Reflections in Romans, 2:1-16

Romans 2:1-16

I. Who is the Judge? (1-4)

II. (After) Life Sentence (5-11)

III. Law Clarified (12-16)

Summary/Insight:

Those who judge are condemned because they do the same things as those they are judging. Because of stubbornness, unrepentant hearts - storing up God's wrath and his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give according to what they have done. People who are persistent in doing good, seeking honor, glory, immortality will be given eternal life. Those who reject the truth and are self-seeking face God's wrath and anger. First the Jew, then the Gentile. God is impartial, no favoritism. Those who hear the law are seen by God as righteous but those that obey the law are DECLARED righteous. God will one day judge the secrets of the heart through Jesus Christ.

Application Questions:

(I think there are more questions on this one because I was feeling some conviction as I read)

I. Who am I judging? What accusations have I made against them? How am I guilty of similar/same things? Where has God been patient, kind and tolerant in my life and/or situation, in the midst of my judgment of others?

II. Where am I being stubborn and refuse to repent? Where do I deserve God's righteous judgement and wrath? (I know in all areas I deserve it, but this is to make myself aware of specific areas rather than put out a blanket statement.) Where am I rejecting truth? How am I being persistent? Where do I need to be persistent?

III. Am I being obedient to what I've heard? Where do I need to seek God's help and guidance to obey what I've heard? What does my life reflect is on my heart?

Reflections in Romans, 1:18-32

Romans 1:18-32

My insights/summary:

Although many are not used to describe God specifically there are many descriptions of what He is not and what he does not stand for.

God has made himself known through his creation, so all may plainly see there is a creator all our existence. He has eternal power - is divine in nature, immortal and deserving of all glory and praise forever. He is truth and righteousness. He allows people to make their choice but he will also give them over to the consequences of those choices.

Divisions:

I. Creator God may be known plainly & deserves all praise.

II. God allows free will and gives people over to their choices.

III. Life without God results in evil and wickedness.

Application Questions:

Am I offering thanks and praise in all of my circumstances?

Do I recognize God's grace and mercy in my life?

Where do I need to recognize his hand in my life?

Where do I need to confess, repent and show adoration to the Lord?

How am I choosing to exercise my free will?

Who am I seeking to please?

When self-seeking, how can I see the destruction that has come from those choices?

Am I truly with God or without? Am I seeking his knowledge? Am I acting on it or do I do what I want and seek "man's" approval?

What am I exchanging for God's truth and promises? What am I exchanging for the rewards and blessings he offers?

Reflections in Romans, 1:1-17

So for a while I've been wanting to blog but I haven't done anything so while I feel inspired to do so, I'm going to share what I've gotten by doing homiletics and different study methods through passages over our summer break from BSF to get started. I want to go deeper and I think starting out this way will help get my creative flow going. So here goes....

Romans 1:1-17

Summary of what I read:
Paul - dedicated servant of God - has people of Rome on his heart. He is longing to go preach the gospel to them so they may be saved. People are loved by God and called to belong to Christ. Paul is a messenger - offering grace, peace and prayer. He is fully committed to his call/purpose & most importantly, to God. HE wants to share his spiritual gift of preaching and wants to be encouraged by the Romans. He wants to offer the message of salvation so they may have righteousness.

My take aways:
Spiritual Gifts - God's children have them to offer to others.
God puts a mission/calling on each of his children's lives/hearts.
We are called to fully live for God's purposes.
We are to boldly proclaim the gospel to all we encounter. **Note - this isn't always with words, but by our actions and attitudes as well. Most often that speaks louder than the words we actually say.

Application Questions/Going deeper:
What spiritual gifts has God given me and how am I using them for his glory?
Where do I feel God is calling me?
What mission has he set on my heart?
Who's purposes am I focused on - what's my agenda? My own or kingdom-centered/focused?
To who am I proclaiming the gospel - what do my actions and attitude say?