What is love? In our culture, love is still seen as a virtue but its meaning is hotly debated. Some think that love is "warm fuzzy feelings," so to feel "hurt" is deemed unloving. Some see love as affirmation and acceptance. In this view, disagreement is unloving. Various false views of love can leave us confused and unsure. But God, who is Love, defines true love for us. He shows true love to us.
Winter 2024-25 Equip class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
We constantly evaluate ourselves and others. Comparison can corrode relationships and creep into the church. But the gospel learned in Romans 1-11 saves and shapes us. It changes the way we see things. Paul describes this transformation in the church. The gospel transforms how we think of ourselves and others in the church. Rather than pride and selfishness, we learn humility and service.
Winter 2024-25 Equip class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
We give ourselves to all sorts of things with something we hope to gain. We give because of what we think it will give in return. This is the way of the world. In the gospel, we learn that when we were enemies of God, He offered us salvation as a free gift by faith. But the gospel not only saves us, it shapes us. We live for God - not to get anything from Him, but because He gave us everything!
God leads us to worship Him. Those attached to His blessings are troubled when led to give things up for Jesus. Those attached to authority are troubled when taught humility. Herod, troubled and attached to authority did not act like the wise men coming to worship the King of the Jews. Following God, the wise men bowed before little King Jesus. Their actions encourage us to respond the same way.
Christmas is full of plans. But plans don’t always go according to plan. That was true the very first Christmas - at least for Joseph. He was engaged, soon to be married. Then his fiance got pregnant - that wasn’t part of the plan. But the story in Matthew helps us see the big picture. It was all going exactly according to God's plan, and that made all the difference. This wasn't a normal birth.
Winter 2024-25 Equip class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
The more we understand our salvation, the more we should marvel at His mercy, wonder at His wisdom, and exalt His excellence. In Romans 1-11, God has pulled back the curtain, as it were, and let us glimpse His salvation plan. Let your soul be captivated once again and join the angels saying, "Glory to God in the Highest” as you listen to Romans 11:33-36.
Winter 2024-25 Equip class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
Jesus provided salvation, but will Israel be saved? In Romans 11, Paul affirms that Israel has not been permanently set aside. God's promises to them are still sure. In God's plan, He will keep His promises to Israel and offer salvation to the world. We are humbled, grateful, and amazed by God's mercy. He keeps his promises generously. All Israel will be saved. Everyone who believes will be saved.
We all make excuses. What about those who never hear the gospel? Or those who aren't "chosen" for salvation? Can anyone claim, "It's not fair, it's not my fault, I didn't know..."? In Romans, Paul focuses on Israel and their rejection of Jesus. He considers whether they have excuses to reject Jesus. The answer is clear: Israel and all mankind are responsible to respond to the gospel with faith.
We are often zealous about our own righteousness. This creates problems on the relational level, it is deadly for our souls. Paul explains that Israel's efforts to gain their own righteousness kept them from God's righteousness by faith. While God is sovereign in salvation, we are responsible to believe in Jesus. Our self-righteousness keeps us from submitting to the righteousness of God by faith.
"That's not fair!" I think we’ve said or thought of these words before. God created us with an inherent sense of justice. But with our sinful nature, we develop an oversensitivity to fairness. Paul assumes readers question God's choice to save only some sinners. Paul addresses the question by pointing to God's justice and mercy. His actions are always right. His salvation is always merciful.
"Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Didn't God make promises to save Israel, and yet they rejected Jesus? How do we know God will keep His Word? Romans 9-11 addresses this question to increase our confidence in God's promises and plan for Israel. The gospel does not nullify God's promises to Israel. In fact, it confirms that God always keeps His Word. God's promised salvation is sure!
Jesus loves us. Though we learned this about God, we are often tempted to doubt God's love. "Why is He keeping good things from me?" "Why am I suffering so much?" "How could God love me after what I've done?" Life situations tempt us to doubt His love. Paul addresses these questions to restore our confidence in God's love. We are reminded that nothing - not even our doubts - can hinder God's love.
"Why am I facing this trial? The Bible says God is good, but what I'm going through is not good! I'm not sure how to talk to God about the things I'm feeling." What if we lose hope or reach the end of ourselves? Romans has some of the most assuring verses reminding us that our good, sovereign Father guarantees our eternal security. He is doing good in our lives no matter what evils we face.
*Sigh* "It's always something." Life is full of sighs and groans. Some of them are light and short, but some of them are heavy and long. In a world full of hurricanes and heartache, disaster and disease, sin and suffering, how do we endure? How do we keep hope? Romans 8:18-25 teaches us to let the groans turn our attention to glory. Through the groans of suffering, hope in the glory to come.