Grace and peace,
Continuing in this Chapter Memory Study in the Book of Romans, we come to chapter 10.
The memory passage for chapter 10 is:
Romans 10:8-10
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
The outline theme is Righteous Word of Faith.
Paul begins this chapter in a similar way to how he started chapter 9; stating his burden for the nation of Israel to be saved. He professes that they have zeal (they were known as 'God-intoxicated' people), but it is based on ignorance not knowledge. By creating their own system of righteousness, they refused to submit to God's righteousness through Christ.
The memory passage begins with a question; 'But what does it say?'. The 'it' here is the word of faith (thanks to Paul's parenthesis). But to establish the word of faith, he quotes from Deuteronomy 30:14, "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart". The Deuteronomy passage shows us that the righteousness of faith was built into the law. It says to obey the Lord, love the Lord, walk with Him, keep His commandments...and you shall live and be blessed.
Verses 9 and 10 are stops on the Romans Road of track evangelism. It speaks of confession and belief in the word of faith. The first phrase mirrors the order from Deut 30 (mouth then heart) and the second phrase reverses the two. This does not ordain two separate paths to salvation, but simply highlights the core of faith; believe in your heart who Christ is and what He did, and then proclaim it (because you can't contain it).
But we must always remember that it is not our faith or words that seal our salvation. The power of salvation is in Who we believe in and the truth that we proclaim. He is the Rock, the foundation that our faith must be built upon.
Verse 13 contains a quote from Joel 2:32 that Paul applies to belief in this word of faith; "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved". To call on His name means to acknowledge and believe all that He is with all of your heart.
14-16 outline the process of coming to belief; some are sent to preach so that many would hear, believe, and call on His name. For 'faith comes from hearing' (17), but hearing must lead to obedience.
Israel has heard of the righteousness of faith but has rejected it. And as He promised in the Old Testament, those who are not 'the nation' will be blessed with the availability of saving faith.
How does this affect my worship?
Confession is an integral part of worship. There are two uses for the word confession, and they both come to bear on true heart-worship. The confessing (admit having done wrong) of our sin to God restores our relationship with Him so that our heart is cleansed and our worship is unhindered (1 John 1:9). Confessing (acknowledge something to be true) that He is Lord (v9, Phil 2:11) is an act of submission to His sovereign rule in our hearts. We do this because He is our Father, we are His children, and He is worthy of all our worship.
How does this affect my discipleship?
It is nice when you and your message are received with grace and enthusiasm. That may not always be the case. Some people will see your 'beautiful feet' and welcome you, while others just think you're messing up their rug with the sand from your sandals. The Great Commission includes commands to preach (proclaim) the Gospel and make disciples. These are not two separate jobs for two separate people with two separate gift-sets. As disciples of Christ we must faithfully proclaim the 'word of faith' AND make disciples of Christ.
May the Word of Faith be always in your mouth and in your heart,
Ethan
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Romans 9
Grace and peace,
We're back on track with the Chapter Memory Study through Romans. Continuing with chapter 9, the memory passage is Romans 9:6-8.
Romans 9:6-8
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
The theme for this chapter is "Righteous Sovereignty of God".
Paul begins this chapter with a graphic description of his burden for his countrymen, the Jews. While it is impossible for him to be 'accursed and cut off from Christ' for their sake, you can clearly feel his heavy heart for the nation of Israel that rejected Christ. After all, he says, they have been given adoption (as sons), glory (of God revealed), covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, etc), the law (given by His hand), worship (service in the tabernacle/temple), promises (especially of the coming Messiah), and the patriarchs (line of promises). How can a nation so privileged by God be so blinded to their own Messiah? Paul's anguish is clear.
The memory passage outlines the whole chapter with correction and confirmation. The true children of God are 'counted as offspring' apart from descendants or heritage.
Verses 9-26 deal with the sovereignty of God. Jacob was loved over Esau 'before they had done...either good or bad'. Pharaoh's hardness was endured by God until the perfect time to show His power. The pot (us) has no right to judge the Potter (God) as to his ways or means. God has shown His patience with vessels of destruction so that His justice and wrath might be known. Bottom line: He is God, we are not.
The closing verses summarize the chapter. Israel has stumbled because they pursued righteousness by their works and not by faith in Christ, the Stone of stumbling.
How does this affect my worship?
True understanding and acceptance of God's sovereignty rests on trust. Who am I (the pot) to say to God (the Potter) that I have a better idea or plan? He is the Potter, and He is the Good Potter; wise, loving, holy, just, and sovereign. My response to His sovereignty must be trust that His Word is true, thankfulness that He loves me and wants the best for me, and constant worship of Him as an acceptable and living sacrifice.
How doest this affect my discipleship?
As we pursue righteousness together, we must always remember that it is by faith and not works. Discipleship should not be burdened with legalistic demands and guilt-driven expectations. Discipleship is walking together in the pursuit of righteousness by the power of Holy Spirit.
May you trust His sovereignty today,
Ethan
We're back on track with the Chapter Memory Study through Romans. Continuing with chapter 9, the memory passage is Romans 9:6-8.
Romans 9:6-8
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
The theme for this chapter is "Righteous Sovereignty of God".
Paul begins this chapter with a graphic description of his burden for his countrymen, the Jews. While it is impossible for him to be 'accursed and cut off from Christ' for their sake, you can clearly feel his heavy heart for the nation of Israel that rejected Christ. After all, he says, they have been given adoption (as sons), glory (of God revealed), covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic, etc), the law (given by His hand), worship (service in the tabernacle/temple), promises (especially of the coming Messiah), and the patriarchs (line of promises). How can a nation so privileged by God be so blinded to their own Messiah? Paul's anguish is clear.
The memory passage outlines the whole chapter with correction and confirmation. The true children of God are 'counted as offspring' apart from descendants or heritage.
Verses 9-26 deal with the sovereignty of God. Jacob was loved over Esau 'before they had done...either good or bad'. Pharaoh's hardness was endured by God until the perfect time to show His power. The pot (us) has no right to judge the Potter (God) as to his ways or means. God has shown His patience with vessels of destruction so that His justice and wrath might be known. Bottom line: He is God, we are not.
The closing verses summarize the chapter. Israel has stumbled because they pursued righteousness by their works and not by faith in Christ, the Stone of stumbling.
How does this affect my worship?
True understanding and acceptance of God's sovereignty rests on trust. Who am I (the pot) to say to God (the Potter) that I have a better idea or plan? He is the Potter, and He is the Good Potter; wise, loving, holy, just, and sovereign. My response to His sovereignty must be trust that His Word is true, thankfulness that He loves me and wants the best for me, and constant worship of Him as an acceptable and living sacrifice.
How doest this affect my discipleship?
As we pursue righteousness together, we must always remember that it is by faith and not works. Discipleship should not be burdened with legalistic demands and guilt-driven expectations. Discipleship is walking together in the pursuit of righteousness by the power of Holy Spirit.
May you trust His sovereignty today,
Ethan
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