Romans - November 9, 2008

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

(OBSERVATION 8:16)
Informs why the readers can know (have confidence) they are not wretched, i.e., the Holy Spirit testifies with their inward man they are set free — they are God’s children.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can those freed from the law of merit know, during trying struggles and conflicts, they are God’s children, thus, not be “wretched”?
1. Their spirit (inward man) and the Holy Spirit both testify (agree) they are a child of God. Their inward man tells why they are a child of God and the Holy Spirit, via. the written and inspired Word, agrees they are a child of God.
E. Conclusion — As a son of God there are no phobias or feelings of oppression, i.e., the fear I am not doing enough to go to heaven.
1. New Testament writers never expressed doubt about their salvation...
a. (2CO 5:1,6,8} Paul says “we know”, “always of good courage”, “are of good courage I say”. [cf. Act 18:8; 2Co 12:9]
b. (2Ti 1:12) No doubt or second thoughts expressed.
c. (1JO 3:2) No doubts expressed by John.
2. This same assurance (Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit) gives “full assurance of hope” [Heb 6:11] we are Heaven bound as we conform, in our daily walks, to the revealed Word...
a. Christians are not better than others but we are better off for the Holy Spirit testifies on our behalf.
3. Regardless the situation, regardless how low or despondent we feel, if we stop and consider Deity’s love as expressed in Rom 8:15-16 our burdens will be lighter and our joy will return...
a. If one doubts he is a child of God, even during times of stress, after considering Deity’s expression of love as seen by the “two witness” needs a lesson on “Faith in God” — needs to learn Jehovah God can and will do what He says He will.

XIV. {Rom 8:17-25} Fourth Argument — In hope we have been saved
A. Introduction
1. Review — This section (Rom 6:1- 8:39) begins with the question, “If one is saved by grace what would motivated then to not continue serving Sin?” The foundation for this question is Paul’s (Jesus the Christ’s) position humans are justified by grace, not law of merit. Paul is showing those in Christ (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 efforts that set him free from sin but Christ’s efforts (Rom 7:25). In Romans 8 the readers are presented with seven arguments supporting the position Christian have Deity’s help in their battle with Sin for their eternal soul. Three 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.
2. Preview — (8:17-25) Fourth argument is Deity’s assurance, during suffering, of the hope of redemption from this present world into the glories of Heaven. Does not discuss the why of suffering but the dealing with suffering — the not giving up while suffering.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. How can the Justified endure suffering?

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A LOOK AHEAD
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:17) What class or type of suffering is being addressed?
a.
2. (8:17) How does one suffer with Christ? (cf. 2TI 3:10-12}
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:17)
As children the readers are heirs of God, thus, will suffer with and be glorified with Christ.
3. (8:18) Does Paul’s “reckon” or consider” carry any weight on what is of value or worth — if so why?
a.
4. (8:18) While suffering has little worth it does have a purpose, consider: 2CO 4:17; JAM 1:2-3; 1Pe 1:6-7)
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:18)
Paul, a man inspired by the Holy Spirit, a man having seen and heard things he cannot tell, says heaven far surpasses what this life offers — it would be foolhardy to reject his testimony because I have not seen or heard it first hand.
5. (8:19) What is the meaning of “earnest expectation” [“anxious longing”]?
a.
6. (8:19) What is the meaning of “creation” or “creature”?
a.
7. Who are “the sons of God”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:19)
Staying with the context of why one is no longer wretched because of Christ the creation’s response assures the justified (the ex-wretched) heaven is worth the suffering.
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.
10. (8:24) What, in this place, is meant by seen and sees?
a.
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.
12. (8:24) Considering 8:23 as the reason or foundation for 8:24, what is “not “hope”? What is “hope”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:24)
Suffering does not damping the Christian’s positive confidence in their unseen, but promised, salvation (redemption).
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)
Informs why those in Christ, led by the Spirit, testified by the Spirit as being children have positive confidence in the “hope” — are actively looking forward to the promised glory, the released from their physical bodies.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can the Justified endure suffering?
E. Conclusion —

XV. {Rom 8:26-27} Fifth Argument — He intercedes