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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 68)

We’ve seen in past studies that there are many ways to outline Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Whichever outline you prefer it’s important to note a primary theme Paul introduced in Romans 1:16-17 –

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.”

We learn that the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith [read previous study here]. It is because of God’s “righteousness” that we understand how Paul expanded his theme to “the wrath of God.” [read previous study here]

One outline we can use for the current study is –

The Whole World Guilty Before God – Romans 1:18-3:20

We see in these verses how God condemns both Gentiles and Jews, why He does, and the right He has to do it.

Continue reading “Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 68)” →

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Teaching Notes: On The Most Needed Person In The Church

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are part of a study from II Kings that address the need for committed men and women of God in the Church today.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On The Most Needed Person In The Church” →

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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 67)

“For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:25-29

In our last study we looked at verse 25 and Paul’s powerful declaration that “circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.” Circumcision was so important to Jews because it was the sign of God’s covenant to Abraham and his descendants. The idea of becoming “uncircumcision” (which is what they called Gentiles) would have been abhorrent to the Jews.

Paul now takes this idea to an even more powerful level – that of an obedient Gentile judging a Jew!

Continue reading “Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 67)” →

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Teaching Notes: On Conformed Or Transformed

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are part of a study in Romans 12.

[These notes are from a Bible study taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On Conformed Or Transformed” →

gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 66)

“For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is oneoutwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:25-29

The Apostle Paul put the Jews in Rome through some tough questioning in this letter. We saw in our last study that he first told them he knew what they thought of themselves –

  • rest on the Law
  • make their boast in God
  • know His will
  • approve the things that are excellent
  • being instructed out of the Law
  • confident that they are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness
  • an instructor of the foolish
  • a teacher of babes
  • having the form of knowledge and truth in the Law

Then Paul asked the Jews pointed questions for the purpose of showing them that they were not at all what they thought they were, especially in the eyes of God.

  • You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
  • You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
  • You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery?
  • You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
  • You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

Paul then drove his point home with this startling accusation –

“For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written.” Romans 2:24

Continue reading “Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 66)” →

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Teaching Notes: On The Marks Of A Hypocrite

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are part of a study in 1 John about hypocrisy.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On The Marks Of A Hypocrite” →

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Teaching Notes: On Stephen

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are part of a study in the Book of Acts about Stephen.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On Stephen” →