Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans

Transcription

1 Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 5:1-21 Inductive Discovery Lesson 6 How are you doing so far on our walk through Romans? We have been following Paul, step by logical step, through some pretty steep spiritual terrain. At this point, you may be a bit winded, so pause to catch your breath and survey the ground we ve covered. Like a seasoned guide, Paul led us through the first four chapters pointing out the deadend trails and superficial shortcuts that lost men follow. By the end of chapter four, Paul showed that the only path to God is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Are you walking by faith, trusting Jesus every step of the way? In chapter five, Paul sets his sight on what we have as a result of being justified by faith. As you go into this chapter, slow your pace breathe in the fact that you have peace with God. You have open access to come to God with anything and everything. By His grace you have the happy certainty that whatever comes your way, you can rejoice and have hope. What makes a strenuous climb worth the effort? The view of course! Our Romans walk promises to take us further and higher, but this week we reach a wide open vista. In the second half of chapter five, Paul invites us to stand still and take it all in. See how one man s sin brought death. See the One whose death brought life. Marvel at God s amazing love to reconcile helpless, hopeless sinners. Absorb the beauty of God s surrounding grace. We ve covered a lot of ground in four chapters. Are you feeling it? Right about now, you may be questioning your skill or stamina to keep going. Others may seem to keep pace easily, while you struggle to keep up. Don t give up. Take your time and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Lean into the Lord and let Him take you a little further in your walk of faith. He has so much more to show you! Romans 5:1-21 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1

2 Working Text for Romans 5:1-21 New King James Version (NKJV) 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man s offense many died, much more the grace of 2

3 God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. 1979,1980,1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 3

4 Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 5:1-5 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 5:6-11 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 4

5 Romans 5:12-17 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 5:18-21 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 5

6 Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 5:1-21. Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. peace (vs.1) access (vs.2) grace (vs.2,15,17,20,21) reconciled; reconciliation (vs. 10,11) 6

7 INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 5:1-5 Lesson: Application: Romans 5:6-11 Lesson: Application: Romans 5:12-17 Lesson: Application: Romans 5:18-21 Lesson: Application: 7

8 Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 8

9 Take a Closer Look Memorize But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? 9

10 Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... God died for sinners. He loved us, not because we were loveable, but because He is love. - C.S. Lewis - 10

11 Message Notes: 2007 Leah Case, All Rights Reserved 11