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Note to preachers: This is the second of a two-sermon presentation. It is an overview of Romans, so it is impossible to spend much time on the many rich details of this great book. I hope in preaching this to encourage people to spend time reading Romans on their own, while being able to address the major themes of Romans. The first sermon is here: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-road-to-victory-john-dobbs-sermon-on-victory-273242. Video, Notes, Audio are available, see links at end of sermon. Thanks! -John
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Romans 9-16
The Victorious Life: More Than Conquerors
Introduction
The book of Romans is like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s not a mysterious puzzle, the overall picture is Jesus. But there are pieces that have to be put together. Romans 1-8 is the outside of the puzzle - it forms the boundaries of the puzzle. Romans 9-16 are the interior of the puzzle pieces that fill in the picture of the Jesus life.
Last week we noticed Paul’s foundation of faith in the first eight chapters of Romans.
(https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-road-to-victory-john-dobbs-sermon-on-victory-273242)
-The Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation
-This is necessary because of the Plight in which all humanity finds itself: we are all sinners.
-The answer to our dilemma is Jesus - sacrificed to save the world.
-We embrace that sacrifice through Faith required to receive the impossible!
-Because of the Gospel we have Peace with God that brings us hope.
-Because of the Gospel we have new life when we are led to be baptized into Christ!
-War continues as we struggle with the flesh.
-But the Spirit within gives us the victory and makes us more than conquerors!
The second half of Romans fills in some details about the Victorious Life in which we are more than conquerors through Jesus.
Romans 8:37 in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Paul’s concern as he writes is the Jew-Gentile conflict in the church and how to overcome it. Remember that for five years the Jews had been expelled from Rome.
Acts 18:2 [Paul] met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.
The return of the Jewish Christians to the now Gentile Churches created a situation that needed a lot of grace.
In addressing that issue, Paul gives us several guidelines for overcoming conflicts, loving all God’s Children, getting along with the world around us, and giving all glory to Christ. This is the victorious Christian life in which we are more than conquerors. It begins with...
1. The Conquering Confession: Jesus Is Lord (Romans 9-11)
Not our religious heritage (Jews regarded as the source of righteousness).
Romans 9:4-5 Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!
Even so, this was not enough to save the Jews alone. Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
Not by our works, our own goodness. Romans 9:16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
The core of the Gospel message is that we cannot save ourselves and are dependent upon God.
Jesus Is Lord!
10:4-13 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The Lordship of Jesus is the power to follow him in every way. If we declare him as Lord of our lives. If we believe the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus, then we are not ashamed. (Reminds us of 1:16). Jews may feel shame because of moving beyond their heritage into following the Messiah. Gentiles may feel ashamed because of following Jesus instead of the sophisticated philosophers and many gods of their culture. Ultimately though, when we claim Jesus as Lord we leave behind the expectations and practices of the world around us to embrace Him fully. This is what it means to be saved - calling on the name of the Lord and submitting to Him.
Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
The Conquering Confession that Jesus is Lord leads us to live…
2. The Victorious Life is a Transformed Life (Romans 12:1-13:7)
Transformed, Not Conformed (12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.)
Transformed Life in Christ
How We Function in the Church
Romans 12:4-8 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously;if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
How we Love One Another
Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
How We Deal With Conflict
Romans 12:14-16 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
How We Respond to Evil
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
How we view the State
Romans 13:1-7 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
How We Handle Conflict and Disagreements
Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Romans 14 and 15 contain specific encouragements to love one another through the disagreements, various perspectives, and the prevailing conviction that Jesus is Lord. Romans 15:5-7 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Conclusion: Give Glory to God!
Romans 1-16 By Serving Him Together
Romans 17-18 By Rejecting Divisive Elements - Be cautious about divisive people
Romans 25-27 By Expressing Glory to God with our lips and our lives
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel,the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
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