Friday, November 12, 2010

Romans: Lesson 12 of 12

Lesson 11

Six Rules for Practical Christian Living

Rule 6: Live a Life of Encouragement! (Romans 14:19 -15:13)


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Read Romans 15:1-7

Question: What is Encouragement?

Marrion Webster says that to encourage someone is to inspire them with spirit or hope.

In Romans 15, Paul is essentially telling the strong in faith to be encouragers for the weak in faith. According to Paul, it is the responsibility of the strong to close the gap to meet the weak.

Question: What does this remind you of?

Read Romans 5:7

The fact is that when we were weak, God closed the gap for us.

These verses in Romans 15 essentially call us to close that gap by living a life of encouragement.

I. The Reasons for encouragement

A. To promote Peace/unity (Romans 14:19)

Question: How effective is the gospel if the people of God are bickering and fighting amongst themselves?

Peace is one of the fruits of the spirit… love, joy, “peace”

If you recall from earlier in our studies in Romans, the righteousness that comes from God grants us “peace” with God (Romans 5:1).

Read Hebrews 12:14

When we encourage those who are weak in faith, we are working towards creating peace between ourselves – just like God worked towards creating peace between us and him.

Living at peace is more important than being right about open-handed issues.

B. For Mutual Edification (Romans14:19)

Question: How are the “strong” built up through encouragement of the weak?

Read Romans 1:11-12

Read Ephesians 4:15-16

We are all part of the body of Christ, and therefore when all the parts are working together and working as well as they can, the whole benefits.

C. For the Building Up of the body (Romans 15:2)

Encouragement goes hand in hand with building up the body of Christ.

II. The Example of encouragement

A. Christ (Romans 15:3)

Christ did not please himself, but did what was in our best interest

Christ is the ultimate example of one who was strong, closing the gap between himself and those of us who are weak, who were powerless to close the gap ourselves.

B. Scripture (Romans 15:4)

Although ultimately we know that the scriptures were written to point us to Christ, Paul gives us three things here that scripture does in addition to that

1. To teach truth

2. To establish endurance (perseverance)

3. To build hope

Question: Why do some so-called believers fall away?

Answer: They turn from faith because they either do not know or they lose hope in the promises of scripture.

C. Paul (Romans 16: 1-16)

III. The Source of encouragement - God (Romans 15:5)

Question: Is it hard to be an encourager?

In Romans 15:5, we see that GOD grants us the encouragement that we need to live in harmony with others. In other words, it is encouragement of the soul that God gives us that gives us the strength to be able to encourage others, build them up, and therefore increase harmony and unity within the body of Christ.

IV. The Result of encouragement

Question: What happens when we live a live of encouragement and build up others?

A. God is Praised (Romans15:6)

Have you ever tried to come to church and worship when you were out of fellowship with another believer?

By living a life of encouragement, we facilitate our ability to worship God.

B. God’s Glory is Revealed (Romans 15:7)

PRead Romans 15:8-12

Ultimately everything in the Christian life is about the praise and glory of God.

C. Hope is built in the lives of believers (Romans 15:13)

Question: Why is hope so important?

Hope is the natural emotional outflow of a life characterized by faith.

By contrast, a lack of hope is a demonstration of a lack of faith.

Faith and hope are both two of the three main elements of Christian character:

The triadic formula: Faith, Hope, and Love

1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8

Paul talks about “hope” more in Romans than in any other epistle

ESV: Romans 17 times; 7 times in Hebrews and 2 Corinthians

NIV: Romans 18 times

Conclusion: A life of encouragement closes the gap between the weak and the strong and is necessary for the building of the body of Christ and for establishing faith and hope in believers.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Romans: Lesson 11 of 12

Lesson 10

Six Rules for Practical Christian Living

Rule 5: Live a Life of Consideration! (Romans 14)


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How do you tell the difference between someone whose faith is weak and someone whose faith is strong?

Closed Handed Issues: An issue that has been unmistakably established by God’s word such that the vast majority of all Christians agree as to its correct interpretation or application.

Open Handed Issues: An issue that has not been directly addressed by God’s word or for which reasonable Christians are in disagreement as to its correct interpretation or application.

With these two definitions – Close Handed (Biblical Principle) and Open Handed (Personal Preference) – we can now define the weak and the strong in faith.

Weak in Faith: Those people that either

(a) insist that Open Handed Issues (issues of Personal Preference) conform to their standard – even to the point of sometimes treating them as Close Handed Issues (Biblical Principles)

(b) insist that God’s Grace and their freedom in Christ allows them to violate Close Handed Issues


Weak in Faith people tend to fall into one of two categories:

Legalism: Adding rules and regulations to Christianity that are not demanded by scripture

Libertinism: Deliberately choosing to live in disobedience under the guise of grace or freedom

Strong in Faith: Those people who hold firmly to and defend Close Handed Issues, but are gracious to others regarding Open Handed Issues

A person who is strong in faith, therefore, is someone who lives a life of consideration.

Read Romans 14:1, 4, 13

St. Augustine first said this… made famous by the 19th century theologian Richard Baxter:

“In necessary things unity; in doubtful things liberty; in all things charity.”

How then, do we determine what to do in a given situation? Can we do something or not? If someone else is doing something, do we attempt to correct what they are doing or not?

To answer these questions, we must first ask a few questions ourselves.

I. An Open-Handed versus Closed Handed Issue

In these verses here in Romans 14, Paul discusses two issues that people were quarreling over in the early church:

1. Meat vs. Vegetables

In Roman times, it was hard to tell whether or not meat sold in the market had been sacrificed to idols or not. There was a general concern among early Christians that eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols gave tacit support and approval to those religions (akin to some people today saying that if you go to any movie, regardless of rating, you are supporting an industry that is godless and produces filth). The problem is that you did not always know whether or not the meat was sacrificed to an idol or not. Some people addressed this simply by saying they would not eat any meat at all. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 8 and indeed he abstained from meat to avoid being a stumbling block. Some people were taking this to the extreme and essentially saying it is a sin to eat meat at all.

2. One Day vs. Another

This was a similar situation. In Roman times, there were certain feasts and festivals that were celebrated – both Jewish and pagan (In our terms, think Christmas vs. Halloween). Some early Christians were saying that to observe any of these at any level would be wrong.

· Did you know: Origen (early church father d.255) believed it was wrong to celebrate birthdays – therefore he did not celebrate Christmas?

Regarding these two issues, which was right? Actually, once Paul identified this issue an open-handed issue; it didn’t really matter, because there was no right answer. Paul’s solution was simply that if both sides treated the other with respect and did not judge the other, unity would be maintained.

Contrast this, however, with the situation at the church in Galatia. There were some people coming in and saying that salvation required one to observe certain Jewish customs. Read Galatians 3:1-3

These are very strong words from Paul because this was a closed-handed issue, not an open-handed issue

A. Close-Handed Issues must be defended

Short List of Closed-Handed Issues

· Biblical Authority and Inerrancy

· The Trinity

· Virgin birth of Jesus

· Sinless life of Jesus

· Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus as a propitiation for our sins

· Salvation by Faith through Grace

· Moral law as affirmed by Jesus Christ

(i.e., the 10 commandments except for the Sabbath day – even the Sabbath day was affirmed that we always observe Jesus as our Sabbath Lord)

If you disagree with these items, then I would feel obligated to correct your error – and if I could not correct your error, I would probably have to choose not to remain in Christian fellowship with you (I would treat you as a non-believer)

Are there other major issues that you would say are solid Biblical Principles?

B. Open-Handed Issues should be tolerated

Two forms of Open-Handed Issues

1. Secondary Doctrinal Belief

A secondary doctrinal belief is one in which you firmly believe that you are correct in your interpretation of scripture, but you can/should tolerate someone who takes a different interpretation of the same scripture

Test case question: Can you still consider this person a Christian if they believe differently than you on the subject?

If the answer is “yes” then it is an open-handed doctrinal belief.

Are these examples of secondary doctrinal belief?

· Sprinkle vs. Emersion Baptism

· Pre, Mid, or Post Tribulation Rapture

· Calvinism vs. Arminianism

· Observing the Sabbath – but not because you think it is necessary for salvation (part of the 10 commandments… is it part of the moral code affirmed by Jesus?)

There are a wide range of issues like these that we might hold beliefs about – even strong beliefs – but we need to be very careful about what we determine is absolutely right versus absolutely wrong.

When we have differing views on these, we should tolerate the others views without passing judgment

However, if you say that one of these issues is an essential element that I MUST believe to be a Christian (in other words, turn these open-handed issues into closed-handed issues) I would consider you in error and feel obligated to either correct that error and – worst case scenario - could no longer be in Christian fellowship with you.

2. Personal Preference

Issues of personal preference are those which we may choose for ourselves based upon what we like or dislike rather than on some basis of biblical interpretation.

Test case question: Is the person living in sin if they believe differently than you on the subject?

Are these examples of personal preference?

· Time/Date of church services

· Worship style

· Version of the Bible (unless you insist that a specific version is required to be saved)

Like Secondary Doctrinal Beliefs, some people turn issues of personal preference into closed handed issues.

Now… maybe we’re not really sure. Maybe there’s some apparently conflicting or possibly even unclear biblical direction. Then it becomes not an issue of right and wrong, but an issue of conscious.

II. An Issue of Conscious

Examples of potentially unclear directives

· Drinking

Bible clearly says we are not to get drunk, but it doesn’t absolutely forbid drinking.

· Smoking

The bible is totally silent on this one.

Did you know: Charles Spurgeon, the esteemed Baptist preacher of the late 19th century, was both a smoker and a drinker and claimed that he could do both to the glory of God?

· Tattoos

Leviticus 19:28 says we are not to have tattoos… the same passage also tells us not to cut the hair on the sides of our head, not to cut our beards, and not to eat fruit from a tree until it has been planted for 4 years. These are all part of the religious, ceremonial code that Jesus fulfilled and abolished.

How do decide in cases like these how we are to behave?

1. Each must be convinced (Romans 14:23)

If you think it is wrong (or even if you are not sure if it is or is not), then for you it is wrong.

2. Each must act unto the Lord (Romans 14:6-8)

Everything you do, you must do unto the Lord.

Do you believe the Lord would find your actions acceptable?

Can you say “I can smoke to the glory of God” like Charles Spurgeon said?

Can you say “I can get a tattoo to the glory of God”?

3. Each one will ultimately give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12)

We still have another question to ask about the situation.

III. An Issue of Consideration

Paul is very clear that even in cases where we have clear Christian liberty to do something, there may be reasons why we may choose to limit our own freedoms for the sake of others.

Do not be a stumbling block (Romans 14:13)

1. Actions that do not consider others are not made in love (Romans 14:15)

2. Our actions can affect (destroy) others (Romans 14:15)

3. Good can be made into evil (Romans 14:16)

Romans 14:21

Like Paul Harvey’s “Rest of the Story”… there is a second chapter to Charles Spurgeon’s life. Spurgeon smoked and drank because his doctor told him he should do so to relax. After Spurgeon declared that he could smoke and drink to the glory of God, businessmen began using his slogan to promote their products – saying everyone should smoke and drink Spurgeon’s brands to the glory of God. Spurgeon realized that his stance needed to be rethought…

In one service, he said: “I neither said nor implied that it was sinful to drink wine; nay, I said that, in and by itself, this might be done without blame. But I remarked that, if I knew that another would be led to take it by my example, and this would lead them on to further drinking, and even to intoxication, then I would not touch it.”

He then became a total abstainer and said… “I abstain myself from alcoholic drink in every form, and I think others would be wise to do the same; but of this each one must be a guide unto himself.”

Spurgeon was living a life of consideration! When he realized his freedoms were harming others, he limited those freedoms voluntarily.

If you choose to act on one of these issues of Personal Preference and you know that there is the possibility that others may not react favorably towards it, Paul tells us to be sure to keep it as an issue between you and God.

IV. An Issue between You and God (Romans 14:22)

Since we are ultimately responsible to God about what we believe, we should keep “disputable” issues between ourselves and God in order to maintain the unity of the body.

If we choose to act on our confidences, we should do so discreetly so as to not harm the brethren – not sneaking around hiding it, but rather not to flaunt our freedom choices in front of those who may disagree with us. That, simply put, is NOT living a life of consideration.

Perhaps the verse that most readily summarizes this entire teaching is Romans 14:17

The Kingdom of God is not: a matter of eating or drinking

You can replace eating and drinking with any open handed issue.

The Kingdom of God is: Righteousness, Joy, and Peace in the Holy Spirit

What really matters? Being right before God.

What really matters? Being filled with the Joy of the Lord

What really matters? Being at peace – not just with God, but with each others

The only way to accomplish this is to live a life of consideration.

Live a life of Consideration… if necessary, limit your freedoms for others

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Romans: Lesson 10 of 12

Lesson 10

Six Rules for Practical Christian Living

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Read Romans 13:1-7

Romans 13 is often used by theologians to support the concepts of both Just War and Capital Punishment

Question: Does Romans 13 provide for Just War and Capital Punishment?

Just War Criteria by St Augustine of Hippo

· JW Criteria #1: Just Cause. No war is justifiable unless it is a defense against an aggressor and to defend those who are victimized by it. It does not mean a country has to wait to be attacked before attacking their enemy.

Examples of potential pre-emptive strikes

      • What if we had discovered the Japanese Fleet before Pearl Harbor was attacked
      • Cuban missile crisis
      • Israel’s 6 Day War in 1967

· JW Criteria #2: Just Intent. The only acceptable motive for armed conflict must be to secure justice for all involved. Conquest, subjugation, revenge, or economic benefit are unacceptable, insufficient, or illegitimate motives for going to war.

· JW Criteria #3. Last Resort. Resort to armed force can only be justifiable when all other avenues of resolution have been rejected or have been demonstrably failed.

· JW Criteria #4. Legitimate Authority. Romans 13 says only the civil magistrate has the right to use lethal force. For the US… a Declaration of War or Joint Resolution of Congress.

· JW Criteria #5. Limited Goals. If the purpose is to resist aggression, restore peace, etc. then total destruction of the enemy is unacceptable. Unless one’s survival is in peril, it is not a just war if the goals are not attainable.

· JW Criteria #6. Proportionality. Does the good gained by last resort justify the cost of lives lost and humans maimed. This is why we don’t pursue every enemy.

· JW Criteria #7. Non-combatant immunity. No war can be just unless it disqualifies civilians as targets and seeks to minimize civilian casualties. Non-combatants will die, but it makes a difference whether you target them or deliberately try to avoid them.

What about Capital Punishment?

Rule 4: Live a Life of Submission! (Romans 13:1-7)


Question: What does it mean to “submit”

Answer: The greek word (hypotassomai) translated “subjected to” or “submit to” literally means to obey or to bring under the control of…

Question: Why do you think Paul put the concept of submission between two passages about love?

Answer: You cannot submit to someone in the manner required by Christ unless you first love them.

Deep down, we all want to break the rules.

Who was the first to rebel? (Isaiah 14:12-14)

The first sin ever… Satan said “I WILL

We know, though, that ultimately we have to submit to somebody. Even if we never submit to anyone here on earth, we ultimately will submit to Christ, will we not? (2 Philippians 2:9-11) When Christ returns at the second coming, he will literally bring everyone into his submission.

In the meantime, scripture teaches us that while we are here on earth, we should still live a life of submission.

I. To Whom are we to Submit?

A. Governmental Authorities

1. Rebelling against authority is rebelling against God’s institution (Romans 13:2)

A truth that is often difficult to come to grips with is the fact that God has ordained all government here on earth – even the governments that we don’t necessarily agree with. God is using everything to bring about his purposes. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether or not we want to work against God or be in submission to God.

2. Rebelling against authority will result in punishment here on earth (Romans 13:4)

1 Peter 2:13-14 echos Paul’s commands in Romans

Titus 3:1 also provides similar discussion

3. Submission to authority maintains a good Christian conscious (Romans 13:5)

As Christians, we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). If we do not submit to the authorities, we are not representing Christ well to the world.

What about Peter and John? They didn’t submit to the authorities! (Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-30)

Question: When do I not submit to authorities?

Answer: The only time scripture allows us to rebel against authority is when such authorities make laws forcing us to do something contrary to God’s law.

Incorrect Times to Rebel Against Authority

· When the law allows others to do something contrary to God’s law

· When the government itself is doing something contrary to God’s law

· When the government reduces your Christian liberties but not to the extent that it requires you to disobey God.

Is it ever right to openly rebel against the governmental authority? What about the American Revolution?

The argument generally used to support the American Revolution is that the King of England, through his actions of tyranny, persecuting Christians, and restricting religious freedoms, forfeited its God-instituted authority over the colonies – thereby justifying the establishment of a new, God-instituted authority, namely the US Constitution.

Romans 13:1… no authority exists unless it has been instituted by God. So whether we agree or disagree with respect to the biblical validity of its establishment, here it is – it has been established by God to accomplish his purposes. As a result, we are to submit to it as Christians.

While God may choose to bring about revolution from time to time to accomplish his purposes, hose who openly rebel against the established government are acting in direct contrast to the teachings of scripture and are accountable to God.

Submission to authorities, however, does NOT mean that we cannot disagree with the authorities or seek to change the laws, regulations, or even the leadership of our government through any and all legal means.

What other authorities are we subject to?

· Parents

· Teachers

· Employers

· Church Leadership

We are also to submit to

B. One Another

1. Laity to Church leaders (1 Corinthians 16:15-16)

2. Wives to Husbands (Eph 5:22-24, Col 3:18)

3. Husbands to Wives (Eph 5:25-26, Col 3:19)

3. Church to Christ (Eph 5:24)

4. Employees to Employers (slaves to masters) (1 Peter 2:18)

5. Young men to elders (1 Peter 5:5)

6. One Another (Eph 5:21)

Question: Does anyone here see a case in which there is someone we are not to be subject to? (No) Why?

Answer: Again, there is a direct link between Agape love and submission… and we are to live a life characteristic of Agape love, so we are also to live a life characteristic of submission.

If everyone lived a life of submission, then we would truly live in a biblical utopia!

Did you know?

· God the Son submits to God the Father

· During his time on earth, Jesus also submitted to the Holy Spirit

· God the Holy Spirit submits to God the Father and God the Son

And yet… God is ONE and there are no superior or inferior positions with the Trinity

III. Reasons for submission?

A. Submission is the example set for us by God

Did you know?

· God the Son submits to God the Father

· During his time on earth, Jesus also submitted to the Holy Spirit

· God the Holy Spirit submits to God the Father and God the Son

And yet… God is ONE and there are no superior or inferior positions with the Trinity

B. Submission is essential for human relationships (Philippians 2:1-4)

C. Rebellion is the Spirit of Satan (2 Pet 2:9-11)

D. Submission helps overcome sin

Sin is rebellion. We cannot be obedient when we are rebellious, but when we are submissive, we are obedient.

E. Submission facilitates Discipleship

F. Submission is the cure for Legalism

Legalism is a passive-aggressive form of rebellion. We don’t really have faith and believe that God’s grace is sufficient for us if we fail, so we make up our own list of dos and don’ts that we feel like will make our master happy. If we truly submit, then we trust that he will take care of us when we fail.

Conclusion: God calls us to submit first to Him, but also to authorities and to each other for the benefit of all.

The relationship between Rules 3 and 4

Agape Love and Submission are related: Both look out for the interests of others.

We are to live our lives looking out for the interest of others.