THE ROMAN ROAD TO CHRIST
The Book of Romans
God's Soul-Winner’s Resource
INTRODUCTION (1:1-13)
Soul winning begins with a soul winner.
To win souls, there are four concepts that must take root.
Rom. 1:14. "I am a debtor. . ."
Rom. 1:15. "I am ready"
Rom. 1:16. "I am not ashamed. . ."
Rom. 1:16. The gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes…”
A SOUL WINNER MUST GO
Matt. 28:19-20. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Mark. 16:15-16. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matt. 24:14. The gospel must be preached in all nations and then shall the end come.
Romans 10:14-15 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The most difficult door to get through is your own!
A. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED (1:18-32)
The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness. (1:18)
1. Origin of the problem.
a. God manifested himself to man (1:19-20)
b. But, man rejected God (1:21-23)
2. God's response
a. He gave them up to dishonor their bodies (1:24-25)
b. He gave them up to vile affections (1:26-27)
c. He gave them up to a reprobate mind (1:28)
3. Man’s mess.
a. Problems listed (1:29-31)
b. God's judgment is not only against those who do such things but those who approve of them. (1:32)
1. We are all part of the problem--not just "they" are to blame. (2:1-10)
2. God is no respecter of persons. (2:11-29)
3. Initial objections answered
a. What about our religious relatives?
Answers:
-God blesses those who serve Him as He sees fit. (3:1-2)
-Failure of some to believe does not void the word of God. (3:3)
-God will be right even if every man is wrong. (3:4)
b. Isn’t it unjust for God to judge and bring wrath upon people? (3:5-6)
Answer: God has the right to judge the world.
c. If God is good are we not free to do as we please? (3:7-8)
Answer: That is a slanderous distortion of grace.
Conclusion: There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and fallen short. (Rom. 3:9-20)
1. Justification is by grace through faith (3:21-31; cf. John 3:16)
We are not saved by our good works.
(Note: Emphasizing this prevents people from relying upon personal righteousness and avoids the false charge that we teach salvation by works.)
2. Abraham’s example shows that faith is counted for righteousness. (Chap 4)
D. BENEFITS RECEIVED: Reassurance in Christ
1. Justification by faith results in peace with God --wrath removed (5:1)
2. Access to God results in rejoicing in hope of Glory of God (5:2)
3. Even in tribulations we glory (5:3)
Tribulations > patience > experience > hope (5:3-4)
4. Hope with God will not be disappointed (5:5-11)
a. The love of God is shed in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (5:5)
b. If Christ died for us when we were yet sinners much more may we be reassured now that we are reconciled. (5:6-11)
Answer: If Adam’s one sin could bring death upon all, then Christ’s death can bring salvation to all.
Answer: Not at all. Salvation by faith is not a license to sin. When we were baptized into Christ we were baptized into his death. We are dead and therefore must not live in sin.
When God speaks of “faith,” He means a faith that lives – one that does not only believe in God but also obeys Him. (cf. James 2:14-18; Luke 6:46; John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 1John 2:3)
1. The change that takes place in baptism
Rom 6:3 We are baptized into Christ (cf 1Cor 12:13)
Galatians 3:27-29 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
2Cor 5:17 If any man is in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, all things have become new (John 3:5)
Rom 8:1 There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (1Peter 3:21)
Rom 6:3-4 We are baptized into his death (cf. Col. 2:12-13)
Rom 6:4 We “rise to walk in newness of life (cf. Col. 2:12-13; John 3:5; 2Cor 5:17)
Rom 6:7 We are freed from sin (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Rom 8:9-16 We receive the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:38; 1Cor 12:13; Rom 8:9-16, 26-27; John 3:5; 1John 5:8; Eph 1:13-14; Titus 3:5)
2. Baptism is a burial – (Rom 6:4-5; Col. 2:12-13; --in water, Acts 8:36-39; Heb 10:22; Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23)
3. Baptism is for believers – not infants. (Rom 10:17; Hebrews 8:8-13; Acts 2:38; 8:37; Mark 16:16)
4. Baptism is a commitment to live a new life – Jesus must become Lord of our life. Here we are dealing with the importance of true repentance from sin. (Rom 6:4, 7-23; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Acts 17:30)
a. The Holy Spirit helps us (8:1-27)
b. God planned for our salvation. (8:28-33)
c. Christ died for us (8:31-34)
Conclusion: We are more than conquerors! (8:35-39)
This is the favorite stronghold of Calvinism – unconditional predestination and unconditional grace—However, chapter 11 clearly shows that eternal destiny is not unalterably fixed. (vss. 17-24) Compare also Rom 5:18; 2Pet. 1:10; 3:9; Rev. 22:17; Tit. 2:11; 2Cor 5:14; Acts 2:40; 17:30-31.
1. God has the right to save whoever he wills. (chapter 9)
a. Election is based on God’s promise--
1) Not family relationships (9:1-9)
2) Not on priority of birth or goodness (9:10-13)
b. Does this make God unrighteous? God forbid. (9:14)
1) He told Moses that he would have mercy on whoever he pleased (9:15-18)
2) God has the right over the clay to show mercy to whom he pleases (9:19-33)
2. God’s righteousness is shown in all he did to save Israel. (Chapter 10)
Rom 10: 9 If you will confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and will believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved: 10 for with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Three simple questions:
a. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? (Acts 8:37)
b. Are you willing for Him to be the Lord of your life? (Acts 22:16)
c. Are you ready to be baptized into Christ as he commanded? (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27; Acts 2:38; 1Peter 3:21)
If they say they are not ready, gently ask why, and how you can be of help. Ask questions and offer possible solutions but DO NOT attempt to pressure them. Ask WHEN they may be ready.
These questions are only suggestions. They may be worded differently, depending on the person and the circumstances.
3. God’s love is shown by his invitation remaining open to all (Rom 11)
Romans 11:22-23 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be gaffed in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Revelation 22:17 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
B. Responsibilities to governing authorities and fellow man (Chapter 13)
PAUL’S CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
A.R.J. final comments
Some years back I was working on our baptistery natural gas heater in a pit by the front of the church. I had read the book, Evangelism Explosion by Kennedy and was impressed by the idea of some clear simple way of presenting the Gospel to bring people to Christ in one sitting. However, I felt the book was a bit “canned.” It cited a lot of scriptures which had to be memorized and put together in an arbitrary order not naturally found in scripture. Some of the presentation seemed to be tricky questions to catch the prospect by surprise based on false assumptions. Further, some very important concepts were omitted.
As I worked, a big burly Irish-looking fellow I had never seen before walked up and asked what time the mail went. I told him and asked if he was from around here. He said he was taking care of a neighbor's house. We continued to chat and somehow started talking about the serious problems in the world that seemed to be out of control.
I mentioned that the Bible explained a lot of the problems and that it provided the only real solution. The more men disregard responsibility to God the worse things get. I remembered the list of problems and their causes in the first chapter of Romans and asked if he minded if I got my Bible and showed it to him. He agreed and I brought it out and began to teach him. As he listened I wondered just how far my impromptu session could be taken.
He was impressed at how chapter one so clearly set forth the problems we see in the world. I told him that really impressed me when I read it, but then I went on to the second chapter. It was no longer what “they” have done to the world but suddenly the finger was pointed at me. I am a part of the problem. I am without excuse because I have done the same things. Chapter three goes on to answer objections and says there is none righteous—no not one. That is sobering.
But it then shows that God has a solution—salvation by grace, imputed righteousness through faith in the sacrifice of Christ. I continued on through Romans, teaching him about faith, repentance and baptism to the tenth chapter where I asked if he had accepted Jesus as Lord of his life. He said he had not. I asked if he would like to do so. He said he would. I told him that the baptistery was full and asked if he was ready to make that commitment now. He said he was. I took him that same hour and baptized him into Christ.
Romans is God’s plan of personal evangelism made plain. Why must we seek some human scheme? Why should we think that some man can make something better?
Romans 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.