ROMANS 13

Ice Breaker: Two truths. One lie.

Previously

• Salvation is open to the Gentiles and yet Jews are not forgotten
• Olive tree analogy of how Jews are the original branch and Gentiles are the wild ones, but neither will be spared if they persist in unbelief
• Ends with praise to God

cONTEXT

• Loving others is the fulfillment of the law. Jesus exemplified that
• Putting on Jesus Christ as the center of our lives is the most important pursuit.

Read Chapter 13

Paul says obey the authorities, even in this world. How does He describe them in verses 1-7?

How should we respond to authorities like North Korea or a nation ruled by Sharia Law? Do these government fear God and respect Him and also serve His people?

Ask a person next to you.

What kinds of works of darkness does Paul refer to in verse 12?

What are the "works of darkness" that you must cast off in your life?

Application: Paul says to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires". How are you making opportunities for your flesh to be gratified?

Essentially, Paul is asking, how do you deal with sin?

Put another way, how do you deal with failure? What's your recovery process and time?

How would you put on the Lord Jesus Christ instead in that situation?

The way you deal with your failure, reflects how well you know God. The way you deal with your success, even more so.

In Conclusion

God's strategy

• Identify conformity/sin/failure
• Choose not to conform/form strategy
• Renew your mind
• Be transformed
• With your new mind, discern the will of God

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." -John 3:19-21

Most people want the will of God, but they don't want to do the work of God. Most people want high success and great careers and live extraordinary lives, but they don't want the ordinary, everyday obedience that takes us there. Let's not be most people. Let's be God's people. How desperate did these people have to be?

Our suggestion? Start with one thing. One area to identify as a place that needs redeeming. Then renew your mind with choices that will help bring change. Allow God to bring that change with His guidance. Find freedom in that area first and by doing so you'll have already started a relationship with God.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

-Romans 12:2

"True repentance brings grace. Every time."
-Deacon Diana Yu