(LAST WEEK'S MESSAGE) (Romans Series-1), "To Bring About the Obedience of Faith"

“TO BRING ABOUT THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH”

Romans 1:1–7 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 1:5, "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,"

1. In verse 1, what words does Paul use to introduce himself? What is unique about his calling? At the same time, how is he our example (1 Tim.1:12–16)? How and why should we all live like Paul as “servants”/”slaves” of Christ (1 Cor.6:19–20)?
2. In verse 2, what does Paul say about “the gospel”? In verses 3–4, who is the gospel about, and in what ways is he described? Overall, what is Paul out to prove here about the gospel and about Jesus (2–4)?
3. In verse 4, what “declared” Jesus to be “the Son of God in power”? Why is his resurrection so crucial to the gospel? How does it apply to our lives today (6:4; 8:11)?
4. In verse 5, how did Paul live out his faith? Find the key verbs and phrases here. What does it mean for believers today to “receive” both “grace” and “apostleship”?
5. How can I bring about “the obedience of faith” in my own life, and in others’?
6. What lessons can we learn from Paul’s words “for the sake of his name among all the nations”? What does he tell his readers (6)? How does he greet them (7)?

*******

References:

Q1: 1 Tim.1:12–16: “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

1 Cor.6:19–20: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Q3: Rom.6:4: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Rom.8:11: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”