Romans 1:1-17
Saved by Grace!
Scripture reading –
Rom.
Rom.
Pray
Intro
√ Paul’s letter to the Romans stands as the premier example of ancient literature.
Martin Luther said…
“It is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel.”
Coleridge the poet declared…
“It is the most profound work in existence”.
Romans has been called the…
“Cathedral of the Christian faith.”
Others have said…
“If the New Testament be a crown, Paul’s letter to the Romans would be it’s chief gem stone, and the 8th chapter the brilliance of that gem”.
√ Why all the accolades and excitement concerning this epistle?
The reason is that contained here in the pages of Paul’s letter to the Roman believers is the most brilliant discourse of the desperate condition of Human kind…
… and secondly the absolute perfect answer to that condition that is, God’s salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.
Like no other book in the Bible Paul presents the awful depth to which Mankind has fallen because of sin….
….and the perfect solution for Man’s sin – salvation by faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross.
Ex. If you were to read only the first three chapters of Romans and stop, you would find it the most pessimistic view of the human condition ever penned.
Ah, but read chapters 4 to the end and you find the most optimistic poem to which your ears have ever heard!
These are the two themes of the book of Romans:
Ruin and Redemption
Not popular any longer in much of what is called “the Church” today.
Revisionists no longer want to consider the complete and awful condition of human beings separate from Christ.
The thought today is that “man is basically good”
Ex. One popular pastor said…
“You’ll never hear the word sin from this pulpit!”
The Roman Catholic church changing the lyrics of Amazing Grace from….
“Saved a wretch like me”
to…
“His strength in me”
Yet, the truth is that without an honest appraisal of ourselves, and without the recognition of the ruined state in which we were found by Jesus…
…there can be no redemption.
The purpose of Paul’s writing (vs. 1-7)
Rom. 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Rom. 1:2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
Rom. 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
Rom. 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Rom. 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
Rom. 1:6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
Rom. 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
√ Background
Paul follows the customary formula of letter writing in his day:
Names and identifies the author – Paul
Names and identifies the recipient – “all who are in Rome”
Gives a word of salutation – “Grace & Peace”
Paul wrote the letter from Corinth during his 3rd missionary journey about 57 AD. He sent it to the Romans believers by the hand of a faithful gal named Phoebe (ref. 16:1) who was doing business in Rome.
√ Note Paul’s estimation of himself
“bondservant” – vs. 1
“dulos” in the Greek; literally a slave.
Slave by choice – note the Old Testament type
“called by God to be an apostle” – vs. 1
“apostel” = messenger
A messenger of God’s Grace
“Separated” – vs. 1
From the world unto the service of God.
Paul saw himself as a soldier, separated from the affairs of this world so that he could be wholly devoted to the service of the Gospel.
√ Jesus the fulfillment of prophecy
Whole of the Old Testament points to the coming of Messiah.
Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
And…
Heb. 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Heb. 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
And…
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
√ The Trininity
Note that verse 3 declares the Lord Jesus’ humanity, while verse 4 declares that He was manifest (proven to be) God in human flesh.
Ap. You also are called of God!
Note that Paul includes each of us as the “called” of God in verse 6.
Have you responded to God’s call in your life?
√ The benefits of a relationship with Jesus (vs. 7)
Loved of God!
A “saint” = “called out one”
Ex. Saint Harry
Grace & Peace to you!