Why Me? Romans 1:1-17 December 11, 2005

Sunday School Lesson – Why Me? – December 11, 2005

This is our second lesson in our study “The Manger and the Mission”.

Our scripture is Romans 1:1-17

Our focus scripture is Romans 1:1-7; 13-17

It is believed that Paul wrote this letter while he was visiting the city of Corinth about 57 AD. Paul was on his third missionary journey in Corinth collecting money for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-26). Paul had planned to take the offering to the Jerusalem Christians and then travel to Spain. Paul wants to visit the Christians in Rome to get their support for him in his journey to Spain. Plus Rome would be a strategic location for training strong Christians not only to evangelize Rome but carrying the gospel to other parts of the world including Spain.

Let’s read Romans 1:1-7
Chapter 1
God’s Good News for Rome
1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle[1] Or Jesus, a called apostle and singled out for God’s good news— 2 which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures— 3 concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David[2] Lit was of the seed of David according to the flesh 4 and was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.[3] Or the spirit of holiness, or the Holy Spirit 5 We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about[4] Lit Him into, or Him for the obedience of faith[5] Or the obedience that is faith, or the faithful obedience, or the obedience that comes from faith among all the nations,[6] Or Gentiles on behalf of His name, 6 including yourselves who are also Jesus Christ’s by calling: 7 To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since Paul has never visited the church in Rome he begins his letter giving his credentials.

If we were to describe ourselves to other Christians how would we begin?

Our testimony is the most powerful statement we can give to others. People can argue the scriptures with us but when we tell others of our encounter with our LORD there is no argument.

Paul begins by telling the Roman Christians he is a slave of CHRIST JESUS.

This is significant because the word “slave” Paul used is the word referred to a slave that had been freed by his master and chose to remain in the service of his master. Paul was freed from the bondage of sin but chooses to serve his master who freed him.

Paul also uses CHRIST JESUS, which CHRIST is the Greek word “Christos” meaning “anointed one” and JESUS is the Messiah of Israel. Messiah is the Hebrew word for “anointed one”. In stating it in this manner Paul is expressing that CHRIST is for the Jew and the Gentile.

Paul is an apostle. Apostle means “one who is sent” by CHRIST. Paul was singled out by CHRIST HIMSELF to be a special apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was called of GOD for this purpose.

Paul is making it clear that this is not some new fad religion that is occurring but JESUS the Messiah of Israel has been prophesied over hundreds of years. There is scripture that can be read to prove it such as Isaiah 53:10-11; Genesis 12:2-3; Joel 2:28; 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Psalms 2; Psalms 110. There are over 900 references to THE MESSIAH in the Old Testament scriptures to, HIS coming, HIS life, HIS purpose, HIS miracles, HIS sinless life, HIS death and HIS resurrection.

In verse 3, Paul states that JESUS is a descendant of King David. In fact JESUS’ lineage from a human point is traced back to King David on HIS earthly father’s side, Matthew Chapter 1 and on HIS mother’s side Luke Chapter 3. Keep in mind JESUS is both human and divine. THE SPERM that produced HIM is from GOD.

Keep in mind that when we are born-again THE DIVINE SPERM of GOD, HIS SPIRIT unites with our spirit, which we can think of as an egg, we are born of THE SPIRIT into GOD’S family. This is the miracle of rebirth. Once born into GOD’S family we have eternal life and all the rights and privileges of being the son or daughter of GOD.

Once we are born into GOD’S family we need nourishment to grow into a mature SPIRIT led child of GOD. This is why we need to commit our life to having an intimate loving relationship with GOD. We must learn from our FATHER.

Why should we believe this?

Paul answers the question in verse 4. The proof that CHRIST is WHO HE said HE is is the resurrection. The empty tomb is the proof. Over 500 people saw CHRIST after HIS resurrection.

Paul studied the facts after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul prayed and pondered his conversion for 3 years then he went to Jerusalem to verify the facts about JESUS. Paul spoke to the disciples and then to the brother of JESUS. Paul himself confirmed that all he had heard about JESUS was true.

JESUS’ brothers, before the resurrection, did not believe in JESUS:

John 7:5 The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the • Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles[1] Or Booths [2] One of 3 great Jewish religious festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost; Ex 23:14; Dt 16:16 was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

After the resurrection HIS brothers became believers’.

Acts 1:12-14
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive Grove, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer,[3] Other mss add and petition along with the women, including Mary[4] Or prayer, with their wives and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

CHRIST’S brother, James, was the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem and was martyred for the faith.

The resurrection made the difference for HIS brothers seeing JESUS as a prophet versus seeing HIM as THE ONLY SON OF GOD WHO lived in the flesh among us as a human, tempted in all ways as we are, yet remaining sinless, suffered for our sins, died on THE CROSS for our sins, was buried but raised from the dead as the first fruit from among the dead as proof that HE IS WHO HE SAID HE IS.

The resurrection is vital to all of us as Christians as well. Without the resurrection we would have no more reason to believe in CHRIST than any other religious person trying to find god or GOD. The empty tomb is critical.


The resurrection also shows us, as Christians, that we too will have a new glorified body fashioned as CHRIST’S resurrected body at HIS second coming. The moment we die, as a Christian, our born-again spirit goes immediately to heaven and then our born-again spirit will be united with our glorified body when CHRIST returns at HIS second coming. WOW!!!

In verses 5 and 6 Paul is confirming that through “grace”, GOD’S unmerited favor, and being called by CHRIST HIMSELF to be an apostle, Paul was proclaiming the gospel of salvation to all nations. GOD loves all people both the Jew and the non-Jew (Gentile). In fact once a person receives CHRIST as their SAVIOR all born-again people, Jew or Gentile, are called to be set aside “as Holy ones” to serve GOD and are called saints.

So each of us regardless of national origin, race, gender, color who have accepted CHRIST as our SAVIOR are saints, Paul makes this clear to the Roman’s of his day and to us today.

Let’s read Romans 1: 13-15

13 Now I want you to know,[8] Lit I don’t want you to be unaware brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry[9] Lit have some fruit among you, just as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians,[10] Or non-Greeks both to the wise and the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome.

Paul tells his fellow Christians in Roman that he has wanted to visit them but has been prevented to do so. In Romans 15:22 Paul tells us why he has not visited Roman. Romans 15:14-24 gives us the complete reason.
Romans 15: 18-24:
18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.[8] A Roman province northwest of Greece on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea 20 So my aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named, in order that I will not be building on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written: Those who had no report of Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.[9] Isaiah 52:15
Paul’s Travel Plans
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these provinces,[10] Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[11] Other mss add I will come to you. For I do hope to see you when I pass through, and to be sent on my way there by you, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.Paul sees Rome as a strategic location for establishing a strong church because it is the hub for the Roman Empire and strategic to spread the gospel to Spain.

The Greeks divided the world into 2 groups Greeks and Barbarians.

Greeks considered themselves as cultured, wise and knew Greek philosophy. The Greeks considered anyone who did not speak Greek to be a Barbarian. They claim other languages sounded as if they were saying “bar bar” thus Barbarian. Since those who did not know the Greek language could not be as cultured and wise as the Greeks, the Greeks considered all non-Greek speaking people to be Barbarians, thus the Barbarians were considered uncultured and foolish, according to the Greeks.

Paul does not make such a distinction between people and will present the gospel to both the Greek and the Barbarians (the rest of the people world).

Let’s read Romans 1:16-17
The Righteous Will Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,[11] Other mss add of Christ because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith,[12] Or revealed out of faith into faith just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.[13] Or The one who is righteous by faith will live [14] Hab 2:4

Paul makes it clear he is not ashamed of the gospel but knows that the gospel is for every human being upon the face of the earth. Those who are considered cultured or those considered foolish or uncultured can all understand the gospel of CHRIST. It is not just for a select group of people.

The gospel is GOD’S power for salvation and is not based upon a person having to speak a certain language or knowing a certain philosophy or being cultured to comprehend or understand it but a person must be willing to listen and respond by faith. GOD will do the rest.

Here the Greek word “believe” also means “faith”. The use of the Greek word for believe or faith means more than an intellectual assent to statements about GOD or CHRIST but it is the kind of faith in JESUS CHRIST that involves commitment and trust.
It is heart knowledge and not head knowledge. It is placing oneself into the care of CHRIST, such as a drowning person would place themselves into the hands of a person recurring them from certain death.

Paul tells them the Jews divided the world into two groups, Jews and Gentiles. Since the gospel has its origin in JESUS WHO is THE Jewish SAVIOR, the gospel naturally came to the Jews first and then comes to the Greeks or Gentiles.

It is thought that Paul referred to the Greeks in verse 16 because of their presence and influence in the Roman Empire. Paul was using some early marketing techniques.

Verse 17 refers to righteousness. As you may recall when CHRIST was crucified HE took our sins upon HIMSELF and GOD imparted HIS righteousness to us. As our sin, so-to-speak, was poured into CHRIST on THE CROSS, HIS righteousness was poured into us.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Keep in mind we are saints of GOD set aside to serve HIM and are not withhold the gospel of CHRIST from anyone regardless of their race, national origin, color, social status, etc.

We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Let us be salty and let our light shine for the GLORY OF GOD.

We have the GOOD NEWS! HE HAS RISEN!!!

The title of our lesson is Why Me? This is why us.