Who's the Holy Spirit - and Why Should I Care?

Cross Training VIII – The Holy Spirit

I. Introductory factoids
A. He’s God (Acts 5:1-4)
B. He’s a distinct person (Rom. 8:27)
C. Looking at him through history

II. Before the fall
A. Comfort/peace (Gen. 1:1, 2)
B. Ruler (Gen. 1:1, 2)
C. Giver of life (Gen. 2:7)

III. In the Old Covenant
A. Death (Gen. 6:3)
B. Prophecy (2 Sam. 23:2)
C. Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21)
D. Miracles (Judges 14:6)
E. Improving of natural faculties (Ex. 31:1-5)

IV. Promised
A. Restoring the way things are supposed to be (Is. 32:14-16)
B. Blessing (Is. 44:3)
C. Life, blessing, relationship with God for God’s people (Ez. 36:25-28)

V. In the person of Jesus
A. Conception (Matthew 1:18)
B. Ministry (Matthew 12:14-22, 28)
C. Resurrection/glorification (Rom. 8:11; Phil. 3:20, 21)
D. Significance = New Creation/Kingdom of God!
E. The apostles (signs, Scripture) (2 Cor. 12:2; John 14:25, 26; Titus 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 13; 2 Peter 3:16)

VI. The Spirit in the world now
A. Testifies about Jesus (John 15:26)
B. Convicts the world of sin, righteousness, judgment (John 16:7-11)
C. Founded the Church (Acts 2:33)
D. Regeneration (Titus 3:5, 6; John 3:3-8, 19-21)
E. Illumination (1 Cor. 2:12-16)
F. Obedience (Romans 8:9-14)
G. Functioning in the whole Church in glorifying Jesus (1 Peter 4:10, 11)

VII. The future of our relationship with the Spirit
A. Now - Firstfruits/Seal (Rom. 8:20-23; Eph 1:13-14)
B. Fullness (Revelation – seven ‘spirits’ or sevenfold Spirit – and the River of Life flowing from the throne)

How Could a Just God Work for the Happiness of People Who Rebel Against Him?

Cross Training VII

I. God judges by works
A. Covenant of works (Cov = contract with blessings/curses from God) (Gen. 1:27, 28; 2:17) (they weren’t perfect!)
B. Law (Deut. 30:15-18)
C. Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:20-22)
D. Universal reality for people (Rom. 2:6-10)
E. Explains the existence of morality
F. Explains why we try to justify ourselves before God, compare to the sins of others – we know God will judge according to works!
G. We can agree with unbelievers! Good people DO go to heaven!

II. Adam’s sin enslaved the whole world
A. We are all considered guilty (Rom. 5:12-14)
B. We see this in the existence of universal suffering and death(!) (Rom. 5:12-14)
C. We are all by nature rebellious (Eph. 2:1-3)
D. We see this in our inability to really live for God (Rom. 8:7, 8)
E. Why we try to self-justify by saying ‘God is loving’ or ‘forgiving’ – because we know we have at least SOME things to be forgiven for!
F. Thus, the question about God’s love and suffering is moot – we are all worth eternal punishment

III. Judgment day was promised
A. God promised to right every wrong (Isaiah 11:1-9)
B. It means the destruction of the wicked (Is 34:1-8a)
C. That means the vindication of the righteous (Is 34:8b; 51:7, 8)
D. Problem – no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10-12)
E. This answers the question about God’s justice – every wrong WILL be righted
F. However, we are part of that wrong – do we really want everything fixed now? That’d mean our damnation! This is where unregenerate people have trouble – they don’t believe God is worth it(!) To believe it, they must be exposed to the gospel and the Spirit must act.

IV. A new representative (JESUS!)
A. Jesus obeyed God and was considered obedient (Heb 5:7-8)
B. God the Father punished Jesus for sin (Is. 53:5-6; 2 Cor. 5:21a; 1 Peter 3:18a)

V. What is true of believers
A. God does not credit, or count, our disobedience – he counted it to Jesus!
(1 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:19b, 21a)
B. God credits righteousness – or considers us as if we had obeyed – by considering Jesus in our place (2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:8, 9)

Conclusion – the end time judgment has begun in the person of Jesus. The vengeance of God against sin has been poured out on him completely for all believers – past, present, future. They are now, through faith, considered righteous, and one day will be vindicated and rewarded for Jesus’ righteousness – on the same day in which the rest of the world will be judged for its rebellion.

Who's Jesus?

Cross Training VI

I. Did Jesus claim to be God?
-note on the Son of God – Adam, Israel -> Jesus in a unique way
-Matt 10:32, 33 (awknowledge, deny)
-Matt 11:27 (HIS Father, exclusive relationship)
-Matt 12:6, 8 (better than the temple, the Sabbath)
-Matt. 13:41 (send his angels into HIS kingdom…)
-Matt. 22:42-45
-Matt. 24:29, 30
-Matt 26:64, 65 – Jesus seated at the right hand of God and coming on clouds
-Matt. 28:18 – all authority
-John 8:58
-John 14:9 – seen Jesus = seen the Father
-John 20:27, 28 – Thomas’ confession
-same activities: Creator, Judge, King, Light, Rock, Savior, Shepherd

II. Do the Scriptural writers claim that Jesus is God?
-Matt. 3:3 – prepare the way of the Lord
-John 1:1 –
-Col. 1:15-16
-Heb. 1:3, 8
-sidenote – the early post-apostolic writers are universal in their assent of Christ’s deity

III. What difference does it make?
-relationship – John 14:9
-revelation – Heb. 1:1-3; John 14
-authority of Scripture – Heb. 1:1-3; john 16:13-15
-finality of the NT – Heb. 1:1-3
-exercises God’s authority (though this is a change) – Heb. 1:3; Rom. 1:1-4; Matt. 28:18
-will judge the world in holiness – john 5:21-23

IV. The Bible emphasizes Jesus’ humanity
-1 John 4:2, 3

V. The Bible emphasizes Jesus’ humanity for these reasons
-salvation is by Jesus’ obedience to the Father as a perfect man – Rom. 5:19; Matt 3:17
-Jesus can identify with our suffering – heb 4:15
-Jesus can serve as the NC mediator(!) – heb 8:6-13
-Jesus secures our glorification -1 cor 15:12-22; Rom. 6:5

VI. What difference does our Christology make?
-salvation - -Col. 2:8-13; 1 John 4:2, 3; Rom. 4:22-25; Gal. 2:16
-how we read the Bible – John 14, Heb. 1 again

Five Facts about the Bible

Cross Training V

I Inspired
A. 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21 – it has its source from the mouth of God
B. Luke 16:17; Mark 12:24-27; Acts 1:16 - every word is God’s
C. Implications
1. How we read it – not for feeling – but every word matters
2. Inerrant/True – Rom. 3:3, 4; Num. 23:19

II Authoritative
A. 1 Thess 2:13; 1 John 5:9– Supreme source of truth
B. Deut. 6:13-15; Eph 1:11 – it – uh – matters. Pay attention.
C. Implications
1. Evangeslism – you don’t evaluate it – it’s more authoritative than your interpretations of data
2. We are to submit to it in thought, word, deed, etc. – know it!
3. It interprets itself, ultimately – not you interpreting it

III Necessary
A. God does communicate his glory through nature – Psalm 19:1-3, Romans 2:14-15
B. But it only does enough to condemn us – Rom. 1:18-21
C. Rom. 10:13-15; John 3:36 – Gospel must be heard
D. Implications
1. ‘Preach the gospel and when necessary use words’ – ridiculous
2. Not relying on other things to save people! (community, etc.)

IV Sufficient
A. For salvation – 2 Tim. 3:15
B. For holy living – 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Mark 7:1-9
C. Implications
1. Do not take anything else as authoritative
2. Know it – and you’ll know how to live
3. Surround yourself with people that point you to it – including preachers/preaching

V Christocentric
A. Luke 24:27
B. John 5:39
C. Heb. 1:1-3
D. John 10:9-11

Natural Mode Evangelism

Cross Training IV –Natural Mode Evangelism

Natural mode – Taking the initiative in already established relationships to tell people the gospel.
Successful Evangelism is…
1) Presenting the gospel
2) in the Spirit
3) leaving the results to God
Implications – you won’t screw up their salvation; you need to be ok with them not being saved, you don’t have to answer all their objections – sin’s their problem
Tips
1. Be excited about Jesus/the gospel
by being in the means of grace
2. Be bold about your activities
3. Let invitations lead to conversations
4. Ask about their backgrounds , experiences , and current beliefs
5. If they ask a why question, say something like well, it’s kind of involved with what I believe – so to explain why, I have to explain what I believe. Is that okay?
6. Ask for their permission
7. Tell them that spiritual things are important to you and ask if you can have a conversation about those things
8. Use the Kennedy Questions (1 - If you were to die today, and God said, "Why should I let you into heaven?" What would you say? 2 - Based on your answer, how sure are you, 0-100%, that he'd let you in?)
9. Learn to draw the Two Ways to Live and memorize the verses
10. Learn to share your testimony

Body Mode Evangelism

Successful Evangelism is
1) Presenting the gospel
2) in the Spirit
3) and leaving the results to God


The body of Christ (the Church) works to rescue people from sin.
-The body does work (John 10 – Jesus bringing in his flock)
-spiritual gifts (Eph. 4) – evangelists and equipping all the saints
-speech (col 4:6, eph 5:16)
-love for each other (john 17:20, 21)
-being enjoyable and culturally sensitive to outsiders so that the doctrine looks good (Tit. 2:1-10)
-grace present in the Church through the Spirit’s working (Heb. 6)
-suffering (1 peter 4:13-; Col. 1:24-)
-the word spoken! (eph 4:15, 2 tim 4:1-4)

Practical Application
-parties(!)
-invitiation (including in ministry mode!)
-bible studies/cru/church
-how we lead and teach bible studies(!)

Answers to Objections to Christianity

Cross Training II – Objections

The foundation of objections is that we’re by nature rebels against God
(Romans 3:10-12; Romans 1:18, 19; John 3:19, 20)
The roots of answers should be worship and compassion
(1 Peter 3:14, 15; Isaiah 65:2)

Objection 1 – What about people who haven’t heard?
-The first question is always Why do you ask?
-All people know enough to know that God is worthy of all worship
-And they give their devotion to other things
-They will not be condemned for ignorance about Christ but for not honoring God
-What is the right thing for God to do with rebels?
-Matthew 24:14

Objection 2 - What about all these other religions?
-Again, why do you ask?
-So your question is can I know that Christianity is true?
-What sort of evidence would you accept?
-Would you accept it, or would you evaluate and dismiss it?
-What if you were confronted by historical evidence, miracles, the unity of Scripture, etc? Would you be willing to examine them?
-It seems like you’re evaluating Christianity 1) unlike you’d evaluate any other historical claim and 2) assuming that you have a basis for assuming the validity of your own evaluations – disregarding what God has said.

Objection 3 – How could there only be one way?
-Why wouldn’t there be?
-Is that not just?
-What’s the significance of Christ’s death?
-The answers to Question 1 answer this objection as well

Objection 4 – If God is loving, why is there suffering?
-Why do you think there’s suffering?
-Why would a just God do any good to rebellious creations?
-What are some good things in your life?
-Have you done anything to earn these good things?
-So it seems like God is showing love to people now, including giving them an opportunity to respond to Jesus

Objection 5 – Apathy
-What part/parts of this presentation do you not believe?
-Go from there!

Romans 5:12-21 Exposition and Discussion Questions

Romans 5:12-21

Exposition and Notes
This section is immensely difficult, both in interpretation and in the fact that it contains some truths that are just hard to accept, primarily about the doctrine of ‘original sin’ or ‘original guilt.’ But it is, indeed, vital – and if your students understand it – cause for so much happiness in God.

The section starts with the word ‘therefore.’ There’s much debate about why exactly that’s there. I think looking at the broad schemes of vv. 1-11 as it works with 12-21 helps us discern that, though. Chapter 4 ends with Paul’s defense of the doctrine of justification by faith, and Chapter 5 begins to talk about some of the results of it – reiterating that the reason we experience those results (hope of a glorious future, joy, perseverance in suffering) is because of Jesus’ death.

12-21 are about Jesus being a better representative than Adam was. 12-14 don’t form a complete sentence – and so connecting the ‘therefore’ with those verses is a bit out of place. 12-14 serve the function of contrasting Adam with Christ, which is picked up in v. 15.

The point of the ‘therefore’ is then to say that since Jesus’ death accomplished so much for sinners, his effect on humanity (largely unseen) is infinitely more than Adam’s effect on humanity (which is seen in suffering and death).

This probably isn’t a huge thing to hit in your Bible study – but I use it to bring up the point of this passage – Jesus is glorified because his work has huge effect.

vv. 12-14
These are the three most difficult verses in the section, partially because it’s not a complete sentence and never gets finished, and partially because Paul uses the phrase ‘all sinned’ in a way that’s completely foreign to us.

Here’s the logic: Adam sinned and sin entered the world. Sin’s entry into the world brought death with it. Everyone died.

Now everyone died for a reason that Paul doesn’t want us to miss, so when he says that everyone died because they all sinned, he makes sure we understand (in v. 13) that he’s not talking about their sins as individuals. He talks about those who have no law as not actually experiencing the penalty for their own sins/transgressions – but dying anyway (v. 14).

So people (who these are is debatable – possibly even infants) who don’t even know they’re sinning and thus aren’t being penalized for their own sinning are still being punished for Adam’s sin.

A couple things here – this runs contrary to western individualism, but not eastern emphases on community. Second, you may have to answer a question here about where infants go when they die – which is by no means an easy question to answer.

Even though these verses run contrary to what our culture says is ‘right’ – we experience their reality. Death is true for every person – even infants. Suffering is true everywhere. God’s word not only explains this – but predicts it.

vv. 15-17
These verses contrast the effects of what Adam did with the effects of what Christ did.

Let’s look at Adam first. In v. 15, his trespass led to ‘many’ dying. In v. 16, his trespass brought judgment upon him which brought condemnation. In v. 17, Adam’s trespass brought the reign of death – death acting as king over the world.

Now let’s look at what Jesus did. In v. 15, Jesus’ gift by his grace and God’s grace abounded for many. (Remember, grace is God’s power in bringing about the happiness of his people!) In v. 16, the free gift brings justification. In v. 17, We learn that this free gift is ‘righteousness’ (remember 1:18, 3:21-28, 4:4-8, etc.) – and that the result is that those who receive it will reign in life.

In summary, Adam’s sin brought death to everyone, condemnation, and death’s rule over the world.

Jesus’ actions brought the gift of righteousness, which brought justification (being declared righteous), which brings reigning in life.

In contrast – Adam sinned, but Jesus obeyed; in Adam all are condemned, in Christ all are declared righteous; in Adam death rules you, in Christ you get righteousness and its result – reigning over the world (which is what Adam and Eve were supposed to get had they obeyed – Gen. 1:27, 28).

In saying all this, I’m making implicit a key factor in the text. When Paul says ‘many’ or ‘all’ he means ‘many connected to Adam’ or ‘many connected to Jesus’ – and more importantly – ‘all connected to Adam’ (which is all people before coming to Jesus) and ‘all connected to Jesus’ (which is through faith).

vv. 18-21
Verses 18 and 19 conclude the contrast between Adam and Jesus, and then 20 and 21 conclude the section.

In vv. 18 and 19 we see that Adam breaking God’s law resulted in all being condemned. Through his disobedience many were made sinners. Now ‘made’ here doesn’t mean ‘became’ – it means ‘considered.’ So in other words, when Adam obeyed, God considered all in him (humanity) to be sinners – even though they hadn’t sinned yet.

Jesus on the other hand in 18 and 19 obeyed. His one act of righteousness – or in other words - his righteousness – results in all in him being declared righteous and getting life because they are considered righteous. Again, ‘made’ righteous doesn’t mean they’re made obedient – it means they’re considered righteous by God because Jesus was righteous in their place. All in Christ through faith are represented before God by Christ’s righteousness.

Verses 20 and 21 summarize the section. God giving the Law (commands, 10 commandments, etc.) increased the effects of Adam’s sin. (As for what the effects are, remember from v. 13 that more sins are now counted to these sinners because they know they’re sinning – and that, in ch. 7:7-13, God says that we rebel against the law because we’re rebels in nature. Further, note that in v. 20 itself the result is ‘sin increased.’) Sin was ruling the world – and thus, death was the fate of all.

But God gave grace more than sin ruled the world – and God’s acting – his power for the happiness of his people resulted in the gift of righteousness being given to people through Jesus Christ the Lord – and the result of that righteousness being given as a gift to believers is eternal life for them.

Suggested Bible Study Discussion Guide
-What are some things in the world that need to be fixed? That aren’t the way they need to be?
-How does someone who doesn’t believe in the Bible explain the existence of evil and suffering?
-Tonight we’re going to be looking at where death comes from – and how Jesus is better.
-Have someone pray
-Have someone read Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:15.
-You may have to explain that being in God’s ‘image’ means ‘to glorify him.’
-Have someone read Romans 5:12-14
-What are some major themes in these verses?
-What do they say about the world now?
-Why’s v. 13 important? You’re looking for the fact that we’re guilty in Adam here.
-You may just need to explain these verses. They’re extremely difficult.
-Have someone read vv. 15-17
-Define ‘transgression’ and ‘trespass’ as ‘breaking of a law.’
-What effects did Adam’s transgression have?
-How is Jesus better?
-How are we saved according to these verses?
-What should we take away from these verses? (You’re looking for ‘worship’ and excitement about our reign.)
-Have someone read vv. 18-21
-Explain that ‘made’ means ‘considered’ – not ‘transformed into.’
-What’s going on here?
-What does righteousness have to do with all this?
-Where’s it come from?
-What effects does it have?
-Why has Paul written this section? To magnify Christ! You may just have to preach the gospel to your group – the goal is excitement about Jesus and his work!

Romans 5:1-11 Exposition and Discussion Guide

Romans 5:1-11 Leader’s Guide
Exposition and Notes

Chapter 4 wrapped up Paul’s defense of the doctrine of justification by Christ’s righteousness applied through faith. In this section, Paul begins to talk about some of the results of that great doctrine.

vv. 1-6
In verses 1-6, Paul talks about some of the results of justification, including how the believer deals with suffering. Note that there is the statement about justification in v. 1: since justification by faith is a reality for us, then… (results).

The first result is peace. This is a reference not only to a lack of hostility between parties (accomplished by propitiation – recall chapter 3!), but encompasses a positive relationship of peace – the kind that Adam and Eve had in the garden of Eden – the kind that God promised to his people through the prophets (as in Isaiah 26:12-15) that encompassed the joyful experience of his presence.

Verse 2 brings two more results – one present and one future. The one present is this – we stand in God’s grace. We live in the realm of God’s working to bring us happiness in him – bringing us himself in the future. His entire disposition towards us Christians is one of grace – of love. This grace has caused us to have a gift – a righteousness credited to us that isn’t ours – but by which we stand righteous before God (see 4:16, 17).

The future result has present implications. The future result is the ‘glory of God.’ The present reality is that we rejoice (or at least should – it’s arguable that this word should be ‘let us rejoice’ instead of ‘we rejoice) because of that hope. Now, hope in the NT means ‘expectation’ or ‘thing expected.’ So in other words, we are to rejoice because of the sure and coming reality of God’s glory to us. God’s glory here is the glory that he gives to us – remember ch. 2:6-10? We get glory from God – we’re made into images of Jesus, free from the stains of sin, showing the Lord off perfectly (See ch. 8:18-32ish).

In vv. 3-5, Paul goes on to say that not only do we rejoice because of our certain future – but also because of our suffering now, because we know what suffering does. It produces endurance, which produces more godly character, and the result of being godly is greater expectation of glory. So what it boils down to is this – when we’re faced with hard life stuff, it causes us to endure it. This makes us more godly. Greater godliness means expecting God’s glory more.

In v. 5 we’re informed that that expectation is based on a sure foundation. We won’t be put to shame – what we expect – the glory of God – is certain – because we have been given the love of God through the Holy Spirit. God’s love towards believers has been demonstrated and enacted by the gift of the Holy Spirit. We have become objects of God’s love because the Holy Spirit has made us such.

vv. 6-8
How is it that God has given us his love through his Spirit? Because Jesus died in our place (that’s v. 6). Or in other words – it’d be unjust for us to have the love of God guarantee us glory – we’re rebels! We’re ‘weak’ morally – incapable of earning that glory. But God in his love guarantees it through the death of his Son.

Thus ends the first section. To recap we have the results of justification – peace with God, happiness because of a certain future, and an increasing happiness that results from suffering – and it’s all on the basis of God’s love given on the basis of Jesus’ death.

Paul expounds on the basis for all this in vv. 7-8 (that basis being Christ’s substitutionary death.) His point is in v. 8 – that that love for us is the same love with which he killed his Son in the place of believers. (Note that v. 8 is about Christ’s death on behalf of believers.) It is that love for us that put Christ on the cross in our place that is poured out into our hearts through the Spirit. Christ’s death in our place is compared to a person dying for a person in v. 7. People don’t die in people’s places. His point? The only thing that could’ve put Christ’ on the tree in our place was a depth of love that we have been granted from God. We’re not righteous – we’re not good/pleasing to God. But God justified us because of love.

vv. 9-11
Verses 9-11 delve more into the future that we have because of what Jesus did for us. The verses speak of what we have now – justification, reconciliation – because Jesus died for us. This guarantees a future of being rescued from the coming wrath of God. We have already been declared righteous, and so when God judges the world, we will be spared. He has already judged Jesus in our place. Jesus’ life is evidence that judgment has been fully carried out. God has made us his friends (reconciliation). And we will be rescued from this world’s fate. But more than that – we have joy. And that joy is because of God having brought us into right relationship with him in Christ. So the foundation of that joy is the acts of God and the actual right relationship with God, accomplished by Jesus.

Bible Study Suggested Discussion Guide
At this point, your students should have a good understand of how justification happens. So it might be wise to start with some questions such as ‘what is justification?’ ‘How does it happen?’ ‘How can God remain righteous in treating ungodly people as if they were righteous’? After asking such questions, inform them that tonight they’ll be looking at some of the results of justification for us, and pray.
-Have someone read vv. 1-5
-This section is about the results of being justified. What are some of the results here?
-In Scripture, ‘hope’ is either ‘happy expectation’ or ‘the thing happily expected.’ What does this passage say about hope?
-How should we respond to justification?
-How should we deal with suffering?
-Have someone read vv. 5-8
-See that v. 6 starts with the word ‘for?’ Verses 6-8 give us the basis for the things that we have in verses 1-5.
-What do you see here about our natural condition?
-What do you see here about God’s actions towards us? (What are they? Why are they significant? What’s the cause of all this stuff?)
-How should this affect how we view daily life? How we view suffering?
-Have someone read vv. 9-11
-Verses 9-11
-What do you see going on here?
-Questions?
-What do you see about salvation?
-How would you summarize this section?
-How should this affect how we see the world? The campus? People who haven’t been reconciled yet to God?

Romans 4 Exposition and Discussion Guide

Romans 4
Exposition and Notes

4:1-8
This begins a section – the chapter – in which Paul defends justification by faith alone for all – Jew and Gentile alike.

Paul, in the first verse, draws the Jew’s attention to Abraham. “He was justified by God – let’s look at how that happened, since we (Jews) are descended from him.” And in the second verse, Paul says that if Abraham was justified works, he could boast before man. That would make him better than other people. One still can’t boast, though, before God, for just doing what you’re supposed to do.

Verse 3 is Paul’s defense for justification by faith alone. From this point on, he’ll argue from this verse (Gen. 15:6). It is important to note here that God didn’t look at Abraham’s faith and say, “That faith is righteousness.” That isn’t what’s being said here at all. Another way to translate this phrase is that it was counted to him for righteousness – or unto righteousness – or ¬unto justification.

In vv. 4, 5, Paul gives the analogy of how working for pay functions. If you’re working, wages are paid to you. Wages aren’t the result of grace (they’re not a gift) – your employer is obligated to pay you.

This is contrasted with the situation of the one who believes in the justifer of the ungodly. The justifier credits righteousness to the ungodly one, thereby justifying him. Again here, we see the language of crediting faith as/for/unto righteousness. That is shorthand for what Paul has already begun to explain in ch. 3, and will go on to explain further in vv. 6-8 and in ch. 5.

Oh, and remember in all this – to justify means to declare righteous. So we’ve got this situation where God is calling sinners righteous. How? He credits righteousness to them. We’re not talking transformation, but about a gift of a foreign righteousness to their account. God, in judging us, looks at Jesus’ obedience, and considers us as if we were obedient.

So in vv. 6-8, we see this doctrine defended from the Old Testament. First, note that righteousness is the thing credited, and that it is not our righteousness (v. 6). Second, note that it coincides with the non counting of sins in vv. 7, 8. God doesn’t look at the sins of believers; he merely looks at a righteousness that he credits to them.

4:9-17
Paul in this section is going to argue that this blessing of righteousness – resulting in justification – is for all believers – Jews and Gentiles alike.

We see this in vv. 9 and 10. Abraham had righteousness credited to him apart from the sign of circumcision – a sign that set apart the physical offspring of Abraham as the recipients of specific physical (and temporary) promises. See Genesis 15 and 17 for that.

The conclusion from this pre-circumcision justification is in vv. 11 and 12 – God did this so that everyone who believes – Jew and Gentile - in the same way Abraham did would be considered Abraham’s child – and therefore an heir of the gift that God gave Abraham – righteousness – and thus – justification.

Now the basis for this is in v. 13 – God gave Abraham and his offspring (Jesus – Gal. 3:16 – and from Rom. 4 – us, because we’re considered as united to Jesus) the promise of inheriting the world before there was any Law – any circumcision. Two observations – first, this demonstrates the principle that righteousness is credited by faith to all who believe. Second, it demonstrates that there is a reward for the righteous – and that is inheriting the world – and that is the promise/command given to Adam in Gen. 1:26, 27.

The basis for the certainty of the inheritance given to those justified by faith is in v. 14. That is – if God changed from what he’d done in justifying people through faith to the justifying people by Law, then he’d be breaking his promise. The promise as given to Abraham through faith. God could not be faithful and change the means by which people received the promise! And actually, it never was – it was always by righteousness. But one could not be righteous by trying to obey the Law – but only by a crediting of an alien righteousness through faith.

And the reason that the Law can’t bring the promise, v. 15 says, is that it brings wrath – it brings condemnation – the opposite of justification.

Verse 16 tells us then that the promise is guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – who are counted his offspring by faith. The promise is given by grace through faith so it can be a promise and not conditional on obedience to the Law! This results in Abraham being the father of many nations – because many nations would be blessed through becoming his children through faith alone. They would be counted righteous – counted as Abraham’s children – and therefore the promise of inheriting the world would be guaranteed to them by the grace of God.

4:18-25
Verses 18-22 describe the faith that resulted in Abraham’s justification. Some things that you may want the group to get is that that biblical faith is about hope in things you can’t see – and is based on God’s word – ultimately his word concerning salvation, which is what Abraham had.

When we look back at Genesis 15, cited in this section, we see this sequence – promise, belief, justification. Now, that’s not a thing that happened in time, per se – it’s a logical sequence. It answers the question what caused what. The God’s promise of the gospel -> belief -> justification.

The reason that I’m calling the promise the gospel here is a few fold. First, we’ve already seen that it entails eternal life earlier in the chapter. Second, when we look at Galatians 3:16, we see that the ‘offspring’ is ultimately Jesus. We become children of Abraham by being considered as unified to him.

So righteousness was credited to Abraham through in the promise of eternal life accomplished by God in the gospel. And that righteousness credited to him secures it.

In verses 23-25 we see this whole description of Abraham’s faith applied to all believers. We are credited righteousness the same way Abraham was. God made a promise about salvation – and he accomplished it in Jesus (we see this in v. 25).

Verse 25 is difficult. I have a paper on the significance of the resurrection and justification - let me know if you want it. However, the short of it is that God killed Jesus in the place of every believer (‘our’ includes only believers), and because righteousness was accomplished in Jesus in our place, God raised him from the dead. That resurrection demonstrates the reality – and seals the reality – of the justification of everyone who believes. If God’s wrath wasn’t really taken care of in Jesus’ death, Jesus couldn’t have been raised. But his coming back to life demonstrates that the justification of every believer is a present reality.

Suggested Bible Study Discussion Questions
-Before you start this Bible study off, it may be a good idea to give your students a quick summary of 3:20-31, keying in on the inability of good works to save, and God’s righteousness given to all believers for declaring them righteous in Jesus’ death.
-Pray
-Have someone read vv. 1-8
-Ask to see if anyone has any questions.
-There’s a lot of talk about ‘crediting’ in this section. What’s going on with that?
-What does this have to do with the boasting in vv. 1, 2?
-What do we see God doing in this section?
-How should we respond?
-Have someone read vv. 9-17
-Ask to see if anyone has any questions.
-What are some recurring concepts in this section?
-Circumcision and the Law marked Israel off as the race through which God would make people from every nation righteous. What’s Paul saying about them here?
-What’s true of us from this section?
-Read vv. 18-25
-Ask to see if anyone has questions.
-What was Abraham’s faith like?
-What should our faith look like?
-What’s up with vv. 24-25?

MP3's of Cross Training Materials

Some fine young and far more technically-savvy men than myself have done what is necessary to begin to put some of the teaching times I've done online.

The full text of all the Cross Training sessions is coming, but until then:


http://www.niucru.com/member/derek/Evangelism_Training_Lesson_2.wma
http://www.niucru.com/member/derek/Evangelism_Training_Lesson_3.wma
http://www.niucru.com/member/derek/Evangelism_Training_Lesson_4.wma

Romans 3:9-31 Exposition and Discussion Guide

Romans 3:9-31
Introductory Notes
It’s in this section that Paul (finally) gets to the content of the good news. Note that I have skipped over 2:13-3:8 for the purposes of this introductory study. The rationale for that is that the point of those verses is largely directed at a Jewish audience and concerns the place of the Law that God gave Israel.

In 1:18-32, Paul describes humanity’s sin. And then beginning in 2:1 he addresses an imaginary Jewish opponent – leveling charges of sin against him. In 2:6-10 we see the impartiality of God – he judges everyone according to works. Good people go to heaven, bad go to hell.

Paul goes on in 2:12-29 to describe the fact that the Jews aren’t unique in having a Law. Gentiles also have one, and it’s demonstrated in the fact that they have a conscience. So the Jews don’t get any special treatment because they have the Law – everyone gets judged according to their works.

We see the first inkling of the gospel in this section as well, in v. 29, in which ‘true’ Jews are described as ones who are born again – part of the new creation.

Paul then, in 3:1-8, addresses the issue of why the Jews were chosen. His Jewish opponent has objected, “What advantage has the Jew?” Paul begins to answer by saying that they have been given Scripture. But possessing God’s word doesn’t prevent them from getting judged according to their (evil) works!

This is stuff that you’ll want to explain in short form before the Bible study on 3:9-31.

Also, vv. 19-28 is possibly one of the most important sections in the whole of Scripture. I’d usually say ‘make sure they get this main point’ – but the whole thing is one cohesive unit – and is vital.

Exposition and Notes
3:9-18
The sequence in 3:10-18 is a series of quotations from Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7; Proverbs 1:16, Isaiah 59:7, 8; and Psalm 36:1.

The whole point here is introduced by the statement of conclusion from the previous section – Jews and Gentiles (Greeks) are guilty of sin before God. Paul goes on to say this accords with what God has stated in the aforementioned Scriptures. Now, if you look these all up, you’ll see that they’re not always explicitly about Jews or Gentiles, but about the enemies of God. Paul is merely using these verses to summarize the totality of our depravity that he’s already proven.

The verses mean what they say. As far as shedding blood goes, we need to remember that anger is murder in God’s sight (Matthew 5:21, 22).

3:19, 20
Verse 19 gives the inevitable result of the Law. The result is this: very people group – Jew and Gentile alike – is accountable to God. (That’s ‘the whole world.’)

Verse 20 tells us how this happens: the Law makes us aware that we’re sinning. Because we’re aware that we’re sinning because of the Law, trying to do what it requires doesn’t justify us.

Or to boil it down – The Law speaks so that Jews and Gentiles alike are accountable to God. They’re accountable because they can’t be justified by trying to do it, because it just makes us aware we’re sinning.

Or to boil it REALLY down – the law just accuses us; it doesn’t show that we’re righteous. And that’s because we’re not.

3:21, 22a
Note a couple things at this junction. ‘But now’ indicates something has happened in the history of the world – in the history of how God deals with people. No longer is he just speaking through the Law.

Also, note the ‘righteousness of God’ language that reappears. So we can’t be declared righteous (justified) by works of the Law – but at this juncture, God’s righteousness is revealed for all believers. It is given to believers through their faith in Jesus. This was prophesied in the OT – but is now made known.

In other words, we need righteousness to be justified. It can’t come from trying to do what the Law requires – so it has to come from God – and it does to everyone who believes in Jesus.
3:22b-24
Now we see that what we just covered – the righteousness of God is for all believers – is because there’s no distinction between believers. Just as Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin, so they are all alike in being justified.

v. 23 Goes on to say that the reason for that is that all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s why we’re all believers alike get the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus.

‘All sinned’ is an interesting way to say what Paul said. The exact phrase occurs again in Romans 5:12 and is quite possibly not a reference to individual sin but to the fact that we all sinned in Adam. Or in other words, we’re all living in the kingdom of sin because of our original father.

‘Falling short of the glory of God’ is also an interesting expression. In Ch. 2, Paul talked about the glory of God as a reward for glorifying God.

In other words, what’s probably being referred to in this verse is the fact that all believers are alike in that they were guilty in Adam and could not earn the glory that God promises to those who glorify him.

The other way that believers are all alike is that they are justified by God’s grace as a gift. The declaration of righteousness that guarantees us heaven is the gift. God’s grace causes that to happen. So there is a slight distinction between ‘grace’ and ‘gift.’ The gift is justification. The grace is God’s sovereign and loving action in working to bring about the justification of all believers.

In the end of v. 24, Paul begins to speak of the means of justification. The first manner in which he talks about it is in ‘redemption’ language. ‘Redemption’ has a couple backdrops. First, to a Jew it would bring back memories of how God’s mighty arm rescued the people from slavery in Egypt. But second, and more importantly, to a Greek, ‘redemption’ meant a price paid for the freedom of a slave. The two things are related. First, the result is freedom for a slave. But second, there is an exchange made for that freedom. In Israel’s case it was the exertion of God’s strength that was exchanged for Israel. But in justification it was Jesus that was exchanged for his Church. Or in other words, Jesus was subjected to the effects of that slavery (death; see 6:23) in the place of his Church.

3:25, 26
‘Whom’ refers to Jesus in v. 24. Paul here is about to tell us how this exchange for our freedom – Jesus for us – happened. God put Jesus forward as a propitiation. The word ‘propitiation’ means ‘sacrifice which averts the wrath of an angry god.’ It’s also the word that refers to the ‘mercy seat’ in the holy of holies on top of the ark of the covenant.

Remember a priest would enter into this place – a picture of God’s throne room – and sprinkle blood on the covering of the ark (the mercy seat) so that God would not punish the people for their sins. In other words, an animal was slain in the place of the people.

What we have here is God’s wrath being assuaged and satisfied in the blood of Christ. Or in other words, God’s wrath is satisfied in the death of Jesus. Or in other words, God the Father killed God the Son in the place of all believers.

We see this last part in the phrase ‘to be received by faith’ – literally, ‘through faith.’ In other words, the propitiation that God himself provided is applied to us through faith. We could not avert God’s wrath. God had to do that, and he applies that aversion of wrath to us through faith in Jesus.

This arrangement – God killing Jesus in the place of believers – demonstrates God’s righteousness because he’d passed over former sins. Or in other words, God just forgave people before Jesus through faith. Abraham had no redemption-price paid on his behalf. There was no ground for any Old Testament believer’s justification – until God the Father killed God the Son in their place.

v. 26 gives us the rationale for this. First, God wanted to show off his righteousness. God would not be just if he did not punish sinners. So in punishing Jesus in their place, he acted both justly/righteously (again, the same word) and caused the justification (righteous status before God) of every believer.

3:27, 28
Paul here picks up the concept of boasting. The imaginary Jew from ch. 2 was boasting in his having the Law, and presumably, doing what it required (2:17, 23). But any and all boasting is impossible because the manner in which God declares people righteous is by faith, not by what they do.

Or in other words, justification is based solely on God’s work; thus, we can’t brag about it – we did nothing to bring it about.

27 uses the word ‘law’ to describe ‘principles.’ Or in other words, justification is through the principles of faith. Or in other words, the thing that governs justification is not works, but faith.

3:28 is possibly one of the most important verses in the Bible. ‘Works of the Law,’ some modern theologians think, is merely the ceremonial Law (the laws concerning temple worship, etc.). But that’s not how Paul has talked about the works of the Law throughout Romans so far. The Law is about obedience to God. In other words, people are justified apart from attempts at obedience. God justifies every believer apart from their obedience or lack thereof. And he does it on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, accomplished in his substitutionary death.

3:29-31
Paul goes on here to say that God justifies all types of people (whether Jew or Gentile) in the same way – through faith. This is in opposition to the supposed objection that God is only the God of Jews. The answer to this is no, he justifies all the same way.

A Jew might then say that the idea of ‘justification by faith’ then makes the Law that Moses gave pointless. Paul rejoins with the exact opposite – justification by faith, rather, shows that the Law is valid.

How? The Law condemns everyone (Romans 3:19, 20, 23). And justification by faith is based on the righteousness accomplished for us by Jesus – he was condemned by the Law in our place (3:24-26). So this doctrine of justification by faith shows that the Law actually matters – because obedience to it matters.

Bible Study Suggested Discussion Guide
-Make sure you first go over what you’ve done in Romans so far. Remember: 1) The Scriptures testify to the Kingdom of Jesus so that people will trust and obey him for God’s glory. 2) Christians grow to obey Jesus more through being around other Christians – and through the gospel being preached to them. 3) The gospel is good news because God’s righteousness is given to us for God to consider us righteous – because we’re not – and our not being righteous earns us punishment. 4) We all know enough about God to know that we should worship him; but we don’t – we worship other things. And so God’s wrath is against us. 5) God’s wrath against us means he’s given humanity up to deeper and deeper rebellion. 6) Jews are no different – everyone is judged on the basis of whether they are good or bad. And we are all bad.
-And make sure you explain that though Israel was special in God’s plan – in that God communicated to them – everyone is still judged the same way. Having the Scriptures doesn’t save!
-Have someone read vv. 9-18
-Does anything stick out to you? Or does anyone have any questions?
-What kind of picture is painted of the human condition?
-Where do you identify with this description?
-Have someone read vv. 19, 20.
-What does the Law do?
-How does this relate to us?
-Have someone read vv. 21-26
-This section is very, very difficult AND very, very important. It may be helpful before beginning to discuss this section to define certain words
-sin = disobedience to what our Creator has commanded – including and primarily the worship of him
-God’s glory = the reward promised to those who obey God
-to justify = to declare/consider righteous
-grace = God’s moving for the happiness of the recipients of grace
-redemption = exchange of one thing for the freedom of another, often used for buying the freedom of slaves
-propitiation = sacrifice which satisfies the wrath of God against rebellion
-just = righteous
-What sticks out to you?
-Do you have any questions?
-Verse 26 says that God is both just and the justifier of everyone who believes in Jesus. How does this work?
-Have someone read vv. 27-31
-What are some of the main points here?
-How does justification by faith uphold the Law?
-What should our response to all this be?

Romans 1:18-2:12 Exposition and Discussion Guide

Romans 1:18-2:12
Exposition and Notes

1:18-23 – The reasons for God’s wrath
First, note that God’s wrath is revealed now. The objects of his wrath are the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Ungodliness means lack of worship; unrighteousness means lack of obedience. Note also that their disobedience entails unbelief – not that they don’t have enough information or intellectual capacity – but that they refuse to believe because they’re disobedient.

Note also that God’s wrath is against them because they know about God – at least enough to be brought to the point where they know enough to worship him. But they don’t – they rather worship other things. (This is the answer to the question about those who haven’t heard the gospel.)

This wrath that is being revealed against those who don't worship of God and instead worship false gods will be completed on the day of judgment. See Romans 2:5.

1:24-32 – The results of God’s wrath
Note vv. 24, 26, and 28. In each of these God is said to give them up to sinning. In each case we see him giving humanity over to rebellious passions or a debased mind. He let humanity’s mind become controlled by sinfulness.

Note also that in these verses God handed humanity over because they gave worship to gods that are not God. See vv. 23, 25, and 28. The active component reflects the idea that this handing over to further sin is the wrath of God. Note then, that the wrath of God is expressed against lack of worship now in that people sin. (This includes homosexuality.)

2:1-12 – Having revelation from God won’t rescue you from being judged by God for your works

This section begins a lengthy section in which Paul argues with an imaginary Jew, who seems to think that having the Law – being a Jew – being circumcised – puts them in a saving relationship with God. The previous section a Jew would agree with – yes, that’s true of the Gentiles, they’d say. But we have the knowledge of God! Paul argues here that knowledge from God doesn’t save.

And in that context, he argues that you need to be obedient to be declared righteous (justified) – and thus enter into glory.

He first argues, in vv.1-5, that the Jewish opponent with whom he’s arguing thinks everything’s fine – life is good – and eternal life is guaranteed. But Paul argues that he is doing the same things as the Gentiles and doesn’t realize that he’s merely being given time to repent.
Then in vv. 6-10, he essentially says justification is by works. Of course he will argue from this point onward – and finish his argument in 3:9-20, that you can’t be justified that way because you do sin. The point, though, is that God does judge on the basis of works. Again, this raises the need for a righteousness that’s not our own – Remember 1:16 and 17!

And of course the reason for people being judged the same way is that God shows no partiality. Note that v. 11 starts with ‘for.’ Everyone gets judged – all who have sinned apart from the Law and all who have sinned while having it.



Bible Study Suggested Discussion Guide
-Do you remember what we did last time? At this point, you may need to quickly summarize Romans 1:1-18. A good three part summary is that 1) God appointed apostles – and thus the Scriptures – to bring his Kingdom to every nation for his glory. 2) God grows his people through their being together and through the hearing of the gospel. 3) The gospel is good news because God’s righteousness is revealed for all who believe – and it saves us. Ask them if they remember how.
-Have a few people pray. And then have someone have read vv. 18-23
-What sticks out to you? Do you have any questions?
-What do we see about God here?
-What do we see about sin?
-What about people that haven’t heard about Jesus? This question is so that people understand the gist of this passage – God’s wrath is revealed against people not worshiping him – not necessarily against rejection of the gospel.
-What are some things you honor/devote yourself to more than God?
-Have someone read vv. 24-32
-Observations? Questions?
-What do we see God doing?
-Why’s he doing it?
-What are the results?
-Where do you see yourself in here?
-Have someone read 2:1-12
-At this point, you’ll have to explain that Paul is switching perspective to addressing a Jew who says – “Well, yeah – that stuff is true of the Gentiles who don’t have God’s word. But I have God’s word, so it’s not true of me.”
-Observations/Questions?
-What are the mistakes that the imaginary Jew is making?
-How do we make those same mistakes?
-What do we see God doing in this passage?
-You’ll have to explain at this point, if they don’t get it, that God does judge us on the basis of works. Then point out Romans 3:10-12. And then go back to 1:17 and explain that we are given a righteousness not our own by faith in Christ. By the end of this study, your students should understand 1) all of us should worship God, and we don’t. 2) We all stand under God’s wrath, because he judges on the basis of works. 3) Except we put our faith in Christ and are credited his righteousness.
-Enter into prayers of thanksgiving

Romans 1:1-17 Exposition and Discussion Guide

Romans 1:1-17 Leader’s Guide
Exposition and Notes

One thing to note as we start this study guide. If possible, encourage people to use the ESV, NASB, NKJV, or even TNIV. The NIV translation of Romans is pretty bad. It drops words, rearranges word orders, and makes interpretive calls that should not be made. Further, the rigor of the logic of Romans gives rise here especially to the need for a word-for-word translation such that the logic of the passages is preserved. I’d state here in Romans that the ESV is the most literal of the versions (even more than the NASB).

Another note: I’m planning on skipping a section or two. I don’t think that your typical freshman student is going to be fed for instance, well anyway, from Romans 2:17-3:8 or so – yet. In the study that will be 3:9-31, I will write a short explanation for that section.

One other thing to do – hammer in the content of the gospel at every chance you get, before, during and after each study. The formula I like is as follows: “The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus’ obedience to God, suffering the wrath of God for the sins of believers, and coming back to life as King over everything reconciles everyone who believes in him to God.”

1:1-7 – Greeting
This is like every greeting in the ancient world in that the writer introduces himself, and then says ‘to’ his audience. So here, Paul, to the beloved of God in Rome.

Note how Paul introduces himself though; he doesn’t focus much on himself. He’s a slave of Christ (owned and commanded by him), called to be an apostle (authoritative proclaimer of God’s word in the same way that the OT prophets were), set apart for preaching the gospel of God. He, as well as the other apostles, have been particularly given grace/apostleship (as a specific Church office) to bring about the ‘obedience of faith.’ (That could mean ‘obedience that is faith’ or ‘obedience which comes from faith.’ It doesn’t matter which. When we get to ch. 6 we’ll see that they can’t exist without each other.)

That obedience of faith is among every nation – and is for the sake of God’s name – that is, his glory.

In other words, what has happened in history, is that God called and appointed apostles to preach the gospel throughout all the nations for the sake of their obedience of faith – for his glory.

That happens now as we proclaim what those apostles wrote.

That’s not the point here, though. The point here is that we’re on the receiving end. We are of those who have ‘obedience of faith,’ who are called to belong to Jesus, who are called ‘saints,’ and who are loved by God (in a special and specific way – not in the same way God loves everyone).

Note finally here the gospel. This isn’t a full out exposition of it – it’s just telling us what the gospel is about. Now, this is complicated. There are two eras of history after the fall. You can call them Kingdom of Darkenss vs. Kingdom of God, etc. Or you can call them ‘age of the flesh’ and ‘age of the Spirit.’ The age of the Spirit – or the Kingdom of God – has come crashing down into this present age of the flesh in the person of Jesus.

We see that in the age of the flesh – into the old world – Jesus was incarnated to be the heir of David’s throne. See 2 Sam 7:8-16. Every other offspring of David had to be disciplined by God. Jesus was born into this line and didn’t. And in the old system, Jesus is the heir of David’s throne.

But in the new age – which has begun in Christ’s resurrection – he is ‘appointed to be the Son of God in power.’ Here we should see ‘Son of God in power’ as a title. He is King over this new realm/age that has begun. He is the King in the Kingdom of God. See also for this Philippians 2 (declared Lord), Hebrews 2 (crowned with glory), Matthew 28 (has been given all authority), etc. Through Jesus death/resurrection he has earned the Kingship over the new age.

There are several things that your students should get from this passage. First, they should understand that they are recipients of the word of God through the apostles for the sake of God’s glory. Second, they should understand as such, they are counted obedient, belong to Jesus Christ, are saints, and are loved by God in a special and particular way – and that he wants to give them grace and peace (which means the joy that comes from knowing him.) And last, they need to understand that the gospel is about Jesus – who has ushered in the new era of the Kingdom of God by dying and rising from the dead – and that he’s King over it.

1:8-15 – Why Paul Wanted to Visit the Christians in Rome
A few notes first. Paul credits God for their faith, and is happy about it. He defends that statement by saying that God has seen him always praying for the Roman churches. Particularly, he’s praying that he can come see them. He wants to see them to give them the spiritual gift of encouragement by his faith – and he wants to be encouraged by their faith.

Note that this is parallel to ‘harvest.’ And that harvest comes from preaching the gospel. In this passage we have two of the primary means of Christian growth – fellowship (encouraged by each other’s faith) and sitting under the preaching of the gospel.

Note also that Paul owes people the gospel, not God. He’s been given something he didn’t earn, and he owes it to people who are in the same state he was in – under God’s wrath. And he owes it also to Christians – who are in need of hearing about their God for their encouragement and holiness.

Your students from this should get first, the importance of sitting under the preaching of the gospel. They should second, get the importance of fellowship. Both of these things result in obedience to God. They should finally get the fact that they owe others the gospel.

1:16-17 – A summary of the content of the Gospel
These verses are difficult. Here’s the logic: Paul’s eager to preach the gospel to Christians in Rome because he’s not ashamed of it. He’s not ashamed of it because it’s the power of God saving all believers without distinction (Jews got the revelation of the gospel first, though). The gospel is God’s power for saving all believers because in it God’s righteousness is revealed ‘from faith to faith.’ That statement is defended by the citation of Habakkuk 2:4.

Why is the revelation of God’s righteousness good news? And why on earth does it save? First, God is acting righteously in saving as he promised in the OT.

But also, 1:18 says God’s righteousness condemns us because we’re unrighteous. We see the gospel saves all believers because God’s righteousness is revealed. (From faith to faith – honestly, no one really knows what that means. Something to do with faith.)

The keys lie in Hab. 2:4 and Heb. 10:38. First, note that there are people being considered righteous by God – even though they’re not righteous – we see that as early as 1:18, and definitely in 3:10-12. Also note that it’s the people’s faith (Heb. 10:38 is clear on that.) So through their faith, God considers them righteous. And they get the opposite of the wrath in 1:18 – life.

And how’s this happen? God’s righteousness. There is a righteousness from God that is credited/counted/imputed to everyone who believes – and therefore they escape and are saved from wrath – and given life. How this works is hammered out more in 3:20-26. Well, actually, 3:20-5:21.

So what should students get from this section? The foundation of an excitement and boldness about the gospel – because it saves all believers from God’s wrath. It works to do that by God considering us righteous through faith – by the work of Christ.

Bible Study Suggested Discussion Guide
-What are some things that cause Christians to grow to obey God better?
-This section of Romans gives us the most important answers to that question.
-Enter into a time of prayer
-Have someone read vv. 1-7
-Observations? Questions?
-What do we learn about Paul here? You may have to explain ‘apostleship.’
-What do we learn about the gospel? You will have to explain vv. 3, 4.
-What is the gospel? Be ready with your own definition.
-What does this section say about us? We fit in with the recipients – not the apostle. We’re on the receiving end of the apostle’s ministry – now through Scripture. So look at what the passage says to the recipients.
-You need to be excited about what the Scriptures say about us, incidentally. So have spent time meditating on these truths and praising God for them.
-Have someone read vv. 8-15
-Observations? Questions?
-What do you see about how Paul – and thus, God – feels about the Christians in Rome?
-What does Paul want to do in Rome? Why?
-What does this say about what we need to do to grow as Christians?
-Have someone read vv. 16-18
-Observations? Questions?
-What do we learn about the gospel here? Be prepared to ask questions about the logic of the passage – how the phrases relate to each other.
-At this point, you’re just going to need to explain v. 17 in the context of Hab. 2:4 and Heb. 10:38. Make sure to tie in Romans 3:20-26 and ahem Jesus. There’s no way folks are going to interpret this well. But at this point preach the gospel to them.
-Enter into prayer – particularly worshiping God for the gospel.

Coming Soon

Coming soon -

1) The full text of the Cross Training lectures/studies, given previous to Cru at NIU

2) The full text of the Romans Exposition/Bible Study Discussion guide (so far)

Talk Given at Cru - 11/29/07

This talk was given at Cru at NIU on 11/29/07. It's about missions, and is based on Revelation 5:9, 10. Click the title for the full text. (Or you can click 'comments' to read and comment.)

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! Some of you may think I'm referencing Pascal with the name I chose. Actually, it was just the best name for the blog. This is going to be, God willing, a collection of my thoughts.

Those thoughts will include sermons I have given, bible studies I have prepared, and possibly even brief commentaries on life and culture.

I hope this proves of some help to you.

Glory be to God!