September 13, 2026
Romans
Week 1: The Reason for Romans
The Church at Rome
Paul wrote this letter to Rome during a three-month stay in Greece, likely while in Corinth at Gaius's home.
Clearly, this became his magnum opus.
It is the first systematic theology of the Christian faith.
This letter may be considered the believer’s constitution—the Christian Magna Carta.
Paul condenses the entirety of the book of Romans into 54 words.
Romans 1:16–17
Salvation has always been:
By grace alone…. Without God’s grace, your faith means nothing….
By faith alone…. There is no plus after faith….
By Christ alone… no other Savior.
Salvation – need Wrath of God Romans 1-3
God wants to give us truth.
Truth #1 – We have all rejected His truth, refused to listen and redefined truth.
Truth #2 – We tend judge ourselves by our values and others by the letter of the law.
Truth #3 – We are hypocrites when we live our religion and not a relationship.
Truth #4 – We are totally depraved with no hope of ever reaching God within ourselves.
Salvation – past Justification Romans 4-5
Justification
The act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous while still in his sinning state.
2 Cor. 5:21
At the cross, we saw the worse that sin can do but also at the cross we saw that the worse that sin can do could not overcome the will of the Father to reach out to us with His grace.
Salvation – present Sanctification Romans 6-8
Sanctification - “To be set apart.”
God setting the believer apart for Himself.
Jesus died to save me from the penalty of sin – that’s justification.
I must die to be saved from the power of sin – that’s sanctification.
Justification cost you nothing. Justification is by faith.
Sanctification will cost you everything. Sanctification is by faith.
In Chapter 6 – Paul explains our position in sanctification.
In Chapter 7 – Paul explains the practice of sanctification.
In Chapter 8 – Paul explains the power of sanctification.
Chapter 6
I am Identified with Christ – I am changed within my nature
I am Dead to Sin - the old nature is rendered powerless
I am Alive in Christ - the power of Jesus through the Holy Spirit is within!
Chapter 7
“For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” v.19
Chapter 8
1. IN CHRIST There is no condemnation
2. IN CHRIST There is no defeat
3. IN CHRIST There is no fear
4. IN CHRIST There is not despair
5. IN CHRIST There is no apathy
6. IN CHRIST There is no adversary
7. IN CHRIST There is no separation
This chapter starts with no condemnation and ends in no separation.
Salvation – future Sovereignty Romans 9-11
Yahweh made 4 unconditional promises that will rest solely on Himself.
1. Abrahamic Covenant - A Promised People (Genesis 12; 15)
God promised Abraham many descendants, a great nation, and blessing for all nations through him.
2. Davidic Covenant – A Promised King (2 Samuel 7:12–16)
God promised David an enduring dynasty, fulfilled in the eternal reign of the Messiah.
3. Palestinian/Land Covenant – A Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21)
God promised Abraham and his descendants a specific homeland in Canaan.
4. New Covenant – A Promised Change (Jeremiah 31:31ff.)
God promised inward spiritual renewal—His law written on the heart, personal knowledge of Him, and complete forgiveness of sin.
Romans 9:6a – “Now it is not as though the word of God has failed”
If God failed to keep His word to Israel, what confidence do we have that He will keep His word to us?
Can God be trusted? Are His promises secure?
Is His sovereign purpose still moving forward even when circumstances seem to say otherwise?
The question beneath these chapters is not merely, "What will happen to Israel?"
It is, "Can the word and character of God be trusted?"
I want you to keep in mind that this section isn’t about humanity but God and His character.
Chapter 9 – Sovereignty of God
Chapter 10 – Justice of God
Chapter 11 – Faithfulness of God
Application:
Romans 9-11 is difficult because it places several truths beside one another without dissolving their tension.
Our approach must be those who have:
1. Humility
Being consumed with the glory of God and not interpret everything through selfish lenses.
2. Prayer and mission:
Acknowledging to God that we don’t understand who He is nor how He works and being OK with Him being God and not us.
3. Hope
Present unbelief and apparent delay do not exhaust what God can do or cancel what he has promised.
4. Worship
When explanation reaches its limit, the response is not cynicism but adoration of God's wisdom.
So, I end with a very powerful and significant question –
Can I trust God?
When justice looks like injustice?
When mercy looks like wrath?
When logic looks like foolishness?
Comments