The Introduction There is no doubt that God is personal and he responds personally to us as individuals. He cares for us, speaks to us, answers are prayers and provides for us. God certainly acts very intimately and personally. But throughout the Bible, what we see is a consistent God–the only God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And the story of Noah is beyond the judgment and wrath by God on sin and unbelievers....
The Introduction Lamentations 3:19–26 (CSB) 19 Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. 20 I continually remember them and have become depressed. 21 Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!...
The Introduction The salvation of God can explained in a myriad of ways. Now, we know that God saves his people from their sins. That is Matthew 1:21. But the salvation does not stop there. In the eradication of sin upon the earth, God has not just made a neutral ground for all believers. He has not just taken away the negative parts and leaves us in limbo. When God saves you, it is not a one shot deal....
The Introduction Make no mistake: everybody who has a opinion of God is a theologian. The question remains are you a good or bad theologian. “God doesn’t exist.” - that’s a bad theologian. God does exist, he has made his eternal power obvious and divine nature obvious–or as the Apostle Paul puts it, “have been clearly seen” since the beginning of creation but you choose to suppress the truth so you can go your own way and not respond to the gospel commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ....
The Introduction When you read Genesis 4 and 5, you might be tempted to follow the section headings within the chapters–The Line of Cain, The Line of Seth, so on and so forth. While extremely helpful, don’t assume the section headings are inerrant and infallible–even our chapter and verse numbers were thought up by humans as a helpful way to remember the “address” of a particular passage in Scripture. What I mean is that what you see in the headings or cross-references are there to help along but that’s not everything in the text....
The Introduction In Genesis 1 & 2, God created the heavens and the earth, we were introduced to the omnipotence, omniscient, and omnipresent of God. And please don’t be put off by these big fancy words. omnipotence - all powerful; Almighty omniscient - all knowing and all wise omnipresent - everywhere and in every moment of time In Genesis 3, in light of temptation, evil, our sin, we saw the grace, the mercy, the salvation, and the righteousness of God....
The Introduction Genesis chapters 3 through the beginning of 6 starts to unveil and unravel the destructive nearly unceasing power of sin and corruptness. Our wickedness and transgression against the Holy God was not without the most severe consequences. To call it, “consequences”, is an understatement. The best phrase I have heard said, “the breaking of the cosmos”. Do you think that something in space and time didn’t break? Could you even imagine when sin came into our existence, that the departure of the spirit, the cracking of the mind, the depletion of strength, hardening of the heart, and the infection of the will?...
The Introduction Hamartiology (ha mar tee ology). Incredibly huge word. If I would take a guess, I would say that maybe just a few people in here today has ever heard this word before–fewer still have even used it in a sentence. Hamartiology (ha mar tee ology) is simply “the study of sin.” Undoubtedly, anybody who would undertake such a discipline would be, most likely, from a Christian perspective and within that perspective, “the study of sin and its effects....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 5 (CSB) This is the document containing the family records of Adam. On the day that God created man, he made him in the likeness of God; 2 he created them male and female. When they were created, he blessed them and called them mankind. 3 Adam was 130 years old when he fathered a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 4 (CSB) The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the LORD’s help.” 2 She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the LORD....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 3:14-24 (CSB) So the LORD God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head,...
The Introduction The Text Genesis 3:1-13 (CSB) Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. 3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 2:4-25 (CSB) These are the records of the heavens and the earth, concerning their creation. At the time that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, no shrub of the field had yet grown on the land, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not made it rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 2:1-3 (CSB) So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation. The Support Two explicit commands were given to mankind before the Fall, only one of them is forever While the command of not eating from a certain tree no longer applies to us, we are still to rest after six days of work because God rested after six days of work....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 1:26-31 (CSB) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 1:20-25 (CSB) Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them: “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 1:14-19 (CSB) Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night—as well as the stars....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 1:6-13 (CSB) Then God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water.” So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky.” Evening came and then morning: the second day. Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear....
The Introduction The Text Genesis 1:1-5 (CSB) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness....
The Introduction The Text John 1:1-2 (CSB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Support You would think that when you about to study Genesis, that the first study you are about to do is something about Creation. Almost. But to be honest, we are not just there yet. Before the heavens and the earth were formed, before the mountains took shape and the oceans were filled, before time and space were created, from everlasting to everlasting there is one God....
The Introduction The Text Romans 12:3-8 (CSB) For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another....
The Introduction The Text Romans 12:1-2 (CSB) Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God....
The Introduction The Text Romans 11:33-36 (CSB) Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever....
The Introduction The Text Romans 11:11-32 (CSB) I ask, then, have they stumbled so as to fall? Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if I might somehow make my own people jealous and save some of them....
The Introduction The Text Romans 11:1-10 (CSB) I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel? Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars....
The Introduction The Text Romans 10:14-21 (CSB) How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?...
The Introduction The Text Romans 10:1-13 (CSB) Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes, since Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them....
The Introduction The Text Romans 9:30-33 (CSB) What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written,...
The Introduction The Text Romans 9:14-29 (CSB) What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, I raised you up for this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth....
The Introduction The Text Romans 9:1-13 (CSB) I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:38-39 (CSB) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Support 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (CSB) Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”?...
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:37 (CSB) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The Support 1 Samuel 17:45-51 (CSB) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him. Today, the LORD will hand you over to me....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:35-36 (CSB) Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. The Support Acts 17:24-28 (ESV) The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:34 (CSB) Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. The Support God makes a covenant with Noah and then Genesis 9:18-25 (ESV) The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:33 (CSB) Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. The Support Psalm 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:32 (CSB) He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? The Support Psalms 23:1 (CSB) The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. Romans 8:16-17 (CSB) The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The Support If God is for us, who can be against us? I will use the words of Paul and what he says about the believer thus far in Romans: Romans 1 - The gospel of God is for everyone who believes; for the unbeliever, God turns them over to a debased mind...
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:30 (CSB) And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. The Support Abraham Genesis 12:1-3 (CSB) The LORD said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you,...
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:29 (CSB) For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. The Support God did not choose us because we were good. He chose us while we were wicked in his sight. Romans 5:8 (CSB) But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:28 (CSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. The Support Romans 8:9–11 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:27 (CSB) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The Support Genesis 3:8-10 (CSB) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:26 (CSB) In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. The Support When coming to the full acknowledgment of the pain and anguish of sin that he seems to never be able to overcome, Paul cries the same incredible prayer in the same spirit as the tax collector in the synagogue:...
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:18–25 (CSB) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:14-17 (CSB) For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him....
If Jesus was obedient, even unto death on the cross, to become our sin by the power of the Holy Spirit, how do you think we are suppose to be killing off sin? In other words, if the mighty men of David had to continue slaying giants in the land, what do you think the brothers and sisters are Christ are called to do with their sin? The Introduction So through prayer and reading the word, I pray that you are working out your own salvation with an actual fear, reverence, awe, worship, and love for our great King....
The Introduction The Text Romans 8:5–11 (CSB) 5 For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law....
The Introduction Now, by the sacrifice of Christ all the sins of the Church are entirely put away. He, the sinless Lamb of God, took them up and bore them away into a land of oblivion, whence even the Divine mind fails to recall them. Octavius Winslow, No Condemnation in Christ Jesus. The Text Romans 8:1–4 (CSB) 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,...
The Introduction The chaptering of Romans is a little bit off. I am not saying I could have done a better job–I definitely could not. But Romans 6-7:7 seems to be grouped together and I taught it as so: Romans 6:1-14 God Kills Our Sin Romans 6:15-23 God Buries Our Sin Romans 7:1-6 God Rips Our Sin From Us We see what God is willing to do to save each of his children....
The Introduction I think one of the most remarkable things that God, through his word, teaches us two things: and/both either/or I noticed that so many debates on social media are people desperate to find a one side to contend for and be on the winning side. Speaking about the Bible: lets talk about drinking alcohol. Some people’s conscience cannot bear to drink alcohol for themselves. That is called self-control....
The Introduction Licentiousness - I am not going to use this word too often because mostly I cannot say it well enough to use it often. Paul, under the lordship, guidance, inspired, command of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, battles legalism in Romans chapters 2 to 4. And if you think Paul is too hard on legalism, he is simply taking his cues from the ministry of Christ in the gospel....
The Introduction So, you are reading and studying Romans. You are convicted and comforted by the fact that you could have not done anything good enough to be saved by God. You convicted and comforted in the fact that God in his grace must save you to him. You cannot boast in other than God. You cannot earn your salvation–you can only receive God’s gift of salvation, grace, mercy, faith, and love....
The Introduction Follow me here. I am reading Romans in this way: Chapter 1 - split in three different ways: 1-15: Introduction and Greetings 16-17: The righteous shall live by faith 18-32: The depravity of mankind Then proceeding into chapters 2, 3 and 4 can be summarized in this way: you are not saved in the way you think you are Chapter 2: it was never by the law Chapter 3: no one is righteous Chapter 4: you cannot boast in your obedience Or to put in another way: the children of Abraham believed God and it is counted to them as righteousness....
The Introduction In a Bible Study series as this, it is always really helpful to remind us where we have been studying in order to see where we are going. Romans is not the exception. Romans 1 - The gospel is the power of God in salvation but we have all suppress the truth of God and therefore live in that sin Romans 2 - God’s kindness is meant for your repentance....
The Introduction The Text Romans 5:6–11 (CSB) 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us....
The Introduction The Text Romans 5:1–5 (CSB) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope....
The Introduction The Text Romans 4:13-25 (CSB) For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, 15 because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression....
The Introduction The Text Romans 4:6–12 (CSB) Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin. Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness....
The Text Romans 3:9–26 (CSB) What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good,...
The Introduction The Text Romans 3:1-8 (CSB) So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the very words of God. What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar, as it is written: That you may be justified in your words and triumph when you judge....
The Introduction The Text Romans 2:17-29 (CSB) Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, and know his will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law— you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself?...
The Text Romans 2:1-16 (CSB) Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?...
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:26-32 For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error. And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:18–25 (CSB) For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. The Support Galatians 3:11–14 (CSB) Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:13-15 Now I don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:8–12 (CSB) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world. God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about his Son—that I constantly mention you, always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:1–7 (CSB) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures— concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead....
The Introduction The Text Romans 1:1 (CSB) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God The Support The Damascus Road Acts 9:1-25 (CSB) Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem....
It Goes Without Say The Bible Many times, many teachers, preachers, and small group leaders (myself included) will “cut straight to the chase” and engage the commentary instead of engaging the Word of God. Remember, the commentaries are not without error—they are the observations of the author. Slow down, pray, read, chew and meditate. ESV Study Bible Incredible resource. I have purchased this resource multiple times over. If I had to pick just one, I use it way more in my Olive Tree Study Bible than anything else....