The Bible Series Romans

A Letter… we get bills, taxes, political junk, and even those advertising to us… yet when we get a LETTER especially addressed to us, personal, maybe even from someone we know… it sparks interest, all other things are tossed and we open it up, sit down maybe and read the letter…

The letter we will look at today and many more in the weeks to follow are from Paul…

Look at his powerful introduction to his letter... Romans 1:1-7; 16-17

Romans 1:1–7 NASB95

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16–17 NASB95

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 to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

… YET it was not long ago that this now Apostle Paul was better known as Saul the persecutor…

Damascus Dirt Road

Saul was passionate about persecuting and was on his way to Damascus (Acts 9)

On the road Jesus blinded Saul and spoke from the Light

It was BLINDED that Saul would see clearly WHO Jesus was… The Messiah!

We see Saul mentored by Ananias & Barnabas

He spends time with Christ

He serves in the local church (Antioch)

From there his name changes to Paul and he with others goes out on THREE MISSION JOURNEYS testifying of Jesus Christ and planting churches

It is towards the end of his third journey, most likely in Corinth, he sits down to write a letter to the saints in Rome the capital city of the Roman Empire!

It is thought that Phoebe (the one who took the letter to Rome) was taking a trip there and Paul uses the occasion to send this letter… these words of SCRIPTURE we have before us today!

Scripture

Scripture… the Greek calls it “logos” or Word… often refereed to as God Breathed, as One speaks or gives utterance.

UNDERSTAND: Author vs Writer… God is the One who is giving us His words… using man to write it out utilizing their style, temperament, and personality!

The Apostle Peter (leader of the early church) wrote this… 2 Peter 1:20-21

2 Peter 1:20–21 NASB95

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Paul would instruct Timothy stating 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Peter later in the same letter from before states that Paul’s writings are scripture! 2 Peter 3:14-16

2 Peter 3:14–16 NASB95

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

I state this because as we approach studying the EPISTLES … which are LETTERS… we will see personalities emerge, we will hear and read words that are personal in nature, we will observe recipients who are a great deal like you and I dealing with similar struggles.

These letters, what Paul has sat down to write… is the Inspired Word of God!!!

Sent to real people… from a real person respected, loved, admired

Imagine getting a personal letter addressed to you… [show letter and observe the sections it would have]

Salutation

Content: purpose, issue(s), teachings (epistle)

Closing greetings

Often read aloud to many start to finish

As we observe Paul’s letter titled ROMANS along with all the other letters in the New Testament we will briefly observe a letter information portion…

understanding certain things along with the setting when we look at letters is crucial for proper hermeneutics as we study these letters in their proper context… in doing so we will then be able to accurately apply the scripture to our lives!

Letter Info

Paul like many letters is the one wiring

It is not addressed to a church but rather the “Saints who are in Rome” there were probably many church gatherings in this central city.

It is written around 57AD… (please note that the dates unless expressed in scripture will be estimated)

This will alos be indicated with a marker along the NT Timeline

This is written at the end of Paul’s third mission journey

KEY POINTS…

This letter introduces Paul to the saints in Rome

Paul did not plant the church in Rome

Possibly believers from those mentioned at Pentecost!

Paul is giving instruction in this letter

This letter has less of a personal feel, it is very SYSTEMATIC in its approach

Do NOT allow this approach to allow you to look over his heart and passion

Paul is expounding on what he wrote to the Galatian believers in greater detail and explanation

Although this is the first book in the NT order, it is NOT Paul’s first letter he writes

His writings in Romans however serves as a solid foundation for all other letters in NT

As Paul dictates to his scribe (Tertius 16:22) we see a clear presentation and understanding of the depth Gospel laid out and how it should impact the life of the believer…

Romans Overview

God offers the gift of His righteousness:

Unjust sinners receiving a right standing before a HOLY and JUST GOD!!! Being justified!

This is offered to everyone who comes to Christ by faith. Paul wrote Romans to reveal God’s sovereign plan of salvation, to show how Jews and Gentiles fit into that plan, and to challenge them to live righteous and harmonious lives.Paul presents God’s plan of salvation transitioning from condemnation to glorification, and from positional truth to practical truth.

Introduction

Such a powerful way to begin a letter… draws you in to want MORE!!!!

Sin - Righteousness Demanded

Demonstrates and DEMANDS a need for God’s Righteousness

He shows Gentiles, Jews, all humanity GUILTY!!!

Salvation - Righteousness Declared

Justification needed and illustrated in Abraham

Justification explained through the first and second ADAM

Sanctification - Righteousness Defended

This section deals with our VICTORY, our LIBERTY, and our SECURITY!!!

Beautiful illustration of the ONGOING WORK of the SANCTIFICATION PROCESS

Sovereignty - Righteousness Declined

Israel's past riches

Israel's present rejection

Israel’s future restoration

Service - Righteousness Demonstrated

Our duties and liberties

Interactions with: church body… in society… with weaker believers

Greetings -

Getting personal and real… we need the whole BODY OF CHRIST!!!

In summary of the whole book it can be narrowed down into (DOCTRINAL) theological teaching and (BEHAVIORAL) the outworking of our theology in our life… I like to refer to it as “The Romans Road” and “Romans Off-Road”…

Romans Road

This is a smooth road. Clear, simple, to the point. Well paved and almost inviting…

We all have sinned Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

No one is innocent Romans 3:12 “All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.””

Sin has a consequence (BAD NEWS) Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

BUT… we look at the gift in light of our sin Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Understanding our sinfulness and our need we confess Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

it is reiterated again in Romans 10:13 “for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

We see salvation depicted beautifully in Romans 5:1–6 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

We are assured of our standing in Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

We are strengthened and given HOPE when we read Romans 8:38–39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christ paved a way for you and I to have a relationship with Him… it is powerful, simple, and paid for! GRACE given, RECEIVED by FAITH… That is chapters 1-11, but then comes Romans Off- Road…

The Romans Off-Road!!!

This is where doctrine engages our behavior … where the rubber meets the rock!!!… it is hard, it is uncertain, rough, difficult.

In Chapter 12

We are told to change our thinking

He talks about the body of Christ… living, working, engaging with each other

He instructs how to minister with each other

Our Christian DUTIES!!!!

THEN!!!… Love our enemies, bless them

Be at peace with all men if possible

I get asked a lot what is God’s will for my life… i tell them master Romans 12 and you are off to a good start!

In Chapter 13

Paul then instructs them to submit to governing authority!

We learn God is the One who places them in positions

He challenges the believer to submission, love, and obedience

We are to put off “deeds of darkness” and “put on light”

In Chapter 14

Paul then describes WHY we do things

NOT of obligation, burden, or law… but because of our heart for the God

We bow to God and God alone

The difficult subject of Christian Liberties

We stand before God!!!!

Paul illustrates with days of worship or foods eaten (JEW & GENTILE STRUGGLES)

Rather than look down at others those who are weaker or struggling… we are called to help, come alongside, build up and not to allow ourselves to become a stumbling block!

In Chapter 15

We serve others

We boast in nothing of ourselves

Paul says in Romans 15:17–18 “Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, … ”

In Chapter 16

This chapter shows how the christian walk, ministry, life CANNOT be done alone

We need others, we need each other, (PEOPLE)

Greetings, praises, thanks… the great apostle Paul needed others

Paul closes by praising God

We come to the end of this letter, and it should cause pause, there should be a self-reflection… we need to “THINK ON THESE THINGS”

Think on These Things

When as a believer we read the letter of Romans:

We are captivated by God’s GRACE

We are challenged to receive this in FAITH

We are not only called to receive in faith but to live by faith in Righteousness… this is MATURITY

“Maturity… Knowing you are not perfect but you keep striving to be.” -Noah Farmer

I pray that as we consider this letter written to Roman saints that we too as saints in Parachute Colorado some 2000 years later would echo with Paul… I am not ashamed of the gospel! It holds the POWER of God!