Theme Deliverance from Temporal Wrath Paul explains that within the gospel are the seed truths of deliverance from the enslavement of sin.

Outline of Romans I. Introduction: Paul connects with the Roman Christians (1:1-15) A. Doctrinal Greeting (1:1-7) B. Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome (1:8-15) II. Theme: The Gospel Contains God’s Power for Deliverance (1:16-17) III. Body: Spiritual Deliverance Comes from the Righteousness God Grants to Faith (1:18-15:13) IV. Conclusion: Final Remarks to Roman Christians (15:14- 16:20)

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Romans 1 free·dom ˈfrēdəm/ noun: freedom 1. the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:1 The special focus of Paul’s apostleship is the Gospel, the good news, of God.

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:2 “Promised beforehand” This focus was not Paul’s idea. This gospel was promised in the OT Acts 17:2-3; 24:14-15; 26:22; 28:23 Also, Luke 24:25-27; 44-47

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 “which is about His Son” The focal point of the gospel is Jesus

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 “David’s seed” The human side of Christ is in the line of David. His right to rule as a human is established.

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 “Son of God” His divine nature is revealed. It was revealed “with power”. This is key in Paul’s development.

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 “Spirit of holiness…resurrection” Jesus was designated as the Son of God who has power when His dead body was given life by the Spirit of holiness. These are the seeds that grow into Paul’s central message in Romans!

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 The resurrection to which Paul refers is not simply a single event, but a reality. It is the resurrection of the dead. This began with Christ. 1 Cor. 15:20, 22

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 His resurrection gives Him special ability, special power. Rev. 1:18; Jn. 5:28-29a And He will one day completely destroy death (1 Cor. 15:21) and will completely empty Hades!

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:3-4 It is this power to give life and conquer death that sets the stage for the teaching in Romans.

The Good News of Freedom from Sin – Rom. 1:5 “Obedience of faith” Doesn’t mean “the obedience which flows out of faith inevitably” This is never taught in the Bible Paul’s teaching contradicts this idea The obedience that can and should come from faith Faith is the starting point from which obedience comes

Paul’s desire to go to Rome– Rom. 1:8-10 Paul was committed to prayer as a vehicle for Christ to be glorified in the lives of others Paul realized that our prayers are subject to God’s will – If God is almighty and – God is good, then.. – We can interpret life based on those realities

Paul’s desire to go to Rome– Rom. 1:11-12 We should desire to be a spiritual benefit to other believers and to mutually encourage one another in what is a difficult world for disciples. We often downplay the value of genuine love and care for others in their growth. Encouragement is not, and should not be, only one way!

Paul’s desire to go to Rome– Rom. 1:13 Paul tried many times to go to Rome Paul trusted that the failures were ultimately in God’s will Paul’s goals revolved around good, spiritual results from his trip

Paul’s desire to go to Rome– Rom. 1:14-15 Paul had received a specific mission to Gentiles (1:5; Gal. 2:9) He was indebted to bring the good news to Gentiles of all kinds, in and out of the Greek culture. Paul saw Rome as a critical Gentile target.

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 The Gospel contains God’s power for deliverance! Paul was proud of the fact that what he preached was powerful and could deliver anyone who believed.

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 “Salvation” or “deliverance” is not a fixed, technical term that means “from hell” as many assume. We should always seek to discover what it is that we are to be delivered from.

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 Paul’s concern for “deliverance” here is linked to “wrath” that is presently occurring! 1:18 In fact…

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 The word/concept of “salvation” or “deliverance” here does not appear again until 5:9-10 where we are again said to be delivered from wrath!

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 The gospel is the means by which the power of God delivers men from His temporal wrath.

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 This good news started with the Jews in the OT and now also extends to the rest of the world, the Gentiles. Us!

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 God gives His righteousness to any and all who believe (3:21). God’s righteousness is received by means of faith and granted to faith.

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 God’s righteousness is given to faith. Faith itself is accounted as righteousness. Gen. 15:6

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 It is a righteous person, and only a righteous person, who can live! “Life in the truly Christian sense of that term can only be ‘lived’ by the one who is righteous by faith” Romans ZCH – p. 38

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 This is the sense in Hab. 2:4! A righteous person by faith would LIVE!

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 In Romans, faith is not viewed as a way to live the Christian life, but as a way of getting God’s righteousness. 3:22-5:2 = 20Xs 5:3-8:39 = 0Xs!

Theme – Rom. 1:16-17 “The good news is the power of God for deliverance [available] for everyone who believes.” Romans Neimela p. 39