Romans - Masterclass 201 - Breesport Baptist Church

Wretched & Yet Loved

November 26, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 7:13–25

Have you ever been frustrated? Of course, you have, but have you ever been frustrated with yourself? Of course, you have. In this week’s text we find the apostle Paul frustrated over the fact he still wrestled with sin. He recognized that nothing good dwelt in his flesh. He laments the ongoing wretchedness of the old man that still lived within him, and he confidently cries out for on going deliverance because he knows that while he may be wretched he is also deeply loved and victory is possible in Christ.

In Defense of the Law

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 7:7–12

It seems like many Christians hold a very low view of the Old Testament law. That stands in contrast to the fact that the biblical writers, both Old Testament and New Testament, hold a very high view of the law. In this week’s text the apostle Paul is going to argue in defense of the law of God and unpack for us the place of the law in the work of salvation. We who love God and the Word of God should be thankful for the law because without it, we would never come to appreciate our true depravity nor the depth of grace we’ve been given in Christ Jesus.

Love Because You're Loved

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 7:1–6

In Romans 7 the apostle Paul will explore the tension that every Christian is familiar with between the old nature and the new nature. The question is this, if I have died to sin, why am I still tempted by it and why, at least on occasion, do I still choose it? In this week’s text he will begin to explore the relationship between law and sin and the importance of considering ourselves dead indeed to our old relationship with both sin and the law. The glorious fact of the matter is that we are now given to another who truly loves us so that we might bear fruit for God in every circumstance and stage of life.

A Most Happy Slave (2)

October 29, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 6:15–23

America has a painful history with chattel slavery that continues to impact our country to this very day. In this week’s text, however, the apostle Paul is going to encourage us to make ourselves slaves of righteousness and of our God. What you think about slavery will determine whether that’s attractive or repulsive to you, therefore, it’s essential that we think biblically about it. The truth is that the human heart will always be mastered by something or someone, but there is no one more worthy of our life, kinder, or more loving that the Lord Jesus Christ. The invitation is to bind your will to His will and give to Him the very life that He’s given to you.

Set Free

October 22, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 6:5–14, Galatians 2:20

There are few things in life that are truly a matter of life and death. The Gospel is one of those few things. In this week's text the apostle Paul is going to speak of death in one form or another some ten times. He's also going to speak of life some four times. The key for us, as we continue to unpack the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is understanding that in Him, we have died to sin and we've been made alive to God. Therefore, let us live, worship, and love as those who are alive and set free.

Baptized into Christ

October 15, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 6:1–4

The Bible teaches that every believer is actually to be baptized twice. One is a dry baptism, and one is a wet baptism. The “dry” baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which occurs at the moment of salvation. The “wet” baptism is when the believer submits to Christ and follows Him in obedience to the Great Commission and is baptized by immersion in water. In this week’s text the apostle Paul speaks to the believer’s baptism into Christ, and in doing so he gives us the significance of what water baptism is illustrating. The question is this – are you saved, and if so, have you died to sin and are you walking in the newness of life?

The Free Gift

October 8, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 5:12–21

This week’s text can seem complicated upon first reading, but it is both theologically deep and rich in its assertions and implications. Paul is going to force us to consider the origins of sin, the promised consequence of sin, and the glorious accomplishments of the Gospel. With that being said, we should not be surprised by the fact that it is only through effort that finite and physical creatures come to understand infinite and spiritual truths. The Good News, however, is this, righteousness leads to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! That’s worth pursuing, knowing, and celebrating.

Reconciled and Rejoicing

October 1, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 5:6–11

Have you ever had an enemy? What caused you to consider them in that way? Have you been able to reconcile with them? Do you even want to? These are important questions because the Bible says that at one time, every human being was at war with God. We were enemies with the omnipotent sovereign King of the universe, and we acted like we could win that fight. And yet, God being rich in mercy sent His Son to reconcile us…to make peace between us through His death and resurrection. This week we will celebrate the fact that the war can be over through faith in Jesus Christ.

Formed by Faith

September 24, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 5:1–5

Hope. It’s an important word. Human beings cannot live without it and it can mean very different things to different people. What does hope mean to you? How is it influencing your life right now? In this week’s text the apostle Paul asserts that hope is born and strengthened through trials and yet those very same trials can erode a person’s hope. It is our prayer that this text helps to strengthen you and to equip you to strengthen others who may be in danger of losing hope.

Faith Acts

September 17, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 4:13–25

Saving faith always shows up in good works. That’s a bold but Biblical assertion and the good work that saving faith most often reveals itself in is obedience to the Word of God. Paul makes it clear in our text this week that though Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, he acted on his faith so as to produce an heir, his son Isaac. If one were to look at your record of obedience, what would a reasonable judge conclude about your faith?

The Wonder of Justification (Part 2)

September 10, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • James 2:14–26

We are only one week into our return to the book of Romans and already we find ourselves stepping out of it. This is a critical excursion because Romans 4 and James 2 are often pitted against one another by skeptics to try and prove that the Bible is full of contradictions. This week we will set James’s understanding of salvation and works alongside Paul’s and recognize that they are not contradicting one another, but rather harmoniously adding to our understanding of saving faith.

The Wonder of Justification

September 3, 2023 • Pastor Doug Forman • Romans 4:1–12

This week we return to the book of Romans, the king of the New Testament epistles. In it we see the fullest unpacking of the Gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere in literature. As we step into chapter four of this great book our teacher, the apostle Paul, turns his attention from the universality of sin to the absolute necessity of faith for salvation from our sin. Abraham is put forward as the prototypical example of all those who would be made righteous before God through faith and faith alone in Christ Jesus. What can you do to walk in the footsteps of faith laid down for us by our father Abraham?

Breesport Baptist Church

Romans - Masterclass 201

Romans Chapter 4 through Chapter 7