Romans 1:1-7
Into Thy Word Romans Bible Study 1
I. Introduction
:
(1:1-1:15)
Our primary call is not to be perfect "church goers," being good and holy, but tobe models of His character and to proclaim His Word. We do this because of our gratitude for redemption without hesitation or embarrassment!
A: Greeting: Who is the Lord? Not us, but Christ (1:1 - 7)!General Idea:
The greatest most incredible news in the history of the universe isrevealed to us! Our salvation is purchased and secured by Christ! God’s promisefrom the Old Testament is fulfilled by Christ. He came to us as a man, one of usto live a perfect life on our behalf and as God to take God’s wrath for our sin. Hetakes our place, the punishment we deserved. He does this by love and bygrace. Then He offers His grace to all of us who are willing to accept it by trustingin Him. Paul is overjoyed by this to the point he considers himself the lowest of the lowest salves unworthy to receive Christ, yet he has Christ’s grace anyway.Paul fully realizes that this grace is totally undeserved and he cannot wait to tellthe world about it no matter what may happen to him!1.A reminder of who we are in sin, our heritage through David.a.Paul sets up his letter with a statement of honest, humble credibility asa representative of God (Acts 9:2).b.Paul connects with his Jewish readers by referring to the prophets.c.Our purpose and reality is what Christ did for me, my redemption, thuswhat is my response?d.Our growth and maturity will mean the removal of our aspirations withHis purpose replacing them.e.Our faith cannot be from our good nature because we do not haveone.f.Our ability to be good and holy is only because of the "effect" of redemption not the "cause," never confuse the two or you will havepride and arrogance.
g.
Beware not to hear the call of our Lord because of the noise of our will.
Being set apart for the Gospel is to be totally at the disposalof our Lord and master. Paul goes out of his way to make sure Jesusis not confused as just another god or an emperor.
2.
Paul calls himself a
"bondservant"
(Rom. 9:3) the lowest form of a slave inGreek times totally at the master’s disposal and even expendable; they rowedthe boats of war with a whip at their back. This means total surrendereddevotion that the slave/disciple of the Lord has a will that has been sacrificedto God's will and thus is totally at the disposal of our Lord! Paul's slavery is hisfreedom (Gal. 1:15; 2:20)!
a.
Apostle
means one who is sent with authority, in Paul's case, by theHoly Spirit.