Romans - December 14, 2008

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

(4) This is the most logical position. Comforting knowing the Three are acting in our behalf, not correcting our prayers, but assisting us in time of confusion and need.
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. As has been established by the other arguments a child of God is not left to swing in the wind of uncertainty but has the assurance he has all the help he needs — in this case, thanks to the Holy Spirit, the child of God can be assured God’s always knows what is required...
a. A child of God is never alone — should never be wretched as was the man of 7:24 — should always be full of hope and confidence.
E. Conclusion — Holy Spirit intercedes for the Justified because they are striving to accept the responsibilities of being Justified [Sanctified]. Holy Spirit intercedes because the Justified’s inward man responds to the inspired Word of God as an objective guide in their daily walk.
The issue is not do we need to ask for forgiveness and help but the assurance, as a child of God, God understands our struggles and wants to help. To reap the benefits of Deity’s love, as expressed in a rich and powerful prayer life, we must lead a (be obedient to) Book, Chapter, and Verse controlled life.

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

XVI. {Rom 8:28-30} First Conclusion — All things work for good
A. Introduction
1. Review — The question that is ask at Romans 7:24, “How can any human expect to spend eternity with God for all accountable humans are weak?” The answer is, “Thanks to deity.” By the man of Romans 7:24's agony it is clear the justified have an obligation to accept the responsibilities of being justified (live a sanctified life). Romans 6:1-8:37 the responsibilities of Justification (Sanctification) are enumerated. This done using five arguments and two conclusions supporting his position as noted in Romans 8. [Five point sermon with two conclusions.] We have consider the five arguments: 1) [1-4] “Set you free from the law of sins and death”; 2) [5-14] “Being led by the Spirit of God”; 3) [15-16] Holy Spirit “testifies with our spirit we are children of God”; 4) [17-25] “In hope (confidence) we have been saved”; 5) [26-27] Spirit “intercedes for the justified in time of weakness”.
2. Preview — (Rom 8:28-30) [First conclusion] God’s children can be assured God knows what His children really requires and God has the tools (ability) to make it happen.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What is the end results of things working together for good?
2. This passage is misused to support, “Even if I leave my wife and run off with a sixteen year old girl it will be used by God for my good.” Debate between David Bonner (gospel preacher) /Hoyt Chastain (Missionary Baptist).
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:28) Who, according to Paul in this verse, receives the benefit of God’s efforts?
a.
2. (8:28) In this verse is Paul saying those who love God are learning or have learned?
a.
3. (8:28) In this verse what have those who love God learned?
a.
4. (8:28) Is Paul saying everyone who loves God knows (has learned) all things work for good?
a.
5. PONDER: What is God’s purpose (cf. Gen 3:14-15, Luk 10: 17-21; Eph 1:9; 2Ti 1:9; Rom 1:6)?
a.
6. PONDER: How is one called? (cf. Mat 11:28; 2Th 2:13-14; Rom 1:6,16)
a.
7. PONDER: What does it mean to “love God”? (cf. Mat 7:21; 1Jo 2:3; 1Jo 5:2-3)
a.
8. (8:28) Considering location (context) of this verse (follows 7:24) what is the “good” being addressed?
a.
9. (8:28) Considering the location (context) of this verse what is the nature (type) of the “all things” under discussion that are classified as good?
a.
10. Three positions on “all things” considered
a. (8:28) “All things” is everything (good/bad) without qualification or limitation.
(1)

b. Bad “all things” (events) is God’s chastening (training) motivating us to obey.
(1)
c. “All things” is what was necessary for God’s purpose to be reached.

OBSERVATION (8:28

11. (8:29-30) What is the purpose of “for” at this place, i.e. to what is Paul referring?
a.
12. What are the words and their meaning used to support “called according to His purpose” of 8:28?
a. ”
c.
d.
e.
f.
13. (8:29) God foreknew and predestined so Christ would be the firstborn and to these God called, justified, and glorified. What does firstborn imply in this passage?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:29-30)
God plan for mankind’s salvation (being as pure as were Adam and Eve before the fruit incident) was a purposed and prepared plan (Gen 3:15) fulfilled in Christ.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is the end results of things working together for good?
1.
E. Conclusion —

Romans - December 7, 2008

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

OBSERVATION (8:27)
The Holy Spirit meets with or happens upon a child of God and pleads the Christian’s case before God.
OBSERVATION (8:26-27) Facts Summarized (without application):
The child of God is assured they will receive help by the way of the Holy Spirit during a time of specific weakness (not knowing how to petition God) in the same way they received help during times of suffering for Christ. During this event the Holy Spirit will make petition on the saints behalf before God. During this event the Holy Spirit will do so with groanings (sighings) to deep to be expressed in words and God will also search the inward man. God also knows the mind of the Holy Spirit who is interceding for the child of God as God has authorized.

13. (8:26-27) Consider four popular views (applications)...
a. Holy Spirit corrects our prayers — “The Holy Spirit helps us when we are confused and corrects our prayers, preventing us from praying selfishly or with evil thoughts.”
(1) Can pray with incorrect thoughts. {JAM 4:3; 1Ti 2:8; 1Jo 5:14-15; et al. }.
(a) If Spirit corrected our prayers, we would not be accountable for “wrong praying”.
(2) We will be held accountable for what we do, therefor, this view is wrong and harmful {ROM 14:12}.
b. Our spirit [inward man] groans — “The spirit helping our weakness and also makes groanings that cannot be uttered is the human spirit [inward man].”...
(1) If this view is correct no outside helper is required; this contrast with what the text implies by using the words “our”, “us”, “we”, and “saints”.
(2) Theme of chapter is “Love of Deity” manifested toward the justified...
(a) Why would Paul deviate from this theme by bringing in another personality (our own)?
(3) {8:26} “for we do not know how” = Knowledge is an attribute of inward man...
(a) Thus, our inward man, which knows not, intercedes during prayer for our inward man which knows not — This is nonsensical (meaningless).
(4) Also, one making intercession occupies an in-between position — inward man cannot interceded for inward man.
(5) While this position is wrong it is not harmful — just meaningless.
c. Holy Spirit interprets inward man’s groaning — “Spirit helping our weakness is the Holy Spirit and groanings that cannot be uttered is by the human spirit [inward man]”.
(1) View suggest two infirmities (needs) when we pray; one stated, one implied...
(a) First infirmity: We have a need for knowledge to know “how to pray as we should” and our spirit [inward man] cannot help...
i) May frequently think we need what Deity knows we do not need; thus, at this point the Holy Spirit “intercedes” for us so we will not pray for what is harmful —we will not be allowed to pray for anything contrary to God’s will.
ii) Therefore, Holy Spirit intercedes based not on inward man’s “lost for words” (groanings), but on God’s will — thus, Holy Spirit is not correcting a prayer, but uttering a prayer.
(b) Second infirmity: We need a means to communicate our deepest emotions of both sorrow and joy to God the Father — therefore, the Holy Spirit fills this need..
i) This is a need not because of illiteracy but because no words, known to man, can express our need — a need that can only be express by our groanings.
(2) The Objection: Have a problem accepting the Holy Spirit intercedes by presenting our “groaning” to God the Father in words that man cannot utter but the Holy Spirit can understand and translate — Why does our Creator require a translator?...
(a) {8:26b} Says, “groanings too deep for words”, does not say “groanings to deep for words by man”
(b) How can the Holy Spirit present our groaning to God the Father in words which do not exist — or need to exist in the first place?
(3) While this view is not harmful, it is not correct.
d. Holy Spirit himself groans words that cannot be uttered — “The Spirit that helps our weakness is the Holy Spirit and He is making the groaning which cannot be uttered.”
(1) True, there are times a Christian’s inward man [spirit] can only give expression “with groanings to deep for words” during times of deep emotions, however, God the Father who “searches the hearts” [our inward man] comprehends the meaning of our groanings ( “I need help!”)...
(a) God is capable of understanding the groanings of His creation’s inward man — God does not require Holy Spirit as an interpreter.
(2) (8:26-27) Not an action from Holy Spirit to us, but the Holy Spirit to God.
(a) The Holy Spirit intercedes in the relationship between earth bound man and God in Heaven.
(b) The action between God and the Holy Spirit takes place in Heaven.
(3) To fully understand 8:26-27 we must consider Deity’s involvement in our prayers...
(a) God the Father — To whom we pray, source of help [Col 1:3].
(b) Jesus the Christ — Advocate [1Jo 2:1]; Sympathizing high priest [Heb 2:17]; and also Intercessor [Heb 7:25].
(c) Holy Spirit — An intercessor (represents one to the other) helping us, especially in time of deepest emotions of the soul when only a member of the Godhead understands {ROM 8:26-27} [w/nouns]...
i) Makes intercession, for our benefit, with His own groaning [to deep for words] — words are not required for God the Father fully comprehends the mind of the Holy Spirit.
ii) Not told how Holy Spirit makes intercession, but it conforms within limits of {8:34b} for His interceding is according to the will of God.
(d) Difference between intercession by Christ and the Spirit...
i) (8:26) Holy Spirit: G5241 huperentugchano = to intercede for one
ii) (8:34) Jesus Christ: G1793 entugchano = to light upon a person or a thing, fall in with, hit upon, a person or a thing; to go to or meet a person, especially for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
iii) Perhaps the difference is the Holy Spirit has the job of interceding and Jesus the Christ who died to be the propitiation for sin and was raised as King will “also” intercede.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD
(4) This is the most logical position. Comforting knowing the Three are acting in our behalf, not correcting our prayers, but assisting us in time of confusion and need.
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?
E. Conclusion —

XVI. {Rom 8:28-30} First Conclusion — All things work for good
A. Introduction
1. Review — The question that is ask at Romans 7:24, “How can any human expect to spend eternity with God for all accountable humans are weak?” The answer is, “Thanks to deity.” By the man of Romans 7:24's agony it is clear the justified have an obligation to accept the responsibilities of being justified (live a sanctified life). Romans 6:1-8:37 the responsibilities of Justification (Sanctification) are enumerated. This done using five arguments and two conclusions supporting his position as noted in Romans 8. [Five point sermon with two conclusions.] We have consider the five arguments: 1) [1-4] “Set you free from the law of sins and death”; 2) [5-14] “Being led by the Spirit of God”; 3) [15-16] Holy Spirit “testifies with our spirit we are children of God”; 4) [17-25] “In hope (confidence) we have been saved”; 5) [26-27] Spirit “intercedes for the justified in time of weakness”.
2. Preview — (Rom 8:28-30) [First conclusion] God’s children can be assured God knows what His children really requires and God has the tools (ability) to make it happen.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What is the end results of things working together for good?
2. This passage is misused to support, “Even if I leave my wife and run off with a sixteen year old girl it will be used by God for my good.” Debate between David Bonner (gospel preacher) /Hoyt Chastain (Missionary Baptist).
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:28) Who, according to Paul in this verse, receives the benefit of God’s efforts?
a.
2. (8:28) In this verse is Paul saying those who love God are learning or have learned?
a.
3. (8:28) In this verse what have those who love God learned?
a.
4. (8:28) Is Paul saying everyone who loves God knows (has learned) all things work for good?
a.
5. PONDER: What is God’s purpose (cf. Gen 3:14-15, Luk 10: 17-21; Eph 1:9; 2Ti 1:9; Rom 1:6)?
a.
6. PONDER: How is one called? (cf. Mat 11:28; 2Th 2:13-14; Rom 1:6,16)
a.
7. PONDER: What does it mean to “love God”? (cf. Mat 7:21; 1Jo 2:3; 1Jo 5:2-3)
a.
8. (8:28) Considering location (context) of this verse (follows 7:24) what is the “good” being addressed?
a.
9. (8:28) Considering the location (context) of this verse what is the nature (type) of the “all things” under discussion that are classified as good?
a.
10. Three positions on “all things” considered
a. (8:28) “All things” is everything (good/bad) without qualification or limitation.
(1)

b. Bad “all things” (events) is God’s chastening (training) motivating us to obey.
(1)
c. “All things” is what was necessary for God’s purpose to be reached.

OBSERVATION (8:28

11. (8:29-30) What is the purpose of “for” at this place, i.e. to what is Paul referring?
a.
12. What are the words and their meaning used to support “called according to His purpose” of 8:28?
a. ”
c.
d.
e.
f.
13. (8:29) God foreknew and predestined so Christ would be the firstborn and to these God called, justified, and glorified. What does firstborn imply in this passage?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:29-30)
God plan for mankind’s salvation (being as pure as were Adam and Eve before the fruit incident) was a purposed and prepared plan (Gen 3:15) fulfilled in Christ.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is the end results of things working together for good?
1.
E. Conclusion —

Romans - November 30, 2008

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


13. (8:25) What is the meaning of “patience” as used here?
a. “perseverance” — G5281. hupomone; 1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance 1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings 1b) patiently, and steadfastly.
14. (8:25) What, as used here, is the meaning of “wait”?
a. “wait eagerly” — G553. apekdechomai; assiduously and patiently waiting for...
(1) Constant in application or attention; diligent: See synonyms at busy; not sitting on the couch waiting for the suffering to end.
(2) Christians do not retire from being Christ’s disciple.
15. (8:25) What is the “it”?
a. The release from a bondage of corruption, the redemption of the child of God’s body. [8:21,23]
(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?
1. Their confidence, thanks to being a child of God, what follows death is well worth the price, in pain and suffering, one must pay in this life. (1Co 15:54-55)
E. Conclusion — What makes current pain & suffering seem light is they can last no longer than this physical life, what a child of God receives when this life is over will last for eternity. The difference between the suffering of the wretched man (7:24) and one in Christ is the hope the suffering will end. The wretched man did not have the hope his suffering would ever end.
1. The Bible does not teach when one accepts Christ as their savior only good things will happen and what they give (good works and money) will return many fold fail to understand or appreciate Rom 8:17-25. One in Christ can endure problems in this life for the beauty of eternity with God.
2. This passage does not even imply a Christian will not suffer in this life.

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. The child of God.
2. (8:26) What does “in the same way the Spirit” mean?
a. The Holy Spirit provided the assurance or help required during sufferings and He will also provided help during the child of God’s weakness.
3. (8:26) What is the weakness under discussion?
a. Not knowing how to communicate with God (prayer).
b. Context would suggest it is the seeking help during sufferings brought about because the readers are children of God — not because they are involved (and wish to stay) in a situation contrary to God’s will.
4. (8:26) What is the meaning of the word “intercedes” [“intercession”]?
a. G5241. huperentugchano; verb, to make petition for.
5. (8:26) Who is doing the interceding?
a. The Holy Spirit
6. (8:26) For whom is the Holy Spirit interceding?
a. The child of God
7. (8:26) What is “groanings to deep for words”?
a. “groanings” = G4726. stenagmos; noun, a sigh, a groaning (not a “Spirit tongue”)
b. “deep for words” = G215. alaletos; adj., not to be uttered, not expressed in words
8. (8:26) Who is doing groanings to deep for words?
a. The Holy Spirit, the one interceding is doing so in a way the human mind can not grasp with the five tools (memory, reason, contemplation, perception, judgment).

OBSERVATION (8:26)
The Holy Spirit’s special or unique help when our inward man does not know what is required.

9. (8:27) What or whose heart is searched?
a. The Christian’s inward man or spirit.
10. (8:27) Who searches the inward man (heart) and knows the mind of the Holy Spirit?
a. God
11. (8:27) What is the meaning of the Greek word “intercedes” [“intercession”]?
a. G1793. entugchano; 1) A picturesque word of rescue by one who “happens on” one who is in trouble and “in his behalf” pleads his case before another. 2) To go to or meet a person, especially for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication.
12. (8:27) Who intercedes according to God’s will
a. The Holy Spirit (cf 8:26)

OBSERVATION (8:27)
The Holy Spirit meets with or happens upon a child of God and pleads the Christian’s case before God.

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


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