Lesson Highlights

What is the meaning of predestination?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The other word is predestinate. This word conveys the idea of limiting in advance or marking out beforehand.

It should be noted that the verses where this word occurs relate to God’s redemptive plan for those who are “in Christ,” that is, believers. So we can see that predestination is primarily a doctrine for the saints, not for sinners.

Here we need to ask the right question. It is not who are the objects of this predestination, but to what they are predestinated. The text simply says that the believers are predestined “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

It is only natural that the believer should be Christlike, for in Him is our total salvation dependent.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 46.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-18T09:00:00+00:00January 18th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Predestination|0 Comments

The Formula for Victory
The Formula for Victory

The Formula for Victory

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:

First Peter 2:1-11 gives the formula for victorious living.

Spiritual hunger — maintaining a healthy hunger for the Word of God will help to promote spiritual renewal and victory.

Spiritual growth — eating a balanced diet will ensure us of advancing into maturity and in the understanding of the Christian life.

Spiritual liveliness — our liveliness will be an inspiration to others until a spiritual house (church) will be established which will attract others to it as well.

Spiritual values — we can see the true cornerstone is Jesus, and we will measure all other things in relation to His reaction to them through the Word, through the Spirit, and through our consciences.

Spiritual heritage — it should be cause for celebration to know that we are a chosen people. We are a people belonging to God, and we are no longer orphans!

Spiritual sanctity — we are in a spiritual war, but by abstaining from fleshly lusts, we can win.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 44.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-14T09:00:00+00:00January 14th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Victory|0 Comments

Are the Law and grace at odds?
Are the Law and grace at odds?

Are the Law and grace at odds?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

The law that was twisted by sin to enslave man was from the beginning the righteous counsel of God. God's purpose then in condemning sin was first to establish that His original counsel was righteous. But the purpose of sending Christ was also that the law might be fulfilled in us. God wanted it to be seen that His original plan for man was pos-sible, and our lives are to be the proof of that. Seen in this way there is no conflict between law and grace.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 41.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-13T09:00:00+00:00January 13th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Grace, Law|0 Comments

Can a Christian live in victory over willful sin?
Can a Christian live in victory over willful sin?

Can a Christian live in victory over willful sin?

In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:

Can a Christian live each day without condemnation for sins committed while successfully resisting temptation and pleasing God moment by moment? The remarkable answer is “Yes.” Testimonies of defeat can be replaced with proclamations of resounding overcoming lives through the power of the resurrected Christ. To claim such victory is not the language of human accomplishment nor a subtle (or not so subtle) announcement of personal determination and sanctification. It is rather a current possibility and, for the Christian, a present necessity. Contentment with less reflects negatively on the provisions of Christ and is indicative of a defective understanding of the possibilities of grace. Living today and every day with sins forgiven and willful sin resisted is made possible by the resurrected power working in our daily lives.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 40.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-12T09:00:00+00:00January 12th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Victory|0 Comments

The Spirit of Bondage versus the Spirit of Adoption
The Spirit of Bondage versus the Spirit of Adoption

The Spirit of Bondage versus the Spirit of Adoption

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

First, the spirit of bondage — the Greek word for bondage refers to one who is under unwilling and unhappy servitude. It is one who is in subjection to a master, whether that master is a person, a passion, or an influence… On the other hand, the awareness of the new relationship is the Spirit of adoption. The word adoption means “placing as a son.” It is taking and treating a stranger as one's own child. Instead of fear, as in the slave-master relationship, there is the feeling of love, affection, and confidence which pertains to children. This spirit of adoption is diametrically opposed to the spirit of bondage.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 40.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-11T09:00:00+00:00January 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Adoption|0 Comments

What causes a person to act contrary to their desires?
What causes a person to act contrary to their desires?

What causes a person to act contrary to their desires?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

If the law is not the problem (v. 16), then what causes me to act contrary to my own desires? Paul answered by distinguishing between I and sin that dwelleth in me. The former is the man as created by God, which in verse 15 made good decisions. The latter is the principle of sin that entered the human race at the Fall and holds controlling influence in the natural man.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 36.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-07T09:00:00+00:00January 7th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Carnality|0 Comments

What does it mean to die to the law?
What does it mean to die to the law?

What does it mean to die to the law?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes concerning Romans 7:4:

In verses 1-3 Paul had shown how death changes the relationship of the surviving marriage partner to the deceased. In this analogy the sinner is married to the law. But death (i.e., being crucified with Christ) breaks that bond. We would have expected that if man is married to the law, the law would have had to die in order for man to be free to marry another. It is not the law that dies, but the believer dies to the law. So long as we live for the law, we cannot live for Christ. That ye should be married to another. The person who is satisfied merely to be delivered from guilt does not truly understand the work of the cross. We are delivered from the law to be united with Christ, that we should bring forth fruit. In 6:22 Paul spoke of “fruit unto holiness,” and that thought seems to be carried on here, as the next two verses suggest.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 34.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-06T09:00:00+00:00January 6th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Law|0 Comments

The Struggle of the Believer
The Struggle of the Believer

The Struggle of the Believer

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

In verses 18 and 21, we have another important word that helps us to see the struggle of the believer — to will is present with me (v. 18), and evil is present with me (v. 21). The Greek word for is present with means “to lie beside” or “to be near.” It can be defined also as “to be present, at hand.” What a paradox! The “will” or intent to do good is present or at hand, but to “perform” (carry the desire into effect) is not present. In other words, the desire to do good was possible, it was in his power, and it was his habitual inclination and purpose of mind to do right. But in contrast, verse 21 also says that evil is present with him. This “evil” is as near at hand as the desire to do good. It raises its ugly head unbidden and undesired, to turn one from doing good. Thus we see here man with sin dwelling (or making its abode) within him and causing him to miss the design of doing good. Even when the will to do good is present, the power of sin is also present. There is only one Power that can enable man to overcome the power of sin — that is the indwelling power of the blessed Holy Spirit.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 34.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-05T09:00:00+00:00January 5th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Carnality|0 Comments

The Story of Humanity
The Story of Humanity

The Story of Humanity

In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:

Romans 7 is, in all reality, a story of humanity. Faced with a sober assessment of his own nature, the troubled/convicted person seeks a peace which, he comes to understand, is beyond his reach. It is a painful moment of self-realization. The awareness of the human limitation aided by the awakening/convicting grace of God provides for a view of a struggle in the inner self. The quality of life being lived by the supplicant suggests that he is an awak-ened sinner, fleeing what Bunyan described as “the city of destruction.” In his self-promoted revolution, he meets with total defeat. First, he proposes to change the pattern of his past and commit himself to doing what is ethically right. Apparently confident in this resolution, he is surprised to discover that the law or reality of sin as a governing principle in his life makes it impossible for him to achieve his goal. Disappointed in his resolution and now aware of his weakness, he resolves to at least avoid that which is wrong as determined by obedience to the law. Whatever ideas he had of who he was in terms of righteousness, he now becomes aware that, despite intentions otherwise, not only can he not do right, but he cannot avoid doing wrong. The first revelation is disappointing at best, but the second is grounds for despair. Locked into an ever-revolving world of sin and death, he looks away from himself for assistance, but where to look? …

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 34-35.

Herald & Banner Press2017-01-04T09:00:00+00:00January 4th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Humanity|0 Comments

What does the relationship of the Christian to Christ look like?
What does the relationship of the Christian to Christ look like?

What does the relationship of the Christian to Christ look like?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:

Hardly any orthodox Christian will deny that a person who is a Christian should be in a relationship with Christ. What that relationship is may draw widely differing doctrines. Perhaps the two that are most often put forward are these: 1. We are “in Christ.” Therefore, God sees only the righteousness of Christ, and we are accepted by God no matter how we live after being accepted through faith in Christ. 2. Others contend that, while we are “in Christ,” we must also have “Christ in us.” This teaching conforms more closely to the Scriptures. Romans 6:1 asks the question, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” The following verse gives the emphatic answer, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

See your Adult Insights for the conclusion of Dr. Lee's thoughts.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 32.

Herald & Banner Press2016-12-31T09:00:00+00:00December 31st, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Christian Living|0 Comments