Romans 1 Part 2

Review:

Paul first identified himself as a servant. When Paul meets Jesus some day its not going to be well done good and faithful: Apostle and how many people you touched and had a impact on.

The greatest among you shall be a servant.

My testimony of God speaking this last week. ONE day......

1) The definition of the Gospel

Romans 1:3–4 ESV

3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 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,

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

2) Church’s Faith Praised

Romans 1:8 ESV

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

Well we might think “strong faith” no big deal but Paul's audience was in Rome.

You might equate a church strong in faith to be located in Jerusalem.

But Rome is the capital city of the Roman empire. A capital city of a pagan empire. Ancient philosopher’s said Rome was “cesspool of iniquity and a filthy sewer.”

Yet Paul said that the believers their were thriving in their faith in the midst of a evil culture. We can also thrive in a evil culture.

Makes me think of our own life. Are we flourishing in our faith? Is it possible to flourish in our faith living in America in 2022? This passage says its possible.

I’m grieved that our culture is suffering from immorality and evil at a rapid pase.

The good news is the worst culture gets the brighter the body of Christ gets. The church thrives under persecution. Being salt and light doesn't mean we sit back and do nothing.

3) Obligated to Christ and His Cause

Romans 1:14–15 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.

When you work for someone and agree to a wage they are obligated to give you a paycheck.

Paul wasn’t in debt to these people he mentioned but was in debt to Christ for what Jesus had done for him.

Think of all the things we obligate ourselves to:

a) bank to pay back a loan

b) credit card company

c) utility company to pay them for their services

d) to other people

But what does it say about our understanding of what Christ did for us on the cross that so many people today seem to have no obligation to Christ.

What if we had such a understanding of the Gospel and what Jesus did for us that we felt obligated to the extent that it changed our priorities. “Sorry I can make plans for I’m obligated to the cause of Christ.”

Its my life I’ll do with it as I please. I will make my own plans with out considering what Jesus would like to me to do.

We owe God our life. We have been purchased. No my will but Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Everything I’m am and everything I own is yours God. Even my schedule.

4) Righteous Shall Live By Faith

Romans 1:17–18 ESV

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

These 2 verses are the thesis of the book of Romans.