A Study of Romans

Introducing the gospel Romans 1:1-17 April 10, 2016

What is Christianity? Different denominations American religion Ritualistic tradition Private & personal faith experience Obeying the “Golden Rule” Being a good, NICE person! Romans will really help clarify this!!!

The Context of the Letter Written to church in Rome Likely started by “normal” believers (expelled from Jerusalem after Stephen’s martyrdom?) Church made up of Jewish and Gentile background believers (mostly Gentile) Church filled with subtle or overt division between Jew & Gentile backgrounds Paul writes them from Corinth, but had never met them

The Context of the Letter Written to church in Rome Likely started by “normal” believers (expelled from Jerusalem after Stephen’s martyrdom?) Church made up of Jewish and Gentile background believers (mostly Gentile) Church filled with subtle or overt division between Jew & Gentile backgrounds Paul writes them from Corinth, but had never met them Paul seeks to correct their behavior by helping them better understand the Gospel

Romans 1:1-17 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—

Romans 1:1-17 Εὐαγγέλιον Used to refer to a new era 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— Εὐαγγέλιον Eu = good Angelion = message; news Used to refer to a new era

Romans 1:1-17 Εὐαγγέλιον Used to refer to a new era “news of the divine ruler’s birth, coming of age, or enthronement, and also his speeches, decrees, and acts are glad tidings which bring long hoped-for fulfillment to the longings of the world for happiness and peace . . . ‘Providence which has ordered the whole world of our life, showing concern and zeal, has ordained the most perfect consummation for human life by giving to it Augustus, by filling him with virtue for doing the work of a benefactor among men, and by sending in him, as it were, a savior for us and those who come after us, to make war cease, to create order everywhere…’ “ -New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— Εὐαγγέλιον Eu = good Angelion = message; news Used to refer to a new era

Romans 1:1-17 Εὐαγγέλιον What is real “news”? 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— Εὐαγγέλιον Eu = good Angelion = message; news What is real “news”?

Romans 1:1-17 Εὐαγγέλιον What is real “news”? “If our criterion for news is whatever we find useful for our daily experience, then given the limitations of that experience, we will miss some of the most important events. News is important not because it sells but simply because it is news. It tells us what is going on outside of our own inner experience . . . It just does not finally matter what we think, feel, do, or want to be true. We need someone to give us the report. Yet this is just what we do not want: an authoritative source – even God – standing outside of us and above us, telling us how things actually are.” -Michael Horton in The Gospel-Driven Life 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— Εὐαγγέλιον Eu = good Angelion = message; news What is real “news”?

9/11 vs. Release of latest Fast & Furious movie Romans 1:1-17 “If our criterion for news is whatever we find useful for our daily experience, then given the limitations of that experience, we will miss some of the most important events. News is important not because it sells but simply because it is news. It tells us what is going on outside of our own inner experience . . . It just does not finally matter what we think, feel, do, or want to be true. We need someone to give us the report. Yet this is just what we do not want: an authoritative source – even God – standing outside of us and above us, telling us how things actually are.” -Michael Horton in The Gospel-Driven Life 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— Εὐαγγέλιον Eu = good Angelion = message; news What is real “news”? 9/11 vs. Release of latest Fast & Furious movie

Romans 1:1-17 How can we know this news is from God? 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— How can we know this news is from God?

Fulfilled Prophecy Romans 1:1-17 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—2 which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh Fulfilled Prophecy

God took on flesh Romans 1:1-17 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—2 which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh God took on flesh

Jesus died & rose again Romans 1:1-17 1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—2 which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh 4 and who has been declared to be the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.  Jesus died & rose again

Romans 1:1-17 5 We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name,

Romans 1:1-17 5 We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name, Paul’s commission was to share this good news with others (OPEN TO ALL) No room for prejudice or partiality

Paul’s history A rigid and zealous Jew (hated Gentiles) A powerful and well-known Jew A murderer of Christians Lots to lose: Status Reputation Future plans

Paul’s history A rigid and zealous Jew (hated Gentiles) A powerful and well-known Jew A murderer of Christians Lots to lose: Status Reputation Future plans Romans 1:16 -- 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

What happened to Paul? Paul’s history A rigid and zealous Jew (hated Gentiles) A powerful and well-known Jew A murderer of Christians Lots to lose: Status Reputation Future plans What happened to Paul?

Romans 1:1-17 Paul had been changed personally 5 We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name, Paul had been changed personally

Romans 1:1-17 Paul had been changed personally 5 We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name, Paul had been changed personally Paul’s story reveals a thoroughly convinced person who experienced a deep & profound identity transformation.

What is Christianity? Different denominations American religion Ritualistic tradition Private & personal faith experience Obeying the “Golden Rule” Being a good, NICE person!

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose)

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events)

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal Based on own works

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal Based on own works Based on God’s grace

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal Based on own works Based on God’s grace Results in little persecution

Personal Religion Story What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal Based on own works Based on God’s grace Results in little persecution Could get you killed

Personal Religion Story “As the apostles were brought before Roman authorities, they said nothing about how Jesus had helped them put their marriages back together or how they found the gospel helpful and useful in daily living. There may well have been stories like that to report. However, that was not their gospel. Rather, they testified to datable events, which they assumed to have been well-known to their judges. It was not a ‘religion story,’ but an international headline of immense world historical significance. (People aren’t persecuted for having an invisible friend who helps them through personal crises.) They referred the secular rulers to eyewitnesses who were still living to back up their claim. If the witnesses only offered good advice, spiritual and moral therapy, or defended their ‘product’ for its pragmatic usefulness, Rome would have had no trouble adding another cult to the soup of imperial religion. However, the claim was that Jesus alone is Lord of the cosmos and Savior of the world (both titles that Caesar claimed for himself).” -Michael Horton in The Gospel-Driven Life What is Christianity? Personal Religion Story The Gospel Subjective (peace, purpose) Objective (datable, historic events) Private & Personal Public & Universal Based on own works Based on God’s grace Results in little persecution Could get you killed

Conclusions The Gospel is news: not mere religious ideas to be shared with all The Gospel changes one’s identity: Rooted in God’s action Brings security Overcomes shame Fills with deep joy

Conclusions The Gospel is news: not mere religious ideas to be shared with all The Gospel changes one’s identity: Rooted in God’s action Brings security Overcomes shame Fills with deep joy To experience the Good News in it’s fullness, we need to think about the Bad News as well. (NEXT COUPLE WEEKS)

Questions? Comments?