Notes for March 20, 2011

Hello everyone!

Thanks to all that were able to attend today.  It was a fun morning.  Please pray for those items on the prayer list as well as for those traveling this week.  I trust all of you are looking at your influence of others including your spouse, friends, co-workers, and children this week.  Do you point to holiness or to wickedness in your attitude and actions?  As we ended Chapter 6 this last week it is imperative that we understand Paul's admonishment to make the choice to listen to the Holy Spirit and turn away from sin.  With the Holy Spirit's help we can make that choice!

Please don't forget the 'favorite verses' we placed on the board on Sunday.  This have meaning and significance as God's word lives in you.  What other verses make a difference?  Do you write them on the walls of your house and tell them to your family and others?  When?

Ok - notes/questions for next week:

Please read Romans 7 completely.

1) What are the key tenants of this chapter?

2) Verse 1 - Do you have to know a law for it to be in effect?  How about do you need to know a law to be under it?  How does that affect your understanding of this verse?

3) Verse 2 - Does this law still apply?  What law binds things?  Do all laws bind things?

4) Verse 3 - What behaviors are normal and expected if bound to the law for the woman?  How is she released from this binding law?  Are the actions of sexual relations between her and the other man or her and the first husband any different?  Why is she considered differently if not following the law?  She and her actions are not different...  What is different?   This is KEY to this section.

5) Verse 4 - Taking a turn to us and using the example Paul we see that Christ and we were bound together when we accept the Holy Spirit - in death to sin to our old BINDING with sin and now bound to Him.  Are we ever NOT bound to something?  Can we be completely autonomous?  Who would we have to be to be completely autonomous?

6) Verse 4 again - What is is that we will do if we are bound to Him?  What is bearing fruit?  What has happened this week that shows you are bearing fruit?  Be honest

7) Verse 5 - As we discussed last Sunday - do we point to death or to life, to wickedness or holiness - You always bear fruit - the question is what kind.  What fruit have you borne in your life for death?  Give specific examples.

8) Verse 6 - BUT NOW - as Paul transitions from fruit for death - Do you consider that you died to what bound you?  If so, the law doesn't have to bind the way you serve - you serve and follow the Holy Spirit - your on-going companion and counselor - when is the last time you asked for direction or help from the Holy Spirit?  What was it in relation to?

9) Verse 6 again - What is the difference between having a relationship and being under the law?

10) Verse 7 - Interesting that Paul chooses the heart issue of coveting here - what does he say about the Law revealing sin?  Which of the commandments have you broken?  Write them down.  (Exodus 20:17; Deut. 5:21)

11) Verse 8 to 12 - We will focus on these this Sunday - please read through these carefully and jot down notes on what these mean...

See you next Sunday!

Andy