Romans: The Gospel of Grace

Introduction

General: Do you ever think about words that are so commonplace that everyone thinks they know what the word means, but in reality few can clearly define it? Love… Freedom… Justice…

Personal: What about grace? What is grace? “Now that you prayed the sinner’s prayer, you can do whatever you want and still go to heaven when you die.” // “You don’t have to work at trying to grow in your faith. That’s what grace is for.” // “How I live doesn’t matter because God will forgive me anyway.”

Grace = undeserved favor

Mercy is when God doesn’t give you what you deserve, i.e., death. Grace is when God gives you what you don’t deserve, i.e., life, forgiveness, relationship, and all good things.

Biblical: Creation // Fall // Israel // Jesus // Commission // Holy Spirit // Witnesses // Jewish Rabbi named Saul becomes Paul, a pastor, missionary, and the author of much of the New Testament (see his salvation story in Acts 9). Four letters from Paul, preserved through the centuries for us.

Subject: In Romans: Why does grace matter? What’s the deal with grace?

Body (thank you to the BibleProject)

God’s grace reveals God’s righteousness (chs 1-4).

Exposition: Romans 1:16-17

What is God’s righteousness? God’s righteousness means:

God always does what is just and right.

God is faithful to keep his promises.

How does grace reveal God’s righteousness?

We’re all guilty and deserving of death (Romans 3:9-18).

We can’t justify ourselves by trying to be good (Romans 3:19-20).

So, God is just and right to punish us for our sin.

But, GOOD NEWS! Jesus became what we are so that we could become what he is: righteous, justified, and restored to the family of God (Romans 3:21-26).

Illustration: 18th century, John Newton, slave trader turned pastor and abolitionist, at age 82 said, “Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great savior.” Author of Amazing Grace…

Application: If someone as bad as John Newton can be forgiven, so can you. You are not beyond God’s grace. It is right for God to forgive you because Jesus took the punishment for you sin on the cross. (1) Admit you’re guilty. (2) Stop trying to justify yourself. (3) Trust Jesus, and his righteousness will be given to you, and you will be justified, forgiven, and restored to God’s family.

In grace, God creates a new humanity (chs 5-8).

Exposition

Adam = Old Humanity | Jesus = New Humanity

We are invited to die to the old humanity and be born again into the new humanity in Jesus. This is what baptism symbolizes (Romans 6:3-11).

Benefits of being a new human in Jesus

Romans 8:1-2… no condemnation

Romans 8:14-17… (a) Holy Spirit; (b) intimacy with God; (c) heir of God

Romans 8:28… In all things, God works for our good!

Romans 8:38-39… Nothing can separate us from God’s love!

And… we don’t deserve any of these things! It’s all because of God’s grace.

Illustration: At 42, I can’t live the way I did at 22. I’m not that person anymore…

Application: In grace, God creates a new humanity and through faith you are born again into Jesus. You can’t go back to the old you. You’re not that person anymore.

Because of grace, God fulfills his promises to Israel (chs 9-11).

Exposition: What about Israel?

Romans 9:6… In the past, you had to have faith in God to be part of his family, even if you were a Jew.

Romans 10:9-10… In the present, you have to have faith in Jesus to be part of his family, even if you are a Jew.

In Romans 11, Paul says that someday, we don’t know when or how, the Jews around the world will have faith in Jesus and be restored to God’s family. Because they deserve it? No. Because of God’s grace.

Application: If God keeps his promises to Israel, even though they don’t deserve it, you can trust that God will keep his promises to you—not because you deserve it but because of his grace. Wherever you’re at, whatever you’re dealing with, trust God.

Grace unites us as a church (chs 12-16).

Exposition

Romans 12:3… Humility

Romans 12:6-8… Serving one another

Romans 12:9-21… Forgiveness, peace, goodness, virtue, and more!

Romans 13:8-10… Love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 14-15… Showing grace to one another on non-essential issues.

Application: This happens when we begin to share the grace God has given us. Are you giving the grace you’ve received?

Conclusion

Romans 12:1-2… Will you do this?