Questions from the Text    (March 14, 2010)

SERMON:  Romans 13:8-14 ("The fulfillment of the law").  We will also celebrate the profession of faith and baptism of Derek Coller and enjoy a children's lesson.

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT CLASSES:  Last week of Winter Session.   Spring Session starts next Sunday, March 21st.   Be sure to sign up on Sunday!

SUGGESTED FAMILY WORSHIP TEXT:  Leviticus 19 or the Ten Commandments (do you know in which two chapters they can be found?)

HYMNS:      ~ Wondrous King All Glorious (Trinity 198)
                      ~ My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (Trinity 521)

SONGS:     ~ In Christ Alone and several others

DEVOTIONAL:   Questions from the Text

We return this week to the thirteenth chapter of the book of Romans, continuing to study the Christian life, also known as the doctrine of sanctification.   We are about to begin that great chapter on Christian freedom, Romans 14, but before we get there, Paul has a bit more to say about Christian love, and how it is central to our sanctification.

So far, in Romans 12-13, we have seen this:   that we are to respond to the free saving grace of God by offering ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, allowing the Gospel to transform our minds  (12:1-2).  This will result in an ability to judge ourselves soberly, as just one small part of the larger Church, using our gifts accordingly (12:3-8).   Paul then directs us in the way of Christian love from 12:9-13:10, with a sizable detour into the Christian's responsibility towards the State.  Why?  Because the Christian's ethic is to reflect the ethic of Christ, which is one of mercy and love.  But in this sinful world, God gives us civil governments to enact justice and keep the  peace, physically.

But we are a New Creation, headed to a Country which will need no peace-keeping or force.  And so Paul returns now to the hope we have, the return of Christ in 13:11-14).   And thus our goals are different than that of this world.   Our goal is to fulfill God's law, and to await the return of Christ.   So how do we do that?   Paul answers:  love.  And so here are some of the questions from Sunday's text we will study and ask the Lord so answer through His word and Spirit:

+ Why does Paul begin by saying to let "no debt remain outstanding," or as the ESV puts it, "to own no one anything?" (verse 8)

+ What then does Paul say we do owe everyone?   How does this interpret and balance out the above statement? (verse 8)

+ How does Paul summarize the "Second Table of the Law" (i.e. commandments 5-10 of the Ten Commandents)?  Where does this summary come from?  (verse 9)

+ What does it mean that "love fulfills the law?" (verses 8 & 10)  Is Paul talking here of our justification or our sanctification?  (hint:  Romans 3:23; 4:5; 10:1-4).

+ Why does Paul then switch to the concept of time, and the need to "wake up?"  (verse 11)  What is the relationship between this and love for neighbor?

+ How can our salvation be nearer now than we when we first believed? (verse 11)

+ What does it mean that the night is nearly over, and what does that have to do with putting on armor?  Why is it armor of "light?"  (verse 12)

+ How do the sinful activities Paul lists in verse 13 reflect a lack of love for our neighbor?

+ What does it mean to "clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ?"   How can we clothe ourselves with a Person?   What does that tell us about Jesus?  (verse 14)

That's it.  Pray for the Lord to bless our worship, Derek's baptism, and His Word this coming Lord's Day?  See you then! ~ Pastor H