Introduction to Romans

Romans 1:1-7

I. The Audience (Romans 1:7)

A. Multiple Churches

B. Jews & Gentiles

C. Theme Doctrine

II. The Author (Romans 1:1)

A. Surrendered (Calling)

• What is a calling?

  • Eph 4:1-4 -
  • vocation = among divines, a calling by the will of God; bestowment of God’s distinguishing grace upon a person or nation

• Eph. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Paul’s Burden

Romans 1:8-16

Introduction

In these few verses, we can clearly see Paul’s heart. Paul was a courageous, bold preacher. He was not afraid to speak the truth, and suffer the consequences. At the same time, he was not rude, brawler, or contentious. There is a difference. We can see his sincere hearts desire in these verses.

I. Paul’s Impression (8)

A. Faith is Salvation

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Revelation

Romans 1:16-21

Introduction

Revelation literally means, to reveal something or make it known. In our text, we find a few things that clearly God revealed to man.

God here, clearly shows three things that had already been revealed to them. They are given in these verses that we are about to look at.

We are blessed with a completed, whole, time tested Bible (KJB) that is accurate, inspired, and faithful! - Any yet it is so often neglected. Well, that isn’t the message tonight.

When God Gives them up

Romans 1:19-21

I would remind us that last week we were able to see that God Revealed Righteousness, Punishment and Himself to man kind. They are without excuse.(19) There are certainly many points to be drawn from this passage. So I don’t want you to think we are getting everything out of this passage that we can. There are so many truths contained in this passage we could draw it out for quite some time.

Righteous Judgement

Rom 2:1-2

Introduction

In Romans 1, we find that it more directly addresses the gentile heathen people. We find that God was revealed to them through creation, even with in them. At the same time they went out into sin. The Jewish reader of this chapter would be shouting Amen, because it wasn’t aimed at him. It was aimed at heathen people. Paul, now turns the cannon towards the Jewish people. You will recall, he intends to deal with both Jew and Gentile throughout the Book.

The Light

Romans 2:12-16

I. Light of the Law (12) “sinned in the law”

A. Law’s Severity

1. Extensiveness - Not just 10 commandments.

2. Complete obedience

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

B. Law’s limitation -

1. Cannot justify

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Motive Matters

Romans 2:17-20

1Sam. 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

I. The Privilege (17-20)

A. The Calling (17)

1. Abraham called out (Gen 12:1-2)

Gen. 12:1 ¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Answering Questions

Romans 3:1-8

Introduction

If you remember in Romans 1, Paul shows how the Gentiles are without excuse, and have a knowledge of God. In Chapter 2, Paul deals extensively with the Jew, and how they had a knowledge of God. They however became puffed up with pride, and left God. Paul as a great teacher, is about to recap on what he has just taught.

I. Paul Answers Objections

Romans 2:28-3:1 – Remember there were no chapter divisions in Paul’s letter… it was a continuous letter

Groundwork to Salvation

Romans 3:9-

Introduction

Outline for Chapter 3

1. Paul’s Answers to Objections (3:1-8)
2. Paul’s Assertion of sin (9-18)
3. Paul’s Arguments of Justification by Faith (19-31)

Paul has been laying all the ground work for Salvation up to this point. Before you start any project, there is a lot of preparation that needs to be put into place. If you are going to plant a garden, you want to chose the location (not a shaded location, not a soggy location), the next step would be to break up the ground. In these few chapters, Paul has been breaking up the ground. You cannot plant a garden, if one already exists. Once again, Paul is writing both Jew and Gentile. Both have existing religious backgrounds, and philosophies. Paul has to completely cut down their ideas, and turn over the dirt where their religious garden was growing before the Gospel seed can be planted. Paul has spent 2 chapters showing how man, both Gentile and Jew are without excuse before God! He was cutting down what already existed there. In these next few verses, he is about to turn the ground over, so there is fresh dirt, and the soil is prepared to receive the seed.

Arguments for Justification

Romans 3:19-31

Introduction

Outline for Chapter 3

1. Paul’s Answer to Objections (Romans 3:1-8)
2. Paul’s Assertion of Sin (Romans 3:9-18)
3. Paul’s Argument of Justification (Romans 3:19-31)

In verses 19-20, Paul is recapping what has been explained for the past few chapters. All of man is guilty before God! He has left no stone unturned in dealing extensively with the issue of sin, the knowledge of sin, for both the religious Jewish leaders and the Gentiles who were ignorant of sin.