Romans 14 — What Brotherly Love Should Look Like In the Church
Believers in the local church come from different backgrounds and have different personal convictions and different perspectives towards a variety of non-moral...
Romans 1:1-7 — God’s Call to Gospel Ministry
GOD’S CALL PROMOTES THE GOSPEL —
7 ESSENTIALS OF GOD’S CALL FOR THE APOSTLE PAUL AND FOR YOUR LIFE
Romans 1:8-15 — Fulfilling God’s Calling
FULFILLING GOD’S CALLING COMPELS US TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS TO PRODUCE ABUNDANT GOSPEL FRUIT
Romans 1:16-17 — Theme Verses: Boasting in Gospel Clout
THE EFFICACY OF THE GOSPEL INSPIRES BOLDNESS IN PROCLAMATION
Romans 1:18-23 — No Excuses For Rejecting God’s Truth
REJECTING WHAT WE NATURALLY KNOW ABOUT GOD LEAVES US WITHOUT EXCUSE AND ALWAYS BRINGS GOD’S WRATH
Romans 1:24-32 — The Downward Spiral to Total Depravity and Disintegration of Society
A SOCIETY THAT ABANDONS TRUTH (THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD) IS IN DANGER OF BEING ABANDONED BY GOD TO GROSS SIN AND IMMORALITY
Romans 2:1-16 — Good Is Never Good Enough . . . Jewishness Provides No Free Pass
HYPOCRITICAL HUMANITY (RELIGIOUS MORALIZERS) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S IMPARTIAL RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Romans 2:17-29 — Religion Never Saved a Soul — Exposing False Religious Security
EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS PERSON (DEVOUT JEW) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT--TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS MUCH MORE THAN POSSESSING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS
Romans 3:1-8 — The Faithful Righteous Judge
GOD’S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT:
– THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR
– THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD’S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE)
Romans 3:9-20 — Testimony of Scripture — Guilty as Charged
THE CONCLUSION: UNIVERSAL CORRUPTION LEAVES ALL MEN WITHOUT EXCUSE BEFORE GOD’S CONDEMNATION
Romans 3:21-31 — The Guts of the Gospel
GOD MANIFESTS HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN PAYING THE PRICE TO JUSTIFY SINNERS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH–THE GUTS OF THE GOSPEL
Romans 4:1-17a — OT Roots to NT Truths — SOLA FIDE
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH APART FROM WORKS HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOD’S UNIVERSAL PLAN OF SALVATION -- THE OT EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM
Romans 4:17b-25 — Real Faith – OT Example and NT Application
RECEIVING GOD’S PROMISED BLESSING HAS ALWAYS REQUIRED REAL FAITH—THE KIND OF FAITH THAT LOOKS BEYOND NATURAL OBSTACLES TO FIND STRENGTH IN GOD’S POWER AND FAITHFULNESS
Romans 5:1-5 — Confident Christian Living in Light of Future Glory
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IS THE FOUNTAINHEAD FOR CONFIDENT CHRISTIAN LIVING IN LIGHT OF FUTURE GLORY –
FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Romans 5:6-11 — Secure in God’s Love — Confidence in Facing the Future
THE SECURITY OF CHRIST'S LOVE ALLOWS US TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH JOYFUL CONFIDENCE
Romans 5:12-21 — Triumph of Grace Over Sin
OUR SOLIDARITY WITH CHRIST ASSURES OF GOD'S GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE EVEN MORE THAN OUR SOLIDARITY WITH ADAM BROUGHT SIN AND DEATH
Romans 6:1-11 — Grace Is Not a License to Sin
OUR UNION WITH CHRIST HAS FREED US FROM THE DOMINION OF SIN TO LIVE A NEW LIFE
Romans 6:12-14 — Grace Motivates Godly Living — Live for God, Not for Sin
EXHORTATION AND MOTIVATION TO USE GOD'S GRACE TO RESIST FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF SIN AND TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD IN THE PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 6:15-23 — Freedom From the Law is No License to Sin
GRACE HAS TRANSFORMED US FROM SLAVES OF SIN TO SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION AND LIFE
Romans 7:1-6 — Freedom from the Dominion of the Law — A New Way to Live
WE CAN SERVE GOD IN A NEW WAY THROUGH THE SPIRIT SINCE WE HAVE DIED TO THE CLAIMS OF THE LAW AND ARE NOW MARRIED TO CHRIST
Romans 7:7-12 — Don’t Blame God — The Law Is Not Sinful
ALL THE BLAME FOR SIN FALLS ON OUR SINFUL NATURE, NOT ON GOD'S LAW WHICH REMAINS GOOD
Romans 7:13-25 — Wrestling With Sin — The Hope and Struggle for Christians
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE WITH SIN INVOLVING CONTRADICTION, TENSION AND CONFUSION BUT WITH THE SURE HOPE OF COMPLETE DELIVERANCE THROUGH CHRIST
Romans 8:1-4 — No Condemnation But Freedom from Sin and Death
IN CHRIST THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION BUT FREEDOM TO LIVE A NEW LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE POWER OF HIS SPIRIT
Romans 8:5-13 — Contrast between Walking in the Spirit vs the Flesh
THE INCLINATION OF OUR HEART IS REVEALED BY WHETHER WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT OR IN THE FLESH
Romans 8:14-17 — Assurance From Within — Identity / Intimacy / Inheritance
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER GAVE US HIS SPIRIT TO REASSURE US OF OUR PRIVILEGED FAMILY IDENTITY AND GLORIOUS INHERITANCE
Romans 8:18-25 — Perspective Towards Suffering
WE CAN PATIENTLY ENDURE SUFFERINGS BECAUSE OF OUR SURE HOPE THAT THEY WILL END IN A FAR SURPASSING GLORY
Romans 8:26-27 — The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Us
THE COMPASSIONATE INTERCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS KEEP US ON TRACK AS WE ENDURE THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE ON OUR WAY TO GLORY
Romans 8:28-30 — The Unbreakable Chain of Salvation Proves God’s Design for Our Ultimate Good
GOD'S UNBREAKABLE CHAIN OF SALVATION PROVIDES ETERNAL SECURITY AND THE ASSURANCE THAT GOD IS WORKING ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD
Romans 8:31-39 — God Is For Us — No Possible Separation
NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE, SINCE GOD IS FOR US THERE IS NOTHING STRONG ENOUGH TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD
Romans 9:1-13 — Israel’s Failure Cannot Compromise God’s Faithfulness
THE SAD FAILURE OF THE NATION ISRAEL DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN CHOOSING THE RECIPIENTS OF HIS GRACIOUS PROMISES
Romans 9:14-24 — God’s Inalienable Rights
WE HAVE NO BUSINESS QUESTIONING GOD'S SOVEREIGN CHOICE IN SALVATION (EXERCISING HIS RIGHT TO SELECTIVELY FORGIVE SOME BUT TO CONDEMN MANY)
Romans 9:24-33 — Gentiles Grafted In . . . Jews Restricted to Small Remnant
AS THE OT PROPHETS PROMISED, GOD HAS CHOSEN TO SOVEREIGNLY SAVE MANY GENTILES THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST BUT ONLY A REMNANT OF JEWS IN THIS AGE
Romans 10:1-13 — The Simplicity of Salvation in Christ
SALVATION IS EASY -- WHOEVER TRUSTS IN CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND NOT IN HIS OWN WILL BE SAVED
Romans 10:14-21 — The Availability of Salvation
GOD SENT THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION TO THE WORLD
- THE GENTILES RECEIVED IT (PROVOKING ISRAEL)
- BUT ISRAEL STUBBORNLY REJECTED IT
Romans 11:1-10 — Israel: Down But Not Out — A Remnant Still Exists
GOD'S REJECTION OF HIS CHOSEN NATION ISRAEL HAS NEVER BEEN TOTAL
Romans 11:11-24 — Israel’s Loss = Gentiles’ Gain
ISRAEL’S REJECTION BROUGHT SALVATION TO THE GENTILES AND WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN ISRAEL’S ACCEPTANCE
Romans 11:25-32 — Israel’s Final Salvation — Rejection Only Temporary
GOD'S REJECTION OF THE NATION ISRAEL IS NOT FINAL -- ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED AFTER THE FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES
Romans 11:33-36 — Give God Credit
GOD'S GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION DESERVES OUR PRAISE BECAUSE IT GLORIFIES GOD’S INSCRUTABILITY, AUTONOMY AND SOVEREIGNTY
Romans 12:1-8 – Dedicated Service in Unity Through Diversity
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE GOD THROUGH SERVING IN HIS BODY
Romans 12:9-13 — Love in Action — Authentic and Active Love
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD WITH LOVE THAT IS BOTH AUTHENTIC AND ACTIVE
Romans 12:14-21 — Overcome Evil With Good
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD BY OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD – 7 WAYS TO FIGHT YOUR ENEMIES
Romans 13:1-7 — Submission to Divinely Appointed Civil Authority
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD BY SUBMITTING TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT WHICH USES ITS DELEGATED POWER TO PROMOTE GOOD AND RESTRAIN EVIL
Romans 13:8-14 — Love Must Be the Essence of Christian Conduct Since Christ Will Soon Return
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD BY LOVING ONE ANOTHER WHILE WE STILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY
Romans 14:1-12 — Accepting Brethren with Differing Convictions — Piety Allows for Variety
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD OUR ULTIMATE JUDGE BY ALLOWING FELLOW-BELIEVERS THE FREEDOM TO HOLD DIFFERING PERSONAL CONVICTIONS IN DISPUTABLE MATTERS
Romans 14:13-23 — Love Trumps Liberty
IN ISSUES OF PERSONAL CONVICTION, LOVE MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER LIBERTY TO PROMOTE PEACE AND PREVENT STUMBLING BLOCKS
Romans 15:1-6 — Spiritual Superglue
THE STRONG AND THE WEAK GLORIFY GOD WHEN HELD TOGETHER BY UNSELFISHNESS AND DIVINE ENCOURAGEMENT
Romans 15:7-13 — Spiritual Superglue – Accept All Based on the Ministry of Christ
THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST BRINGS GLORY TO GOD BY UNITING BELIEVERS TOGETHER IN PRAISE AND HOPE
Romans 15:14-16 — Bold Gospel Ministry
BOLD GOSPEL MINISTRY MANDATED BY GOD’S GRACE SEEKS THE GROWING MATURITY OF THE SAINTS DESPITE CONFIDENT COMMENDATION
Romans 15:17-21 — Give Credit Where Credit is Due
REFLECTING ON PAST MINISTRY SHOULD CAUSE US TO GIVE ALL CREDIT TO GOD
Romans 15:22-29 — Immediate Ministry Plans — Expression of Mutual Fellowship
SPIRITUAL MINISTRY LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ONGOING MUTUAL FELLOWSHIP THAT RESPONDS TO MATERIAL NEEDS AND PROMOTES THE EXTENSION OF THE GOSPEL
Romans 15:30-33 — Prayer Partners in the Warfare of Spiritual Ministry
SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY DEPENDS ON URGENT INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Romans 16:1-2 — Commendation of the Letter’s Courier — Phoebe — the Ultimate Helper
THE CHURCH SHOULD COMMEND AND ASSIST FELLOW CHRISTIANS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING OTHERS
Romans 16:3-16 — Multiple Greetings — Blessed Be the Tie That Binds
FELLOWSHIP IN THE LORD BINDS BELIEVERS TOGETHER IN PRECIOUS RELATIONSHIPS AND SACRIFICIAL SERVICE
Romans 16:17-20 — Four Safeguards Against Doctrinal Troublemakers
GUARD FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIANITY AGAINST THE ATTACKS AND DECEPTION OF SELF-CENTERED TROUBLEMAKERS
Romans 16:21-27 — Final Greetings and Doxology of Celebration of God’s Glory
GLORY TO GOD FOR HIS WISDOM IN UNITING JEWS AND GENTILES IN A STABLE FAITH THROUGH MAKING KNOWN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST