September 16th, 2018

This Sunday I am continuing my online Romans Chapters 1 - 7 virtual study Sunday School Class.  There are questions at the end of each study and many of them were adapted from Timothy Keller's Romans 1- 7 For You (The Good Book Company) and some were written by me.  I hope you enjoy this study.

ROMANS (Romans 1:16 – 2:12) – Session 2
THE GOSPEL

• Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel…”
• Why do you think Paul declares the Gospel so boldly?
• The cross of Jesus Christ and the Gospel were considered by many outsiders to be foolishness.  The Gospel was considered a crutch, superstitious, a fairy tale or just plain idiotic. 
• People who followed the cross were thus considered fools as well. 

a)I Cor. 1:18 – For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.  But the power of salvation to those who believe.
b) I Cor. 1:21 – Through the foolish preaching of the cross is able to save those who believe.
c)I Cor. 4:10 – We are fools for Christ’s sake, but are wise in Christ’s eyes.

• Paul was not going to shy away from preaching this Gospel nor was he going to hide it or try to act like it didn’t impact his life.
• The word Gospel is derived from the Greek word Euaggeleion (Yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on) which means good tidings or good news. 

• The glad tidings of the kingdom of God and also the good news of Jesus the Messiah coming to establish this kingdom.
• Central themes of the Gospel – Salvation/redemption through Christ.

1. Preaching the death of Christ for our salvation to those who believe.
   
2. The resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
   
3. The return of Christ in majesty and His coming Kingdom.
   

•  A.W. Pink states, “We are saved from the penalty of sin, saved from the power (influence) of sin, and the pleasure of sin” (no true believer can find pleasure in sinful acts without guilt to follow).
• Douglas Moo writes about salvation “can denote generally God’s provision for a person’s spiritual needs… It must also include the restoration of the sinner to share in God’s glory.”[1]
• Many Christians have the idea of salvation wrong.  They think that the Gospel is a “get out of hell free” card or is a “fire protection” policy. 
• It is more than being saved from eternal death.  It is the guarantee of a fruitful and abundant life on earth and the inheritance of future glory (eternal life).
• This salvation is for everyone who believes.  Saving faith or putting complete faith and trust in God who justifies sinners through the cross of Christ
•  “To the Jew first and also to the Greek” – Salvation (through the Gospel) is for everyone (Jews and Greeks) however this verse means the Gospel was first given to the Jews originally and eventually was made available to Gentiles.

The Gospel and the Righteousness of God

• Not only does the Gospel show the power of God unto salvation but also in this Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed. 
• Righteousness – This is an attribute which means all that is right.  The Gospel brings light to or uncovers the faithfulness, goodness, kindness, grace, mercy justice and proper(ness) of God.  There is no wrong, evil or injustice in Him.
• God’s righteousness is unveiled from faith for faith.
  

1. From faith – God’s faithfulness (he keeps his promises)
   
2. For faith – The faith of an individual (believing unto salvation)
   
3. This ultimately means nothing, but faith can make us right with God.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.

• Since in the Gospel God’s faithfulness is shown and our faith is sustained the end result is living by faith.
• We are made right with God by the Gospel thus we live by faith. 
• The word live means made alive or enjoy life.  We are made alive and enjoy life through faith.

God’s Righteous Wrath

• There are three specific things (in this passage) that make God angry.  These three sins are a succession of attitudes that lead to eventual godlessness, full blown sin and complete condemnation.
• The following three acts of sin can serve as warnings to us as believers and also give us insight as to why some never come to faith in Christ. 

A)Suppress the Truth

• The first act of the unrighteous that angers God is how humanity is prone to suppress the truth.
• When you look at what Paul writes in verses 19 and 20 we see that God has revealed himself to us.  He has revealed the truth to us through creation.
• God in his wonderful mercy gave humanity a glimpse of who He is (verse 19) and his divine nature and power through His creation (verse 20).  
• I truly believe God gave us the beauty of His creation to point us to Him, the Creator. 
• God reveals himself to humanity through his creation (note this is a revelation that points to him and is not a saving one).  God wants to be known.  He wants humanity to worship Him; He desires that we give Him full acknowledgement of His divine power and nature, so much so he reveals himself to us through nature.
• Basically it is a peek at who God is, not a full revelation.
• But Paul writes there are people who know this yet they still choose to not believe.  The truth is ingrained in their lives (God’s revelation) yet they suppress this truth.  The cost is too high for them and they choose not to follow.
• Simply put they are unwilling to exchange what they think is their freedom, happiness, fun and individuality to follow God.  Yet if they would truly follow Him they would know that only true freedom, fun, happiness, and individuality comes with a right relationship with God.  They suppress the truth of God in their lives.
• This leads to the second act that makes God angry.

B)Dishonoring God

• These are people who intellectually know God exists but choose to live according to their own selfish motives.
• When we do not give God the proper credit and honor He deserves I believe makes God rightfully and righteously angry. 

C)Idolatry

• In verse 23 we see the result of suppressing the truth and dishonoring God which ultimately leads to idolatry.
• God is very clear that He is a jealous God and He will not share the glory with ANYONE OR ANYTHING.
• This passage speaks to the fact that the unrighteous would rather serve an empty, dead, vain idol rather than give credit to the true Creator. 
• These people would rather worship a lie than acknowledge the truth. 

 
Questions

• In what situations do you find yourself being ashamed of the gospel? 
• How will believing the gospel transform the next temptation you face?
• Why is Paul so bold about this Gospel?
• Read for next week Romans 2:12 – 4:25

[1] Moo, Douglas:  The Epistle to the Romans.  Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge UK:  William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996, p. 67