Overview of Romans

I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-15 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-4:25 IV. Sanctification 5:1-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27

Romans 3:21

God’s wrath is revealed because of sin.

God’s righteousness is revealed because of wrath.

Romans 3:21

God’s righteousness was clear in the O.T.

Romans 3:21

To add any idea of merit to getting God’s righteousness, with ideas like “make a

commitment” or “follow”, is to entirely miss the point!

Romans 3:21

Only those justified by grace apart from works can have assurance and know they have eternal life!

What some “gospels” say…

That’s double-talk!

Romans 3:21b-23

We have one hope to escape the mess we’ve created…

God’s righteousness has to be freely given.

Romans 3:21

Righteousness is given to those who believe because there is no other way!

Eph. 2:8-9

Romans 3:21

Only those who realize they are without hope can have hope.

Romans 3:21

There is no such thing as “easy believe-ism”.

Romans 3:21

It is never easy to believe in Someone else for something as important as your eternal destiny.

Romans 3:21

But, faith certainly is simple.

And, there is no other kind.

Romans 3:21

Human beings often have a certain dislike for grace.

It is difficult to not contribute anything.

Romans 3:21

Resting entirely on grace does not cheapen it.

Resting entirely on grace exalts it…

and the One who made it possible.

Romans 3:21

What truly cheapens grace is an attempt to add works.

It is not that we don’t do anything.

It is that we don’t merit anything.

Romans 3:21b-23

There is no difference in any person!

All have sinned!

All fall short!

Romans 3:21b-23

Therefore, all are enslaved!

Romans 3:24

We are declared righteous “freely” by grace!Rom. 11:6

Romans 3:24

In Paul’s day, “redemption” involved the setting free of slaves or prisoners of war.

Romans 3:25

Jesus Himself is our Mercy Seat.

That is where man meets God!

Romans 3:25

Jesus Himself is our Mercy Seat.

That is where man meets God!

Romans 3:25

The blood of Christ is the way God can meet man!

Romans 3:25

God could rightfully pass over sins committed prior to the cross because He knew the cross was

coming.

Romans 3:25

At the cross, the righteous judgment of God fell on His Son.

Romans 3:25-26

At the cross, both mercy and righteousness were on display!

Romans 3:25-26

At the cross, all sins, past, present, and future, were dealt with.

John 1:29

Romans 3:26

Because of the cross, God is righteous in the way He has acted toward sin AND has the capacity to

declare anyone righteous who believes.

Romans 3:26

Any attempt to add good works before, during, or after faith is to contradict Paul’s claim.

Romans 3:26

Anything that is “necessary” is a condition!

Romans 3:26

Grace and works are opposites!Romans 11:6

Romans 3:26

Truth is not determined by what we think is true or by what “sounds right to us”.

Truth is determined by the Scriptures.

Romans 3:26

Popular to say that if a person does not act like a Christian, he is not a Christian.

Romans 3:26

Yet, while some may sound that way without careful study , there is not so much as one verse in

the Bible that actually teaches that.

Romans 3:26

In fact, many say the opposite.1 Cor. 3:1-3; 5; 2 Peter 1:5-11

Romans 3:26

Assurance leads to growth!

Romans 3:26

But, if my assurance comes from anything that changes, like lifestyle, so will my assurance!

Romans 3:27

If grace and works are opposites, there is no place for human pride.

Romans 2:17-20; 3:19-20

Romans 3:27

Remember this guy?Luke 18:9-14

Romans 3:27

You can’t include works and exclude boasting.

Romans 3:28-29

The bottom-line!

And, it is a universal bottom-line!Rom. 4:4

Romans 3:30-31

As the Jews believed, there is one God!Deut. 6:4

Romans 3:30-31

And, that one God will justify anyone by faith!

Romans 3:30-31

So, does that mean the Law is invalid?

Nope!

Romans 3:30-31

The Law does its job when it convicts men.

Romans 3:30-31

And, the Law shows that no one gets a passing grade!

2:13; 3:19-20

Romans 3:30-31

The starting place for getting free from enslavement is to be righteous.

Romans 3:30-31

That righteousness can only come freely, by grace through faith, because of man’s sin and inability to

be righteous.

Romans 3:30-31

Our Justification starts with grace.

Our growth continues with grace.Gal. 3:1-3

Romans 3:30-31

Along with righteousness comes a new relationship to God and new possibilities.

Eph. 2:1-10

Romans 3:30-31

Along with righteousness comes new identity.

Romans 3:30-31

That discussion is coming soon.