July 13, 2011
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Romans 1:1-12 by Pastor Don Moore
These are notes from our Friday afternoon Bible Study taught April 22, 2011 by Pastor Don Moore
Jesus rolled our stone away and we are still sitting in our tombs.
Romans 1:1-5 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
There is so much information in this passage. We have received Grace through the Work of Christ, it is more than unmerited favor, for grace implies empowerment. The apostleship is not new, for Jesus built His church through the sent ones, the ones sent to carry out the will of God in obedience and faith.
Pastor Don pointed out what a miracle that was, that who the people of His day perceived to be an obnoxious Carpenter believed that His Gospel was going to be preached globally. We need to give our will over to His will. When we are willing and obedient we will eat from the good of the land.
ALL NATIONS for HIS NAME – purposeful authority of His Name.
Romans 1:6-7 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a letter by Paul to those who are called to be saints.
Romans 1:8-9 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
To all the whole world. Remember, Paul prays without ceasing.
Romans 1:10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
Notice this important point – Paul wants to visit them, but only if it is in the WILL OF GOD.
We have a habit of saying if it is in the will of God, but for things that we should know are the will of God. For example, when people pray for the sick to recover they often say if it is the will of God. Of course healing is the will of God, but our unbelief can block the healing. We need to know what God has promised those who obey Him. We can find the blessings in Deuteronomy 28 and 30 to see the curses and the blessings.
For Paul, he is speaking about a specific will of God toward his circumstance – whether or not he will be able to visit the Romans. He doesn’t know when, how, or the circumstances, but he hopes to visit.
When we know the Father’s will it is correct to pray the will of God.
It is incorrect to ask God for something good and then ask if it is His will. It is ALWAYS His will to give you good, if HE gets the glory for it.
Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Paul wants to minister the prophetical office of apostle to them. He wants to impart a prophetic Word by the laying on of hands.
If God gives you the urge to govern, a job, a venture, a church, a relationship, He examines the fruit of it, and if it glorifies Him, He opens the door for us.
We want to obey Him.
Rome, at that time, was filled with fleshy meat eaters, and Paul was setting the stage for his arrival. He would be put under house arrest and during this time write a lot of his letters to the churches.
Hope this blesses you.
Heather
