Book of Romans
11-2-2011 Vol. 6 Part 1
Psalms 49:10-20 NLT Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. People who boast of their wealth don't understand; they will die, just like animals. Father we praise your name, we give you all the glory. Jesus I ask that you bless the readers of these lessons and that you be with me so that I can present these messages in a fashion that is understandable. I also ask that you reveal anything we need to do to prepare for this winter season so that we aren’t caught off guard. I pray for those on the east coast that are receiving snow this weekend that none are stranded. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!
Introduction
Why study the book of Romans you ask? It isn’t one of the Gospels, it is just a book written by someone that is not one of Jesus apostles. He wasn’t chosen by Jesus when the twelve were chosen. He wasn’t with Jesus for 3 years like the twelve were, or in the upper room when Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit, so how can we believe what he has written.
First of all Paul was an educated man and a student of Jewish law. He knew the laws as well as anyone in that time period. In fact he knew the law so well that he was convinced that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah and what the apostles were preaching had to be stopped in his eyes. Paul stood by and approved of Stephens stoning, he was a thorn in the Christians side. Acts 8:3 NKJV As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Paul was so sure of himself he would seek petitions from the high priest to seek out and arrest believers. Acts 9:1-2 NKJV Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Ananias also made a statement concerning Paul’s mission toward the Christians. Acts 9:13 NKJV Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Second of all, Paul was chosen by Jesus. On his way to Damascus Jesus struck Paul blind and spoke to him. When Paul arrived in Damascus he was given his sight back by Ananias who then spoke to him about Jesus and Paul believed and was baptized. You can read about Paul’s conversion in Acts Chapter 9 Paul was chosen by Jesus to go out and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. I’m thankful that he was so obedient and did so. Acts 9:15 NKJV But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
I don’t know the answer to this question, but I think his name will be on one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem since he was chosen by Jesus. What do you think? The apostle that replaced Judas was chosen by the other apostles. Someday I will see the answer for myself when I get to Heaven. Revelation 21:14 NKJV Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
I admire Paul and all that he did for us. He was a real soldier for Jesus. He suffered through many persecutions, but never once lost his faith in Jesus. He wrote 13 of the New Testament books with the Book of Romans being his masterpiece. The book of Romans was written in 57 A.D. and is one of Paul’s longest, most theological and influential letters. The book of Romans is a flagship of all his other letters. Romans’ takes all the other books of the New Testament and rolls them all together for a systematic approach to what Christianity is all about. It supports the Old Testament and Prophecies. It deals with many of the deepest problems of Christian thought. It gives solid answers to our questions. It give your mind a good workout with every verse, phrase, or word. It explains the meaning of the Cross for the believer’s life. While explaining why Jesus died for all of humanity, Paul clarifies the core concept of what Christian faith is: sin and righteousness, faith and works, justification and election. The book contains Christian doctrine that details with who, what, where, when, and why of Christianity:
- A detailed description of mans sinfulness, the problem with sin, and humanity’s need of righteousness is universal and applies to all 1:18 – 3:20.
- A discussion of justification by faith 3:21 – 4:25, and a clear interpretation of the death of Jesus 3:24-26.
- The doctrine of reconciliation, sin, grace, and assurance of salvation in chapter 5.
- The doctrine of sanctification in chapter 6 and 7.
- The doctrine of security through our adoption as God’s children and our new life through the leading of the Holy Spirit resulting in glorification, chapter 8.
- The doctrine of election pertaining to Israel’s disbelief and the destiny of God’s people chapter 9 - 11.
- The doctrine of living a new transformed life as a result of being Born Again and how Christians are to live their new life pertaining to all areas of behavior; Christ like, social, and moral in chapters 12 – 14 and to be prepared for the second coming of Christ.
- In chapters 15 and 16 tells of his personal plans, a list of personal greets, and the closing of the letter.
- The reality of sin and the extent to which it has damaged our lives.
- What is means to be redeemed and related to God.
- How to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
- How to live a holy life through identification with Jesus.
- How to live a life of loyalty, love, and obedience to Jesus.
- How to know Jesus and love Him with all of your heart.
Three expressions of the Gospel are found in Romans:
· “The Gospel of God”, indicates Source. Romans 1:1 NKJV Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
· “The Gospel of Christ”, indicates Subject. Romans 1:16 NKJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
· “My (Paul’s) Gospel”, indicates Servant. Romans 2:16 NKJV in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
If the book of Romans was fully understood by all people, this world wouldn’t be in the shape it is today.
Next week we will start with chapter one. I pray that I can present this book in a manner for all to understand and have a deeper understanding of who we are, why we are the way we are, and how to foster a much deeper relationship with Jesus.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth,
Unless you are Born Again, you cannot enter into Heaven, the Kingdom of God."
Bill
Last Week’s Trivia: Where in the Bible can we find Paul rebuking Peter, and why?
Answer: Galatians 2:11-21 is the answer. Peter was associating with the Gentiles until some Jewish brothers showed up on the scene and then Peter would no longer associate with them for fear of criticism. Paul goes on and points out that Peter is sending mixed messages and that he was wrong in what he was doing. Paul asks if he is living according to law or faith in Jesus. Galatians 2:11-21 NLT But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? "You and I are Jews by birth, not 'sinners' like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law." But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
This week’s Trivia: Why did Judas betray Jesus?
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