The Book of Romans

This week we start the book of Romans!  Dave intros with some background info on the study and on himself then goes into the historical & cultural context of Rome in 57AD.  In addition, we look at the author, the apostle Paul and where he was at in his life when he write the letter to the Romans.

The Apostle Paul has some very harsh words for the church this week.  Paul, in Romans chapter 1, 18-32 paints the reality of the fact that we have all fallen short.  

This week we look at Romans Chapter 2 and the first 9 verses of Chapter 3.  We see the Apostle Paul speak on the hypocrisy of judging others for the same sins that we commit ourselves.  Other key subjects include Righteousness, The Law, Circumcision of the flesh as well as circumcision of the heart and finally the abundance of Grace.  We will also look at King David as an example of a man after God's heart that, like all of us, screws up, but his response to his sin is a great example we can all look to.

In this week's study, we look at Romans chapter 3 vs 9-31.  Subjects Dave covers include: What is the point of the Mosaic Law?  What role does the Law play (for the Jew in Paul's day and for the believer today)?  What is Covenant Monism?  How do Jesus' sacrifice and atonement contrast the bleak backdrop Paul has established over the last few chapters? 

This week we see the apostle Paul use Abraham as an example of righteousness through faith.  Based on this we dive in deep to answer the following question.  The Bible teaches that people are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and YET will also be judged according to their works.  Is this a contradiction in the bible? An intolerable impasse?

This week we look first at Romans 5:1-11 and the assurance we have in our salvation.  We look at the hope that we have as Christians followed by a look at suffering and perseverance and the hope that results from that.  In the final segment (Romans 5:12-21) we compare the one man Adam, to the one man Jesus Christ and how through the one man's sin death was brought into the world for all mankind.  While at the same time one man's righteous act brought salvation to all mankind!  A great comparison!

This week we look at Romans chapter 6.  Within this chapter, we cover and define SIN, Antinomianism, and Baptism (John's Baptism vs Jesus' Baptism).  Additionally, we cover the definition of a Dolous, Bond Slave and compare the Old Testament perspective on a slave by choice to a slave by bondage.  We also look at the courtroom of heaven, and the Great White Throne Judgment.  

Last week (Romans 6) Paul showed how we are now dead to Sin and alive through Christ.  In the same way, this week (Romans 7) Paul explains that we are no longer held down by the chains of the law due to the death the Christ died.  Paul also sympathizes with his reader confessing that he does not do what he wants to do, and the things he does not want to do he does!

This week, in Chapter 8, we look at what Condemnation is and why we are no longer bound by that.  We do take a slight tangent, with v1, looking at Textual Criticism and how we can be sure of the text we have today.  Additionally covered is God as our Abba Father, as well as our being heirs to the kingdom of God, as well as predestination, God's calling, and the un-yeilding love of God. 

This week we look at Romans Chapter 9 in which Paul starts a three-chapter look at Isreal and what the Expositors Commentary calls, "The problem of Israel: God's Righteousness Vindicated."  In this study, we look at Paul's explanation of the sovereignty of God with examples from Jacob and Esau (among others).  God is the potter and can make from us whatever he likes.  Ultimately the question is, are you moldable clay, or hard as a rock?

1. This week we look at Romans 10 in which Paul continues on his conversation of "what is to be done with the Jews."  He continues to ask this question, "is God done with the Jews?"  Through the dialog Paul outlines what is required of the Jews and gentiles in his day, as well as for us in our day for salvation.

This week we see Paul wrap up chapters 9, 10, and 11 in his discussion of what to do regarding the Jews.  We see two illustrations laid out, that of the Remnant and that of the wild olive branch (the church) being grafted into the cultivated olive tree (Israel).  Paul speaks of the "fullness of the Gentiles" which leads to a quick touching on the end times.  God is not done with the Jews, nor is He done with you.

This week we get into a new section of Paul's letter to the Roman Church.  Chapters 1-11 have outlined Paul's theological perspectives, now Paul looks at how we ought to live in light of that information?  In light of the mercy that Christ has shown us, we ought to focus on the service of others within the body.  We look at each element of that.

Where you are in the Bible, is where you are in life.  This week, in our continuing study of the book of Romans we look at chapter 13 in which the apostle Paul talks about what we, as Christians, are called to do in regard to those in places of "Authority" (Exousia).  In Paul's day, it was the emperor Nero, in our day we have such world figures as Hitler, and now Putin.  What are we as Christians called to do?  Is Putin the Antichrist?  Many thought it was Hitler (and in Paul's day, they thought it was Nero).  In this video, we look at all of this, as well as the true signs to look for to identify the Antichrist (spoiler alert, it is not Putin)!

This week we look at Romans Chapter 14 as well as the first 13 verses of chapter 15 in which Paul calls the believers in his day (as well as us today) to not hold too critical people's choices as to when they celebrate the sabbath, whether they eat kosher or whether they do or do not drink alcohol.  We are called to love each other and allow our fellow believers to do what they think is best, as they feel led by God.  We have freedom in Christ, but Paul warns us to be careful never to do anything that might cause our fellow believers to stumble.

In this final study of the book of Romans, we see Paul lay out his plans to visit Jerusalem then start on his fourth missionary journey making his way to Spain, stopping in Rome along the way.  As is often the case, Paul's plans do not come to fruition as he has planned.  Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with some personal greetings to his friends and fellow workers awaiting him in Rome.