Table Of ContentLakeview Christian Center 1
Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
Sunday Celebration (8-3-03) Romans (Pt. 1)
“Hearing God Through His Word”
INTRO
Heb 4:7 "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."
! TRANSITIONAL THOUGHT ... Hearing From God. How Do We Hear From God?
Subjective Experiences
" (Dallas Willard in Hearing
God, Identifies 6 ways people are addressed by God:
(1) a Phenomenon plus a Voice (Moses & Burning Bush)
(2) a Supernatural Messenger or Angel (Joshua & the Angel of the Lord)
(3) Dreams & Visions (Paul’s vision of a man in Macedonia saying, ‘come over to
Macedonia and help us’ (Acts 16:9)
(4) an Audible Voice (Samuel’s call)
(5) Through Human Voice (Prophets) (also those in Authority, Friends/Family lending
confirmation)
(6) Directly to the Human Spirit (the still small voice) (could take the form of
Promptings/Impressions, ‘Having a Peace’
Objective Parameters
" ... The Word of God GOVERNS
our Subjective Impressions. (The Determiner of What is Truth & What is From God.)
# PERSONAL REVELATIONS Can be a Problem... Col 2:18-19
+ Don’t Throw Out the Baby w/ Bath Water ... You wouldn’t want to use
this verse to REBUKE PETER in Acts 11... or PAUL in Acts 16 & 18
+ We Must Correct These Things WHEN THEY ARE PROBLEMATIC
• When Are Personal Revelations Dangerous? ... When they fail
to hold fast to the Head. When they distort the PERSON & WORK of
Christ
# PERSONAL REVELATIONS are Limited
1 Cor 13:8-13 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if
there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we
know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will
be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child,
reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now
we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will
know fully just as I also have been fully known.
• How many have heard this scripture used to promote the
CESSATION of Charismatic Gifts? ... Does this verse teach
that when the CANON of SCRIPTURE is Given that Gifts will cease? ...
NO, it teaches that when the PERFECT COMES and when that occurs
we will “no longer see in a mirror dimly, but face to face, no longer
know in part but will know fully” ... THAT DAY HAS NOT YET COME!!
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
2Pet 1:16-21
• Peter saw a Peaceful Co-existence Between Subjective Revelations &
the Scriptures. ... We Are to Have Subjective Experiences,
but They Are to Be Submitted to the Scriptures for
Validation & Application, because IT IS A MORE SURE
WORD
» However, while it is SUFFICIENT, it is NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE
WORD. Jn 20:30-31; Jn 21:25 (We don’t know everything
about Jesus earthly life and ministry) ... 2Co 12 (Paul’s
revelation about the 3rd HEAVEN— we don’t know any detail
(cid:159) It has been a source of great sadness to me to see two schools of thought within the evangelical church
over many decades now. Those who come glorying in manifestations of power sometimes seem dismissive
of those whom they regard as ‘cold theologians’. I once heard a man speaking at a large conference saying
that theology was the enemy of the church and that if only we could abandon doctrinal perspectives the
church would be a happier place. What tragic nonsense! ... We also hear of those who love theological
insight and savour the doctrines of Scripture expressing equally dismissive remarks about Christians who
are enjoying God’s power as though they were mere children preoccupied with experience. How I long for
a recovery of true biblical Christianity where the apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, also raised
the dead! It seems that profound theology and great signs and wonders happily cohabited in Paul’s life and
ministry.(cid:160) Terry Virgo, “A People Prepared”, p. 41-42
I. How Do We “STAY IN BOUNDS” as Christians?
(A) See Yourself Accurately
Jer 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Prov 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
Eph 4:18 “...being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God,
Rom 12:2 “... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds”
(B) See the Bible Accurately
Ps 119
2Tim 3:14 - 4:4
Beware of whether you are
making the Bible compete with
OTHER INFLUENCES
:
! Personal Knowledge – “Don’t challenge my thinking, I’ve finally figured out what I
believe”
! Traditions – “Since we’ve always believed ______ or done ______ it Must be right”
! Popular Thought – “All these people can’t be wrong”
— EX: Adolf Hitler only came to power because enough people promoted his message
— EX’s: ABORTION ...... HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGES .......
! Personal Comfort – “I don’t want to embrace the Bible, because I might have to change”
... That’s a 2 fold problem:
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
(1) You have a high opinion of your own knowledge and ability to discern what’s best
(2) “ ” Low Opinion of God’s Character, Power, & Wisdom
II. Various Ways to Study the Bible
2 Tim 2:15 “Be diligent [study - KJV] to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need
to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
DISCIPLE = learner
SURVEY STUDY: (Broad Reading more for the purpose of seeing the big picture and gaining familiarity)
Devotional reading; “Through the Bible” (Modules) approach; Repetitive Reading
HOMEWORK: Read the Letter of Romans 2 Times This Week (Don’t get bogged down, enter
into the flow of the Letter)
FOCUSED STUDY: Topical/Thematic/Doctrinal Study (Doctrine of Sin, Holy Spirit, Atonement,
Grace), Character Study, Verse by Verse Study of a Section or Entire Book, Meditative Reading
APPLICATION
- In what ways am I currently interacting with God’s Word? (Frequency, method,
consistency, etc.)
- What areas of doctrine am I weak in? (Where do I tend to spend too much time studying or
focusing on?)
- What is the most likely thing to be competing with the authority of the word in my
life? (Personal Knowledge, Traditions, Popular Thought, Personal Comfort)
- What areas can I point to that I have changed my thinking in, in order to embrace
what the Bible teaches?
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
Sunday Celebration (8-10-03) Romans (Pt. 2)
“Romans, a Legacy of a Bond-servant, Called and Set Apart”
INTRO
(cid:159) It is the fullest, plainest and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. (cid:160) John Stott, Romans, p. 19
(cid:159) really the chief part of the New Testament, and … truly the purest gospel. … It is worthy not only that every
Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the
daily bread of the soul.(cid:160) Martin Luther, [quoted in Romans by John Stott, p. 19]
William Tyndale also thought it should be committed to memory. He also said (cid:159)the more it is
studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is.(cid:160) [quoted in Romans,
by John Stott, p. 20]
(cid:159) if we have gained a true understanding of this Epistle, we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of
Scripture.(cid:160) John Calvin, [quoted in Romans, by John Stott, p. 19]
Rom 1:1-14
Rom 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ...
I. Paul
Interesting starting point for this great letter … Starts with the messenger.
The Basic Facts of His Life
... (We’ll reserve detail for
as we move thru the book)
(cid:159) How did this happen? How did it come about that the most important theological, Christian work
ever written came from a former Jewish Pharisee who hated Christianity, and helped kill the first
Christian martyr, and persecuted the early church with passion? How did it happen that this man
wrote a 22 page letter that century after century, has been the flame at which one great Christian leader
after another, has kindled his own torch to the revival of the church and the enrichment of
Christendom.(cid:160) John Piper, The Author of the Greatest Letter Ever Written, (4-26-98)
The LEGACY of God’s Work in & Through a Man...
Paul ... a bond-servant of Christ Jesus — called as an apostle — set apart for the gospel
– What Brief Introductory Statement would Summarize Your Life?
II. A Bond-Servant, Set Apart
– These 2 qualities were what MOST CHARACTERIZED Paul’s Life. It was these
FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS that Thrust Open the Door to What His Life Became!
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
What Describes Your Relationship To Christ?
What Did You Sign Up For?
Lk 9:21-24
— Rom 10:9 ... If you confess— “Jesus is LORD”
(A) Bond Servant
(cid:159) The phrase connotes total devotion, suggesting that the servant is completely at the disposal of his or
her Lord.(cid:160) Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, [NICNT] p. 41
– a “BOND SERVANT” ... a slave set free who is now a Servant By Choice
(B) Set Apart .... (the Principle of Separation – from & to)
A Before & After Reality
- ...
What were you previously set apart for?
Has your Agenda Changed?
Has your message changed?
(cid:159) God’s act in Christ is the starting point of all Paul’s thinking, (cid:160) Douglas Moo,
The Epistle to the Romans, [NICNT] p.25
! The Purpose of our Separation ... 1Pet 2:9
! A Snapshot (Paul’s Life) of what Dedication Looks Like ... Php 3:4-15
2 Key Characteristics:
–
(1) LOSING SOME THINGS (if Christianity hasn’t cost you anything, I don’t know
if you’ve really encountered Christ & His Kingdom)
(2) PRESSING ON – a New Eager Agenda that has Seized Your Heart
III. Called
- NOTE: God’s Callings are Based In HIS PURPOSE... They Existed Before We Did (We don’t
originate them or generate them) ... Calling is about the GRACE OF GOD
(cid:159) ...the crucial thing is not who Paul is, but whose Paul is. And this will in the end, be what
makes your life significant or not — not who you are, but whose you are. (cid:160) John Piper, The
Author of the Greatest Letter Ever Written, (4-26-98)
(A) Salvific Calling
Acts 9 ... The Testimony of Paul’s Conversion
— Paul Running Down a Road of OPPOSITION to God (on his way to Damascus) when
God INTERVENES.
! The Humble Reality of God Intervening ... God’s Means of Salvation
ELIMINATES BOASTING in Ourselves
! The Hope of Trusting God in Saving the Lost rather than Trusting that
Man will Turn from Sin to God ...
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
Gal 1:15-16 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through
His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
Please Note — The EMPHASIS is on GOD’S ACTIVITY in Salvation (We must
respond to the Call of God, but we Don’t Place the Emphasis on Our Response)
Rom 8:29-30 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to
the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these
whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these
whom He justified, He also glorified.
2 Thess 2:13-14 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by
the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that
you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 1:8-9 God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from
all eternity,
(cid:159) After giving a brief survey of these doctrines of sovereign grace, I asked for questions from the class.
One lady, in particular, was quite troubled. She said, 'This is the most awful thing I've ever heard!
You make it sound as if God is intentionally turning away men and women who would be saved,
receiving only the elect.' I answered her in this vein: 'You misunderstand the situation. You're
visualizing that God is standing at the door of heaven, and men are thronging to get in the door, and
God is saying to various ones, 'Yes, you may come, but not you, and you, but not you, etc.' The
situation is hardly this. Rather, God stands at the door of heaven with His arms outstretched, inviting
all to come. Yet all men without exception are running in the opposite direction towards hell as hard as
they can go. So God, in election, graciously reaches out and stops this one, and that one, and this one
over here, and that one over there, and effectually draws them to Himself by changing their hearts,
making them willing to come. Election keeps no one out of heaven who would otherwise have been there,
but it keeps a whole multitude of sinners out of hell who otherwise would have been there. Were it not
for election, heaven would be an empty place, and hell would be bursting at the seams. That kind of
response, grounded as I believe that it is in Scriptural truth, does put a different complexion on things,
doesn't it? If you perish in hell, blame yourself, as it is entirely your fault. But if you should make it to
heaven, credit God, for that is entirely His work! To Him alone belong all praise and glory, for
salvation is all of grace, from start to finish.(cid:160) —Mark Webb
(B) Specific Calling ... “as an apostle”
Specific Callings for Our Lives
Isa 49:1-3 Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called
Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me. 2 He has made My mouth like a sharp
sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He
has hidden Me in His quiver. 3 He said to Me, " You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My
glory."
Gal 1:15-16 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
Jer 1:5-7 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I
have appointed you a prophet to the nations." 6 Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not
know how to speak, Because I am a youth." 7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,'
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.
> How Do WE Get This Great Letter? Why Are We Benefitting From These Truths?
(1) God’s Purpose ... (a) to Call a Man (to Salvation – & – as an Equipper) and (b) to Send That Man
(2) a Man’s Response ... to be a Bond-Servant, Set Apart
Sunday Celebration (8-24-03) Romans (Pt. 4)
“The Starting Place of the Gospel” (Rom 1:18-32)
INTRO
Gospel = “good news” ... You’ve heard it said, “I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news, which
do you want first? — God Starts with the BAD NEWS!
Rom 1:18-32 ... The Next Section of the Letter
! Rom 1:18 - 3:20 is a section of thought ... Nelson calls this section “Condemnation, the
Need for God’s Righteousness” ... Wycliffe called it, “Man's failure to attain
righteousness” ... Douglas Moo calls this section “The Universal Reign of Sin” (and fits it in
a larger section he calls “the Heart of the Gospel – Justification by Faith”) ... Leon Morris calls it,
“Universal Sinfulness” ...
! This Section Begins with: Detailed “Legal Charges” of Man’s Sinful activity (1:18-32) and ends
with the DOOMING STATEMENT of Rom 3:19-20
(cid:159) Only if sin is seen to be the dominating, ruling force that Paul presents it to be in this section
will it become clear why God’s righteousness can be experienced only by humbly receiving it as
a gift — Only those who are prepared to acknowledge that they are unworthy can put faith in
the Giver of grace.(cid:160) Douglas Moo, “The Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p. 92
Paul’s STARTING PLACE vs Ours ...
I. Righteousness Revealed (the Defining of Righteousness)
Rom 1:17 ... For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed
Interesting that the
Righteousness of God must:
(1) Be Revealed ... Another humbling feature of the gospel — man CANNOT inherently figure it
out
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
(cid:159) Only by an act of revelation from above — God ‘making it known’ — can people
understand God as He is.(cid:160) Douglas Moo, “The Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p. 104
(2) It must be revealed By the Gospel (man does not get to Define what is Righteous!!)
Rom 10:3 ... Man’s IGNORANCE of God’s Righteousness and “Seeking to establish their own”
Consider Man’s Alternative
Righteousness:
#1. Relative Righteousness – The view of how good I am based on a favorable
comparison to others
#2. Religious Righteousness – The Pharisees suffered from this, as did the Jews
Matt 5:20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the
scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 3:8-9 bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can
say to yourselves, ' We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these
stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.
#3. Universal Righteousness (goodness) – “Deep down inside, everyone is good”
What is “righteousness”?
dikaios (dik'-ah-yos); from NT:1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy
Thayers: NT:1342 c. preeminently, of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly
conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in heart or life d.
contextually, approved God, acceptable to God,
(cid:159) God’s righteousness in the O.T. can denote God’s character as that of a God who will always do
what is right, God’s activity of establishing right, [which involves both the saving of those on whom
He has mercy and the judgement of His enemies] ... p. 83 several of the passages that highlight the
salvific benefits of God’s righteousness also refer to the judgement that it brings on the wicked.(cid:160)
Douglas Moo, “The Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p.84
II. Wrath Revealed
... Rom 1:18
- What Do These Passages Depict as the Primary Reason for Needing the Gospel?
– We usually know we need the gospel, when our lives become burdensome, broken, or
bruised!! ... This however, is not Paul’s Starting Point! We need the gospel because the WRATH
of God is revealed from heaven against ungodliness & unrighteousness.
— Am I Ungodly & Unrighteous?
Rom 3:10 ... “There is none righteous, no not one”
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
! Wrath is a Revelation of God’s Righteousness
" The Righteous Response of the Holy God is to Powerfully & Purposefully Oppose
Sin. Righteousness is not casual about sin, Righteousness does not “SWEEP SIN
UNDER A CARPET”.
Ps 50:3-6
Ps 72:1-4
Ex 33:18-19, 34:5-7
... What is God’s Glory?
(cid:159) “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing
about us.”A.W. Tozer,
(cid:159) All spirituality flows from a correct perspective of God, and all heresy begins with a
misunderstanding of God.” [from Ray Pritchard’s book, He’s God and We’re Not]
III. Unrighteousness & Misdirected Worship
... Rom 1:19-23
– ULTIMATELY, Unrighteousness is about WORSHIP (not merely about doing a particular
deed)
(cid:159) Human unrighteousness most fundamentally consists in a refusal to worship God and a desire to worship that
which is in the created order. Unrighteousness involves the refusal to give God his proper sovereignty in one’s
life.(cid:160) Thomas Schreiner, Romans, [ECNT], p. 88
(cid:159) Every person is ‘without excuse’ because every person — whether a first century pagan or a twentieth
century materialist — has been given a knowledge of God and has spurned that knowledge in favor of idolatry,
in all it’s varied manifestations. ... (p. 110) This tragic process of ‘god-making’ continues apace in our own day,
and Paul’s words have as much relevance for people who have made money or sex or fame their gods as for those
who carved idols out of wood or stone.(cid:160) Douglas Moo, “The Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p. 98
The Detailed list of sins provided in Rom 1:24-32 is the FALL OUT of the sin of
MISPLACED WORSHIP. All these things are the Human Experience that RESULTS
when WORSHIP IS MISDIRECTED. We make a great mistake when we try to define
what is sinful apart from God.
Sin & Righteousness are defined by How Our Actions & Attitudes are Related to God
— NOT how they are related to Cultural Norms or a Self-Sustained List of Good/Bad
Things.
(cid:159) The fundamental sin is a failure to worship Him. All other sin is a consequence of this
one.(cid:160) Thomas Schreiner, Romans, [ECNT], p. 91
(cid:159) the whole dreadful panoply of sins that plague humanity has its roots in the soil of this
idolatry(cid:160) Douglas Moo, “The Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p. 110
Acknowledgment or Awareness is a FAR CRY from Biblical Worship (v. 20-21)
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Sunday Series - “ Romans ”
(cid:159) This limited knowledge of God falls far short of what is necessary to establish a relationship with him.
Knowledge must lead to reverence and gratitude. ... Instead of acknowledging God ‘as God’, by glorifying Him
and thanking Him, human beings perverted their knowledge and sank into idolatry.(cid:160) Douglas Moo, “The
Epistle to the Romans”, [NICNT] p. 107
Sunday Celebration (9-7-03) Romans (Pt. 5) (Outreach Sunday)
“Man’s Day in Court” (Rom 2:1-5)
INTRO
Read the Bible lately?
- #1 Best Seller of all time
- The Headline Magazine Style Bible News Story
(1) Indicative of What People Are Reading Today
(2) Challenge to the Thought that the Bible is Some Mysterious Antiquated Book
that is No Longer Relevant
Our Study of Romans
– Written in approx. 56-58 AD by the apostle Paul for the sake of EXPLAINING THE GOSPEL
Rom 2:1-5
- Headlines that Should Concern Us: “Man is Without Excuse in Guilty Verdict!” ...
“Judgement of God to Rightly Fall on the Guilty Parties” ... “Evidence Shows Man
Had Knowledge of Crime”
— Should Concern us because this is a CLASS ACTION SUIT of which we are part
I. God’s Argument Against the Defendants
