June 01, 2025

ROMANS: THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL AND THE TRAGEDY OF MAN

June 01, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Our new series, ROMANS, begins today and will continue through the summer. How exciting to study this book, as it plays a significant role in Christian theology. The late Dr. Harold Willmington, of Liberty University, said, “The Book of Romans contains all doctrines of Christianity,” by providing a comprehensive overview of core teachings of the Bible. We will end the summer having an active understanding of the doctrines of the Trinity, the deity and humanity of Christ, His bodily resurrection from the dead, salvation by grace, the belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah promised by Old Testament prophets, the Second Coming, the Gospel, One God, and the Bible as the inspired, inerrant word of God. Stay with us for this wonderful series of thirteen weeks!

Focal Passages: Romans 1.

We are called:

  • Read Romans 1:1-6. Why did Paul consider it an honor to be a ‘bondservant’ of Jesus Christ? When he gave himself this title, was there possibly a thought in his mind as how unworthy he was, based on his former life?
  • What did Paul mean by saying he was ‘called’ an apostle? What was he—and we also—separated to? What does that mean in daily life? What had God promised through the prophets?
  • When we were saved, what did we receive? What were we to do? What are we called? Do you recall a time when we never referred to Christ-followers as ‘saints’? Who was that reserved for? Do you live up to your name of saint?

To share the Good News:

  • Read Rom. 1:7-8. Who was Paul writing this letter to? What was Paul’s connection to this church? Had he been there? Why was he concerned for it? What was he hearing about the church? How did Paul begin this church, yet without going there?
  • As we saw in verse 6, we—the Christ-followers—are also ‘called.’ What applies to the saved in verse 7? Do you feel you are beloved by God?
  • Read verses 15-17. Was Paul ashamed to preach the gospel anywhere? Where was he trying to preach the gospel?

For we are without excuse:

  • Read 1:18-21. Who will suffer the wrath of God? Have you ever known an atheist? According to verse 19, are there really atheists, or only those who deny God’s invisible attributes?
  • Why is no one without excuse when it comes to believing in God? Would this mean ever people in dark jungles on the earth?
  • Read verses 22-23. What happens when people become foolish, saying ‘there is no God’? Read Psalm 53:1. What do they replace God with? How often do you hear someone angry or upset because they don’t know why God did something they didn’t like? Oliver B. Greene said, “The first step toward heathenism is to demote God to the level of man.” Why do men not realize they are not God?

And in danger of being lost:

  • Read Rom. 1:24-25. What happens when a person desires to dismiss God’s truth as a lie and introduces their own ideas as truth? Does this change truth, or is truth absolute?
  • When this takes place, the Creator is dismissed, and the creation becomes God. What will then occur?
  • Verses 26-27 are God’s words, period.

And falling for the lie:

  • Read Rom. 1:28-32. Have you ever argued with your child until you decided to let him learn on his own? What happened? Is that how you see this part of verse 28?
  • Are the things listed in 28-31 things we see constantly in the world today? Is there any hope for those people?

THE FOUR PURPOSES OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS:
1) To announce Paul’s plans to visit the Christians in Rome, and to enlist support in his mission;
2) To teach the fundamental doctrine of salvation in order to fortify the believers against the Judaizers;                                                                                                                                         3) To explain the unbelief of Israel and vindicate God’s faithfulness in his dealings with that nation;                                                                                                                                                      4) To give practical instruction in Christian living.

CLOSE:

This chapter opens with meat from the beginning. Already we can see doctrine of the preeminence of God and His right and ability to set the rules for our inhabiting the earth—and looking forward to heaven. The words of this chapter, just as in all Scripture, are “God-breathed,” and will stand through all time, whether man agrees or not, whether they like it or not, whether they want to be saved or not. Any disagreement with what God will or will not judge as sin is not decided by a church, a congregation, or a pastor but has been recorded from the foundation of the world as God’s revealed will. It is He that made the world, holds it together until the end, and the One before whom we will all stand someday. If you don’t know Him, it is time—you have this day, you are reading this, and therefore you can make a choice for Him. Today is the day of salvation.

By Sandy Day

June 01, 2025

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