“All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Romans 11:25-27
Isaiah 59:20-21
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Romans 11:28-29
2Timothy 2:11-13

God’s faithfulness to us doesn’t depend on our ability to match it.

Romans 11:30-32

God offers his mercy and grace to all… to every last one of us!

Romans 11:33-36
Romans 11:33
Do we acknowledge the greatness of his riches?
Do we trust the superiority of his wisdom?
Do we seek the perfection of His knowledge?
Do we see his judgements as unsearchable?
Do we view His ways as inscrutable?

Romans 11:34
Romans 11:35-36a
Psalm 50:10-12
Colossians 1:15-18
Romans 36b “To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Romans 10:1-4, 14-17
Romans 10:18-21
We would have gotten the blessing we were looking for if we had just done what God said to do in the first place!

Romans 11:1-15
Key Idea: God introduced reverse psychology!
Romans 11:16-24

So what’s our proper posture?
Humility
1 Peter 5:6
Romans 12:3

Gratitude
Eucharisteó (yoo-khar-is-teh’-o): to be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

In all of this, God hasn’t given up on anyone. Neither should we.

Romans 8:31-39

Who can be against us?
No One. Nothing. And None of the Above.

Who will bring a charge against us?
No One. Nothing. And None of the Above.

Who will condemn us?
No One. Nothing. And None of the Above.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
No One. Nothing. And None of the Above.

I am sure that [nothing, no one, and none of the above] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! ~Eric’s Paraphrase

If we are living by and walking in the Spirit,
we’ll be putting aside the desires of the flesh.

If we are living by and walking in the Spirit,there will be fruit in our lives.

If we are living by and walking in the Spirit,people will notice we are different.

Romans 8:1

katakrima (kat-ak’-ree-mah): penalty, punishment following condemnation. It refers to the exact sentence of condemnation handed down after due process has established guilt.

Set Your Mind on the Spirit
Romans 8:2-17

sumpaschó (soom-pas’ kho) refers to experiencing suffering, but suffering of the same likeness of someone else.

Romans 8:18-24
Romans 8:18

God’s future overshadows our current difficulty.

Romans 8:24-27
God gives us hope and help in our struggles.

What is it you need hope and help for?

Romans 7:1-6
Matthew 5:17-18
Romans 7:7-8
Romans 2:12
Romans 7:9-12

The law is holy (ceremonially sacred)
The law is righteous (legally just)
The law is good (morally pure)

Romans 7:13-25

Key Idea #3: In your struggle against sin, the grace of God will sustain you and deliver you in the end.

Key Idea #1: Don’t engage in sin just because grace is greater.
Romans 6:14
Romans 6:15
Key Idea #2: Don’t engage in sin just because we aren’t bound by the law.
Romans 16-19
Hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos’) : consecration, sanctification. The process of making or becoming holy and set apart.
Romans 20-23
Who/what are you working and living for?

Hebrews 2:14-15
Whenever we are stuck living in fear, it’s a form of spiritual slavery.

Romans 5:12
Death came through sin…
Death came through sin… and sin spread to all.
Romans 5:13-14
Romans 5:15-16
Adam’s act was negative; Jesus’ act was positive.
Romans 5:17-19

Adam’s act brought death, condemnation, sin, judgement.
Jesus’ act brought life, justification, salvation, righteousness.

Romans 5:20-21
Jesus has set right what sin made wrong. That makes what He did so much greater!

Greater Still (lyrics)
My sin was deep, your grace was deeper.
My shame was wide, Your arms were wider
My guilt was great, Your love was greater still

Romans 5:1-5
How do I know my faith is really enough?
God’s work in your life and the presence of the Holy Spirit prove it to you.
Romans 5:6-11
Romans 5:6
asthenés (as-then-ace’) literally means “without strength.”
Romans 5:7
Romans 5:8
Paul describes us as three things: weak, ungodly, and sinners.
God’s act of grace came before any act of faith on our part.
If God is that gracious to us, how could we possibly doubt that our faith is enough?
Romans 5:9
Since we’ve been justified (declared righteous) by faith we surely will be saved through faith.
Romans 5:10
If God would give his Son to die for us when we didn’t have faith, why would he turn his back on us now that we believe?
Romans 5:11

Romans 5:1
Our faith is credited to us as righteousness.
Romans 5:1-5

PEACE

Verse 1 “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
eiréné (i-ray’-nay) means oneness, wholeness, peace, quietness, rest
Colossians 1:21-23 NIV

Verse 2 “We have also obtained access by faith into this grace…”
charis (khar’-ece) means grace, favor, kindness
Hebrews 4:16
1 John 4:17-18

Verse 2 “We have hope of the glory of God.”
elpis (el-pece’) means expectation, hope, trust, confidence.

Romans 5:3-5

You have an eternal hope, and hope for the here and now. That hope will not disappoint you or let you down.

Suffering produces endurance.
Endurance produces character.
Character produces hope.

Romans 5:5

Your changed life and the presence of the Holy Spirit are proof that your faith has truly accomplished something real in eternity.

Reflection…