ROMANS 2C ROMANS 2:25-29
Introduction:
We are finishing up chapter 2 tonight.
We talked Sunday about Judgment and impartiality in the morning.
We talked about Judgment for all in the evening.
Tonight we talk about circumcision and does it really work.
I. Circumcision is a sign of God’s covenant with Israel.
A. Genesis 17:9-14
It was a part of God’s covenant with Abraham.
It was an absolute requirement.
B. The law was only meaningful if the entire law was kept.
Galatians 5:3
Breaking the law meant that the circumcision was broken.
Verse 25b says that if one transgresses the Mosaic law then his circumcision is gone.
Paul appears to reevaluating the covenant.
The covenant with the sign does not and cannot save.
No one can perfectly obey.
We need to understand that those living under the covenant now verses those living under the covenant in the OT are likely on different plains.
The old covenant pointed them to the new covenant. That is what made it work. Now that the new has come the old can not work.
II. Salvation of the uncircumcised.
A. The disobedience of the Jews is contrasted with the obedience of the gentiles in verses 26-27.
The Gentiles are designated as uncircumcised.
Paul is talking about the salvation of the uncircumcised.
B. The obedience of the Gentiles is their source of salvation.
The Gentiles kept the moral norms of the law.
Verse 26
I believe that Paul is applying the remaining verses to Christian Gentiles.
He is not making a hypothetical case.
He is not talking about those who are just responding to the light that they have seen.
He talks about the Gentile keeping the ordinances of the law and in vs. 27 fulfilling the law.
So a Gentile who keeps the commands of God is a child of God.
C. Paul is still preparing to let us know that sins forgiven is only through Christ.
Sins forgiven is now only through Christ and we will continue to see that as we go.
He is the fulfillment of what was promised in the OT.
The salvation that the OT was looking for has come.
III. Judgment of the circumcised
A. The judgment theme simply means that having the letter and circumcision will not save.
Transgress the law and face judgment.
Physical circumcision offers no saving advantage.
Physical circumcision alone does not make one a true Jew.
Paul continues to undermine that the old covenant provides salvation.
B. We get the picture that the Gentile is the judge. vs. 27
A circumcised Jew who did not keep the law was unsaved. vs. 27
They are not the judge but their obedience without circumcision will make the circumcised Jew look bad.
IV. The circumcised heart
A. The circumcision of the heart is what is required.
Paul says that physical circumcision and being an ethnic Jew are not necessary to belong to the people of God.
Under the new covenant is the requirement for a spiritual circumcision.
Scriptures
Romans 2:25
Deuteronomy 10:16
Deuteronomy 30:6
B. The circumcision is by the Spirit.
Scriptures
Galatians 5:2-5
Romans 7:5,6
II Corinthians 3:3-11
Joel 2:28,29
It is this Spirit that circumcises the heart, that makes obedience possible.
In the new covenant God will write the law on the heart. Jeremiah 31:31-34
God will take out the heart of stone and puts His spirit in. Ezekiel 11:19-20, 36:26-27
Paul is saying that promise has become a reality.
In Romans 8 we see where the gift of the Spirit enables believers to observe the law.
Conclusion:
The last phrase in this chapter points to an eternal reward for obedience.
The heart of what Paul is trying to relay is
To convict the Jews of their sin.
Paul is trying to convince the Jews to repent and believe in Jesus as Messiah.
This chapter sort of foreshadows Romans 10:19, 11:11 that also highlight the entrance of the gentiles into the people of God in order to provoke the Jews to Jealousy.
It is all about faith in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
JUDGMENT FOR ALL ROMANS 2:12-24
JUDGMENT FOR ALL ROMANS 2:12-24
Introduction:
We are working our way to Romans 3:21-24
We still have more territory to cover to get there.
Paul is driving home the point to the Romans and to all, that apart from this righteousness of God we are terribly lost.
Have you ever been scolded or put in your place? That is not fun. In your mind all dad needed to say was I thought I told you not to do this or that. But dad thinks you need a 25 minute lecture. We are probably crying uncle. I get it Paul. Enough already. But Paul is saying I am not done yet.
Since Paul is not done yet and I have chosen to go chapter by chapter each week. I guess we can’t be done yet either.
So let’s pick up where we left off and more on and learn from the apostle here.
In the pledge to the American flag we say at the end of the pledge and justice for all.
Because we are in Romans 2 I am saying liberty is yet to come but right now it is judgment for all.
I. Those under the law will be judged.
A. “All who sin under the law will be judged by the law.”
Those under the law have no advantage over those not under the law.
It is important for us to understand that.
Sinning under the law is not doing what the law commands to do.
Those failing to do the law are guilty of breaking the law therefore judged by it.
Hearing the law is not the ticket to salvation or the lack of judgment.
We were told the other day that the US House Of Representatives were reading aloud the constitution of the USA.
There was excitement in the air.
But reading the constitution is not going to change anything.
One thing about the Mosaic law is that a law breaker is just that a law breaker.
The judgment is all the same.
The wages of sin is death.
You break the law you die.
Whether I was going 1 mile an hour over the speed limit or 31 I was breaking the law.
There is no graduated system of penalty.
B. The faults that we can find with those under the law.
The first fatal flaw is pride. In Romans 2:17-18, we see that the Jewish people had been given four advantages that ultimately led to arrogance: “Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law.”
Fatal Flaw #2: Presumption (19-20). When pride captures our heart, we then feel compelled to act like presumptive prophets by focusing on others, making people know how much we know.
Fatal Flaw #3: Pretenders (21-22). They loved to point out the problems that others had, but they were in the group Jesus warned others about in Matthew 23:3, “Do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” They were quick to find fault with others while quickly forgiving their own. Take a look at verses 21-22: “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?”
Fatal Flaw #4: Profaning (23-24). Once pride takes root, we become filled with presumption and start blasting others, when in fact we’re just pretenders who end up profaning the holy name of God. This can have disastrous consequences in two areas. First, verse 23 states: “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?” C. To those much is given much is required.
II. Those not under the law will be judged.
A. Verses 14-16 tell us why.
B. Our own law.
We don’t have a written law.
But Paul says by nature we know some right and wrong.
So in a sense we become a law unto our self.
But we all have a law.
Every home has a list of laws. They may not be written on the wall inside the door. But you can tell by the look, by the comment, by what you may hear later that you broke the law. You know what I am talking about. I know what door to go to. I know if I take my shoes off the moment I enter the door. I know if I even knock on the door.
Every church has their laws. They may not all be written but. You don’t sit where Aunt Susie has her cushion. I sat in a man’s seat the Sunday we candidated in Lock Haven.
The point is there is a lot of laws that are not written.
Break them and you are judged.
III. Those hiding from the law will be judged. Verse 16
A. There is a judgment day.
B. We will be able to hide nothing on that day.
God will judge man’s secrets.
Notice that judging will be through Jesus Christ.
C. God’s judgment is compressive.
It has every side of the story.
IV. What in our heart makes it so hard for us to understand?
What do we need to be careful of?
The 4 things that I mentioned earlier.
A. Pride
B. Presumption
C. Pretending
D. Profaning
Conclusion:
I want to hear well done.
Introduction:
We are working our way to Romans 3:21-24
We still have more territory to cover to get there.
Paul is driving home the point to the Romans and to all, that apart from this righteousness of God we are terribly lost.
Have you ever been scolded or put in your place? That is not fun. In your mind all dad needed to say was I thought I told you not to do this or that. But dad thinks you need a 25 minute lecture. We are probably crying uncle. I get it Paul. Enough already. But Paul is saying I am not done yet.
Since Paul is not done yet and I have chosen to go chapter by chapter each week. I guess we can’t be done yet either.
So let’s pick up where we left off and more on and learn from the apostle here.
In the pledge to the American flag we say at the end of the pledge and justice for all.
Because we are in Romans 2 I am saying liberty is yet to come but right now it is judgment for all.
I. Those under the law will be judged.
A. “All who sin under the law will be judged by the law.”
Those under the law have no advantage over those not under the law.
It is important for us to understand that.
Sinning under the law is not doing what the law commands to do.
Those failing to do the law are guilty of breaking the law therefore judged by it.
Hearing the law is not the ticket to salvation or the lack of judgment.
We were told the other day that the US House Of Representatives were reading aloud the constitution of the USA.
There was excitement in the air.
But reading the constitution is not going to change anything.
One thing about the Mosaic law is that a law breaker is just that a law breaker.
The judgment is all the same.
The wages of sin is death.
You break the law you die.
Whether I was going 1 mile an hour over the speed limit or 31 I was breaking the law.
There is no graduated system of penalty.
B. The faults that we can find with those under the law.
The first fatal flaw is pride. In Romans 2:17-18, we see that the Jewish people had been given four advantages that ultimately led to arrogance: “Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law.”
Fatal Flaw #2: Presumption (19-20). When pride captures our heart, we then feel compelled to act like presumptive prophets by focusing on others, making people know how much we know.
Fatal Flaw #3: Pretenders (21-22). They loved to point out the problems that others had, but they were in the group Jesus warned others about in Matthew 23:3, “Do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” They were quick to find fault with others while quickly forgiving their own. Take a look at verses 21-22: “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?”
Fatal Flaw #4: Profaning (23-24). Once pride takes root, we become filled with presumption and start blasting others, when in fact we’re just pretenders who end up profaning the holy name of God. This can have disastrous consequences in two areas. First, verse 23 states: “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?” C. To those much is given much is required.
II. Those not under the law will be judged.
A. Verses 14-16 tell us why.
B. Our own law.
We don’t have a written law.
But Paul says by nature we know some right and wrong.
So in a sense we become a law unto our self.
But we all have a law.
Every home has a list of laws. They may not be written on the wall inside the door. But you can tell by the look, by the comment, by what you may hear later that you broke the law. You know what I am talking about. I know what door to go to. I know if I take my shoes off the moment I enter the door. I know if I even knock on the door.
Every church has their laws. They may not all be written but. You don’t sit where Aunt Susie has her cushion. I sat in a man’s seat the Sunday we candidated in Lock Haven.
The point is there is a lot of laws that are not written.
Break them and you are judged.
III. Those hiding from the law will be judged. Verse 16
A. There is a judgment day.
B. We will be able to hide nothing on that day.
God will judge man’s secrets.
Notice that judging will be through Jesus Christ.
C. God’s judgment is compressive.
It has every side of the story.
IV. What in our heart makes it so hard for us to understand?
What do we need to be careful of?
The 4 things that I mentioned earlier.
A. Pride
B. Presumption
C. Pretending
D. Profaning
Conclusion:
I want to hear well done.
JUDGMENT & PARTIALITY, ROMANS 2:1-11
ROMANS 2A
JUDGMENT & PARTIALITY, ROMANS 2:1-11
Introduction:
The Last Impression
Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to himself, "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching the car, he notices that there are five elderly ladies-two in the front seat and three in the back-wide eyed and white as ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?"
"Ma'am," the officer replies, "you weren't speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers." "Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly...Twenty- two miles an hour!" the woman says a bit proudly.
The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "22" was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.
"But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask... is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a single peep this whole time," the officer asks with concern. "Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119."
For those of you who weren’t here last week we are looking at the book of Romans for the next several months.
As I shared last week a chapter a week. Looking at a part of it AM, PM, and BS.
So you can breath because we won’t be taking the Rt 119 speed but the Rt 22 speed.
I love the book of Romans. Let me tell you a few reasons why.
Romans 1:16,17
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 8:1,2
Romans 8:37-39 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:14-17 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 10:9-11 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.
Romans 12:1,2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I am sure I could relate a few more reasons.
However I share just one more. Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. “For God is no respecter of persons.”
I wish the first 10 verses of Romans 2 were as pleasant or could be added to my reasons I like Romans.
But they are a bit harder.
I probably should have put over the door today steel toed shoes recommended.
I am going to combine two thoughts from these verses this morning.
Judgment
Favoritism
The message that Paul shares is for all.
We are pretty fond of judgment as long as it is not against us or those close to us.
We don’t like it when others show partiality toward us.
And of course we never unjustly show partiality.
Now that I have got that out of the way let’s get started.
Let’s see what Paul has to say about all of this.
I. Judgment
A. Man’s way
We love to pass judgment and we make a lot of excuses why we are right in doing so.
We are hypocritical in our judgment.
We are also quite condemning and unjust.
We generally look at the facts that we want to look at.
I am sure that a whole lot of us have condemned many people.
Were we any better for it?
It probably really didn’t make us feel any better.
B. God’s reaction to our way.
Paul starts verse 1 with “you have no excuse“.
If the Jews were like many they would be sitting there reading chapter 1 and saying go God give it to them because they deserve it.
Or wow I am glad that I am not like they are.
That reminds me of the Scripture that speaks about the man praying. I am glad that I am not like that man over there.
Luke 18:10-12 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Paul says you are judging yourself, even condemning yourself while you judge others.
Why do you say that God? God says, because you are doing the same things. The exact same things or things that are just as sinful?
Remember the Scripture that says about trying to get the speck out of our friends eye while we forget the log in our own eye.
O, but we think we can escape judgment.
Many times we are guilty of doing what we judge others for doing.
You might not want to agree with me.
There are times we may be guilty of worse.
C. God’s way
Paul says that God’s judgment is based on truth as if to say ours is not.
God is often gentle, kind, patient.
I want Him to be that way to me.
I don’t really care that He is that way to you.
I really don’t want God to be kind to the guy I want to judge.
Does any of that sound familiar?
The last part of verse 4 says “is intended to lead you to repentance.”
That reminds me of the quote, “but for the grace of God there go I“.
Maybe instead of being judgmental we need to say God I am realizing the bad, the wrong in me. I am sorry. Fix me.
God is saying you might think that you are so much better today but you are just storing up judgment for later.
His righteous judgment will be revealed.
II. Partiality vs. Impartiality
A. Man’s partiality
How many times in life have you been completely impartial.
It is next to impossible for man to be impartial.
We see things the way we want to see them believing that we are seeing the truth.
What does God say through Paul about us?
He says that our stubborn and unrepentant heart is storing up wrath against ourselves for the day of God’s wrath.
Have you ever thought maybe you got by with one?
It sounds like we haven’t got by with anything.
His righteous judgment will be revealed that day.
B. God’s impartiality
God will repay each person according to what they have done. 6b
He won’t repay based on our name, our family, our status in life.
He will repay based on what we have done.
He shows impartiality to those doing good.
Paul expands on that in verse 7.
The end result of our appropriate actions is eternal life.
He equally shows impartiality to the self seeking who reject the truth and follow evil.
He says that there will be wrath and anger upon them.
He says in verse 9 that there will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.
C. God’s abundant blessing.
Verse 10, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Verse 11, For God does not show favoritism.
Conclusion:
Have you been passing judgment?
Have you been showing partiality?
The rewards of both are not good.
Let’s determine to have the heart, the attitude, and live the life that will result in as verse 10 says glory, honor, and peace.
JUDGMENT & PARTIALITY, ROMANS 2:1-11
Introduction:
The Last Impression
Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to himself, "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching the car, he notices that there are five elderly ladies-two in the front seat and three in the back-wide eyed and white as ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?"
"Ma'am," the officer replies, "you weren't speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers." "Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly...Twenty- two miles an hour!" the woman says a bit proudly.
The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "22" was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.
"But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask... is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a single peep this whole time," the officer asks with concern. "Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119."
For those of you who weren’t here last week we are looking at the book of Romans for the next several months.
As I shared last week a chapter a week. Looking at a part of it AM, PM, and BS.
So you can breath because we won’t be taking the Rt 119 speed but the Rt 22 speed.
I love the book of Romans. Let me tell you a few reasons why.
Romans 1:16,17
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 8:1,2
Romans 8:37-39 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:14-17 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 10:9-11 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.
Romans 12:1,2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I am sure I could relate a few more reasons.
However I share just one more. Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. “For God is no respecter of persons.”
I wish the first 10 verses of Romans 2 were as pleasant or could be added to my reasons I like Romans.
But they are a bit harder.
I probably should have put over the door today steel toed shoes recommended.
I am going to combine two thoughts from these verses this morning.
Judgment
Favoritism
The message that Paul shares is for all.
We are pretty fond of judgment as long as it is not against us or those close to us.
We don’t like it when others show partiality toward us.
And of course we never unjustly show partiality.
Now that I have got that out of the way let’s get started.
Let’s see what Paul has to say about all of this.
I. Judgment
A. Man’s way
We love to pass judgment and we make a lot of excuses why we are right in doing so.
We are hypocritical in our judgment.
We are also quite condemning and unjust.
We generally look at the facts that we want to look at.
I am sure that a whole lot of us have condemned many people.
Were we any better for it?
It probably really didn’t make us feel any better.
B. God’s reaction to our way.
Paul starts verse 1 with “you have no excuse“.
If the Jews were like many they would be sitting there reading chapter 1 and saying go God give it to them because they deserve it.
Or wow I am glad that I am not like they are.
That reminds me of the Scripture that speaks about the man praying. I am glad that I am not like that man over there.
Luke 18:10-12 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Paul says you are judging yourself, even condemning yourself while you judge others.
Why do you say that God? God says, because you are doing the same things. The exact same things or things that are just as sinful?
Remember the Scripture that says about trying to get the speck out of our friends eye while we forget the log in our own eye.
O, but we think we can escape judgment.
Many times we are guilty of doing what we judge others for doing.
You might not want to agree with me.
There are times we may be guilty of worse.
C. God’s way
Paul says that God’s judgment is based on truth as if to say ours is not.
God is often gentle, kind, patient.
I want Him to be that way to me.
I don’t really care that He is that way to you.
I really don’t want God to be kind to the guy I want to judge.
Does any of that sound familiar?
The last part of verse 4 says “is intended to lead you to repentance.”
That reminds me of the quote, “but for the grace of God there go I“.
Maybe instead of being judgmental we need to say God I am realizing the bad, the wrong in me. I am sorry. Fix me.
God is saying you might think that you are so much better today but you are just storing up judgment for later.
His righteous judgment will be revealed.
II. Partiality vs. Impartiality
A. Man’s partiality
How many times in life have you been completely impartial.
It is next to impossible for man to be impartial.
We see things the way we want to see them believing that we are seeing the truth.
What does God say through Paul about us?
He says that our stubborn and unrepentant heart is storing up wrath against ourselves for the day of God’s wrath.
Have you ever thought maybe you got by with one?
It sounds like we haven’t got by with anything.
His righteous judgment will be revealed that day.
B. God’s impartiality
God will repay each person according to what they have done. 6b
He won’t repay based on our name, our family, our status in life.
He will repay based on what we have done.
He shows impartiality to those doing good.
Paul expands on that in verse 7.
The end result of our appropriate actions is eternal life.
He equally shows impartiality to the self seeking who reject the truth and follow evil.
He says that there will be wrath and anger upon them.
He says in verse 9 that there will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.
C. God’s abundant blessing.
Verse 10, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Verse 11, For God does not show favoritism.
Conclusion:
Have you been passing judgment?
Have you been showing partiality?
The rewards of both are not good.
Let’s determine to have the heart, the attitude, and live the life that will result in as verse 10 says glory, honor, and peace.
AN UGLY REVELATION, ROMANS 1:18-32
AN UGLY REVELATION, ROMANS 1:18-32
Introduction:
A recap to our start in Romans and to Romans 1.
Notice verse 17. “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed. “
Notice the direct opposite in verse 18 where we begin tonight in our Bible Study. “The wrath of God is being revealed.”
There are four things that I want us to study in this passage tonight.
We are without excuse.
We are without excuse because the light has been revealed.
The problem is that the light has been rejected.
So ultimately as a result of the light being rejected the wrath of God is revealed.
I. Without excuse, Verse 21 “So that men are without excuse.
A. All mankind is without excuse.
We are men and women of excuses.
We love to, we always make excuses.
It wasn’t my fault.
Adam and Eve had their excuses.
We often hesitate to excuse others. But we like to excuse ourselves.
God is the searcher of the hearts.
He makes no mistakes.
Those who have seen the light have no excuse.
Matthew 22:8-14
Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.
One came without his wedding garments on.
Was he excused?
No the king said, tie him up hand and feet and throw him out.
No, he had no excuse.
B. One thing that stands out to me here.
We often times ask about those who have never heard about Jesus.
Will they be saved?
Will we see them in heaven?
They may not have heard a message about Jesus.
But verse 20 tells us that they have seen and heard enough about the power and the nature of God to not have an excuse.
C. No one will ever be able to stand before God and say I didn’t know.
What does verse 20 mean?
That doesn’t mean that they will be saved and in heaven.
That does mean that they can not say God I didn’t know.
We know that if not all most of the time man does not think right and ends us worshiping the created and not the creator.
That puts him inline for wrath and not for life.
II. The light revealed
A. For since the creation of the world.
God’s invisible qualities have been seen.
Those invisible qualities are
His eternal power
His divine nature
They have been clearly seen.
They have been clearly understood.
B. It is possible to have a clear knowledge of God from His handy work.
Behind the sun, the moon, the starts, and the sea is a mighty power.
The order of the season did not just happen.
C. We have seen that light and more.
We have God’s word in our hands and our heart.
We certainly have no excuse.
III. The light rejected
A. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him and God….
Their thinking became futile. Their foolish hearts were darkened. Verses 20-21.
Verse 28 says that they did not think it was wise to retain the knowledge of God.
Nations reject the light.
The Jewish nation rejected the revelation that God gave to them.
Many other nations did the same.
Are we doing the same thing?
Men reject the light.
King Saul rejected the light that was given to him and God rejected him from being king.
Belshazzar had much light revealed to him by Daniel and the three Hebrew children. Daniel 5:20-31 He rejected the light and was found wanting.
B. They exchanged the glory of God for images made to look like mortal man and birds, and animals.
Paul talks about God giving them over to their own sinful desires in verse 24.
Verse 28 says he gave them over to a depraved mind.
In verse 25 he says that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the creator.
Because of this God said just go ahead and do what you want to do.
Men and women are doing just that.
They are now filled with every kind of wickedness.
C. They do those things and approve of them being done.
Verse 32
IV. The wrath of God revealed, verse18
A. Paul tells us in Galatians that what ever a man sows that will he also reap.
Suffering comes when we disregard what we know to be right.
Fire will burn
Water will drown
Bad air will poison
We could go on.
So if we defile the moral laws what else can we expect.
B. Commentary
This does not mean that the wrath of God can be confined only to the past (cf. S. Porter 1994: 39), but it does suggest that the moral desolation of human society from the beginning of the world (v. 20) and continuing up to the present day is a manifestation of God’s wrath. The coming of the gospel reveals that the moral deterioration of human society is a result of God’s judgment. For those who do not repent this wrath will culminate ―in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God‖ (2:5). God’s judgments in history, then, anticipate the culmination of his wrath on the day of judgment.
Thomas R. Schreiner, vol. 6, Romans, Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998),
C. Footnote from Full life study Bible
Conclusion: What will you take away from tonight’s study?
Introduction:
A recap to our start in Romans and to Romans 1.
Notice verse 17. “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed. “
Notice the direct opposite in verse 18 where we begin tonight in our Bible Study. “The wrath of God is being revealed.”
There are four things that I want us to study in this passage tonight.
We are without excuse.
We are without excuse because the light has been revealed.
The problem is that the light has been rejected.
So ultimately as a result of the light being rejected the wrath of God is revealed.
I. Without excuse, Verse 21 “So that men are without excuse.
A. All mankind is without excuse.
We are men and women of excuses.
We love to, we always make excuses.
It wasn’t my fault.
Adam and Eve had their excuses.
We often hesitate to excuse others. But we like to excuse ourselves.
God is the searcher of the hearts.
He makes no mistakes.
Those who have seen the light have no excuse.
Matthew 22:8-14
Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.
One came without his wedding garments on.
Was he excused?
No the king said, tie him up hand and feet and throw him out.
No, he had no excuse.
B. One thing that stands out to me here.
We often times ask about those who have never heard about Jesus.
Will they be saved?
Will we see them in heaven?
They may not have heard a message about Jesus.
But verse 20 tells us that they have seen and heard enough about the power and the nature of God to not have an excuse.
C. No one will ever be able to stand before God and say I didn’t know.
What does verse 20 mean?
That doesn’t mean that they will be saved and in heaven.
That does mean that they can not say God I didn’t know.
We know that if not all most of the time man does not think right and ends us worshiping the created and not the creator.
That puts him inline for wrath and not for life.
II. The light revealed
A. For since the creation of the world.
God’s invisible qualities have been seen.
Those invisible qualities are
His eternal power
His divine nature
They have been clearly seen.
They have been clearly understood.
B. It is possible to have a clear knowledge of God from His handy work.
Behind the sun, the moon, the starts, and the sea is a mighty power.
The order of the season did not just happen.
C. We have seen that light and more.
We have God’s word in our hands and our heart.
We certainly have no excuse.
III. The light rejected
A. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him and God….
Their thinking became futile. Their foolish hearts were darkened. Verses 20-21.
Verse 28 says that they did not think it was wise to retain the knowledge of God.
Nations reject the light.
The Jewish nation rejected the revelation that God gave to them.
Many other nations did the same.
Are we doing the same thing?
Men reject the light.
King Saul rejected the light that was given to him and God rejected him from being king.
Belshazzar had much light revealed to him by Daniel and the three Hebrew children. Daniel 5:20-31 He rejected the light and was found wanting.
B. They exchanged the glory of God for images made to look like mortal man and birds, and animals.
Paul talks about God giving them over to their own sinful desires in verse 24.
Verse 28 says he gave them over to a depraved mind.
In verse 25 he says that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the creator.
Because of this God said just go ahead and do what you want to do.
Men and women are doing just that.
They are now filled with every kind of wickedness.
C. They do those things and approve of them being done.
Verse 32
IV. The wrath of God revealed, verse18
A. Paul tells us in Galatians that what ever a man sows that will he also reap.
Suffering comes when we disregard what we know to be right.
Fire will burn
Water will drown
Bad air will poison
We could go on.
So if we defile the moral laws what else can we expect.
B. Commentary
This does not mean that the wrath of God can be confined only to the past (cf. S. Porter 1994: 39), but it does suggest that the moral desolation of human society from the beginning of the world (v. 20) and continuing up to the present day is a manifestation of God’s wrath. The coming of the gospel reveals that the moral deterioration of human society is a result of God’s judgment. For those who do not repent this wrath will culminate ―in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God‖ (2:5). God’s judgments in history, then, anticipate the culmination of his wrath on the day of judgment.
Thomas R. Schreiner, vol. 6, Romans, Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998),
C. Footnote from Full life study Bible
Conclusion: What will you take away from tonight’s study?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Romans 1 B Longing
2nd message in series on Romans.
ROMANS 1B
PAUL’S EARNEST DESIRES AND LONGING FOR ROME ROMANS 1:8-15
Introduction:
Briefly recap the intro and the salutation of Paul in the letter to the Romans.
I want to look at the verses between the salutation and our text this morning.
They relay more of Paul’s feelings toward them and his longing to be with them.
We are going to look at the rest of the chapter on Weds at God’s wrath against the wickedness of mankind.
I. Paul’s expression of thanks
A. Paul is thanking God for them.
That is pretty much Paul’s norm for him to move from his salutation to giving thanks to God.
Paul emphasizes that this is the first thing he is doing.
He is thanking God for all of them.
Note that he is thanking my God through Jesus Christ.
This speaks of how personal Paul’s relationship with God is.
It sounds like they are having the same type of personal relationship with Him.
B. He is thanking God for the report that he is hearing about them.
The report that he is hearing is a very good, a very exciting report.
He is hearing about their faith.
Their faith is not just being heard of by a few here and there.
Their faith is being heard about my many all over the world.
That is powerful that their faith is resounding all over the world.
II. Paul’s prayers
A. He remembers them constantly in his prayers.
God is my witness as to how constantly I remember you in my prayers.
I remember you in my prayers at all times.
Why is Paul using an oath relating to how much he is praying for them?
I want you to know how much I am praying for you.
I want you to know how interested I am in you.
B. He prays that it would be soon God’s will for him to visit Rome.
An emphasis of his prayer is that he may soon be able to go to Rome and visit them.
I want it to be God’s will to open the path for me to get there soon.
However Paul wants nothing else but the will of God.
He can not dictate nor control the will of God.
But he can pray.
III. Paul’s longing
A. He longed to see them in person.
There are many avenues of communication.
The avenues are growing every day.
The best the ideal form of communication is face to face.
Paul wanted to see the believers in Rome face to face.
He had a key purpose to want to see them face to face.
He wanted to impart a spiritual gift on them to make them strong.
Paul does not want to congratulate them or pat them on the back.
He wants to help them advance.
Why do we do what we do here?
Because we want God to pat us on the back.
We do what we do here because we want to see the kingdom advanced, souls saved, and believers strengthened to be all that God wants them to be.
He proposed that they advance by a gift from the Spirit.
The Spirit of God can do wonders in our heart and lives.
Oh how we need to be open to the Spirit.
He wanted them, he and those in Rome to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
He didn’t want this growing in strength to be just for those in Rome.
He wanted to become stronger in the faith, the Spirit, and the walk with God as they.
Iron sharpens iron.
We can help each other grow and stay strong along the way.
B. He planned many times to get to Rome.
Things have come up in Paul’s way every time he has planned to go to Rome.
But I want o get there and gather in the harvest.
Paul has had a successful harvest in many other places.
IV. Paul’s obligation
A. He expresses his sense of obligation to preach the gospel.
To the Greeks and non Greeks.
To the wise and the foolish.
B. This obligation makes me so eager to be there in Rome with you.
C. “ I am not ashamed of the gospel….
Conclusion:
We need to pray for the will of God in our lives.
We need to long to be where God wants us to be.
We too need to understand that we are obligated to be a messenger of the gospel.
I want us to follow Paul’s example of prayer and close our service with a prayer time tonight.
ROMANS 1B
PAUL’S EARNEST DESIRES AND LONGING FOR ROME ROMANS 1:8-15
Introduction:
Briefly recap the intro and the salutation of Paul in the letter to the Romans.
I want to look at the verses between the salutation and our text this morning.
They relay more of Paul’s feelings toward them and his longing to be with them.
We are going to look at the rest of the chapter on Weds at God’s wrath against the wickedness of mankind.
I. Paul’s expression of thanks
A. Paul is thanking God for them.
That is pretty much Paul’s norm for him to move from his salutation to giving thanks to God.
Paul emphasizes that this is the first thing he is doing.
He is thanking God for all of them.
Note that he is thanking my God through Jesus Christ.
This speaks of how personal Paul’s relationship with God is.
It sounds like they are having the same type of personal relationship with Him.
B. He is thanking God for the report that he is hearing about them.
The report that he is hearing is a very good, a very exciting report.
He is hearing about their faith.
Their faith is not just being heard of by a few here and there.
Their faith is being heard about my many all over the world.
That is powerful that their faith is resounding all over the world.
II. Paul’s prayers
A. He remembers them constantly in his prayers.
God is my witness as to how constantly I remember you in my prayers.
I remember you in my prayers at all times.
Why is Paul using an oath relating to how much he is praying for them?
I want you to know how much I am praying for you.
I want you to know how interested I am in you.
B. He prays that it would be soon God’s will for him to visit Rome.
An emphasis of his prayer is that he may soon be able to go to Rome and visit them.
I want it to be God’s will to open the path for me to get there soon.
However Paul wants nothing else but the will of God.
He can not dictate nor control the will of God.
But he can pray.
III. Paul’s longing
A. He longed to see them in person.
There are many avenues of communication.
The avenues are growing every day.
The best the ideal form of communication is face to face.
Paul wanted to see the believers in Rome face to face.
He had a key purpose to want to see them face to face.
He wanted to impart a spiritual gift on them to make them strong.
Paul does not want to congratulate them or pat them on the back.
He wants to help them advance.
Why do we do what we do here?
Because we want God to pat us on the back.
We do what we do here because we want to see the kingdom advanced, souls saved, and believers strengthened to be all that God wants them to be.
He proposed that they advance by a gift from the Spirit.
The Spirit of God can do wonders in our heart and lives.
Oh how we need to be open to the Spirit.
He wanted them, he and those in Rome to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
He didn’t want this growing in strength to be just for those in Rome.
He wanted to become stronger in the faith, the Spirit, and the walk with God as they.
Iron sharpens iron.
We can help each other grow and stay strong along the way.
B. He planned many times to get to Rome.
Things have come up in Paul’s way every time he has planned to go to Rome.
But I want o get there and gather in the harvest.
Paul has had a successful harvest in many other places.
IV. Paul’s obligation
A. He expresses his sense of obligation to preach the gospel.
To the Greeks and non Greeks.
To the wise and the foolish.
B. This obligation makes me so eager to be there in Rome with you.
C. “ I am not ashamed of the gospel….
Conclusion:
We need to pray for the will of God in our lives.
We need to long to be where God wants us to be.
We too need to understand that we are obligated to be a messenger of the gospel.
I want us to follow Paul’s example of prayer and close our service with a prayer time tonight.
Romans 1 A Gospel
The first of a series on Romans.
ROMANS 1A
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL…. ROMANS 1:16-17
Introduction:
Things to Ponder as
The New Year Begins
I had amnesia once – maybe twice.
I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart.
All I ask is a chance to prove money can't make me happiness.
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
They told me I was gullible, and I believed them.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
One nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people.
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not sure.
Is there another word for synonym?
If swimming if so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.
Is it my imagination, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken? Copied
I am taking you on a new journey with me.
I believe that it will give you many more points to ponder in the new year.
I believe that it will have a few more serious points than what I just read.
I believe that it is a journey that God will have for us to take.
It is a journey that I have not taken before.
It is a journey that we will take together.
It is a journey that will take several months or more.
I am going to journey through the 16 chapters of the book of Romans.
My goal is a chapter a week, looking a part of that chapter in the AM, PM, & Weds. Bible Study.
This is not a journey that I have on file so I hope it goes as I feel in my heart that it will go.
I want to share two things with you this morning.
An introduction to the book.
The overall theme of the book of Romans.
I. Intro to Romans
A. Author: The apostle Paul
This book was Paul’s longest, most theological and most influential letter.
This is perhaps why it was placed first among his 13 NT books that he wrote.
B. Background
This letter was wrote as a part of Paul’s mission to the Gentile world.
Paul did not start the church in Rome.
He had not been in Rome before.
It is not believed that the church there was started by Peter or any other apostle.
The church could have been started by
Some Jews who were among the 3000 that were saved on the day of Pentecost in response to Peter’s message.
Or some of Paul’s converts from Macedonia or Asia could have started the church there.
It is believed that Paul wrote Romans near the end of his third missionary journey.
We will learn more about this much later in chapter 15.
C. Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to prepare the way for his ministry there.
It seems that they were misinformed about Paul’s message and theology.
He felt it necessary to tell them about his preaching of the gospel.
He sot to correct some wrong attitudes that they had.
I see a directive for all of us in this new year from this first chapter.
Pray
Proclaim
Live Righteously
II. Salutation, Verses 1-7
This is a rather lengthy salutation.
A. Paul introduced himself as a servant.
A servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle.
Many of his other letters he began with Paul an apostle.
He humbly called himself a servant.
He was committed to Jesus Christ as his Lord.
He wasn’t writing out of his own doing but out of obedience as a servant.
This servant was called to be an apostle.
His call and his being an apostle go together.
He was set apart for the gospel of God.
The gospel is the message proclaimed.
This gospel is very much connected to the promises of the prophets that were given in the OT.
B. This gospel is regarding or concerning the son of God.
He was a descendant of David.
Conceived of the Holy Spirit to be the Son of God.
Jesus was not appointed to be.
He was conceived to be the eternal Son of God.
Then a reference to His resurrection is made.
C. The Son of God has called me.
We received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. Verse 5
You in Rome have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Verse 6 & 7
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Grace and peace to you….
I want to go to verses 16,17 for the heart of our message today. These two verses appear to be the theme of the book of Romans.
As we look at this theme we will see why Paul was so determined to preach the gospel in Rome.
III. Theme: I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, suggests eight reasons why we should not be ashamed of the gospel.
A. It is good news
The word gospel means good news.
No rational person should be ashamed to share good news.
I understand why one would be hesitant to share bad news.
We should be ready, willing and able to tell good news to all.
Paul was eager to go to Rome and tell them the good news.
Verses 10,11,14,15 relay his eager desire to be in Rome and share the good news to them.
B. It is about salvation
This good news is about salvation.
… for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Do we understand our need for salvation?
Paul helps us understand our need of salvation a bit later in Romans.
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Paul was eager to proclaim the good news about the gift of God that is eternal life.
C. It is about God’s way of salvation
Man can not save himself.
All have sinned means that all mankind is condemned.
There is none righteous no not one.
Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves. They made fig leaves into garments. But God made them garments of skin.
God’s way is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Romans 8:1-3 1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering
John 3:16
John 14:6
D. It is powerful
“Because it is the power of God….
It is powerful enough to do what God wants it to do.
When you and I relay the gospel we are relaying the power of God to save.
I believe that the most powerful tool ever used by mankind is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
E. It is for everyone
The salvation of everyone who believes.
Acts 16:31
The Philippian jailer ask Paul what must I do to be saved.
Paul replies believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your house.
It is for the Jew first.
Is the Jew better than you and I.
Salvation came through the nation of Israel, through the tribe of Judah.
The human ancestry of Christ came through the Jews.
They were given the first opportunity to receive this salvation.
He came unto His own but His own received Him not but to them that received Him He gave the power to be the sons of God.
Then for the Gentile.
That is you and I.
We are the whosoever that believes in Him.
Acts 2:21 This is Peter on the day of Pentecost. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” .
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
F. It is revealed to sinners
Revealed means that it is not something that we could have figured out ourselves.
Man has invented religion.
He has invented many religions.
He has invented many religious ways.
The gospel is a light that has been revealed.
The light has come to shine in darkness.
We didn’t create the light it was revealed by God to us.
G. It is about a righteousness from God
We are not at all righteous.
All have sinned, There is none righteous.
God has imparted His righteousness to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21-22, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
H. It is by faith from first to last
What does Paul mean when he says “by faith from first to last”? A more literal translation of the phrase suggests it means, “from the faith of one who has believed in Christ and received the righteousness of God to another who comes to believe as a result of the first Christian’s testimony.”
I received my salvation by my faith.
I pray that my faith encourages you to have faith and receive that same salvation.
Then I pray that your faith will prompt you to share you faith with others and that they will receive the faith.
Conclusion:
Philip Henry, brother of the well-known Puritan Matthew Henry, calling one day upon a tanner, found him so absorbed in tanning a hide, that he did not notice his pastor’s approach until he tapped him on the shoulder. In confusion the man said, “Sir, I am ashamed you found me thus.”
“Nay,” replied Philip Henry. “May the Lord Jesus, when He comes, find me discharging with the same faithfulness, the duties of my calling.”
Brothers and sisters, like Philip Henry, and like the Apostle Paul, let us not be ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for everyone who believes. Amen.
I believe that the Lord wants each and everyone of us to begin this new year
Knowing and understanding the gospel as our source of salvation.
And not being ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.
Paul was eager to get to Rome and share this good news with them.
I want you and I to have that same sense of urgency and eagerness to tell the good news to others.
ROMANS 1A
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL…. ROMANS 1:16-17
Introduction:
Things to Ponder as
The New Year Begins
I had amnesia once – maybe twice.
I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart.
All I ask is a chance to prove money can't make me happiness.
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
They told me I was gullible, and I believed them.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
One nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people.
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not sure.
Is there another word for synonym?
If swimming if so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.
Is it my imagination, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken? Copied
I am taking you on a new journey with me.
I believe that it will give you many more points to ponder in the new year.
I believe that it will have a few more serious points than what I just read.
I believe that it is a journey that God will have for us to take.
It is a journey that I have not taken before.
It is a journey that we will take together.
It is a journey that will take several months or more.
I am going to journey through the 16 chapters of the book of Romans.
My goal is a chapter a week, looking a part of that chapter in the AM, PM, & Weds. Bible Study.
This is not a journey that I have on file so I hope it goes as I feel in my heart that it will go.
I want to share two things with you this morning.
An introduction to the book.
The overall theme of the book of Romans.
I. Intro to Romans
A. Author: The apostle Paul
This book was Paul’s longest, most theological and most influential letter.
This is perhaps why it was placed first among his 13 NT books that he wrote.
B. Background
This letter was wrote as a part of Paul’s mission to the Gentile world.
Paul did not start the church in Rome.
He had not been in Rome before.
It is not believed that the church there was started by Peter or any other apostle.
The church could have been started by
Some Jews who were among the 3000 that were saved on the day of Pentecost in response to Peter’s message.
Or some of Paul’s converts from Macedonia or Asia could have started the church there.
It is believed that Paul wrote Romans near the end of his third missionary journey.
We will learn more about this much later in chapter 15.
C. Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to prepare the way for his ministry there.
It seems that they were misinformed about Paul’s message and theology.
He felt it necessary to tell them about his preaching of the gospel.
He sot to correct some wrong attitudes that they had.
I see a directive for all of us in this new year from this first chapter.
Pray
Proclaim
Live Righteously
II. Salutation, Verses 1-7
This is a rather lengthy salutation.
A. Paul introduced himself as a servant.
A servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle.
Many of his other letters he began with Paul an apostle.
He humbly called himself a servant.
He was committed to Jesus Christ as his Lord.
He wasn’t writing out of his own doing but out of obedience as a servant.
This servant was called to be an apostle.
His call and his being an apostle go together.
He was set apart for the gospel of God.
The gospel is the message proclaimed.
This gospel is very much connected to the promises of the prophets that were given in the OT.
B. This gospel is regarding or concerning the son of God.
He was a descendant of David.
Conceived of the Holy Spirit to be the Son of God.
Jesus was not appointed to be.
He was conceived to be the eternal Son of God.
Then a reference to His resurrection is made.
C. The Son of God has called me.
We received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. Verse 5
You in Rome have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Verse 6 & 7
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Grace and peace to you….
I want to go to verses 16,17 for the heart of our message today. These two verses appear to be the theme of the book of Romans.
As we look at this theme we will see why Paul was so determined to preach the gospel in Rome.
III. Theme: I am not ashamed of the Gospel.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, suggests eight reasons why we should not be ashamed of the gospel.
A. It is good news
The word gospel means good news.
No rational person should be ashamed to share good news.
I understand why one would be hesitant to share bad news.
We should be ready, willing and able to tell good news to all.
Paul was eager to go to Rome and tell them the good news.
Verses 10,11,14,15 relay his eager desire to be in Rome and share the good news to them.
B. It is about salvation
This good news is about salvation.
… for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Do we understand our need for salvation?
Paul helps us understand our need of salvation a bit later in Romans.
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Paul was eager to proclaim the good news about the gift of God that is eternal life.
C. It is about God’s way of salvation
Man can not save himself.
All have sinned means that all mankind is condemned.
There is none righteous no not one.
Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves. They made fig leaves into garments. But God made them garments of skin.
God’s way is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Romans 8:1-3 1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering
John 3:16
John 14:6
D. It is powerful
“Because it is the power of God….
It is powerful enough to do what God wants it to do.
When you and I relay the gospel we are relaying the power of God to save.
I believe that the most powerful tool ever used by mankind is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
E. It is for everyone
The salvation of everyone who believes.
Acts 16:31
The Philippian jailer ask Paul what must I do to be saved.
Paul replies believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your house.
It is for the Jew first.
Is the Jew better than you and I.
Salvation came through the nation of Israel, through the tribe of Judah.
The human ancestry of Christ came through the Jews.
They were given the first opportunity to receive this salvation.
He came unto His own but His own received Him not but to them that received Him He gave the power to be the sons of God.
Then for the Gentile.
That is you and I.
We are the whosoever that believes in Him.
Acts 2:21 This is Peter on the day of Pentecost. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” .
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
F. It is revealed to sinners
Revealed means that it is not something that we could have figured out ourselves.
Man has invented religion.
He has invented many religions.
He has invented many religious ways.
The gospel is a light that has been revealed.
The light has come to shine in darkness.
We didn’t create the light it was revealed by God to us.
G. It is about a righteousness from God
We are not at all righteous.
All have sinned, There is none righteous.
God has imparted His righteousness to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21-22, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
H. It is by faith from first to last
What does Paul mean when he says “by faith from first to last”? A more literal translation of the phrase suggests it means, “from the faith of one who has believed in Christ and received the righteousness of God to another who comes to believe as a result of the first Christian’s testimony.”
I received my salvation by my faith.
I pray that my faith encourages you to have faith and receive that same salvation.
Then I pray that your faith will prompt you to share you faith with others and that they will receive the faith.
Conclusion:
Philip Henry, brother of the well-known Puritan Matthew Henry, calling one day upon a tanner, found him so absorbed in tanning a hide, that he did not notice his pastor’s approach until he tapped him on the shoulder. In confusion the man said, “Sir, I am ashamed you found me thus.”
“Nay,” replied Philip Henry. “May the Lord Jesus, when He comes, find me discharging with the same faithfulness, the duties of my calling.”
Brothers and sisters, like Philip Henry, and like the Apostle Paul, let us not be ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for everyone who believes. Amen.
I believe that the Lord wants each and everyone of us to begin this new year
Knowing and understanding the gospel as our source of salvation.
And not being ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.
Paul was eager to get to Rome and share this good news with them.
I want you and I to have that same sense of urgency and eagerness to tell the good news to others.
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