Romans 9:22-26 Having considered last week about the vessels Paul discusses in these verses, we return in this lesson to discover a bit more about those vessels, and then to study Paul's "what if" statement. What evidence do we have from this passage and others that the condition of being a vessel of wrath is not unchanging, but that a vessel of wrath can become a vessel of mercy? What are two different ways we might use a "what if" statement such as Paul uses here? How does Paul use it? What do we learn that God is every bit willing to do? Yet we learn that God has not done this. Why? What is the glory for which the children of Israel in Egypt were prepared as God waited on Pharaoh? How does Paul use the word "from" in verse 24? How does he use the word "called?" How does the story of Hosea's daughter and son give evidence that God can call some who are Gentiles His people? How does this passage shut the door on racism? (61 min)

Keywords Calling, Vessels, Wrath, Mercy, Hosea

Romans 9:22-23 Having established the right of the potter to make whatever kind of vessel he wishes from the clay, Paul now asks a "What if?" question. There are three entities in these verses, God, vessels of wrath, and vessels of mercy. In this lesson we take time to consider who and what are the vessels of wrath, and who and what are the vessels of mercy. What is the first most important thing we learn about the vessels of wrath? To what utility does God purpose to use these vessels? To what does the term "vessels of wrath" refer, their purpose or their condition? Who are the vessels of mercy? What is the utility to which God proposes to use such vessels? What is the difference between the preparation of the vessels of wrath and that of the vessels of mercy? Is the condition of being a vessel of wrath an immutable condition, or can such a vessel become a vessel of mercy? In our next lesson we will learn about how God uses these vessels. (61 min)

Keywords Potter, Clay, Vessels, Mercy, Wrath

Romans 4:13-17 In these verses Paul begins to explain how it is that those who believe like Abraham believed are Abraham's descendants. What is the promise made to Abraham that he believed? What are the two categories that Paul presents for our consideration? What is the consequence of confusing these categories? What is it that the Law brings about? Why can it not bring about the inheritance of the promise? Why must the inheritance come by faith? What is it that is "in the presence of God?" What did Paul have in mind when he spoke of God giving life to the dead? Why is it important that God calls into being that which did not exist? (58 min)

Keywords Works, Faith, Law, Grace, Wrath, Inheritance, Promise

Romans 1:28-32 Continuing the lesson from last week, we consider a couple more points on homosexuality and the third wrath of God revealed against man's rebellion. Is homosexuality the end result of man's depravity? How do those who reinterpret this passage prove Paul's point? What play on words does Paul use to emphasize how God's third wrath is appropriate for what man has done with the knowledge of God? What is Paul trying to say by his list of twenty one vices? How do we know that men know that their sin deserves death? What is the end extent of man's depravity? What is the "fourth exchange," and how does that answer our condition? (59 min)

Keywords Homosexuality, Wrath

Romans 1:22-27 The verses we look at in this study reveal the progression of man's rebellion against God, and God's response to that rebellion. What happens in the mind of the person who refuses to acknowledge the God revealed in creation? What are the three exchanges that such people make, and what are God's responses to those exchanges? With what did man replace the glory of the true God? What does Paul mean by his thrice repeated statement that "God gave them over?" How does the desire mentioned in God's first judgment differ from the desire mentioned in his second judgment? How do people who favor homosexual tolerance view this passage? What does Paul mean by his use of the word "natural?" How should one view homosexual desire as opposed to homosexual behavior? (63 min)

Keywords Wrath, Homosexuality, Fools

Romans 1:18-21 In this passage Paul begins his explanation of why the Gospel is necessary and why it is necessary that its power be activated by faith. To do this Paul writes about all of mankind's terrible predicament of being under the wrath of God for our sin. Why do we shrink from believing in God's personal, intentional wrath? How is God's wrath different from man's? When is this wrath revealed of which Paul speaks? Against what does God reveal such wrath? What did man know and what did he do with that knowledge? Do men still retain that knowledge? How was Paul so certain that men know about God? What about God is revealed in His creation? What happens to man when he suppresses his knowledge of God? (64 min)

Keywords Truth, Revelation, Wrath