Prosecution – 18 January Defence – 25 January Judgement – 1 February Verdict – 15 February Freedom – 22 February Read the Book of Romans as a whole Get a copy of the Romans leaflet Re-read relevant passages before the sermon Pray that this series contributes to “every member equipped to demonstrate Christ” Please … Romans as a legal drama

Episode One The Prosecution

The defendant: The entire human race ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’ Rom 3:11,12 ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’ Rom 3:11,12

The Judge: The Creator God … at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Rom 2:1

The evidence: Paul’s letter to the Romans

The accusation: Rebellion! For those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Rom 2:8

Creation We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Rom 8:22

A crisis in the A and E department Rom 1:18-23 dam ve

Rom 1:22,23 v Gen 3:5 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. The snake said to the woman. ‘God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ The woman saw that the fruit… was also desirable for gaining wisdom

Rom 1:24-27

Garden question time Genesis 2 goodness and love generosity, holiness kindness creation of life peace, truth teamwork creativity meaningful labour obey God Rom 1:29-31 wickedness and evil greed, depravity envy murder strife, deceit malice creating new evils laziness disobey parents

JudgeJudge “them” Forgive “me” What we want from God

JudgeJudge “them” Forgive “me” What we want from God Judge the Christ “Forgive them, Father” What God has done for us

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness … at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26