Romans Introduction By the time Paul wrote Romans, he had preached in many churches for years. His desire was to visit the church in Rome after he went to Jerusalem. However, as Paul endeavored to go to Rome, the Holy Spirit warned him about the peril awaiting him in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14). What if he were unable to make it to Rome? Then he must write them a letter so comprehensive that the Christians in Rome had the gospel Paul preached, even if Paul himself were not able to visit them. Therefore, in Romans, we have a thorough record of God and His plan of redemption for all mankind. Romans Chapter 1 1. How does Paul introduce himself in this letter to the Romans? vs. 1 1) bondservant of Jesus Christ 2) called to be an apostle 3)separated to the gospel of God 2. Paul was set apart for the Gospel of God. When did God promise this Gospel to mankind? vs. 2 -through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, which is basically means it was foretold in the OT and revealed in the NT. 3. From the beginning of the ages, God has been promising the Gospel, the good news of a Saviour that would be sent to mankind to save them from their sins. Comment on these verses: Luke 24:25-27-He said that what had been told thru the prophtes of old, beginning with Moses, had come to be fulfilled in Him ( Jesus Christ) Luke 24:44-45 -He tried to make them see, that all He had done, and said, and all that had happened to Him, was told of long ago, and had to come to pass. By doing this, he was attempting to make them understand that He was the fulfillment of the prophecies, the Messiah had come to earth. 4. What is contained in the good news, the Gospel message in regard to God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? vs. 3-4-these verses tell us that Jesus Christ has all power, even power over death, as was shown, in his resurrection. He had to come and be born IN THE FLESH for all of this to happen. 1)born of the seed of David 2)power, according to the spirit of holiness 3)resurrection from the dead. 5. What kind of faith was Paul and the other apostles to introduce to the the Gentile nations? vs. 5 -grace and apostleship??? 6. Paul told the believers in Rome that they were also the called of Jesus Christ and the beloved of God. What is every believer called as? vs. 7a -saints Note: All Christians are 'saints' in that they are positionally "set apart" or "sanctified" to God and are "holy" through the righteousness imparted by the Lord Jesus Christ to them. 7. Paul greets the church in Rome with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What is the first thing He thanks God for concerning this family of believers in Rome? vs. 8 -for all of them who have faith in Him 8. How often did Paul pray for these believers in Rome? vs. 9 -without ceasing, always in his prayers. 9. What did he always request in his prayers when praying for them? vs. 10 -that God would allow him to come to them Paul longed to see them and see that they were established in their knowledge and in their spiritual gifts. He needed their encouragement as much as he longed to give them his. (vs.11-12) He wanted them to know that he had planned to come to them many times, but had been prevented so far from coming. 10. Who did Paul say he was obligated to preach the Gospel to? vs. 14 - greeks and barbarians, wise and unwise. 11. He was eager to preach in Rome as well. Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel? Give the two reasons he gives. vs. 16-17 -the just shall live by faith, and the unjust will feel the wrath of God 1)just shall live by faith 2)wrath of God revealed by unjust Note: Why must all men be justified by faith? The entire human race is guilty of ungodliness and unrighteousness. The greatest peril facing the human race: the wrath of God. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. The idea is simple but sobering - God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against the human race, and the human race deserves the wrath of God. We must not forget that the wrath of God is not to be compared with the human emotion and actions of anger, but is completely righteous in character. In Romans 1:16, Paul spoke of salvation - but what are we saved from? First and foremost, we are saved from the wrath of God that we righteously deserve. In the next portion of the letter (Romans 1:18-3:20), Paul’s goal is not to proclaim the good news, but to demonstrate the absolute necessity of the good news of salvation from God’s righteous wrath. In salvation, God delivers us physically as well as spiritually from the absolute fruit of wickedness that would destroy our lives if we continued on that course. Salvation is God's plan to rescue us from destruction and to restore us to the experiences with God that we could not have in our sinful state of nature. 12. When we live ungodly and unrighteous lives, what are we suppressing; not allowing to come forth? vs. 18 -the truth 13. What has God made evident to all mankind and how has He done it? vs. 19-20 -his invisible attributes are easily seen in the things he has made, but yet many refuse to believe, his eternal power, and his Godhead. 14. Does any man have an excuse not to believe in God? Why or why not? vs. 19-20 -no excuse whatsoever, for God has made Himself clearly shown, in the things that are made. 15. Every man knows there is a God. How do they get so far away from Him in their choice to not believe? vs. 21 - 25the fell far from God in their actions, and beliefs, so God let them go into the desires of their hearts, and in their "wisdom" they became as "fools" Note: When man decides that they want to be at the center of their own universe, they worship themselves above God. This is humanism and the prevalent false religion of our day. God has given each one of us a freewill but we are not free to choose the consequences of our unbelief. When God gives us over to our own lusts and impurities, we will reap what we have desired to sow in exalting ourselves above His love and design for us. 16. When God gives mankind over to their own degrading passions, what is the result many times? vs. 26-27 -homosexuality, and things not normal for man and women to feel and experience. Note: How does this prove that God never designed anyone to be homosexual? Should any church group ever condone this lifestyle or allow the false conception that people could be born this way? This is a result of refusing to accept God's design for our lives. 17. What do the homosexuals, whether man or woman, receive in their own bodies for this sin against God and His creation? vs. 27 -the penalty for their error that is due them 18. What are other results of not acknowledging God as "God" in our lives? When God gives us over to the depraved minds that we have apart from Him, what are the results that manifest in us? List them below and if you have time, look up their meanings and give a more thorough definition for each. Vs.28-31 - 1)unloving 2)unforgiving 3)unmerciful 4)sexual immorality 5)wickedness 6)maliciousness 7)covetousness 8)full of envy 9)murder 10)strife 11)deceit 12)evil mindedness 13)whisperers 14)backbiters 15)haters of God 16)violent 17)proud 18)boasters 19)inventors of evil things. 20)disobedient to parents 21)undiscerning 19. Each person knows in their heart of hearts; in their God-given conscience that those who have a habitual life in these things are worthy of death (God's wrath). They go ahead and do them anyway. What else do they do? vs. 32 -approve of others doing the same things. Note: In Chapter 2, Paul will establish that we are all guilty of falling short of God's design, but he will begin to unfold the hope we have in being restored to a right relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For today, answer the questions: Is any man excused from not believing in God and embracing His righteous standard of living?no Are you ashamed of the Gospel? no If not, how will you share the hope of Christ and the salvation blessing with others starting now? Your summary and prayer today:Lord , help me to be all you would have me to be and all you would have me do today, let it honor and glorify you. In Jesus name, amen n amen Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship짤 with permission to use on RTB website only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.
	-- "Keep holding to His nail-scarred hand; it is where we find the strength to face another day"