Weekly Guide：Week 37
October 07, 2018
Forward
We continue to read the Book of Romans this week.
The Book of Romans has an unparalleled importance to our understanding of salvation. The process of our sanctification starts the moment we accept God’s salvation. We are given a new identity but we are not purified completely as the sins of our lives still live in us. This new identity of righteousness is to be followed by the process of sanctification. We are not righteous in nature but are being clothed in Christ Jesus with the new identity because God is just and through the righteous act accomplished on Jesus’ cross, we may be called righteous.
Question
By whose sovereignty does God elect?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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God’s election is by His promise which never fails.
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God’s election is by His calling rather than our works.
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God’s election comes from His mercy rather than our will and endeavor.
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It is by God’s sovereignty a vessel may be elected and given glory.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - If it is God’s will to elect then why are we punished for our sins? Same question was asked in Paul’s time and continued to be asked now. What was Paul’s answer? Let me try to explain it with my own words so I can provide a clear explanation when asked.
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Integrity - Paul’s love for the Jews is seen in the verse 9:3 even though he was being persecuted by them! This is not a fleshly love, not a worldly love, but a Godly love. Are there people in my life who are unlovable? They might have hurt or misunderstood me. But let me pray and ask the Lord for a merciful heart to help me love through Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Through what are we saved?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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We are elected through God’s grace by faith.
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We are elected through Jesus Christ who is the culmination of the laws and through His death and resurrection for us. Everyone who calls on His name will be saved. To call on His name, one needs to believe. To believe, one needs to hear gospel. To hear gospel, one needs to be preached.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The Jews had zeal but no knowledge. Today, we have the knowledge but do we also have the zeal? What are the differences between the righteousness of man and the righteousness of God?
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Fidelity - All who call on His name will be saved. But to call His name one must first believe. To believe one must first hear the gospel. To hear one must be preached. It is through God’s sovereignty that we are elected. It is through God’s grace that we believe. But it is our responsibility to preach. Are there people around me to whom I can preach and give them the opportunity to hear gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How does God’s election come to the Israelites and the Gentiles?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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There’s a remnant of Israelites chosen by God’s grace.
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Because of the Israelites’ transgression, the salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
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By the depth and riches of His wisdom and knowledge, God’s mercy has come to the Israelites as well as the Gentiles.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - God’s election is full of His wisdom and knowledge as well as His grace and mercy. We sometimes ask why He elected those who seemed evil but not those who look to be moral. What does passage on the wisdom of His election remind and inspire me?
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Integrity - They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. Do I look down on those who don’t believe because I feel being superior? What does God’s warning remind me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the life of one when one’s body is offered as living sacrifice.
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
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The life of a disciple is to serve according to one’s gifts. To love others and overcome evil with good. Submit to governing authority. Clothe with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - A Christian’s life should be filled with love. To love not only the fellow Christians but to love even those who are evil as well as submit to those who have authority to govern. A Christian is to faithfully serve, to clothe in Jesus Christ, and not to submit to one’s own fleshly desires. Which of the aforementioned is the most difficult for me? In what area do I need to pay more attention? What have I gained more understanding?
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Fidelity - The offerings in the Old Testament were first killed then burnt. How does the Living Sacrifice different from that? What does it mean to offer our bodies as Living Sacrifice? What kind of life is a Living Sacrifice?
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Fidelity - In verse 12:1, this is your true and proper worship. How does this help me gain deeper understanding of the Living Sacrifice?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How should our attitude be toward our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Accept those whose faith are weak. Do not judge. Act in love. Do not cause others to stumble. Bear with the failings of the weak.
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Serve Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What matters in the Kingdom of God as described in verses 14:17-18? How does accepting the differences of the others relate to the life in Kingdom of God?
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Community - Think about how Jesus Christ accept us while we are still sinners. What is real acceptance when we face others? Think about how Jesus Christ beared our weaknesses and our failings. How should we bear the failings of the others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What kind of life did Paul display in his parting greeting?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Paul would not dare to mention anything outside of what Lord Jesus Christ called him to do.
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Paul was determined to spread the gospel to the end of the earth.
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Paul asked all believers to work with him and pray for him.
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Paul advised all believers to greet each other, to watch out for those who serve their own appetite.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Paul explained the reasons for writing the letter and tasks he relegated to the Roman Christians in the closing greeting. From his writing, we can see fully that Paul’s life is a testimony of the New Life in Christ.
What can I learn from Paul in offering my own body as Living Sacrifice to serve God?
What can I learn from Paul to stand for truth, hate evil, and cling to good?
What can I learn from Paul to love others as myself?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jephthah of lowly birth do when the Ammonites attacked?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Eighteen years after they turned away from God and were repressed by the Philistines and Ammonites, the Israelites repented and gotten rid of foreign gods. The Israelites needed someone to lead them when the Ammonites attacked.
+ Jephthah the mighty warrior was driven out of the family because of his lowly birth. The elders asked him to come back to lead them in their fight against the Ammonites.
+ Jephthah told Ammonites the three hundred years of history that God had given Israelites the land and that God will judge the dispute. King of Ammon paid no attention.
+ Jephthah vowed to God that whoever came out to meet him first when he returned in triumph would be devoted to the Lord. Unexpectedly, his daughter, the only child came out first. However difficult, Jephthah kept his vow.
+ The Ephraimites were going to burn down Jephthah's house because they weren't called to fight the Ammonites. Jephthah called together the men of Gilead to fight Ephraimites. Forty two thousand Ephraimites were killed.
+ Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon became judges after Jephthah.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Despite of his lowly birth, God had an important mission for Jephthah. Are there people around me whom I look down upon? Let me respect them to give them the opportunity to see how God values them.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Samson do with his great strength given by God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites were in the hands of Philistines for forty years for they again did evil acts.
+ God commanded the once infertile parents of Samson to dedicate him to God for life as Nazirite.
+ The Spirit of the Lord came to Samson and gave him great strength that he teared the lion into pieces. Samson acted absurdly ignoring the law and his status as Nazirite.
+ Samson ignored the law and married a Philistine woman.
+ Samson planned to take advantage of his companions with a riddle but leaked the answer to his wife. He had to give away his wife and give them cloths from thirty Philistines he then killed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Samson could have done great things for God with the great power God had given him. But he chose to follow his own will. Although he powered over the Philistines and displayed much personal glory, he paled in comparison to Gideon. Let me learn from Samson's example to put God's will first, obey His commands, and live to glorify God.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What situation was Samson in when he killed the most enemies?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Samson left his father-in-law's in anger. When he came back, his wife was already given away. Samson avenged against the Philistines and caused the death of his wife and father-in-law.
+ The people of Judah gave Samson up to the Philistines under pressure. God's spirit came upon Samson and he killed a thousand Philistine with a donkey's jawbone. God opened up a spring to save Samson from thirst.
+ With lies and God given strength, Samson was able to escape from Philistines' attacks number of times. His lust for women caused him to give away his secret and cost him strength. Philistine captured Samson and gouged out his eyes. After regaining his strength, Samson pulled down the temple's pillars. Samson perished together with all Philistines under the temple roof. Samson killed many more when he died then when he lived. He led Israel for twenty years.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God had given Samson great strength but he relied on himself. He prayed to the Lord only twice in duress and ultimately could not realize his God given talent. Am I often blinded by my talent or advantage and unable to see my weakness? Let me come in front of God to pray and ask Him to help me see myself.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where did the Levite from Bethlehem become a priest?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israel had no King. Everyone did as they see fit. (17:6)
+ Micah made an ephod, built a shrine, and installed his own son as priest.
+ The young Levite from Bethlehem stayed at Micah's and became his priest.
+ The tribe of Danite was seeking land of their own instead inheriting from what Moses and Joshua had drawn out for them when they took the idols and ephod they saw at Micah's shrine and lured the young priest as their own.
+ The Danites attacked savagely and burned the peaceful people at Laish, took their land, changed its name to Dan, and installed Jonathan, a descendant of Moses, and his sons as their priests.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although Micah and his mother claimed to worship God, they did it in their own way and turned it unknowingly into idol worshiping. Let me examine myself: do I worship God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind? Or, do I worship in my own convenience, at a place, time, and in ways that I see fit?
+ **Fidelity** - That young Levite did not serve at a place God had predetermined for him. Instead, following his own desires and never once consulted with God, became a priest for Micah then for the Danites. Do I humbly offer myself to God and obey His command when I serve or do I serve to satisfy my own desires and for my own benefit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How far would the Israelites fall, being away from God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ An Ephraim old man took in a Levite who was on his way home with his concubine near Gibeah in Benjamin.
+ They met unexpectedly in this land of Benjamite by an evil act that had happened only in Sodom (Gen. 19), the city God had destroyed: some wicked men wanted to have sex with the Levite. The old man was willing to substitute his own daughter for the Levite but those wicked men refused. The Levite sent his concubine instead and she was raped overnight to death.
+ The Levite cut up the concubine's body into pieces and sent to all areas of Israel. All who saw it were shocked and wanted to do something about it.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - It took just two generations for God's chosen people, the tribe of Benjamite, to fall from the most God obeying people who defeated Jericho to the most immoral that was comparable only to those of the Sodom. To see such a drastic change in so short a time when there's no king and everyone did as they see fit may seem surprising and yet it's an eye-opening warning for us. We might believe we are good enough that we don't feel the need for God to discipline us. But without discipline from God, we can fall easily on the slippery paths of the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the result of Benjamites' evil and wickedness?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Seen such unspeakable crime committed by the Benjamites, all Israelites gathered together wanting to punish those wicked Benjamites. The Benjamites refused to give up those wicked men and sent army instead. The Benjamites killed forty thousand Israelites. After consulting with God, Israelites scored complete victory over the Benjamites and left with them only six hundred alive.
+ Israelites realized that one of the tribes would be cut off. They began to regret and attempted to find wives for the remaining six hundred Benjamites. We can see how far the Israelites have fallen when the Book of Judges ends with "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - In the entire book, the Israelites inquired of the Lord in front of the ark of the covenant only once, when they were beaten by the Benjamites. Their rebellion and immorality came because they did not see God anymore. Let me not treat God, Christ Jesus, as an addition to my life, as my trophy. Rather, let me live my life centered around Him, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Barnabas and Paul's first missionary trip like?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Paul to go out on mission.
+ The proconsul Sergius Paulus saw Paul won over the false prophet with God's power and believed in God.
+ Paul spoke in Synagogue and many believed Jesus as the savior of all people.
+ The Jews rejected much of what they had heard, and the apostles turned to preach to the Gentiles.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Antioch sent off their most important co-workers to go on mission with Paul. Can I set my mind to the Kingdom and to help build others, to raise co-workers, and make my church a missional church?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What decisions did the council in Jerusalem make?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Escaping death, apostles continued to preach gospel to build the disciples.
+ Completed the first missionary trip. Apostles described the wonders God had done through them and how Gentiles believed.
+ The council in Jerusalem confirmed that salvation comes through God's grace and stopped enforcing rules that are irrelevant to the faith.
+ Began the second missionary trip with Timothy joined.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Some of the people from Judea wanted the Gentile believers in Antioch to be circumcised or would not recognize them as been saved. Do I have prejudice against believers of different culture background?
+ **Fidelity** - After being almost killed by stoning, Paul continued to preach gospel. What does this remind me where the apostles put gospel preaching at higher priority than their own lives?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Holy Spirit lead the apostles to bring gospel to Europe?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Holy Spirit lead the apostles to preach in Europe.
+ In Philippi, Lydia was converted near the river. The apostles praised God in prison and the jailer with his family were baptized.
+ Many believed in Thessalonica.
+ Many received the message with great eagerness in Berea.
+ Through the inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD, Paul proclaimed God's truth.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although imprisoned, Paul and Silas sang songs praising God and prayed because it was a natural outpouring of their lives that were immersed in Holy Spirit. Can I trust God's intention is all for my wellbeing even when I'm surrounded by difficulties? Pray and ask God to help me believe Him not just in prosperity, but in adversity, too!
+ **Fidelity** - Despite the distractions everywhere they went, the apostles had always prioritized gospel preaching according to the needs of the unbelievers. How does the way the apostles preached inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the effect of gospel in the morally deficient cities such as Corinth and Ephesus?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ A year and half after establishing the church in Corinth, the Lord said: "I have many people in this city."
+ Going through Ephesus marked the completion of the second missionary trip. The third missionary trip started right after.
+ Three years into establishing the church in Ephesus, many have repented and the word of God spread widely and grew in power.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Those who practiced sorcery in Ephesus burnt their expensive scrolls in public and turned away from their sinful past. Is there anything lingering in me that shackles me in sins? Pray and ask the Lord to grant me strength to escape from my sins.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Paul bid farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's way transforms people's heart. The business of idol making fell like a rock.
+ I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Paul not only preached but lived out a transformed life that endured trials and tribulations. Am I asking God for blessings only but not willing to surrender myself for the gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What dangers did Paul face in Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul went on to Jerusalem despite dangers.
+ Paul stated his repentance and portrayed God's calling.
+ Paul escaped death for his Roman citizenship.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - When facing the crowd and his life was threatened, Paul calmly spoke to the crowd for he believed in God that he would be used for His purpose. Let us lean on God and ask Him to transform our lives so that we can have a genuine relationship with God like Paul.
+ **Fidelity** - Persecution gave Paul the chance to testify for the gospel to the crowd. In time of distress, would I see God's plan and find it as opportunity to testify for the gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses