November 2010 - December 2014
Romans has always been one of the favorite books of thoughtful Christians. In this epistle, the apostle Paul logically delineates the foundation and structure of Christian doctrine. The righteousness of God has been accurately identified as the central message of this epistle. How the righteousness of God relates to a human history of suffering, pain, and injustice, has been a frequent question through the ages. In Romans, Paul's answer shows that this question cannot be addressed in a sound bite or executive summary. The character of God, the volition of man, the history of man's rejection of God, must form the backdrop to a serious discussion on the righteousness of God. But an accurate understanding of the righteousness of God also reveals to us the magnificence of God's grace and His gracious plan of justification available freely to all mankind.
But this does not stop with simple justification, but also explains God's righteousness in the life of the believer after salvation and how God's righteousness is vindicated in history as indicated through His faithful love for Israel.
Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.
To view all video Bible studies in the Romans series, click here.
Thu, Feb 14, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:17-27
Duration: 58 mins 30 secs
Even with spiritual stability there is something inside of us that mourns viscerally under the effect of corruption of sin in the world. All of nature joins us in our inexpressible grief. Our groaning is so pervasive we cannot help but share it with God in our longing for the day we will be released from its hold. Through the yoke of our mourning, God moves us toward our destiny of glory which is the character of Jesus Christ. In this gift through suffering, God gives us hope to endure difficulties with a confident expectation of this future reality. When does the groaning end? How is it related to the First Fruits of the Spirit and the beginning of redemption? How do our prayers reach God with the full intention of HIS purpose?
Thu, Feb 28, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:28-30
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 50 secs
These are some of the most widely quoted verses in scripture for comfort and for reference to the term predestination. It is essential to study them in terms of context and vocabulary. Discover the rich context that adds to the encouragement this passage brings. Understand the universally applied principle for every believer and the enhanced reality to believers who are focused on the path to spiritual maturity. See the historical baggage attached to the concept of “the called,” the application it had in the Old Testament to Israel and true meaning of the term to believers today.
Thu, Mar 14, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:28
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 3 secs
Romans 8:28 is frequently quoted in times of suffering, but seldom broken down into specifics which give it enhanced significance in our practical understanding. This study shatters the idea of the narrow omniscience of God in strict Calvinism as applied to election, predestination, and God’s “call.” Though not all of Calvinism is the same, understand more fully the five points of Calvinism which place regeneration before belief, abolish the universality of volition, and limit response to the gospel to a predetermined, specific few. See how God’s election and call relate to His plan for those who have already believed. Place into context scripture used to support Calvinist theology to determine who are called, the nature and result of their response, and the means through which God has always drawn us.
Thu, Mar 21, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:28-29
Duration: 59 mins 36 secs
Foreknowledge and Predestination: A Calvinist Concept?Learn how one can support the correct meaning of foreknow and predestine from the same verses the Calvinist uses to support his very different and questionable meaning. How have some very respectable Calvinists scholars articulated their reasoning for their interpretation of the term foreknowledge? What is the fallacy of their reasoning? How is the meaning of a word determined by those in the business of defining words? Understand what foreknowledge means within context throughout scripture. Does theology determine the meaning of scripture or does scripture determine a correct theology?
Thu, Mar 28, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:28-29
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 25 secs
Does God's foreknowledge violate man's free will? Two major camps have emerged in this age-old battle. On the one hand hear how Calvinists teach that foreknowledge means God predetermines how humans can respond to him. On the other hand, learn how Scripture clearly shows that foreknowledge means God "knows beforehand" but this knowledge does not influence mankind's choices. This last view portrays God's sovereignty as far greater than a deterministic God by revealing that God allows humans to make choices freely and yet, despite the chaos their sinful choices bring, He orchestrates the affairs of history to bring about His desired ends.
Thu, Apr 04, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:28-29
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 19 secs
The "would've, should've, could've" questions in life can eat us alive. None of us know all that could have happened, but God's foreknowledge includes these alternative scenarios along with all the actual events of the past, present, and future. In His infinite wisdom, God designed a road map to spiritual maturity called predestination. Its ultimate goal is for all believers to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Learn how predestination is not related to individual salvation but to God's plan and purpose. See the Scriptures that reveal God's contingency knowledge and hear how Romans 8:28-29 is a comfort to us in times of suffering.
Thu, Apr 11, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:30-39
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 5 secs
True, guaranteed security is only a fantasy in this life. Romans 8 teaches that God planned a secure destiny for everyone who trusts in His Son. But is there any dreadful wrongdoing we can commit that means God will not complete our destiny? In this lesson we see that God promises that no matter how chaotic our life becomes, He will stay with us until the end. Understand the unbroken chain that God's plan rests on and the seven rhetorical questions that Paul presents to assure us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Learn how we can become one of the Super Bowl champions of eternity.
Thu, Apr 18, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:33
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 12 secs
How's this for an iron-clad guarantee? Paul teaches that God Himself is for us, so no one can successfully accuse and convict us. Since God is the one who has cancelled the debt against us, there is no higher court to overturn His decision. Listen to learn the meaning of the legal terms of justification and imputation. Find out the answer to the question of whether our sins were paid for when Christ died on the Cross, or when we trusted in Him for our salvation. Understand the difference between the two types of imputations and the role the baptism of the Holy Spirit plays in our eternal security.
Thu, Apr 25, 2013
Passage: Romans 8:34-39
Duration: 1 hr 0 mins 44 secs
If we're having troubles, is it because God doesn't love us anymore? Paul tackles this question head on and logically builds to a soaring crescendo of assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love. Listen and learn about the different judgments of mankind and how believers will be judged by Jesus Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us. See seven daunting life circumstances that we may face and why none can defeat us. Find out how Christ is our defense attorney and not even death or all the powers of hell can ever conquer us.
Thu, May 16, 2013
Passage: Romans 9:1-6
Duration: 1 hr 10 mins 17 secs
When's the last time you thanked Israel for how it's helping you? Since the media lashes out at Israel as the number one trouble spot in the world, you may be wondering what they've done for you lately. Listen to this lesson to learn how even today the descendants of Abraham are fulfilling their role as a blessing to the world. Find out how the Apostle Paul expresses his searing grief in a rash wish of what he would be willing to do if it could help his Jewish unbelieving brothers. Enjoy an up-close personal tour of some of the sites of the Bible as they look today.