Tim Alexander will be the guest teacher for the winter class and provides the following description of the study:

More has been written about Romans than any other book in the Bible. No other book so captures the essence of Biblical Christianity. The text of Romans is ancient. The truth of Romans is eternal.

Our study of Romans will emphasize what I believe is the driving impulse of the book: The Glory of God. How is God’s glory upheld …

• when man rebels against Him?
• when God justifies the sinner by sacrifice?
• when God loves His elect for eternity?
• when His call to salvation in the Gospel is heralded, rejected and received?

Nothing matters so much in all that is as the Glory of God. There are two doxologies in Romans, found in the conclusion of the two major divisions.

God’s accomplished purpose of salvation is summed up in the words (11.33-36):
"Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been His counselor?
Or who has given a gift to Him
that He might be repaid?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.”

God’s witness in His people and His Gospel call is summed up in the words (16.25-27):
"Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that has been kept secret for long ages but has not been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen!"

Romans teaches the truth without which there is no Christianity, that is, faith in Jesus’ atoning death. Every word is important. Only Jesus. Only faith. Only atonement. Only death. Every word is important because only God is to be glorified; there is no room – even an inch or a hairsbreadth –  for any boasting on the part of any saved sinner. That is, save one, that any saved sinner is a great sinner who brings nothing to his salvation but his sin and he would not even know this about himself were it not for the grace of God.

Romans teaches the truth without which there is no assurance of salvation, that is, the eternal electing love of God. God is glorified by His eternal love for His Son. Because of His great love for His Son, God is glorified by His own inseparable love for those whom He has placed within His Son. It would be a betrayal of His love for His Son to fail to preserve for eternity those He has called to His Son. Only God can do this, and He does; it is accomplished even as you read these words.

Romans teaches the truth without which there is no confidence in God, that is, His own faithfulness to His own promises. The word of God does not fail. What He says, He does. In the saying is the doing. When God promised Israel salvation, His word did not fail even though Israel rejected Him. Only a glorious God is gloriously free to act upon His word as He chooses, when He chooses and with whom He chooses. Our God is that free God, unbound to any man yet always bound to Himself. And therein lies our confidence: God’s radical commitment to Himself, His integrity, His character, His own glorious Holiness.

The actual word, “glory” is not the most used word in Romans. Yet if Romans were a sponge and you were to squeeze it, your hand would be instantly drenched with “glory.” God’s glory saturates the entire book, from the beginning to the end.

Our study will not be a review of the many books written about Romans. Nor will it grant those who attend the license of pride for having harvested various Greek words and historical anecdotes. Rather, the study will be, hopefully, a rekindling of grateful humility for having received a great salvation from a glorious God.

SCHEDULE

1. January 19:   Glory Challenged by Sin (1.1 - 3.20)
2. January 26:   Glory in Sacrifice and Faith (3.21 - 4.23)
3. February 2:   Glory Gained by Saving Sinners (5.1 - 7.25)
4. February 9:   Glory in a Certain Salvation (8.1-39)
5. February 16: Glory in Election (9.1-29)
6. February 23: Glory in Covenant Purpose (9.30 - 11.36)
7. March 2:        Glory in Living Sacrifices (12.1 - 15.7)
8. March 9:        Glory in Proclaiming Christ (15.8 - 16.27)

LOCATION AND TIME

Classes will begin Tuesday, January 19 and will meet each Tuesday through March 9 at Faith Church at 15512 Old Hickory Boulevard. Faith Church is 4.9 miles west of I-24 (Hickory Hollow) on the right just before Nipper's Corner at Edmondson Pike. It is 2.6 miles east of I-65 (Brentwood) on the left just past Nipper's Corner at Edmondson Pike. Each class will be conducted from 7 - 9 p.m. with a refreshment and fellowship break included. Call 793-6681 for more information.