Rom 1:1-17 - Paul's purpose, the Gospel, and it's power
The Sins Problem and God's Solution
Rom 1:18 - 2:29 - Our sinful behavior, guilt, and God's wrath
Rom 1:18-32 - against the Gentiles
Rom 2:1-16 - against those who judge others
Rom 2:17-29 - against the Jews
Rom 3:1-20 - the real purpose of Judaism
Guardians of the law
The law condemns: we are God's enemies
The law highlights sin
Rom 3:21 - 4:25 - God's solution: Righteousness by Faith
Rom 3:21- 26 - Bad News / Good News
Rom 3:27-31 - Justification by faith supercedes the law
Rom 4:1-25 - Justification by faith illustrated within the law
Rom 5:1-11 - Experiencing God's solution: enemies no more
The Sin Problem and God's Solution
Rom 5:12-14 - Our sin nature and death sentence
Rom 5:15-21 - God's solution: The Cross and The Resurrection
Explain connection between sin and grace
Rom 6:1-23 - Man's proper response to God's gift
Rom 7:1-25 - The inadequacy of the law
Rom 8:1-16 - Experiencing God's solution: Life by the Spirit
Rom 8:17-39 - Our Destiny
Responding to God's Gift - Rom 6:1-23 (a "How Come?" passage)
Your lifestyle has to change - Rom 6:1-2
What Jesus' death and resurrection accomplished for us - Rom 6:3-10
Explain how identification with Jesus' death ends our bondage
Israelites were slaves in Egypt
The sea wiped out Pharaoh's army
We must master sin - Rom 6:11-14
Don't even play with sin - Rom 6:15-23
Israel's experiences are examples for us - 1Cor 10:1-13
Conquer the land - No Prisoners, no treaties - Ex 34:10-16
Canaan represents those areas of our lives that we must put to death.
Israel's initial wilderness experience was preparation for conquest.
Their rebellion in Paran is a warning to us - take the land!
Don't die in the wilderness.
New Material
Preparation
Main Passage
NIV
Hebrew Study Bible
KJV
The Message
NASB
RSV
Exegetical Idea
Subject
Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
Complement
Developmental Questions
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea
Purpose of the Sermon
Make it plain
Use accessible language and modern parables
Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.
Resurrection (continued)
For the message:
The Bible and Sanctification
How come passages vs. How to passages
Sanctification: Living By The Spirit
How Come? - Rom 6:1-14; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 5:16-18
How To - Rom 8:5-17; Gal 5:16-26
What's on your mind? - Rom 8:5-6; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:14
The things of the flesh - Gal 5:19-21
Examples:
“I’m depressed - what would make me happy right now?”
The things of the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23; Philip 4:8
Sanctification: The Fight
Second Chance: No Prisoners, no treaties - Deut 7:1-8
God to Israel: No fight, no victory! - Josh 17:11 - 18:3; Judges 2:1-5
Conquer sin - 1John 3:1-10; 1John 5:18
Strategies for dealing with temptation
Recognize that God is helping you - 1Cor 10:13; Heb 2:18
Faithfully hide God's Word in your heart - Psalm 119:9-11
Fight - Heb 12:3
Submit to spiritual authority - Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17
be accountable
be transparent
Not because of your righteousness - Deut 9:1-8
Only the faithful / believing will enter God's rest - Heb 4:1-11
Don't miss God's grace - Heb 12:1-29
Sanctification: Becoming like the Father
Hang out with God like Enoch.
Glider pilot riding thermals
Edifying your brothers and sisters - Rom 15:14; Col 3:16; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:24-25
We will always have new spiritually immature people coming church.
Some people develop defenses against the Bible because it's been used as a weapon against them in the past.
People who are not willing to change can't serve God in the long term
What to do when your brother fails
If your brother sins against you . . . - Mat 18:15-22
Restore your brother gently - Gal 6:1-5; 1John 5:1-18
Don't leave this burden to your pastors or life group leaders.
Teach sanctification for disciple makers.
We focus on leaders!
The faithful must do more than just hold on;
They need to multiply themselves.
They must identify faithful people who they can mentor - 2Tim 2:2
You should either be mentoring someone, or praying for God to show you someone to mentor.
Bring resurrection power to your brothers and sisters!
Discussion Questions / Topics
Reflect on Rom 8:1-17; Gal 5:16-26
According to Gal 5:16-26 what fruit does the Spirit want to produce in us?
According to Gal 5:16-26 what actions characterize the sinful nature (flesh)?
Describe some ways in which you set your mind on what the Spirit desires.
Describe some ways in which you set your mind on what the flesh desires.
Which of the two occupies more of your thoughts?
What would help you to focus more on what the Spirit desires?
Reflect on Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:14; Philip 4:8
What comes to mind when you read Rom 12:1?
Have you been transformed by the renewing of your mind? In what ways?
Do you take control of your thought life? In what ways?
Reflect on Deut 7:1-8; Josh 17:11 - 18:3; Judges 2:1-5
Based on these Bible passages, what critical mistakes did Israel make?
Are there areas of your life that you've given up on because it seems too hard to bring them under God's control?
Have you ever experienced victory after a tough fight? What happened?
Are you in a fight now? If so, what would help you win?
Reflect on Rom 3:21-26; 5:1-11 (repeated from last week)
Describe how you first came to understand God's offer of righteousness by faith. Was there anything about righteousness by faith that you found hard to accept?
Describe the ways in which you've experienced peace with God (Rom 5:1).
Paul refers to us as having been God's enemies and then being reconciled to God (Rom 5:10-11). How has this truth applied to your life?
Reflect on Rom 6:1-23 (repeated from last week)
According to this passage, what does Jesus' resurrection do for us?
How has Jesus' death and resurrection affected your lifestyle?
Have you been baptized (immersed in water)? Describe your experience.
Are you experiencing the victory over sin described here?
Works Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings (repeated from last week)
Review the current prayer partnerships in your life group.
Make sure that everyone has someone to pray with on a weekly basis.
These can be long-term assignments or your can rotate them.
If you rotate them, the assignments should last at least one month.
Review the list of people you are praying for in your life group.
Make sure that everyone knows who to pray for and how to pray for them.
Make sure that the people who need salvation are getting prayed for every day by the members of the group.
Review each person on the list of people you are reaching out to.
Has anyone invited him/her to lunch/dinner or some other informal activity along with at least one other life group member?
Has anyone invited him/her to a life group fun event?
Has anyone invited him/her to a life group meeting?
