| Sermons From Romans - Introduction |
Let us open our Bibles to the first chapter of the book of Romans. This is a most precious
book given to us by the Holy Spirit. In this book we will see the great truth of salvation by
grace explained as it pertains to the Jew and the Gentile.
The Holy Spirit is the divine Author of the Book, for the Bible says in (II Timothy 3:16) “All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:” And we see in (II Peter 1:20-21), “Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost.” So we see that the Bible has a divine Author, and we also see that it was
written by human writers as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The human writer of the
book of Romans was the apostle Paul. He wrote the book after his second missionary journey
from Corinth around 60 AD., about 27 years after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we will see in this study, the book of Romans deals with the great truths of Christianity. We
will see that God has revealed Himself to mankind through creation and through man’s
conscience, so that man is without excuse. It teaches us the fall and corruption of the whole
human race in sin, and God’s judgment upon this sin and corruption. It teaches us the right use
of the law, and why it was given to the nation of Israel. It teaches us why the Lord Jesus
Christ came to this earth; and teaches us the great truths of salvation, justification,
sanctification, free will, grace, condemnation, election, reprobation, perseverance and
assurance of the believers, and the fact that all believers will suffer some persecution for Christ’
s sake, and the consolation that will come from God during these times of trials and sufferings.
It teaches us why God rejected the Jews, and turned to the Gentiles, but will once again restore
them to communion and fellowship with Him. It teaches us the principles of Christian service
and conduct before God and mankind.
So we can see that these 16 chapters of Romans are packed full of great truths of God.
Chapters 1-11 teach us what we are to believe in our hearts, and chapters 12-16 teach us what
we are to practice in our daily lives. This book teaches us what to believe so that we may
behave right.
Now let us look at the first verse, (Romans 1:1), “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
There are four things that we want to look at in this verse:
The Writer of the Book
We see here that Paul is the one who wrote this book of Romans under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. Let us consider some things about Paul that will help us understand his authority in
writing this Book. Paul’s original name was Saul, and we see him first in Acts chapter 7,
where he had consented to the death of Stephen. Stephen had just preached a powerful
message to the Jewish leaders that brought them deep conviction, but they resisted the Holy
Spirit, and rejected God’s preacher. It says in (Acts 7:54-60) “When they heard these things,
they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the
Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man
standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their
ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and
the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man 's feet, whose name was Saul. And they
stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled
down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had
said this, he fell asleep.” And in (8:1-3) it says, “And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;
and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the
apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over
him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men
and women committed them to prison.”
So here we see that Paul was a very strong persecutor of the Lord’s church. In Acts chapter 9,
we see how he was saved and called into service for the Lord. We see that Paul was called by
the Lord to be a special servant to Him. It says in (Acts 9:15-16), “But the Lord said unto
him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for
my name’s sake.” The one who had been such a persecutor of the church had now become a
great builder of the church.
Then we see in Acts 13, that Paul was called by the Holy Ghost to begin the first of his three
great missionary journeys. It was right after he started his first journey that his name was
changed from Saul to Paul.
We get a picture of Paul’s devotion and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ in his statement to
the church at Philippi. In (Philippians 3:4-10) it says, “Though I might also have confidence in
the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
There can be no question about it, the apostle Paul was sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ. This
is an example for us all. It cost the Lord Jesus just as much to save you and me as it did Paul.
If Paul gave up himself to live and serve the Lord Jesus, so should we. This is what the Lord
requires of all of us. He said in (Matthew 16:24-26) “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me. For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall
find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” For every cross we have to bear, the
Lord Jesus will be there with grace and strength to help us. As He was with Paul, so shall He
be with us. Listen to the promises that we have as the children of God. Jesus said in (Matthew
28:18-20) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen” And He said in (Hebrews 13:5) “Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee.” It is a great joy to know that we have the presence of the Lord Jesus
Christ with us every moment as we travel through this life. His presence is promised even
when we come down to die, the Bible says in (Psalms 23:4) “Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.” Since our blessed
Lord went through death for us, all we will face is the shadow of death. Death to the child of
God is simply a departure from this old dark world into the brightness of God's eternal day.
Another promise we have from the Word of God is found in (Philippians 4:13), “I can do all
things through Christ which strengthenth me.” For every trial and persecution, every
sickness, and sorrow, the Lord Jesus will give us strength to make it through them all. The
Bible says in (I Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Beloved, every trial of persecution, suffering and sorrow that we go through is necessary for
our spiritual growth. The apostle Peter tells us in (I Peter 1:3-9) “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye
see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the
end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” And in (Romans 8:28) it says, “And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose”
Beloved, there may be some things in our lives that are hurting our spiritual growth and
conduct. We may have the wrong attitude about things, or about some of our brothers and
sisters in Christ. We may be holding bitterness and resentment within our hearts that needs to
be brought out. So if need be, the Lord will take us through some trials and tests, and some of
them may bring us heaviness as we go through them. But when we come to the place where
we can humble ourselves before God, it's then that we can love as He loves. Our love for our
brothers and sisters in Christ is to be unconditional, just as the Lord’s love is for us.
The apostle Paul had suffered many things as he served the Lord. He is an example of how
sufferings and trials can make a person stronger in the faith, and a better person in Christ. Let
us have the same attitude as he had when he asked God to remove his thorn in the flesh. He
said in (II Corinthians 12:7-10) “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord
thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for
when I am weak, then am I strong.”
God’s grace is always there to help us. The Bible says in (Hebrews 4:14-16), “Seeing then
that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.”
Beloved, from the moment Paul met the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus until he
sealed his testimony with his death, his whole life was dedicated to proclaiming the faith that he
once tried to destroy. Through his whole Christian life he suffered at the hands of man, Satan,
and was tried many times by the Lord, but he was always sustained and kept by the hand of
God. So are we!
book given to us by the Holy Spirit. In this book we will see the great truth of salvation by
grace explained as it pertains to the Jew and the Gentile.
The Holy Spirit is the divine Author of the Book, for the Bible says in (II Timothy 3:16) “All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:” And we see in (II Peter 1:20-21), “Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost.” So we see that the Bible has a divine Author, and we also see that it was
written by human writers as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The human writer of the
book of Romans was the apostle Paul. He wrote the book after his second missionary journey
from Corinth around 60 AD., about 27 years after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we will see in this study, the book of Romans deals with the great truths of Christianity. We
will see that God has revealed Himself to mankind through creation and through man’s
conscience, so that man is without excuse. It teaches us the fall and corruption of the whole
human race in sin, and God’s judgment upon this sin and corruption. It teaches us the right use
of the law, and why it was given to the nation of Israel. It teaches us why the Lord Jesus
Christ came to this earth; and teaches us the great truths of salvation, justification,
sanctification, free will, grace, condemnation, election, reprobation, perseverance and
assurance of the believers, and the fact that all believers will suffer some persecution for Christ’
s sake, and the consolation that will come from God during these times of trials and sufferings.
It teaches us why God rejected the Jews, and turned to the Gentiles, but will once again restore
them to communion and fellowship with Him. It teaches us the principles of Christian service
and conduct before God and mankind.
So we can see that these 16 chapters of Romans are packed full of great truths of God.
Chapters 1-11 teach us what we are to believe in our hearts, and chapters 12-16 teach us what
we are to practice in our daily lives. This book teaches us what to believe so that we may
behave right.
Now let us look at the first verse, (Romans 1:1), “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
There are four things that we want to look at in this verse:
The Writer of the Book
We see here that Paul is the one who wrote this book of Romans under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. Let us consider some things about Paul that will help us understand his authority in
writing this Book. Paul’s original name was Saul, and we see him first in Acts chapter 7,
where he had consented to the death of Stephen. Stephen had just preached a powerful
message to the Jewish leaders that brought them deep conviction, but they resisted the Holy
Spirit, and rejected God’s preacher. It says in (Acts 7:54-60) “When they heard these things,
they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the
Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man
standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their
ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and
the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man 's feet, whose name was Saul. And they
stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled
down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had
said this, he fell asleep.” And in (8:1-3) it says, “And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;
and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the
apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over
him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men
and women committed them to prison.”
So here we see that Paul was a very strong persecutor of the Lord’s church. In Acts chapter 9,
we see how he was saved and called into service for the Lord. We see that Paul was called by
the Lord to be a special servant to Him. It says in (Acts 9:15-16), “But the Lord said unto
him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for
my name’s sake.” The one who had been such a persecutor of the church had now become a
great builder of the church.
Then we see in Acts 13, that Paul was called by the Holy Ghost to begin the first of his three
great missionary journeys. It was right after he started his first journey that his name was
changed from Saul to Paul.
We get a picture of Paul’s devotion and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ in his statement to
the church at Philippi. In (Philippians 3:4-10) it says, “Though I might also have confidence in
the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
There can be no question about it, the apostle Paul was sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ. This
is an example for us all. It cost the Lord Jesus just as much to save you and me as it did Paul.
If Paul gave up himself to live and serve the Lord Jesus, so should we. This is what the Lord
requires of all of us. He said in (Matthew 16:24-26) “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me. For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall
find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” For every cross we have to bear, the
Lord Jesus will be there with grace and strength to help us. As He was with Paul, so shall He
be with us. Listen to the promises that we have as the children of God. Jesus said in (Matthew
28:18-20) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen” And He said in (Hebrews 13:5) “Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee.” It is a great joy to know that we have the presence of the Lord Jesus
Christ with us every moment as we travel through this life. His presence is promised even
when we come down to die, the Bible says in (Psalms 23:4) “Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.” Since our blessed
Lord went through death for us, all we will face is the shadow of death. Death to the child of
God is simply a departure from this old dark world into the brightness of God's eternal day.
Another promise we have from the Word of God is found in (Philippians 4:13), “I can do all
things through Christ which strengthenth me.” For every trial and persecution, every
sickness, and sorrow, the Lord Jesus will give us strength to make it through them all. The
Bible says in (I Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Beloved, every trial of persecution, suffering and sorrow that we go through is necessary for
our spiritual growth. The apostle Peter tells us in (I Peter 1:3-9) “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye
see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the
end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” And in (Romans 8:28) it says, “And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose”
Beloved, there may be some things in our lives that are hurting our spiritual growth and
conduct. We may have the wrong attitude about things, or about some of our brothers and
sisters in Christ. We may be holding bitterness and resentment within our hearts that needs to
be brought out. So if need be, the Lord will take us through some trials and tests, and some of
them may bring us heaviness as we go through them. But when we come to the place where
we can humble ourselves before God, it's then that we can love as He loves. Our love for our
brothers and sisters in Christ is to be unconditional, just as the Lord’s love is for us.
The apostle Paul had suffered many things as he served the Lord. He is an example of how
sufferings and trials can make a person stronger in the faith, and a better person in Christ. Let
us have the same attitude as he had when he asked God to remove his thorn in the flesh. He
said in (II Corinthians 12:7-10) “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord
thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for
when I am weak, then am I strong.”
God’s grace is always there to help us. The Bible says in (Hebrews 4:14-16), “Seeing then
that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.”
Beloved, from the moment Paul met the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus until he
sealed his testimony with his death, his whole life was dedicated to proclaiming the faith that he
once tried to destroy. Through his whole Christian life he suffered at the hands of man, Satan,
and was tried many times by the Lord, but he was always sustained and kept by the hand of
God. So are we!
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Blessed Hope
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
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