Romans Study
Romans Study 2002-2003
Dealing with Dissension
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It has taken a year, but today we will complete our study of
the book of Romans. I have personally enjoyed going through this
book and have found it very beneficial to my own walk with the
Lord. I trust that the same has been true for you.
Ministry Made Personal
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How much do you like to hear you name? I guess that depends on
why it is being used. None of us like to hear our name called if
the one using it is mad at us or suspects us of doing something
wrong. But what about when you hear your name called by someone
you know loves you? Or how about when it is being said in order
to recognize you in some special way either because of a good
relationship you have or because of something good you have done?
We like to hear our names then.
Paul's Prayer Requests
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Turn to Romans 15. This morning we will be concluding our
study of this chapter. Last week we saw Paul’s passion and
plans in verses 14-29. This week we will examine his prayer
requests. These requests are not something tacked on to the end
of his discussion as a sign of piety. That may be the way that
some people treat prayer, but not Paul. His prayer requests are a
integral part of his passion to reach new places with the gospel
of Christ and of his hope of seeing his plans for fulfilling that
passion completed. Look at verse 30.
Paul's Passion and Plans
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Passion. A word that can bring many different ideas to mind.
In our society the word "passion" often has either a
negative or a sensual connotation, and so one writer quipped that
"the end of passion is the beginning of repentance."
But Webster’s dictionary tells us that
"passion" can refer to an intense emotion or enthusiasm
without regard to the type of emotion or the specific cause of
the enthusiasm generating it.
Getting Along with One Another, Part 3
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We have been looking at the topic of how Christians who come
from very diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are supposed to
get along with each other within the church. Some groups have
concluded that it is either not possible for this to happen or
just not wise to try to do it because there are too many
conflicts over differences in personal preferences and practices.
Instead they advocate churches that are made up of people that
are culturally and ethnically the same. While there may be some
merit to this idea and historically this has been the common
practice by churches, there is a major problem. The Bible
presents the church as an ethnically and culturally diverse body
from the very beginning of its existence.
Getting Along in the Body, Part 2
Printable ViewHow are Christians to get along with one another when they come from such diverse backgrounds? This is not just an issue for the manner in which churches from different nations or regions relate to each other. For a church such as Grace Bible in which there are diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds among its members, this can be a very personal issue. There are many matters that are not directly addressed in the Bible, and conflict can arise over differences in personal standards.
Getting Along in the body, Part 1
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When I was in my late teens and early 20's, there was a family
of Vietnamese refugees that lived in next door to us. It was an
eye opening experience as we tried to understand one another. As
a welcome to our neighborhood, my mom gave them a plate of
cookies. That began a series of gift exchanges of various food
items. I am still not sure what some of them were. The most
elaborate was a roast duck they brought over one time, but I did
not get to try it. My mom didn’t want to eat a duck that
still had its head attached. We gave it to the neighbors on the
other side of us, who said it was quite good. My dad and I went
next door once for a meal celebrating the grandfathers' birthday.
We learned that day that they did not use much sugar, if any at
all, even in their deserts. That made me wonder what they had
thought of all the cakes, cookies and other sweets we had given
to them. Perhaps about the same as my mom thought of a duck with
its head on.
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
Printable ViewTurn to Romans 13:8 as we continue our study of this book. Remember that all that Paul says in this chapter is based upon what he has said in chapter 12:1,2 Our relationship with God, other Christians and all other people is based on having the right response to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. The only reasonable response to our salvation through faith in Christ is to present ourselves as living and holy sacrifices acceptable to God.
The Christian and Government
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The timing of our study of Romans 13:1-7 could hardly be
better. Our passage this morning instructs us on the origin and
purpose of government. Given the debating that has been going on
for quite sometime about the role and authority of government in
prosecuting a war, we need to understand what God says about it.
It is also always very relevant for us to understand the
relationship of the Christian to government, but perhaps even
more so when we look at our calendars and see there are only
about three weeks left to file your Federal & State income
taxes.
Practical Christian Living, Part 5
Printable ViewWe have been studying Romans for the past 14 months. I trust that you now understand that when a person places their faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, there are radical changes that take place. When a person is justified through faith in Christ, they have a change of masters . They are freed from bondage to sin and the devil and made slaves of God and righteousness.
Practical Christian Living, Part 4
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We have been studying Romans 12 and what Paul has to say about
the practical ramifications of being a Christian. When a person
becomes a Christian there are changes that will occur in that
person’s life as a result of their new beliefs. Paul states
very directly in Romans 12:1 that the only reasonable response of
worship that we could have to God’s mercies to us in Jesus
Christ which have resulted in our salvation is that we should
present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices that are
acceptable to God. We have spent the bulk of our time in closely
examining what Paul says about how being a living sacrifice
acceptable to God should work out in our everyday lives.
Practical Christian Living, Part 3
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This morning we are going to continue in our study of Romans
12. Paul has presented deep theology in the first 11 chapters,
and now he is applying these theological truths to practical,
every day living. In view of God’s mercies to man in Jesus
Christ who, being God in human flesh, lived a sinless life and
willingly laid down His life on the cross as the substitute
sacrifice in atoning for our sins, then rose again from the dead
on the third day proving Himself and His promises of salvation
from sin for those who believe in Him to be true, there should be
a corresponding response by those who profess such faith. They
are to present themselves as living and holy sacrifices which are
acceptable to God. This is the reasonable response of true
worship of God. Such a person is then changed over time to be a
reflection of Jesus as they are transformed by the renewing of
their minds.
Practical Christian Living, Part 2
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There are many kinds of friendship ranging from casual
acquaintances to best friends. But what is the nature of the love
in friendship that God desires for us to have for one another?
Perhaps the following story of two men in WW I gives us an idea
of it.
Practical Christian Living, Part 1
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Have you ever met someone who professed to be a Christian, but
their life style made you seriously question their claim? Even
non-Christians know that there are certain characteristics of
behavior and attitude that should mark the Christian. When those
characteristics are obviously lacking, then there becomes a
question as to whether a person’s claim to be a Christian is
actually true.
Spiritual Gifts, Part 5
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For several weeks we have been examining Spiritual Gifts. We
have covered those gifts listed in Romans 12 and similar gifts
mentioned in other passages. This morning I want us to examine
the "sign" gifts of 1 Corinthians 12. This passage is
often misunderstood due to the strong influence of the
Charismatic movement. Much of what people commonly understand
about this passage is based in experience and not on what the
text actually says. Our goal is to live according to what God
actually says and not on what people say based on their
experiences. Turn to 1 Corinthians 12.
Spiritual Gifts, Part 4
Printable ViewRuling, leading, administration, governing. Words that can have quite a few different meanings to different people. Some think of rulers as autocratic. They are in charge and everyone else must do as they say. Others think of leaders as those who will get out in front to make a path for those who will follow. They put themselves at risk before anyone else does. Then there is administration and governing. In mind of some, that is the person who does all the administrative work on behalf of the majority of the group that tells him what to do.
Spiritual Gifts, Part 3 - Exhortation & Giving
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This morning we are going to pick up again in our study of the
book of Romans. We had been examining chapter 12 and the topic of
Spiritual Gifts. It is important that we remember the context in
which Paul presents Spiritual Gifts within this book. Turn again
to Romans 12. Starting in verse 1 we read the following:
Spiritual Gifts, Part 2 - Romans 12:7
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What do you call someone that has some body part that does not
function properly or is missing? Proper terms include
"handicapped" or "disabled," though some now
consider those to be insensitive and politically incorrect
language. Such people tend to label the function that is impaired
and say the person is "challenged" in that area. For
example, a person with poor eyesight is "visually
challenged," a person with poor hearing is
"acoustically challenged," and a person with a bad leg
has a "mobility challenge."
Spirtual Gifts, Part 1
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Turn to Romans 12. This morning I want to continue in our
study of the nature of the church and begin a study of spiritual
gifts. Starting in verse 3 we read the following:
The Functioning of the Body of Christ
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In our study of Romans last week, we looked at the
foundational principle that is to guide us in our relationships
with one another in the church. In fact, it is the foundational
principle that should also guide us in our relationship God and
all other people.
Thinking Rightly About Yourself
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I have noticed a curious report over the last few years in
which American High School students are tested and then compared
with students from other countries. These reports have caused
quite a stir among educators because for quite a few years
American students have been lagging significantly behind in
Science and math as compared to those from other nations. This
math and science "deficit" has resulted in several
programs that are trying to boost those scores. There was,
however, one area in which the American students were rated top
in the world. Self-esteem. Though the students were performing
poorly compared to those of the other nations, they did feel
better about themselves than those other students felt about
themselves. In this case, self-esteem and actual performance were
not directly related. The strange thing is that only a few
conservatives thought that this indicated a problem. Perhaps it
would be better if our students did not feel so good about
themselves and so would work a little harder to perform better.
But that idea is contrary to the philosophy of the educational
elite which greatly values a high self-esteem.
Having a Renewed Mind
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In my last two messages I have told you the stories of
missionaries and their efforts to reach the unsaved with the
gospel message of Jesus Christ. Both Jim Elliot and Stanley Dale
were men that were living and holy sacrifices, acceptable unto
God. In both cases, these men not only lived for God, but they
eventually died as martyrs as well. In a world that has turned
inward and selfish, such sacrifices as these men and their
families made in moving to distant lands and living in primitive
conditions is thought of as foolishness. These men and their
families went out to gain something the world does not understand
- the pleasure of serving their Creator and desiring to hear from
God at the end of their lives, "Well done, though good and
faithful servant." Jim Elliot was correct when he said, "He
is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what
he cannot lose."
Keys to Godliness, Part 2
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Don Richardson's book, The Lords of the Earth, tells the story of
missionary Stan Dale and the effort to bring the gospel to the Yali people who
lived in Irian Jaya's Snow Mountains, far from any mission base. These were a
people engulfed in fear of their demon-gods. Their evil practices included
cannibalism.
The Keys to Godliness, Part 1
Printable ViewSome of you have heard the story of Jim Elliot, but for others of you, maybe most of you, this may be new, because the events took place more than 46 years ago.
Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
October 27, 2002
The Keys to Godliness, Part 1
Jim Elliot
God's Plan for Israel's Future
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This morning we come to a very important theological truth. God keeps His
promises. He has not cast away the nation of Israel. He still has a plan for
that nation's future. Obviously, this is very important to those who are
Jewish. To those of us who are Gentiles, that may not seem very important, yet
it is. Why? Because God's faithfulness to the nation of Israel is a
demonstration of His trustworthiness. If God keeps His promises to Israel, then
we can also trust Him for the promises that He has made to us as followers of
Jesus Christ. If God will not keep His promises to Israel, then we cannot trust
Him to keep His promises to us. Being able to trust God is a very important
issue.
God's Kindness & Severity
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Over the last month or so we have been studying God's relationship to the
nation of Israel as explained by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans.
It is not uncommon for people, especially those who are not Jewish, to read
through Romans and then wonder why Paul includes chapters 9, 10 and 11. By
chapter 8, Paul has explained the gospel and its wonderful benefits, and in
chapter 12, Paul begins to apply the truths of the gospel to daily life. So why
three chapters dealing with Israel? There are two basic reasons.
Man's Responsibility in Salvation, Part 2
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God's timing is marvelous. This evening we will have one of our
missionaries with us. Alex Knauss, who has served with Trans World Radio for
nearly 20 years, will be speaking in our evening service. This morning, we come
to one of the great missionary texts. God has been faithful to send His
messengers out with the gospel message. Turn to Romans 10.
Man's Responsibility in Salvation
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Over the past several weeks, as we have been studying Romans 8 & 9, we
have seen Paul emphasize God's sovereignty in salvation as a means to
encourage and comfort believers. Those who have placed their faith in the person
and work of the Lord Jesus Christ have been delivered from their bondage to sin
and its condemnation of death and made free to live by the Spirit of God in
righteousness. The new nature that we receive at salvation makes us aliens and
strangers in the very world to which we were born. We have an increasing longing
to depart from this world and be with our Savior in heaven, where our
citizenship now resides. God's sovereignty guarantees that the promises that
He has made us will come true.
God's Choice for Mercy
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This morning we come another passage that is very theologically deep and
often misunderstood. As I have said over the past few weeks, I believe the
reason for the misunderstanding is that theologians want to understand the
infinite God within a framework that they can comprehend. The result is that
they interpret Scriptures within the logic of their theological framework
instead of what those Scriptures actually reveal about God. We must always
remember that God is beyond us. His ways are higher than our ways and often
beyond our understanding (Isa. 55:9). He does not have to make logical sense to
us. We need to accept and believe what He has revealed about Himself in the
Scriptures. Please keep that in mind this morning as we study the last half of
Romans 9. While I hope to help you understand what God has said in this passage,
I know that you may still leave here still trying to make sense of it all, for
when we come to the issue of God's election and man's responsibility for his
own choices, both are true.
God's Choice of Israel
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How important is the salvation of others to you? How much are you willing to
give of yourself in seeking to see others rescued from their sin and its eternal
damnation? This morning we will look at an example that will challenge us to
think more seriously and be more giving toward the salvation of others.
Secure in Christ
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This morning we come to one of the most encouraging texts in the Bible. It is
a revelation of God's sovereignty and character with direct application to His
loving relationship and promises to the Christian. Turn to Romans 8:31 and
follow along as I read through this passage.
God's Work in Redemption
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I want to begin this week by repeating something I said last week, for we are
going to be looking at two verses that have been the center of a lot of
theological debates. I believe that the major reason for this, as with the
majority of theological debates, is that man wants God fit within his own
theological system. He then interprets Scripture in light of the logic of his
theological system rather than in careful consideration of its grammatical and
historical context in order to know God as He reveals Himself, whether He fits
our system or not.
Confidence in God
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This morning we come to Romans 8:26-30. This is a text that contains verses
that are greatly debated in theological circles. The major reason for this, as
with the majority of theological debates, is that man wants God fit within his
own theological system. Passages of Scripture are then interpreted in light of
the logic of that theological system rather than in careful consideration of its
grammatical and historical context in order to know God as He reveals Himself
whether He fits our system or not.
Awaiting Final Redemption
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Anticipation. At times this is not such a good word if you waiting for
something to happen that you know you will not enjoy, like a trip to the
dentist. At other times it is a wonderful word that describes the mixture of
hope, joy and pleasure usually stirred with a bit of anxiety and sometimes even
a little frustration as you await some good event to take place. Children
anticipate the coming of their birthday and Christmas because of all the special
attention they will receive. Parents are currently anticipating the starting of
school in a few weeks. The kids are also anticipating the return to school, but
perhaps with slightly different emotions than their parents. Teens anticipate
becoming adults even though all of its freedoms are also bound by new
responsibilities. An engaged couple anticipate the celebration of their wedding
day along with the beginning of their married lives together. There is the
anticipation of the arrival of a new baby. For the new mom that is a mixture of
emotions because she knows there will be some pain before that bundle of joy is
placed in her arms. Young adults anticipate the starting of their careers and
middle age folks start dreaming about what it will be like to retire.
Living in the Flesh Vs. Living in the Spirit
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Turn to Romans 8. We will be looking at verse 12-17 this morning where Paul
contrasts living in the flesh and its results with living by the Spirit and its
results. Paul begins this section by explaining the believer's relationship to
the flesh.
No Longer Condemned
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This morning we come to a wonderful section in the book of Romans. Paul will
still be dealing with many of the same issues we have been looking at in the
past several weeks, but as we come to Chapter 8, Paul states the result of being
justified by faith in Jesus Christ in emphatically clear terms. "There
is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The Christian, The Law & Sin
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This morning we are going to continue in our study of Romans 7. This is a
passage in which we must be very careful to pay close attention to Paul's line
of reasoning, otherwise we can quickly become confused and then come to
conclusions opposite of what Paul is saying. People often interpret Scripture
passages according to their preconceived theology rather than according to the
context of the passage. This is a section of Scripture in which that has often
happens. We must be careful not to fall into the same trap.
The Law & Sin
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This morning we start into a section of Romans that can quickly become
confusing if you are not diligent to carefully follow Paul's line of reasoning
within its context. Too many people end up confused or with theological error
because they try to understand a verse or a short passage as if it was
independent of its context. The same rules of interpretation apply to the Bible
that apply to any other book. You must understand the theme of the book and the
theme of the chapter in order to properly interpret the paragraph you are
studying.
Released from the Law
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Turn with me to Romans 7. We will be studying verses 1-6 this morning. As you
are turning there, let me briefly remind you of the context of this passage.
Whose Slave Are You?
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The year is 1849. The place is the state of Virginia. You are 24 years old.
Your father was born in the country now called Angola. He was captured during a
battle with another tribe and then subsequently sold to slavers and eventually
ending up in Virginia. Your mother was born in the land called the Congo, but
she was captured in a raid on her village and also subsequently sold to slavers
and eventually also end up in Virginia. All you have ever known is slavery, but
your parents have talked about what it was like to be free and you know it is
something that you want for yourself.
