Lesson 3: Romans 1:16-17

A. SCRIPTURE

“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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17).

1. I am debtor (v. 14). Every believer is in debt to tell others as they were told.

2. I am ready (v. 15). To leave, to go, to witness, to pray, to give every thing.

3. I am not ashamed (v. 16). “Jesus said, ‘Whosoever is ashamed of Me so of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed’” (Luke 9:26). Why would any be ashamed?

• Persecution

• Jewish hatred

• Greeks call it foolishness

• Roman government rejected

• Heathen thought it atheistic

B. WHY TO THE JEWS FIRST?

1. They are the royal family of God’s kings and future kings.

2. They were given The Ten Commandments.

3. They had a covenant relationship with God.

4. They are the rightful heirs to the Promise Land.

5. Through the Jews Jesus Christ was born.

C. WHY GENTILES SECOND?

1. Two types of people in the world.

• To Jews – Jews and Gentiles

• To Greeks – Educated and Barbarians

• To Romans – Citizens and Slaves

• To God – Saved and Unsaved

2. The Gospel is God’s gift, eternal life to you. “I delivered unto you first . . . that Christ died for our sins . . . and that He was buried and that He arose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Cor. 15:3-4).

3. The Gospel compels people to face their sin.

4. The Gospel makes people indebted to God.

5. The Gospel is a universal message.

6. All. “The power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

D. WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS?

1. Righteousness means, being the right kind of person and doing the right thing.

2. “For therein” refers back to “the Gospel.” When we were not right, God made us right in Jesus Christ. “Christ became our sin, and we became Christ’s righteousness” (II Cor. 5:21, paraphrased).

3. We are unholy, unlovely, and unrighteous (totally depraved) but God declares us as righteous as His Son.

E. WHAT DOES IT MEAN “FROM FAITH TO FAITH”?

1. From saving faith to living by faith. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (I Cor. 5:7).

2. From the Bible statement of faith to saving faith. “The words of faith” (I Tim. 4:6).

3. From saving faith to serving faith. “Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains” (I Cor. 13:2).

4. From saving faith to sanctifying faith. “But sanctify the Lord God in our heart” (I Peter 3:15).

5. From Old Testament faith to New Testament faith:

Old Testament – faith and blood sacrifice John the Baptist – repent, be baptized New Testament – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved”

6. Non-experiential – experiential: “Oh ye of little faith” (Matt. 14:31).

7. From Bible statement of faith to justifying faith. “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God” (Rom. 5:1).

F. HOW NOW SHALL WE LIVE?

1. Live by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

2. Live according to the word of faith. “What saith it? The word of faith” (Rom. 10:8).

3. Live by the standard of righteousness. “Justifying faith”

4. Live by the faith of Jesus. “I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20).

5. Live by godly principles. “The just shall live by faith.”

6. Live by interventional faith. “God hath given to everyone a measure of the gift of faith” (Rom. 12:3, ELT)

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.