Romans 12 List and Notes for Next Sunday - Romans 13

Hello Everyone!

It has been a great time studying with you all over the summer.  I look forward to the fall with so many activities and the opportunities those present to live out our faith not just talk about it.

A quick reminder that on September 18 we will move to room 224.  This is a 'permanent' switch starting that Sunday.  Most likely we will also have a name change that Sunday so please look for my name or just come to the room.

Some of you had asked that I publish the 'list' from Sunday before last on Romans 12.  Here is the list:

Do

______  1 – Body as a sacrifice

______  1 – Be Holy

______  2 – Be different than the world

______  2 – Continually renew your mind

______  2 – Look/Test for God’s will

______  3 – Think of your self soberly with the faith God has given you

______  5 – Be a member of the body and belong to one another

______  6 to 8 – Prophesy/teach/encourage/give/lead/show mercy – but do it!

______  9 – Love sincerely

______  9 – Hate what is evil, cling to what is good

______  10 – Be devoted to on another

______  10 – Honor one another above yourselves

______  11 – Keep your zeal

______  11 – Serve the Lord

______  12 – Be Joyful in Hope

______  12 – Be patient in affliction

______  12 – Be faithful in prayer

______  13 – Share with the Lord’s people who are in Need

______  13 – Practice hospitality

______  14 – Bless those who persecute you

______  15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice

______  15 – Mourn with those who mourn

______  16 – Live in harmony with one another

______  16 – Be willing to associate with people of low position

______  17 – Do what is right in the eyes of everyone

______  18 - As it depends on you, live at peace with everyone

______  19 – Leave room for God’s wrath

______  20 – Feed your enemy

______  20 – Give your enemy something to drink when He/She is thirsty

______  21 – Overcome evil with good.

Do Not

______  3 and 16 – Be conceited

______  4 – Think you have the same function as someone else

______  11 – Lack Zeal

______  14 – Curse those that persecute you

______  16 – Be proud

______  17 – Repay evil for evil

______  19 – Take revenge

______  21  - Be overcome by evil

Here are the Notes from that class as well:

Romans 12:13-21 – God’s Mercy vs. (AND) Our Sacrifice

August 21, 2011

Headers

Generosity vs Outrage          Genuine vs. Ostentatious      Good vs. Offensive

v13-14                                   v15-17                                   v18-21

Column 1 – Generosity vs Outrage  (Last week – benefactors)

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Who are the benefactors of your faith in action?

Vs 13 – God’s people – you will not be selfish even in affliction but share with those in need – what practical examples are there?

Where is this to take place?  Do you do this in your own house?

Vs 14-21 – The rest of the world’s people AND believers –

Vs 14 – Start with Galatians 6:10 – what does it mean?

What does the Lord say about blessing persecutors?  Matthew 5:43-48, Leviticus 19-especially 17 and 18, Luke 6:28

What does it mean not to curse those people?

This is a few years before Christians – in great numbers – would be killed at the hands of Nero – amazing God’s timing in preparing the church for this upcoming nastiness

Column 2 – Genuine vs. Ostentatious

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

15 – Easy to help in sorry – difficult to share in joy of success – envy comes in

Phil 4:13

1 Cor 12:26

16 – Have equal regard for one another – 1 Cor 13:4 – No conceit

17 – When does someone present ‘evil’ to us?  Practically?

Column 3 – Good vs. Offensive

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]

 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What are we to do and what will God take care of?

18 – What does it mean to live at peace with everyone – why add ‘as far as it depends on  you’?

19 – What is revenge – practically – inside the home/outside the home?  Leave room for God’s wrath?  What does that mean?

20 – Rather/on the contrary we are to do what?  From proverbs – what?

21 – How can you not be overcome by evil?  How do you determine ‘good’?

Column 4/TITLE – God’s Mercy vs. AND Our Sacrifice 

For Next Sunday, September 4, 2011 we will have a special time of prayer.  This will be a time for all of us  to reflect on Praises, Thanks, Confession, and Petitions we have for our Lord.  Please plan to come ready for a fun time of fellowship and prayer.

Have a great week!

Andrew

Notes for Memorial Day weekend

Hello everyone -

This week we will complete chapter 9 and move into chapter 10. Please don't forget last week when we finished being perplexed on sovereign choice and will and that paradox along with god's purpose in glorifying himself through and to his end and finally the particulars Paul gives us in showing what god specifically has done in history to show his sovereignty and continuing to his plan even through raising up pharaoh. With all that said and in mind - please read the rest of chapter 9 below and be ready to discuss our choice based on all this - we will discuss the 'OBK' obtaining (9:29-32), Believing (9:32-33), knowing (10:1-3)....

See you Sunday!

 29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:

   “Unless the Lord Almighty
   had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
   we would have been like Gomorrah.”[l]

Israel’s Unbelief

 30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
   “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
   and a rock that makes them fall,
   and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[m]

Notes for Sunday, May 8 - MOTHER'S DAY!

We will be finishing Chapter 8 in Romans this Sunday as well as having some special items for the Moms. We look forward to seeing you all.

Here are some awesome notes that I found from Heartlight's commentary...

Verse 31
What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us?

Seeing, as just stated, that God's eternal purpose relative to the redeemed in Christ is absolutely certain of fulfillment, how solid and secure is the state of the person in Christ. "In Christ" is absolute safety, the only mortal concern of the Christian having to do, not with any doubt or uncertainty of final glory, but only with his being "in Christ" and remaining so. Given the integrity of that relationship, salvation for the child of God is a certainty. For the person "in Christ," it is an unqualified fact that God is "for" him, with all that implies. God appears in this verse, not as a detached or disinterested judge, but as a helper, protector, and benefactor. As Paul put it,

For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

---

Verse 32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

The confidence of the apostle in this verse is founded upon the principle of logic called a fortiori, being a progression from the great to the lesser. The great gift is that of God's only Son; and surely the love that provided such an unspeakable gift could not fail to provide whatever else might be required to accomplish his purpose of redeeming people, the particular things apparently in view here being whatever earthly encouragement and provision might be necessary to the achievement of the Christian's ultimate salvation to the uttermost.

---

Verses 33, 34
Who shalt lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Locke paraphrased these verses thus:

Who shall be the persecutor of those whom God hath chosen? Shall God who justifieth them? Who, as judge, shall condemn them? Christ that died for us, yea rather that is risen again for our justification, and is at the right hand of God making intercession for us? ^F60

Justifying his paraphrase in a footnote, Locke added:

Reading this with an interrogation makes it needless to add any words to the text to make out the sense; and it is more conformable to the scheme of his argumentation here, as appears by Rom. 8:35, where the interrogation cannot be avoided. It is, as it were, an appeal to them themselves to be the judges whether any of those things he mentions to them (reckoning up these which had the most power to hurt them) could give them just cause for apprehension: "Who shall accuse you? Shall God who justifies you? Who shall condemn you? Christ who died for you? ^F61

---

Verses 35, 36
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

In this and following verses, Paul mentioned the things conceived of as hostile, and hindering to the Christian's life; and most of the things here mentioned should be understood as lying within the ordinary daily experience of the Christians of that age.

The love of Christ ...
refers not to our love for him, but to his love for us.

The scripture quoted by Paul here is Psa. 44:22; and his employment of the expression "even as it is written" was his way of saying, "This is just our lot, exactly as the scriptures teach." Like many other lists found in the Pauline writings, this one should be understood as representative rather than exhaustive.

---

Verses 38, 39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

All of the calamities mentioned here were suffered by Paul himself, as a glance at 2 Cor. 11 will show; and, despite the fact of all things working together for good for Christians, the hardships and sufferings they endure prove that no exemption from life's sorrows has been provided for them. On the contrary, it was doubtless a fact that the Christians of that age suffered far more than other groups of mankind; and, due to the natural discouragement arising from such extraordinary sufferings, there was a constant temptation for the Christians to fall into doubt and discouragement, or grow cold in their love to the Lord, or to acquire deep feelings of guilt arising from a view of their hardships as being caused by their sins. It has ever been the tendency of troubled individuals to become depressed and doubtful, as was the case with John the Baptist when thrown into prison (Matthew 11:2). Paul in this marvelous peroration emphasized the fact that all guilt had been removed through the death of Christ, that condemnation of God's children is impossible. God himself is "for them." What a shout of victory is this passage!

Height ... depth ...
Locke understood these to mean "the height of prosperity" or the "depth of misery."

Life ...
in this context was interpreted by Lard as meaning the hard life they were called upon to live in the flesh, life with its burdens, toils and persecutions.

Angels ...
if understood as a reference to good angels are only a conceptual hindrance to the Christian, meaning that even if an angel were to try to hinder them, such would be impossible; but if the word should be understood of Satan's angels (Matthew 25:41), the meaning is the same. Not even Satan's angels may finally hinder the child of God.

Whiteside pointed out that the impossibility of apostasy is not what Paul was teaching here. He wrote:

All the things mentioned are things without. Nothing is here said of what corrupting influences may do to the heart. No powers of persecutions can compel one to stop loving God; if he quits, he does it of his own accord. Love cannot be destroyed by force of imperial command, but it may wax cold. Some even depart from their first love (Revelation 2:4). Paul recognized that people depart from the faith, but he was persuaded that no evils coming on us from without could destroy the love of God. ^F62

Whiteside's point is well taken; but it is God's love for man, not the other way around, that Paul primarily had in view here.

In Christ Jesus our Lord ...
is the final word of this flourishing burst of eloquence; and it brings the mind back to the major proposition underlying all that Paul wrote, which is this, that salvation is "in Christ" alone, and that the totality of the Christian's hope derives from the fact of his having been baptized into Christ (the only scriptural baptism being that of a true believer who is penitent), and from the presumption of his continuance therein (in Christ) "unto death." Paul wrote many things, but the expression "in Christ" or its equivalent is the theme of all that he wrote, being mentioned no less than 169 times; and any "system" that omits this is like a symphony from which both the tonic and dominant chords have been deleted. Paul never left it out! Here is the point where his mind always came to rest.

One is reluctant to go on from the magnificent teachings of this wonderful chapter, even for the purpose of further studying Paul's epic letter; and, by way of a final salute to the inspiring thoughts of this chapter, the following words of Moule are appended:

Some years ago, we remember reading this close of the eighth chapter, under moving circumstances. On a cloudless January night, late arrived in Rome, we stood in the Coliseum, a party of friends from England. Orion, the giant with the sword, glimmered like a spectre of persecution over the huge precinct; for the full moon, high in the heavens, overpowered the stars. By its light, we read from a little Testament these words written so long ago to be read in that same city - written by the man whose dust now sleeps at Tre Fontane, where the executioner dismissed him to be with Christ; written to men and women, some of whom, in all human likelihood at least, suffered in that very amphitheatre, raised only twenty-two years after Paul wrote Romans, and soon made the scene of countless martyrdoms. ... We read the words of the Epistle, and gave thanks to him who had there triumphed in his saints over life and death, over beasts and men and demons. Then we thought of ourselves, in our circumstances so totally different on the surface, yet carrying the same needs in their depths. Are we too to overcome, in "the things present" of our modern world, and in the face of "the things to come" yet upon our earth? Are we too to be "more than conquerors," winning blessing out of all things, and really living in our generation as the bondmen of Christ and the sons of God? ^F63

Updates from Last Class

I trust all of you had a great weekend and were able to spend time in the Word of God and in Prayer.  The fellowship we enjoy is certainly something that builds our family up and we appreciate all of you.

I encourage each of you to search the prayer requests this week and pray for as many as you can.  I had a heavy heart after the prayer time yesterday.

Yesterday we discussed the purpose of God including bringing all people to Him as well as glorification of God.  We also had discussion about little Ava and her family.  During the discussion of this incredibly and undeniably terrible and BAD situation there was a statement that a relative had said: "God might bring people home that may not know the Lord later".   I was moving quickly to the next subject and should have addressed this at that time.  I prayed last night and am clear that I must comment on this:

There is NO scriptural basis for God taking someone to be with Him 'early'.  God's plan is perfect and His timing is perfect.  He does not will someone to be saved against their will nor does He know they won't be saved later and therefore takes them 'early' so that they can be with Him.  God clearly shows again and again in scripture that He is NOT a manipulator nor does.

I cannot imagine the pain and torment that go with losing a child.  It is very important that we clearly state only what scripture teaches us.  It is imperative that we are those that run to Christ at all times but especially when those are hurt around us.  When Jesus wept He did so at the undeniable wailing and sorry of those that lost Lazarus.  We should and/or must be moved in this way.

I promise that, in the future, we will slow down the exegesis and address any comments in line with what we are studying.  I apologize to anyone that was hurt that I did not lead better in this situation.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss further.  We love you all.

Easter Weekend Notes - Into the light?

We will not have Sunday School this Sunday.  I will miss being in class with all of you and pray for a safe and happy Easter to you all.

Three quick things for this weekend:

First - have you been washed by Christ?

The night before He was betrayed He washed the disciples' feet.  Peter declared, "You shall never wash my feet."  Jesus said, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me."

He will not serve us against our will.  You also have no part in Him if you don't allow Him to wash you clean.

Second - Do we dare look upon the Cross as it was and is?  John Donne in 1613 on Good Friday wrote about looking upon the Cross:

"Yet dare I almost be glad I do not see

That spectacle, of too much weight for me.

Who sees God's face, that is self life, must die,

What a death were it then to see God die?

It made his own lieutenant nature, shrink,

It made his footstool crack, and the sun wink.

Could I behold those hands which span the poles,

And tune all spheres at once, pierced with those holes?

Could I behold that endless height which is

Zenith to us, and our Antipodes,

Humbled below us?  Or that blood which is

The seat of all our souls, if not His,

Make dirt of dust, or that flesh which was worn

By God, for his apparel, ragged and torn?

If on these things I durst not look, durst I

Upon his miserable mother cast my eye,

Who was God's partner here, and furnished thus

Half of that sacrifice that ransomed us?"

Third - Do we want to know ourselves in Christ?  Do we want to come into the light and be seen?  The Psalmist writes:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up,

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down,

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Easter is a glorious day for those in the light, willing to see Ephesians 4:25 as welcome to their soul.  For the rest, Easter is hiding in the shadows, not wanting to be seen or found.

When will you want Christ to see you?  Do you want to be found?

John 10:10

Have a great week.

Andy

Notes for April 17, 2011

Hello everyone!  I trust all of you had a great week.  This week we will continue in Romans 8 where we will explore Paul's continued exhortation of the Romans to live with the Spirit's leading.

Please read Romans 8

Read 8:18 - Based on last week, what sufferings are in our day to day lives that he is talking about here? What does he mean by the glory that will be revealed in us?  Why is he comparing these two things?

Read 8:19 - What does this verse mean and what does it mean now vs. when Christ returns?  Tactically, what does this verse tell us about our day to day activities?

Read 8:20 to 8:21 - What is he talking about when it comes to creation being frustrated?  Whose will subjected the earth to this frustration?  When did that happen?  After we finish Romans I plan to go into Genesis - can you find in Genesis - the verses - where the world became 'frustrated'?

Read 8:22 - How do we know that this is true?  What do you see around you that the Earth and all of creation is in pain?  Be specific and personalize this.  How would you explain this to your kids?

Read 8:23 - Is this something you experience?  Do you groan as someone torn apart by the body that still has sin stains vs your spirit?  Be specific - has this happened in the last day, hour, minute?

Read 8:24 to 8:25 - Explain these verses in your own words - do it outloud if you need to - what is this saying about hope?  What hope?  Do you hope for something you already have?  What is he talking about (refer to 8:23 if necessary)?  What are you waiting on in vs 25?  What was he telling the Romans they should do?  Should we be anxious for the coming of Christ?

Read 8:26 - This is a wonderful verse - Can you think of a time that you didn't know what to pray?  What does this verse do in that time?  What do you pray when you know this verse but don't know what to pray?

Read 8:27 - We know from previous verses that the Spirit does not act alone but only on the Father's will.  What does it mean to search your heart?  Why is this important?  What is in your heart?  Don't keep going until you answer this.. What do you long for in your heart?  Love, importance, what?  If God searches your heart what will He find?  Write that down for Sunday as we will be studying that in depth.  No, you won't have to share.  What is the Spirit doing in 27?  What does he intercede for?  Is it everything we want?  How would you explain this 'in accordance with the will of God" to someone else?

Read 8:28 - In light of vs 27 what is verse 28 all about?  What does God work for?  What is 'called according to His purpose'?  Answer this before Sunday - would be great if you could bring it written down:

How are you called to His purpose?  What is it? Be specific as you can.
Do you love God?  How does He or anyone else know that?  Be specific.
How have you seen God working for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose?  Be specific?

Read 8:29 - In light of vs 28 - This is a sticky verse for some.  Read this through thoroughly - God forknew (if you are truly saved) that you would be saved, God destined that these people would be what?  What does it mean to be conformed to the image?  If you are conformed what does that mean regarding firstborn?

If you are destined by sovereign God then what does verse 30 say?  Define the words:

Predestined
Called
Justified
Glorified

See you Sunday!!

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