Rom 1

What two ways does Paul describe Jesus' lineage?

Son of David acc'ding to flesh

Son of God acc'ding to Spirit of Holiness

What two elements have we received through Jesus Christ for bringing about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles?

Grace and Apostleship

Why must both of these be present in us to bring about the obedience of faith among those who don't believe?

How does Jesus' dual lineage lead to the two elements we have received through Him?

What is it about this kind of obedience that it could not be produced by only grace or only apostleship?

Have you received grace and apostleship? Some think it is possible to recieve one without the other.

Rom 2:29

Paul seems to be lambasting a group who relied on the law, but were disobeying it. 2:13, 17-23. 2:1 They were judging others harshly, not taking the spirit of God himself which is kindness and tolerance and patience. If we truly understood these attributes of God, they would drive us to repentance, not harsh judgementalism and wrath. Those without the law will be judged by God fairly, and those with it will be judged by whether they have done it, not whether they have heard it.

Paul seems to be pointing out that "having the truth" is not enough. It does not give one the right to write off others. Those without "the truth" will be judged by God fairly, and may by their lives condemn many who "have the truth" but do not live it.

He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and hispraise is not from men, but from God.

Rom 1:16,17

The facts:

For what is Paul not ashamed?

What two reasons does he give for not being ashamed of it?

Gospel means good news. This is a story, the story of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection.

Who is included in the gospel's "territory"?

(What is revealed in this story?)

Interpretation:

Context: Why does Paul say the gospel is the power of God for saving everyone?--

Why does he say that he is not ashamed of the gospel? What might make him ashamed of it? What is it about the story of God becoming weak and dying that is powerful? Rom 7-8

What did his readers believe about God that would lead Paul to make this statement?

How do we sometimes think of the gospel?

Are SDA's ever guilty of thinking that the gospel can save people of their own social class or religious bckgrnd?

What does that say about our picture of God? What picture of God does that portray to those looking on? What about Ken? What picture of God did he have? From where did he get that? What can we do to break down that wall? What attitudes of ours would have to change? What actions? Do we need to take a new look at our own picture of God?--Caving driving story, the diff between God getting me back and nat. conseq of driving unsafely--God actually spared me!

Are we ever guilty of believing that God has favorites? How does it play out in our daily lives?

How might we act if we did not believe God has favorites?

What does it say about our picture of God--he must be pretty weak. Or He must have favorites

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What must be revealed about God in order for faith to be any good? -- His righteousness

We must believe that He is trustworthy.

Why is this so important that Paul puts it here at the center of the Gospel message?

If we did not believe in God's righteousness, what other options are there? What do we sometimes think about God?--arbitrary

How does that play out in our lives? Weak commitment. How often do you get excited about doing something for someone you don't trust?

Story--Curtis the Bible teacher? After that I trusted him in many ways--lots of exciting things happened.

Example with God--"That's why all these people are Xians--now I'm a minister.