THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS (Part 2)

Study notes to be used with the study of the epistle to the Romans.

CHAPTERS 9-16: THE LIVING SACRIFICE AS PLATFORM FOR CHURCH GROWTH

ROMANS CHAPTER 9
(Romans 9: 3-5; 8-16; 22-26; 30-33)

The key to understanding this chapter is that it deals with the election of “a people” not “a person”. Thus “my kinsmen (v3)”, “Israelites (v4)”, “Children (v8)”, “Vessels (v22,23)”, “Jews & Gentiles (v24)”, “People (v25,26)”, “Israel (v27)”, “Gentiles (v30)”, “Israel (v31)”, “Zion – The Church (v33)”.

And the issue is election of the Church – Eph 1; Rom 1

We conclude that this chapter started the interlude of three chapters (9,10,11) focusing on the New Testament relationship of the Jews (elect through Abraham) with God, compared to the Church as the chosen people, the elect according to the Blood of New Covenant, unto God. This chapter does not support notions relating to individual salvation like unconditional election.

THREE MAIN ISSUES

  • Having Abraham as father, the covenants, the Law, the Shekinah Glory, Aaronic priesthood are not automatic passport to Eternal Salvation
  • Election of the Church in the New Covenant is just as fair as the election of Israel in the Old Covenant. God as the Potter has a right over His pottery.
  • The election of those accounted of as “no body’s” into the Kingdom of God shouldn’t be a stumbling block to Israel if they realise that the basis salvation had always been the revelation of Jesus Christ even from the days of Enoch.

a) Romans 9 :3-5

  • The sorrow and heartache which Paul expressed here for the religious Jews, should also be the state of our hearts for the contemporary religious Church which carries a form of ‘churchianity’ but without the reality of Christ or His Life.
  • Religion does carry the Bible, preach it to others but doesn’t live it. The contemporary religion worships God with its lips but not with its life.

b) Romans 9 :7-16

  • But interrogatory minds like those of the Bereans might say, “but what about Esau and Jacob mentioned as examples”? The answer to this question is that the Holy Spirit was speaking to those who knew the principle as laid out in Pentateuch of Moses: Genesis 25:21-23
  • So, the two nations, the two races, the only two tribes of people which Heaven knows are:
    • ‘Jacob’: who is representative of the Redeemed in Christ Jesus.
    • ‘Esau’ who are the lost because they rely on their own efforts to win their estate. Think of Esau becoming a hunter of rabbits and rats when Isaac is the inheritor of all that Abraham possessed!
  • Read Romans 9:7-8 (TPT)
    You may then ask those who believed from the time of Abraham or even before Abraham, who and what did they believe in that counted for righteousness? How are they of the genealogy of Christ as we are?
  • Let us see whether we can spot a common theme in these passages:
    John 8:56, 58 KJV; Jude 1:14 KJV; Psalms 110:1 KJV; Isaiah 6:1 KJV
    • They all saw Jesus just as we do; we are all saved by grace; they potentially in their times, but we in reality as we are in the age of Grace.
    • Hebrews 11:40 told us that they had to wait for us because “they without us should not be made perfect”

c) Romans 9:22-26

The living sacrifice is designed for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 12:1-2 KJV; Rom 8:19; Romans 9:24-27 TPT)

 d) Romans 9:30-33

We conclude that this chapter started what we will see conclusively in chapter 11: that this is a letter explaining the miserable position of the religious Jew compared to the glory of the Church.

WORKSHOP — 9

  1. Old Testament believers before and after Abraham; who and what did they believe in, which was accounted unto them for righteousness? How are they of the genealogy of Christ as we are?
  2. How do you understand the teaching (or doctrine) of “election by grace”?
  3. Our election is PRIMARILY as elect corporate (Body of Christ). Personal election is secondary and derives from the primary election; that is, it derives from our being individual members of the Church of Christ. Does Ephesians 1:4 contribute to our understanding?

Ephesians 1:4 EASY
“Before God made the world, he chose us to be his people because of Christ. He chose us so that we would please him. Because we belong to Christ, God accepts us as completely good. This shows how much he loves us.”

Ephesians 1:4 ERV
“In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault.”

ROMANS CHAPTER 10
(Romans 10:1-4, 8-13, 17, 19-21)

Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believes. By the deeds of the Law shall neither the Jews nor the Gentiles be saved but faith in Christ Jesus.

a) Romans 10:1-4

  • For Israel to be saved, the condition is same for any other people.
    • While election may be to the Jewry as a people by the promise of Abraham, but sorry, believing in the Gospel (v8-10), is the only way God saves human souls.
  •  Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes.

b) Romans 10:8-13, 17

There is no unconditional election. Every sinner must come to God consciously and voluntarily in repentance and forsake their sins and return to God, for their salvation.

Salvation cannot be conferred by birth, will of man or efforts of the flesh.

c) Romans 10:19-21

  • For Israel to be saved, the condition is same for any other people.
    • While election may be to them as a people by the promise of Abraham, but sorry, believing in the Gospel (v8-10),

WORKSHOP — 10

  1. “Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes.” What do you understand by this?
  2. No individual is unconditionally elected for salvation, repentance unto salvation is a conscious, voluntary decision.  God never overrides man’s free moral agency. Discuss.
  3. Israel was recalcitrant (v21) and we can see the result that followed. Does this not make the case that our contemporary Church (globally and inter-denominationally) should be in a state of repentance for our sin and plead to God for mercy unto Revival instead of various Jamborees we organise? Discuss.

ROMANS CHAPTER 11
(Romans 11:1, 5-6, 11-12, 15, 21, 24-31)
The divinely orchestrated blindness of Israel

Israel blindly as a matter of national and religious pride rejected Jesus Christ. However, their election as a promise still stands. Indeed, that is the guarantee for the remnant who will come into the Kingdom of Christ by common grace. Their rejection facilitating our acceptance should be humbling for us, not reason for arrogance.

a) Romans 11:1, 5-6

  • No, God has not cast out His people. Indeed, the remnant are a point of connection with the time when God will resume His dealings with the Jews during the final 70th week of Daniel, also known as the Great Tribulation. At the end of which Jesus Christ will come back to the Earth physically to reign from Jerusalem.
  • The Jewish remnant that believed in Christ are doing so by grace, just as the rest of the Church. This is the way which God also chooses to fulfil His promise of election: by grace!

b) Romans 11:11-12, 15

  • Their partial temporary relegation is to allow the Gospel to flourish in Gentile lands. Evangelism was never a popular pre-occupation in the Old Testament Israel. Even in the early days of the Church, many Jewish converts constituted a nuisance. They were going round Gentile lands to convince Christians young in the faith that they must be circumcised and obey the Laws of Moses in order to be saved.
  • Their dispensational casting away and diminishing was the riches of the Gentiles.
  • The Gospel is Gentile led because those who received the oracles by a dispensation of angels rejected it. Their loss is our gain.

c) Romans 11:21, 24-31

  •  Don’t be presumptuous too in expecting more outpouring of grace into your unbelief. And don’t be arrogant against the natural branches of the Olive.

WORKSHOP — 11

  1. “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” What do you understand by this?
  2. How did the premise of Judaism become a stumbling block for the children of Israel? What is the spiritual significance of ‘the Remnant’ according to the election of grace?
  3. (a) Why should we be humble rather than triumphalists towards the Jews? Why should this realisation that we are wild olives grafted into the good olive and that its roots bear us give us a passion to reach out to them with the Gospel?
    (b) “Be not high minded but fear (v20)”… “…lest he should be wise in your own conceits; (v25)…” What is the context of these statements and what should that do to your heart and mine?

THE LIVING SACRIFICE: MANIFESTING THE GLORY OF GOD

ROMANS CHAPTER 12
(Romans 12:1-6, 9-10, 16-18)
The new creation man: Manifesting the glory or God

Therefore, means if you have understood the depravity of the human heart, the emptiness of religion and that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. If you understand that salvation is not by works but by grace through the death, burial and resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ. If you know that appropriation of this victory of the Cross cannot be by the Law, Self or Self-will. If you are now walking in the Spirit with fear and trembling knowing the Mercy and severity of God as He demonstrated to Israel.    

  • Therefore, present your body as a living sacrifice.
  • Know and play your role in the Body of Christ.
  • Manifest the Glory of the sons of God.

a) Romans 12 :1-2 — present your body a living sacrifice:

  • Also consider Col 3:1-5; Gal 2:20

b) Romans 12: 3-6 (up to 8) — Be present in the mystery body of Christ:

  • As a lively stone be present and make your presence impactful in the building of the Temple of the Living God.
  • Occupy your space as a member of the The Body of Christ “according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

c) Romans 12: 9-10

Present the manifestation of the sons of God with your spirit, soul and body.

WORKSHOP — 12

  1. What does it mean to be a continuously Living Sacrifice?
  2. We are each dealt a measure of faith (v3) What does this mean? How does faith work amongst the brethren (Read Eph 1:4; Col 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Tim 1:14; 2 Tim 1:13; Philemon 1:5)? Can you see the recurring phrase “faith and love”
    Love is the fulfilling of Law: it works only by faith (and hope)
  3. What do these issues mean to me as an individual and what do they mean to us as a local church?

ROMANS CHAPTER 13
(Romans 13:1-14)
The living sacrifice: Manifesting the glory of God in society

Obedience to delegated authority is indirectly obedience to God, so far as they do not contravene the Holy commandments of our God. We owe love to the church, rulers and as well as society at large. It is time of re-awakening, for manifestation of the sons of God! But remember not in your power: ‘Christ in you, the hope of Glory’.

  • Let us remember that when the instructions started in chapter 12 on how to live our lives in a righteous way that pleases the LORD in every area of life, the chapter started with a therefore!
  • There is little point in preaching any sermon from Romans 12:3 to 16:27, if a man or woman has not seen that “Therefore” and lived it out as a living sacrifice
  • In other words these instructions starting Rom. 12:3 are meant for the new creation man. And he too is not expected to obey them in his / her own strength but through Christ who is at work in him or her.
  • “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13 KJV)
  • It is on this premise that we must see chapter 13. So when all of these instructions are coming out, REMEMBER, you are not being asked to do anything more than, be a bondservant of righteousness and yield your entire being as a living sacrifice thereby allowing Jesus to be the one living His life in you and through you. The point is: “No man can live the Christian life, only Christ can live the Christian life in and through a man”:

a) Romans 13:1 -7

  • God is the Author of every delegated human authority (Psalms 75:6-7)
  • Obedience to secular authority is therefore indirectly obedience to God’s authority.
  • However, that is within the bounds of the Holy Word of God. When the apostles were asked to stop preaching in the name of Jesus they boldly retorted, “…whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye…” Acts 4:19

b) Romans 13:8 -10

  • “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: …love is the fulfilling of the law.”
  • AGAPE Love is the only thing that fulfils every requirement of the Law. Christ is the LORD our Righteousness. Christ in you is the only hope of manifesting this Glory

c) Romans 13:11-14

  • God has not left us unguarded, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand:” (1 Chronicles 12:32 KJV)
  • How we ought to be men and women who understand the signs of the times in which we are!
  • The night is far spent, the dawn is near; the present deep darkness is the last part of the night just before dawn…
  • This is time for another awakening, let us serve God in our own generation before we are gathered to our fathers or before the LORD returns.

PRAYER POINTS

  • Do you see the need for a continuous flow of live connection “current” with Christ if we will ever be the agents of transformation of society which we are called to be?
  • If we are going to see personal revival, revival in our local assemblies and revival in our localities and nation; this is the manner of men and women that God expects us to be.

WORKSHOP — 13
Areas of manifesting God’s glory by the new creation life

  1. “…there is no power but of God (v1)…” Discuss.
  2. “Owe no man anything, but to love one another (v8)” What can we owe one another which we shouldn’t anymore? What can we owe those outside the Church which we shouldn’t owe them anymore?
  3. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: …The night is far spent, the day is at hand” Are you aware of where we are in God’s calendar? Are you a New Creation? An agent of transformation for your society?

ROMANS CHAPTER 14
(Romans 14:1-23)
The living sacrifice: New creation man in tolerance and ministry

The non-negotiable of our faith is salvation from soul destroyers which are: sin, self, Satan, the world system and unbelief. That is what we have learnt so far. In other mundane matters we must let everyman be fully persuade in their own mind by the Holy Spirit. So we must not impose on one another, our personal opinions on food choice, drink choice or sacred days. Rather, let us make it our top priority to live in peaceful and harmonious relationships.

a) Romans 14:1-5
Let everyman be fully persuaded

  • There are spiritual non-negotiables to be rid of, in order to lay hold on Eternal life. These are sin, self and unbelief.
  • However, there are many areas of Christian living that God can choose to give a range of the expressions to differing levels of Christian maturity. So we must not impose our personal opinions on food choice, drink choice or sacred days on one another.
  • Let every man be fully persuaded in his own heart, let everyman be fully persuaded in his own mind.

b) Romans 14:6-9, 10-13
We are the Lord’s

  • There is only one God and there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ. Unto Him we belong: “whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

c) Romans 14:14-18
Acceptable to God, approved of men

  • “there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. …For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.” Anything is mundane if it does not have to do with the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of sanctification unto the Lord and principles of discipleship after Jesus Christ. On such matters of personal choice, we should not go over the top.

d) Romans 14:19-23
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, …And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

  • This means that we should let every man depend rather on the Holy Spirit for direction, when it concerns these non-essentials like choice of food stuff, drink or holidays etc.
  •  “…there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean… For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”

WORKSHOP — 14
New creation man in ministry

  1. “…Christ in you, the hope of Glory” How can we express our faith and Love in Christ Jesus unto one another?
  2. Let Everyman be fully persuaded because we are the LORD’S. Discuss.
  3. If we grasp the truth that “there is nothing unclean of itself”, in considering mundane things our conduct to one another will be acceptable unto God and approved of men. How do you understand this principle in the Church setting?
  4. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Discuss using the COVID Vaccine example.

ROMANS CHAPTER 15
(Romans 15:1-33)
The living sacrifice: Testimony of life

If what happens in Chapter 6 is our experience then our lives should bear the testimony that we live only for others: to empower them, bring them to spiritual maturity by inspiring and encouraging them. We saw the example of Jesus who sacrificed Himself to bring both Jews and non-Jews into this uncontainable joy and perfection in the Holy Spirit. So, did Paul confirm that he taught nothing that he himself has not practiced! How about you brother, sister?

a) Romans 15:1-7
Life testimony of faith and love: Testimony of Christ in me

  • Our maturity in Christ within church context is only demonstrated by life devoted to the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is not in teaching or preaching ability only, but in life.
  • A life devoted to the maturing, empowerment and inspiration of others unto Godly life and maturity.
  • It is by living for others, especially the weak, that we can foster unity of the Body of Christ. Because that is the life which Christ lived, which drew all nations to Him so we too in living by faith and expressing the love of Christ, will speak with one mouth and one language and also draw men to the LORD through our faith, love and oneness.
  • In the workshop, we should break this down and pray over what we can do in practice to empower the weak amongst us in the LORD and embed a strong spirit of unity of the Body of Christ.
  • Christian Maturity has only one parameter for measurement: The measure of Christ life which you live, no more no less!

“This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open… Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message…To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less…” (Colossians 1:26-29 MSG)

  • Christ is in you so that you can share His Love, Mercy and compassion, His grace which is resident in you with others!

b) Romans 15:8-13
The testimony of Jesus Christ

  • The result of the ministry of Jesus Christ is our being filled with all joy and peace and faith that is in Him and through Him, that makes us confident in hope through the power of His Holy Spirit which is at work in us.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:10-12 KJV)

  • Through this great work at Calvary He broke the partition between Jews and Gentiles and made them one into His Mystery Body : the Church (Eph 2:14-18).

c) Romans 15:14-33
The testimony of Paul

“…because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”

  • Paul’s calling was clear to him.” That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” His devotion was edification and maturing of the Gentile Church
  • Paul realised that unless a work of grace has first been wrought inside a man by the Holy Spirit and expressed in life, such cannot bear its fruit in others: ” For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,”
  • His ministry is not limited to the Gentles but also he has burden for the Jews, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.”

WORKSHOP — 15
The place of life testimony in manifestation of the sons of God

  1. By living for others, especially the weak, that we can foster unity of the Body of Christ. How can we in practice enact this principle in the local Church?
  2. How do we bear the testimony of Jesus Christ in our bodies to the eternal blessing of others? (2 Cor. 4:10-12)
  3. One testimony stood out here in the ministry of Paul: “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me” What does this mean to you?

ROMANS CHAPTER 16
(Romans 16:1-27)
The living sacrifice: Fruit bearing (Life of the creation man)

The New Creation Life which the Living Sacrifice lives, is of necessity a fruitful life. Can you see that the twenty nine individuals he was sending his greetings of love to and the eight persons with him in Corinth where he wrote the epistle; all have a deep, affectionate and loving relationship with him? May we all bear fruit for Christ with our lives in Jesus name.

Prayerfully think and pray about every one, each person in your local assembly: who and what are they to you and what do they mean to you in the context of relationships in Christ Jesus?

a) Romans 16:1-16
The new creation in growth and fruit bearing

  • Ours is a life that attracts and compels men to their knees unto the Lordship of Christ.
  • Ours is a fruitful life by design. Designed to grow and reproduce.
  • What to note is the relationship descriptions he ascribed unto each of these persons or couples. Loving, deep, affectionate, intimate and pure acquaintanceship.
  • Shouldn’t we pray to see more of these in our churches?

b) Romans 16:17-23
The new creation man: An admonition for continuity

  • This is central for continuity of life in the Spirit both at individual and at church levels

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

  • This is the greatest and most potent weapon of the Devil against the Church: the leaven of divisiveness
  • Satan invests all and everything that he has into our division.
  • May the LORD swiftly crush the head of the Serpent under our feet. Amen.

c) Romans 16:24-27
The new creation man: A doxology

“…Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

  • If we observe all of these which the LORD had graciously revealed to us in these golden sixteen chapters of this epistle from our beloved Apostle, then our lives and ministry will glorify God.
  • The Holy Spirit will come down in an avalanche of His power and we will see Revival again in the Church.

WORKSHOP — 16
Fruit bearing in a local church

  1. The New Creation Life is designed for fruitfulness. Discuss.
  2. What was the problem with the fruitless fig tree? (Matt 21:18-19) Our Lord is hungry for souls: what is your response?
  3. Prayerfully think and pray about every one, each person in your local assembly: who and what are they to you and what do they mean to you in the context of relationships in Christ Jesus?

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