Romans - November 23, 2008

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


8. {ROM 8:20-23} Four views or positions regarding (what it is) “the creation that anticipates” the revealing and deliverance of the sons of God considered...
a. Millennialist view of the creation – Earth will be made new when Christ returns and sets up His earthly (physical) kingdom...
(1) Scriptures clearly show kingdom (abstract noun meaning “rule”) now exits and there will not be a physical kingdom (concrete noun) set up [Mar 9:1; Act 2:30,33; Col 1:13; et al.].
(2) Scriptures teach the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns [2Pe 3:1-13; Rev 21:1] — Time, Space, Mass cease.
b. The creation is the unredeemed portion of humanity...
(1) Not likely for the unredeemed will not be “set free...into freedom of glory”. [8:21]
(2) This portion of humanity will be delivered into condemnation [Joh 5:29; Heb 10:27], thus, they are not “waiting eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God” [8:19]
c. The creation is the church...
(1) {8:19,23} Creation is a group separate from “sons of God”.
(a) (8:23) “firstfruits” does not mean ones who first receive fruits (Apostles) , but those receiving “best fruit” — those receiving salvation (sons of God) [1Co 15:20; Col 1:18].
d. The creation is the personification of the physical creation...
(1) Creation longing for time when its purpose has been served...
(a) {Cf. 8:20 w/ GEN 3:17-18} Adam’s sin had a negative impact on creation — this globe is in physical turmoil.
(b) {PSA 114:1-8} Earth’s reaction when Israel left Egypt.
(c) Also see {PSA 96:12; 98:8} & [Isa 35:1; 55:12].
(2) When all of God’s children leave this “vail of tears” to enter the spiritual Promise Land the rejoicing will surpass rejoicing when God’s children left Egyptian bondage to enter physical Promise Land for the spiritual is superior to the physical
(OBSERVATION 8:20-23)
View four (d) seems to have less problems than the other three views.
9. (8:24) What is the meaning of “hope” as used here?
a. “hope” — G1680. elpis; 2) expectation of good, hope; 2a) in the Christian’s sense; 2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.
10. (8:24) What, in this place, is meant by seen and sees?
a. “seen” — G991. blepo; Used figuratively as possessing, enjoying, or experiencing?
11. PONDERING: What is there about “the hope” (redemption) that prevents it from being in the possession of a Christian at this time. (Consider the realm of the Christians and the realm of the hope.)
a. In our current realm (time, space, and mass) everything is wearing out, slowing down, dying for all things deteriorate. The hope is eternal, thus, does not deteriorate — is not part of the Christian’s current realm.
b. Mature Christians do not worry about their adoption and its associated consequences (Heaven) because it has been promised.
12. (8:24) Considering 8:23 as the reason or foundation for 8:24, what is “not “hope”? What is “hope”?
a. The readers have not received adoption as son, the redemption of their body, thus, the readers have hope their body will be redeemed in the future not at the present time — hope is something you do not have but know you will have.
b. Hope is absolute confidence one shall received adoption and redemption.
c. The issue is not can hope be lost, but a Christian does not dwell on “hope being lost” — the “wretched man” does not have a “fall away” mind set.
(OBSERVATION 8:24)
Suffering does not damping the Christian’s positive confidence in their unseen, but promised, salvation (redemption).

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

13. (8:25) What is the meaning of “patience” as used here?
a.
14. (8:25) What, as used here, is the meaning of “wait”?
a.
15. (8:25) What is the “it”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:25)

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can the Justified endure suffering?
E. Conclusion —

XV. {Rom 8:26-27} Fifth Argument — He intercedes
A. Introduction
1. Review — This section (Rom 6:1- 8:39) begins with the question, “If one is saved by grace (i.e., without works of merit) what would motivated then to not continue serving Sin?” The foundation for this question is Paul’s (i.e., Jesus the Christ’s) position humans are justified by grace, not law of merit. Paul is showing those in Christ (i.e., those influenced by Christ) do not require any law of merit to make them serve Christ ( i.e., not serve sin). Paul shows an obligation to any law of merit does not really set a person free from sin (Rom 7:24). The man at Romans 7:24 is either a Christian trying to pleased God using a law of merit or a non-Christian trying to please God by a law of merit, but failing. The man recognizes it is not his meritorious efforts that can set him free from sin but Christ’s meritorious efforts (Rom 7:25). In Romans 8 the readers who are Christians are presented with seven arguments supporting the position Christian have Deity’s help in their battle with Sin for their eternal soul. (Paul is not address how one becomes a child of God but the benefit of being a child of God.) Four arguments have been presented: 1) Thanks to Christ there is no condemnation; 2) Sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit; 3) Holy Spirit’s assurance they are children of God; 4) Deity’s assurance, even during times of suffering, of the hope of redemption from this present world into the glories of Heaven.
2. Preview — (8:26-27) We can be assured God always knows when we need help and the type and amount of help required.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. In times of great stress when a child of God feels alone and knows not what to ask of God how does Deity give the child of God the help required?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:26) Who has the infirmities or weakness?
a. .
2. (8:26) What does “in the same way the Spirit” mean?
a.
3. (8:26) What is the weakness under discussion?
a.
4. (8:26) What is the meaning of the word “intercedes” [“intercession”]?
a.
5. (8:26) Who is doing the interceding?
a.
6. (8:26) For whom is the Holy Spirit interceding?
a.
7. (8:26) What is “groanings to deep for words”?
a.
8. (8:26) Who is doing groanings to deep for words?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:26)


9. (8:27) What or whose heart is searched?
a.
10. (8:27) Who searches the inward man (heart) and knows the mind of the Holy Spirit?
a.
11. (8:27) What is the meaning of the Greek word “intercedes” [“ intercession”]?
a.
12. (8:27) Who intercedes according to God’s will
a.

OBSERVATION (8:27)


13. (8:26-27) Consider four popular views...
a. Holy Spirit corrects our prayers
b. Our spirit [inward man] groans
c. Holy Spirit interprets inward man’s groaning
d. Holy Spirit himself groans words that cannot be uttered
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — In times of great stress when a child of God feels alone and knows not what to ask of God how does Deity give the child of God the help required?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XVI. {Rom 8:28-30} First Conclusion — All things work for good