Nancy Guthrie in her book, "The Promised One?" says the Old Testament is an uncompleted story. As it ends, the people are still waiting for the fulfillment of the Promise. The Old Testament was to provide the context with which we could understand the necessity of suffering and the certainty of glorification. It is the foundation of all we need to know about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. Salvation, the cross, resurrection and glorification made little sense without an understanding of the Old Testament.

The verses 1-16 of Chapter 16 are special greetings that Paul was sending. At least 26 different people are named, two unnamed saints and churches that met in homes. He closed with greetings from nine believers who were with him in Corinth when he wrote the letter.

*Note - This week and prior week are using the same study guide.

The verses 1-16 of Chapter 16 are special greetings that Paul was sending. At least 26 different people are named, two unnamed saints and churches that met in homes. He closed with greetings from nine believers who were with him in Corinth when he wrote the letter.

*Note - The next two weeks will use the same study guide.

We are in the midst of Paul sharing his insight about how to live for God. Last week we studied patterns for living God’s way. Believers may hold different convictions about many matters, but they must hold them in love. Today we will dig in to discover how we are to glorify God. You might be surprised!

Are you awake now? Can you hear what Paul is saying? He has laid out all the theology of the church, and taught us what it takes to have victory in our Christian life, now here are the practical exercises.

Paul has presented every doctrine a Christian needs to know and believe. In Chapter 8 we learned about living victoriously because God gave us the Holy Spirit. One of the commentaries I studied said in the Christian life, doctrine and study always go together. What we believe determines how we live. We are off on an adventure to see how to translate learning into loving! Are you up for the challenge??

Paul took the last 2 chapters to present the rebuttal that God is not faithless, His plans have not failed. In Chapter 9 Paul told us that all God’s elect to be saved will be saved and that not all Israel would be saved. Some Gentiles would be saved. The failure of the Jews to believe was their own fault. What’s next?

Last week we talked about God’s Sovereignty. Many interesting questions for us to wrestle and dig to find answers. Paul is going to continue to challenge us this week in Chapter 10, and we see his grieving heart.

We were on a high mountain top of scriptural truth. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. It is much needed victory cry in a world where people act as if life has defeated them. The world is full of negativity. The Christian view is positive. One resource said, "We see God at the beginning of history (large and in charge), Jesus on the cross at the center of history (giving it meaning), and the return of Christ at the end of history (bringing history to a triumphant conclusion)."

Week 9 and 10: My ESV Study Bible titles this "life in the Spirit". My English Standard titles it "The power of Sanctification: the question of living." Holman Christian Standard is "Life-Giving Spirit". These 39 verses begin with 'no condemnation' and end with 'no separation'. Does it get any better than this?