Context
The Author of Romans
Paul
What does Paul say the Gospel of Jesus reveals about God's Righteousness?
1. God always does what is Just & Good
2. He always fulfills His promises
What are the 3 'New' gifts from God that come through Justification?
1. New Status
2. New Family
3. New Future
How is God still using Israel in light of Gentiles joining the promise of God?
They are the 1st to receive the good news AND help provide teachings and context for the good God we serve
What two things does Paul say should lead the unification of God's people?
Love & Forgiveness
The groups represented in the community of believers in Rome.
Jewish and Gentile believers
In light of God's Righteousness, before Jesus, where did humanity find itself after the Fall?
Guilty and trapped in brokenness and sin.
We become joined with Jesus in Baptism. What does Baptism represent?
Death to our old life and Resurrection with Jesus into new life!
Paul sights this reasoning for how He knows God has not given up on Israel based on their history
Being Jewish never guaranteed God's blessing and promise.
OR
God always chose a small subsect of His people to carry His blessing
What are the issues on both sides of the divide of Israelite and Gentile?
Israelite - Diet, Sabbath & Circumcisions
Gentile - Idol worship & Sexual immorality
Why did Paul write this letter?
To unify a divided church through the lens of the Gospel.
Who does Paul claim to be MORE guilty of being trapped in brokenness and sin in light of the Law?
Israelites or the Jewish people
See God's goodness and will for how we should live
How does God deal with humanities rejection?
He is always working our rejection for His good
Why is conflict bound to happen in the community in Rome (and still today)?
It is a collection of multi-ethnic people with different backgrounds and perspectives
What do the sections of Romans help remind us?
The Gospel reveals God's Righteousness.
(Through) Creating a new Humanity, Fulfilling His Promise to Israel, Unify the Church.
What does Paul say is God's good and just response to our sin?
Sending Jesus
What was the point of the Law if it could never save us?
It revealed to humanity we couldn't do life without God & that it wasn't about humanity not knowing how to follow God, we chose not to follow.
What illustration does Paul use to describe those who have rejected Jesus and Gentiles who follow Jesus?
This is the greatest Christ-like virtue that the Law sought to fulfill
Love
This is who delivered and taught the letter to the community in Rome
Phoebe
How is humanity Justified (or made right) before God?
Through Faith (belief & action) in Jesus.
What does Paul say is the solution to to our brokenness and sin?
A relationship with Jesus and a continual transformation by the Holy Spirit.
Why did Israel keep missing what God was doing?
They were focused performance over surrender
What is your calling as The Church?
Love others through serving and forgiveness so we might be unified even in light of what could easily divide us.