The Story of God’s Explosive Grace The Book of Romans The Story of God’s Explosive Grace

A “super” outline of the Book of Romans based on 7 “S’s”… Salutation 1.1-17 Sin 1.18-3.20 Salvation 3.21-5 Sanctification 6-8 Sovereignty 9-11 Spirituality 12-15 Sayonara 16

A “super” outline of the Book of Romans based on 7 “S’s”… Salutation 1.1-17 Sin 1.18-3.20 Salvation 3.21-5 Sanctification 6-8 Sovereignty 9-11 Spirituality 12-15 Sayonara 16

We are at a point in Romans where the focus of the book changes from the topic of salvation to that of sanctification. In laymen’s terms, we have finished how God has made us right before Him (salvation), and now learn God’s plan to make us righteous, holy, and perfect (sanctification). In other words, to make us in our life experience what we are in our heavenly position. Before we go any further, a side journey is in order. We will be traveling on a road that is uncomfortable to Americans.

The Believer’s Call to Slavery Will we be looking at… The Believer’s Call to Slavery

Doulos Used 126 times in the New Testament 1401. δοῦλος doúlos. A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other (Matt. 8:9; 20:27; 24:45, 46). Generally one serving, bound to serve, in bondage (Rom. 6:16, 17).* To be subject to, whether willingly or by force, to another party. Also includes to be ruled over, under the control, and forced to obey. *The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

Voluntary enslavement 4 “If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. 5 “But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently. Exodus 21

Class question… What are some general observations about slavery? Someone else can do with your life as he or she wishes. It is a life of forced submission. It is the opposite of being free. For some, slavery becomes preferred. Life can be without hope.

Part 1 It is the blood of Christ that sets us free from sin and death. Ironically, we are not now our own masters but rather enslaved to God for His will, purpose, and glory.

Romans 6.16-23 All humans are either slaves of sin or God. But make no mistake, we are all slaves. 16 It is the gospel truth that makes us free from sin and makes God as our Master. 17 Being enslaved to God results in sanctification (being transformed into the image of Christ). 19 In the unregenerate state, man has no ability to produce righteousness. 20 At the time we were slaves of sin, we believed we were in the best place possible, but in reality it was death. 21 To be enslaved to God means life, eternal life. 23

What are the things people are enslaved to? Money Power Popularity Sexual gratification Pride Always being right Alcohol Drugs Pornography The delusion that I am the god of my world False religion Unforgiveness

The message of Romans 6 To break the mastery of sin in one’s life, one must embraced the grace of God and become a new creation in Christ though faith. This means that we are to give up on trying to win God’s approval by rule following and focus on the fifty blessings that happened at salvation. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6

Are we forgetting something? Are we not free in Christ? 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8 Q: So how is it that believers are free if we are still enslaved to God? A: The freedom that Christ refers to is the freedom from sin.

Part 2 So if we are to be a slave to God, to what extent does this being God’s slave go?

Luke 17.7-10 The passage begins in the context of forgiving others for sins they have committed against us numerous times. 4 The disciples believed this kind of forgiveness required much faith. 5 Jesus teaches on having an “enslaved to God” heart, which one needs to increase faith, which one needs to forgive others of wrong doing. This requires clear spiritual lenses. We are unworthy of God’s blessings and our obedience is what is only right and fair before God. 7-10

Part 3 The Luke passage sounds a lot like what I accused my parents of when I was young. “You only had me to be your slave!”

Philippians 2.5-8 Our attitude regarding being enslaved to God is to be a replica of Christ’s life. 5 He is God and clothed Himself in a human body as a slave. 7 His obedience as God’s slave went beyond anything you or anyone has ever done. He died a slave at Calvary paying for all mankind’s sin, including those who would reject Him later. 8

Part 4 So at the end of the day, are the Muslims are right? Humans were created to be in submission to God. It is nice that Christ died for our sins but it does not change everything. We are His slaves and insignificant and that is the end of it. Well, not true for the Christian.

We are friends of God! 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15

We are sons and heirs! 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4

Conclusion… At the end of the road, being a slave to sin brings short term pleasure and eternal misery. Being enslaved to God brings long term happiness and eternal joy. You pick!