Sermon Tone Analysis

How do you think Jesus would evaluate your life?

Would He stand to receive you at your death, like He did with Stephen when we was martyred?

Would He be impressed and say, “well done my good and faithful servant”?

Would He say you are neither hot or cold and “spew you out of His mouth”?

Would He say you are “wicked and lazy” and cast you out from His presence?

Would He identify you as belong to your father Satan (like He said of the Pharisees)?

Now that we are all a little worried and apprehensive, let’s agree that we WANT to live in a manner that the Lord approves.

Thus, our goal from our study of Romans is this...

OUR GOAL: WE STRIVE TO FORM A FOUNDATION FROM THE SCRIPTURE—AND UNDER THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—ENABLING US TO LIVE A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD!

Why the indefinitely long study of Romans?

How will this help?

(I, seriously, have no idea how long we will be in this book).

Romans is work of necessity, intended to form a firm theological foundation for a church that was not founded by an apostle.

Romans addresses almost every—if not every—theological concept found in the New Testament.

My personal goal for NHBC with Romans, and paired with our scheduled NT reading, is to glue the major themes of Scripture together within our minds.

Before we begin our indefinite study of Romans, allow me to set the stage with the background:

The Background of the Letter to the Romans:

Paul writes from Corinth (A.D. 55-58)

Paul desires to visit Rome but has been prevented—this letter is him in proxy

Paul desires to ensure that the church is Rome has a proper foundation in the faith

Setting the scene:

Paul, a physically marred and afflicted man (beaten, stoned, sickness, starved, and brutalized for Christ), writes from a room in Gaius house in the city of Corinth.

Full of passion, but also weary from addressing the Galatian heresy and the Corinthian debauchery and division, he now sets his sights on the church in Rome.

Phoebe has planned a trip to Rome, and Paul intends to send the letter by her hand ().

Carefully Paul dictates line upon line to Tertius (his amanuensis/scribe).

Why?

I imagine Paul thinking if Galatia and Corinth—churches he personally planted and taught—ventured from the truth, what about the church that started without an apostle (the church in Rome most-likely began from Jewish converts present on the day of Pentecost)?

Were these churches immersed in heresy and self-indulgence?

Was the Roman church a misguided missile set on a course of destruction?

Though he tried numerous times to make his way to Rome, he has thus far been prevented from doing so ().

Thus, in a desperation motivated by the Spirit of the living God, Paul pens a letter unmatched in depth and system in presenting the great theological truths of the gospel.

Paul’s frustration and inability to evangelize and teach the Roman church (found in a city of over 4 million) resulted in a letter that has powerfully instructed the church for nearly 2000 years.

Paul’s letter to the Romans spurred Martin Luther to begin the Protestant Reformation (and Luther’s writings on Romans led to John Wesley’s salvation).

This letter has brought scores of men and women to faith (including St. Augustine), and has moved the church back to her Lord over and over again for the last 2000 years.

Paul’s desire to ensure the Roman church believed correctly, proved to ensure that ALL churches embrace a correct theology; that is, those that submit to its instruction!

Now, let’s begin our study...

Main Point: A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD BEGINS WITH A PROPER PERSPECTIVE

This verse, though subtle, reveals three aspects of Paul’s understanding of a life that is pleasing to God...

Three Aspects for a Life Pleasing to God:

A proper posture

Active participation in your function

A true understanding of the gospel

“The Bible insists that the heart of all human problems is rebellion against the God who is our Maker, whose image we bear, and whose rule we seek to overthrow.

All of our problems, without exception, can be traced to this fundamental source: our rebellion and the just curse of God that we have attracted by our rebellion.”

(D.A. Carson) [1]

Carson argues (correctly) that all of our problems are related to the fact that we (and all of humanity) raise our hands against God in defiance.

A Proper Posture

That is, we want our way and not God’s way.

However, when we read we see that Paul properly understood who he was before the Lord.

A Proper Posture

Paul identifies himself as a doulos (slave) of Christ Jesus.

Slave (not servant) means to belong to another as property.

It is reported that there was a 3:1 ratio of slaves to freemen in the Roman empire during Paul’s time.

In Jewish contexts, the term “slave”—when connected to the Lord—was a badge of honor.

However, in the Greco-Roman world, to be a slave was not a good thing—they valued freedom and citizenship!

The first of two calls: A CALL TO SAINTHOOD ()

Biblical Truth #1: We belong to the Lord, and He has complete authority over and claim to us.

Active Participation in Your Function

Active Participation in Your Function

The second of two calls: A CALL TO WORK ()

A call to work is seen in the Greek word for set apart (aphorizo) from which two easily recognizable words come from: Horizon and Pharisee

This word, in the verb form, means to mark off or set a boundary; To set aside a person for a particular task or function—‘to appoint, to set apart for.’

Horizon =

Horizon = is the boundary line where the earth and sky meet—it is distinct.

Pharisee = A pharisee was one set apart for the Law, they were distinctly separate and holy in contrast to the people.

For Paul, his call to Christ for salvation also included a distinct call to work within his salvation.

(; ; )

He was appointed to work ()

He was to be a minister and a witness to both what he saw and what the Lord would show him ()

He was to go to the Gentiles and open their eye to the light of Jesus Christ ()

In Paul we see that God calls us to life, and then calls us to tell others about this life!

Paul so clearly understood this, that he would go on to teach about Christian’s work in the body of Christ three times (; ; & )

The Offices of Leadership within the Church:

Apostles = Two types of apostles

Office = Limited to the 12 Jesus selected, Matthias (replaced Judas), and Paul (a one-off, supernatural call)

Function = (1) Authoritative messenger—the apostles; (2) a missionary that carries the message.

Office

Prophets = Those who call God’s people back to the Lord

Evangelists = Those who call the lost to the Lord

Shepherds/Pastors/Elders = Those who care over the flock ensuring spiritual growth

Teachers = Those who explain the Word in a manner that is consistent and true to the rest of Scripture.

The work of the church:

Prophecy

Serving

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

;

Wisdom

Knowledge

Faith

Healing x 2

Miracles

Prophecy

Discernment of spirits

Tongues x 2

Interpretation of tongues

Apostle

Prophet

Teacher