“It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom. 9:12-13). As stated in the introduction for this week, it is impossible to understand Romans chapter 9 properly until one recognizes that Paul is not speaking of individual salvation. He is … Continue reading –>
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exod. 19:6). God needed a missionary people to evangelize a world steeped in paganism, darkness, and idolatry. He chose the Israelites and revealed Himself to them. He planned that … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Romans 9. Memory Text: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Romans 9:18). Is it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. . . . For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy . . ., and I will … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The plan of salvation does not offer believers a life free from suffering and trial this side of the kingdom. On the contrary, it calls upon them to follow Christ in the same path of self-denial and reproach. . . . It is through such trial and persecution that the character of Christ is … Continue reading –>
How does Paul describe the new relationship in Christ? Rom. 8:15. What hope is found in this promise for us? How do we make it real in our lives? The new relationship is described as freedom from fear. A slave is in bondage. He lives in a state of constant fear of his master. He stands to … Continue reading –>
His name was Hiroo Onoda. In 1944, at the age of 23, this young Japanese soldier began one of the strangest odysseys in all of history. For twenty-nine years he lived, dreamed, planned, and struggled under the illusion that he was at war – a war that had long ago ended. Living deep in the recesses … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Christ made victory over sin possible for those who believe, not as a means of salvation, but as its result. Lesson 9, December 2, 2017 1. Have a volunteer read Romans 8:1. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What does … Continue reading –>
No condemnation. After last week’s lesson on Romans 7 about how wretched Paul felt his sinful life to be, what has changed with the new chapter? Do you agree that Romans 8 is refreshing and reviving? By contrast, what will Romans 7 do to us if we stumble from a full commitment to Jesus Christ? … Continue reading –>
Our study this week opened with the first paragraph giving us: Hymn 294, “Power in The Blood” – “freedom and victory through Jesus Christ”. Sunday’s lesson shows us that we surrender to Jesus: Hymn 309, “I Surrender All”. Once again we are reminded of Power In The Blood. This idea comes to us again in … Continue reading –>
Paul continues his theme, contrasting the two possibilities that people face in how they live: either according to the Spirit – that is, the Holy Spirit of God, which is promised to us – or according to their sinful and carnal natures. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal death. There is no … Continue reading –>
