3. Review The Gospel Introduced (Romans 1:1 – 1:15) The Gospel Defined (Romans 1:16-17) The Good News of God-Righteousness to all who believe on Christ The Universal Need for Righteousness (Romans 1:18 – 3:20)
4. Review (continued) The Basis and Terms of the Gospel (Romans 3:21-31) RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTIFICATION, REDEMPTION, PROPITIATION, GRACE, FAITH The Agreement of the Gospel with the Old Testament (Romans 4) The Practical Benefits of the Gospel (Romans 5:1-11) 7 great blessings which flow from Justification – Peace with God, Access into God’s Grace, Rejoicing in Hope of the Glory of God, Glorying in Tribulations, Eternal Security in Christ, Rejoicing in God, Reconciliation The Victory of Christ’s Work over Adam’s Sin (Romans 5:12-21) Adam: Disobedience – Sin – Condemnation – Death Christ: Obedience – Grace – Justification – Life
5. The Gospel’s Way to Holy Living (Romans 6) Question – Can a person who has been saved by grace continue to live a sinful life? Romans 6 gives 4 important reasons why the answer must be “NO!” A Christian cannot continue in a sinful life – he is united to Christ (Romans 6:1-11) A Christian does not need to continue in a sinful life – sin’s power has been broken (Romans 6:12-14) A Christian must not continue in a sinful life – he has a new Master (Romans 6:15-19) A Christian dare not continue in a sinful life – the end of that is disaster (Romans 6:20-23)
6. A Christian cannot continue in a sinful life – he is united to Christ (Romans 6:1-11) The Symbol of Baptism Read Romans 6:1-5 What do verses 3-5 say is the meaning of Christian baptism? It symbolizes being be united with Christ In His death In His resurrection (v4-5) What does verse 2 say about our new relationship with sin? When we were saved we died to sin – so we should not live in it any longer.
7. A Christian cannot continue in a sinful life – he is united to Christ (Romans 6:1-11) Crucified with Christ Read Romans 6:6-7 What does verse 6 say happened to our old self when we were saved? It was crucified with Christ What does verse 7 say has happened to the claims and penalty of sin against the one who is united with Christ? He is now freed – justified from sin What does verse 6 say about the control of sin in a believer’s life? The body of sin (the Master who used to control us) has been paralysed – its power removed. The Believer is no longer a slave of sin.
8. A Christian cannot continue in a sinful life – he is united to Christ (Romans 6:1-11) Read Romans 6:8-11 What does verse 10 say about the reason for Christ’s death? It broke the control sin had through death What does verse 10 say about the nature of resurrection life? It is life entirely for God! What do verses 8 & 11 say about the effect this has for us? We have the assurance of future resurrection life with Christ (v8) We should presently live as those dead with Christ to sin, and alive with Him to God. (v11)
9. A Christian does not need to continue in a sinful life – sin’s power has been broken (Rom 6:12-14) Read Romans 6:12-14 What three things should a Christian choose not do (v12-13)? Allow sin to reign in their body (v12) Obey sinful lusts (v12) Not present their body as instruments (tools) for unrighteousness (v13) What ought they to choose to do instead (v13)? Present themselves to God as instruments for righteousness. Why does a Christian not need to choose to serve sin (v14)? Sin is no longer their Master – they are now under Grace.
10. A Christian must not continue in a sinful life – he has a new Master (Romans 6:15-19) Read Romans 6:15-19 What does v17-18 say about an unsaved person’s relationship to sin, and what happens when they obey the Gospel? First, they are slaves to sin. When they obey the Gospel, they are set free from sin Now they are slaves of righteousness What does v16 say about someone who continues in a sinful life, even though they claim to be a Christian? Their obedience to sin shows they are still sin’s slave, and not truly saved – otherwise they would be free from sin’s control. What does v19 say should be the attitude of someone truly saved? He must present Himself to God as a slave of righteousness – that will produce a holy life
11. A Christian dare not continue in a sinful life – the end of that is disaster (Romans 6:20-23) Read Romans 6:20-23 What do verses 20-22 say about a person’s life before salvation? Righteousness had no control over them Their lives were fruitless and shameful The result of that life is death – eternal death What does verse 22 say about the life of a person, now saved by grace? They are free from sin and under God’s control Their lives are fruitful The result is eternal life What does v23 say about the difference between sin and salvation? Sin produces deserved wages – death and judgement Salvation is the undeserved gift of God – eternal life
12. For next time: The Place of the Law in the Believer's Life (Chap. 7) Try to read the passage two or three times before our next meeting Think about what the passage says about Law Spirit Flesh Think carefully about your position before God Read pages 58 - 64in Alive and Free Write down any QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK
Hinweis der Redaktion
When a person properly understands that salvation is entirely by grace – the gift of righteousness – it is reasonable to ask this question. In fact, if we have fully understood the Gospel of God’s grace, we MUST ask this question: “If God’s grace abounded where sin abounded, should we not continue to make grace abound by continuing in sin?”
Note carefully that verse 5 says that we are joined with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection.This shows us that baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Christ. In baptism, we are joined symbolically to the death and resurrection of Christ, not literally. Those who teach that being baptized IS salvation are seriously wrong, not understanding that baptism is a physical symbol of something which really happens in the spiritual realm.
This verse tells us how God has dealt with all our sin and guilt. When a person is united with Christ, God sees that person as crucified together with Christ. That is what we mean when we say that Christ died as a substitute – he took the place of the sinner upon the cross and was treated by God as if he was in fact that sinful person. This means that God now sees me as someone who has already been punished, and so there is no longer any punishment due to me.These verses teach us that not only did Christ bear the punishment of sin, but he broke the power of sin over us – our relationship with sin is now dead!
Sin had control over humanity, through the power of death, but Christ died to break the control of death and to bring us into new relationship with God, through His resurrection.