Romans 16
Those who pervert the gospel will be those who cause divisions or put obstacles in the our way, that are contrary to the teaching we have learned. Their smooth talk and flattery should mark them out. We should be those who test everything and get rid of anything that is not true and right.
God is described as:
The God of peace (v20)
The eternal God (v26)
Our present age is the one where His mystery has been revealed so that all nations might believe and obey Him. It is through the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus that this will be achieved.
Exodus 21:1-32
Underlying principles in regard to the laws about persons:
Don't abuse them
Allow them the freedom to serve
Look after them!
The relationship between slave and master is to be a loving one.
The death penalty was to be saved for when someone had deliberately taken away someone else's life. There is to be a responsibility for preserving life, whether it be through human's actions or through those of one's animals etc.
21:33-22:15
Instances of careless neglect:
'Manslaughter'
Not taking responsibility of one's animals so that they don't injure others
Animals straying out of their boundaries
Theft whilst looking after someone else's property
God demands that we take responsibility for the things in our possession.
22:16-23:19
God is holy & compassionate
He will not acquit the guilty
We must remember both God's justice and His love, mercy & grace and together hold them in tension.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Romans 15:1-16:16 The Graciousness of Christianity
Three sources of help & encouragement (15:3-5)
Christ Himself - His example
Everything that was written in the past was to encourage us
'A spirit of unity'
Following Christ's example involves: (v7-12)
Accepting one another as Christ accepted us - this includes both Jew & Gentile, recognising all people are called to God.
Characteristics of the life of the Christian church:
Pleasing our neighbour for their good (v2)
Unity among each other (v5-7)
Joy & peace & trusting in Him (v13)
15:15-21 Paul's description of his work:
Bold
Grace-given/motivated
For glory in Christ
Service to God
Speaking of what Christ has accomplished
Proclaiming the gospel of Christ
Paul's desire was to preach the gospel to those who have not heard of Jesus & that they would hear fully about Him.
Phoebe was to be welcomed in a way worthy of saints (ie: those who belong to Jesus) - she had been a real help to many, including Paul.
There are risk-takers, hospitable people, new believers, hard workers, fellow sufferers, friends, those who are tested, relatives etc...
They all belong as one "in the Lord". We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Christ Himself - His example
Everything that was written in the past was to encourage us
'A spirit of unity'
Following Christ's example involves: (v7-12)
Accepting one another as Christ accepted us - this includes both Jew & Gentile, recognising all people are called to God.
Characteristics of the life of the Christian church:
Pleasing our neighbour for their good (v2)
Unity among each other (v5-7)
Joy & peace & trusting in Him (v13)
15:15-21 Paul's description of his work:
Bold
Grace-given/motivated
For glory in Christ
Service to God
Speaking of what Christ has accomplished
Proclaiming the gospel of Christ
Paul's desire was to preach the gospel to those who have not heard of Jesus & that they would hear fully about Him.
Phoebe was to be welcomed in a way worthy of saints (ie: those who belong to Jesus) - she had been a real help to many, including Paul.
There are risk-takers, hospitable people, new believers, hard workers, fellow sufferers, friends, those who are tested, relatives etc...
They all belong as one "in the Lord". We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Friday, 5 April 2013
Romans 12-14 In view of God's mercy, behave like this...
Our attitude to God should be to view His mercy and respond accordingly. We should offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and please to Him - not conforming to the patterns of this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind.
The result of this behaviour should be being able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
12v3-8 Humility:
In sober judgment of yourself.
Recognising we all have different gifts & using them accordingly.
12v9-21 Love:
Sincere, loving what is good, devoted to each other in brotherly love. (It is about more than simply love, but the word summarises why we do things) - Loving God, loving others, loving even our enemies.
13:1-7 3 Reasons to submit to the civil power:
There is no authority except that which God has established
If we rebel against the authority, we rebel against what God has instituted
Those who do that will bring judgment on themselves - we obey because of possible punishment and also because of conscience
v8-10 Love is the fulfillment of the law and all the law can be summed up in "Love your neighbour as yourself!"
v11-14 Paul also reminds the Romans it's not just because of God's mercy, but also because our salvation is nearly here - Jesus' return is not far away. We are people of the light, not of the night - and so, we behave accordingly.
14v1-12
Christian liberty means that we have freedom to act as we want, within God's rules and recognising we will stand before God's judgment in due course - however, we also do so in fellowship with others - seeking their good. Therefore, we do not use or abuse our liberty.
Our decisions are ultimately between us and God, however, we must recognise and remember that some will have an effect on others and so as a result, we will choose not to do some things.
The result of this behaviour should be being able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
12v3-8 Humility:
In sober judgment of yourself.
Recognising we all have different gifts & using them accordingly.
12v9-21 Love:
Sincere, loving what is good, devoted to each other in brotherly love. (It is about more than simply love, but the word summarises why we do things) - Loving God, loving others, loving even our enemies.
13:1-7 3 Reasons to submit to the civil power:
There is no authority except that which God has established
If we rebel against the authority, we rebel against what God has instituted
Those who do that will bring judgment on themselves - we obey because of possible punishment and also because of conscience
v8-10 Love is the fulfillment of the law and all the law can be summed up in "Love your neighbour as yourself!"
v11-14 Paul also reminds the Romans it's not just because of God's mercy, but also because our salvation is nearly here - Jesus' return is not far away. We are people of the light, not of the night - and so, we behave accordingly.
14v1-12
Christian liberty means that we have freedom to act as we want, within God's rules and recognising we will stand before God's judgment in due course - however, we also do so in fellowship with others - seeking their good. Therefore, we do not use or abuse our liberty.
Our decisions are ultimately between us and God, however, we must recognise and remember that some will have an effect on others and so as a result, we will choose not to do some things.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Romans 11 God's plan for the Jews
3 Reasons given to show that God has not cast Israel wholly away (v1-10)
Paul himself is an example of God calling His people
He has preserved a remnant chosen by grace
Some were hardened against Him, but others were elected
The remnant were called by God into the blessedness of knowing and following Him. The others were hardened against Him. God's part is the calling, our part is the obedience to Him.
Paul expresses the goodness of God as a reason for the confidence that Israel's rejection is not final. He expresses that some will return to Him.
Paul warns the Gentiles to not be arrogant, but rather be afraid of the sternness of God. He is not to be messed with. The passage reminds us that God will always call some of His people (the Jews) to Himself.
God's ultimate purpose is the bringing back to Himself of all His people - there is a time when the Jews will return to Him in vast number. God has called His people, both Jew and Gentile to Himself - none will be lost. He has allowed disobedience so that He can ultimately show His mercy.
As a result, our response must be similar to Paul's in the Doxology (v33-36).
Paul himself is an example of God calling His people
He has preserved a remnant chosen by grace
Some were hardened against Him, but others were elected
The remnant were called by God into the blessedness of knowing and following Him. The others were hardened against Him. God's part is the calling, our part is the obedience to Him.
Paul expresses the goodness of God as a reason for the confidence that Israel's rejection is not final. He expresses that some will return to Him.
Paul warns the Gentiles to not be arrogant, but rather be afraid of the sternness of God. He is not to be messed with. The passage reminds us that God will always call some of His people (the Jews) to Himself.
God's ultimate purpose is the bringing back to Himself of all His people - there is a time when the Jews will return to Him in vast number. God has called His people, both Jew and Gentile to Himself - none will be lost. He has allowed disobedience so that He can ultimately show His mercy.
As a result, our response must be similar to Paul's in the Doxology (v33-36).
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Romans 9:1-10:21 Is God unjust? Not at all!
The rejection of the Messiah by the bulk of the Jewish nation & God's rejection of them.
Has God broken His promises? If not, how will they be fulfilled?
Ch 8 is full of triumphant joy. Ch 9, Paul expresses his sorrow and unceasing pain in his heart. His desire to see his brothers and sisters come to know Christ and be part of God's election plan is the reason for this. Do I have a similar desire that men & women I know would also come to know Jesus?
Paul answers the question of whether God's word has failed by saying it has not. Not everyone who descended from Israel is Israel. The promise was only for those who were children of the promise. He uses the stories of Isaac and Jacob & Esau to back up his point. The birth of Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham - likewise, before Jacob or Esau were born, God had chosen Jacob, but not Esau - but this wasn't God being unjust, as this choice was made before they were born or had done anything.
The complete liberty of God to do whatever He wants without compromising His own righteousness and without giving any ground for complaint against Him.
It is God's prerogative to do as He pleases. He shows mercy anyway & He can do as He please. We do not have the right as a lump of clay to talk back to the Potter. However, Paul also draws attention to God's mercy & compassion (v15, 16, 23-26)
The ultimate purpose of God's election is to bring God greater glory through His actions of justice, love and mercy. Do I see God's glory in the way He deals with me?
2 ways of seeking acceptance with God - by faith, or by a law of righteousness. Only one will work - that of righteousness by faith. Righteousness by law will ultimately fail.
10:8-15 Righteousness by faith
It comes by faith in Christ.
It is available for all who believe.
It MUST be verbally proclaimed.
10:14-21
Our responsibility in proclaiming the gospel is that if we want to see people believe, we must let them hear the gospel, we must send people to tell the gospel through the word of Christ. The gospel must be proclaimed, heard and believed.
Has God broken His promises? If not, how will they be fulfilled?
Ch 8 is full of triumphant joy. Ch 9, Paul expresses his sorrow and unceasing pain in his heart. His desire to see his brothers and sisters come to know Christ and be part of God's election plan is the reason for this. Do I have a similar desire that men & women I know would also come to know Jesus?
Paul answers the question of whether God's word has failed by saying it has not. Not everyone who descended from Israel is Israel. The promise was only for those who were children of the promise. He uses the stories of Isaac and Jacob & Esau to back up his point. The birth of Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham - likewise, before Jacob or Esau were born, God had chosen Jacob, but not Esau - but this wasn't God being unjust, as this choice was made before they were born or had done anything.
The complete liberty of God to do whatever He wants without compromising His own righteousness and without giving any ground for complaint against Him.
It is God's prerogative to do as He pleases. He shows mercy anyway & He can do as He please. We do not have the right as a lump of clay to talk back to the Potter. However, Paul also draws attention to God's mercy & compassion (v15, 16, 23-26)
The ultimate purpose of God's election is to bring God greater glory through His actions of justice, love and mercy. Do I see God's glory in the way He deals with me?
2 ways of seeking acceptance with God - by faith, or by a law of righteousness. Only one will work - that of righteousness by faith. Righteousness by law will ultimately fail.
10:8-15 Righteousness by faith
It comes by faith in Christ.
It is available for all who believe.
It MUST be verbally proclaimed.
10:14-21
Our responsibility in proclaiming the gospel is that if we want to see people believe, we must let them hear the gospel, we must send people to tell the gospel through the word of Christ. The gospel must be proclaimed, heard and believed.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Romans 7:7-8:39 Law, sin & the confident claims of every believer
Paul teaches in 7v7-13 that the law is holy and good, yet reveals sin, provokes sin & results in death. It is not sin itself, but brings the opportunity for sin to deceive us. It shows the absolute corruption and sinfulness of sin.
7v14-25 Both the law and sin are at war with each other and at work in our lives. Sin wins the battle of those, but ultimately with Jesus, we are rescued from that battle.
8v-4 The 'happy condition' of those 'in' Christ is that there is no condemnation, because through Him, the law of the Spirit of life has set them free from the law of sin and death. This is done by Jesus being sent in the likeness of a sinful man to be a sin offering, therefore condemning sin in sinful man so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us.
8v5-17 Life in the Spirit differs from life according to the flesh. Those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires - the sinful mind however is hostile to God. We know that we have the Spirit of Jesus in us because Jesus was raised from the dead and He will give us life through His Spirit. The Spirit will testify with our Spirit that we are God's children.
8v18-39 The 3-fold ground of confidence that the present suffering will lead to glory -
Creation is in bondage, but this will lead to liberation in due course. (v18-22)
We will be redeemed from our bodies from this inward groaning - because we have not seen the hope we have (v23-25)
The Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (v26-27)
8v28-39 The reasons Paul gives for Christians to rejoice:
In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
God foreknew, predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, he also called, justified, glorified.
God is for us, no-one can be against us.
He will give us all things graciously, because He gave us His Son.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
7v14-25 Both the law and sin are at war with each other and at work in our lives. Sin wins the battle of those, but ultimately with Jesus, we are rescued from that battle.
8v-4 The 'happy condition' of those 'in' Christ is that there is no condemnation, because through Him, the law of the Spirit of life has set them free from the law of sin and death. This is done by Jesus being sent in the likeness of a sinful man to be a sin offering, therefore condemning sin in sinful man so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us.
8v5-17 Life in the Spirit differs from life according to the flesh. Those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires - the sinful mind however is hostile to God. We know that we have the Spirit of Jesus in us because Jesus was raised from the dead and He will give us life through His Spirit. The Spirit will testify with our Spirit that we are God's children.
8v18-39 The 3-fold ground of confidence that the present suffering will lead to glory -
Creation is in bondage, but this will lead to liberation in due course. (v18-22)
We will be redeemed from our bodies from this inward groaning - because we have not seen the hope we have (v23-25)
The Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (v26-27)
8v28-39 The reasons Paul gives for Christians to rejoice:
In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
God foreknew, predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, he also called, justified, glorified.
God is for us, no-one can be against us.
He will give us all things graciously, because He gave us His Son.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Monday, 1 April 2013
Romans 4:1-5:11 Justified by God
Romans 4:1-8
Abraham & David’s righteousness was reckoned to them on the basis of
being credited with righteousness, not because of works. Their righteousness was a gift credited
to them.
Abraham was given this gift of the credit of righteousness
before he was circumcised. He
received the sign of circumcision after this. Therefore, the Gentiles are welcome to be given
righteousness at any time God chooses.
Abraham therefore is the father of all who believe, but have
not been circumcised, so that righteousness might be credited to them.
The correspondence between Abraham’s faith and ours:
a) The promise to Abraham (Gen 15:5-6) & to us (v20-24) - Abraham was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He promised. Therefore, he was credited with righteousness.
a) The promise to Abraham (Gen 15:5-6) & to us (v20-24) - Abraham was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He promised. Therefore, he was credited with righteousness.
b) The inability of Abraham (v18-19) & our own (3:20) –
we have fallen short of God’s glory and are unable to change this ourselves.
c) The God in whom Abraham believed (v17) & in whom we
believe (v24) – is the God who gives life to the dead & calls those things
that are not as though they were, and also the God who raised Jesus from the
dead.
d) The result to Abraham (v18) & to us (5:1-2) - He became a father of many nations,
whilst we have peace with God, through Jesus, and have access by faith to this
grace in which we stand, and we now rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
4:25
Our sins are the reason for Christ’s death because that was why He was delivered over to death. Our justification is the purpose of His resurrection – He was raised so we could be justified.
Our sins are the reason for Christ’s death because that was why He was delivered over to death. Our justification is the purpose of His resurrection – He was raised so we could be justified.
5:1-2,9-11
Justification’s blessings
Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Access by faith into this grace in which we now stand
Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God
Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God
Rejoice in our sufferings b/c we know they produce perseverance,
character, hope – God’s love poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given
to us
We should enjoy these blessings!
We are aware that the sufferings we endure now are part of God’s refining of us and His perfect plan. We know these hopes are not just wishful thinking because of the Holy Spirit given to us, who demonstrates God’s love poured out to us.
We should enjoy these blessings!
We are aware that the sufferings we endure now are part of God’s refining of us and His perfect plan. We know these hopes are not just wishful thinking because of the Holy Spirit given to us, who demonstrates God’s love poured out to us.
5:5-8 We know
that God loves us because He demonstrates it by dying for us while we were
still sinners, and we are not good people. We were God’s enemies.
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