The Righteousness of God in the Gospel: Romans 9–11
Excluding last Sunday, we spent the last few weeks swimming through deep waters. Romans 9–11 contains some of the most difficult theology (for interpretation) in all of the NT. We focused our time on 1) the identity of Israel, 2) the mercy of God, and 3) the righteousness of God. Regarding the first, I briefly discussed our dispensational heritage, movements in the dispensational teaching, and dispensational distinctives. In these chapters, Paul discusses the mercy of God as selective, impartial and in concord with his promises. Lastly (and our primary focus), the apostle puts salt in Israel’s wounded pride—the righteousness of God has been revealed apart from the law in Christ Jesus. However, this is where Israel stumbled, and stubbornness resulted in a hardened heart and a ministry to the Gentiles. They sought to establish a righteousness of their own through the law even though Jesus Christ was the end of the law. From here, we move into the last four chapters of Romans where the righteousness of God in the Gospel is “teased out” for a community that is diverse and wrestling with particular issues. We have much to look forward to in the New Year!
Last Sunday, Ryan and Bekah organized a terrific outing! Students and leaders set out in groups to visit three Scofield members who are no longer able to make it out to worship. We brought gifts, sang Christmas carols, read Scripture to each one, and engaged in conversation about Christmases of the past and wisdom that they could pass on to our young people. We hope to visit our shut-ins more in the future as we seek to develop students who have a redemptive initiative.
Student Challenge: What are you doing this Christmas (and year around) to live out the Incarnation?
