The 66 Podcast

Chosen by Faith

Drew Kizer

In our study of Romans 9-11, our main focus is GOD's sovereign ability to choose whom HE will save and how HE will save them. We outline the chapters based on five main questions in Paul's line of thought:

1. Is GOD unjust? (9:14)

2. Why does HE still find fault? (9:19)

3. Why did the Gentiles attain righteousness but the Jews did not? (9:30-32)

4. Has GOD rejected HIS people? (11:1)

5. Did Israel stumble in order that they may fall? (11:11)

Set Free by Faith

Drew Kizer

After proving justification by faith, Paul shows his Roman readers how they have been set free by faith in chapters 6-8. Paul reveals that we have been set free from sin (chapter 6), from the Law (chapter 7), and even from death (chapter 8).

Justified by Faith

Drew Kizer

After proving that none are righteous except GOD alone in chapters 1-3:20, Paul moves on to explain the good news of the Gospel of Christ in the following chapters. He begins his explanation of the gospel by making the point that we are justified by faith apart from works of the law (3:28).

The Righteousness of God

Drew Kizer

Paul’s explanation of the gospel starts off with the need for salvation (or the why). In the case of the cross, the good news is only necessary on account of the bad news. It is the sinful state of man that lends itself to the need for a savior. John MacArthur puts it nicely: “We cannot appreciate the wonder of GOD’s grace and love until we truly understand GOD’s righteous anger against sin. We cannot appreciate GOD’s forgiveness until we appreciate the eternal consequences of sin.”

Paul begins the body of his letter by proving the sin of man (focusing on Gentiles in 1:18f and Jews in 2:1-3:20) and by announcing the resulting punishment thereof - the wrath of GOD (1:18) and the judgment of GOD (2:2). The section closes with an introduction into the righteousness of GOD through faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-26); setting the stage for the example of Abraham in chapter four.

Verses 2:9-10 serves as a key verse for the section: “There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.”

Romans: Introduction

Often referred to as “Paul’s Gospel,” Romans is Paul's carefully crafted explanation of the good news of Christ. The thesis statement of the letter can be seen in 1:16-17,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of GOD for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also tot he Greek. For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.'

Song of Songs

Drew Kizer

A short, often overlooked book full of rich, thought provoking content concerning the marriage relationship - "the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's."

A New Start

Drew Kizer

And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD.

The bitter punishment of the nation of Israel had been realized. What was once a radiant light shining from the hill was now nothing more than a flickering glow hidden underneath the ruin of the once-mighty Jerusalem. The “gods” which Israel had chosen to protect them had failed miserably, while the true GOD was preparing to heal the wound of HIS fallen people.

Ears that Do Not Hear

Drew Kizer

The assassination of Gedaliah began a twenty-six-year period of no rule in Judah. In the absence of an official leader, Johanan does his best to organize the people near Bethlehem. What shall they do? The consensus was to flee to Egypt to avoid Nebuchadnezzar’s wrath. But first, they decided to hear what the Lord through Jeremiah had to say. Jeremiah had described his people as “having eyes but not seeing, having ears but not hearing” (Jeremiah 5:21). The people’s response to his prophecy proves that description to be correct.

Outcasts

Drew Kizer

2 Kings 24:20 reveals why Jerusalem met its tragic end: “For because of the anger of the Lord it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence.” God’s patience had run its course, and it was time to end his relationship with his people, with most of them anyway.

The Many Faces of Zedekiah

Drew Kizer

During Jerusalem’s waning years, the officials of king Zedekiah threw one of the cities’ few righteous men into a deep, dark, ineffective cistern. As it turns out, the cistern that served as Jeremiah’s prison also served as an excellent metaphor for the king’s psychological state. Throughout Jeremiah chapters 37-38, Zedekiah wears a number of “faces,” all revealing his weakness as a leader over God’s people.