LIVING WITHOUT PAROLE
August 8, 2010 Romans 8:1
More Than Conquerors #1 We began a series of messages on Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 8. The letter to the Romans, written about the year 55AD, is one of the most influential pieces of literature in history. Paul’s exacting details about the effects of the Cross of Christ and our new status before God has inspired millions of believers throughout history. Romans is responsible for some rather cataclysmic movements in history. St. Augustine’s pride fell under its teaching. Paul’s opening salvo in Romans 1:16-17 led Martin Luther into the greatest historical realignment of the modern world: the Reformation. John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed” by his study of Paul’s teaching. Before you begin your study and reflection this week, ask the Lord God to use the majestic letter of Paul’s in your life...in a new and faithbuilding way. --Fr. David Roseberry
The following is a series of study and thought questions for you to use in a small group or in your own personal study: 1. Read Romans 8:1 several times. I made the point that this single 13-word verse is essentially the summary of the entire 757,000 words of the new ESV Bible. Can you see the connection? How does this verse summarize the entire biblical story? 2. The Nicene Creed says “...for us and for our salvation, He came down…”. We also read in Mark 1, Luke 5, and John 4 that Jesus had a powerful encounter with whomever he encountered. When did God become more than just a word for you? Would you say that Jesus is more than an historical figure in your mind and heart? How? When did that happen? 3. I mentioned having been “called” by God in a college class. My experience is that many people have felt a personal touch or heard a personal voice from God. Many people have had a religious experience. What is yours and what impact has it had on your life? 4. Paul says that there is “no condemnation”. Why do you think a lot of people believe that the Christian faith is all about condemnation? 5. If there is no condemnation, do you think people might take advantage of that and even more? Why or why not? How does Paul address this same concern in Romans 6:1ff 6. What does the title of the sermon “Living Without Parole” suggest in your mind? 7. Some people are so burdened and beleaguered by their past sins that they can’t move forward in life. Take a look at these websites to see the kind of burdens that people carry: www.e-admit.com and www.ivescrewedup.com. Read I John 1:8-9. Based on this passage, what advice or counsel would you have for those who are burdened by past sins? 8. It takes faith to believe that (in Christ) there is no condemnation. Sometimes we might doubt the beauty and reality of Christ’s forgiveness. The devil is likely to remind us of our sins over and over. St. Teresa quipped: “When the devil reminds me of my past, I remind him of his future.” Comment on this struggle and what we can do about it. Read Ephesians 6:11-20. How would prayer help a person trust in Christ’s forgiveness more? 9. I made this bold statement in the sermon, “The extent to which you still suffer from the wounds and sins, the guilt and shame of the past is the extent to which you are not ‘in Christ’.” What do you think about that?