The Purpose of Romans (Rom. 1:1-17, Rom. 16:25-27)

Well, this morning, we begin our sermon series in the Book of Romans, I've been titled my sermon the purpose of Romans. Now we have just come out of several weeks of preaching. Topically, on the distinctives of Westland Alliance Church, what makes us so church, we are and primarily as a church, we like to preach expositionally. We only occasionally go to topical sermon series even though we're starting the book of Romans, I want to give you all the heads-up that we are going to nevertheless. Preach five topical sermons on Romans. Before we actually dive into the text expositionally. We wanted to provide a solid foundation as we start this, most wonderful bucket. So I'm going to begin this morning talking about the purpose of Romans

Brother and sisters. Let me ask you a question. What should our heart posture be? As we begin this epic journey through Paul's epistle to the Romans. What should we do? You feeling as we begin a sermon series in the book, which caused the Great reformer, Martin Luther to exclaim. This epistle is really the cheese part of the New Testament and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy. Not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it everyday, as the Daily Bread of the Soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better, it tastes How should our affections be tracking as we begin? What promises to be a multi-year engagement with the book of the Bible that preeminent historical church man. At the old is John Calvin declared when anyone understands this epistle. He has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole of scripture. Well, let me tell you what we should be feeling. Will you be feeling excitement? I hope you're excited. I'm excited. Mary's excited. We hold the rest of you are excited and I would suggest you this morning that we should feel excitement. We should feel excitement as we begin this book, which according to the first verse was written by Paul a servant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle, we should be in thrall as we consider the time that we will spend in this letter was a letter that was likely written from the city of Corinth in 8057 or thereabout. We should be enthusiastic as we set off on this, Expedition through the letter that was addressed to, according to her seven, all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be Saints. A group of Believers comprise, the both Gentile and Jewish Christians who resided in Rome. So, as we consider this series, I hope that at least in your heart, each one of you is saying, ask your dude, I'm fired up. I'm a mess. I'm stoked, I'm pump. I'm gas to be entering into the book of Romans.

But let's check ourselves before we start, if you are excited and I hope you are excited. What is the source of that excitement? I hope it isn't the desire. Simply to get embroiled in some of the more controversial issues presented in Romans if you have some sort of an ambulance-chasing attitude that is looking forward to basking in the highly contested positions of kupala is referring to when he speaks in chapter 7 for, I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Or if you're excited because you anticipate reveling in the disputation over the apostles declaration, all Israel will be safe. Then I would ask you as they say to slow your roll for just a moment and consider adjusting your perspective, I believe that we should be excited to enter into The Fray. I'm studying this most formidable presentation of the Gospel in all the scripture because of the purpose, for which the Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Romans. That's why we need to be excited. I believe falling the argument to Leto by author and theologian Bryon, Rosner. I believe that we can determine the purpose of Romans and likely the purpose of all Paul's Epistles by looking closely at the opening and the closing of the letter in those sections, which you have heard read today. The Apostle Paul uses the word strengthen and those are the only two times he uses it in the entire epistle to the Romans. I believe that Paul was intentional and using this uncommon word at least uncommon for Paul. And I believe in him. Using that word is an indication of why he wrote, We Romans here is how I would articulate the purpose of Romans. Paul's purpose in writing the letter to the Romans is to strengthen Believers in the gospel, the promise Gospel of God, the father concerning God the son according to God the spirit, the gospel which is the power of God for salvation by explaining the gospel thoroughly by defending his Apostolic Authority by unifying. The Roman Church and by enlisting their help in his mission. That's a mouthful. Let me say it again. Paul's purpose and writing a letter to the Romans is to strengthen Believers in the gospel, the promise Gospel of God. The father concerning God the son according to God the spirit, the gospel which is the power of God for salvation by explaining the gospel thoroughly by defending his Apostolic Authority by unifying. The Roman Church and by enlisting their help in his mission. That is the purpose for which Paul. The Book of Romans brothers and sisters, visitors, we should be excited. We should be excited that we might experience by the grace of God, the father and the son. And by God, the spirits that we might experience our own, Souls being strengthened by the gospel. As we work through this epistle to the Romans, that should be. Our posture. Should be our perspective, that should be our position as we wade into that. Vast and Powerful Waterway Known As Romans Hope you're excited. When I first told my wife, Nicole that we were going to preach the book of Romans She looked into my eyes and she said to me, this is going to be such a dope head. I can already feel the rush.

Actually you know my wife, you know that there's no truth to that at all. Nevertheless, even though that's not what my wife said.

attitude to have as we consider the purpose for which Paul wrote Romans, Even if I preach this morning, I pray. The purpose of Romans will elicit from you and ever-expanding excitement.

We will consider this in more detail Under The Heading, strengthened by the gospel. A trinitarian gospel, and a final Point, entitled explaining defending unifying and listing number one, strengthened by the gospel Bryon, Rosner author has strengthened by the gospel at the ology of Romans. He argues in his book and I quote Pauline letters typically reveal their scenes and major concerns and the epistolary frame in the opening greetings and Thanksgiving. And in the letter closing these sections of Romans provide explicit indications of Paul's reasons for riding pants, when Paul Rice and 1:11 is part of his opening. For I long to see you that I made a chart to use some spiritual gift of strength that is that we may be mutual insurer Courage by each others face both yours and mine. We should take notice. We should take notice of Paul's desire to see the Roman Christian strengthen further when he repeats the word strengthen at the close of his letter writing. Now to him, who is able to strengthen you. According to my gospel, in the preaching of Jesus Christ we really need to take this intention of Paul to her. knowing all of the Epistles of Paul in all his writings, he only uses the word strengthen six times, and so I suggest to you, its appearance in the opening and closing of this letter is a strong indication of its importance, this idea of strengthening I was think about strengthening for a moment. There are two principles of physiological strength gain of being physically strengthened, which may help us understand the spiritual, strengthening that Hall and tends to his writing. The first principle is called the principle of progressive overload, Progressive overload, and strength training indicates that in order to get stronger, you must increase the demands placed on your muscles and your nervous system over time. You must lift, have your ways, you must add more repetitions. You must improve your form or your temper. This is the principle of progressive overload. When it comes to physical strength training, Well, in the Book of Romans, we encounter Paul's longest, broadest deepest and heaviest exposition of the Gospel which as we engage with it will strengthen us, it will strengthen us at the very core of the Christian faith. That is it will strengthen Us in the gospel, it will strengthen Us in what God has done in Jesus Christ to save. Sinners Paul has called upon the Roman Christian and therefore, he is called upon us to be strengthened by the heavy lifting by the progressive overload, that the book of Romans requires as physical strength getting principal is one called specificity. It helps us to understand how the book of Romans will strengthen us the principle of specificity says that your body adapts strictly to this type of stress. You give and therefore to build maximum strength, use movements that mimic what you want to be strong at. Know what I played football, the two most important strengths list from my position, we're squats and bench press nothing about it. Think about what an offensive lineman doesn't, why those are important offensive lineman. They want to be strong in the legs and in the hips and lower back because they have the responsibility of moving people out of the way or the responsibility of stopping people from encroaching on their territory and that's why as an offensive lineman I did squats. Lots and lots of squats is part of my job. And whether we were moving people out of the way for a running back or we were protecting our quarterbacks giving them space to throw the ball. Whenever we came near Defender, we wanted to smash them with a two-handed punch and therefore bench press was very important want to be strong in the bench press. It was strength training with specificity in a similar fashion to strengthen Roman Believers in the gospel. Paul, trains them with greater specificity in the gospel of Paul goes into great, great specific detail of the gospel and how it applies to the Roman disciples.

How is this for specificity in Romans chapter 5, Paul race of Salvation in Christ in chapter 5. He also writes of our justification, being declared righteous by God in chapter 4, he teaches about the Forgiveness of sins. In chapter 3, we read about redemption in Christ and in chapter 8, freedom in Christ, adoption is dealt with in chapter 8, and Reconciliation in chapter 5, eternal life in Christ. Jesus, our lord and glory and honor through our Lord. Jesus Christ, I written about in chapter 6 and 5 respectively, this is not an exhaustive list but Paul is very, very specific about the gospel in the Book of Romans And so, in order to strengthen God's people in the gospel, the Apostle, Paul progressively overloads, the spiritual training, and he does. So with specificity found, nowhere else at such levels in the Bible, as a pertains to the gospel.

And we can apply this over the coming weeks and months and Lord's willing years by making it, our own good resolve to be strengthened by the gospel, is Paul presents it in. Romans, let us commit ourselves to submit to God, because he is the one who is able to strengthen us. According to Paul's gospel. The cost for the Paul summed up in his preaching of Jesus Christ. Let us do that. So God might bring a boat The Obedience of faith in us and let's do that. So God might be glorified forever more through Jesus Christ, make side good resolved today we have weeks and weeks and months and months and probably years ahead of us in the Book of Romans, let's make the resolve to be strengthened in the gospel. Let's make that resolved today. This gospel of Paul and tends to strengthen. The Roman Christians is a trinitarian gospel. Phone number to a trinitarian gospel. All three members of the Trinity are mentioned in the gospel summary found in Verses 2 through 4, chapter 1. This is what you heard this morning. This is the gospel of God, concerning his son, who is descended from David, according to the Flash and was declared to be the Son of God in power. According to the spirit of Holiness, by his resurrection, from the dead. Jesus Christ, Our Lord brothers and sisters. This is a trinitarian gospel. And we look to Romans chapter 5 verse 1 through 5 wearied of each member of the Trinity participating in the gospel that Paul preaches. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ through him. We have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we were Joyce and hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we were Joyce in her sufferings, knowing that suffering, produces endurance and insurance, producer of character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts. Through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us, we have God, we had the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit. All participating in this gospel that Paul preaches, He suggests that we are justified by God, the Father through God, the son, such the God's love has been poured into our hearts. Through the Holy Spirit. The one who's been given to us further in the Monumental chapter of Romans specifically Romans chapter 8, verses 14 through 17 wearied of God to whom we cry. I have a father through the reception of the spirit of adoption where and we are made fellow heirs with Christ, the son, listen to it for all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God for you, did not receive the spirit of Slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption as Sons by whom we cry Abba, Father, the spirit himself Bears, witness, with our spirit that we are children of God and have children then heirs Heirs of God. Heirs with Christ provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Dennis phenomenon. Whereby the gospel pertains to the work of all, three members of the Trinity. It can be considered under the theological category called the doctrine of inseparable operations. Now whether or not you remember that term of that phrase, the doctrine of inseparable operations whether or not you remember that is secondary to actually understanding what it teaches the doctrine of inseparable operations teaches that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit act as one in everything God does outside of himself. That means, for example. Creation that Providence, that Redemption that sanctification in the Judgment, they are all ass of the one Triune God. Now how we speak about and how the Bible speaks about, and how it appropriates the external works of God. It's it's going to be different. The father is the source of things. The sun is the means by which they're done. The spirit is the one who applies it to God's people, never the less. These external works are the undivided works of a Triune God of our Triune God. No, as we consider the purpose of Romans. I also want us to consider the theme of Romans and let us not forget as we consider the theme of Romans that we serve a Triune God, and we've been saved and a trinitarian gospel. Now in regard to the theme of Roman Steele ocean and professor, and in his belly, he has given. What is, what I consider is a very memorable, memorable way of remembering. And thinking about this team, listen to what he wrote. He said, the gospel reveals God's righteous way of righteous and the unrighteous don't stop there. I'll have, you know, I was an English teacher. I recognize that Professor Indian Sali, just made up a verb in that sentence be used righteous thing as a favor, but I think it's a good way of thinking about this at the theme of Romans. Let me continue on the gospel reveals God's righteous way of righteous and the unrighteous. So all the righteousness of God, refers not only to what God is when he justifies you. But also to what God gives you when he justifies you God is both just in the justifier of the one who is Faith In Jesus, God righteously righteous has the unrighteous Do I have adopted this? What? I consider wonderful wordsmithing and I articulate the theme of Romans. This way, the theme of Romans is the revelation of the righteousness of God in the gospel, where he righteously, righteous is unrighteous individuals, through faith in Christ. Apart from works for his own glory and by the holy spirit, let me read that again. The theme of Romans is the revelation of the righteousness of God in the gospel, where he righteously righteous has unrighteous individuals through faith in Christ. Apart from works for his own Glory by the Holy Spirit. Let us this morning brothers and sisters by way of application. Commit ourselves on this. Epic Odyssey through this Pauline Epistles, let us commit ourselves to see the glory of God, the glory of God, the Father God, the son, God, the holy spirit. So that when Lord willing, we eventually arrive at the sermon that pertains to the very last verse of Romans that we can say wholeheartedly and without reservation to the only wise God be glory forever, more through Jesus Christ.

finally this morning, we look at the means by which Paul strengthens God's allowed in the gospel phone number three explaining defending unifying enlisting, Holly tends to strengthen the Believers in Rome in the gospel, four main ways, he does that. First of all, he does that by explaining Paul and tend to strengthen by his explanation and Exposition of the Gospel of God in verse 15 of our first passage from chapter one, we read of one of Paul's a he says so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome Brothers and sisters, know that tall and tends to preach the gospel to all those in Rome who are loved by God and call to be saying if you needed any more evidence that the gospel is not only for unbelievers book, for believers as well. As long as you all you need in this opening chapter, he intends to preach the gospel to the saints of God in Rome. And so this morning, we consider the truth that the gospel is for both Believers and for unbelievers. Therefore, I encourage both of you to hear me this morning. Every one of you needs the gospel, you all need the gospel. We all need the gospel. Why do we need the gospel? I think, Brian rosner's gospel summary of the book of Romans helps us to understand why. I let me read it to you only the gospel gives us. A clear-sighted view of our fleshly existence are moral incapacity and weakness in the means of dealing with our guilt and shame. Only the gospel such as free from sins power. When we present ourselves to God as those have been brought from Death to life and Union with Christ, Only the gospel enables us to cast off the works of darkness by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, only the gospel gives us a Mind Set On the spirit, which is life and peace. Only the gospel punctures are prying helping us to recognize that God has given us gifts for the service of others. Only the gospel causes the walk in love found in Christ Unforgettable. Example of sacrificial, love and dying for us. Only the gospel places us in a transformative countercultural community of people of all ages and backgrounds with the same life, story of dying and Rising with Christ. Only the gospel of God's reconciling loves his neighbors, us to love our enemies. Knowing that the God of all Justice wolf one day, they put the world to write. Only the gospel supports are weak and faltering prayers with the intersection of both Christ in the spirit. Only the gospel gives meaning to our suffering in the comfort of the sure. Hope of the glory of God. Only The Gospel gives us a secure identity as God's beloved children, only the gospel gives us a story worth living. Only the gospel, gives lasting, meaning to our lives, namely a small part to play in God's Grand Story of redeeming, love, brothers and sisters unbeliever. All these beautiful and bountiful benefits of the Gospel are found in Jesus Christ, they are found in Jesus Christ. When we reject the rebellious life of sin and when we fall headlong into faith faith in Jesus Christ and face, and his death to save those who sin each. One here today, believer and unbeliever alike, each. One of you can be strengthened in the gospel, you can be strengthened in the gospel that Paul explains in the Book of Romans and you do that by repenting and believing. So, won't you do that today? I pray that you will.

All doesn't only strengthen. The Believers in Rome in the gospel by explaining the gospel. He also does this by defending his Apostolic Authority. Paul was according to Bruce one, called to be an apostle set apart for the gospel of God. He states that he received Grace and a possible ship to bring a boat. Will be Interfaith for the sake of his name among all the nations Paul defends his apostleship that she might defend the gospel. Swear by God's name would be exalted among all the nations and their by God's people strengthen. But also strengthens Believers by working to unify the Christians. In Rome, we see this clearly throughout the Book of Romans, we see it in chapter 14, I am not ashamed. Of the Gospel is the power of God, for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek, we see it in the early chapters Romans chapters 1 through 3 Square, Paul goes to Great, pains to make it clear that all our understood, both Jews and gentiles. Chapter 4, Paul conveys. The idea that Abraham is the father of all, who believe in chapter 9, it is from both Jews and Gentiles that God has called for himself vessels of Mercy. In chapter 10, this unifying strengthening truth reverberates to the very ends of the Earth. For the scripture said everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame for there is no distinction between June and greet for the same Lord is Lord of all the story has riches on all who call on him for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10, 11 through 13. Paul and tends to strengthen the Roman Christians, by unifying them in the gospel. Finally Paul likewise strengthens the children of God by enlisting them in his work and his mission. We see early on in the Book of Romans the Paul's mission is Broad and its scope. First, five of chapter one indicates his belief that is. We read you receive Grace and a possible ship to bring about The Obedience of faith for the sake of his name and that's God's name in all the nations. He's not just concerned about Israel is not just concerned about the Roman Empire. He's concerned about all nations. Particularly chapter 15. Paul mention Spain. He says, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain and to be helping my journey there by you. Once I've enjoyed your company for a while. And so certainly part of Paul strategy for strengthening the Roman Christians in the gospel is by including them and including their help and including their giftings and including the resources in his mission of evangelizing. The Gentile world. Are these four facets of Paul's plan to strengthen the Saints and the gospel explaining defendant unifying and Liston the encourage application this morning. This inauguration of our preaching series to the Book of Romans, Paul's intention to explain the gospel, thoroughly his intention to defend his Apostolic Authority. His intention to unify the Roman Church, and his intention to enlist help for his mission. They all call us to action. As we dive headlong into Paul's D and thorough explanation of the Gospel, understand that each one of us is called to be a student of that gospel. We are called to make every effort to understand and to appreciate this Grand Redemption that God has worked through his son and by his spirit Will you resolve this morning? Over the coming weeks, and months, and years, will you resolve to understand the gospel with the spirits help, more deeply than you have previously? I hope you will. Our journey through Romans, in Paul's defense of his Apostolic Authority. It is a call upon us to acknowledge. Again this morning the authority of God's word and to Mentor submit ourselves to it and to obey it, I understand this if Paul is an apostle and he is an apostle. That means the teaching of Romans is the teaching of Christ. It's the teaching of God himself. If we are to deny the authority of scripture, are we are to regularly and intentionally resist its Authority. Understand. We are denying and resisting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So as we stand on this precipice, this great Chasm of learning and growing and being conformed to the image of Christ. This great, Chasm of the Gospel called Romans, let us submit ourselves again to God's word, asking him to accomplish in us, all that he intense. As we consider the desire of Paul to see the Roman Church unified in the gospel, Let each one of us the calls West London, Alliance, Church their home. Let us Endeavor to cultivate and preserve the unity of our own church in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you have a fractured relationship with one of your brothers and sisters in Christ here at West London Alliance Church? What better time to be reconciled. The moment beginning preaching to the Book of Romans.

Proactively? What better time to Foster Unity by reaching out to one of your fellow members of Westland Alliance Church that you might build stronger ties with them, ask them out to copy, invite them over to your house for dinner.

And in the coming weeks and months can we agree to pray together for Unity? Can we agree to pray? Paul's words and Romans 15. Verse 5 & 6 for our church May the god of endurance and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus that together we may with one voice glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Will you pray that with me in the coming weeks and months? Finally this morning, pause objective to recruit the Roman Believers in. His mission is a reminder to us that to be strengthened. In the gospel means to be strengthened in the sharing of the Gospel to a Dying World, that desperately need salvation. Don't forget this morning, you've heard it already. Don't forget, that Hall does not sign off the book of Romans by simply appealing to the gospel, he does appeal to the gods but he does more than that. He says, now to him, who is able to strengthen you, according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ. Streisand in the gospel is strengthened in the sharing of the Gospel. Strengthened in the gospel, is share is strengthened in the preaching of the Gospel. And so as we go through the book of Romans,

Be convicted that you're not just to understand and learn the gospel better. You're not just to be strengthened in the gospel but you're to share the gospel.

Paul's purpose in writing the letter to the Romans is to strengthen Believers in the gospel, the promise Gospel of God the father concerning God the son and according to God the spirit of the Gospel which is the power of God for salvation by explaining the gospel thoroughly by defending his Apostolic Authority by unifying. The Roman Church and by enlisting their help in his mission. May those purposes and so much more come to fruition in the life of this body of Believers as we travel through the book of Romans. Amen. Let's pray Heavenly Father, we praise you this morning. We thank you. Father God, for the Book of Romans. What a blessing, it is. Father, is we begin? This journey through the book of Romans, we would I ask that you would help us father God by your spirit, would you help us even as Paul goes into great detail explained in the gospel? Would you help us once again to become students of the Gospel? To desire to understand it. Better to desire to apply it to our lives better. We can't do it without your help. God.

Father God would you by your spirit as we work through this wonderful epistle to the Romans? Would you help us to submit to your word? Would you help us to understand? It is a very teaching of Jesus. It's a very Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the very word of God. Help us to understand it, and to obey hat. Father God, as we go through this book of Romans, even is Paul side to unify. Those Christians in Rome. Would you do a work of unity in our Mets? Will you draw us together? Help us to be of the same hard in the same mine.

And father, God, help us over the coming weeks and months as we consider Paul's preaching of Jesus, Christ is preaching of the Gospel. Would you help us? Father God, to be concerned with sharing the gospel to a Dying World, who desperately needs the Earth. We ask these things in Christ name, amen.