Suffering: Job 1.1-20

 

The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation. John Stott

Suffering is a Reality

• We live in a world filled with natural evils…Diseases, Disasters, Death
•  We live in a world filled with moral evils…
• All people experience suffering…this includes Christians. Satan intends every type of suffering to sabotage us…God intends every type of suffering to sanctify us.

Why should we study suffering?

• We want to examine our hearts! Three questions to ask…Have I been saved? Am I prepared to suffer? (Phil. 4.10-13) Am I prepared to die? (Phil. 1.21)
• We want to equip one another! To stand firm on the Word (Phil. 1.27-30). To spread the gospel in the world (Acts 20-22-24).
• We want to embrace suffering in our lives, our families and our churches! Experience the sufficiency of Christ in our weakness (2 Cor. 7-10). To share sufferings of Christ on this earth (Col. 1.24). To show supremacy of Christ to all generations and nations (Matt. 24.9-14).

The Sovereignity of God in Suffering (Job 1.20-22)

• Job’s Suffering: Undeserved (Job 1.1,8); Unexpected (Job 1.13-17); Unimaginable (Job 1.18-19); Always Painful (Job 2.7-8, 2.12, 3.24-25).
• God’s Sovereignity is over all things both seen and unseen (Job 1.6-21).
• Our Suffering and God’s Sovereignity: God’s Sovereign design for our lives while on this earth includes suffering (Job 1.21). The sovereignity of God is the foundation of praise in the middle of pain (Job 1.20). His sovereignity assures us that God is in control. At every moment of our suffering God is with us! At every moment of our suffering God is for us! His sovereignity reminds us that Satan has been conquered. His sovereignity reminds us that one day our suffering will be complete.
• Ultimately, our pain on earth can rightly be understood only from the sovereign perspective of heaven.

Pastor Rickey Le’Mons

Lavish Grace

Text Used: Romans 3.22-25; Luke 15.11-32

Definition of Grace

Grace is God’s FREE and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve on JUDGEMENT.

Three questions to ask ourselves about grace

1. Do I know the GIVER of grace?
2. Do I understand the GIFT of grace?
3. Do I GRASP the lavishness of grace?

PRELUDE TO GRACE

Genesis 6.5 – The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Isaiah 53.6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 3.10-18 - ¹⁰ as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ no one understands; no one seeks for God. ¹² All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” ¹³ “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” ¹⁴“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” ¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ¹⁶in their paths are ruin and misery,¹⁷ and the way of peace they have not known.” ¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Grace through human ACHIEVEMNT
Grace through divine ACCOMPLISHMENT

PRINCIPLES OF GRACE

1. Grace ACCEPTED by Faith. (Romans 3.22)
2. Grace AVAILABLE to All Who Believe (Romans 2.22-23)
3. Grace AWARDED freely (Romans 3.24)
4. Grace ACQUIRED through redemption (Romans 3.24)
5. Grace ACCOMPLISHED through propitiation (Romans 3.25)

Luke 15.11-32

SHAMEFUL REQUEST:
Luke 15.11-12 – ¹¹ And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

SHAMEFUL RESPONSE:
Luke 15.12b –  …And he divided his property between them.

SHAMEFUL REBELLION:
Luke 15.13-16 - ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

SHAMEFUL REPENTANCE:
Luke 15.17-19 - ¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

SHAMEFUL RECEPTION:
Luke 15.20-21 - ²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

SHAMEFUL REJOICE:
Luke 15.22-24 – ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

SHAMEFUL REALIZATION:
Luke 15.25-30 - ²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

A LAVISH GRACE FILLED REACTION:
Luke 15:31-32 - ²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

Take from a sermon by Pastor Ricky Le Mons

Trinity: Sovereignty of God

I. What does it mean that God is Sovereign?

Sovereign — adj. 1 : above or superior to all others; chief; greatest; supreme 2: supreme in power, rank or authority 3: of or holding the position of ruler; royal; reigning 4: independent of all others 5: excellent; outstanding — noun 1: a person who possesses sovereign authority or power; specifically, a monarch or ruler.

A. He is before all things!

Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Revelation 1:8 “/ am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. “

B. He created all things!

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

C. He upholdsall things!

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

D. He is above all things!

Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Isaiah 45:5-12

E. He knows all things!

Psalms 139:4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Isaiah 46:10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, ‘

F. He does all things !

Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? Luke 1 :37 For nothing will be impossible with God. “

G. He accomplishes all things!

Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,

Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

H. He rules all things!

Daniel 4:34-35 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; (35) all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

1 Chronicles 29: 11-12 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. (12) Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

I. He is in control of all things!

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

• earthly kings – Pr. 21:1, Rev. 19:16

• human events – Dan. 2, 7, Ps. 33:9-11

• good angels – Col. 1:15-16, Rev. 4:8

• Satan & bad angels – Job 1:6, Eph. 1:21, Php. 2:10

• Human decisions – Eph. 1:11, Ro. 8:29-30, Acts 2:23; 13:48

II. How Does God Reveal His Sovereignty to Us?

Through His Titles

SOVEREIGN LORD MOST HIGH ALPHA & OMEGA KINGS OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS

Through His Promises

• Romans 8:28-30

• Philippians 2:9-11

Through His Story – History

• Of Israel – Gen. 37-50:20 (Joseph)

• Of the Nations – Dan. 2, 7 (4 Kingdoms)

Through Prophecy – Dan. 2:27, Isa. 44:6-8 NLT

Through Christ

• His Birth – Gal. 4:4, Mat. 2:3-6

• His Life (fulfilled 100′s of prophecies) – Mat. 4:14; 12:15-21

• His Teaching – Jn. 8:48-58

• His Death & Resurrection – Jn. 10:17-18

• His Ascension & Ultimate Reign – Acts 1:9-11, Rev. 19:11-21, Rev. 19:11-16

II. How Do We Respond to a Sovereign God?

a. Bow before the King of the universe!

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*Application = Absolute surrender of all you are and all you have!

b. Believe all that comes into your life is either allowed or decreed by a good God who will use it

for your benefit!

Romans 8.28-29

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

*Application = Absolutely refuse to worry about anything!

c. Behold in awe the mystery and majesty of His kind, compassionate, just and sovereign

rule over all that is or will ever be!

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (34) “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? ” (35) “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? ” (36) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

‘

* Application = worship God for who He is, not merely for what He has done!

Trinity: Introduction

Introduction:
A.W. Tozer quote: “What comes into our minds when we think about Cod is the most important thing about us.”
“Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ‘What comes into your mind when you think about God? we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the Church will stand tomorrow. “
“It is not a cheerful thought that millions of us who live in a land of Bibles, who belong to churches and labor to promote the Christian religion, may yet pass our whole life on this earth without once having thought or tried to think seriously about the being of God. Few of us have let our hearts gaze in wonder at the I AM, the self-existent self back of which no creature can think. Such thoughts are too painful for us. We prefer to think where it will do more good – about how to build a better mousetrap, for instance, or how to make two blades of grass grow where one grew before. For this we are now paying a too heavy
price in the secularization of our religion and the decay of our inner lives. “
“The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of Cod until it is once more worthy of Him—and of her. “

Why Are We Studying About God?

To know God’s glory.

Everything is about the glory of God. We were created for His glory…we are to live for His glory…All that we do is for His glory. Westminster Catechism question 1. What is the chief end of man? Answer: To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (look at Is. 60.21, Rom. 11.36, 1 Cor. 6.20, 10.31)

To learn God’s Word.
Not what we may have learned from someone else no matter how well intentioned they may be. What does the Bible tell us about God…no preconceived ideas…whether we like what the Bible tells us or not.

To advance God’s kingdom.
Two forks.  (A). To teach others about God.  (B) To show others God through the way we live our life. We live in a day that has made God into our image. God has no problems with consumerism…no problems with sin…He is comfortable with a casual apathetic complacent relationship.

Quote by Charles Meisner about Albert Einstein:
“I do see the design of the universe as essentially a religious question. That is, one should have some kind of respect and awe for the whole business. It’s very magnificent and shouldn’t be taken for granted. In fact, I believe that is why Einstein had so little use for organized religion, although he strikes me as a basically very religious man. He must have looked at what the preachers said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had ever imagined, and they were just not talking about the real thing. My guess is that he simply felt that religions he had run across did not have a proper respect for the Author of the universe.”

What Kind of Journey Will it Be…

Humbling…
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. ” (Psalm 25:9, NIV)

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2, NIV)

Personal…
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. “(John 10:14-15, NIV)

Intellectual…

Emotional…

Can We Really Know God? The reality…

God is incomprehensible.
We can never fully understand any single thing about God.
We can know something about God’s love, power, wisdom and other attributes.
But we can never know His love, power, wisdom or other attributes exhaustively.

The reason…
We can’t know God fully because of both our sinfulness and His greatness. Because of our sin, we are hindered from glimpsing the fullness of God. But even when all sin will be removed from us, we will still be finite and God will still be infinite. For all of eternity we will increasejn our knowledge of Him.
If in pride we want to be equal to God in knowledge, this will depress us.
If in humility we want to live to adore and worship God, this will delight us.

The resolution…
Though we cannot understand God fully, we can understand God truly. So based on Scripture, even though we don’t have exhaustive knowledge of God, we have true knowledge of God. Though God is incomprehensible. He is knowable.

If we cannot know God fully but we can know God truly….How?…

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Only the Spirit of God knows the fullness of the glory of God.  If we want to know God, then we need the Spirit to reveal Him to us. Therefore, a people who are desperate to know God will be desperate for His Spirit.  If we are not desperate for His Spirit, it is a sure indicator that we have grown content with knowing little about God.  Do we want to know the glory of God? Then let us be a people desperate for the Spirit of God. And when we’re desperate for the Spirit, our hearts will begin to understand God with the very perspective of Christ.

What Happens When God Really gets A hold of us…

Routine religion is no longer tolerable.

We will no longer be able to open the Bible and it just be text we read or a book on the shelf. The Bible will become alive to us.

Prayer will no longer be a monolog or even a dialog between peers…

Casual worship is no longer possible.

Corporate worship will take on a life of its own.

Total surrender is no longer optional.

Can’t serve two masters…no more sitting on the fence. Will no longer be able to sit back and let others do the work. Giving of our time, talent and tithe will be a joy because we realize that what we have belongs to God.

Global mission is no longer negotiable.
3,000 animistic tribes in Africa need to know about this God.
350 million Buddhists in Japan, Laos, and Vietnam need to know about this God.
950 million Hindus in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives need to know about this God.
Over a billion people in China, North Korea, communist nations need to know about this God.
Over 1.3 billion Muslims need to know about this God.

The journey will be humbling, personal, intellectual, emotional, practical and most of all  thrilling!

Questions:
1.    Look at the last paragraph of the quote by A.W. Tozer.
A.    How has the church deflated or downgraded our concept of God?
B.    Now think about Trinity specifically, how has Trinity done this?
C.    How have you done this?
D.    What are the consequences to your family, the church and the world around us when God is not properly elevated to His right position?
E.    What do we need to do to purify and elevate our concept of God?

2.    Look at, “Why are we studying about God…”
A.    What does it mean to live a life that will glorify God?
B.    If everything was made to glorify God…does that mean that God is selfish or self-centered?
C.    How can you, personally, teach God to others?  How can you show God to those around you?
D.    Perhaps a better question would be, “Are you teaching and showing God to the world?” Why not?

3.    Look at section “What happens when God really gets hold of us…”
A.    How has your religion (relationship) with God become routine?  How long has it been
routine? Are you willing for it to continue to be routine?
B.    How is your worship? When you meet corporately with your faith family are you
distracted or focused on God?
C.    Have you totally surrendered everything to God? What are you holding back? Why are you holding onto or not surrendered that area to God? What about your time…have you surrendered your time to God? What about your talent…have you surrendered your talent and service to God to use as He wishes? What about your tithe…have you surrendered your finances to God?  Do you practice the Biblical mandate to tithe?
D.    What can you do to aid in global missions?

Further Study:
1.    Read the following Scriptures and list out how God describes Himself:
Psalm 90.2, Col. 1.17; 1 Tim. 6.16; Rev. 1.8
Gen. 1.1; John 1.3; Col. 1.16
Col. 1.17; Heb. 1.3
Isa. 45.5-12; Eph. 4.6
Ps. 139.4, 6; Isa. 46.10
Jer. 32.27; Luke 1.37
Isa. 14.24; 46.10; Eph. 1.11
1 Chron. 29.11-12; Dan. 4.34-35
Job 4.2: Rom. 8.28

2.    Define “sovereignty”
A.    What are the implications for God’s sovereignty in His church? In your life?
B.    How are we to respond to God’s sovereignty in His church and in our life?

Sermon Notes from Pastor Ricky Le Mons

A Little Humor

1. “You know, stop lights don’t come any redder than the one you just went through.”

2. “Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they’re new. They’ll stretch after you wear them a while.”

3. “If you take your hands off the car, I’ll make your birth certificate a worthless document.”

4. “If you run, you’ll only go to jail tired.”

5. “Can you run faster than 1,200 feet per second? Because that’s the speed of the bullet that’ll be chasing you.”

6. “You don’t know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?”

7. “Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don’t think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I’m the shift supervisor?”

8. “Warning! You want a warning? Okay, I’m warning you not to do that again or I’ll give you another ticket.”

9. “The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not: Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?”

10. “Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go on rides and eat cotton candy and corn dogs.”

11. “Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.”

12. “In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC.” (National Crime Information Center)

13. “Just how big were those ‘two beers’ you say you had?”

14. “No sir, we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we’re allowed to write as many tickets as we can.”

15. “I’m glad to hear that the Chief [of Police] is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.”

16. “You thought we don’t give pretty women tickets? You’re right, we don’t. Sign here.”

Romans Bible Study: A Righteous God and A Savior Pt 1: Romans 9.14-18

Summary:  Paul continues to present the righteous character of God as it is revealed through His sovereign choices.  Being the self-existent Creator, He is sovereign and can do with His creation as He wishes.  His heart of compassion and mercy is reflected through His choices of sinful man.

1. A. On what basis did God choose Isaac over Ishmael (Rom. 9:6-9)?  Jacob over Esau (Rom. 9:10-13)?  Gen. 17:19-21; 21:12

B. How have we seen God’s sovereignty so far in Romans regarding election and God’s plan?  Romans 1:6; 8:28, 30, 33

C. What difference does it make that God sovereignly chose you to show His mercy and grace to?

2. A. What question does Paul raise in Romans 9:14?  What is his response?

B. Why do you think this issue of God is being raised at this point?  What does the question reflect about the true condition of man’s heart?  Jer. 17:9, Mark 7:20-23, Eph. 4:22

C. Are there areas you are tempted to think that God is not just in His dealings?  If God is truly sovereign, why would a Christian think otherwise?

3. A. Paul refers to what quality of God in verse 15?  Is God obligated to show these qualities to sinful man?  Why or why not?  Romans 3:10-17, 23

B. In light of the account in Exodus 32, what is God’s initial response?  (Exodus 32:10)  Moses’ response?  (Exodus 32:30)  What is the outcome of this account?  (Exodus 33:12-17, 34:1, 27, 28, 32)  What do we learn of God’s character?  (Exodus 33:18, 19)

C. What should you and I do in response to God’s mercy and grace?  Eph. 2:4-10, 1 Thess. 5:16-18, Heb. 13:15, 2 Peter 3:17-18

4. A.  According to Romans 9:16, God’s sovereign choice is NOT dependent upon what?  It IS dependent upon what?

B. What assumptions are made here concerning man?  About God?  Identify earlier passages in Romans that speak to these assumptions.

C. Why is God’s sovereignty important in your life in times of testing?  James 1:2-4, 12

5. Jesus Christ demonstrated compassion during His earthly ministry.  Examine the following accounts and answer the questions: Matt. 9:35-38, 14:13-24, 15:32-39, Mark 1:40-42, 6:30-34, Luke 7:11-17

a.  Why did Jesus show compassion?
b.  Who was His compassion for?
c.  What did He do out of compassion?
d.  How does this account relate to you and me?

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Romans Bible Study: God’s Word Has Not Failed: Romans 9:1-13

1. A. How does Paul describe his heart in Romans 9:1-3?

B. Explain how the sorrow and grief of Paul can be characterized as Christ-like. What did he actually do about it? John 15:13, Acts 17:1-3, 19:8-10, 24:16, Rom. 16:19, 2 Cor. 1:6-8

C. A heart for the lost is the heart of God. What about you? What things do you allow to interfere with having a burden for the lost? How are you preparing yourself to be a witness for others? 1 Chr. 16:10-11, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 John 2:15-16

2. A. What were the Jewish privileges mentioned by Paul in Romans 9:4-5?

B. Explain what these had to do with eternal life. Romans 9:30-10:4

C. What are you trusting in for your salvation? Family or lineage? Church or religion? Your own works or merit? How about Jesus Christ? John 14:6, 1 Peter 3:18

3. A. How is Jesus identified in Romans 9:5, as a man or as God?

B. Explain how we know Jesus Christ as both God and man. Luke 2:41-52, John 1:1, 14, 8:53-59, Phil. 2:10-11, Heb. 1:1-4

C. Your perception of Christ will determine the way you respond to Him. Do you follow Him as your rightful Master? John 10:27-30, Romans 8:14

4. A. Does unbelief affect the word of God according to Romans 9:6-8?

B. How do we know that God’s word never fails? Num. 23:19, Ps.119:89-90, Matt. 24:35, 2 Tim. 3:16

C. Do you really believe God? Do your priorities and decisions each day reflect this? How so?

5. A. What activities of God do you observe in Romans 9:8-13?

B. Explain the “children of promise” and what God’s choice has to do with it. Deut. 7:6-9, Rom. 9:11, Eph. 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 2:13-14

C. Do you respect the sovereignty of God? Either way, what does this tell you about your own heart? Prov. 15:33, Jer. 17:9, Rom. 9:20

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Truth

What is truth? Is truth defined by you? Is truth defined by the Bible? Is truth defined by something greater than yourself? How would you define truth? Leave a comment to the answer of one or all of the questions.

Bible Study on Romans: God’s Word Has Not Failed: Romans 9:1-13

Summary: The book of Romans is about the righteousness of God as fulfilled through the Lord Jesus Christ. God is not only fair, He is refreshingly merciful to both gentiles as well as the Israelites. In the sovereignty of His grace, God’s faithful word never fails. Here we see Paul’s case as to how this applies to the nation Israel.

1. A. How does Paul describe his heart in Romans 9:1-3?

B. Explain how the sorrow and grief of Paul can be characterized as Christ-like. What did he actually do about it? John 15:13, Acts 17:1-3, 19:8-10, 24:16, Rom. 16:19, 2 Cor. 1:6-8

C. A heart for the lost is the heart of God. What about you? What things do you allow to interfere with having a burden for the lost? How are you preparing yourself to be a witness for others? 1 Chr. 16:10-11, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 John 2:15-16

2. A. What were the Jewish privileges mentioned by Paul in Romans 9:4-5?

B. Explain what these had to do with eternal life. Romans 9:30-10:4

C. What are you trusting in for your salvation? Family or lineage? Church or religion? Your own works or merit? How about Jesus Christ? John 14:6, 1 Peter 3:18

3. A. How is Jesus identified in Romans 9:5, as a man or as God?

B. Explain how we know Jesus Christ as both God and man. Luke 2:41-52, John 1:1, 14, 8:53-59, Phil. 2:10-11, Heb. 1:1-4

C. Your perception of Christ will determine the way you respond to Him. Do you follow Him as your rightful Master? John 10:27-30, Romans 8:14

4. A. Does unbelief affect the word of God according to Romans 9:6-8?

B. How do we know that God’s word never fails? Num. 23:19, Ps.119:89-90, Matt. 24:35, 2 Tim. 3:16

C. Do you really believe God? Do your priorities and decisions each day reflect this? How so?

5. A. What activities of God do you observe in Romans 9:8-13?

B. Explain the “children of promise” and what God’s choice has to do with it. Deut. 7:6-9, Rom. 9:11, Eph. 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 2:13-14

C. Do you respect the sovereignty of God? Either way, what does this tell you about your own heart? Prov. 15:33, Jer. 17:9, Rom. 9:20

Points to Ponder

-Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

-I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

-The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on the list.

-Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

-If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

-We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

-War does not determine who is right — only who is left.

-Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

-The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

-Evening news is where they begin with “Good evening,” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.

-To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

-A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. My desk is a work station.

-How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

-Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

-I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted pay checks.

-A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.

-Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says “If an emergency, notify:” I put “DOCTOR.”

-I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

-Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

-Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

-Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

-A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

-You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

-The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

-Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.

-A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

-Hospitality: making your guests feel like they’re at home, even if you wish they were.

-Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

-I discovered I scream the same way whether I’m about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

-Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

-There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can’t get away.

-I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.

-When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

-You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

-Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

-A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

-If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?

-Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine