I cannot stress enough how important and rewarding it is for all of us to become conversant with the content of Romans.  My challenge is to have all of us read the entire book over the next three weeks.  It’s not really THAT long.  I would encourage anyone who can to take the time to read it all in one sitting.  It takes less than an hour.  Then, go back through it piece by piece each day.  If you can’t take that kind of time then do what you can, however small.  I have included my sermon notes because the sheer volume of material can be a little overwhelming. I can’t wait to see what God does through our study of this amazing book.

Romans
1:17 = Summary statement of whole book

UNDERSTANDING ROMANS
1) We are not righteous

Chapter 1 is an indictment on the human race
18 – 25, 28 – 32 who are THEY?  = US

3 groups of UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE
1. the highway to hell types – Easy Rider – tattoo = sinner. 1:24-32
2. the think they’re on the highway to heaven because they are NOT the highway to hell types – 2:1
3. those who are truly ARE on a highway to hell but think they’re on a highway to heaven because they follow a lot of religious rituals   2:21. 3:10 – ALL – different categories of sinners together

GOD JUDGES – 2:6 – God will give to each person according to what he has done
God judges FAIRLY – v. 12 – Those who sin apart from the law.
Hell  – everyone believes

God judges PURELY  and completely– v. 16

Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must Isaiah 64:6  “All of our righteous acts are like filthy rags” = lit.  menstrual cloth

Give account.
If you’re smart – the idea of that ought to scare you to death

2) RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FROM GOD
BUT NOW
Remember the summary statement in 1:17
In the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed.  A righteousness that is by faith from first to last, as it is written, the just will live by faith.

Romans 3:21 – 26 – the turning point
The form of the word translated justified has at its root the idea of righteousness
81 occurrences of the adjective form, 92 f the noun, 39 of the verb form, 5 of the adverb
Romans triangle

3 terms:  Atonement (Propitiation), Redemption, and Justification
3 = So HOW is a man made righteous?  From God BY

3) RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH FAITH
Remember the summary statement FROM FIRST TO LAST
Works / faith = both ways of receiving things in life
THE CORE OF CHRISTIANITY  = GIFT
4:4 – 8

4) WE HAVE A NEW IDENTITY – 5:1 – 2
Mullet is a halfway move – that was then, this is now.  We NOW have.