paul’s gospel © john stevenson, 2010. week one week two week three week four week five early...

Paul’s Gospel

© John Stevenson, 2010

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Early years

Church planter & overseer

Paul’s Gospel

Galatia CorinthEpistle to

the Romans

What is the “big idea” in the What is the “big idea” in the Epistle to the Romans?Epistle to the Romans?

The Epistle to the RomansThe Epistle to the Romans

• The first seven chapters are characterized by an argumentative style as seen by the repeated expression: “What shall we say then?”

• Romans 4:1• Romans 6:1• Romans 7:7• Romans 8:31• Romans 9:14• Romans 9:30



• The most doctrinal and the most systematic of all of Paul’s writings.



• The most doctrinal and the most systematic of all of Paul’s writings.

• This is the only one of Paul’s epistles written to an audience with whom he had not previously met.

ProloguePrologue

Life by faithLife by faith

DoctrineDoctrine PracticalPractical EpilogueEpilogue

Service by faithService by faith

1:1 1:17 12:1 15:4

Obedience of Faith (1:5)




Righteousness of God Righteousness of God RevealedRevealed

I am not ashamed of the gospel…I am not ashamed of the gospel…

• It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes

• In it the righteousness of God is revealed

How is the righteousness of God revealed in

the gospel?

How is the righteousness of God revealed in

the gospel?

• In the wrath of God toward those who sin (Romans 1-3)

• In the grace of God toward those who believe (Romans 4-8)

• In judging the pagans who In judging the pagans who rejected Him (Chapter 1)rejected Him (Chapter 1)

• In judging the Jews who In judging the Jews who disobeyed Him (Chapter 2)disobeyed Him (Chapter 2)

• In judging all men who have In judging all men who have sinned against Him (Chapter 3)sinned against Him (Chapter 3)

The Righteousness of God is The Righteousness of God is revealed…revealed…

The Righteousness of God The Righteousness of God is revealed…is revealed…

• In reckoning men as righteous by crediting them with the righteousness of Christ (Chapter 4)

• In declaring men to be righteous on the basis of the reckoning described in the previous chapter (Chapter 5)

What about sin?What about sin?What about sin?What about sin?

– Can we continue to live in sin? (6)

– What about the sin that is still in our lives? (7)

• In adopting us as His children (Chapter 8)

The Righteousness of God is The Righteousness of God is revealed…revealed…

• Not all Israel is Israel.• God is sovereign and able to chose

whom He wills.• Salvation is offered to all who believe.• Israel’s unbelief has resulted in

blessings to the Gentiles.• All Israel will be saved.

What about What about Israel?Israel?

What about What about Israel?Israel?

How can we see God as righteous when How can we see God as righteous when His own chosen people do not believe His own chosen people do not believe and receive His promises?and receive His promises?

Chapters 1-11

DoctrinalChapters 12-16

PracticalSo What?

So What?

I Urge you…I Urge you…

• To present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice

• Do not be conformed to this world• Be transformed by the renewing of your

mind

Believing the Gospel

Renewal of your mind

Love for… God One another The world

Romans 12Romans 12Personal responsibility

Romans 13Romans 13Government responsibility

Be in subjection to the governing authorities

(13:1)

Offer your bodies as a holy and living sacrifice

(12:2)

Never pay back evil for evil (12:17)

"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord

(12:19)

Government does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who

practices evil. (13:4)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil

with good (12:21)

Rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but

for evil (12:3)

What about when the What about when the government is involved in evil? government is involved in evil?

• Obey the laws that do not Obey the laws that do not specifically contradict God’s lawspecifically contradict God’s law

• Speak out against injusticeSpeak out against injustice

• Do righteousnessDo righteousness

• Do what we can to be an Do what we can to be an influence for goodinfluence for good

Romans 14:1-12

Don’t judge others

Romans 14:13-23

Romans 15:1-13

Don’t cause others to stumble

Don’t just please

yourself

Opening ChapterI often planned to come to

you, but was hindered (1:13)

Closing ChaptersI have often been

hindered from coming to you (15:22)

I long to see you… that I may be encouraged with

you (1:11-12)

I hope to see you in passing, and be helped

on my way… (15:24)

Your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole

world (1:8)

The report of your obedience has reached to

all (16:19)

To bring about the obedience of faith to all

the Gentiles (1:5)

…made known to all the nations, leading to

obedience of faith (16:26)

Break into Groups of 2-3Break into Groups of 2-3

Based on the Epistle to the Based on the Epistle to the Romans….Romans….

Group 1: Who are we apart from Christ?

Group 2: Who are we in Christ?

paul’s gospel © john stevenson, 2010. week one week two week three week four week five early...

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