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More Than Conquerors
Lesson 8 - January 22, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 8:26-39
Central Truth: God's grace enables us to have victory over all of life's difficulties.
Objective: By the end of this class my students should be able to identify at least one problem in their life in which they will trust God for victory.
Lesson Outline:
- The Help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-27)
- The Promise for the Believer (Romans 8:28-32)
- The Power to Conquer (Romans 8:33-39)
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.
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.
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.
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.