Why Study Romans

Why should we take some time to study Romans? Perhaps take up to one year to study it in some depth and detail?

• Martin Luther called Romans "really the chief part of the NT, and ...truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul."
• John Stott says, "(Romans) is the fullest and grandest statement of the gospel in the NT...a timeless manifesto of freedom through Jesus Christ."
• Douglas Moo, NT scholar, says, "Romans is Paul's summary of the gospel that he preaches. The theme of the letter is the gospel."

Romans sermons preached so far all begin with the word "Gospel," because it is the theme of Romans.

The written sermons listed below are for reading; the preached sermon is for listening by video or audio:

1. Gospel of God's Grace (1:1-6): Can you explain compellingly what the gospel is?
   
• The gospel or good news is the gospel of the grace of God (Ac 20:24).
• Paul's purpose of life is that he was set apart for the gospel of God (Ac 1:1).
• The goal of the gospel is for Jesus' name sake (Rom 1:5).
  
2. Gospel Enthusiasm (1:7-15): How enthusiastic and excited are you about Jesus?
   
• Paul could not contain his eagerness to preach the gospel in Rome (Rom 1:15; Jer 20:9).
  
3. Gospel Power (memorize 1:16-17): Why can't you save (change) yourself by your own power?
   
• There are three tenses of salvation (Eph 2:8; Tit 3:5; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Cor 1:18; Phil 2:12; Rom 5:9-10).
• The gospel reveals the righteousness of God.
  
4. Gospel Faith (1:16-17): Is faith a work you must do, or a gift you receive?
   
• Why is gospel faith God's work and not a human work (Phil 1:6; 2:12-13)?
• Does living by faith make you righteous?
• Explain the difference between "the righteous by faith will live" and "the righteous will live by faith."
  
5. Gospel Suppression - Idolatry (1:18-2:5). What do you truly want more than anything else in the world?
• "An idol can be ... anything that can substitute for God." (Rom 1:23, 25)
  
6. Gospel Impartiality (2:6-29): How will God judge you (Rom 2:6)? Why (Rom 2:11)?
• Does God judge religious Jews differently from irreligious Gentiles? Christians from non-Christians?
• Contrast the reward of the righteous (Rom 2:7,10) with the destiny of the wicked (Rom 2:8-9).
  
7. Gospel Accusation (3:1-20): What is everyone accused of (Rom 3:9)?
• How can it be true that no one seeks God (Rom 3:11) and no one does good (Rom 3:12)?
  
8. Gospel Righteousness (3:21-26).
• Martin Luther regards Rom 3:21-26 as "the chief point, and the very central place of the Epistle, and of the whole Bible." Others regard it as "the center and heart" of Romans, and "possibly the most important single paragraph ever written."
  
9. Gospel Boasting (3:27-31): Why should a Christian not boast and feel superior to others (Rom 3:27)?
   
10. Gospel Credit (4:1-25).
11. Gospel Blessedness (5:1-11).