The Open Word

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 67 - Romans 12:3-8 Part 2

We continue our discussion of spiritual gifts as found in Romans 12:3-8. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to minister to others in the body of Christ, the Church, and it is the responsibility of all believers to identify their spiritual gift and use it.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 66 - Romans 12:3-8 Part 1

In this session we begin a three-week discussion of spiritual gifts. All believers have a spiritual gift that is given to them to minister to the body of Christ. In this, and the next two sessions, we will look at what the New Testament teaches about spiritual gifts, identifying our spiritual five, and the necessity of exercising our spiritual gift for the good and health of the Church.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 64 - Romans 12:1–2

Romans 12 begins the practical section of Romans. After laying out God's plan of salvation, Paul now turns to practical applications. He begins by exhorting his readers to present themselves wholly to God as a living sacrifice, as this is the only reasonable act of worship given the many blessings God has bestowed on believers.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 63 - Romans 11:25–36

We finish Romans Chapter 11 by discussing Israel's ultimate salvation. Although the nation as a whole lives in rebellion against Christ - there is coming a day when their eyes will be open, they will be grafted back into the place of blessing, and receive all the promises God gave them in the Old Testament.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 62 - Romans 11:16–24

Paul continues his discussion of the future of Israel by referring to an agrarian illustration of an olive tree. The Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree temporarily, and the natural branches removed. But there is coming a day when the natural branches will once again be drafted into the olive tree, just as Israel will someday be restored to the place of God's blessing.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 61 - Romans 11:11–15

One of the major questions debated my many theologians is the place of Israel in God's future plans. Paul addresses this directly by affirming that God is not done with Israel, but there is coming a day when once again they will take their place of blessing. God is currently working through the Church, but Israel has not been permanently set aside as their rejection of the Messiah is temporary.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 60 - Romans 11:1–10

Paul explains the national rejection of Christ by Israel by referring back to the teaching in the Old Testament about the remnant. He shows that God has always had a remnant, a small group of true believers. Israel's national rejection does not mean that every Jew rejected, because God always has a faithful few. However, because of the national rejection by Israel of their Messiah, their hearts have been darkened judicially by God. Because they would not believe, now they cannot believe.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 59 - Romans 10:15–21

Paul completes his discussion of Israel's rejection of Christ by quoting several passages from the Old Testament. He shows that just because Israel rejected Christ, that does not imply that the message of the Gospel is wrong or that Christ is not the Messiah, but rather the problem lies with the unbelief of Israel.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 58 - Romans 10:11-14

We continue our discussion of what it means to confess Christ. What does it mean to believe in one's heart? Is mere head knowledge sufficient, or is there something more? We will be exploring these questions as we look at verses 11–14 of Romans 10.

The Epistle to the Romans - Session 57 - Romans 10:5–13

Romans 10:5–13 contains one of the clearest descriptions on how one appropriates salvation by placing one's faith in the finished work of Christ. In this session we look at the passage at a high level, focusing on what it means to confess Christ and believe in one's heart.