Our new Track B Study: Inseparable is based on the high point of Romans in Chapter 8. This six-week journey will help us to experience God's Word and His Holy Spirit.

Introduction: Romans chapter 8 may be called the inspirational highlight of the entire book of Romans. The theme of this chapter is "Living by the Spirit." The main message is Nothing Can separate us from God's Love!

A. Word Pictures in Romans 8:

Spirit: in Romans 8, the Greek word for Spirit or spirit occurs 21 times. At least 18 and perhaps 20 of these are references to the Holy Spirit. This means there are more references to the Holy Spirit in Romans 8 than any other chapter of Paul's letters. (1 Corinthians 12 ranks second with 12 references to the spirit). Romans 8 contains the fullest discussion of new life in the Spirit.

Abba Father: ABBA is the Aramaic word for father. Is the intimate and endearing term by which the child in a Jewish home addressed his father. This term is found only three times in the New Testament: Galatians 4:6; Mark 14:36; and in this passage. In Mark 14:36, Jesus used it as He called upon God in Gethsemane. No term serves better than Abba or Father to qualify the warm personal relationship to God that His grace has made possible.

Firstfruits of the Spirit: Paul used the term firstfruits in reference to the gift of the Spirit as a pledge (see 2 Corinthians 5:5 where the Spirit is given as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.) The Spirit is evidence that at the present time we are sons of God (Rom 8:14&16). He is the down payment on the inheritance that will be ours as members of the family of God. The Holy Spirit came on the great Pentecost and his blessings continue as seen in the gifts in one Corinthians 12 – 14, in the moral and spiritual gifts of Galatians 5:22F; and greater ones are to come, I  Corinthians 15:44 FF.

Helps: the little English verb helps (Rom 8.26)  translates a big verb in Greek. It is used elsewhere in the New Testament only when Martha called for Mary to help her prepare a meal in Luke 10:40.B.

Doctrines in Romans 8

Incarnation: God the father acts on the half of sinful man by sending his son. Paul describes the manner of Christ coming as in the likeness of sinful man. This is the incarnation, Jesus Christ, the son of God, become one of us in our humanity.

Atonement: the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, God achieves our deliverance by condemning sin in the flesh. In his death on the cross, Christ bore the full fury of Sands devastating power.

Predestination: God's grace at work before the foundation of the world.

Calling: God's grace confronting us.

Justification: God's grace making us write with himself in the midst of history.

Glorification: God's grace in the consummation of this age.

Inseparable Session 01 No Condemnation

Romans 8:1-11

The new life of the Spirit, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, brings deliverance from our old bonds to sin and death. Christians, controlled by the Spirit of God, can experience life and strength in the struggles against sin.

Paul illuminates the message of our spiritual "emancipation." We were slaves to sin, but now we are free in Jesus Christ. However, we still struggle. We are often aware of our human shortcomings and a tendency to betray what we know is the right thing to do. This chapter provides us with an overwhelming picture of God's commitment to us, in spite of our obvious instability.

Inseparable Session 02: Confident Christians

Romans 8:12-17

In contrast to the control of sin, believers have received the Spirit of adoption and can approach God in an intimate way. The Christian's current suffering is only a prelude to being glorified together with Him

In our present life, we are no different than the rest of mankind. But, as followers of Christ, we are in fact, God's heirs. Through our relationship with God's Son Jesus Christ, we are joint heirs to God's eternal kingdom.

The Holy Spirit gives us this assurance of our new status...leading us to dclare God as "ABBA", our heavenly Father.

Inseparable Session 03: Only One Life

Romans 8:18-27

This pasage deals with the tension between our future glory as heirs of the kingdom and the suffering of this present life. It is through the Spirit that we experience assurance of a perfect redemption that is to come. Our present existance is not perfect. Even the created order observes the present imperfection, yet eagerly awaits the time when the future Kingdom of God will come in power. At that grand time, God's true heirs and children will come into their inheritance.

Here, Paul shares a prophetic vision of a new heaven and a new earth. This comes with the stark realization that even the non-human creation shares in human tragedy of sin.

Modern ecological studies have demonstrated how true this is: Nature waits for the day when it will be redeemed  and renewed as well. 

Followers of Christ also "groan" waiting for the the day of redemption that is to come. We will then exchange a mortal bod for a glorious resurrected body!

*Also note here that the Spirit undergirds our hope. But we must remember that it is a hope only, not a present reality. In fact, we dont even know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us. The Spirit speaks beyond our capacity on God's level, in God's manner, and in accordance with God's eternal purposes.

Inseparable Session 04: Our Lifeline In Times of Trouble

Romans 8:28

Believers may gain assurance knowing that God is for them. All that happens to them rests in the sovereign hand of God, who in all things works for the good of those who love Him.

Verse 28 is a debated text among biblical scholars.

It does not express a "naive optimism." In its Greek context, it means that in spite of all the imperfections, suffering and adversity of this life,

God's plans for His children will prevail, working toward their ultimate good in the future realization of God's kingdom.

Inseparable Session 05: God is For You

Romans 8:31-34

This is the first part of a concluding hymn of praise to God's triumphant love in Christ. This pssage develops the theme of "no condemnation" through a series of rhetorical questions.

God has chosen us through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whom He gave for our salvation. This proclaims the understanding that If God has chosen us, who could possibly condemn us? Our relationship with God is secure.

Believers can expect difficulties in this age; but they can be certain that nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God. This recognition of present victory in future hope is because of God's gracious actions in Jesus, and inspired Paul to write this ecstatic praise and worship of God.

Inseparable Session 06: More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:35-39

This is the last part of a concluding hymn of praise to God's triumphant love in jesus. The previous passage developped the theme of no condemnation. Verses 35-39 develop the theme of "no separation."  This unbreakable love is constant...no earthly calamaties, no supernatural powers, no supraterrestrial forces; absolutely nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus!

Conclusions:

Paul's language is a way of expressing God's grace. It emphasizes that our relationship with God does not depend on our own doing but on God's doing. Our assurances rest in the purposes of God. Paul never eliminates human responsibility. Somehow the divine sovereignty and human response intertwine in the mystery of divine predestination. Romans 8 concludes with an appropriate and inspiring  hymn of praise to God's triumphant love in Christ. It serves as a fitting conclusion to all of Paul's messages from Romans. Our relationship to God is secure.

Again: Absolutely nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus!

Track B 's Spring 2012: The Gospel of Luke

The Truth About Jesus

Watch for my Digging Deeper Blog Commentary on each lesson  coming soon!

The Gospel of Luke

Written…

• By Luke, a Gentile physician, historian, and companion of Paul.

• In the 70s or 80s A.D.

• To Theopolus, primarily for Gentile Christians.

The theme: Jesus is the perfect “Son of Man” who brings salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.

 Key verses: 1:1-4; 15; 19:10 (theme verse).

To Study the Book of Luke:

See how the overall structure works leads geographically toward Jerusalem:

• Introduction of the Son of Man (1-4:13)

• The Son of Man in Galilee (4:14-9:50)

• The Son of Man in Judea (9:51-13:21)

• The Son of Man in Perea (13:22-19:27)

• The Son of Man in Jerusalem (19:28-24:53)

Notice the emphasis on the Gospel as “good news for the poor” and the need for followers of Christ to honor Christ with their money (3:10-14; 12:13-21; 16:1-13; 16:19-31; 19:1-10).

Make notes each time you see prayer and/or the Holy Spirit mentioned.

Luke wrote his gospel to assure his acquaintance, Theophilus, of the truth concerning the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Beyond Theophilus, Luke “wrote for people removed from the ministry of Jesus, both in geography and time, and his task was to provide them with such an account of the story of Jesus as would enable them to see that the story with which they had already become partially acquainted was a reliable basis for their faith” (I. Howard Marshall, Commentary on Luke [Eerdmans], p. 35).

We don’t know for sure who the specific recipient, Theophilus, was. His name means “friend of God,” and the title, “most excellent,” seems to identify him as a ranking Roman official (see Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25). He had received some instruction in the Christian faith and he probably was a believer. But he was troubled by some nagging questions so that he needed assurance about the truthfulness of what he had believed.

Theophilus may have been troubled by questions like, “Is the Christian faith I believed in really the truth and the only truth? If it is true, why was Jesus rejected by His people and crucified? Why are Christians being persecuted? Why have most of the Jews rejected the message, while the Gentiles are receiving it?” (Adapted from Darrell Bock, Luke [Baker Exegetical Commentary], 1:65).

Luke has a number of distinctive features. He devotes more space to the birth and infancy of Jesus than any other gospel. He alone mentions the incident from Jesus’ youth, when He was left behind at the Temple. On the other end of Jesus’ life, Luke alone mentions the ascension and, in his companion volume (Acts) traces the history of Jesus’ followers beyond that momentous event.

Luke clearly has a universal emphasis, showing that the gospel is for every class, race, and nation.