When listening to Tim Keller’s lectures on how to preach, what burned in my heart is that instead of telling listeners how to apply the sermon at the end and hope that they do, that transformation of the heart must happen during the preaching. Their hearts have to be melted by the beauty of Christ so that application is already happening. That happened for me during Paige’s introductory lesson on Romans, and I so pray it did for you as well.
And so we begin! Paige gave the analogy of how when building with Legos, you don’t take just one piece out and begin, but you spread them on the floor to get a scope of what you have. So this is our getting a scope week. In case you missed it, here’s a link to watch her:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTWUMpiHQPI
We need to understand the foundation, the pillars of the book of Romans, before we begin.
Paul begins in Romans 1:16-17 with the central message:
And then, he begins to turn to diagnosis of our problem. This is a crucial pillar, for if we do not truly see what is wrong with us, we will not see the GOSPEL as truly good news. I had to look up the word “meh” she kept using! This is a dangerous attitude many have developed toward the GOSPEL:
It’s old news more than good news. It’s like when someone rudely says: “whatever,” conveying a complete lack of enthusiasm.
Romans 1-3 is meant to revive us and see the gospel as the wondrous news it is, news that makes us so thankful we want to weep, news that makes us not approach Jesus as a “tonic” for our problems, but as our Savior for our desperate daily need. This turns “meh” into “grateful joy.”
So here we go. Paige reminded us to be like the Bereans, with our Bibles open, checking eveything she says.
Questions in purple are for those who are simultaneously reviewing Revelation, for we are taking a break with Romans, but want to keep our momentum, for we will return to the second half of Revelation in November. Those doing just Romans are free to do them or skip them. It is possible to link Revelation to Romans for the Bible is all one story.
Word Document for this lesson
Sunday: Getting Started
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment.
Mon: Announcement Pillar
(Romans 1:16-17)
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
Paige: “So often good news for us is not the righteousness of God but the usefulness of God.” We see Him as a tonic for parenting, health, money — which He can be, but miss the great Good News for we don’t really grasp our daily need. Our own Bing said the word “tonic” awakened her.
Questions preceded by a star are from Paige’s Questions for Discussion/Reflection
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans?
Tues: Analysis Pillar – Part I. (Defining Sin)
(Romans 1:10-3:20)
Paige: “When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we aren’t grasping it.”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin?
Wed: Analysis Pillar – Part II. (Dimensions of Sin)
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20?
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, are worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments?
*10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31? What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list? What mindset makes them strange? Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking?
11. Width: How does Paul show those us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore?
*12. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than your own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them?
13. In the book of Revelation there are four different perspectives of the wrath of God: We have been through the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets. Against what is God so angry? Is this only against unbelievers? How is this similar to Romans?
Thurs: BUT! (The Hinge)
How do we respond to the bad news? We can either despair, or run to one of our tonics (idols) or feel true desperation and turn to Jesus. If we accept God’s diagnosis MEH turns to tearful gratefulness. Romans 3:21 is the hinge. The Gospel has to be painted on a canvas of desperation and need. Then the grammar is reversed from therefore to but.
14. Meditate on Romans 3:21-22 and share your observations and comments.
15. Redemption — the gospel takes Jesus to the slave market. How do you see this in 3:24?
16. Reconciliation — the gospel takes Jesus to the mercy seat. How do you see this in 3:25?
17. Righteousness — the gospel takes Jesus to the law court. How do you you see this in 3:25?
18. In Revelation John was about to despair because no one, not one, was worthy to open the scroll. Then one of the elders told him good news in Revelation 5:5. What was it, and how does the picture of the lamb take us back to our great need and to the mercy seat?
Fri. Therefore: Pillar of Access
19. Who receives this gift and access to God according to Romans 5:1-2?
20 Paige assigned Romans 4 to be read. Read it and make observations and comments.
21. Be sure to listen to Paige’s 2nd lecture. Here is the link: Take good notes for she takes it down Tues. night.
Sat:
22. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
143 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love the old cliche, “give a busy person something to do and they will make sure it gets done!” Or, something like that. I’m so busy but I can’t stop the studying…
Thanks for picking purple as our question color! It’s a good idea and one of my favorite colors 😉
2. Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment.
Wow! So much to consider here. I guess I found the idea of no sin without God thought provoking. My mom always said we have to know evil so we also know goodness. If I am an atheist and I commit a sin (lie, cheat, or steal) do I acknowledge it’s a sin? Or, do I just see it as a (potential) crime that was committed? What about murder? Sin, or just crime? If I am a Christian, not only is the action a potential crime, but it is a sin against God since His 10 Commandments say we shouldn’t lie, etc. so sinning means harming myself in more ways than one. It affects my salvation along with the earthly issues I may have to endure.
Your mom was right!
Sunday: Getting Started
What stands out to you from the above and why?
The diagnosis of our problem. “This is a crucial pillar (Romans 1:16-17), for if we do not truly see what is wrong with us, we will not see the GOSPEL as truly good news.”
It is a temptation to dust my sins under the rug. For after all, Jesus died for them all and He can clean everything off, including the rug! And herein is where the crux of the matter lies. Jesus is only as good as He is useful to me. The good news then becomes the “usefulness of God rather than the righteousness of God” for me. And oh, so far away from the truth.
I remember the scene in The Chosen when Nicodemus hid behind a wall wept because he made the decision to choose family and position rather than following Jesus. And Jesus said, “You have come so close.” I don’t want to just come so close, I want to arrive at the truth of God.
Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment.
How can one word (tonic) elicit such gut-wrenching response from me? All this time, I have confused the righteousness of God with the usefulness of God. I have rendered Jesus as “an invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent or influence”. (Webster-Merriam dictionary) Yes, He is all that to me but oh, so much more. He is my Savior and Lord and what a price He paid so I can have His righteousness!
It also dawned on me that, perhaps, my witness is less effective because I present Jesus as a tonic rather than our righteousness before God. And for the world used to different types of tonic, Jesus may not be attractive to them. Romans 1:16-17 is truly a powerful verse to meditate on as a springboard to conversations with the unbelieving.
Great illustration from The Chosen, Bing. I also liked how you said yesterday that tonic was a piercing word.
Dee, in question 11, is there a typo? Do you mean to say ‘your’ instead of ‘our’?
am really excited to dig in this week. Praying that the other things in my life don’t keep me from this!! Love the interplay between Romans and Revelation…
I did, Mary. Thanks for reading through for typos. I obviously need your eyes!
I haven’t had a chance to listen to Paige’s sermon yet. It sounds great! I wish you had inserted the link again here so I could get to it quickly. I hope to listen to it tonight. I’m missing seeing others’ posts here. Life has gotten hectic. I am sure Paige is going to be great!
Good idea, Diane. I put it in the opening now. Thanks. You can always just put Paige Benton Brown Romans on You-Tube too.
Thanks, Dee. I appreciate the link. I knew I could find it but wasn’t sure the quickest way.
Sunday
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Meh” oh my!!! Is that my attitude to the Good News? As Bing said, is that why my witness is “meh” because the Good news just isn’t as good as it should be in my life? Thanks for looking that up Dee, I didn’t realize that is what she was saying. I think being raised in a Christian home has caused me to take the Gospel for granted. Doesn’t everyone know it? 1. Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment.
Jumping off from above, Paige points out what Paul is after in Romans…what does it mean to be a Christian? Maybe all these years I didn’t fully understand. Being raised in a somewhat legalistic home it was about keeping rules rather than, Jesus paid it all…there was nothing I could do, absolutely nothing! Even faith isn’t described as a work but rather a collapsing, looking entirely away from yourself to Jesus – we find Jesus at the end of ourselves! What makes the Good News good, is the bad news…something is wrong with us. She goes on to explain so much more that I am still processing.
Interesting about you being raised in a somewhat legalistic home. You certainly seem to get it now!
I appreciate your in-depth study of Revelations and how Romans relates to that.
Dee, I didn’t see this on my first read through, but there are two #10’s and two #12’s.
Thanks again, Mary!
Susan, you made a comment on 9/11 that is so very good… conquering means suffering well, with an eye on the prize; the real prize being Jesus Christ. Thank you for that. I don’t know about anyone else, but verbalizing with other believers these truths builds up my resolve to stand firm. It helps me remember I am not alone in facing the challenges of our world, and makes me want to exhibit more strength for the sake of others.
1 and 2. Meh. You made me laugh, Dee! I kind of had an idea of what Paige meant, but had no idea it existed in the dictionary!! And it leads to my answer to the next question. Though I sure didn’t want to, I resonated with her saying that for most believers, the good news is neither news nor do we see it as good. We are bored with it. I am convicted that I would dare have such an attitude toward unutterable sacrifice and goodness of God to me in Jesus Christ.
Lord, I don’t want this to be old hat to me. Maybe I’ve let it become that to escape the pain I feel when I see the truth. But it is better for me to live in pain than to take You for granted. Keep my heart tender toward You, and raw toward my sin so that I don’t again develop a hard heart.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
How complacent “we” are to the Gospel, our “meh”-ness. “If we do not truly see what is wrong with us, we will not see the GOSPEL as truly good news.”
2. Share one take-away from Paige’s lecture and comment.
Oh it is just SO good! I am hoping to re-listen as I had to hear it in snippets while driving carpool…but I did take notes. I loved how she said it is never our sin that keeps us from Jesus. The only thing that keeps us from Jesus is our denial of sin, our refusal to admit it and repent. I also loved when she talked about her artist friend who always paints on a red canvas so the colors pop—and that the Gospel must be against a backdrop that make it’s true colors pop out to us.
I loved that illustration too and found many artists do that!
Oh, Lizzy! You always have a gem to share!! This is lovely: The only thing that keeps us from Jesus is our denial of sin, our refusal to admit it and repent. So so true!
Monday
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations
It is the announcement of the Good News of Christ.
Paul is not ashamed of the Good News.
It’s God’s power at work.
Saves everyone who believes – Jew first than the Gentile.
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight.
It’s accomplished from start to finish by faith – It’s through faith that a righteous person has life.
Notes from Paige: Morality and righteousness of God are not interchangeable as the righteousness of God is who He is in His perfection. He is the standard of what us right. He is right.
It’s a gospel of power because it’s about the righteousness of God. Good News because of His righteousness being offered purely by faith.
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? Oh yes. What do you most readily look to Christ for? Comfort What are you most eager for Him to do for you? Save my lost family. What needs prompt your most immediate prayers? Health, anxiousness, finances…
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans?
First to rise from the dead (Jesus Christ) – God’s power at work Freed us from our sins by shedding His blood – salvation by faith through His righteousness.. Everyone will see Him returning with the clouds – part of the gospel is His return. Even those who pierced Him – His death on the cross.
Great start, Sharon.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The “meh.” It brought to mine teachingof the joy of repentance (from Severe Mercy?) …if I didn’t keep sinning and needing to repent I would not have the joy of realizing anew each day the depth of His forgiveness and love for me. Through repentance His Gospel remains very Good News. Hope come. Rescue delivered. (This does not mean I am happy I keep sinning or that I should sin but there is joy in repentance.)
Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment. I really loved how the “therefore” condemnation was turned into “but.” Such powerful imagery to get across THE good news. I am anxious to hear the next “therefore.” A take-away quote: “Christians are not people who like Jesus and want Him in their lives. Christians are people who need Jesus and know there is no life apart from Him.” Amen… such good news that we need Him AND He is there.
Your clarification made me smile.
Great notes.
These are such great points, Jill. I love this: ” if I didn’t keep sinning and needing to repent I would not have the joy of realizing anew each day the depth of His forgiveness and love for me. ” Such truth.
Jill, please forgive me if I have this wrong, but I think I haven’t seen you here for a long time, and my heart jumped up in excitement to see you post again!
Thanks, Mary! I’ve been silently following but eager to jump in again now! =)
Excited for this study!
Oh Julie — I was so slow to approve comments. So excited to see you here. Don’t let my slowness keep you from getting on. Now you should just be able to jump on. See you tomorrow on zoom! I love you so much. I laughed at Ana asking if she could come for dinner on facebook
1.What stands out to you from the above and why? I love Tim Keller’s comment: “The transformation of the heart much happen during the preaching. Their hearts have to be melted by the beauty of Christ so the application is already happening. ” I also love the lego analogy. We have to put it all out on the floor to get the scope of what you have. I love this too: Romans 1-3 is meant to revive us and see the gospel as the wondrous news it is, news that makes us so thankful we want to weep, news that makes us not approach Jesus as a “tonic” for our problems, but as our Savior for our desperate daily need. This turns “meh” into “grateful joy.”
2.Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment. The Gospel is being offered as a Gift of the righteousness of God – Who God is in His own pure righteousness; in His Perfection. God is RIGHT. Everything about Him is Right. The usefulness of God is what many want; is He a tonic that you call out to treat what ails you. If we know THE GOOD NEWS- it changes us. Like Mary in The Chosen. “I once was one way, but now I am changed.” We see ourselves and the world in a different way if God is the center. If we remain the center, we are not changed. Romans is “The Message of the entire Bible.” This introduction by Paige struck such a chord with me. The Gospel changes our perspective on everything. It is no longer all about us. It gives us the freedom to give up out idols. We stop living as if God is a tonic to take when we need help. God is the center of our existence. Sinfulness is the negation of the good. It is anti-righteous. The essence of sin is godlessness. There were so many “take aways” that are all so important.
Beautiful, my friend!
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations. The Gospel is power, because it is the righteousness of God. of Who God is in His perfection. God is the essence and the standard of what is right. It is the Gospel because this righteousness is being offered to us purely by faith. I like that Paige mentions that morality may spring from righteousness, but they are not interchangeable terms. The offer of the Gospel sounds so simple that some cannot accept it. This makes me think of what Sharon mentioned about being raised in a legalistic home. I have friends that were raised with so many rules that they sometimes failed to sense love and compassion in their Christian homes. I think this can be an easy thing to happen to any of us. It is so simple, but I so easily go to the tonic mode when I am in distress.
Paige: “So often good news for us is not the righteousness of God but the usefulness of God.” We see Him as a tonic for parenting, health, money — which He can be, but miss the great Good News for we don’t really grasp our daily need. Our own Bing said the word “tonic” awakened her. I love what Bing wrote. I so relate to this. I sometimes pray and pray fervently, seeing in my head the way it might be answered, (even knowing that is wrong) and not being about to really have the faith to give my problem over to God, completely.
Questions preceded by a star are from Paige’s Questions for Discussion/Reflection
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
Health, family disunity, future financial needs and fears…. I seem to pray so much for the tonic of peace. I allow things around me to disrupt my sense of peace, my prayer time and my sleep. I know that this is not faith….I need to work on letting God have the reins and taking the back seat to what He has for me. It is a huge relief when I can let Him take over; when I am at my end. I don’t know why I always have to wait until I know that I cannot fix it, to let Him take it.
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers? I did not fully answer this the first time….I am most eager for Jesus to continue to change my heart, to change my soul and all of my being to be more like Him. I pray that I will trust Him more fully in all my life.
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans? “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins, by Hi blood and He has mad us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and every. Behold, He is coming with the Clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him So it is to be.”
Romans: The gospel is this very gift that is being offered as a Gift, because it was bought and paid for by Jesus, who gave His life that we may have this gift. It is a gift given to us, purely by faith. We only need to receive and realize the greatness of this gift of eternal life. Have we heard this so much that we do not realize how Great this Gift is? I pray that I love Jesus with such depth that I live every moment to please only Him. I pray that I can do that and see that this is the ONLY thing that really matters in life. I pray that I may realize the greatness of this gift every minute of every day when my idols pop up to tempt and taunt me. God is the essence and the standard of what is right. May I be more of Him and less of me.
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans?
Jesus is the One who is a faithful witness to all the events of creation, He is the first to rise from the dead and the ruler of all creation. He has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us. He has made us a kingdom of priests.
it is similar to Romans in that the Gospel is the GOOD NEWS! We are to embrace it and spread the Word! It’s our JOB 😉
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
The gospel is the POWER—because in it is the righteousness of God; not morality-it is who God is in His perfection, the standard of what is right.
It is a gospel, meaning good news, because it is salvation for those who believe, it is offered to all by faith.
4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
I can see how I often run to Him in prayer, asking Him to fix my circumstances–relational problems, or a health problem, seeking peace, as Patti said, or with my fears…but I am also comforted by prayer by trusting it over to Him and leaving it with Him, over and over. I am convicted though that I probably more desperately run to Him for help with a situation than I do for forgiveness of my sin.
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basic thesis of Romans?
Rev.: “Jesus Christ…the ruler of kings on earth.”
Romans: “the Gospel is the power of God”
Rev.: “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood”
Romans: “the Gospel is…for salvation”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations
The essence of sin is godlessness, the attempt to get rid of God, living as if He does not matter, suppressing the truth. Sinfulness rejects God and embraces idols.
God’s wrath takes the form of handing them over to their idols.
Sin is a heart that does not treasure God. Sin is rejection before it is ever a transgression. The consequences is that God hands us over.
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
The root of all sin is idolatry- exchanging the truth about God for a lie and worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator.
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
We become futile in our thinking, and our foolish hearts are darkened. We cannot see the truth of who we are or who He is. We exchange God for idols, lies, self.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
The wrath of God is His holy animosity to evil. Evil (only) always provokes His wrath. The opposite of love is not anger but apathy. The form of His wrath is handing them over to their idols, unrestrained.
You will serve what you worship.
Because they did not honor God nor give Him thanks—”therefore”-He gave them over to their sinfulness.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
People drown by eventually breathing, inhaling water. You cannot not breath so you will eventually breathe in water, and drown.
We cannot not worship. When we do not worship God, we will worship anything else. We do not own our idols, we serve them.
F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
I think I would have said “sin is missing the mark, falling short…” This has reminded me of the gravity, the weight, the far-reaching-ness of my sin, the darkness of it. Every part of me is tainted by sin. I have no hope of righteousness apart from Jesus. It is not treasuring God above all.
I looked up the Piper quote she gave on the definition of sin, so powerful, convicting, humbling:
“What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin.”
Thanks for finding the Piper quote, Lizzy. Wow.
I love your answer: I think I would have said “sin is missing the mark, falling short…” This has reminded me of the gravity, the weight, the far-reaching-ness of my sin, the darkness of it. Every part of me is tainted by sin. I have no hope of righteousness apart from Jesus. It is not treasuring God above all. This is so simple, so profound and so true. Thank you, Lizzy! Thank you for sharing the Piper quote. I copied it and shared it with a few friends.
Love the Piper quote
My takeaway from Paige’s lecture: God should be worshiped! the suppression of truth is sin. Sin embraces everything we put in the place of God.
3. The thesis of Romans, Romans 1:16-17 is that the gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes. the Gospel is the good news: who God is, what is right.
Observations: Paul is worked up because this is the only Good News, but what makes it good? We think we’re not that bad.
4. Can you detect in yourself any tonic approach to Jesus? Yes, I tend to think about the times I am anxious or afraid and I turn to God for comfort and reassurance- that is like a tonic. What am I most eager for Him to do for me? To help in relationship issues, to heal loved ones and friends.
5. Revelation 1:5-7 How is Jesus Christ and his Gospel described ? As the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and he loves us and has freed us from our sins through his blood. the best news!
A few of you, and now Shirley, have described going to Jesus in your times of need as a tonic — and perhaps that is part of what Paige means, though that is where we should run instead of to His gifts or to sin. I don’t think she is saying that is wrong, but perhaps asking us how we primarily see Him. I certainly wouldn’t want to discourage that. Thoughts?
I agree. I do feel that I need God as a tonic, but it is a good tonic. I guess I was interpreting Paige as meaning: we can get in a habit of “using” God as a tonic, rather than having Him at the Center of our being. If He is at the Center, we are always communicating with Him; I was interpreting God as a tonic to mean we ONLY go to Him when we have drained our own resources, not as our first resource. I hope this makes sense. I want Him to be my main resource for everything.
Was Paige pointing out the danger of using Jesus like a vending machine? We come to Him, get what we want, and then go back to living as though He isn’t there, until we need Him for something else? As opposed to staying as close as we possibly can to Him, aware that we are in constant need, and only in Him is there hope?
I think that is another good analogy — the vending machine. I also love what Patti added that it is important that we have Him at the Center of our being, always communicating with Him. I love that old hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour.
Ye, I think Paige is asking us if we see Jesus as just that-a tonic and nothing else. and what if He does not deliver as we think He should? Do we put Him back on the cupboard and go our merry way?
The song, “you are my all in all” comes to mind. For apart from Christ, I cannot do anything.
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
The Good News! The righteous shall live by faith! This is the standard of doing what is right. Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel. Everyone can be saved! The Jew and the Gentile alike. God makes us right by our faith. It is through this faith that we have life.
Paige: “So often good news for us is not the righteousness of God but the usefulness of God.” We see Him as a tonic for parenting, health, money — which He can be, but miss the great Good News for we don’t really grasp our daily need. Our own Bing said the word “tonic” awakened her.
Questions preceded by a star are from Paige’s Questions for Discussion/Reflection
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus?
Oh yes….it’s the “laundry list;” please help Jerry, and Mabel, and Sue.
What do you most readily look to Christ for?
I would say I probably ask His advice, His support, His making me aware of things that I might miss otherwise. I usually talk to Him all during the day and it’s mostly about helping me. So self-centered!
What are you most eager for Him to do for you?
I would like Him to speak to me! Often, loudly! Tell me how to handle situations.
What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
My husband, family, friends. Our country. Relationships mostly. How to deal with people. What to say.
I identify with the desire for Him to speak loudly. Like Sara Groves song, “I can’t hear you, Lord. Could you speak up?” Yet, if I can be still long enough and alert, I feel He does, though I am not always certain. My sister Bonnie has come to The Orchard several times now, and I asked God if I should also ask her to the women’s study on Romans with Paige we are doing live, but was fearful of pushing too much. I asked him again this morning and waited. I got an e-mail from her saying how much she had on her plate. I think that means wait. But yes, a little louder please, Lord!
I speak to Him all day too….I need His help always! 🙂 I see Him as enjoying hearing from us….consulting our Father…. I, too, WANT TO HEAR HIM LOUDLY! I also pray so much about relationships. I pray that my thoughts and words will be of Him. I stray so often to my little toy box of idols. Our world has so many needs right now, it is hard to “not pray”.
Ladies, I just want to say HI and I’ve missed all of you. I’m hoping to be able to keep going with this, but new staff will be starting soon and I will be training again.
Sunday: Getting Started
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – I really liked Paige’s analogy with the legos. It made me understand that we need all of the Word in order to completely understand what God is trying to get across to us. We can’t just take a piece here and a piece there, when combined together it makes more sense.
2. Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment. – Paige said so much good stuff, and I’m glad she is going to repeat some of what she said as she moves along because I’m sure I missed a lot while I took my 2 full notebook pages of notes. I liked how she explained the THEREFORE and that it can only be used before what is going to happen and it is there because of our actions. This made me see a bit more into the wording of scripture and to look for the actions involved with the Therefore. I also liked the Diagnosis from chapter 3 and again was like OUCH when she said our sin does not keep us from Jesus but our denial of that sin keeps us distant from him.
Julie–SO good to see you! I like this “It made me understand that we need all of the Word in order to completely understand what God is trying to get across to us. We can’t just take a piece here and a piece there, when combined together it makes more sense.”
Hello, Julie. Glad you are here!
Good to see you again Julie 😊
This was golden and piercing. sin does not keep us from Jesus but our denial of that sin keeps us distant from him.
Glad to have you as much as you can, Julie.
Glad you’re back sweet friend!!!
Julie, It is wonderful to see you back! I really like your: OUCH when she said our sin does not keep us from Jesus but our denial of that sin keeps us distant from him. Such a good point.
Mon: Announcement Pillar
(Romans 1:16-17)
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations. – The power of God’s salvation is for everyone who believes in Him. His righteousness will be ours when we believe in Him. My footnote says that Jesus does not wait for us to be righteous but His righteousness come to us when we put our control in God.
Paige: “So often good news for us is not the righteousness of God but the usefulness of God.” We see Him as a tonic for parenting, health, money — which He can be, but miss the great Good News for we don’t really grasp our daily need. Our own Bing said the word “tonic” awakened her. – I thought this was good too. It helped me with the visual to see what she was saying.
Questions preceded by a star are from Paige’s Questions for Discussion/Reflection
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers? – For me it is when I’m in need that I run to Christ more. When an issue or issues come in to my life, I run to him in need. I need and want him to make everything better. I need to get to the point that I turn to him in good and bad times all the time. I need to have him sitting right next to me from the moment I get up since that is my blessing for the morning, another day to have others see Him in me.
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans? – He is the faithful witness who has come and will come for all of us to see. Everyone will know him and be set free from sin when our faith is put in Him.
Yes! You are back!
Mon: Announcement Pillar
(Romans 1:16-17)
1. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
There is nothing to be ashamed of THE gospel.
The gospel is THE power of God to bring salvation.
The gospel is available to be received by ANYONE who believes.
The gospel is the righteousness of God.
The gospel is to be received by faith.
Paige: “So often good news for us is not the righteousness of God but the usefulness of God.” We see Him as a tonic for parenting, health, money — which He can be, but miss the great Good News for we don’t really grasp our daily need. Our own Bing said the word “tonic” awakened her.
Questions preceded by a star are from Paige’s Questions for Discussion/Reflection
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
Yes. I look to Christ to answer my every need. Sad to say but I want things and people to not be a source of discomfort for me. I want all things to go well and for my loved ones to know Him. My immediate prayers are often about my loved ones, my health.
How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans?
Both have Jesus as the one who we need to believe who made us right with God because of his sacrifice on the Cross (freed us from our sins). He was pierced for our transgressions.
Hi!
Hi! I just now saw this…Welcome!
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations. The thesis I came up with is: the Gospel is the power of God for salvation- in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith for faith. God’s righteousness is revealed by our unrighteousness. The good news is God’s power to reach down and save us. From faith for faith… faith in God’s promises was the precursor to the revelation of God’s power to save which also inspired faith.4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers? I turn to Jesus most often for 1. Help in hardship and 2. Giving thanks. He is my help. He is the giver of good things so these are appropriate. The “tonic” approach may manifest as turning to Jesus *only* for help and thanksgiving. There is an awful lot of me talking but not so much of me listening…my mind wanders and I find myself back to prayer processing … praying as I work through whatever mental load ai have that day.
I resonate — I certainly too do more talking than listening in prayer.
Jill, I find myself doing that too….my mind wandering and then praying as I work through whatever mental load I have that day.
Tuesday
(Romans 1:10-3:20)
Paige: “When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we aren’t grasping it.”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations
God doesn’t overlook sin even though man in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth. When they look all around them and see creation, it’s quite evident that there is a God, a Creator and they are without excuse in trying to deny it. They are fools in that they exchange the glory of God for worthless idols,,,therefore God gives them over to the lusts of their own hearts, to sexual impurity. They chose to exchange the truth of God for a lie, serving creation rather than the Creator.
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
Idolatry
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
They become worthless in their thinking and godless.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
Since man became fools and decided that they were going to worship creation rather then the Creator, making the choice of exchanging God for idols, the therefore leads into their consequence (or doom) of that choice…God giving them over to their sexual impurity and the lusts of their own hearts.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
In speaking of worship, if man doesn’t worship God he will worship something else. Man cannot not worship something. It’s like drowning, we don’t just hold our breathe, we eventually have to breathe and of course doing so fills our lungs with water, we cannot not breathe!
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Continually falling short of God’s glory or standard. Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? If talking to a non-Christian, I would tell them that sin is worshiping or serving anything but God. Of your own sinfulness? I like the conclusion to Stott’s quote…It’s the account of getting rid of God and since that’s impossible, the determination to live as though I have succeeded in doing so.
I don’t’ ask Him to help me make Him Lord of my life, because He’s already Lord. Rather I ask Him to help me surrender to His Lordship.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? In each church but 2 it’s pointed out what He had against them. Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? They left their first love. How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin? It’s giving a definition to sin – that there is something wrong.
Great notes — this is a golden nugget from Piper: Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
6. Definition of sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations. What can be known about God is plain to them through creation since creation. Humans decided they were wise, not God and therefore make their own boundaries and ‘rules.’ They appoint themselves judge over actions and decide what is right v wrong. They exchanged the Truth of God for a lie (He is is righteous v humans decide what is ‘righteous’.) AND they worship the creature and no the creator. How well we see this through the generations! We justify our own sins and we worship what our impure hearts desire – we pursue the creation and not the Creator. However in order to do all this they MuST suppress the Truth … active suppression … this explains why so many are restless in heart.
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25? Suppression of the Truth about God: only He is worthy of worship, in order to worship other things … simply put: idolatry.
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21? We become futile in our thinking. We put ourselves in darkness.
D. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24? They chose idolatry THEREFORE God gave them over to their impure hearts’ desires.F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Or your own sinfulness? We have studied idolatry so long on this blog that I had to really think to recall how I would have defined sin. Most of my life I would have attached sin to the rules – sin is not doing what God wants. Which is kinda true in the sense that God wants us to worship Him above all things… but certainly the implication is much more legalistic in my early definition of sin. Now I know that The WHY is much more important than the WHAT. If I do not worship Christ in my actions then I am sinning. I am *choosing* to suppress the Truth, I am actively rejecting God … wow.
Yes — actively rejecting God — wow!
I love and relate to this answer, Jill. Such a great truth! I am learned such a different definition of sin than I would have a few years ago. Thank you for your insights.
We have studied idolatry so long on this blog that I had to really think to recall how I would have defined sin. Most of my life I would have attached sin to the rules – sin is not doing what God wants. Which is kinda true in the sense that God wants us to worship Him above all things… but certainly the implication is much more legalistic in my early definition of sin. Now I know that The WHY is much more important than the WHAT. If I do not worship Christ in my actions then I am sinning. I am *choosing* to suppress the Truth, I am actively rejecting God … wow.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Transformation of the heart while listening to a Sermon. Soooo counterintuitive than “Meh”
2. Share one take-a-way from Paige’s lecture and comment.
How she unpacks sin. The root of sin isn’t the activity of sin, it is what is in the core of all of us and springs from a broken relationship with God. Our unwillingness to admit our sin keeps us from God, not our sin. When confronted with this truth, we deny then go into despair and the third is desperation-we need to be in the third category-the best place to be. Desperation and need is the only time grace has shown up to be grace. The message of the scripture is the answer to how bad we are, not just about how bad we are-the Gospel!
What I walked away with for some reason 🙂 is my desperation and need for Christ. That whenever I become pharisitical in my thinking about myself-I am okay, or another, look at how she is living?! I need to point the finger at myself and while what I am thinking might be true I need to remember and remain in the truth that I am desperately in need of Jesus, every day, every second, every hour.
Beautiful notes and perfect walk-a-way.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin?
The church at Ephesus had forgotten their first Love. They were hard-working and did good works, but they did not remember Jesus. They did not treasure God above all. The source of our sin is idolatry, forgetting God, exchanging the truth for a lie.
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20?
Since creation.
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, are worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments?
Worldliness is a “mindset”, a mind that has been darkened, exchanged the truth for a lie. This mindset considers the sinful things to be normal and righteousness is not. This seems true of our age. I am always telling my kids that if they don’t feel strange, different, like “aliens” to some degree in front of their non-Christian peers, then I am doing something wrong.
10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31? What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list? What mindset makes them strange? Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking?
The list: unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossip, slander, hate of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, invent evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless
I am struck by gossip and slander next to haters of God. The failure to acknowledge God leads to futile and correupt thinking. Our naturally depraved minds take over.
11. Width: How does Paul show those of us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore?
In judging others we condemn ourselves because we do the same things.
12. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than your own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them?
In one moment I can say and believe, my sinfulness is greater than anyone, and yet I battle against judging others. I think I judge most harshly those who do (or don’t do) the things I am most proud of doing (or not doing). Where I am most prideful and self-righteous, I tend to judge others most harshly. Ick. Forgive me Lord.
13. In the book of Revelation there are four different perspectives of the wrath of God: We have been through the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets. Against what is God so angry? Is this only against unbelievers? How is this similar to Romans?
He is angry at all who do not honor Him, at all unfaithfulness, all idolators-believers and non.
Love this from Lizzy:
I am always telling my kids that if they don’t feel strange, different, like “aliens” to some degree in front of their non-Christian peers, then I am doing something wrong.
Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations
Humans have not acknowledged that God is better than anything here on Earth. We have worshipped idols instead of Him. He allows us to do this. That way, if and when we come to Him it is authentic. We have no excuse for not knowing God; He has placed Himself all over the Earth for us to see. He has placed Himself within our very bodies! His anger is in the abandonment to ourselves.
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
Idols are the root of all sin…believing in something other than God. They traded the truth for a lie.
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
Our minds become dark and confused.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
They were left to their own defenses and therefore, they defiled themselves.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
With drowning, you drown due to water in your lungs because you have to take a breath.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
That’s an interesting take on transformation, that it should happen during the preaching. Bible study is often taught the same way; for example, read the text: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it mean to me (application)? So it’s something to pay attention to, to feel transformation happening during hearing a sermon or while actively reading a passage. Though sometimes, further reflection after the fact is often needed.
I understood the “Meh”. Many very familiar Bible passages can become “Meh.”
2. Share one take-away from Paige’s lecture and comment.
One take-away for me was the discussion about sin. “The Bible doesn’t first tell us that we first sinned….there is a condition in us that is wrong.” So the Bible doesn’t start with a transgression, that we sinned. It first tells us that something is wrong with us. Paige also said that sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.
That’s a golden nugget. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
The whole crux of Romans and the Bible is the Good News of Christ. The Good News is the power of God at work, and it saves everyone who believes. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in God’s sight. And it is all accomplished by faith.
4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
Paige used the tonic example as in the tonic salesman who used to travel around selling a tonic that would help with just about any ailment. So you put it in your cupboard and only brought it out when you needed it. I can get into a habit of ‘spiritual coasting’. Things are going relatively well in my life; nothing major happening, and so hey, if I miss a few day of prayer, it’s okay. I haven’t really been reading or meditating on Scripture for a while, but I’ll get back to it. Jesus is “in the cupboard”. Which is in itself a great lie, because I am never “okay” spiritually. When the disordered begins to show up, in relationships, in my marriage, in stress or anxiety, in feeling sad and depressed, then I anxiously turn to Jesus. But I’m missing the root of the problem, which is in me. So I’ve seen the comments of others here about using Jesus as a tonic. I don’t think it’s wrong to turn to Him with our problems; in fact, we should. I think using Him as a tonic is that we only go to Him when there’s something wrong, and at other times, we believe we’re okay and doing fine without Him. (Kind of like a parent saying about their adult child, “We only hear from him/her when they need something.”) Which, as a parent, is painful, hurtful. You see that your child really doesn’t want a relationship with you; they just want you to be available when they need something. They don’t want you; they want what you can do for them. I imagine God feels somewhat the same way when we treat Him like that.
5. How is Jesus Christ and His Gospel described in Revelation 1:5-7? What similarity do you see with the basis thesis of Romans?
Here, Jesus is described as the faithful witness, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world. Jesus is the One who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us. He has made us His kingdom and His priests. He rules forever and ever in everlasting glory.
Romans also tells us how we can be made right with God, by God. He is the One who makes us right. In Revelation it tells us that we are free because of His blood shed for us. Romans also speaks of the power of God, and in Revelation here, we see the power of Jesus.
Please read Susan’s clarification on the tonic.
“When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we are not grasping it.”
6. Definition of sin
A. Comments and observations: Sin is worship of anything- created things- rather than Creator God.
the essence of sin is godlessness and wickedness, It is the suppression of the truth.
A. Sin is not morality, rather it is everything we put in the place of God. It is what is not good.
B. The root of all sin is idolatry.(serving created things)
C. When we cling to idols we do not give thanks to God.
Therefore…D. God gave them over to their sinful desires!
E. The illustration of drowning- A person cannot not breathe! Likewise a person cannot not worship…
F. Before this study I would have defined sin as breaking any of God’s laws, or being prideful and selfish.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution.
In the letters to the churches there was always a commendation and then the faults, ” I have this against you…”
The basic problem in Ephesus was “You have forsaken your first love!”
This relates to the source of sin- their worship was lacking in joy and thanks. They were lacking worship which shows worthship of God’
3. Really looking at Romans 1:16-17, it grew in my eyes faster than storm clouds on radar using time elapse! I had too many things to look into and research. So I just took the first one. What does it mean to be ashamed? The dictionary said it means to have shame; feeling the pain of having lost the respect of others because of wrong behavior. So, if I get this, Paul says he doesn’t want the pain of losing God’s respect if he fails to represent the Gospel correctly. Not denying the gospel, but rather proclaiming it. I’ve been far too often more concerned with retaining what I think is respect for me by people. I need to be much more concerned with what God thinks of me. I need to represent Him truly and boldly, no matter what others think of me. Paul can do this because he sees the power of God revealed in the gospel. He sees the good news displayed on a red background. He sees God not only as the standard of everything, which Paul already had a grasp of, but now how God is willing to share His righteousness with us, even though we don’t deserve it.
4. In what ways do I use Jesus as a tonic? This isn’t the only way I relate to Him, but it is the one that has the most possibilities of being a misuse, and it is comfort. It isn’t wrong to come to Him for comfort, but my tendency is to go out from having been comforted to either solve my own problems, or return to living as I did before going to Him. I need to recognize that He is way above my small needs. It is His greatness that allows me access to Him, so I need to seek His plan, respond correctly to it, and be transformed by my contact with Him. But there are also times when I’m not asking for anything. I’m just wanting to be with Him. To hear His voice, feel His presence. Just wanting to hang with Him.
What am I most eager to do for me? Help me lose weight. Touch the lives of those who have their back to Him. Change me to be more like Him.
What needs prompt my most immediate prayers? Confrontation with something I know I can’t handle on my own.
6. A. John Stott’s quote is so good. It is a negation of what is good; it is like the opposite image. The essence of sin is to be without God. It struck a chord when Paige said that sin is hard to define but very easy to recognize. B. The root of all sin is saying no to God; refusing Him. C. What happens when we cling to idols instead of turning to God? Our thinking becomes futile and our hearts darkened. D. Paige said the wrath of God is anger against evil, and God’s response is to give us what we want – our idols – while withholding Himself from us. The therefore in 24 shows the natural and inescapable consequences of not choosing God. E. Drowning happens not because you are in water, but because you can’t stop yourself from breathing even though you don’t want to in that situation. You take in what is not air. Your lungs are made for air, not water. And we were made for God, not anything else. F. In the past, how did you define sin? Early on as a Christian, it would have been wrong actions. Then I saw that it is possible to so control our actions that we ‘keep’ the law. The Pharisees did that. So then I realized that their attitudes and motives were wrong. But as I spent more time in the Word, especially Psalms, there were places that said sin, but also sins. I suspected that our sin nature was even deeper than our motives and attitudes. It is like a part of our DNA. The Bible says you can grind a fool but not remove folly from him. Sin is the part of me that prefers anything other than God. That would have been my definition right before starting this study. As far as a change in my understanding, it is just reinforced that my sin is deeper and more pervasive than I am willing to see. Even now.
7. Defining problems before being able to solve them. How do you see that in the seven letters? In each of the six that are told Jesus has something against them, He confronts them with how He sees them. For Ephesians, He tells them they have left their first love. They have started preferring something else to Jesus.
8. How long have God’s qualities been seen and ignored? Since the very beginning of creation. It makes me question when the fall really happened? Was it when Eve made the decision to reach for the fruit? When she questioned the goodness and truth of God? Or was there something even before that, that made her willing to listen to Satan at all?
I always love your honesty, Mary. So good to see you here. I love this~ I can relate! Early on as a Christian, it would have been wrong actions. Then I saw that it is possible to so control our actions that we ‘keep’ the law. The Pharisees did that. So then I realized that their attitudes and motives were wrong. But as I spent more time in the Word, especially Psalms, there were places that said sin, but also sins. I suspected that our sin nature was even deeper than our motives and attitudes. It is like a part of our DNA. The Bible says you can grind a fool but not remove folly from him. Sin is the part of me that prefers anything other than God. That would have been my definition right before starting this study. As far as a change in my understanding, it is just reinforced that my sin is deeper and more pervasive than I am willing to see. Even now.
Love your answers, Mary
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations; Love the comments from John Stott and Tim Keller. We suppress the truth that God is God. He alone is to be worshipped, esteemed with reverence. Sin hates; but sin love everything it puts in the place of God. “We think we are wise, but we exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man… ” how could I possibly do this, yet I have done this….We can see it easily in others, but we miss it in ourselves. We are easily lulled into the gray areas; we so need our Savior every minute of every day. Sin hates to give glory to God. How I pray that I will be aware every minute that everything…every single minute… every person….food….home…shelter…income….every thing I see, hear, taste, feel and smell….is a gift from God. He is ALL. Before HIM was nothing. Without Him it is nothing.
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25? I love Tim Keller’s comment: “Idolatry is the root of all sin.” Idolatry is putting anything in God’s place. Our idols own us. Our anger and hate own us. Our egos own us. We belong to them. We live the lie.
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21? Our foolish hearts become darkened. Our senses become dulled to our evil. We embrace what pleases us over what pleases God.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24? The result of our sin~ Therefore God gave them over…in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. If we consistently ignore and disobey God~ if we think we know what is better for us than He does~ The result (therefore) He gives them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so their bodies would be dishonored among them. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie. They worshiped and served the idol.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it? We have to breathe ~ you cannot “not” breathe~ you cannot “not” worship. If you breathe under water, you drown. You worship something. Result (therefore) to those who worship and serve their idols: God hands them over to the idols they crave. The Wrath of God; Evil always provokes the wrath of God.
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness? Oh, yes! I keeps deepening in my soul and spirit: The importance of really worshipping God; of worshipping only God. I pray daily that I am strong enough in my convictions to stand up to those who want me to stand up for the wrong things. There are so many “good” sounding values which, in essence, are bad. How I pray for discernment, not to be weak in standing up for God, in spite of the pressures of society. Our upside down culture at this moment is such a good example of this.
I keep thanking God you are here, Patti.
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
I would have defined sin as doing something that was bad. Yes, the scripture has helped me understand sin in general and my sin better.
I think it is interesting how God is described leaving us to our own desires to let us figure things out on our own or to run to Him.
Wednesday
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20?
Since the creation of the world.
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, are worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments?
There’s a line drawn between worldliness and righteousness and the more the pendulum swings towards worldliness, sin is justified and becomes the standard. I would liken it to what is happening in America today. I remember when living together before marriage was a sin, but it became that everyone was doing it, so it became accepted, though still a sin. The same would be true of same sex marriage/relationships. Those that speak out against these things and other sins, on the side of the pendulum that swings towards righteousness are different, old fuddy duddies if you will. As Paige says, look odd. Even I as a Christian become worldly because I want to fit in…it’s not fun being different but the older I get I realize it’s exactly what I want to be and who I am in Him.
*10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31? What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list? What mindset makes them strange? Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking?
It’s sad that there aren’t a lot on this list that are shocking. The one that really stands out to me is haters of God. I’m doing a study on pride and to see arrogant and boastful in the the same list doesn’t really make the mindset strange. I don’t know, maybe I’m just not a deep thinker.
Hater of God is really frightening. But I see it, even in my little village. We were the last dry town in Wisconsin until the vote last year. Not that I think drinking in moderation is wrong – -I don’t. But now we have a bar called THE BAD MORAVIAN (the Moravian church is very popular here). The owner has a painting of himself crucified. How can do you do that if you don’t hate God? But I am also convicted by Paul going on and turning the finger around at me.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation?
Each church was given an analysis of who they were and what they had become.
Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus?
I had to look it up…. The people had lost their love for Christ.
How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin?
Losing their love for Him means they are focused on loving something else. The Bible says you cannot have two masters. You will serve one. If sin is ungodliness then not loving God “…as they did…” would qualify as sin.
Laura, piggyback on what you said about the Bible saying we can’t have two masters… Same as Paige said; we can’t not worship. We will worship something, and we will have a master. We have this idea that we are our own master, but that is a lie. We either have Jesus as our Master, or we are serving Satan. Even if we think we are serving ourselves or our idols.
(Romans 1:16-17)
3. What is the thesis of Romans as stated in Romans 1:16-17? Look at it carefully and make observations.
The Gospel is God’s power alone that brings us to Himself. In the Gospel, His Righteousness reveals our sin, and therefore our inability to be good enough to enter into a relationship with Him but not only that, it reveals our need for Him daily. It also reveals that He covers us with His righteousness and enables us to walk by faith-daily.
*4. Can you detect in yourself any “tonic” approach to Jesus? What do you most readily look to Christ for? What are you most eager for Him to do for you? What needs prompt your most immediate prayers?
Me? Never (smile). Oh my, I’m with Bing and cringe that I too can easily use Him as a tonic. So, lately I’ve been asking Jesus to make all my co-workers happy with the work I am doing at my new job and to help me be successful. Of course, mixed in with it is to bring Him glory and attract others to Him, but I wonder what the percentage of desire is for each? I also wonder why I haven’t repented of the sin beneath the sin that would cause me to desire success at my job more?
Oh Rebecca, I identify. Such a battle!
Wednesday
11. Width: How does Paul show those us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore?
We are being hypocritical. As the saying goes, when you point your finger at others there are 3 pointing back at you. We condemn ourselves when we pass judgement on others and are no better than they are. The therefore is there to let us know we’re without excuse and the chopping block of the diagnosis is about to drop.
*12. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than your own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them?
I struggle because of approval and I’m aware of anyone’s sin that makes me look better. I may have sin in my life but at least it’s not as bad as theirs.
13. In the book of Revelation there are four different perspectives of the wrath of God: We have been through the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets. Against what is God so angry? Is this only against unbelievers? How is this similar to Romans?
He’s angry at those who have persecuted His children, unbelievers/unrepentant, evil and the beast. Believers are not immune from the results of His anger, but I don’t think He’s angry at them. This verse popped out at me from Revelation that reminded me of Romans…9:20-21, The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent even then of the works of their hands, so as to cease worshiping and paying homage to the demons and the idols of gold and of silver and if bronze, stone, wood, which neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders, sorceries, immorality nor of their thefts. Mankind continued to worship anything but God…they could not not worship.
Loved your honesty with 12. Me too!
Tues: Analysis Pillar – Part I. (Defining Sin)
(Romans 1:10-3:20)
Paige: “When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we aren’t grasping it.”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations.
Sin is godlessness, suppressing the truth through wickedness; refusal to see God for who He is, darkened hearts, fools.
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
Serving created things rather than the Creator. We were created to worship. If we don’t worship God, then we are worshiping something, or someone. What/who do I worship?
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
Our thinking becomes futile and our minds darkened.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.”
This means that there are consequences to our choice of evil. “Here, have at it,” God is saying.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
When I reject God, I will give in to self, and therein lies my transgression.
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
Sin is falling short of the glory of God. Yes, I am seeing sin as anything that replaces God in my life. It is not believing God for who He truly is. It is not believing his Word. It is living for myself and not Him.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin?
The Ephesian believers have become complacent, apathetic, forgetting their first love. It wasn’t a lack of words or deeds, the Ephesian church has lost its fervor and zeal for God.
Tues: Analysis Pillar – Part I. (Defining Sin)
(Romans 1:10-3:20)
Paige: “When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we aren’t grasping it.”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations – From my own reading, I see that there were some who followed Jesus and knew all about him but did not truly reveal they did and because of that, their consequence from Jesus was giving them away to their sins. They turned their backs on the One True God and ended up having their own sin as idols to themselves. This is what I picked up from watching and listening to Paige God’s definition of sinfulness; *ungodliness because God created everything and called it all good; *Sin hates to give glory and thanks to God; *What are we embracing when we reject the truth; *Evil always provokes God’s wrath; *You will serve what you worship; *Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25? – The root is when we exchange the truth for a lie and worship the lie and not the creator.
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21? – Our thoughts become worthless and our hearts are darkened to the lies.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24? – I see it here as a chance to correct our sinful ways that we lost because of our darkened hearts and the believing of lies. We had the chance to repent of our wicked thoughts and we didn’t so God gave us what we were wanting at that time.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it? – I don’t remember that portion.
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.”
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness? – I have always said, well since becoming a Christian, that sin is sin and it doesn’t matter how big or small the sin is. How harsh the sin may be. God sees sin all in the same light, though we tend to think that a minor sin will not be judged in the same manner as possibly a murder or major crime. These verses tell me that any sin is me turning away from God the true creator and will put distance between me and my relationship with Jesus
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin? – I’m not sure on this since I’m not in the Revelation study, but I’m thinking that we have to own our sin, acknowledge that we have sinned and repent from it and know that if we don’t we will not be able to be near Jesus. Our sins will keep us apart. But when we do realize the sin, and ask for forgiveness Jesus can start the healing process that will bring us back to his side.
Julie — so good to have you here. Don’t feel like you have to do the Revelation questions, so glad to have you do so!
I have wondered on Romans 1:21 if Paul is saying everyone knows that God exists in their hearts but suppresses it — thoughts?
I have had the same question asked of me by two people this week. Is Romans 1:21 saying that “All know God but have suppressed Him?” I’ve always understood this to mean we have no excuse to say God does not exist because we are created in His image with an innate desire to worship Him, therefore denying Him goes against our very essence. It’s much more work, and much more painful, to reject Him than to except Him. Even basic, intentional observation of His creation points us directly to Him. Paige’s reference to “sin is a rejection before a transgression” makes so much sense to me. I was jolted with the idea Paige talked about that Gods wrath is His giving us over to ourselves! This as opposed to swift and harsh punishment was eye opening to me! And scary! However, back to the thought that no one is without excuse in knowing God, I’ve had people ask me then, why the need for missionaries and evangelists? If all are created to know Him and without excuse, then doesn’t that mean that missionaries are not really introducing people to God (Jesus), but rather pointing out their rejection of Him, like a prophet? Thoughts?
Julie, I think you are absolutely right in that missionaries are pointing people to their rejection of Jesus. My father, being a missionary always told me, if people reject the gospel, they’re not rejecting you but God Himself. That is how he and other missionaries witnessed…they got it! Why the need for missionaries and evangelists? They (unbelievers) are suppressing the truth and maybe their foolish hearts can be exposed to the light. I always think of the story of The Peace Child. Missionaries (the Richardson’s) to Dutch New Guinea. There were 3 tribes constantly fighting so the Richardson’s decided to leave. They didn’t want them to leave so the tribes came up with a plan to make peace between them by each giving up a son to their hated foes. This of course gave the Richardson’s a wonderful opportunity to tell them about how God had already given up His Son for them and many believed. The truth was opened to them and their hearts became wise and exposed to the light.
Wed: Analysis Pillar – Part II. (Dimensions of Sin)
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20? – They have been around since the beginning of Creation so we have no excuse to say we don’t know who God is. He has always been with us.
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, are worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments? – When we live more in the world so we feel like we fit in more, we are not only hurting our future, but we are hurting God as well. Following the ways of this world will bring us more to being sinners. We need to be strong in our convictions for what and who we believe and put our trust in. We have to move ourselves away from sinful ways and keep our thoughts pure so our hearts or pure.
*10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31? What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list? What mindset makes them strange? Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking? – the list is endless it seems, they are…full of unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; the next group lists the following…full of envy, murder, strife, deceit. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, proud, boastful, inventors of evil things and disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, calloused, and unmerciful. I think that having a sin of murder along with disobeying parents is on opposite sides of the spectrum. To think that some of these more lesser offenses if you can call them that are right up there with murder, sexual immorality and wickedness. This takes me back to my other answer, where to God a sin is sin, it doesn’t matter to him how severe the sin is. If you do any of these, in His eyes are you a sinner. I think it follows the failure to acknowledgement of God because when we fall away from the truth of the power of God, these things in the list can easily slip right in without our even knowing they have settled in our hearts and minds. We have to be so careful, especially in today’s world, where there are so many things that seem right, but really aren’t. It’s getting harder and harder to know what and who to believe in media any more. Our eyes have to be stuck like glue to God’s Word, it will be the only way we will know the sin from the truth.
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11. Width: How does Paul show those us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore? – I think THEREFORE here is a warning to us to not think we are exempt from sinning. That we will point fingers at others sins, especially if we think they are committing much heavier sins where our own sins don’t even compare. He is telling us we are all sinners so open our eyes to our sins and work on getting ourselves right with God.
*12. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than your own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them? – Sadly yes, I find myself looking at the sins of others when I am mumbling and crumbling to God. I’m getting better at stopping that and reversing it back to me where I say I know I’m not any better. My problem is that I do things one way and others don’t do it the same so I find I point their ways out to God and believe that mine is always right. I’m trying to get to the point where I see others as God sees them and look deeper in to my own heart so I can fix it and not have a distance between me and God.
13. In the book of Revelation there are four different perspectives of the wrath of God: We have been through the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets. Against what is God so angry? Is this only against unbelievers? How is this similar to Romans? – I so wish I had shorter work days so I could have stayed in with this study. Such a complicated book that the study and all of you would have helped make it easier.
9. Paige said that worldliness makes sin look normal and righteousness odd. Very, very true. And the further I let worldliness have a place in me, the worse it gets. Sometimes, it’s because I don’t want to be odd that I choose to inch closer to the world, rather than away from it. But James says the same thing we’ve been talking about; you either pursue godliness, which is hatred toward the world or the opposite. You can’t have it both ways. Only one master.
10. I’d never really looked at this list for shock value before. I would skim over and agree, yep, those things are wrong. But today in looking for shocking, the very fact that with the exception of murder, none of these is shocking shocks me. Pretty much, people will agree these things aren’t good, but we see them as unavoidable parts of society and being human. The mindset that makes them strange is looking at them from God’s perspective. He didn’t make us for these things. We aren’t supposed to just shrug and say, oh well. They are, without exception, supposed to shock us. The list follows the failure to acknowledge God naturally. Only His light and perspective awakens in us an awareness of something different and better. As far as the refusal to fit Him into our thinking, that by itself is never enough. Maybe we could be better at being religious, but we’d never be better. We need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
11. Paul turns our shaking heads and the tsk, tsk we are saying while looking at others and says we are the same. Kind of like Nathan telling David he was the man. Why the therefore? Is it because Paul knows that we chose blindness and he wants to wake us up? It it because he had needed waking up?
12. Do I struggle with a critical spirit? Oh, yes. What Sharon said hit me straight on. I want people to accept me and think well of me. But I can’t take the chance they will condemn me, so instead I have that internal dialogue, rehearsing the sins of others. Obviously, I do it more with the people closest to me. I see them the most. If I were honest, I criticize them because otherwise I have to humble myself and that isn’t attractive to me. With people further out, what is remarkable is the few times criticism isn’t my default, thinking instead that I don’t know their story. When I just feel love and compassion for them in their distance from God. In my sinful nature, I see others with a critical eye because if I truly saw myself through that same lens, it would crush me. It is a maladaptive coping mechanism for my own sin.
13. In Revelation, God is angry and wrathful against Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and those who refuse to turn to Him despite His repeated attempts, up to the very end. I listened to a podcast today where they were asking if these are the last days. One man said, you can look at it like this. On the street, that nearly for everyone you see, it will be the end for them within the next 70 years. It made me think of how God is reaching out to each person, trying to get them to turn to Him before their last day. According to Paige, in Romans, God is angry against evil. So it is the same as in Revelation.
Your reflection on Sharon’s comment shows me how much this group is as iron sharpening iron — for me too!
So good Mary…The mindset that makes them strange is looking at them from God’s perspective. Wow!! That sure gives me a different perspective of them as I didn’t feel shocked…even murder, because we/I do that in our/my minds.
Wed: Analysis Pillar – Part II. (Dimensions of Sin)
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20?
Since the creation of the world and that is a long time!
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, our worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments?
If the world is my standard instead of the Word, sin can surely be normalized and excused in the guise of tolerance, “love”, slogans like “be kind”. Being righteous then becomes being a bigot, intolerant and hateful.
*10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31? What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list? What mindset makes them strange? Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking?
I thought “murder” combined with envy, strife, deceit, and malice was strange. It is strange as murder is so overt compared to the others which could be hidden. Yet, these 4, namely, envy, strife, deceit, and malice can lead to murder.
People at times might categorize sin as big or little. We have not committed murder (a big sin) ad envy is really “not too bad”. We are humans, you know. We are not like the tax collector “over there”. We give our tithes and help the poor, etc, etc.
This list follows the failure to acknowledge God because they “have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.” V.31 This is proper sequencing, perhaps: NO understanding leads to NO fidelity, which leads to NO love, and therefore, NO mercy.
10. Width: How does Paul show those us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore?
We are all on the same level and we do not have any excuse. We do the very same thing that we pass judgment for others.
*11. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than our own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them?
Yes. The sins of those closest to me seem to be more in my face than my own. I point a finger and do not notice the 3 others pointing back at me! My basis is self-righteousness which I know is as filthy rags! Isaiah 64:6
Bing, I like this…we are all on the same level. From Paiges teaching I seem to remember her saying we all start at the foot of the cross.
8. Length: How long have the qualities of God been seen (and ignored) according to Romans 1:20?
Ever since the world was created!
9. Depth: Sin goes to the center of us: our love, our hearts, are worship. Paige said: “Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness look odd.” Comments?
We are bombarded with worldliness everyday. It is in our face. We must remember it is really not what we desire. Eternal life is the gift we receive if we do the hard work of staying focused. No husband, car, house, food, drink, child, etc. will ever compare. They are fleeting. He is long lasting.
*10 Breadth: What are the most shocking sins erupting from sinfulness listed in 1:29-31?
“Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.”
Romans 1:29-31 NLT
I actually think verses 26-27 are worse….
“That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”
Romans 1:26-27 NLT
What are the strangest combinations to see together in this list?
I think quarreling and gossip are weird with murder. Also disobeying your parents with new ways to sin.
What mindset makes them strange?
I guess the mindset that some sins are worse than others?
Why would this list follow the failure to acknowledge God, or the refusal to fit Him into our thinking?
Well, I’m not sure I understand this question, but would it be that God is love and none of these point back to love at all?
Laura — on the last question, it stems from the statement that sin is a rejection of God before it is ever a transgression. She was quoting Piper and John Stott. That was thought-provoking for me, and sobering.
(Romans 1:10-3:20)
Paige: “When there is not rejoicing over the gospel it means we aren’t grasping it.”
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations
Paul covers most if not all the activity of sin yet at the same time points to the root of sin in our hearts. We aren’t rejoicing in the Gospel.we are rejoicing in our idols.
John Stott: “Sin is the negation of good — essence of sin is godlessness.”
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
We exchange the truth (the Gospel) for the lies of our idols. This makes me ill inside to think I have embraced my idols, pushing back the Holy Spirit’s convictions inside me to turn. All it takes is remembering the truth-that ultimately Jesus was forsaken by God so that I could be united with Him, and I struggle forsaking my idols for Him!! To exchange every wonderful thing about Him for an idol-how can I? It’s polar opposite of what He exchanged for me!! Yet I do and it frustrates me. I hate it when I like it and/or prefer it over God-that is sin!!! I understand more and more what Paul meant when he said he does the things he doesn’t want to do and doesn’t do the things he wants to.
Tim Keller: “Idolatry is the root of all sin. Taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing.”
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
Our thinking will become futile and our hearts darkened. As time goes on, we will grow even more blind to our sin and justify it, and not turn until maybe our lives are destroyed from it.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
Because we embraced our idol rather than Jesus, He will let us and we will experience the inevitable bad consequences that will come.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it? I do remember her mentioning drowning but forgot what she said so I cheated and looked at what everyone here was saying to jog my memory. When we drown it is caused by eventually breathing in water. We can’t NOT worship so when we don’t worship God we will be worshiping something else and eventually we are drowning in it serving whatever idol we’ve replaced God with, and it starts to own us-we will never own it.
John Piper: “Sinning is any thought or feeling or action that comes from a heart that does not honor God. We talk about sin and brokenness and don’t talk about God. It’s all ultimately against God. Sin is a rejection before it is ever a transgression.” – I love this!
*F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
I would have defined it more as the activity of sin or what is underneath-idolatry causing the sin activity, rather than that the essence of what sin really is, ungodliness-a broken relationship with God-rejecting God, loving everything put in the place of God.
That “rejection of God before transgression” is very sobering.
11. Width: How does Paul show those us, if we are thinking of how this applies to others, our blindness in Romans 2:1-4? Why does he begin with therefore?
This question doesn’t make sense to me. God gave us up to our sin? We have a choice between sin or Him. Hmmmm….you cannot NOT worship. It’s always cause and effect. God lets us pursue the lie that our idols are important.
*12. Look at 2:1-4. Do you struggle with the tendency to be critical of everyone except yourself? Whose sin are you more aware of than your own? What is the basis of the difference you see between yourself and them?
I try to not do this. But, it’s hard! Especially to those who are living in and being tolerant of the world today. Especially when it harms children…..where are the adults in our society any more? How does a 14 year old know what is right for the rest of their life? Did I? Did you? Kids are being given adult topics to consider these days and not being allowed to be children. It is not fair to them and in some cases it is harmful to them. See….here I go!
I’m probably more in tune with my family’s sin, especially my own children.
I think I am more righteous than them because they know God and the Bible a little bit, but not to the extent I do. They don’t want to know. I long for God to speak to me so I can get it right.
Oh Laura…
I think I am more righteous than them because they know God and the Bible a little bit, but not to the extent I do. Such an easy trap for me to fall in🤦🏻♀️
6. Definition of Sin: Read Romans 1:18-25
A. Make comments and observations.
God’s anger, or wrath, is against all sinful, wicked people who prevent the truth from being known. Paul says that the truth about God is known instinctively, because He placed it right in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen God’s Creation; the earth, the sky, everything He has made. When people look at Creation, they are seeing God’s invisible qualities. So, Paul says, men are without excuse.
Yet, though they knew God, people refused to worship Him or give Him thanks. They invented their own ideas about what He is like, and their minds became dark and confused. They thought they were wise, but in reality they were fools. They chose to worship idols make to look like people or animals instead of God.
God’s response was to let them go ahead and live life without Him. Things only got worse as their darkened minds led to acting out in their bodies. People chose to believe lies instead of truth. The things God made were worshipped instead of God.
This just shows the beginning seeds of sin and how it continues to spiral and progress down a path that is ever more wicked, deceived, and depraved.
B. What is the root of all sin according to this passage, which culminates in verse 25?
The root here is worshipping the things God made but not the Creator Himself. This is the definition of idolatry, which is the root of all sin.
C. What happens to our minds when we do not cling to God through the day but cling to idols according to verse 21?
Our minds become dark and confused. Paige called this a “debased” or “unfit” mind, saying that a debased mind looks like worldliness – that system of values and beliefs, behaviors and expectations in any given culture that have at their center the fallen human being and that relegate to their periphery any thought about God. So if I am consumed with serving my idols all day, God is pushed to the periphery of my life, I move further and further away from Him, and my behavior and actions will not be Christ-like.
D. Paige defined the wrath of God as anger against evil. The form it takes is handing them over to their idols. The word “Therefore” is important in Romans. How do you see it in verse 24?
The “Therefore” in verse 24 comes after the verse about people worshipping things instead of God, so it means because of this….so….therefore….God gave them up, or handed them over. God’s “Therefore” is His just and righteous assessment of the situation and handing out the consequences.
E. She gave an illustration with how drowning happens. Do you remember it?
Paige said someone drowns, not because they hold their breath, but because they MUST take a breath. We cannot not breathe. She used this example to explain that we cannot not worship. We must, we will, worship something. She quoted Chesterton here: “When man does not worship God, it’s not that he worships nothing. He will worship absolutely anything.”
F. Before this study, how would you have defined sin in a conversation? Has 1:18-25 changed your understanding of sinfulness? Of your own sinfulness?
I likely would have said that sin is breaking God’s heart; God wants the best for us, and so that is why He instructs us in how to live. When we don’t follow His ways, we end up hurting ourselves and others. I may have pointed out some of the Ten Commandments, saying that no one can honestly say they have never sinned. So I looked at sin as more of specific acts, like lying, stealing, or committing adultery.
What was most helpful to me is how Paige explained it. She said sin is so hard to define; is it violence, crime? What qualifies as a sin? She pointed out that Paul begins with God’s definition of sin, which is that condition in us that leads to all sin. Something is wrong with us. So this passage begins to unravel it; sin is a negation of the good, sin is always against somebody. And the essence of sin is god-lessness. It is an attempt to get rid of God, but we can’t…so we will live as though we did. The way Paige explained this helped me to understand Paul’s language here.
7. Analysis of our problem has to happen before there can ever be a solution. How did you see that in each of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation? Do you remember what the basic problem was in Ephesus? How does this relate to the analysis of the source of sin?
In each of the letters to the churches in Revelation, each was very concise. They were given a kind of summary of their behavior, perhaps commended for something, and if there was a rebuke, it was very clear and concise. For example, the church in Pergamum was told that they were tolerating people who were like Balaam, who showed Balak how to teach the Israelites to worship idols. So they were given an analysis of their problem and then a direction forward, which always first included repentance.
In Ephesus, they were told that they don’t love God or others as they did at first. They were an example of a dead church. From DeYoung’s sermon that week (I looked back) he said “The church had turned inward and their lack of love manifested itself in lack of life-giving fellowship and lack of life-giving witness.”
If the root of sin is idolatry, or a negation of God, these believers were doing church but without a real, life-giving love for God and others. But they probably didn’t even realize what they were doing, which is the scary thing.
So true!
f the root of sin is idolatry, or a negation of God, these believers were doing church but without a real, life-giving love for God and others. But they probably didn’t even realize what they were doing, which is the scary thing.
Thursday
14. Meditate on Romans 3:21-22 and share your observations and comments.
The way to be right with God is by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and this doesn’t require keeping the law. This is true for all who believe, no matter who you are.
15. Redemption — the gospel takes Jesus to the slave market. How do you see this in 3:24?
By God making us right through Jesus Christ, when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
We’ve sold ourselves at the slave market and He buys us back with Himself.
16. Reconciliation — the gospel takes Jesus to the mercy seat. How do you see this in 3:25?
God put Christ forward as a propitiation (the same word for mercy seat) by His (Christ’s) blood. This sacrifice showed God’s fairness by holding back and not punishing those who sinned in the past.
Jesus is sitting on the mercy seat with open hands. The answer to reconciliation- is a relationship – He paid the price.
17. Righteousness — the gospel takes Jesus to the law court. How do you you see this in 3:25?
God showed His righteousness by being just and the justifier of one who has faith in Jesus.
Righteousness is offered to us. Our salvation is sure because He saves righteously – it’s airtight. God’s way of righteousing the unrighteousness.
18. In Revelation John was about to despair because no one, not one, was worthy to open the scroll. Then one of the elders told him good news in Revelation 5:5. What was it, and how does the picture of the lamb take us back to our great need and to the mercy seat?
Jesus Christ was the only one worthy to open the scroll. The 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb…singing, Worthy are You to open the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God…Revelation 5:6