1. The Unhindered Harvest
Acts:
The Unhindered Harvest

2. Romans It has been called
“A Bible within the Bible”
“The most profound book in existence”
The greatest single source of theological depth in the Bible.

3. Romans Yet… Not truth for truth’s sake Truth for love’s sake
It is passionately personal
It is purposely pastoral
Not truth for truth’s sake
Truth for love’s sake

4. Romans 1:8-17 I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

5. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

6. always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

7. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

8. that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

9. I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

10. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

11. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

12. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

13. “The influence of Rome was upon all men.” (Hiebert, pg. 163)
Rome…a Travel Guide
The most influential city in the world
All roads led to Rome
“The influence of Rome was upon all men.” (Hiebert, pg. 163)

14. Rome…a Travel Guide Population 2-4 million Almost 50% were slaves
Contrast of prosperity and poverty

15. Rome…a Travel Guide The culture All about comfort and luxury
Physical work fit only for slaves

16. Rome…a Travel Guide
“They cared for nothing beyond bread for the day, the games of the circus, and the savage delight of gladiatorial shows.” (Hiebert, pg. 164)

17. The Church in Rome Founded by Jews (Acts 2:10)
Propagated by Gentile converts (Acts 18:2)
Mixture of slaves and free

18. The Occasion Not due to problems, concerns, or obvious errors
Pastoral…to encourage
Personal…to share plans

19. Theme The power of God to save The whole plan of God
The power of God in living the saved life
The whole gospel

20. Theme
Flow and development
Romans 1-8
Romans 9-11
Romans 12-16

21. Romans 1-8 The plan of salvation Chapter 1 – God’s wrath
Chapter 2 – God’s impartial nature
Chapter 3 – Universal guilt

22. Romans 1-8 Chapter 4 – Justification by faith
Chapter 5 – God’s love in Christ to save
Chapter 6 – Freedom and slavery

23. Romans 1-8 Chapter 7 – ongoing battle with the flesh
Chapter 8 – Freedom of life in the Spirit

24. Reaping the Harvest Believe the truth Accept your need
Confess your sin
Trust the Savior
Reaping the Harvest

25. Romans 6:22-23 Having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

26. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.