- RECOVERED BY GRACE -
Unlearning Romans
Introduction
Today we begin a twelve-lesson journey through the book of Romans under the theme RECOVERED BY GRACE. September is Recovery Month and we will end the month with a Recovery Sunday on the 29th. We hope anyone in recovery of any kind will feel welcomed anytime, but especially that day. The truth is we are all in recovery from the struggle with sin in our lives and the only true recovery we can experience comes through the grace of God.
To understand recovery means that we understand what it is that we are recovering from - and that requires honest self-evaluation. In Romans, Paul peels away all the layers of self-deception, denials, guilt, shame, and pride - to replace them with grace and truth that comes through Jesus. This impacts every relationship we have - God and others!
In that sense, I’d like us to unlearn Romans. Many perceive Romans to be …
- Too hard. Difficult to read, parts that are hard to understand.
- Too theological. A theology textbook that doesn’t really deal with real life.
- Too harsh. Paul deals with our sins in specifics, not generalities.
- Too dated. Out of touch with contemporary culture.
- Too familiar. Some might feel that the Roman road has been traveled so often it may not have anything new to offer.
If you have any of those preconceived notions of Romans, I’d like for us to unlearn them together and see the message of Romans with fresh eyes. God help us to do that!
3. The first step to unlearning Romans is to see it in its context. What’s happening in the Roman church? Our first hint is in Acts 18:1-3.
Acts 18:1-3 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
1. Collision of Cultures
No one knows how/ when believers came to be in Rome. The best guess is Jews on a Pentecost pilgrimage to Jerusalem heard the gospel, gave their lives to Jesus, and returned home to Rome. So, in Acts 18, Paul meets with Aquila and Priscilla, who were among the estimated 20,000 Jews expelled from Rome in AD49.
This expulsion is a historical fact recorded by the Roman historian Suetonius: "As the Jews were indulging in constant riots at the instigation of Chrestus, he banished them from Rome" (Life of Claudius, 25.4). This is our first hint of the dramatic / intense conflict between the Jews who followed Christ and those who still did not. Previously looked upon with some tolerance, the Emperor Claudius chose to deal with the uproar among the Jews by sending them out of Rome. That’s how Aquila and Priscilla left Rome and came to Corinth. Claudius died in AD 54 and the Jews were allowed to return to Rome.
What happened to the church when the Jews were expelled? Gentile Christians continued to meet and worship God. They actually had to assume leadership of the church. Five years later, Jewish believers returned and thought they would resume their leadership roles - but to do that, Gentiles would have to step out of the way.
This collision of cultures precipitated tension that needed to be addressed by someone who could see both sides of the issue and offer a path forward. Apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, a well-trained Jewish believer, along with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes with the answer.
We learn much about how to function and get along together as God’s Family from the instructions Paul gives the Roman church.
2. Rebuilding From the Rubble (Romans 1:1-7)
Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David[b] according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Out of the rubble of division and struggle, Paul points clearly to the way of reconciliation - and it is not based on the strengths of individuals, special skill sets in negotiation - but upon the Gospel. The Gospel is good news of salvation for all men. The Gospel also affects our behavior, thoughts, and how we treat others. The appeal to the Gospel is strong portion of the first eight chapters. In chapter one he begins to rebuild the Roman church from the rubble of division.
The Resurrection (1:4)
Jesus was declared / appointed / openly designated / determined to be the Son of God in power by His resurrection! Jesus Christ our Lord - The literal meaning of the word Lord is owner. Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the creator and owner of everything—the unsurpassed Lord of all. Jesus as the risen Lord and savior is the foundation of everything else Paul is going to say. Paul preaches the gospel of God’s Son (Romans 1:9). It was by the death of God’s Son that we were saved (Rom 5:10; 8:3, 23). It is in the image of the Son to which we are to be conformed (Rom 8:29).
The Recipients (1:7). Here Paul unites all believers under one banner: Saints. Saints who are loved by God. From the beginning, he stresses their unity.
3. Paul’s Pledge to Guide with the Gospel (Romans 1:14-17)
Romans 1:14-17 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[b] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
-I am under obligation (14). What obligated Paul to preach the gospel? He was the recipient of God’s amazing grace and he felt he was then obligated to pass that along to any who would listen. Paul writes from his experience and from his gratitude.
-I am eager (15). To preach the Gospel. The Gospel in the New Testament (Moser).
*It is the Gospel of God, denoting its origin (Romans 1:1).
*It is the Gospel of Christ because Christ is its subject (Galatians 1:7).
*It is the Gospel of salvation for it is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16).
*It is the Gospel of peace because by the gospel God and man are reconciled and Jews and Gentiles are made one (Acts 10:36; Rom 5:1; Eph 2:14-122).
Paul was not operating out of duty but passion! He couldn’t wait to share with them the wonderful good news.
-I am not ashamed (16-17).
*Because God is at work (1:16a For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work…) Throughout Romans Paul points out God’s work.
— In the world lost without Him
— In the church, needing his healing for unity
— In individuals, needing to know God’s love
*Because everyone is eligible (saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.). Paul had to struggle with the hatred and distrust between the Jews and the Gentiles through much of his ministry. He continuously affirmed that all Christians are added to the Body of Christ and become One in Christ. This is a good time to remind ourselves that racism is a sin - it is the total opposite of what God has called us to. In our fallen, godless, world there is much work yet to be done in this area. You have never met a human being that God did not desire to save.
*Because it reveals the righteous life God calls us to (17)
Conclusion
God is calling us to Him through the Gospel - an eternal promise that found power in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (1:2)
The Good News of Jesus Christ is the expression of God's work in the broken world to restore wholeness, in the lost world to restore salvation, and in your world to restore joy.
We are all in recovery and we are all recovered by grace.
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Discussion Questions
1. What is your impression of the book of Romans? Do you have any favorite verses from that book? Do you have questions going in?
2. The background of Romans requires we understand that cultures were clashing - both Christian - both believing they were right. What have you learned about getting along with
people who think differently than you do? (What helps?)
3. The Jewish and the Gentile Christians both looked down on one another in the Roman church. What would be some of the issues that resulted in conflicts between them?
4. In what way is the resurrection of Jesus a foundation for the rest of what Paul writes in this letter? How is it a foundation of our faith?
5. Paul felt obligated to preach the gospel. Why should we feel obligated to tell others about Christ? He qualifies his desire by saying he is eager to preach. What would help us to be more eager to share the gospel?
6. In what way is it true that we are all in recovery?
7. In verse 17 Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4. The NLT says, “As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’ You might be surprised to know that this verse has had a lot of discussion as to it’s meaning. What does it say to you?
8. What else was in our text that you wanted to talk about?
