The Message of Romans
April 14, 2002 Northwest Bible Church
The Message of Romans
INTRO
I. THE STRUCTURE OF ROMANS
- Doctrine, chs. 1-11. Theological
- Duty, chs. 12-16. Practical
II. THE ARGUMENT OF ROMANS.
A. INTRODUCTION (Romans 1:1-15)
B. THEME (Romans 1:16-17)
C. DOCTRINE #1 - JUSTIFICATION (Romans 1:18--ch. 8)
1) SIN (1:18-3:20).
- Gentiles are sinners (Romans 1:18-32).
- Jews are sinners (Romans 2:1-29).
- All men are sinners (Romans 3:1-20).
2) JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (Romans 3:21-5:21).
- God’s righteousness comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law, thus excluding all boasting (Romans 3:21-31).
- The OT teaches this truth (Romans 4:1-25).
- Some of the blessings resulting from justification by faith (Romans 5:1-11).
- The gospel method of justification illustrated (Romans 5:12-21).
3) JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH RESULTS IN HOLY LIVING (chs. 6-8).
a) Believers are dead to sin and alive to God (ch. 6).
b) The law gives life to sin and cannot by itself produce holy living. Believers have died to the law and are united to Christ (ch. 7).
c) The justified are in union with Christ and have the Spirit who sanctifies them and secures them in God’s love for eternal glory (ch. 8).
D. DOCTRINE #2 - VINDICATION (chs. 9--11).
Is God just in the way He is dealing with the Jews and in how He is blessing the Gentiles? Has He reneged on His promises to Israel? See 9:6.
1) VINDICATION FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE: God’s salvation of only a remnant in Israel, and of selected Gentiles is both just (all deserve wrath) and according to His sovereign will and election. This was predicted by the prophets of the OT (ch. 9).
2) VINDICATION FROM MAN’S PERSPECTIVE: Salvation comes only to those who believe the gospel. Most of Israel were rejecting the gospel while many Gentiles were embracing it by faith (ch. 10).
3) VINDICATION FROM GOD’S OVERALL PLAN FOR ISRAEL: Their rejection is not total nor final (ch. 11). Climax of Paul’s doctrine is adoring praise of the brilliance of God’s plan of salvation.
E. DUTY: EXHORTATION (chs. 12--15:13).
1) DUTIES TOWARDS GOD AND OTHERS (ch. 12).
2) DUTIES TOWARDS CIVIL AUTHORITIES (Romans 13:1-7).
3) DUTY OF LOVE (Romans 13:8-14).
4) DUTY OF RESPECTING THE CHRISTIAN LIBERTIES OF OTHERS (Romans 14:1-15:13).
F. FINAL WORDS (Romans 15:14-16:27).
1) REVIEW AND REQUEST (Romans 15:14-33).
2) FINAL GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION (Romans 16:1-27).
CONCLUSION
The truths in this book are worthy dying for.