Wrapping Up Romans

Wrapping Up Romans

10/04/2020 - Dave Riddle

Key Passage: Romans 16:25-27

Now to him... be the glory forever! Amen.

• Romans 16:25, 27

• Glory = doxa (δόξα)
  

 Him who is able to strengthen you...

• Romans 16:25

• dynamos (δύναμαι)= able. to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

• stērizō (στηρίζω) = strengthen. To set fast. To turn resolutely in a certain direction. 
  

Good News

• Romans 16:25

• euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) = a good message. Good news!
  

Divine Revelation 

• Romans 16:25-26

• A secret or mystery revealed. Something that had been kept hidden.

• Ours eyes have been opened to the truth of Jesus.
  

Divine Mandate

• Romans 16:26

• epitagē (ἐπιταγὴν) - an injunction , decree, command or mandate. By implication, authoritativeness.
  

...to the only wise God

• Romans 16:27

• We have no shortage of access to facts and opinions.

  • God is the only one who is wise.

• sophos (σοφῷ) - Wise. To have skill or expertise. To best form plans and use the best means for their actual execution. 
  

How do we walk more deeply in this truth?

• Understand his word better

• Live empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Walk together in community and unity. 

Romans - Government Matters

Romans - Government Matters

Dave Riddle - 1/05/20

Key Passage: Romans 13:1-7

The Authority of the State

• Romans 13:1 - let everyone submit

• “Submit” - hypotassō (Greek: ὑποτάσσω) to place; arrange under; to post under; to subject; to be obedient, to carry a burden

  • Luke 2:51 - Jesus submitted to his parents’ authority.

  • Ephesians 5:21 - submit yourself to one another

  • John 19:11 - you would have no authority over me if it had not been given to you from above.

The Function of the State

• Romans 13:3-4

  • We know that this isn’t always true.

  • Paul is expressing the ideal.

    • 1. The state should exist to restrict and punish evil.

    • 2. The state should promote and reward goodness

  • Is wrong to speak out against authority? No!

    • We have a right and a responsibility to do so when the state isn’t living up to these ideals.

Our Relationship with the State

• Romans 13:5

  • Therefore, you must submit.

    • What about when the will of the state is at direct odds with the will of God?

    • Acts 5:27-29

      • We must obey God rather than men.

  • Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone

• Romans 13:6-7

  • what do we owe?

    • Tangible - tolls and taxes

    • Intangible - respect and honor

A Loving Koinōnia

Romans 12 - A Loving Koinōnia
Dave Riddle - 10/6/19

Key Passage: Romans 12:9-16

koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation (the share which one has in anything), communion. 

Sincerity

• Romans 12:9

  • Let love be without hypocrisy

  • anypokritos (Greek: ἀνυπόκριτος) - originally used to refer to actors or one playing a part: unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.

Spiritual Sensitivity 

• Romans 12:9

  • Detest evil

  • Cling to what is good

Affection

• Romans 12:10

  • Love one another deeply.

  • Be devoted to one another

  • As brothers and sisters

Esteem

• Romans 12:10

  • Outdo one another in showing honor.

  • Honor one another above yourselves.

Passion

• Romans 12:11

  • Don’t be lazy, don’t lack zeal.

  • Be fervent - zeō (Greek: ζέω) - to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest):—be fervent.

Resolute

• Romans 12:12

  • The picture of someone who is determined.

  • Hopefulness rather than hopelessness

Big Hearts

• Romans 12:13

  • Share with the saints in their needs

  • Emotionally, spiritually, and practically!

Open Arms

• Romans 12:13

  • Pursue hospitality

  • philoxenia (Greek: φιλοξενία) - love to strangers, hospitality

  • Not just waiting but actively looking for opportunities to show hospitality to strangers.

Unnatural and Unexpected 

• Romans 12:14

  • Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse

Empathy

• Romans 12:15

  • Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

  • Not just sympathetic but empathic.

One Accord

• Romans 12:16

  • Live in harmony with one another.

  • Of one mind.

Down to Earth

• Romans 12:16

  • Associate with the humble.

Which one or two of these areas is the Holy Spirit highlighting in your own life?

Intro to Koinonia

Romans 12 - Intro to Koinōnia
Dave Riddle - 09/22/19

Key Passage: Romans 12:3-8

koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation (the share which one has in anything), communion. 

Humble, wise self-assessment

• Romans 12:3

• we need to have an accurate assessment of ourselves.

  • See ourselves as God sees us.

A single body; many pieces and roles

• Romans 12:4

• Unity! One body.

Diversity! Many roles.

Deeply connected

• Romans 12:5

• Individually members of one another.
  

Gifted

• Romans 12:6

  • Different than talent

  • Gifts of the spirit

• Speaking gifts

  • didaskō - teaching for transformation.

• Service gifts
  

Grace and Faith are indispensable 

• Romans 12:3

The Surrendered Life

Romans 12 - The Surrendered Life
Dave Riddle - 09/15/19

Key Passage: Romans 12:1-2

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:” - Romans 12:1 (Message)

An Impassioned Plea

• I urge you (Romans 12:1)

  • parakaleō (Greek: παρακαλέω) - to admonish, exhort. to beg, entreat, beseech...

To whom? All the family of God.

• Romans 12:1 - “therefore brothers and sisters...”

On what grounds? God’s mercies.

• Mercies plural

• Not because of anything we’ve done, but because the mercy he shows us again and again.

This call has two facets

• A Living Sacrifice (12:1)

  • Our bodies

    • A shocking statement for Paul’s Roman audience who saw the body as a grave.

  • Our worship

    • Our body is not a tomb, but a tool to worship God in everything we do!

    • Our physical bodies become a spiritual act of worship.

• Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (12:2)

  • Don’t just be like everyone else. (Conformity)

  • Allow yourself to be transformed.

    • Daily and continually, not a one time event.

    • metamorphoō (Greek: μεταμορφόω) - to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.

  • The world’s standards and God’s will are so far apart that you cannot just take a little bit of each.

Up (Our Father)

A Family on Mission - Up (Our Father)

Dave Riddle - 06/16/19

Key Passage: Acts 13:22

The most important thing

• Mark 12:28-30

Captured by the concept of worship

• Romans 12:1

A rhythmic response to God’s self-revelation

• 1 John 4:19 - “we love because He first loved us...”

A matter of our hearts

• Mark 7:6

—-—-—-

David

• 1 Samuel 16:7

  • “...the Lord looks at the heart”

• Acts 12:22

  • “...a man after my own heart”

  • We are called to align our hearts with God’s heart.

Allow God to be first

• Philippians 3:7-14

• Make God the object and pursuit of your life.

Rely on God’s power

• 1 Samuel 17

• Romans 8:11 - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you!

Rest in His authority

Live in full transparency

• Psalm 139 - you have searched me and know me.

Two Outcomes

1. We are loved

   • The creator of the universe loves you!

   • 1 John 3:1 - his love is so great that we are called His children!

2. Called to live in obedience!

   • John 14:15 - if we love God we will desire to keep His commands.

Be Bold - Grad Sunday 2019

Be Bold

Phil Woodman - 06/02/19

Key Passage: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Steps to a bold life that impacts the world for Jesus.

Bold Trust

• You have followed my teaching

  • 2 Timothy 3:10

• Continue on in it

  • 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Consistent Choices

• Conduct - manner of life

  • 2 Timothy 3:10

• Living sacrifice

  • Romans 12:1-2

  • Transformed, not conformed

Embrace our Purpose

• Testify to the gospel of God’s grace

  • Acts 20:24

Expect Opposition

• “All who want to live a godly life will be persecuted”

  • 2 Timothy 3:11-13

A Redemption Mystery

Romans 11 - A Redemption Mystery

Dave Riddle - 05/19/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:25-32

“This mystery” 

• Romans 11:25

• Greek word mysterion (μυστήριον); a secret hidden in the past but now revealed.

Three Connected Truths 

1. Israel

   • Romans 11:25

     • “A partial hardening has come upon Israel...”

2. Gentiles

   • Romans 11:25

     • “...until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

     • Fullness = plērōma (πλήρωμα)

3. Israel

   • Romans 11:26

     • “...all Israel will be saved,”

     • “Israel” - who is Paul referring to?

       • The church?

       • The ethnic/national Israel (The descendants of Abraham)?

       • Not Israel as a whole, but Israel as a community?

       • Those who put their faith in the Christ.

The Redeemer

• Romans 11:26b-27

• A salvation from sin through faith in Jesus.

Two Concluding Statements

1. God’s election remains

   • Romans 11:28-29

   • They are still God’s chosen people.

   • He keeps his covenant with the patriarchs.

2. God shows Mercy to the disobedient

   • Romans 11:30-32

   • A universal act of disobedience is met with divine mercy!

   • All of us are candidates for the lavish love of God.

God of Grafting

Romans 11 - God of Grafting

Dave Riddle - 05/12/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:17-24

The Allegory of the Olive Tree

A Warning to Gentile Believers

• Don’t be Arrogant 

  • Romans 11:20-21

• Don’t be Puffed with Pride

  • Romans 11:18

• Through Faith Alone

  • Romans 11:20

A Promise to Jewish Unbelievers 

• Those cut off can be grafted in again

  • Romans 11:23

  • By Faith!

    • Romans 11:20

• Key word: persist/remain

  • Romans 11:22-23

  • epimenō (Greek: ἐπιμένω) - to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain. of tarrying in a place. to persevere.

  • Colossians 1:21-23

Always a Trace

Romans 11 - Always a Trace

Dave Riddle - 04/28/19

Key Passage: Romans 11:1-10

Question: Is God Done with Israel!?

Answer 1: No, He is faithful!

• A theological answer.

• Romans 11:2a

• Foreknew: to have knowledge before hand: of those whom God elected to salvation.

• As humans we frequently break promises, but God is faithful. 

• It is outside his character to be unfaithful.

Answer 2: Look at me.

• An anecdotal answer

• Romans 11:1c

• Even someone as bad as Paul was not beyond the reach of God.

Answer 3: Check out history

• A historical answer

• Romans 11:2b

• 1 Kings 18 and 19

  • The seven thousand 

And so, today...

A remnant, chosen by grace

• Romans 11:5

• Not by the law, but by grace through Jesus.

The remainder, hardened

• Romans 11:7-10

• A combination of human responsibility and divine sovereignty.

  • See the example of pharaoh (covered in Romans 9 - Divine Decisions Pt. 2 on 10/28/18)