Introduction to Romans

Romans is one of the most theologically rich books or letters in the N.T.

It was written by Paul from Corinth to the church at Rome for the purpose of showing the gospel in relation to the old testament.

In every one the epistles there are two questions that help us interpret the meaning of them.

Occasion - This is the “why”. Why was the author righting?

Is the Intent - What does the author hope to accomplish in writing.

Occasion:

The church was still relatively new in the city of Rome so Paul is writing to ensure they have the proper knowledge and instruction concerning the gospel and christian living.

Intent:

Paul’s purpose in writing to in essence connect the dots for the Jewish audience and to convince the gentiles of the greatness of the Gospel and the righteousness of God.

Imagine with me that you somehow came in contact with a person oversees. You find out through conversation that this new friend of yours lives in a city like Las Vegas Nevada, right on the main strip. Then this person tells you that he and a small group of friends have heard about Jesus and salvation are interested in it but have no resources or anyone around them to explain it to them. I mean there is no shortage of religious people around them worshipping the gods of sex and money or new age spiritualist that merge Christianity with occult ideology.

then on the other side you have the religious who would soon swoop in and sweep them into their cult of salvation by works. In fact the whole culture, is given over to either of these Philosophies. Yet somehow in the midst of it all, the seeds of the gospel have been sown. Would you not be concerned for the spiritual well-being of these few people.

This is in a way the climate in which Paul is writing from. There is an urgency in this letter to convince the readers of God’s righteousness, wrath against sin , and the hope of escape through Jesus Christ alone. So Paul is writing to ensure that those who have been saved continue on in their faith.

It was written around 56-57 AD.

I’ve attached a picture of what Rome would have looked like around the time of Paul. Many of the structures that you immediately think about when you hear ancient Rome hadn’t been built yet.

This morning we are going to look at Paul’s introduction to the book of Romans found in the first seven verses. In this Paul is setting the table is you will for the rest of the letter. There are truths in these next seven verses that if not properly understood will effect the ability of the reader to interpret and apply the rest of the letter.

Today in our world we hear a lot about identity, as of late the the conversation seems to revolve around sexual identity. As believers in Christ we know that this struggle is really not about sex or gender but rather answering the question, Who am I? Who was I made to be?

In these next seven verses, we are going to answer the question who am i?

We are going to see in this short passage that living the successful Christian life is really about one thing Identity. Understanding who we are in light of Who He is...

Romans 1:1–7 CSB

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh 4 and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead. 5 Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles, 6 including you who are also called by Jesus Christ. 7 To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lets look at verse 1.

Romans 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

The first thing I want you to notice is how Paul perceives himself. How do you see yourself? When you wake up in the morning, what do you think you are? Maybe it’s I mom or I dad. Maybe its I am an accountant, programmer, IT, plumber or electrician. Based upon what you believe you are will determine how you use your day and your days.

I. Your perceived identity will always determine your priorities.

Notice that in introducing himself Paul doesn’t give a lengthy resume. He Doesn’t start out as I lofty Paul expert in church everything, author of some of the best selling books ever on the Christian life now listen to me. He starts off with a completely different description of himself. He says I Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. As many of you know the word for servant in greek is “doulos”. It means bondservant . The idea of a bondservant is one that has a debt that he cannot pay. So he is sold and purchased by one that could pay his debt. This is how Paul sees his life

Now when we understand who the audience is, this description makes perfect sense.

Most of the people in Rome were actually household servants or slaves. Paul is not elevating himself by giving himself this title he is actually putting himself right in th place he should be . He is an apostle that does not claim and elevated status but rather a humble one. He like us is a slave. He is simply a leader among fellow slaves.

Paul does not inflate his identity nor does he shy away from it. He knows who God has called him to be. If only our leaders in Christianity today would take this same posture. We unfortunately have a some leaders with long resumes running around pretending to be experts. They are willing to peddle their time and advice for a large price. We do not need more church experts. What we need is Godly people who understand their Identity as servant.

Paul understood his identity and this determined his mindset in Christ.

So then what is your identity and before you give the correct answer of Servant of Jesus Christ. Ask yourself does how I spend my minutes, hours days reflect this claim?

When we see Jesus Christ as our primary Idenity it changes the way we use the giftting God has given us. I am now not a pastor, I am a servant of Jesus Christ who’s role in the kingdom of God is best expressed as a pastor. You are a servant of Jesus Christ whose role in the kingdom of God happens to be....fill in the blank.

This is how the obedient see themselves.

In fact he goes on to say this very thing in the second part of the verse.

Romans 1:1 CSB

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

He says he is set apart.

To the Jewish reader this idea of being set apart was nothing new. God had set apart the nation of Isreal to represent God to the nations

Exodus 19:6 CSB

6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

When Paul uses this term set-apart the Jewish reader would understand what he is referring to, a people with a singular purpose.

Modern Christians when we hear the word the “the gospel” our minds run to salvation. While our salvation is a huge part of it, it is not all of it.

The gospel doesnt just save us. It transforms us. To be set-apart to the gospel is the same way Isreal was to be set apart to the law. It was a lifestyle. The torah wasn’t just meant as a pathway to salvation is was meant to dictate every action and every day. It was a system of life.

In the same way the Gospel is not just about heaven or hell, It is also being set apart to the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Listen to what one person said....

As a teenager, I often felt lost in a world that tried to label me. One day, I came across the passage in Ephesians 2:10, where we are described as God’s workmanship. This revelation hit me deeply; I realized my identity wasn’t defined by others, but by being a creation of the Creator. It's like tracing an artist’s brushstrokes; my identity is intricately crafted by God, not by societal expectations.

We have a new identity in Christ that lead us to his purposes to his works....This is one of the most freeing ideas in all of scripture. I am who God defines me to be. I am a new creation with a purpose.

What are these good works? Well they take on different expressions for each of us, but they all have the same Goal to glorify God and point others to himself

Because Christ is worthy.

II. In order for us to fully realize our own Identity we must first fully realize His Identity

The irony of identity is that by looking away from ourselves we are more likely to discover our identity.

Richard Lints

Romans 1:2–4 CSB

2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh 4 and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.

What is Paul saying here? We are not devoting ourselves to some ordinary King.

This is the King of Kings . The long awaited messiah. Prophesied to come since sin entered the world. Prophesied through the prophets for thousands of years.

In verse 4, The word “appointed” means to be singled out. In other words, Jesus resurrection from the dead was the proof that He is the chosen son of God. He is the one and only.

While the onlookers at the crucifixtion saw him dying. They say what looked like weakness. Paul says the resurrection proves his power. He is the powerful son of God.

He is worthy of our life’s focus being Him.

How was your life focused on Jesus Christ this passed week?

All of us like to think of ourselves as Godly. But does the pattern of our life validate this claim? Have you set as your only goal each day God’s purposes?

Maybe you here like the rest of us and your quick to look at wasted time. Maybe your here and you realize that you have been distracted by life, by circumstances, or by sin.

Maybe if you were honest with yourself this morning, you know your priorities haven’t been focused and centered on Christ, and maybe for a long period of time. Should you be discouraged and give up?

III. We have recieved grace to accomplish the mission.

Look at the very next verse....

Romans 1:5 CSB

5 Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles,

Romans 1:6 CSB

6 including you who are also called by Jesus Christ.

Through him we have recieved what? Go ahead and say it....

Say this with me....

In Christ I have received grace to accomplish the mission.

So if you are sitting here this morning feeling like a failure...remember In Christ We have received grace to accomplish the mission.

In other words, I will not be defined by my failures and sin. I will be defined by Jesus christ. I will get back up, refocus my mind and make Jesus my one priority with what ever time I have left on this earth.

I am forgiven and set free. I will strive to proclaim the greatness of Christ by my life and by my words in order to bring about the obedience of faith to those who are lost, to the glory of God.