Today's Sermon
Bible Study Audio
Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
February 6, 2022
Opening Prayer
Romans 8:12-13
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
v. 13
-
It is very strong language – not subdue, nor
resist – put to death.
- Prayer, Meditation and Struggle make a theologian. – Luther.
- How do we struggle?
o
Ephesians 6:10-18a - 10 Finally, be
strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put
on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take
up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having
fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet,
having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In
all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God, 18 praying at all
times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
- This ties to baptism
o Small Catechism, Baptism, Fourth question:
o What does such baptizing with water indicate?
o It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
- Kill it!
o Why?
o Because if you don’t it will kill you. (You are about to die!)
o Do we really grasp the deadliness of sin?
§ If we did, would we excuse sin so lightly?
You will live
- Luke 9:23-27 – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
- Bonhoeffer – “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
- Brennan Manning – “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
The Rite of Confirmation
- Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?
Novatianism and Donatism in the Wake of Persecution
- Failure to stand under persecution.
- This raised the question – Are these people saved? Are they still Christians?
- Here in Romans we are not talking about making the ultimate witness (martyrdom) we are talking about putting our sin to death in the power of the Spirit.
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