Introduction to Romans

Romans  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Bible Passage: Romans 1:1–17

Why did our teaching team choose Romans?
This is a key letter that is imperative for our everyday lives. To grasp Paul’s teaching in Romans is to learn how to live a victorious life while still being surrounded by sin, cultural idolatry, and human frailty.
Central Idea: Our identity and mission are rooted in the gospel, just as Paul’s was.
Introduction: By every measurement, Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is one of the most important ever written. Indeed, from a Christian viewpoint and scholarship, many would classify it as the greatest letter of all time.
Anytime you start with an introduction of book, you start with the following: who, what where, when, and how.
Who wrote Romans?
The Apostle Paul did. This is undisputed and the letter remains consistent with his writings of Galatians and 1 Corinthians.
Who did he write Romans to?
In the opening chapter, which we will look at today, Paul indicated that he was writing his letter to believers in Rome. Paul’s audience was primarily Jewish, other passages seem to require the conclusion that Paul’s readers were primarily Gentile converts. It was a mix of Jewish-Gentile believers.
What is the book of Romans about?
There were three main purposes as to why Paul wrote Romans.
He was seeking support for his projected visit to Spain.
He wanted to address theology to the Romans and help them apply it to practical issues in daily life.
Justification by faith
Freedom from sin and law
Life in the Spirit
God’s sovereignty in salvation
Practical Christian living
3. He wanted to urge Romans to a greater unity in Christ.
When and where did Paul write Romans?
AD 54-58
Paul wrote this letter in custody in Caesarea.
Prayer

1. Called to Proclaim

Romans 1:1 NASB 2020
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Paul’s Identity: Servant and Apostle
Paul introduces himself first as a servant (doulos)—his primary allegiance is to Christ.
His apostleship is a divine calling, not a personal ambition.
Paul longed to see the believers in Rome committed to Jesus, helping draw people together.
To be servants of the same master is to be in harmony with one another.
Application: Our first identity is as servants of Christ before anything else.
Romans 1:2 NASB 2020
which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,
The Gospel Promised in Scripture
The gospel is not a new idea—it is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the descendant of David, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies.

The ideas of being “called” and “set apart” go back to Old Testament language for Israel and, more important here, Israel’s prophets

When Israel’s prophets proclaimed “good news,” they could associate it with the restoration of God’s people (

NT Wright: Paul ties Jesus’ mission into Israel’s story—God is faithful to His covenant.
Romans 1:3–4 NASB 2020
concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Jesus: Fully Human and Fully Divine
Jesus’ humanity (born of David) and His divine authority (declared the Son of God by resurrection).
The resurrection is the defining proof of His identity and power.
Application: Our faith rests on the reality of Christ’s resurrection.
Romans 1:5–6 NASB 2020
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
Grace and Apostleship for All Believers
Paul’s mission is to call all nations to the obedience of faith—not just belief but transformed living.
Scott McKnight: Faith and obedience are inseparable; true faith produces action.
Application: We are all called to participate in God’s mission, not just pastors or leaders. Everyone.
Romans 1:7 NASB 2020
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.
Called and Loved by God
Every believer is loved and called by God—our worth is found in Him.
Application: Do we see ourselves as “called” and set apart for His purposes?

2. Praying with Purpose

Romans 1:8 NASB 2020
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world.
Thanksgiving for a Global Faith
Paul celebrates their faith—it is not hidden but known worldwide.
This phrase “throughout the world” was the known world at the time.
Rome had an amazing road infrastructure that aloud the Gospel to travel.
Application: Our faith should be evident in our lives, impacting those around us.
Romans 1:9–10 NASB 2020
For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you.
Paul’s Unceasing Prayer Life.
His prayers are persistent and deeply personal.
Pray first in all that you do.
Application: Do we pray with the same consistency and passion for others?
Romans 1:11–12 NASB 2020
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Longing for Spiritual Encouragement
Paul desires to build up the church, but also to be encouraged himself.
The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation.
Application: How can we intentionally strengthen and encourage others in our faith community?

3. Unashamed of the Gospel

Romans 1:13–15 NASB 2020
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also just as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Paul’s is eager to preach. His goal is to point people to Jesus and that is it.
The gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles—God’s redemptive plan is inclusive.

Gentiles (1:13) included two categories, by the Greek division: Greeks considered everyone else in the world “barbarians” (cf. “non-Greeks”—NIV); they also often considered themselves wise and others foolish. Some educated Jewish people classed themselves as Greeks, but Greeks considered them barbarians. Paul will introduce the Jewish division of humanity in verse 16, but here he uses the Greek one; in both cases, he affirms that God is for all peoples.

Who do unintentionally exclude from “gospel” moments, just because we are uncomfortable?
Application: Do we share the gospel with eagerness and urgency?
The next two verses are central to the entire book of Romans. It is Paul’s thesis.
Romans 1:16 NASB 2020
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.
The Power of the Gospel. The Gospel is the only thing that has power.
The gospel is not just good advice—it is God’s power to transform lives.
NT Wright: The gospel is about God’s faithfulness and His plan to restore all things through Jesus.
Application: Are we bold in sharing our faith, or do we hesitate in fear?
Romans 1:17 NASB 2020
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.”
Righteousness by Faith
Righteousness is not earned—it is received through faith in Christ.

In Greek the term translated “righteousness” often means “justice.” With reference to God, in the *Old Testament and in the *Dead Sea Scrolls, “God’s righteousness” includes that aspect of his character on account of which he vindicates his people and shows their faithfulness to him to be right; sometimes it also expresses his mercy (e.g.,

Scott McKnight: Faith is not just intellectual agreement; it is trusting and living in obedience.
Application: Are we living by faith, fully trusting in Christ’s righteousness?

4. The Consequences of Rejection

Romans 1:18–20 NASB 2020
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Truth is evident but suppressed – People instinctively know God exists but choose to deny Him.

The truth that the wicked suppress is the truth of God’s character (1:19–20), which they distort by idolatry

Creation testifies to God’s existence – “His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived” (v. 20).
No one has an excuse – God has made Himself known, but people refuse to acknowledge Him.
Romans 1:21–23 NASB 2020
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
Hearts are darkened by foolishness – Rejecting God leads to spiritual blindness.
Exchanging God’s glory for idols – “They exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image” (v. 23). We are drawn towards counterfeit.
Modern application: Today’s idolatry isn’t just statues but money, power, self, entertainment, and ideology.
Romans 1:24–28 NASB 2020
Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper,

Pagan gods acted immorally in the popular myths; one who worshiped them (1:23) would end up acting the same way. Having distorted God’s image (1:23), which was originally in male and female humans (

God allows people to follow their desires – “Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity” (v. 24).

The refrain “God gave them over” (1:24, 26, 28) suggests how God’s wrath (1:18) works: he lets people damn themselves as they warp their own humanity. As in the *Old Testament, God can turn people over to their own hardness of heart (e.g.,

Sexual impurity as a result of rejecting God – Paul highlights the moral decline in a society that pushes away God’s truth.

Greek men were often bisexual; not only was homosexual behavior approved (some writers, like speakers in *Plato’s Symposium, preferred it to heterosexual behavior), but elements of the culture socialized boys in this direction. Probably due to a deficiency in the number of women (which many attribute to female infanticide), marriages were often made between thirty-year-old men and women who were eighteen or even younger; husbands usually did not respect them. Men had access to only three forms of sexual release until such late marriages: slaves, prostitutes and other males. Men often preferred boys on the edge of puberty or adolescents. Lesbianism, though less widely reported, is also attested.

Exchange of natural relationships – “Women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature” (v. 26).
A depraved mind leads to destructive choices – “God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper” (v. 28).
Romans 1:29–32 NASB 2020
people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unfeeling, and unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
A society filled with sin – Paul lists sins that follow when God is rejected:
Moral corruption – greed, envy, deceit, malice
Relational breakdown – strife, gossip, slander, disobedience to parents
Spiritual apathy – arrogance, hatred of God, lack of mercy
Paul is helping his audience, both Jewish and Greek to understand that sin-is-sin. That everybody sins and is need of a savior.
Once again, our central idea today is: Our identity and mission are rooted in the gospel, just as Paul’s was. Paul is setting the stage in chapter one. We have an amazing journey ahead as we discover key foundational truths that every apprentice of Jesus needs to walk in.
In the book You Are What You Love, James K.A. Smith recounts a maritime tragedy that underscores the dire consequences of misorientation. In January 1914, off the coast of Virginia, the steamship Monroe collided with the merchant vessel Nantucket in dense fog, leading to the sinking of the Monroe and the loss of forty-one sailors. During the subsequent investigation, it was revealed that the Monroe's compass had not been properly adjusted for over a year, causing a slight deviation that contributed to the fatal miscalculation. This preventable accident resulted in the loss of forty-one lives. Smith uses this incident as a poignant reminder of how even minor misalignments in our guiding instruments—navigational tools or the orientations of our hearts—can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
How is your compass today?
How is your heart today?
What do you long for?
Does it require some adjusting?
Apprenticeship to Jesus - Our Next Steps:
Live with purpose (Called to Proclaim)
Pray for others (Praying with Purpose)
Stand boldly in faith (Unashamed of the Gospel)
Recognize the cost of rejecting God (The Consequence of Rejection)
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