Youtube Video Link covering verses 1-3 of Romans Chapter 1:
https://youtu.be/AcVd2-kEwqg
Youtube Video Link covering verses 4-7 of Romans Chapter 1:
https://youtu.be/RPDOCl1vKF8
A Study of Romans – Romans 1:1-7
VS. 1 – Humble consensual slavery. (Greek – ‘doulos’ – slave)
· Paul’s freewill was not taken though it was influenced by his divine encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.
· Paul had consented to servitude to Christ, but to such a great degree that he forsook his own will entirely.
· “Called to be an apostle”, a delegate, ambassador, messenger sent with power to spread the Gospel.
o We are not apostles – apostles were granted power to speak in tongues that all men present could comprehend the Gospel. Apostles were granted power to cast out demons and heal by touch as Christ did. Apostles were granted power to ignore injury, survive poison, and even come back to life until their task for Christ was completed.
o We are to be disciples of Christ – Granted power by the Holy Ghost to overcome temptation and live out a life exemplary of the life Christ lived. That includes living life with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, patience, and temperament consistently speaking of the salvation power of Jesus.
· “Separated unto the Gospel of God”
o This “separation” or being “set apart” was indicative of the original sacrifice of first fruits and the separation Israel was commanded to have from the Gentiles.
o Paul’s expression here is to show that his highest priority and the best of his ability would go toward his servitude to God and the spreading of the Gospel.
§ No mingling of doctrines.
§ No distractions or hobbies to take precedence.
§ This was his primary goal based on the call place upon him.
o A lot of people claim the call. A lot of people profess they are Christians. Yet how many of us actually allow God to separate us from our own worldliness, will, and desires.
VS. 2 – Paul concludes that all previous prophecy pertained to Jesus Christ.
· From the extended view of Paul that we took last week, we know that Paul loved God, loved God’s law, and had a zeal to live by it and tamp down any heresy or blasphemy against it.
· Imagine how relieved he must have been, of course after the guilt phase of his conversion, to realize the truth. That Jesus Christ fulfilled all the things that he had cherished and adorned for so many years.
· Micah 5:2 – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
VS. 3 – Christ born from the seed of David according to the flesh.
· 2 Samuel 7:16 – “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”
· In Luke 3:23-38, we see that Mary’s lineage is tracked back to David through his son Nathan, giving Jesus the bloodline of David.
· In Matthew 1:1-17, we see that Joseph’s lineage is tracked back to David through his son Solomon, giving Jesus the legal right to the throne.
VS. 4 – Declared to be the Son of God, with power, due to the resurrection.
· -Although we see people come back to life throughout scripture, none performed the act of their own power and desire.
o 1 Kings 17:17-24 – Elijah brings back to life a widow’s son.
o 2 Kings 4:18-37 – Elisha brings a Shunammites son back to life.
o 2 Kings 13:20-21 – A dead man is thrown into Elisha’s tomb and when his body touches Elisha’s bones, he comes back to life.
· -In his letter to Colossae we see Paul refer to Christ as the “firstborn of the dead”
o Colossians 1:15-19 – “15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”
· Others who were resurrected were brought back by the power of the Holy Ghost through the workings of a servant of God.
· Christ arose from the dead of His own power and volition. The giving or bringing of life has always and will always be a power only associated with the God of creation.
· Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit.
· Jesus Christ is the Son of Man and the Son of God. Jesus Christ is God.
VS. 5 – Because of Jesus’ power and authority, we receive grace and a calling on our lives.
· To be obedient
o John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
· To be faithful
o Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
· To demonstrate Christ to all nations and peoples
o 1 John 2:6 – “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
· All for His honor and glory
o 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
VS. 6 – If you’re saved tonight, this same calling has been placed on you.
· “Called” – appointed, instructed, invited, given over to sainthood
VS. 7 – To all of you, let grace abound in your life toward you and from you and the peace of God sustain you through this walk of life, in Jesus Christ.
· Grace – God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Unmerited favor.
o Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
· Peace – spiritual, mental, physical prosperity. Comfort of God.
o Spiritual peace – Hope and assurance of eternal life in heaven.
o Mental peace – God is sovereignly in control of all things and His will be done.
o Physical peace – In whatever state we are in, God has provided enough.
o Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”