Unlocking Romans Block 4 Session 4

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the time we could spend to study Romans to so far. We really unlock this book uh and see many uh secret hidden treasures. Uh father please bless the final session of this course um and allow us to really um continue to study this precious book and continue to grow in it. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Uh we look at chapter 9 to 11 briefly uh and uh um from chapter 12 onwards up to the first half of actually up to chapter 14 12 13 14 contain the very practical exhortation about the life uh in the church in the body of Christ and the life uh with the society. uh and uh the the relations between the strong and the weak u but I hope we can approach this part not in a fragment way. So same as Romans chapter 1, if you say Romans chapter one, first h sorry, Romans chapter 3, the first part is theodysy, second part is uh universal reality of sin. The third part is justification by faith. That's these are all right. Uh but it breaks the flow. Uh so Romans chapter 12, 134 also contain a flows. Uh so let's look at them together. walk through uh prayer exaltations about Christian life. Uh so Romans 13 12-4. Yeah. So we want to look look at this whole part together because from from chapter 15 uh actually up to chapter 15 verse 4 um up to chapter 14 15 verse 4 and then from chapter 15 verse 5 that's the ending part um Paul talked about how uh the uh the the the Gentiles will worship the Lord and talked about his ministry, his plan. So those are all all related to his mission uh his understanding of his commission and this GE uh fulfillment of GP Gentiles esque esquetological pilgrimage uh to worship God and and then 16 is the final greeting. Uh so let's connect the whole part of practical exhortation about Christian living. Um so what are the key points uh here? What are the key points? So therefore therefore um so what does it connect to? It connects a very important teaching of bodies again right which is connected to the doc doctrines but do you find any connection chapter 12 has with chapter 9 to 11 because 9 to 11 is the history chapter 11 she ends with the worship and knowing the history of God and his unchanging plan and his predestination of love Paul couldn't help but worship the Lord. So there is this doxology which means the highest form of praise give all the praise and honor to God and then Romans chapter 12 starts with this worship. So, so they are connected. Uh therefore, Romans 12 uh is connected not only with the doctrinal teachings about the redemption of body, but also uh with the historic the history and the uh docuology. So, so let's say worship um we worship God with our bodies as living sacrifice. So that's how 12 starts. And how to wash, how to right, how to give all these as living sacrifice. >> Living sacrifice and it actually talks about in the body of Christ, right? Of course, you talk about how you need to conform the pattern in of transform not do not confform the pattern of this world and trans transform by the renewal of the mind to know God's will. But uh immediately Paul start to talk about the body of Christ. So offer your bodies as the living sacrifice in the body of Christ. So our body is connected with the body of Christ right in the body of Christ. So we talk about how the whole bodies whole body connects together different charisma different gifts. Um and so because the pastoral concern Paul had towards the church in Rome is the unity. So this is related to the major concern and teaching Paul gave to the church. also about unity how to worship God with your bodies but it's not a individualistic spiritual formation but it's done in the body of Christ and this is not just a methodology it is related to the overarching purpose of this letter to uh uh to encourage the unity uh in the in in the body of Christ in the church and then it talk about love in action. uh different virtues and um reality. The practice of love for Start in the body of Christ. So that's 12 sorry 3 to one to to eight. and talk about love and and it transists gradually from from the brotherly love to even a love towards the enemies. Uh the Rome church also faced the challenge to live in the empire in the center of the empire. uh Christians facing the potential oppression and persecution from the um people in authority, people with authority uh the government, the authoritative figures, they may uh despise the church and and persecute the church. Uh so from um verse um 17 this chapter 12 verse 17 to verse 21 uh the the whole passage is actually talking u to those who try to revenge who under the oppression of the Roman government um they they were really frustrated they want to rebel against the government and So Paul uh told them to be submissive uh to give all the uh authority of judgment to God. Church love in action. And then this is how I relations with the world main mainly government. So give the judgment to God. Do not revenge and overcome evil with uh with good. So it's all related to uh so chapter 12 verse 17 to 21 is related to to chapter 13 and we talked about the summation summation from this one to vers seven. So we need to understand this teaching well. is not just teach the church to be passive um to be like them but exalting the church about God's final judgment and acknowledge God's sovereignty through the uh secular rulership and leadership uh to reveal his justice. So the function of the government was mentioned here and one of the government uh one of the functions is for good right to subdue the evil to punish the evil. So for that sake it's a protection to the Christians who want to be abide with the law and and view it as a protection as a way God reveal his justice. also uh viewing government as a mean of God's uh justice and um this is not like this can be taken in today's as well. >> Mhm. >> What about like China? >> China. Yeah. So, uh later when Narrow started to to be in position, uh and what about the severe persecution in in in part of the uh epistles actually the the church is facing severe persecution. Uh so submission is not whatever decision the government make you need to you need to support. I think submission is out of the hearts of fearing God, reverence to God and see how God uh how God's sovereignty is revealed in the current government and and Romans actually has the context at that time the the the the wrong government somehow still played a role to manage the society use its legal system. So the church was told by the apostle to acknowledge this as how God revealed his sovereignty. Uh and and if we look at first Peter, it was actually written in a context of uh severe persecution. And and first Peter actually also told the church to be submissive and also told the wife in the family uh with different belief to be submissive uh and told the servants to be submissive. I think this submission is not because uh you have to submit then that's you are a good Christian but uh out of the uh hope for the kingdom of God and believe that Christ is the living stone. who will destroy all the force power. Um so Rome will collapse and eventually it did uh like Babylon like all the empires which suppressed which not suppressed oppressed the people of God they decayed but the kingdom of God and the people of God s got sustained. All right. So, so I think when we look at the submission obedience mentioned in all in New Testament, we really need to see the other side of God's power and his sovereignty and his uh judgment and punishment to the evil. So, Yeah. And and verse 8 to verse 10, uh, how does that related to Paul's teaching about government? uh so I think from verse 9 chapter 12 verse 9 until chapter 13 verse 10 is the whole complete piece about love in action how should we maybe let's write in this way this is better love in action within the church and outside the church. Yeah. So this is chapter 13 verse um 8 to 10. Romans 12 verse 9 until Romans until 13 verse 10. And then the next part is a is a new part about um to know the time to be awakened. Do not be like the world. So judgement the day is here. We'll continue look at very important chapter about the relationship direct teaching of the relationship um between the Gentiles and the Jews. the strong and the and the weak, right? What's the problem of the strong? What's the problem of the weak? The weak judge, right? Passing judgment. The strong despise despising the weak. So mainly Gentile Christians and the weak mainly Jewish Christians and what's post solution was post solution it's not simple right call actually divide into layers to discuss that uh the the the word is contempt. Do not treat the one who eats everything must not treat with contempt. The one does not contempt is despising contempt. Show me contempt. So this pause suggestion. So Paul he himself I mean when so if he's not together with anyone in in table fellowship will he eats everything or not? He will eat everything and by knowledge he will eat everything but when he stays with different people he actually act differently. So he has the knowledge but he didn't use the knowledge to to to show contempt to those who are cautious in eating. And he himself believe that everything is cleansed. Um so so what is his proposal? So firstly the first thing he says is you need to live before the lord. So view it not just as your habits or culture but really view it in your personal relationship with the lord. to uh to um do it before the law and that contains different different aspects. One is you need to look at your brother as someone belong to the lord. He stand or he fall the lord will be in charge and the lord will let him stand right. So stand before stand before So includes the your brother is lost servant. His master will will be in charge is held accountable. is in uh well how to describe is in the lord's hand and the lord will let him stand that's the first thing verse four and second thing is you do it before the law you keep a dates keep certain food or ritual or you're not you do it before the law if you want to be holy you do it for the law if you want to uh reveal the freedom you have in Jesus Christ. Then you do it before the Lord with gratitude. So do it before the Lord. Keep or eat for the Lord. So that's this five to verse. First is verse and then also to entrust the final judgment to the Lord. God is the judge. And besides this, what is the solution? So Paul actually stated what he believed right in verse 14. Um I'm convinced being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. And so there there are two parts. One is the knowledge uh which which is the faith. You need to believe God cleanse everything. That's faith. The holiness comes from the cleansing of God. But the the second thing Paul actually use it all right the first to direct his behavior. That's the principle of love. That's a higher law. So God's God's grace cleansed everything, but do not place any stumbling block in front of your brother. Verse 22. So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is con condemned if they eat because they eat is not from faith and everything that does not come from faith is sin. So do it do things with faith right by faith and by love. So so don't place stumbling block for your brother because the kingdom of God is not a matter of food but a matter of uh what's that? Uh so verse 17 of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So food does not matter. The righteous joy and peace matter. That's Paul's solution. It's not a simple one sentence statement about the life of Jesus Christ and that's how it relates to chapter 15. So Paul actually lead the church. Look at Jesus. Just put this and then 15 U GP right that's the that's called the logical vision fulfillment of the Gentiles Gentiles worship the Lord. That's Romans 15 verse 5 to the end of 15. contentwise it contain a part of the fulfillment of the uh prophecy about the Gentiles uh Paul's description of his ministry and Paul's plan and prayer request uh This season is a perfume of just Gentiles worship the Lord and Paul's ministry apostle for Gentiles and also Paul's mission plan and player request your content wise this uh but this actually all serve the purpose it's not just simply oh I talk about my ministry at the end so you know me more but there is a purpose because this is all these all serve the purpose of fulfilling these uh Gentiles worship the lord So these three all contents serve the purpose of um how to describe the the esqueological vision of uh Hold on. This is not just Gentiles. The Christ become the priest of the Jews, right? They also talk about this. Where is the where is that verse? In chapter 15. Oh yeah, in chapter 15 in verse eight. And chapter 15:8 talk about Christ become a servant of Jews, servant of the circumcision uh and and Gentiles. um also is in God's mercy to the patriarchs made to the patriot might be conformed and moreover that gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. So both the Jews and Gentiles worship the Lord uh together. Purpose of painting the escalological pictures of uh Jews and Gentiles worship the Lord. Worship uh the Lord together. this unity in Jesus Christ. And then the final greeting somehow also contains the mission network of Paul. Uh and the final final part uh contains this uh esquetological message of the cosmic cosmic victory uh god uh Jesus gained over the power of Satan. You will notice that later. Let's check the 16. So there's a long name list. These name list were actually divided into three groups. One is the very important co-workers uh Phoebe Aquila Priscilla Timothy. The other group is those directly related to the uh to the writing of the letter. Uh Timothy is included. Uh Luc uh Lucius, Jason, Suspatter and uh Tertus and Gio. So, so those and and also the sponsors sponsors right the treasurer uh quarters um rusters and quarters they are sponsors of the letter uh so close coworker which linked with the church in Rome well uh and Paul work closely with and those who compose the letter and sponsor the letter composition and those who are in Rome that Paul greets and several woman was mentioned and they were commanded of their hardworking and there is a female apostle mentioned uh in the in verse seven. So they they are the co-prisoner uh name list. Three groups of people co-workers traveling between between Rome and Rome and Corinth workers in Roman in in church and also co-workers directly related to the composition of the letter. three groups and the final greeting uh final exaltations and blessings. Uh Paul warn the church against against what? Uh verse 17. divi division right watch out those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned so after studying uh the previous contents uh could you make a more detailed description of those people right so so there are two type of people right you will play divisions divisions and obstacles. So, who are those people? Are they Jews? Are they Christians? Uh, are they Gentiles? Who are those people? What do you think? Do you think they are Jews or Gentiles in the church or not in the church? Jewish. >> Mhm. Why do you think they are Jewish? I think in chapter 16 verse 17 uh I urge you to brother sisters to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way cont. I think it didn't relate to the to the false teachers that mentioned in Galatians the book of Galatians. >> They are the circumcision party. They are the one who who confused the church about salvation about how to complete their saving uh their salvation by by circumcision. >> Oh different. I think those the different I think those who >> what is the key what is the key uh false teaching that Paul constantly tackled in Romans chapter uh in the whole of Romans we actually mentioned about those right there are two extreme one is to impose all the legalistic requirements those are the weak but they actually put a lot of requirements in the law. >> The other extreme which appear more often is the uh the the the people who thought the gospel will break the law. >> Let's leave with liberation. Let's leave a uh reckless wild life because anyway we are saved. So, so that extreme was mentioned more often. For example, let's do evil in order to fulfill the good, right? And and also uh the law the gospel abolish the law and Paul says no absolutely not. It doesn't nullify the law but rather it upholds the law. So Paul constantly tackle that false teaching thinking that the gospel breaks the law. And chapter seven is about this right. The law should be upo upheld. Uh so I I think the final exhortation is also related. There are people either within the church or travel to Rome from other church. So they actually impose this wrong belief probably from protype ofnosticism. You believe in God in your heart and that's mainly gentile background people. >> Yeah. uh says the law can be broken, can be abolished because we have the gospel. But they actually place the division in the church. >> And secondly, they place the stumbling block, right? They make people stumble because the Jews thinking about this, they start to start to eat the food they never ate. However, they do not have the faith to eat it. Their conscience was defiled. So this is the stumbling block. This is this can be considered as obstacle. So I think this group of people probably majorly refer mainly refer to those who who are Gentiles >> and who put this wrong teaching in the church. But of course we can't rule out the possibility of the the the Jews who also impose a lot of circumcisions and requirements. But those things were not mentioned much in in in in Romans at least doctrinally we didn't see Paul uh is speaking towards this like the book of Galatians possibly the Gentiles who taught about the abolishment of the It's a li liberal liberals um and here also uh u talk about wisdom. Um everyone who heard about your obedience so I rejoice before because of you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. And uh if you look at the final exo a final uh blessing to the only wise god be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen. This is very unique because in Paul's other letter he never blessing this week the the uh all wise god. So wisdom, discernment and wisdom. This is in his uh final blessing and greeting. And also verse 20, the God of peace. Let me just verse 19 and 27. 17. Those people serve their appetite. Probably they they are right. They like to eat all kind of food, indulge themselves in sinful desire and teach people the gospel has abolished the law. You no longer need to keep the law. uh wisdom and verse 20, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. So this is the cosmic image of the victory of Christ. Cosmic victory and then uh grace uh grace 25 to 27. Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ in keeping with the revelation of the mis mystery hidden for long age ages past but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that come from faith to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. So uh the final exot the final blessing actually contain the span historically and and uh ethnically. So uh the history and also the gentiles um might come to the obedience of the this is again the cosmic vision. cosmic 27 and somehow this one is related to Romans chapter 11 because it places the wisdom of God Look at doxology in Romans chapter 11. All the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgment and his paths beyond tracing out. Who has known the mind of the law or who has been his counselor. Who has ever given to God that God should repay them for for him and through him and for him all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Okay, we finished everything. Oh, we want to teach. Do you have any final questions or comments? Quite a lot of things. Um yeah from next term uh we are going to publish our own teaching materials. Of course we will still mention the reference and other books but we will u publish our teaching own teaching materials as the main textbook. I hope to balance well uh of the academic focus and and pastoral focus. To be honest, it's very hard to find the ideal ideal academic resources which balance this too well. And I look at other uh denomination and some college and seminary uh most of them actually after a certain period of time the major textbook is their own uh own publication. Uh so Dr. and and I will start to do that and and and for the content this term in the unlocking woman's I will organize them into uh document with the aid of AI. So what I taught in the class and we will organize them. Uh so uh hopefully in this way you will be able to know the contemporary the most trending theological thoughts and authors but also have the dis discernment uh to see the balance well uh the values and the limitation or any critics. Okay. And let's pray together. Uh heavenly father we thank you for allowing us to uh come to study this precious book and in the whole process we unlocked many treasures but we know there are still a lot of things not unlocked yet uh the hidden mis mystery in the gospel and in Jesus Christ. Father, may you reveal to us uh more and more and let us not only uh know about you but really know you more and more. Uh really uh loved you more and more and teach your wisdoms and knowledge uh to many so that uh they can receive the uh gospel they can receive the salvation in Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ we prayed. Amen. Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.