In the Flesh vs In the Spirit

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 8:5-11

 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

In the Flesh vs In the Spirit — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 8:5-11
Sermon Series: Romans (50th sermon)
April 11, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does Paul’s logic up to this point in Romans help us to make sense of the relationship between the Christian and God’s law?
2.   Who is the Holy Spirit? What does it mean that he dwells within the Christian?
3.   What does it look like for someone to have his or her mind set on the things of the Spirit rather than on the things of the flesh? How would you describe your pre- vs. post- converted life in these terms?
4.   Where do we see total depravity and total inability in this passage? How does this inform your doctrine of salvation?
5.   How does Paul relate Christ’s resurrection to our future resurrection in vv. 9-11? How does his logic reassure us and strengthen our hope?

References: Romans 9:31; John 14:23, 26; 15:26; Romans 5:1; 6:12; 7:24-25; 2 Corinthians 4:16

An Easter Explanation

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 8:1-4

 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

An Easter Explanation — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 8:1-4
Sermon Series: Romans (49th sermon)
April 4, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why do you think Romans 8 has been called the “inner sanctuary,” “tree of life,” and “highest peak”?
2.   How do the first two verses define the Christian? How do they prioritize and center our gratitude?
3.   How would you summarize Paul’s argument leading up to this chapter that the law is unable to save us?
4.   As this passage describes God’s saving work, how does it raise your affections for each person of the Trinity?
5.   Where do we see Christ’s Resurrection in this text?
6.   How does the logic of v. 4 fuel our pursuit of holiness?

References:  Romans 7:6, 25; 5:16, 18; Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:20; 7:5; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 6:4, 6, 13; 7:4, 25; 8:9; Acts 2:33; Galatians 5:16.

The Believer's Battle, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 7:14-25

 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Believer’s Battle, Part 2 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:14-25
Sermon Series: Romans (48th sermon)
March 28, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why can we never take a vacation from our battle with sin?
2.   What does Ephesians 2:1-3 teach us about our enemy within?
3.   How does v. 22 show that this passage is referring to a Christian’s experience? What does Paul mean by the “inner being”?
4.   How does v. 24 illustrate what it means for us to be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3)?
5.   How does this passage prepare us for celebrating Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday?
6.   What does it look like to “serve the law of God with my mind” (v. 25)? Discuss the work of the Spirit.

References: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 1:14-15; Psalm 1; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 6:12-13; Ephesians 6:10; John 15:5; Matthew 5:3; Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:10-11, 23; 1 Corinthians 15:53, 56-57; Galatians 5:16.

The Believer's Battle, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 7:14-25

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Believer’s Battle, Part 1 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:14-25
Sermon Series: Romans (47th sermon)
March 21, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why has Paul’s language given rise to debate over whether he is talking about a believer or an unbeliever?
2.   In what ways does this passage assure and encourage Christians?
3.   What is the disconnected experience described in vv. 14-15?  In what ways have you seen this play out in your life?
4.   How does Paul describe the “I” in these verses?  How does he contrast it with indwelling sin?
5.   Why does Paul’s explanation of the divided person not allow us to shift blame away from ourselves when we sin?

References: Romans 6:12; 10:2; 2:29; 8:13; Jeremiah 31:33; Galatians 5:16-18.

When the Sinner Meets the Law

Romans 7:7-13

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

When the Law Meets the Sinner — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:7-13
Sermon Series: Romans (46th sermon)
March 14, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What questions have you had up to this point about sin and the law?  How does this passage help in answering those questions?
2.   Why does Paul focus on the tenth commandment when explaining how the law brings the knowledge of sin?  What does it mean to covet?
3.   How does the law result in the activation of sin in the sinner?  Where have you seen examples of this in action?
4.   Why does Paul use these three words in v12 to describe the law?  What is the relationship between God and his law?
5.   As Paul upholds the character of the law, how does he also draw attention to its positive purpose at the end of v. 13?

References:  Ephesians 5:20; Romans 6:14; Romans 3:20; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; Leviticus 20:26; 2 Chronicles 12:6; 30:18-19; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15. 

Why We Must Die to the Law

Romans 7:5-6

5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Why We Must Die to the Law— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:5-6
Sermon Series: Romans (45th sermon)
February 28, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does it seem so strange to say that we must die to the law of God in order to bear fruit for God? How would this have sounded to Paul’s Jewish hearers?
2.  How does the law excite/arouse/stimulate our sinful passions while we are living in the flesh? How does the concept of rebellion help us to make sense of this?
3.  As we relate the law to parenting, what does Paul Tripp mean when he says, “Your children need God's law, but you cannot ask the law to do what only grace can accomplish”?
4.  How does the law fail us? What are some other passages that highlight the inability of the law to impart righteousness or life?
5.  What does it mean to “serve in the new way of the Spirit”? How do those who have the Spirit now relate to the law?

References: John 15:1-2; 5:39; Romans 9:31; Galatians 5:19-21, 24; Ephesians 2:2-3; Galatians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:22.

Our Death to the Law

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 7:1-4

 1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Our Death to the Law— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:1-4
Sermon Series: Romans (44th sermon)
February 21, 2021

Inspect the Produce

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:20-23

 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Inspect the Produce— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:20-23
Sermon Series: Romans (43rd sermon)
February 14, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this passage serve as a means of perseverance for the Christian?
2.   What is meant by the phrase, “free in regard to righteousness”?
3.   How does Paul describe the fruit of our old enslavement to sin? Why do we need to be reminded of it?
4.   How have you seen individual acts of sin bring shame and death?
5.   What is the fruit of our enslavement to God? Why is it so important for us to remember that our new slavery is to a person?
6.   How does v. 23 emphasize the grace of God and the centrality of Christ?
7.   How does Paul affirm the justice of hell in this passage?

References: Ephesians 5:11-12; 1 John 2:17; Ephesians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:4.

Life as a Slave

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:15-19

 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Life as a Slave— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:15-19
Sermon Series: Romans (42nd sermon)
February 7, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study
1.   How much thought have you given to the fact that Christians are slaves? Why does this concept seem odd to us, and how does Paul address that tension at the beginning of v. 19?
2.   What is the question/objection that Paul addresses in this passage? How would you summarize his response?
3.   Why is continuing to practice sin both ludicrous and impossible for the Christian?
4.   How does Paul describe the transformation that takes place at conversion? Where do we see divine sovereignty as well as human agency?
5.   How does this passage highlight the importance of sound doctrine/theology?
6.   What does God call us to in v. 19, and how does this highlight the importance of daily moments and choices? Why should we be excited by the last phrase, “leading to sanctification”?

References: Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Titus 2:14; Galatians 1:4; John 8:34; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 15:22; Titus 3:5; Romans 1:5; 2:29.

Life After Death

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:12-14

 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Life After Death — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:12-14
Sermon Series: Romans (41st sermon)
January 31, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does the first part of Romans 6 shape how you view yourself as a Christian? Why must we view ourselves truly in order to live rightly?
2.   How does Paul characterize our relationship to sin in v. 12? Why does it seem a little confusing in light of what he’s just written?
3.   What is the scene depicted in v. 13? How does Paul use warfare language?
4.   How does v. 13 simplify the Christian life for us? Where are you personally convicted to stop offering up your members to serve sin?
5.   What does it look like to offer our members to God as weapons for righteousness?
6.   How does v. 14 bring reassurance and confidence to the reader? How does its placement after v. 13 show that grace should not lessen our fight against sin but rather motivate its intensity?

References: Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 1:13-14; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16, 24; Colossians 3:5, 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11; Romans 7:22-23; 1 Kings 10:8; Romans 13:14; 1 John 2:16-17; Psalm 145:5, 21; Romans 5:2.

The Living Dead

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:6-11

 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Living Dead — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:6-11
Sermon Series: Romans (40th sermon)
January 24, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does the church constantly need to be called to holiness? How does this passage motivate you to pursue sanctification?
2.   How do we reconcile the fact that our old self has already died to sin / been crucified with Christ with the need to continually “put off [our] old self” (Eph. 4:22)?
3.   What does it mean that we are no longer enslaved to sin? How do we see this play out in the Christian life?
4.   What are the present and future implications of Christ’s resurrection? How is this imaged in baptism?
5.   What does Paul mean when he says that the resurrected Christ “lives to God”? What does this mean for us?

References: John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 4:22-24; Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; Matthew 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Abounding Grace - What Now for Sin?

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:1-5

 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Abounding Grace - What Now for Sin? — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (39th sermon)
January 17, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does the question about sin at the beginning of chapter 6 grow out of the celebration of grace at the end of chapter 5?
2.   How does Paul address both legalism and antinomianism in this passage?
3.   How have you seen antinomianism play out among Christians?
4.   How does v. 2 inform our understanding of what it means to be a Christian?
5.   How does Paul relate the believer to Christ? Why does he emphasize baptism?

References: Romans 3:7-8; Jude 4; Ephesians 1:19-20; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 2:20.

Adam and Christ Compared

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:15-21

 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Adam and Christ Compared — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:15-21
Sermon Series: Romans (38th sermon)
January 10, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   What is the one big similarity that Paul identifies between Adam and Christ?  How does 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 help us to interpret this larger passage?
2.   Why does Paul devote so much space to this comparison? How does he want it to affect his Christian readers?
3.   How does this passage depict the power or efficacy of God’s grace through Christ (see especially vv. 15, 20, and 21)? How does this elevate your worship, gratitude, and assurance?
4.   How does Paul describe the different results that derive from Adam and Christ?
5.   How does this passage inform your Christology (view of Christ)? Why are his righteousness and obedience so precious to us?

References: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 6:4; John 10:10; Revelation 22:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Matthew 3:15; Galatians 4:4; John 4:34; 6:38; Matthew 26:39.

The First Adam

Romans 5:12-14

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The First Adam — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:12-14
Sermon Series: Romans (37th sermon)
December 27, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   What does it mean that Adam is a “type” of Christ? What are some other types in the Old Testament?
2.   How does biblical typology heighten our worship and reverence? How does it strengthen our confidence in the Scriptures?
3.   How does Adam’s typological role reinforce God’s sovereignty over the Fall?
4.   How did sin and death enter the world in Genesis 3? How are they described in that narrative?
5.   How does this passage support viewing Adam as a real historical figure rather than a metaphor or a myth?
6.   What does it mean to say that all sinned in Adam or that he is our federal head? Read v. 12 in light of vv. 18-19.

References: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Genesis 2:17; 3; Romans 6:23; Acts 17:26; Romans 3:23; Joshua 7.

The Love That Sustains Our Hope

Romans 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Love That Sustains Our Hope — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:6-11
Sermon Series: Romans (36th sermon)
December 20, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   Comparing v. 5 with vv. 6-8, what two aspects of God’s love does Paul describe?
2.   What is the human condition, and what makes God’s love so distinctive and marvelous in light of it?
3.   How does the statement that “Christmas is about a baby born to die for his enemies” provide greater depth to your celebration this year?
4.   What does this passage teach about God the Father?
5.   How does the content of vv. 6-8 relate to Paul’s argument in vv. 9-10? How does this text speak to assurance of salvation?
6.   Where does Paul leave the reader in v. 11? How does this help us to better understand the Christian life?

References: Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:1, 4; Titus 3:3-5; Romans 1:18, 30; 8:1, 34; John 14:19.

The Results of Right Standing

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:1-5

 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Results of Right Standing — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (35th sermon)
December 13, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How should the Christocentric language of chapter 5 inform our understanding of salvation and the Christian life?
2.   What does it mean to have peace with God? How does this transcend our feelings at any given moment?
3.   How does Paul describe the access that we have to God? How does it encourage you to know that this is where you “stand”?
4.   What does Paul mean when he uses the word translated “rejoice”?
5.   How does suffering produce hope in the Christian life? How should this affect the way you process trials?
6.   How does Paul present the relationship between hope and love in v. 5? What does this tell us about assurance of salvation?
7.   How does this passage help us to rightly celebrate Christmas this year?

References: Romans 1:4; 5:10; Psalm 7:11-13; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Habakkuk 2:14; Mark 13:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:30; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 25:3.

Abraham Applied

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:23-25

 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Abraham Applied — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:23-25
Sermon Series: Romans (34th sermon)
December 6, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does this passage fit into Paul’s overall message in chapters 1-4?
2.   To use Hodge’s language, how is Abraham a “representative person”? Discuss how vv. 23-24 relate to passages like Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11.
3.   How is the content of our faith the same as Abraham’s? How does it differ?
4.   How does this passage contribute to your understanding of the gospel? What does it teach us about the role of the Father and of the Son in saving us?
5.   What does it mean that Christ “was raised for our justification”? How does this increase your gratitude for him?

References: Genesis 15:6; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 8:56; Romans 10:9; Genesis 22:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 3:24-25.

The Faith of Abraham

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:17-22

 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 19 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

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The Faith of Abraham — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:17-22
Sermon Series: Romans (33rd sermon)
November 29, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does Paul describe the object of Abraham’s faith? Discuss the importance of Scripture in filling out the object of our faith.
2.   What does it mean to say that Abraham’s situation was a “perfect blend of impossibility”? How do “can” and “cannot” come together in this passage?
3.   Calvin describes it, how is Abraham’s condition similar to ours?
4.   What are some of the words used to characterize Abraham’s faith in this passage? How does this challenge you?
5.   How does Paul’s description line up with the depiction of Abraham in Genesis? How does Abraham’s weakness encourage us?

References: James 5:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; Jeremiah 32:17; Genesis 17:5; 15:5, 6; Hebrews 11:17-19.

The Promise to Abraham

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:13-17

 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

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The Promise to Abraham — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:13-17
Sermon Series: Romans (32nd sermon)
November 22, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study 
 

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 2

Romans 4:1-12

1 'What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 2 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:1-12
Sermon Series: Romans (31st sermon)
November 15, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study 
 1.   How does Christianity compare with other religions on the question of human works? How does this contrast help in sharing the gospel?
2.   Why does Paul refer to Abraham and David in chapter 4? What role does each one serve in his overall argument?
3.   How would you paraphrase David’s quote from Psalm 32? How does each part of it point to Christ’s work?
4.   What is true happiness based on this text? How does the biblical concept of “blessedness” provide clarity in a culture focused on personal fulfillment?
5.   Why does Paul address circumcision at such length in vv. 9-12? What is his main point in these verses?
6.   As you reflect on God’s purpose in the events of Abraham’s life, how does this text encourage you to trust God’s sovereignty in your life?

References: Genesis 15:6; Psalm 32:1-2; Joshua 24:2; Genesis 17; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:29; Galatians 3:7-9; Genesis 12:3.