Romans - January 18, 2009

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


b. What is the significance of being free moral agents?
(1) Each person determines their attitude toward God's offered salvation — to listen and thirst (thus, obey) or listen and rebel (thus, reject)...
(2) Most “believers”, in practice, do not accept the “free moral” concept — “God has a purpose for me and He will make sure I serve His purpose.”
c. (8:29) What does it mean to “predestined” in this place?
(1) Likewise, God has predetermined the type of lifestyle those which he approves must lead...
(2) They are “to be conformed to the image of his Son” [8:29] — an image a person can accept or reject.
(3) PONDER: What is meant by “conformed”?
(a) Having the same image as another, not the appearance of another but the real attitude of another, the inward man is be more than a superficial conformity. Cf. {Joh 17:16-19}
d. (8:30) How are people “called”?
(1) All are called by the gospel [2Th 2:14], which is God's salvation power [Rom 1:16]...
(2) It is not an “experience of grace” (a feeling) but obedience to the gospel that “calls” everyone — some will reject the call [2Th 1:7-9].
e. (8:30) What is the significance of being “justified”?
(1) Those answering the call have been forgiven and acquitted — are now righteous individuals.
(2) (Rom 3:21-5:21) Discusses God's plan of “Justification”.
f. (8:30) What does “glorified” mean in this place?
(1) Ultimate state of those addressed by Paul
(2) Those desiring to obey will reach the beautiful place called heaven.
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. Jesus is the role model for all baptized believers.
b. Not only that Jesus the Christ is the first born from the grave that will not again taste a physical death, but that he is the most important, has special privileges, and is the perfect role model, thus, enabling all baptized believers to be assured heaven will be their home.
c. The issue under discussion is what will help the man of 7:24, i.e., the help that Jesus offers is Jesus, who remains deity, has a unique relationship with mankind, Jesus is the big brother (role model) for all created beings (humans) who do not reject him in word or deed.

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, thus, an example for all believers.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is the end results of things working together for good?
1. God promised to make Satan’s controlling influence less (Gen 3:15) and through Christ it was accomplished for those with the love (desire) to respond to (accept) God’s plan — the gospel (Rom 1:16).
E. Conclusion — The Bible (both Old and New) has one purpose — namely, record the fulfillment of, i.e., to record how everything worked to bring forth God’s plan for the ultimate salvation of His greatest creation, mankind. This includes the choosing of Noah, the choosing of Mary, and Jesus’ resurrection as the Christ. In these three verses the development of the whole scheme of redemption is presented — Deity’s magnificent infinite love for mankind is made manifest.
Those desiring to be approved by God will live a Christ conformed life (recognizing Christ's authority) by responding to the Gospel call (as recorded in the Spirit inspired Bible), thereby, no longer punished (held guilty) for sin and will ultimately walk with Deity for eternity in heaven.

XVII. {Rom 8:31-39} Second Conclusion — More Than Conquerors
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul’s conclusion and application of a “sermon” enumerating the assistance [expression of Deity’s love] given those who are justified — assistance enabling the justified to live a sanctified life. Roman 8 is a five point sermon with a two point conclusion responding to the question of Rom 7:24, “How can any accountable person expect to spend eternity with God for all humans are weak — i.e., at times do things they did not want to do?”
We have consider six expression with one conclusion regarding Deity’s love qualifications making Christians winners in their struggle with Satan...
1) (8:1-4) [v.1] Jesus’ love: “set you free from the law of sin and death.” Are set free from sin’s bondage.
2) (8:5-14) [v.14] Holy Spirit’s love: “being led by the Spirit of God.” Given inspired words as objective guide — not changeable subjective feelings.
3) (8:15-16) [v.16] Holy Spirit’s love: “He testifies with our spirit we are children of God.” Have one bearing witness with our inward man, thus, giving baptized believers confidence they are Heaven bound.
4) (8:17-25) [v.24] Deity’s love: “In hope [confident expectation] we have been saved.” Assurance of Deity’s empathy in mist of daily trials sustains during difficult times.
5) (8:26-27) [v.27] Holy Spirit’s love: “He intercedes for the justified in time of weakness.” An intercessor helping during times of great stress.
6) (8:28-30) [v.28] 1st Conclusion – Deity’s love: “All things work together for good.” All things done by Deity, including scheme of redemption, was for purpose of bringing about mankind’s ultimate glorification [eternity in Heaven].
2. Preview — In Paul’s 2nd conclusion of several arguments supporting his position baptized believers are not left without the necessary help to live a sanctified lifestyle he also closes his “Sanctification” section. He steps out before mankind, on the world’s court house steps, and challenges the whole world to find any fault with Deity’s love and the security provided to the sons of God to live a sanctified life.
Paul does this using a series of rhetorical questions establishing Deity’s perfect expressions of love toward mankind (as numerated in Chapter 8) to drive home Deity’s love for mankind.
Any one can make promises (offer expressions of love) but without the qualifications to fulfill the stated expressions of love such will not be a source of encouragement in time of need.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. How can the justified know they “are more than conquerors”? That is to ask, Can we know Deity left no stone un-turned providing the justified the means to be winners, thus, know even in times of stress and doubt they are winners?
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A LOOK AHEAD
C. Questions/Ponderings For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:31) This is a series of rhetorical questions where Paul is giving the objector the opportunity to have their say regarding the question of Rom 7:24. Who is the objector?
a.
2. (8:31) What things is Paul addressing?
a.
3. (8:31) “If God is for us...” implies what about those to whom the question is addressed?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:31)


4. (8:32) PONDER: It is a fact I do not receive everything I want, thus, what limits “all things”?
a.
5. (8:32) What does this question tell us about God?
a.
6. PONDER: If God has freely given all things what has God withheld that would prevent everyone from going to heaven?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:32)
.

7. (8:33) Who would the readers think is the “elect”?
a.
8. PONDER: This would be a good place for Paul to mention it is necessary to Hear, Believe, Confess, and be Baptized — why did he not do so if Baptism is really necessary?
a.
9. (8:33) Paul has established there is no power greater than God, thus, who is the only one with enough power to bring a charge against the justified?
a.
10. (8:33) Why God cannot be the one bring a charge against the justified?
a.
11. (8:34) Why Christ cannot be the one condemning the justified?
a.

OBSERVATION (8: 33-34)


12. (8:35) Is this Christ’s love or us our love for Christ?
a.
13. (8:35) Are the things personified and listed by Paul physical or spiritual? What is the significance of the things listed?
a.
14. PONDER: Does God’s promise to never stop loving us mean He will not punish us (make us accountable for our un-confessed sins)? Explain.
a.
15. (8:36) Why did Paul quote Psalm 44:22?
a.
16. PONDER: If the things listed at 8:35 do not mean God is mad at us or loves us less; then what does it mean?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:35-36)


17. (8:37) What are the “things”?
a.
18. (8:37) What is meant by “more than conquerors”?
a.
19. (8:37) What is the meaning of “through”?
a.
20. (8:37) What enables the readers to be more that just conquerors?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:37)


21. (8:38-39) What is the meaning of “persuaded” [“convinced]? (indicative mood; perfect tense; passive voice.)
a. .
22. (8:38-39) PONDER: Is Paul saying the items mentioned will not make us stop loving God or he is saying the items mentioned will not make God stop loving us?
a.
23. What does the items listed have in common, i.e., what is the class of listed items?
a.
24. (8:39) As used here “in” (G1722, en) denotes a fixed position where something takes place — i.e., the sphere where something happens rather than the instrument or channel something happened. What is the significance of Chapter 8 ending and beginning with “in Christ” as it relates to the man of 7:24?
a.
25. While God loves all He has created there are five benefits granted only to those obedient to God’s plan of salvation, i.e. those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, thus, are walking in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-4) What are they? [cf. Rom 8:1; 14; 16; 24; 26)
a.
26. What is the significance of saying “Christ Jesus our Lord”
a.
27. The fact under no condition will a child of God be separated from God’s love mean a child of God cannot be lost, i.e., not go to heaven?
a.
28. PONDER: Will any of God’s children miss Heaven, i.e., be is Hell?
a.
29. PONDER: Can one who has never seen or talked with Christ one on one, as did Paul, really become as persuaded or convinced as Paul there is nothing to cause Deity to stop loving His greatest creation?
a.

OBSERVATION (8:37-39)


D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can the justified know they “are more than conquerors”? That is to ask, Can we know Deity left no stone un-turned providing the justified the means to be winners, thus, know even in times of stress and doubt they are winners?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XVIII. Section Conclusion (Sanctification Rom 6:1-8:39) —