Romans Aints To Saints Part 1 Series

Series: Never seen before in 2024

Thesis: To see or experience something we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before – So what is that “One Thing” you need to do that you have not done before? Maybe it is to read and study the Bible in 2024! Maybe believe the truth of God over the lies of this world!

Maybe it’s to get to know the Story of God!

The Bible is the Story of God “The Creator” and his interactions with mankind his most favorite creation!

In the book “Unleash the power of storytelling” by Rob Biesenbach he notes how important it is in the age of information overload to see and rediscover the power of stories. He notes that storytelling is arguably the most powerful form of communication at our disposal. I add and God uses the Bible to tell His Story to us and to teach us how to live a life that is valued for eternity.

He notes this about a great story:

1. It will win hearts – captivate, inspire and motivate people!

2. It will change minds – convince people to come around to the authors or tellers’ way of thinking.

3. It will get results – great stories persuade people to act in a way that transforms them and others.

The reality check is this is what “God’s Story” does every single day all over the world and has been doing over the course of history. The Bible tells God’s Story!

It’s a story filled with emotion!

It’s a story that connects us to the main character of the story!

It’s the story that humanizes God to us!

It’s a story that raises the stakes in the game of life and death!

It’s a story that shows who God is and does not just tell of Him but proves He is who He said He is!

Final thought from the book I want to make is this: “In its simplest form, a story is a character in pursuit of a goal in the face of some challenge or obstacle. How the character tries to resolve that challenge drives the narrative.”

Romans – Aint to Saint!

Summary of Romans with handout from the Bible project!

Scripture: Romans 1

Romans 1

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,

4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

5Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—

12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14I am obligated both to Greeks and non–Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

God’s Wrath Against Mankind (Paul’s observation of the world which surrounds the Christians in Rome – the capital of the empire!)

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,