Memory Verse: Romans 1:16a “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” power of God to save us from our sins. Our prayer is that this lesson will whet the kids appetite for more of God's power and truth as we continue through this book.
The Apostle Paul taught us to be bold in our testimony of the gospel. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 16 is the final passage in Paul's long letter to the Christians in Rome. It contains four sections: his greetings to specific people in Rome, a quick and urgent warning about the danger of false teachers, greetings from those who are with him in Corinth, and a final hymn of praise to God called a doxology.
Paul greeted the Saints in Rome. He declared that the gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believed, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile). Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the wrath of God rested upon those who were guilty of sins.
Instead of “Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him,” turn it around and let it say, “We shall be saved from the wrath of God through Christ, because we have been justified by his blood.” That is exactly the structure of Romans 1:16–17.
Remembering that we are called to the obedience of faith, and that every degree of wisdom is from the only wise God, we should, by word and deed, render glory to him through Jesus Christ; that so the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with us for ever.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Today, Romans is perhaps best known for clearly articulating key doctrines like man's sinfulness, justification by faith, regeneration, union with Christ, adoption, and sanctification. Romans is known for its rich, deep, glorious, and at times unsettling theological assertions and implications.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). This sobering announcement of divine wrath stands in stark contrast with all that has proceeded to this point.
The global message of Romans is that all people everywhere have free access to the riches of God's grace in Christ as they respond in faith to the gospel. In his own Son, God has made a way for lost people to be restored to him—lost people whether they are Greeks or barbarians, wise or foolish (Rom. 1:14).
(1-2) A recommendation of Phoebe.
Apparently Phoebe was on her way to Rome (probably entrusted with this precious letter) and Paul sends an advance recommendation of this sister in Christ so the Romans will receive her and support her during her stay in their city.
As Romans will make abundantly clear, people cannot be declared righteous before God by following the law. Good works and ritual obedience do nothing to make us right with God. And if we are not declared righteous in God's eyes—a condition referred to as being "justified"—then we cannot be with God.
Romans 1:16 In-Context
It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.
On Sunday, Eric examined Romans 1:18-32, and observed that God's righteousness is good news because God's wrath is horrifying news. In these verses, Paul unpacks the word “saved,” and answers the question, “In the gospel, what does God save us from?”
God gives every single person enough knowledge that they should seek Him. Those who respond by seeking God will always find Him. If human beings do not "work out" the basic nature of God from what is seen in creation, and seek Him from there, they are simply "without excuse." They are willfully ignoring the obvious.
Architecture. From military structures such as forts and walls (including the spectacular Hadrian's Wall) to engineering feats such as baths and aqueducts, the most obvious impact of the Romans that can still be seen today is their buildings.
“The Lord will fight for you…” The Bible gives us the clear message that God not only goes to battle on our behalf, but He conquers the enemy. Sometimes He performs visible miracles, like parting the Red Sea before the Hebrews, then bringing the water down to swallow up the Egyptian army.
It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead.
What self-denial does mean is that while we can have the desires of our heart, we are to deny our own way of achieving them and trust the Lord to do it His way (Proverbs 16:7, Isaiah 55:8) Denying ourselves also means turning away from the ways of the “old self” and continually putting on our new self in Christ ( ...