March 1, 2013

Romans - Lesson 8


Text1
4. The righteousness of God is attained in the Spirit 8:1-39

a. Walking in newness of life 8:1-17
Chapter 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 2
3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

b. Waiting expectantly for our glorification 8:18-39

1.) In hope’s earnest expectation 8:18-25

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

2.) In help of the spirit 8:26-27

26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

3.) In God’s providence 8:28-30

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

4.) In confident assurance 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written,

"For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
  1. nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thought questions for chapter 8

  1. Should we study the book of Romans the way we normally study the Bible?
Yes, and No. Yes, in that it is God’s word. No, in that it is not just a letter, but rather a treatise on salvation by faith.
  1. Imagine verse 12 as a contract between you and God. How would it be worded?
I promise to live by your rules, not mine.
  1. What is God’s purpose for us? Se verse 28
See vss. 29-30
  1. How is victory brought about in the Christian life?
Through Christ vs 37
  1. Why should the Christian rejoice? See verses 28-39
Because of the love of God, exhibited in Christ vs 39.
Because of this love -- vss 28-30

f. What confidence does verse 28 give me about events that occur in my life?
God uses everything in our life for our good. This means that everything is good, whether or not it seems that way to us.

For further thought
What keys are in chapter 8 for breaking the power of sin?
The Spirit of Life vs 2.
mind on the spiritual vs6
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit vs 11
Putting to death the deeds of the body vs 13
Spiritual witness vs 16
Prayer vs 2 (Spirit)
Intercession of the Holy spirit vs 27
God working in us vss 28-30
Conquering through Jesus vs 37

What are the biggest promises made to us in chapter 8?
Life vss 11f Adoption vs 15
Glorification vs 17 Help from the Holy Spirit vs 26f.
Note the contrasts of life in the flesh and life in the spirit. What is it that effects the change and how does this give us victory over death?
The Holy Spirit. He affects our conscience (Jn 5:6-11) and leads us in our spiritual walk.



From verses 12-17 what is our duty and what are our privileges as Christians?
To put to death the deeds of the body
Spiritual help vss 13-14
Adoption vs 15
Closeness to God vs 15c
Status as a child of God vs 16
Heir of God 17a
Glorification vs 17c
What are the answers to the questions asked in verses 31-35?
Who is like God vs 31
If He gave us Jesus, why not everything vs 32
Who judges vs 33
If Christ intercedes, who can condemn vs 34
Who has the power to separate? Only God

In verses 5-11, what does Paul say about the option Christians have in living their life?
We have the choice.


What does it mean to be “led by the Spirit”?
The Spirit leads us into holiness.


Contrast of Flesh and Spirit
Flesh Spirit

1. Minding of the flesh results in death 6 1. Minding of the Spirit results in peace
2. Flesh is enmity against God 7a 2. Spirit is love
3. Flesh is not subject to God 7b 3. Spirit is pleasing to God 7b
4. Those in the flesh can’t please God 8 4. Spirit pleases God
5. Did not have the spirit- not of God 5. Spirit = Sons 9

Divine intervention
1. The reality of his providence “We know”
2. The scope of his providence “All things”
3. The continuity of his providence “work”
4. The unity of his providence “together”
5. The outcome of his providence “good”


Calvinism

This is a title given to the collective teachings of John Calvin, a 15th century theologian. They can be found in the canons of dort articles 1 to 3 and also in the Belgic Confessions article #15. This is a only a brief summary.

His teachings can be summarized by the acrostic: Tulip
Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited attonement
Irresistible grace
Perseverance of the saints
They teach as follows:
Total depravity
Man is born with inherited sin. Man is totally bad and there is nothing you can do about it. See 1Jn. 3:4; Isa 53:6; Psa 106; Ezek 18: 18-23; Rom 14:12; Matt 19:14

Unconditional election
Certain ones are already chosen by God for salvation. Faith is given to you by God. God does not give all saving grace.
We are all predestined to either life with God or to eternal damnation. See Eph 1:4; Rom 6:12-18: 2 Tim 2:10

Limited attonement
Attonement for the elect only. God gives them and only them saving faith. Christ died for them, not for everyone. See: Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:14; Tit 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim 2:5-6

Irresistible grace
An automatic grace-no decision available. This is understood internally by the Holy Spirit. The elect cannot reject the working of the Holy Spirit. One believes and repents by God's grace working in you. Saving faith comes from God and God gives it only to the elect. See: Eph 3:20; 1 Tim 2:1ff; Acts 14:17; 17:27; 2 Peter 3:9; Jn 3:16; Tit 2:11

Perseverance of the saints
This may be summarized by "once saved, always saved" See: 1 Tim 4:1; Gal 5:6; Heb 6:4-6; 1 Cor. 12:10

Although man may be born with a tendency to commit sin, he has a choice. He is a free moral agent, and can repent of a life bent on sinning. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, that they might turn from a life of sin to a life spent in trying to please God. All that is necessary to prove this theology false is to show the choice that all men have.


By way of illustration
A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge. A. W. Tozer --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 60.
How does our will become sanctified? By conforming itself unreservedly to that of God. We will all that he wills, and will nothing that he does not will; we attach our feeble will to that all-powerful will which performs everything. Thus, nothing can ever come to pass against our will; for nothing can happen save that which God wills, and we find in his good pleasure an inexhaustible source of peace and consolation. François Fénelon (1651-1715)
One day a young minister was being escorted through a coal mine. At the entrance of one of the dim passageways, he spied a beautiful white flower growing out of the black earth. "How can it blossom in such purity and radiance in this dirty mine?" the preacher asked. "Throw some coal dust on it and see for yourself," his guide replied. When he did, he was surprised that the fine, sooty particles slid right off the snowy petals, leaving the plant just as lovely and unstained as before. Its surface was so smooth that the grit and grime could not adhere to it.
Our hearts should have the same characteristic. Just as that flower could not control its habitat, so we cannot help it that we have to live in a world filled with evil. But God's grace can keep us so clean and unspotted that though we touch every side, it will not cling to us.
If we want the Lord's full blessing and approval, we must heed the admonition, "...keep thyself pure" (1 Tim 5:22). By the cleansing power of His Word and the sanctifying influence of His Holy Spirit, it is possible for the Christian to remain "clean in a dirty place."
Romans Chapter 8

The Christian’s new life: A transformation 1-17


1. No condemnation 1
2. Freedom from sin and death 2
3. Through His own son 3
4. A walk in the Spirit 4
5. A Spiritual mind 5
6. A life of peace 6
7. Belongs to God 9
8. A life with righteousness 10
9. A new hope - the resurrection 11
10. A sanctified life 13
11. Led by the “Spirit of God” 14
12. Adopted into the family of God 15
13. Closeness to God 15b
14. Confident of our current spiritual state 16
15. An heir with Christ 17
16. A life like that of Christ – Suffering and glorification 17b

The Christian’s hope: Now and unto eternity 18-24


1. Glory 18
2. Revealing 19-21
3. Redemption of our body 23
4. For what is unseen now 24

The Christian’s help: God 26-27


1. By the Spirit 26
2. For our weaknesses 26
3. Through prayer 26
4. Spiritual intercession 27

The Christian’s plan: God’s plan 28-30


1. Goodness for the elect 28
2. Growing into the image of the son 29
3. Great progression: Predestined, called, justified, glorified 30

The Christian’s victory: That of God in Christ 31-39


1. Who is like God? 31
2. Will He not give us all (Spiritual) things? 32
3. Who will argue with God? 33
4. Who will condemn us? 34
5. Who (what) can separate us from God? 35-36 (37-39)
6. Who is victorious like Jesus? 36
1 Alternative chapter outline “Heavenly”
Life 1-17
Hope 18-24
Help 26-27
Plan 28-30
Victory 31-39 (esp. 37)

Alternative outline
Death separates under the Law 1-3
Death through Christ separates from Law 4-6
Death is caused by sin using law (Law) 7-13
Death or life: a war with sin 14-24
Death is defeated in Christ 25

Alternative chapter outline: “Death”
Death separates under the Law 1-3
Death through Christ separates from Law 4-6
Death is caused by sin using law 7-13
Death or life: a war with sin 14-24
Death is defeated in Christ 25

2 Purpose of the Law
1. Manifest the knowledge of sin 7
2. Makes occaision for sin 8
3. Law reveals the power of sin 9
4. Law reveals the effect of sin 10
5. Law reveals the deceitfullness of sin 11
6. Law reveals the holiness of its makes 12
7. Law reveals the sinfullness of sin 13

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