Romans - January 4, 2009

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

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).
a. Watered down view: God has a purpose for what is happing in my life and all things are working toward that end — what appears to be bad decisions on my part not really bad decision for God’s purpose (good) will happen.
C. Questions/Ponderings For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:28) Who, according to Paul in this verse, receives the benefit of God’s efforts?
a. Those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
2. (8:28) In this verse is Paul saying those who love God are learning or have learned?
a. “know” = 1492 eido; used only in past tense; to understand by way of the outward man’s senses (sight, hear, smell, taste, touch) or to understand by way of inward man’s senses (memory, reason, contemplation, perception, judgment).
b. Those loving God have learned.
3. (8:28) In this verse what have those who love God learned?
a. Those “who love God” have learned (not learning), all things done by God benefits those who love God.
4. (8:28) Is Paul saying everyone who loves God knows (has learned) all things work for good?
a. No! They must love God and are called according to His purpose.
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. To enable mankind to once again walk with God — justification/salvation.
6. PONDER: How is one called? (cf. Mat 11:28; 2Th 2:13-14; Rom 1:6,16)
a. By being obedient (responding) to the gospel of Christ
7. PONDER: What does it mean to “love God”? (cf. Mat 7:21; 1Jo 2:3; 1Jo 5:2-3)
a. Love God’s children and keep his commandments
8. (8:28) Considering location (context) of this verse (follows 7:24) what is the “good” being addressed?
a. Good would be what was necessary to set man of 7:24 free from his body of death, thus, enabling him to die to the Law of Merit (7:4) — i.e., being able to be justified by faith not by his works of merit (5:1)

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A LOOK AHEAD

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. OPINION: 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.
(1)

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. (8:29-30) 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)
.

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

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?
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 bringing 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) —