Romans Chapter One Lesson 12
Should have been on the notes last
week, covered at the end of the study.
i. The perspective of faith is very
important as one faces these tough situations in life.
(1) Faith recognizes that God has neither abandoned him
nor turned against him even though he is experiencing some tough tests.
(2) Faith recognizes that the crucibles of life are a part
of the refining process; the removal of the dross of human vpt 1 Pet 1:6-7
(3) Faith realizes that wisdom, like all other benefits of
temporal experience is given progressively; its a part
of our spiritual growth.
- should learn from each test faced to aid in the next.
(4) One with faith is committed to gaining wisdom, not
just for the immediate trial but through the present trial for future
application.
Final Observations:
1. Because the Word of God contains His complete
revelation for faith and life, His complete will, it touches every aspect and moment of
our life, for that reason "it is
fully able to equip believers for every good work." (2 Tim
3:16-17)
-
Hence, our response should be obvious:
a.
We need to learn what God has said. Josh 1:8 (principle)
b.
We need to do what God has said. Dt
10:12-13; John 13:17
2. If we're to know the will of God, so that we can be
blessed by living in the sphere of His will, we must know the Word of God and
live it by faith!
3. As one observes the decision making practices of
people, one is forced to the sobering conclusion that the greatest impediments
to making good decisions are ignorance of God's Word and stubborn resistance to
God's known will. Prov
Begin this week:
<
Clearly
we can conclude that the motivation behind his desire is a sound one
biblically;
His
purpose, he says is to give them something with the result that they might be
more fully established in the faith.
> What does it mean when it says that he may impart to
them some spiritual gift?"
- word is ca,risma; its basic meaning; used in a general sense is to refer
to some favor bestowed; something freely, graciously given;
Paul
uses it this way of something freely and graciously given;
-
5:15-16; gift freely and graciously given by faith = salvation, imputed +R
-
Also
- Paul doesn't specify what the gift is but he does say
what it will do! and that is to establish them!
- What Paul is looking for in these believers is stability; same thing we all
need!
> In vs:12 he amplifies what
he has just said; and does so very diplomatically.
What
he adds is that there is a mutual benefit for them getting together; both will
be impacted positively.
Prin: Giving does not impoverish; giving enriches. [when done from the
right motivation]
> 1:13 "I have planned"
- Clearly going to
-
What about the "fruit"?
- there are many in their periphery, friends, relatives,
business associates who are not believers to whom Paul is looking to also
impact with the gospel, as he has among Gentiles where he has gone;
> 1:14 "I am under obligation"
- Basically in the Roman World of the day; 2 things were
used to distinguish peoples; language and culture;
- Those who spoke Grk, were
considered wise/cultured and those who did not speak Grk,
the barbarians, the unwise, those with no culture.
- To those who spoke Grk, other
languages sounded like stuttering, repeating of syllables. therefore
bar-bar > barbarians.
- The 2nd pairing indicates the cultural distinctions
between those within the Empire and those without; they were steeped in centuries of
philosophy and considered themselves wise and everyone else fools.
- "I am
under obligation" ovfeile,thj; a person who has an obligation,
a debt; sense is that one is bound by some duty.
This
obligation was because of the grace that was given Paul, [Eph 3], not only what
accrued to him as a result of salvation but all that is wrapped up in his
responsibility as an apostle, as a minister of the mystery truth; all this
combined to form this obligation, this debt, this duty that Paul felt and
speaks of here.
** Question: Do we
have or should we have any obligations as Believers?
1.
"debt of love" 1 Jn
4:11; [Rom 13:8]
2.
Obligation to assist the weaker / immature believer Rom 15:1
3.
Obligation to reflect the character of Christ 1 Jn 2:6
These
obligations flow out of the fact that we are Ambassadors who represent Christ
to our generation. 2 Cor
> 1:15 "I am eager" see
Paul's personal zeal expressed.
"Thus" as a result of
Paul's sense of obligation to fulfill his responsibility as an apostle and to
communicate the gospel of God ato them also.
He's
saying that as far as it is up to him, he is ready and willing to go to
Now
its up to God to put things together, to bring the
circumstances together to get him there.
Rem: Romans is not just the gospel directed toward the
unbeliever; the basics that must be believed for salvation;
Justification: entrance into the family (by faith)
Sanctification: how we are to live and grow in this family.
Glorification:
our destiny with Him in a resurrection body.