - September 7, 2008

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



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. When an action brings death one is able to grasp the evilness of the act that is contrary to the Law of the Pure God.
b. Unlike the laws of man, with their sliding scale of consequences, all violations of God’s inherent right to rule is a serious matter, thus, carries the same serious consequences — spiritual death. (ref. Rom 3:25b)
c. There is pure (good) and impure (evil), no such thing as a little impure.
OBSERVATION: The issue is not does God have the right to tell what He has created what they can and cannot do for such is an accepted fact among the readers (Rom 1:18-20). Paul’s arguments would be without meaning if a person rejects God as the Creator, thus, does not have the inherent right to rule. (Only two classes of authority — inherent and delegated.) I build a bird house, thus, I have the inherent authority to chose the color. I can, if I choose, delegate to someone the right to choose the color.
OBSERVATION (7:13) Statement - What was good did not bring death, but what was good clearly showed to everyone the deadliness of sin by sin’s use of a good law to bring conflict and death.
2. (7:14) Why is there a conflict between the Law and Paul?
OBSERVATION: Paul is using himself as a type for anyone one under the Law of Moses [any law of merit], i.e., before they become a Christian [under the Law of Christ], who is trying to please God. Some suggest Paul is discussing a Christian in an attempt to prove a Christian cannot sin so as to be lost, clearly Paul is not talking about a Christian for a Christian is not sold under sin (cf. Rom 7:14 w/ 6:14)
a. Paul is motivated by the outward man that is in bondage to sin and Law is spiritual — it appeals to the inward man who has the burden to then regulate the outward man [flesh].
3. (7:14) When was Paul sold into bondage
a. When Paul became aware of sin(age of accountability) while living under a law of merit [Law of Moses]. [Rom 7:9]
OBSERVATION (7:14) Proof - The reason for the conflict is the two parts of a human. Part of man is like God (eternal) and part is like earth (physical). God’s Law is from the Eternal One designed for the eternal part of man (spiritual). The here and now part (physical) has chosen to obey sin (to be corrupted by sin), thus, we are legally obligated to be sin’s slave and not (cannot) serve God.
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. No for he has acknowledged the Law is good and he knows he is not obeying the good Law, thus, he knows he is not pure (sinless); a person “totally depraved” would not know the law was good nor would they know not obeying the Law makes them impure.
OBSERVATION (7:15) Proof - When one is in legally bound to sin, and know it (i.e., inward man knows it is sin) they must serve sin even if they do not want to for they are no longer spiritually pure (pure God cannot have a relationship with impurity and remain pure), thus, sin is their legal master.
5. (7:16) What does Paul’s desire tell us about the Law?
a. The cause of death is not with the Law for the Law is good.
b. The cause of death is the sinfulness of sin.
OBSERVATION (7:16) Conclusion - When one comes to understand God’s Law is good (they inwardly want to serve the Law) they are agreeing the Law is not evil.
6. (7:17) Why is Paul is not making or giving an excuse for sinning but explaining why the Law is not the reason for his sinning?
a. When Paul became aware of sin (what is sin and what is not sin) he chose to sin and one sin (an act contrary to God’s will) means Mr. Sin owned him — Paul is showing the power of Mr. Sin.
7. Do you feel it is fair to say sin once and sin owns you? Why do you feel that way?
a. Yes. When the Law says taking a bribe will cause you to lose you job, thus, if you take one bribe the one paying the bribe owns you.
OBSERVATION (7:17) Statement - Once sin has taken control (corrupted a person’s inward man) the container (body) is in control of the impure inward man — things appealing to the flesh more important than things appealing to a pure inward man.
8. (7:18) Why can Paul not do good?
a. All the good he would do cannot remove the bad he has done.
b. The Law does not have the ability to remove the stain of even one sin
OBSERVATION (7:18) Proof - The inward man, because inward man is now aware it has sinned (is corrupted), is not able to obey the Pure God’s pure (good) Law.
9. (7:19) Why does Paul practice evil?
a. Paul has been sold into bondage to Mr. Sin by his one act of sin. (v.8, 14; cf. Rom 5:18)
OBSERVATION (7:19) Proof - Just stating a fact: it is impossible for a corrupted (impure) inward man to undo what is evil (to be sanctified), even if there is a desire to be pure.
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. The Law does not treat the source of the illness (spiritually impure) but the symptoms of the illness (being impure). The Law was not designed to remove the source of the illness but as a means to show what is not pure (Rom 7:7) and a way to not be rejected (receive judicial wrath) by the Pure God via regular sacrifices to temporally appease God’s wrath.
OBSERVATION (7:20) Conclusion - The Law is good and I know it is good, but sin (corruption, impurity) dwells in my eternal inward man (i.e., part made in our Pure God’s image).
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. The fact someone is trying to obey the Law establishes the Law is good.
2. The Law appears to be evil for what is impure (a sinner) cannot be pure, i.e., undo what made them impure, in spite of their great efforts and desire.
OBSERVATION: Remember this letter is written to Christians who feel the Law has not been replaced by Christ (the gospel) but is an addition to the Law, i.e., the Law of Moses is still necessary. Paul’s effort is to show the Law has been replaced as a means to be pleasing to God
E. Conclusion — It has been proven the only way to be justified by those under the Law was the propitiation [appeasing] of God’s judicial wrath by the death of Christ [cf. Rom 3:25]. It has now being established the means for justification was not the Law nor is the Law the means for sanctification. Rom 7:21-25 establishes what is required.

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A LOOK AHEAD


X. {Rom 7:21-25} Cannot serve God without Christ’s without help
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul is showing and has shown any law of merit (good works providing a person with the false assurance they are approved by God), including the Law of Moses, is not required to live a sanctified life when one has been reconciled with God through the death of Jesus (Rom 3:21-26; 5:6-11). Those who have died to all laws of merit “bear fruit for God” (live sanctified lives) not because they have to but because they can and want to thanks to the death of God’s Son. (Rom 7:4)
2. Preview — Presents only solution to what prevents this God fearing man from serving his good God’s good Laws the way God expects His law to be served.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What enables one to live a sanctified life — serve God the way God expects to be served?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (7:21) What prevents this person from serving God?
a.
2. (7:22) Is this a situation of being totally depraved, if not is there any thing is this verse suggesting otherwise?
a.
3. (7:23) What is the different law preventing this man from serving the law of God?
a.
4. (7:23) Where does each law operate?
a.
5. (7:23) PONDER: Based on the area of operations what are your thoughts on Rom 5:20; 7:8,14 and the design of the Law of Moses?
a.
6. (7:24) What is it that has made this man “wretched” (miserable through the exhaustion of hard labor)?
a.
7. (7:24) From what is the man requesting he be delivered?
a.
8. (7:25) Why is Christ able to give this man what he wants — freedom from his body of death?
a.
9. (7:25) PONDER: What is required of this man to receive what he wants?
a.
10. (7:25) Does this teach when we sin it is only the outward man sinning and not the inward man sinning, thus, I cannot sin enough to not go to heaven?
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What enables one to live a sanctified life — serve God the way God expects to be served?
1.
E. Conclusion —