ROMANS 8. Part 2

ROMANS 8 (part 2, vv. 18-39)

the structure of the chapter as a whole can be found here.  

Part A’, vv. 18-30

St. Paul concludes the previous part with the claim of our heirloom in Christ, as long as we suffer with Him to be glorified with Him. Latin saying: “per aspera ad astra.” Through perils to stars…

Then he goes into a consideration of suffering and glory. Two things: (1) the level of suffering is not compatible to the “amount” of glory we will receive in Christ, example of groaning creation (vv. 19-25). 

(2) the Spirit (v. 26) helps us! For even do not know how to pray, but Spirit intercedes for us in our groaning…

For God knows us, predestined us, called us, being justified, and glorified! (vv. 29-30).

Conclusion (vv. 31-39). It begins like the other famous parts of Romans – 4:1, 6:1, 7:7. Later he will use it twice more in the next block (9:14, 30).

This paragraph can be an answer/conclusion to

Chapter 8, compare 8:1 reinforced by 8:38-39.  

Chapters 5-8, the name and the title if Jesus is the same in 5:1 and 8:39 (5:11, 21; 6:23; 7:25). So, it is the end of many-side discussion of the assurance we have in our LORD Jesus Christ. 

Chapters 1-8, it can be a answer to righteousness/faithfulness of God (1:17) set at the beginning and “challenged” in 3:1-8 (set of rhetorical question).  

God’s love shown in the sacrifice of Jesus is a proof and guarantee of our heirloom (v. 32):

Death and life

Angels or rulers

Things present or things to come (future)

Powers

Height or depth

ANYTHING in the created world – total 10 “units”

Can’t separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our LORD.       

SERMONS: Call to LOVE

Call of Love                        

Luke 6:27-38

I. Intro.

Two weeks ago, February 9, 2025, Rev. Dr. Tim Rossow was here, presenting or representing Luther Classical College. During his sermon he lamented the lack of preaching of the LAW in the Lutheran churches.

We can’t change the practices of other congregations. Let’s fix it here at Zion.  

 

II. 17 imperative verbs in our Gospel reading.

For those who hear! Hearing in the Bible is obedience. Not a blind obedience, but obedience to the Word.

Here we have 17 imperative verbs – all of them are a call to action. Do it! 

But the question is – can you? or - can we?

Even most “obvious” one – repeated twice – love your enemies… (v.27 and 35).

 

III. Take away

We are called to love because He loved us first.

Think of the Cross: Jesus is not “pushing back,” Jesus cares for those crucify Him, pleading Father to forgive them for they didn’t know what they were doing.

This love extends from the Cross. He forgives repenting (!) hearts of all times, of all places. He provided the ministry of Confession and Absolution that people would have a chance for forgiveness…

And, when the burden of guilt is lifted up, then we are free to forgive, to love, to bless…

PSALM 11

PSALM 11

s [superscription] – chief musician to David

a. 1, I trust, my soul

  b. 2, wicked

    c. 3, what can righteous do?

      d. 4a, LORD is in His temple, His throne is in heaven

      d’. 4b, His eyes behold and tried the children of Adam

    c’. 5a, righteous is tried 

  b’. 5b-6, wicked

a’. 7, the LORD loves the righteous

In the times of David there were worship in the hills. That’s why “you/they” suggest that his soul should flee to the hills.

It is not obvious in English translation but “the wicked” is plural. “They” are wicked. Wicked set the bow and arrows to shoot the upright in the heart – cp. Ephesians 6:16, arrows of the wicked. What defends from the arrows? Using the shield of faith – creed.

What can righteous do when the foundations are destroyed?

Flee to the LORD

Who is in His Holy Temple, while His throne is in heaven (v. 4).

The LORD tries the righteous – righteous goes through training, development, and path of maturation. Cp. James 1:12.

The wicked is caught by snares, burned by brimstone, and dismissed by the wind (spirit), cp. Ps.1:4.

The LORD is righteous, Loves the righteous deeds, and the upright looks at His face, cp. Num. 6:24-26. We are not hiding from God, unlike Adam (or sons of Adam, see v. 4b). We are righteous in Christ and through Christ – the second Adam, therefore we can trust in the LORD, Who rules from His heavenly throne. 

ROMANS 8. part 1

ROMANS 8 (part 1, vv. 1-17)

a. 8:1-8, “Spirit” 5 times

  b. 8:9-11, “Spirit” 6 times

  b’. 8:12-17, “Spirit” 6 times

a’. 8:18-30, “Spirit” 5 times       Total: 22 times – 22 letters of Hebrew alphabet

c. 8:31-39, conclusion

a. Continuation of or response to the discussion of the law of flesh and sin.

Law of the Spirit set us free from the law of sin and death

Flesh vs. Spirit (vv. 3-8) – three (almost) pairs

1. life according to the flesh – set the mind on things of the flesh (cp. 6:16)

1'. life according to Spirit – set the mind on the things of the Spirit

2. Mind of the Flesh – death

2'. Mind of the Spirit – life and peace

3. Mind set on flesh – hostile to God

3'. The response is b. (9-11): mind set on the Spirit

v.9 Spirit dwells in you –

    Body is dead because of sin

    Spirit is life because of righteousness

v.11 Spirit dwells in you

c. Debtors vs. heirs (vv. 12-17)

Life according to the flesh – death

By the Spirit you put to death deeds of the body

Not the Spirit of slavery

Spirit of adoption – we cry “Abba, Father”

Spirit [of God] testifies to our spirit that we are children of God,

Children – then heirs,

            Heirs of God

            Heirs with Christ, when we suffer to be glorified. 

ROMANS 7

Romans 7

The chapter has two parts: (A) vv. 1-6 and (B) vv. 7-25.

(A) marriage illustration

a. 7:1, brothers

  b. 7:2-3, she is released from the Law

a’. 7:4, brothers

  b’. 7:5-6, we are released from the Law

Law has authority while a person is alive.

Example of a married woman – should be read on two levels:

1. Practical, she should be a lawful wife as long as husband is alive.

2. symbolic, husband-wife paradigm is a paradigm of relationship between

a. LORD and Israel and

b. sinful flesh and Law    

 

(B) inner conflict 

a. 7:7-13, sin is known through the Law

  b. 7:14-17, it is no longer I do it, but the sin that dwells in me

  b’. 7:18-20, it is no longer I do it, but the sin that dwells in me

a’. 7:21-25, law of sin

Inner conflict of a believer:

Self-identity – I – is a new person, who died in baptism (cp. 6:1).

Yet, the sin still lives/dwells in “me” – the sin produces death, using good gifts of God – Law. Humans are very creative turning good gifts of God into idols.  

Romans 6: Gifts of the Spirit in the Baptism

Gifts of the Spirit in the Baptism

Romans 6 – intro

Structure:

a. 6:1-2, Persistence of sin for a greater grace? No

  b. 6:3-7, being absolved from sin

    c. 6:8-13, parts of your bodies as weapons of righteousness

a’. 6:14-15, Should we sin because we are not under the Law? No

  b’. 6:16-18, being freed from sin, you are slaves of righteousness

    c’. 6:19-23, present them as slaves to righteousness

 

Last time we talked about the concept of SIN.

This chapter approaches sin from two angles:

1. Status of dead to sin, being baptized – gift of status   

2. Not giving our members (parts of the body) to sin – gift of obedience

First, baptism – connection with the death of Jesus.

Pauline logic is simple: if we are connected with Him in His death, we – as the children of God – will be connected with His resurrection. This promise takes care of the past (including the original sin impact) and carries us into the future, pointing to our resurrection in the world to come.

Second part is more related to “the present”. Verse 17 summarizes the point, and the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration IV:17 uses it the following way:

The people of the New Testament are to be willing (Psalm 110:3) and sacrifice freely (Psalm 54:6), “not reluctant or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). They are to “obedient from the heart” (Romans 6:17). 

Psalm 8

Psalm 8 – God and man

This psalm is the first example of antiphon – when a line is repeated to accent the point, in this psalm it is verses 1 and 9:

O Lord, our Lord,

            How majestic is your NAME in all the earth.

 

While glory of God is above the heavens,

Babies and infants proclaim/establish the strength of God –

To overcome three evils: foes, enemies, and avengers.

 

This difference – between His glory and our childish lives – raises the question: why do You – second person, singular – care for man, for humans, for you and for me.

 

The psalm gives no answer to “Why?” But it gives a description of the amazing trust and responsibility the Creator granted to humans. The only entity that stays in between God and man in the times of David – angels/higher powers. There is a reason for it – let’s compare Genesis 2:15 and 3:24.

 

But then the Name of God became flesh (cp. John 1:14, 17:6,12) – Jesus is the only mediator between God and men now, 1 Timothy 2:3-6. As a result, we – humans – we re-installed to the position Adam lost. St. Paul says we will evaluate the ministry of angels – 1 Corinthians 6:3.

  

Psalm 4

Psalm 4

David is the author. Also, there is a first musical superscription in the Psalter – choir and strings. 

The psalm is an evening prayer (v. 4 and 8). When we lie on our beds, thinking about the worries of the day that passed and the coming one, we can rely on the Lord, who gives relief when we are in distress (v. 1).

 

What do you think about when you can’t go to sleep?

Family matter…

Health…

Future…

 

Lord is the One who puts words for prayer on our lips (Ps. 51:15 and Rom. 2:26) and allows us to see how much He cares or pities us.

 

David identifies three areas:

1. Godless men – a there are people who seek vain words and things (v. 2).

2. Giving God the priority – we can be upset, yet not falling into sin, recognizing that He is in charge and appointed/sets apart godly people to every situation (vv. 3-4).

3. Living out the call of liturgical life (vv. 5-7):

            * right sacrifices

            * looking the light of the LORD

            * Joy in the heart with the Lord’s Supper

  

He concludes with an ability to sleep in peace (shalom), because LORD provides safety (v. 8). Like Lord’s Prayer talks about the God’s will be done and provision of Daily Bread (Matthew 6:10-11). 

Psalm 3

Psalm 3

a. First psalm “signed” by David.

b. First psalm with a description of historical context.

c. First psalm with the “Selah.”

Let's go in reversed order  

c. Let’s start with “Selah.”

It can be       refrain – for psalms are songs

                        musical interlude

 

b. Historical context is very grim – David’s son started a coup against the king.

See, 2 Samuel 13-18.
Most important background note – it did not raise “out of the blue,” it was an aftershock following the sin of David with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12).

What to say: on one hand, David “deserved it”

                        On the other, Absalom is responsible for his own actions of mutiny, murder etc.

 

a. This is the most interesting question, what can we learn from the psalm of David.

Jesus is the ultimate king, see Psalm 2. When people conspire against the anointed Messiah, they turn into “absaloms.” But instead of military campaign He takes the hits on Himself (cp. Psalm 3:7 and John 18:22).  

This results in blessing on His people, for He is the initiator, executer, and promoter of Salvation – Psalm 3:8!