The final lesson in the Romans Study was given on August 30, 2009. The lesson serves as a springboard into a study of the mysteries of the prison epistles where there are 12 references, 10 of those are in Ephesians and Colossians, and two are in Timothy and they all have a bearing on our private mail. But before we go there, this lesson finishes off the Romans Study by looking more into Paul’s Gospel. In review, we learn that God began to deal with man in the garden with Adam. Sin overtook man in the garden so God started dealing with mankind and sin overtook mankind.
The lesson on August 23, 2009 started with the scripture reading in Romans 16:24-27 and is ending the Romans Study that has gone on for 19 lessons. This is the third lesson on closing chapter 16 of Romans. The lesson opens with a recap of the prophecy stated in verse 20, which was first declared in Genesis 3:15. Derek shows that the Gentile is being blessed through Abraham and references Romans 15:27 where Paul said “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are.
The scripture reading on August 16, 2009 lesson was in Romans 16:17-20, 25-27 and it is the beginning of the end of this series in Romans. Romans 16:17-20, 25-27 says “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.
The lesson on August 9, 2009 opened up with chapter 16 of Romans . We are reminded that Romans was written in Corinth while Paul was on his third missionary journey. There are three books in the New Testament that are critical when dealing with doctrine . These are Romans, 1 Thessalonians, and Ephesians. Some really think that Romans is the most important. Chapter 16 starts with a saint called Phebe who was chosen to be the postal carrier for this letter of greeting to the saints in Rome.
The first lesson in August was the 17th lesson in the Romans Study and the scripture reading was in Romans 15:1-13. The lesson on August 2, 2009 in Romans is winding down this study and in chapter 15 and we are reminded that Romans is considered the constitution of the Christian faith. Many believe that it is the most important book in the New Testament, if not the entire bible. We have learned there were problems in Rome between Jew and Gentile, but when we get to chapter 15, we find the problem is between who is strong and who is weak in the faith.
Romans 14:1-12 opened up the 16th lesson in Romans and we find chapter 14 begins with “receive”. The subject of this chapter runs all the way through Romans 15:7. There is a phrase that is contributed to Augustine, some have said it came from Wesley, but the quote goes something like this: “In essentials, unity. In nonessentials (of the Christian faith ), liberty. And in all other things, charity (or love).” Because there are some things that are essential (fundamental) to the Christian faith...
The scripture reading was Romans 13:1-7 during the lesson on July 19, 2009 where the Romans Study picked back up with part 15 in the series. Derek opens the lesson with an article on the fallacy of living with the regrets of yesterday and burden of tomorrow. Today is a gift from God and that is why the call it the present. Psalms 138: tells us that the word of God is even more important than His name.
The lesson on June 14 started the practical section of Romans. Romans can be divided into three sections. As we have learned, chapters 1-8 teaches on doctrinal issues, chapters 9-11 are dispensational, and chapters 12-16 focus on practical living. Romans 12:3-8 was the scripture reading as the lesson started teaching the practical aspect from Romans. When you become a Christian, life isn’t a bowl full of cherries. You don’t win the lottery, you don’t make every green light, you don’t close every deal, your loved ones don’t get healed, and you may go broke.
The lesson on June 7, 2009 picks up the Romans Study with part 13 and reads the scripture in Romans 11:25-32. God does have a purpose and He has always had one throughout the ages. When we go through Romans we find that God was dealing with Israel and they were classified the apple of His eye, His people. Paul writes that in Romans 11:1-2b “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
The lesson on May 17, 2009 continues the study in Romans and starts with a discussion on Paul’s Gospel. The important distinction regarding Paul’s Gospel is that all the previous Gospel’s were only given to the Jews. Paul’s Gospel is unique because it was given to the Jew first, and then to the Gentiles. If you were a Jew during this time, you would have to ask yourself what was Paul preaching here because the inclusion of the Gentiles was something new. Paul was adept at explaining the Gospel out of the scriptures and was taking time to explain it to them.
