Thesis Statement, Romans 1:14-17

Romans 1:14–17 ESV

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 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. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

(ESV) — 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Background

· Rome was a proud city.

· Jerusalem was nothing but a very small occupied nation.

· A Jew resurrecting from the dead was a silly concept in light of the great philosophies and philosophers of Rome.

· A little Jewish tentmaker, coming to “preach” in Rome was laughable.

· Paul was proud of this small group of Christians () who were standing strong in a very wicked city.

· Yet his message was one of humility that opposed the proud philosophies of Rome.

Paul’s three claims

· :14 I am a d____________

· :15 I am e___________

· :16 I am not a____________

📷Paul’s two reasons for being unashamed

The power of the Gospel

Power δύναμις is power, might, and strength. English word dynamite.

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

No emperor could ever have the power that is inside every Christian.

📷The righteousness of the Gospel

The word righteous is δικαιοσύνη. It means to put in a right relationship with.

In Romans we see it translated as justification, just, or righteous over 60 times. A major theme of Romans is how God’s power is used to make us RIGHTEOUS before Him. It is revealed in:

· Punishment of sin

· Christ’s death on the cross

· In His resurrection

· But mostly in God’s plan to make salvation available to a repentant believe sinner who is willing to obey the Gospel.

The wickedness of the City of Rome

"One man's exile," Seneca wrote, "was but a drop in the sea of human upheaval."

All the evil of Roman Empire flooded back to Rome. They were completely focused on the lust of their next fleshly or physical meal.

Why then did Paul want to come to this city?

The Elements of the Gospel

16 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 source of God’s powerful Gospel. What was it?

· His study with Jesus in Arabia?

· His church growth study of what the unchurched of Rome needed?

· His study of 10 Steps to positive mental health?

· His God’s deep knowledge, love, & kindness?

God’s gospel flows from living water into an overflowing fountain of life into the dry and arid souls around us. Give B.C.V. and nothing else.

·

1 Corinthians 2:1–4 ESV

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

·

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The nature of God’s powerful Gospel

(ESV) — 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

· For the Jews it was shameful because their religious prided was in the observance of the law.

· For the Greeks it was foolish because they prided themselves in wisdom that could be sources from their powerful rulers whom they deified.

The purpose of God’s powerful Gospel

· What was its purpose?

· How would Roman citizens view deliverance differently?

o First the leader on a white horse. Then the rest of the cavalry. Then foot soldiers. Then the captured enemy.

o How was different from Christ entering Jerusalem? (Cf. (Mat_21:9-11; Mar_11:9-10; Luk_19:37-40; Joh_12:12-15; Psa_118:25-26).

§ Hosana is Hebrew meaning, rescue/save/deliver now.

· Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel. It SAVES NOW from the power, penalty and desire to sin.

The scope of God’s powerful Gospel

· It was for all! Jews and Greeks. It would start with the Jews and by be for all. But now it was for all, .

o The middle wall of partition was gone,

· Why was it for all? (Hint: ).

· Is there place for prejudice in your heart?

The requirement of God’s powerful Gospel

· What does belief mean to you?

o It mere mental ascent or knowledge?

o

James 2:18–20 ESV

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

· Belief leads to good behavior after we are baptized by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The efficiency of God’s powerful Gospel

· :17 “the righteousness of God. That is, God’s way of justifying the ungodly.

The result of God’s powerful Gospel

His righteous, who are now justified, are given LIFE. How? By faith.

Application

· How do we get this faith?

o Peter would say:

Homework

· Read to end of as if you were in a court room.

o Find 6 indictments in

o Find the 3 times of people being judged in

o Find the 6 Q&A in

· Memorize &