ROMANS: THE GOSPEL EXPLAINED

 

In this overview of Romans we see that Paul shows us the foundation, favor and fruit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

FOUNDATION [1:1-4, 16-17]

The Gospel is: A promise from God, found in the Old Testament Prophets’ writings in the Scriptures.

 

Its subject is the Son of God, Jesus Christ:

   ~the Son of David according to the flesh

   ~the Son of God according to the Spirit, through the resurrection

 

The power (dynamite) for salvation to all who believe.

 

The revelation of God’s righteousness in the faith of those who trust Jesus.

 

How do we access this salvation by faith? (Romans 10:9-10, 13)?

   ~Confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord

   ~Believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead

   ~Call on the name of the Lord for salvation

 

FAVOR [3:21-26; 6:23]

The Bad News: We are all sinners deserving of Hell.

 

The Good News: Jesus died as our Propitiation.

The Trigger: We receive this grace by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works that we do.

 

Notice that sin is transactional: you do this work, you get this wage.

 

Notice that faith is transformational: we receive the gift by faith, and we trust the gift will work for us.

 

FRUIT [5:1-5; 12:1-2]

Trusting Jesus by faith results in a new relationship with God:

   ~We have peace with God because of Christ

   ~We have hope in the glory of God which leads to several benefits

      Afflictions produce endurance

      Endurance produces proven character

      Proven character produces hope

   ~We have God’s love, realized in the presence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives

   ~The Holy Spirit transforms us through our interaction with the Word and we come to know God’s will as we obey the Spirit and the Word.

 

How can we know that we are saved?

   ~Trajectory—we are willing to become a “living sacrifice”

   ~Transformation—we are fundamentally changed by the work of the Spirit through the Word

   ~Trust—the more we get to know Jesus the more we come to see of God’s plan and our place in it.

            In Christ, Pastor Tom Baker