“Every great spiritual revival in the church will be connected as effect and cause with a deeper understanding of this book” —Frederic Godet
“No reasonable person would dispute that the book of romans is one of the most powerful and influential books ever written. The epistle of Paul to the Romans has been written force behind some of the most significant conversions in church history” —Kent Hughes
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” —Romans 13:13-14
Overview of Romans:
- Salutations from Paul (1:1-17)
- Sin’s problem (1:18-3:20)
- Salvation proclaimed (3:21-5:21)
- Sanctification’s process (6:1-8:39)
- Sovereignty of God’s plan (9:1-11:36)
- Service to all people (12:1-16:27)
1 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 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, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, —Romans 1:1-6
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 1:7
The book of Romans shows us that:
1. The Gospel is the Priority. Vs 1
Gospel: Good news
“The ‘gospel of God’, his euangelion, is the joyful proclamation of the death and resurrection of his son, and of the consequent amnesty and liberation which men and women may enjoy through faith in Him” —F.F. Bruce
2. The Gospel defines our identity Vs. 1
Servant: to be completely at a master’s disposal
Is your life completely at the master’s disposal?
3. The Gospel is supported by history. Vs 2
“So much of Messiah was revealed in the Old Testament. Who would Jesus’ mother be? A virgin. Of what house was he to be? Of David. Where would he be born? Bethlehem. What name would he be given? Immanuel. What death would be his? The cross piercing the body without breaking his bones. Where? At Jerusalem, outside the city. Paul’s task was rooted as far back as the garden of Eden, the patriarchs, and the prophets.” —Kent Hughes
4. The Gospel displays authority. Vs 4
Declare: to mark out the boundaries or limits to something.
30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” —Act 17:30-31
5. The Gospel changes us completely. Vs 5-7
“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.” —Acts 1:16-17
“This first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is a dreadful portion of the Word of God. I should hardly like to read it all through aloud; it is not intended to be so used. Read it at home, and be startled at the awful vices of the Gentile world.” —Charles Spurgeon
30, “…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” —Acts 16:30-31
14 “ Now…Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” —Mark 1:14-15