Sermon Tone Analysis

I’m coming your way!

Paul had every intention of finally making it to Rome (Rom15:22-33).

This letter is a precursor to him going there.

For us to get a good understanding of the letter we need to do some background work today.

So, for the most part today, and hopefully just for today, sit back and take in some information, maybe take some notes as we open this great book together.

History/setting:

Jewish Christians exiled from Rome (AD49) under Claudius

Claudius was concerned about the growing number of Jewish Christians and that they may cause an uprising, so there was the exile.

Part of the exile are such people at Aquila and Priscilla whom we read about in Act18.

Jewish Christians return to Rome (AD55) under Nero

Some years later when they returned the Jewish Christians now find mainly a Gentile church and there was some division that was caused because of it.

Though there is one church there was division between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians, that is a part of the reason this letter is written.

Date: It is believed written about (AD56-57) from Corinth (Rom15:22-24)

This would have about the end of Paul’s 3rd missionary trip.

Purpose

To remind the church of the righteousness of God is for all (1:16-17)

Rom1:16-17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.””

To impart spiritual gifts (1:11)

ROm1:11 “11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;”

The Spiritual gift is believed to be some gift of the miraculous nature since only an apostle could give that.

To strengthen in unity (1:8-15, 15:15-16)

Not going to read all of this passage now but in brief

They were proclaiming the gospel and it was known throughout the world (v.7)

I want to come to you, finally may it happen (v.10)

May we be encouraged in faith together (v.12)

I have to preach the gospel, i am under obligation to do it (v.14-15)

To prepare them for his visit (1:8-15; 15:20-32)

Paul had been prevented from coming before Rom15:22 “22 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;”

Now, the gospel has been preached everyone else and I must go to Spain (v.24); but first need to go the Jerusalem (v.25) - - - carrying the financial gift from the churches in Asia to the struggling church in Jerusalem.

When he comes it will be with the full blessings of Christ (v.29) and by the love of the Spirit (v.30); coming in the joy by the will of God (v.32)

Authorship: Paul (1:1); Tertius (16:22)

Rom1:1 “1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

and then as you get to the end of the letter the writer, scribe, identifies himself

Rom16:22 “22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

Letter carrier: Phoebe (16:1)

rom16:1 “1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;”

Founding: Ever wonder who founded the church?

(Rom15:20; Act2:10)

It was not Paul for had not been there.

It was not Peter for if Peter had then Paul would not have gone and build on another mans foundation (Rom15:20)

So, chances are it was by the visitors from Rome that were in Jerusalem at Pentecost

They heard and saw so much how could they not take it and share it?

We can learn from that today too.

Some quotable quotes about Romans

Larry Deason quotes

“If you get Romans, God gets you.”

John Stott states

“The epistle to the Romans is the fullest and most coherent manifesto of the Christian gospel in the New Testament.

In it the apostle Paul unfolds ‘the whole counsel of God.”

There is a grandeur, a comprehensiveness, a logic about his exposition which has commanded the admiration and compelled the study of all succeeding generations.”

This is the Book of Romans, this is what we are about to delve into together!

(Insert - A letter picture here)

Most are familiar with letter writing, have written letters.

Most start with date, address, a salutation, a brief opening, then the heart of the letter, a conclusion, maybe an exhortation and signature.

These days the art of letter writing is not such much that, most are by E-mail’s or by short abbreviated texts.

In Paul’s letter to Romans it is not this format, for they did not know him personally, he had not been there.

So Paul starts with the ending, he identifies himself, he qualifies himself, qualifies his message, then spends the next 11 chapters on the righteousness of God, then in chapters 12-16 the relationship man is to have with God and each other.

This is not a “to whom it may concern” letter this is specific and intentional.

It was purposeful and intentional then and it is still purposeful today for us.

Romans is consider the Magna Carta of righteousness and there is much we can learn from it .

Here is where the hope of going this morning is.

The author - the who (vv.1-2)

The message - the what (vv.3-7)

The recipients and the reason - the why (vv.6-7)

The Who - Character, calling, credentials

Contrary to letters of today, letters of yesteryear would start with the writers name.

The writer identifies himself.

Paul goes even further in the opening verses.

What can you learn about the writer from these verses (1-2)?

This leads me to ask a couple of personal questions for you to reflect on

Do you know who you are (ref: Isa61:10)?

No doubt Paul knew who he was, but maybe all the recipients did not know so he needed to give more information to identify himself.

Do we walk in the truth of knowing who we are, who God created us to be?

Here is another example of someone who knew in whom we can learn from too.

Isa61:10 “10 I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Do you know what you have been called to do (Ref: Act13:2)?

Paul knew he had been called, been set apart

Act13:2 “2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

Paul’s calling - An apostle (v.1)

His character was

A bond-servant first and foremost, more than just an ally, but someone who was committed to fulfill the calling, one committed to serve.

A bond-servant is purchased possession, Jesus even was identified as taking on the form of a bond-servant (Php2:5-11)

But look at this passage

More on his calling - an apostle

One called out, set apart, a messenger sent with a message and with authority.

He was a messenger because he was first and bond-servant, no longer living for self but living for Christ.

He was Christ’s purchased possession.

Paul was one willing to be a slave so to win more

Paul’s credentials (v.1; Gal1:1, 15-16; Act9:15)

Paul was called by God; that is some pretty high credentials

His commission came through the calling, through the credentials and with purpose

You too have been called, called through the gospel by the authority the credentials of Jesus Christ to proclaim the Good News, not by education but by impartation of His Spirit that is in you and his word that you put in you.

For Paul continues with this introduction with the introduction of the message (more will follow on this next week, but here is a start)

The Message

The message is much more important than the messenger.

The messenger is needed to deliver the message.

But now may we start to turn to the message about God’s righteousness.

Gleaning from the scripture

What do you see in this section, make some quick notes.