SERMON: “New Testament Overview, Part 6: Romans”







New Testament Overview
Part 6: Romans

  • I. Introduction
    • We’ve completed the historical section of the NT.
    • The question for new believers (and old) in the church is: What should we believe? 
    • This Session: An Overview of the Book of Romans
  • II. Romans
    • AUTHOR: Paul
      • Apostle to the Gentiles
      • Wrote this letter from Corinth, Cenchrea (16:1)
      • A marvelous treatise which demonstrates his intelligence and theological training (cf. Phil. 3:4–6).
      • Yet, humble, written by the chief of sinners (cf. 1 Tim. 1:12–15)
    • AUDIENCE: Roman Christians 
      • Jewish and Gentile
      • Not unbelievers — Rom. 1:6–7
        • “Called”
        • “beloved”
        • “saints”
    • DATE: AD 57
      • at the close of Paul’s third missionary journey during the “three months” he was in Greece (Acts 20:3)
    • THEME: Righteousness of God
    • OUTLINE
      • I. Revelation of God's Righteousness (1 – 8)
      • II. Vindication of God's Righteousness (9 – 11)
      • III. Application of God's Righteousness (12 – 16)
    • Some call this “The Gospel According to Paul”
      • What is his gospel? — Romans 1:16–17
      • Does “faith” conflict with what Jesus said?
      • Is Paul presenting “another gospel”? (cf. Gal 1:6–8)
    • Paul presents God’s grace as undeserved and unmerited — something that gives life to the dead!
    • “But the righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4)
    • The Righteous... (Who are they?)  Romans (Rom. 1:17)
    •                            ...Shall live… (How?)   Galatians (Gal. 3:11)
    •                              ...by faith!         Hebrews (Heb 10:39)
    • Overview
      • Introduction (1:1–17)
      • Condemned by God’s Righteousness (1:18–3:20)
        • Unbelief and God’s Judgment (1:18–32)
        • Condemnation of the Jews & Impartiality of God (2)
        • Condemnation of the whole world (3:1–20)
      • Justified by Christ’s Righteousness (3:21–5:21)
        • Justification by Faith (3:21–31)
        • Justification illustrated w/Abraham and David (4)
        • Justification summarized: Christ and Adam (5)
          • (Headship — 5:15–21)
          • First Adam
            • 15   By one man’s transgression …many died
            • 16   Through one transgression …judgment, condemnation
            • 17   Through transgression …death reigned
            • 18   One transgression …condemnation to all men
            • 19   One man’s disobedience … the many made sinners
            • 21   Sin reigned in death
          • Second Adam
            • By one Man’s gift of grace …grace abounds to many
            • Through one gift …justification from many transgressions
            • Through one …much more grace, righteousness, life
            • The act of righteousness …justification offered to all
            • One man’s obedience …many declared righteous
            • Grace reigns to eternal life in Christ
      • Sanctified in Christ’s Righteousness (6–8)
        • Sanctification and sin: old and new life (6)
          • Can we stop sin from reigning? (v. 12)
          • How? Consider (v. 11) and Present (vv. 13–14)
          • Not by a work of the flesh (law-keeping) but of the Spirit!
        • Sanctification in Christ and the battle with flesh (7)
          • The Law reveals our unrighteousness and need for Christ (v. 7, 12)
          • Sin contaminates the flesh, creating conflict with the Law (v. 14)
          • Only Christ can deliver us, not the flesh or law-keeping (vv. 24–25)
        • Sanctification and the Holy Spirit (8)
          • There’s no condemnation in Christ (v. 1)!
          • There’s a sure promise in Christ (vv. 28–30, the “Golden Chain”)
          • There’s no separation from Christ’s love (vv. 35–39)!
      • Defending God’s Righteousness (9–11) What about the Jews, then?
        • Israel’s past – election (9)
        • Israel’s present – rejection (10)
        • Israel’s future – restoration (11)
          • Some branches broken off, and we were grafted into the promises (v. 17)
          • God decreed a partial hardening upon them “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (v. 25; cf. Luke 21:24)
      • Appling God’s Righteousness (12–16)
        • Responsibilities toward God and society (12)
        • Responsibilities toward government and neighbors (13)
        • Principles of Christian liberty – freedom and responsibility (14)
        • Practices of Christian liberty – Christ's example; Paul's purpose (15)
        • Conclusion – praise and greeting (16)
  • III. Conclusion
    • Christians should know theology
      • It’s about knowing God
      • It’s about knowing God’s Word
      • It’s about knowing God’s Ways
    • Next Time:
      • The Rest of the Pauling Epistles?
        (1 & 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians; 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon)

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