Notes for February 20, 2011

Well, I hope everyone is having a good week and Valentine's Day was a time of refreshing peace in the Lord's love (remember He IS Love). 

Please remember to pray for one another this week.  If you can right now, go ahead and pray. 

Great...

Now here are some questions to answer/think about for this Sunday's Lesson on Romans 5:

Please read Romans 5:1-11

Review our last week's questions below regarding verses 1 to 5 and how we have to trust to get to a place to have hope and that our sufferings produce perseverance that produces character for His glory.  We can glory in those sufferings as He is in control even when the situation or suffering seems to be out of His control.

Please read vs 6 - What does he mean when he says "when we were still powerless"?  What power did you have when Christ came?  What power did the people have that were around Jesus when he came?  Were they ungodly?  What does it mean to be ungodly?  What does it mean to be godly?  If it is the same as righteous go back to chapter 4 - was Abraham godly or ungodly?  What power did Jesus have that they or we don't have?  Power over what?

Verse 6 still - why did Jesus have to die?  Answer as if you were asked this by an unbeliever or a child

Verse 7 - What is being discussed in this verse?  Be practical - who do you know that has died for a good person or a righteous person? 

Verse 8 - How does this cooincide with verse 7?  What does it mean that He demostrated His OWN love for us?  Why is it important that it is HIS love?  What was the demonstration?  Why is this different than verse 7?  So are sinners good people?  Are sinners righteous people?  Who did Jesus die for?  How does this overlay with Romans 3:23?

Verse 9 - What is this verse about?  How are we justified?  What did we have to do with this justification?  Why did Christ have to die?   Do you know any old testament scri;ptures relating to the remission of sin through blood?  what does it mean "how much more shall we be saved"?  When does God provide wrath?  If God provides wrath not just at death but in day to day life of a sinner how would you be spared His wrath if you are saved?  Do these go together?  Does that mean you will not experience God's wrath if you have been provided righteousness through Christ?  (remember how Noah was affected by the wrath of God even though he wasn't being punished?)

Verse 10 -Up to this verse the author is only discussing death of Christ.  Now he turns to Christ's life and resurrection.  Why is this verse important?  Explain as if you were explaining to a child.  Is this actually that you build more and more "saving"?  How are you saved "more" than just being saved?  How would this be evident each day?  (May want to look at verses 1 to 5 on peace and glorying in suffering or proverbs 3 on peace - not more saved - but understand the Lordship and Soveriegnty changes all aspects of our life - John 10:10).

Verse 11 - So you have reconciliation with God through your complete Trust in Jesus as both Savior and fully SOVEREIGN God (all things under His feet - Ephesians)...  What else would you now boast in?  Your job?  Your accomplishments?  Your relationship with Christ?  Would this not seem natural to boast in Christ and what He has done for you even though you did absolutely nothing (He died and rose before you were born) except accept the fact?  Welcome to heaven!  Glory to God in the highest...because He is the highest...

See you Sunday.