THE GREATEST THE GREATEST LETTER EVER LETTER EVER WRITTEN #1WRITTEN #1

Romans: IntroductionRomans: Introduction

"In a very basic sense, "In a very basic sense, western civilization is a western civilization is a

by-product of Paul's by-product of Paul's letter to the Romans. letter to the Romans.

Nothing was written by Nothing was written by man that had a greater man that had a greater

impact on modern impact on modern history.“history.“

-Dr. Richard HalversonDr. Richard HalversonFormer Chaplain; U.S. SenateFormer Chaplain; U.S. Senate

"The most profound "The most profound writing in existence of writing in existence of

all time."all time." - Samuel Coleridge- Samuel Coleridge

"If a man understands "If a man understands Romans he has a sure Romans he has a sure road open to help him road open to help him understand the entire understand the entire

Bible." Bible." - John Calvin- John Calvin

Five questions to ask Five questions to ask when studying a Bible when studying a Bible

book:book:

1. Who wrote it? 1. Who wrote it? The The Apostle PaulApostle Paul

““I, Tertius, who wrote I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you this epistle, greet you

in the Lord.” in the Lord.” Romans Romans 16:22 (NKJV)16:22 (NKJV)

Unique man of 3 Unique man of 3 cultures:cultures:

• Jewish by race & Jewish by race & religionreligion

• Raised in Greek cultureRaised in Greek culture• Politically, a Roman Politically, a Roman

CitizenCitizen

““Paul, a servant of Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and be an apostle and set set apartapart for the gospel of for the gospel of

God.” God.” Romans 1:1 (NIV) Romans 1:1 (NIV)

Think About It:Think About It: The The only way to know what only way to know what

you have been “set you have been “set apart” to do is have the apart” to do is have the couragecourage to take the to take the

next step in your next step in your spiritual journey.spiritual journey.

Five questions to ask Five questions to ask when studying a Bible when studying a Bible

book:book:

1. Who wrote it? 1. Who wrote it? The The Apostle PaulApostle Paul

2. To whom was it 2. To whom was it written? The church at written? The church at

RomeRome..

““To all in Rome who To all in Rome who are loved by God and are loved by God and called to be saints.” called to be saints.”

Romans 1:7 (NIV)Romans 1:7 (NIV)

“…“…Your faith is spoken Your faith is spoken of throughout the of throughout the

whole world” whole world” Romans 1:8 Romans 1:8 (NKJV)(NKJV)

““I long to see you so that I long to see you so that I may impart to you some I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you spiritual gift to make you

strong… I do not want strong… I do not want you to be unaware, you to be unaware,

brothers, that I planned brothers, that I planned many times to come to many times to come to

you (but have been you (but have been prevented from doing so prevented from doing so

until now)...” until now)...” Romans 1:11,13 (NIV)Romans 1:11,13 (NIV)

Five questions to ask:Five questions to ask:

1. Who wrote it? 1. Who wrote it? The The Apostle PaulApostle Paul

2.2. To whom was it written? To whom was it written? The church at The church at RomeRome..

3. When & where was it 3. When & where was it written? In written? In CorinthCorinth; A.D. ; A.D.

57-5857-58

““I commend to you our I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a sister Phoebe, a

servant of the church servant of the church in in CenchreaCenchrea.” .” Romans 16:1 (NIV) Romans 16:1 (NIV)

4.4. Why was it written?Why was it written?

•To announce Paul’s To announce Paul’s intention to intention to visitvisit..

““Now at last by God’s will Now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for the way may be opened for me to come to you.” V.10me to come to you.” V.10

•To give a To give a highly detailedhighly detailed explanation of God’s explanation of God’s

amazing grace.amazing grace.

“…“…I am so eager to preach I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who the gospel also to you who

are at Rome.” are at Rome.” V.15 V.15

5. What's the main 5. What's the main message? Salvation message? Salvation

from from wrathwrath..

“…“…it [the gospel] is the it [the gospel] is the power of God to salvation power of God to salvation

for everyone who for everyone who believes…For the wrath of believes…For the wrath of

God is revealed from God is revealed from heaven against all heaven against all ungodliness and ungodliness and

unrighteousness of men…”unrighteousness of men…” Romans 1:16,18 (NKJV)Romans 1:16,18 (NKJV)

SALVATION IN THREE SALVATION IN THREE TENSES:TENSES:

PASTPAST – saved from the – saved from the eternal penalty of sin.eternal penalty of sin.

PRESENTPRESENT – saved from – saved from the power and control of the power and control of sin in daily life. sin in daily life.

FUTUREFUTURE – saved from the – saved from the presence of sin in heaven; presence of sin in heaven; eternal reward given.eternal reward given.

Closing Application: Closing Application: Never underestimate Never underestimate

the power of a the power of a letterletter..You have been “set You have been “set

apart” (given a mission) apart” (given a mission) by God. Have you by God. Have you

discovereddiscovered it? it?

NEXT WEEK:NEXT WEEK:THE GREATEST THE GREATEST

LETTER EVER LETTER EVER WRITTEN #2WRITTEN #2

““Salvation From Salvation From Wrath”Wrath”

Romans 1:18-32Romans 1:18-32