EXPOSITORY SERMON: ROMANS 1:1-17

I. INTRODUCTION

A.

1. The Protestant Reformation was caused in part by Martin Luther's study of Paul's epistle to the Romans.

2. The Wesleyan Revival would also give credit to this letter for its existence.

B. The key passage held dear by both of these movements is 1:17, "...the just shall live by faith."

C. The true meaning of this passage is the key to understanding Paul's teaching concerning faith.

D. The Jews could not be saved with the Law, the Gentiles could not be saved without the Law. Both were in dire need of the gospel, as we are today.

E. Paul has compacted the entire gospel into this letter. To have the Roman Christians accept him and his message, Paul must at the outset of his letter present himself.

II. DISCUSSION: In the first seventeen verses Paul will forge three links between himself and his Roman readers.

A. Link 1- Paul presents his credentials (1-7).

1. He was a servant of Jesus Christ (la), He had enslaved himself to Christ.

2. He was an apostle (lb), an eyewitness of the resurrection.

3. He was a preacher of the gospel (lc-4), The Good News.
a. 1 Cor.. 15:1-4
b. From v. 1, we see the gospel originated with God.
c. From v. 16 we see it centers on Christ
d. From v. 9 we see it deifies Jesus
e. From 16:25,26 we see Paul is to minister it to the Gentiles.
f. From Gen. 3:15; Isa. 1:18; 53; 54 we see that its coming was foretold

4. He was a missionary to the Gentiles (5-7)
a. He wanted to come to Rome because no apostle had been there yet, 15:20,21.
b. The church or churches were made up of both Jews and Gentiles, as Paul addresses each.
c. Since his specific mission was to the Gentiles, it isn't any wonder that he would want to come to the center of the Gentile world - ROME!

B. Link 2 - He expressed his concern (8-15)

Even though he was unknown to many of them Paul wanted to assure them of his genuine concern for their spiritual well being.

1. He was thankful for them (8)

2. He prayed for them (9,10)

3. He loved them (11,12)

4. He was in debt to them (13,14)
a. He felt this obligation to all men.
b. Greek/non-Greek; wise/unwise

5. He was eager to visit them (15).

6. After reading these evidences of Paul's concern the Roman Christians would be anxious for Paul to come to them.

7. Paul was concerned that false teachers had already preceded him (3:8). They would accuse him of being anti-law, a traitor to his nation. Others would say he taught sinful living so grace could increase.

C. Link 3 - He affirmed his confidence (16,17)
Why would anyone be ashamed of the gospel? The Romans had no special appreciation for Jesus in general, much less a religion based on the crucifixion of a carpenter's son. Christians of the day were common people. Why would this Gospel impress the great city of Rome? I Cor. 1:18-25.

1. The origin of the gospel: it is the gospel of Christ (16a). Handed down by someone greater than Caesar. Namely, God the Father. Paul knew where his message came from.

2. The operation of the gospel: it is the power of God (16b). Rome was a wicked city, but Paul had seen the gospel work in Corinth and Ephesus, he knew it would work in Rome!

3. The outcome of the Gospel: it is the power of God unto salvation (16c). Salvation is deliverance. The gospel can deliver the sinner from the penalty and power of sin. Salvation is a key theme of this letter. 10:1,9~10.

4. The outreach of the Gospel: "to everyone that believeth" (16d, 17). To both Jew and Gentile, because both needed salvation.

III. CONCLUSION

A. Paul uses the word for righteousness in one form or another over 60 times in this letter.

B. A righteous God must punish sin. By allowing Christ to sacrifice himself for our sins, God remains just.

C. There are more than 60 references to faith or unbelief in this letter.

D.God justifies us by belief in order to induce belief, Our belief strengthens ourselves and is an example to others.

E. "He who is justified by belief, shall live."

F. This belief calls for obedience, 6:17,18, obedience to the gospel.