The Gospel Reviewed

Romans Introduced

Written between A.D. 56-58

By Paul and from Corinth

Personally he wanted to convey his desire to come and minister to them and with them. Paul did eventually make it to Rome, but as a prisoner.

Spiritually, he wanted to strengthen their understanding of their salvation thorough the gospel of Jesus.

The main theme of the book is righteousness.

What it is.

Where it comes from.

Are we righteous and if not can we attain it?

Paul’s Introduction v. 1

Servant of Jesus Christ

Doulos - slave, bondservant

Literally it means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.”

While there were rare scenarios where an individual could voluntarily become a bondservant we should be clear that this was not a job or employment as we think of it. It was indentured servitude.

We should consider carefully that this is the language that Paul uses to describe his service to Christ. Actually, it is not only Paul, Timothy, James, Peter and Jude all refer to themselves as the bondservants of Christ.

Comes up again in Romans 6

It really becomes a minor theme throughout the book of Romans. What do you choose to be a slave to? Additionally one of the main points of the book is that true freedom is only found when we are slaves of Christ.

Called to be an Apostle

Apostle: sent one, a unique office during the inauguration of the church

What does it mean to be called to something?

Set Apart for the Gospel

Galatians 1:15 “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,”

Obviously Paul had been uniquely set apart for the task to which he had been called. The damascus road experience clearly indicates this.

Gospel Descriptions v.1b-4

(This is not a complete description of the gospel. Remember we are just in the introduction.)

Set Apart v. 1b

While Paul was uniquely set apart, at least in his apostleship, we should recognize that the gospel uniquely sets apart all who embrace it.

We are set apart from the world.

We are also set apart by God for a individual plan and purpose that He has for us.

Promised v. 2

Through the Prophets

Paul frequently draws a line of continuity between the work of Christ and the Old Testament.

All the necessary elements of the gospel are communicated in the Old Testament from the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

In All of Scripture

Specifically in every prophecy Jesus fulfilled.

The gospel is not something God has done as a reaction to something we have done. Every aspect of the gospel has always been a part of God’s plan from eternity past.

Concerning His Son v. 3

(The focus of the gospel is a person, Jesus Christ the Son of God.)

Descended from David - which points to His Kingship

This connects us back to our Christmas messages somewhat.

God promised David that his throne would be “established forever”.

David’s immediate descendants proved that it would not be through them that God keeps this promise.

It will be through Jesus that God keeps this promise. Jesus is a descendant of David through both Mary and Joseph.

According to the Flesh - which points to His humanity

Again this connects us back to Christmas somewhat.

Jesus was born into humanity.

He was completely human.

This is a fact necessary to gospel.

It is because He was human that He could be our substitute. Galatians 4:4–5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

He had to be human because God had already established the necessity of the shedding of blood for the remission of sins. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were intended to be an act of faith which communicated the belief that God would one day provide a perfect sacrifice.

His humanity makes him relatable. He was tempted in every way that we are yet without sin. He felt hungry and thirsty. He had to sleep and work.

Declared to be the Son of God v. 4 - which points to His deity

(Declared by:)

The Holy Spirit

Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by the Holy Spirit through all the miraculous acts Jesus did through the power of the Spirit.

He was also declared to be the Son of God by the Father and the Spirit at His baptism.

His resurrection

The resurrection of Christ, accomplished through the Father, Son and Spirit, declares the deity of Christ.

Power over death is a divine attribute. For all the advancements in medicine we have made or ever will make it will always only be God who has power over death.

(This is how Paul briefly describes the gospel: 1. One way that it affects us, by setting us apart. 2. By reminding us that it is a promise God has kept. 3. Finally, by reminding us that the focus of the gospel is a person, Jesus Christ the Son of God.)

Gospel Dispensations v. 5-6

(A few things that the gospel has provided us with. This is not all the things the gospel provides. Remember we just in the introduction.)

Grace (v.5)

If grace is something we receive from the gospel we should know what it is.

English Definition

elegance of movement.

courteous good will. (graces) an attractively polite manner of behaving.

(in Christian belief) the free and unearned favour of God. a divinely given talent or blessing.

a person’s favour: he fell from grace with the tabloids.

a period officially allowed for fulfilment of an obligation.

a short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.

(His, Her, or Your Grace) a title or form of address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.

Theological/Biblical Definition - when we read about God’s grace what are we talking about?

I believe a key word that will help our understanding is “favor”.

When we consider all the places in Scripture where God’s grace turns up one simple truth becomes evident. God’s grace is always unearned and undeserved.

Adam and Eve didn’t deserve God’s grace when they sinned. Human reason and logic would have dictated that God start over, but He instead showed grace and implemented plan of redemption.

Abraham didn’t deserve God’s grace.

Judah didn’t deserve God’s grace.

Moses didn’t deserve God’s grace.

David didn’t deserve God’s grace.

Israel didn’t deserve God’s grace.

Mary and Joseph didn’t deserve God’s grace

Paul didn’t deserve God’s grace.

And neither do you or I.

What we find in Scripture is that grace is the unearned and undeserved favor of God.

While mercy is God not giving what we do deserve.

Grace is God giving what we do not deserve. This involves so many things:

The air we breath

The food we eat

The rain that falls

But obviously this culminates in the death of Christ. This act of grace is the vehicle of His mercy. We don’t get what we do deserve because gave what we don’t deserve.

Perhaps one of the most important verses of Scripture teaches us about the reality of God’s grace and our salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Apostleship (v.5b)

The word “apostle” means “one who is sent out”. It can be used of the official office in the church that we see in the Scriptures and the early church or it can be used generically in the ordinary sense of the word. When Emily sends me to the store for milk and bread you could say that I am her apostle.

The New Testament uses the word “apostle” in two primary ways.

The 12 Apostles

It is clear from Scripture that these twelve held a unique position in history.

Even into the book of Revelation they are seen as unique.

They are undoubtedly seen as unique because of the role they played in the foundation of the church.

This specific type of Apostle is not present in the church today.

Others sent out by Christ to be His messengers.

Barnabas, Titus and Epaphroditus are referred to as an apostle in this sense.

Technically speaking we could refer to anyone specifically sent out by the church as an apostle.

However, it is probably best not to use the term in that sense just avoid confusion.

Paul’s point here is that one of the things the gospel has provided is church leadership.

Faith

Which comes first, the gospel or faith? Does the gospel produce faith in us or do we place our preexisting faith in the gospel? I tend to believe that the answer is yes.

It is undeniable that faith is something God produces in us, and that we come to salvation by grace through faith.

Remember that you don’t have to understand it to believe it. That is in part what faith is.

Rather than criticizing or being skeptical we should respond with gratitude.

The closest we come to a straight definition of faith in the Bible is Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Notice that there are two parts to this definition.

“Assurance of things hoped for”

One simple truth about humanity is that most people do not live with any kind of guarantee or assurance of the things they are hoping for. This is so true that it has infected our very definition of hope as something that may or may not happen.

Biblically we know that faith rewrites that definition of hope. We live every day with the assurance of the things we hope for or we might say the assurance of the things we choose to put our trust in.

“The conviction of things not seen”

At no point in human history has the phrase “seeing is believing” ever been true.

Faith recognizes the sever limitation of that belief system. There are simply too many things that cannot be explained through the observations of our five senses. Personally, I say that as one who firmly believes in the scientific method.

As people of faith we live everyday with the conviction that just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it is untrue.

Purpose: “for His name”

“for the sake of His name among all nations”

We all want to know why we are here. What is my purpose in life? What is the meaning of life?

Illustration: Greater Good Magazine

“It’s a daunting question. But your answer may say a lot about your well-being. Studies link a sense of purpose to better physical and mental health. But your purpose isn’t just about you. According to researchers, a true purpose is one that is both personally meaningful and also makes a positive impact on the lives of other people—your family, friends, neighbors, city, country, or even the whole world.”

This discussion of purpose has three points of focus:

Self

Others

Community

As I read it I what I found what that it didn’t technically say anything untrue, but neither did it say anything of substance. A search for lasting and meaningful purpose doesn’t take place in the shallow end of the pool. You have to dive in, and when there is no mention at all of the spiritual you will always fall woefully short.

Another article on the same website claims that isolation is why you may lack purpose. To overcome this they recommend:

Read

Turn hurts into healings for others

Cultivate awe, gratitude, and altruism - they get close here. They talk about the fact that people feel more satisfied when they feel connected to something larger than ourselves. However, they undercut this argument with the next point.

Listen to what other people appreciate about you.

Find and build community

Tell your story

Again, you could read all of these in such a way that they are true, but it again falls short. In fact when you do a survey of the secular concepts of purpose they always revolve around taking care of yourself and find some meaningful way to help others.

As believers we understand that all people have a higher purpose, the glory of God.

This is implied in this passage with the phrase, “for the sake of his name”

The secular psychologists are correct in part; we do long to be a part of something larger than ourselves.

However, a community or organization simply doesn’t cut it.

We were made in His image and created for His glory. We will never have a true sense of purpose when we reject those ideals.

The gospel gives us purpose.