We're All Guilty - Romans 2:1-16

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We’re All Guilty!

Romans 2:1-16

1.         Last week in Romans 1 Paul made a stinging indictment against blatant immorality;

a.    We learned that when a person or a culture rejects God, it begins a downward spiral of immorality, living life to fulfill the lust of their heart.

b.    Paul gave us a long and detailed list of the sins that would prevail, even being celebrated in that culture.

c.    And the reality is that we see these sins all around us – pick any news cycle and there are terrible acts of sin and immorality reported.

d.    Most people would agree:  Those who perpetrate these terrible acts are deserving of judgment!

2.         But, there is a catch to Paul’s argument, an exception, because some of us could say, “I know a person that while they aren't a Christian, they don't believe in God, they don’t go to church, they don’t read the bible…

a.    And yet they’re a good person.  They don’t lie, or cheat, or steal.

b.    They’ve never been mean to me, never yelled at me.  I couldn’t make one accusation against them.”

c.    What about that person?  Is God going to send that person to Hell?

The House is Burning - Romans 1:25-32 (Oct 20, 2013)

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The House is Burning

Romans 1:25-32

Being a firefighter is a honorable career, as your purpose is to put out fires, and save lives.  If your house were on fire, and you were trapped inside, the most welcome sight would be a firefighter coming through your front door to rescue you!  And think about it, when they come for you, they don't ask you any questions:  "What race are you?" "Are you a good person?"  Matter of fact, they don't even ask if you started the fire!  It really doesn't matter to them, all that matters is getting you out of the house.

In this section of scripture, Paul lays out some hard truths, but we need to understand up front that Paul is coming from the perspective that people who practice the things he lists are terrible people that need to be judged and condemned.  He see's Rome as a city full of people who are lost, the house is on fire, and Paul wants to get out as many as he can.

1.         Last week we posed the question:  What does God do when a person disregards the clear evidence of God, and they make the choice to worship something other than Him?  

a.    Answer:  He lets them.  God doesn’t force us to worship Him, we are free!

b.    But once a person makes the decision to reject God, a progression is set in motion.

c.    And one of the most sobering statements in the bible become a reality: God “gives them up”

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

God Revealed - Romans 1:18-25

God Revealed

Romans 1:18-25

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“Is God real? And if He is real, why should I worship Him?”

16 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

1.         Imagine going to your doctor for your annual physical, and after going through the tests and observations, the doctor comes into the room and tells you, “I have some news, I’ve detected the beginning stages of cancer.”

a.    What would be your response?

The Power of God - Romans 1:8-18 Oct 6, 2013

The Power of God

Romans 1:8-17

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Power Video

Power / dunamis:   (miraculous) power, might, strength

ability to act or produce an effect

1.         These are things that wield great power, if a person from the first century AD were to see this video clip, it would be overwhelming at the power that now rests in the hands of men.

a.    But there is a greater power, not a power that lifts, or destroys, or swallows up star systems, but a power that has the ability to change a life.

b.    And  the Apostle Paul was eager to bring this power to the city of Rome.

Introduction to Romans - Romans 1:1-7

Introduction to Romans

Grace and Peace

Romans 1:1-7
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1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 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.

1.         Everyone is probably familiar with the phrase “all roads lead to Rome,” interestingly it’s a colloquialism that arose from a reality.

a.    During the first century, all roads did in fact lead to Rome!

b.    That was by design, and it indicated that Rome was the center of the known world, if not geographically, then in every other aspect.

c.    Rome was center of power for the Roman Empire, center of politics, finance, education, culture,

d.    To visit Rome was witness all of the splendor, pomp and circumstance that the world had to offer.

e.    To introduce yourself as hailing from Rome brought instant recognition and honor.

2.         Rome represented the finest that the world had to offer. However, Rome also had a problem:  She has lost her moral bearing, and she was rotting from within.

Outline of Romans

Overview of Romans

1.           Date Written: About 57-58 A.D.

2.           Written To: Christians at the church in Rome and future Bible readers.

3.           Landscape of the Book of Romans: Paul was in Corinth, on his way to Israel to deliver a collection for the poor in Jerusalem. He planned to visit the church in Rome on his way to Spain.

4.           Themes in the Book of Romans:

a.    Our natural inclination to sin separates us from God. We cannot make ourselves right or earn salvation on our own.

b.    In his loving kindness, God provided a way to redeem us through his Son Jesus Christ, who paid our sin-debt through his sacrificial death.

c.    By accepting Christ as Savior and believing in his atoning work, we are saved. Jesus' righteousness is credited to us.

d.    The Holy Spirit works in us to help us avoid sin and grow in holiness. God's grace, not keeping the law, makes us acceptable.

e.    God's plan is just and fair. Both Jews and Gentiles are eligible to come to Christ and receive salvation.

f.      Sincere service to Christ is an appropriate way to express our gratitude to God for his gift of salvation. When we work together with other members of the body of Christ, the church, we build each other up and give honor and glory to God.

5.           Outline of the Book of Romans:

a.    The gospel shows God's righteousness - Romans 1:1-17.

b.    God's wrath against sin is just - Romans 1:18-3:20.

c.    God has a plan of salvation - Romans 3:21-4:25.

d.    Our faith brings hope - Romans 5:1-8:39.

e.    God provides for Israel and the Gentiles - Romans 9:1-11:36.

f.      Paul gives instructions for everyday living - Romans 12:1-15:13.

g.    Paul tells his plan to spread the gospel - Romans 15:14-16:23.

h.    The closing sums up the gospel - Romans 16:25-27.

6.           The book of Romans is the Apostle Paul's masterpiece, a carefully constructed summary of Christian theology. Romans explains God's plan of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Divinely inspired, Paul passed on truths that are followed by believers to this day.