Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / The New Testament Story
Week 7
Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / The New Testament Story
Week 7
The New Testament Story
‘Helping you find your way from Matthew to Revelation’
Regular Baptist Press
Unit 3 ‘Christ’s Church: Her Doctrine
Session 7 The Church’s Doctrine ‘Salvation’
PP Overview
· This session takes us to the Book of Romans which is the first great book on Christian theology.
PP Theme
· All have sinned, but there is hope, because God brings salvation to all those who place their faith in Jesus.
PP Aims
By the end of this class, you will be able to:
PP 1. Summarize the teaching of Romans
PP 2. Explain the relationship between ‘justification by faith’ and ‘service to God’
PP 3. State appropriate responses to the message of Romans
PP Key Verse: ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ Romans 5:1
Question: What doctrinal concerns are mentioned in this one verse?
· Justification, faith, peace with God, the role of Jesus Christ in all this
Question: Does it really matter what you believe as a Christian? Why?
If you love Jesus, isn’t that enough? Why?
Do you have to believe all those things about creation, sin and being born again? Why?
Do you have to believe that people who don’t believe those things are going to hell? Why? (Questions taken from ‘Does It Matter What I Believe?’ by Millard Erickson)
Read: Matthew 16:13-19 ‘When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
· Jesus seemed to think that it was important that we have a correct understanding of who he is and also what he has said and done.
Question: Consider the statements ‘Ignorance is bliss’ and ‘What you don’t know won’t hurt you’. Do these statements apply to what Believers do not bother to learn about God? In other words, will God hold us accountable for that we are not motivated to learn about him?
Read: Luke 24:13-37 ‘Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.’
Question: What was Jesus’ attitude towards their lack of knowledge concerning the significance of his life?
Do you think God will expect any less of us?
If we believe the Bible is God’s message to us we will take very seriously what it has to say.
We will also take the Bible personally. Ps 119:105 says ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.’ What the Bible teaches will shape our lives, our ways of thinking and acting
It is important what we believe because it not only affects our life, and the lives of those around us, it affects our eternity.
PP I. Introduction to the Book of Romans
PP A. The Theme
The Gospel of God
PP B. The Key Verses
‘For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”’ Ro 1:17
‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ Romans 5:1
PP C. The Key Words
Righteous, just, justify and these are found more than 60 times in the Book of Romans.
PP D. The Writer
The Book of Romans is an epistle (letter) written by the Apostle Paul.
PP E. The Place of Writing
The Book of Romans was written from Corinth on Paul’s 3rd missionary journey.
PP F. The Date of Writing
The Book of Romans was written in the fall of 57AD or the spring of 58AD.
PP II. The Teaching of the Book of Romans
PP A. The Introduction (Romans 1:1-17)
-Paul calls himself a slave or servant of Jesus Christ… ever refer to yourself as a slave or servant of JC?
-Paul wrote to the Christians living in Rome.
-Paul showed his pastor’s heart when he said he talks about how the Roman Christians have found a place in his heart.
-Paul also described the Gospel in vs 16.
PP Its character is POWER
PP Its source is GOD
PP Its consequence is SALVATION
PP Its scope is ALL WHO BELIEVE
PP B. The Doctrinal Section (Romans 1:18-8:39)
Read: Romans 1:17-23 ‘For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.’
PP 1. The Sin of Mankind
Question: Why did Paul start the doctrinal section off with a discussion on the sin of mankind?
· Before someone realizes their need for salvation…they have to recognize the sin in their life.
Question: Why is there a need for divine righteousness?
· Because God’s wrath is poured out on all who sin.
Question: What is the scope of sin? Or Who sins?
· Everyone, according to Romans 3:23
No one can be saved, forgiven, accepted by God by trying to do good works, no one is good enough. So are we lost? Is there no hope?
PP 2. The Justification of the Sinner
Question: What is justification?
· It’s God giving us his righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. It can not be earned, it is a free gift.
PP Read: Romans 1:17 ‘For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”’
PP Read: Romans 6:23 ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
PP Read: Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.’
· You are not saved because you come to worship on Sunday mornings
· You are not saved because you are a good person
· You are not saved because you give money or time to the local church or some televangelist
· You are not saved because you walked and aisle or raised your hand in a worship service.
· You are not saved because you are baptized, either as a baby or adult.
· You are saved by the Grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ and it is a free gift from God, not because of anything you have done or will do.
Question: According to Romans 5:1-11 what happens the moment you are saved?
Read: Romans 5:1-11 ‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.’
PP According to Romans 5 there are 6 things that are the direct result of our justification
· PP We have peace with God (vs 1)
· PP We have access to God (vs 2)
· PP We have hope (vs 2)
· PP We are reconciled to God (vs 10)
· PP We are saved from all judgment (vs 9)
· PP We have joy (vs 11)
PP 3. The Sanctification of the Believer
After salvation, Paul moves on to sanctification.
Question: What is sanctification?
· To be set apart, to be holy
A Christian is set apart to God.
Justification removes the guilt and penalty of our sin, sanctification removes sin’s power.
By justification God declares a sinner to be righteous (positional), by sanctification a Christians becomes more and more righteous in practice (everyday life)
Justification is a once for all act. Sanctification is too, but it is also an on going process.
PP 4. The Aspects of Sanctification
PP Positional Sanctification:
The righteous (right) standing of the Christian before God. This is possible by the Christians union with Christ. When God looks at us he sees Jesus.
PP Practical Sanctification:
The Christian lives out his righteousness by counting himself dead to sin (Rom. 6:1) by yielding to God in all things (Rom. 6:13) by being obedient to righteousness (right living) God (Rom. 6:17)
PP Perfect or Ultimate Sanctification:
The Christian’s future state in glory, in heaven. This is when there will be no difference between our positional and practical sanctification.
PP Not Legalism:
According to Romans 7, Paul tells us we can not live out sanctification or holy lives by trying to keep a set of rules whether they come from the church or from tradition.
The only way to live holy lives, to live out our sanctification is by yielding to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
PP 5. Sanctification and the Godhead.
PP God the Holy Spirit:
When we yield to the Holy Spirit in our lives, the Spirit works to defeat our old nature (Romans 8:5-13)
The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance that we are God’s children
(Romans 8:14-17)
The Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8:26-27)
PP God the Father:
Helps us live godly lives by the work of his providence. (Romans 8:28)
Question: What is the providence of God?
· It is God working behind the scenes.
· It is God working things out for our good
· It is God working things our according to his will and good pleasure
He foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us and will glorify us.
(Romans 8:29-30)
He will protect and provide for us. (Romans 8:31-34)
PP God the Son:
He intercedes for us and his love grants us security to face all of life’s adversities. (Romans 8: 35-39)
PP C. The Section on Israel (Romans 9:1-11:36)
Paul opens this section with a reference to his heartfelt concern for Israel. He was willing to go as far as to say that he was willing to be cursed if it meant Israel could be saved. But all of national Israel will not be saved, only those who turn to Jesus as the Messiah will find eternal life.
PP 1. God’s Past Purpose for Israel (Romans 9:1-33)
God chose Israel from all the nations to be his people and there were perks. (According to Romans 9:4-5)
PP 1. They were adopted, chosen by God to be his people
PP 2. They had the Shekinah Glory of God to lead them and dwell with them.
PP 3. They had the Law of Moses
PP 4. They had the covenants that God made with Abraham, Moses and David.
PP 5. They had the service of God. Priests were able to serve God in the temple.
PP 6. They had the promises of God.
PP 7. They had the ‘fathers’ Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
PP 8. They were the nations from whom the Messiah would come.
Question: How did Israel respond to all the privileges of being God’s people?
· They rejected God and his son, Jesus
PP 2. God’s Present Purpose for Israel (Romans 10:1-11:21)
God’s present purpose for Israel is to save a remnant. And some are coming to faith.
PP 3. God’s Future Purpose for Israel (Romans 11:22-36)
All Israel will be saved…
Question: What does that mean?
PP Read: Romans 9:6 ‘It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.’
PP D. The Practical Section (Romans 12:1-15:13)
Question: According to Romans 12:1, in light of all Paul has said in Romans 1-11, what is to be the Christians response…first and foremost? In other words, what is the highest calling for the Christian, the greatest work a Christian can do?
· Continually offer their lives as an act of worship
The greatest duty of the Christian is not evangelism, it is not service, it is not obedience, it is worship…because God is worthy.
As we worship God we will serve him, and service requires abilities, talents. Paul calls them spiritual gifts.
The local church is both unified in purpose and spirit but diverse in gifting, as it should be.
PP Read: Romans 12:4-8 ‘Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.’
We should discern what gifts we have been given and then diligently use them in the local church for God’s glory.
As we worship God we will relate to one another.
Question: What is the great commandment?
· To love God and to love your neighbor.
Caring for, demonstrating compassion for one another is an act of worship.
PP Read: Romans 12:3 ‘For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.’
Read: Romans 12:9-21 ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’
How you treat one another is a reflection of your worship of God. Think about that.
Paul in Romans 14 and 15 writes about Christian Liberties.
Question: What do I mean by Christian Liberties?
· Those actions that Scripture does not condemn.
Paul said that ‘all things are lawful but not all things are profitable. (1 Cor. 10:23)
He basically states that in the free exercise of our ‘rights’ we should be careful not to cause anyone to stumble in their faith….even if you are right.
Whether weak or strong, we should accept one another. That means not passing judgment on another Christian in those areas that the Bible gives freedom…
PP E. The Conclusion (Romans 15:14-16:27)
Paul closes his letter by greeting a number of Christians who served God well. Of note are a number of women. Especially Phoebe who is a ‘servant’ (diakonos) at the church in Cenchrea.
It’s right to commend and show appreciation publicly for those who serve God well in the local church…Paul did.
PP Conclusion