1. a) Augustine
    2. b) Luther
    3. c) John Wesley

Romans Overview for BGCO Pastor        Session One (6:30 – 7:15)
 
Intro:  I am humbled by this responsibility …. This congregation & This Book!
 

· I have always used the Winter Bible Study.

---- What different settings; approaches …. Establish yourself as Teacher!
 
 

I. A Book of Tremendous Influence!

“The Book of Romans has figured prominently in every significant evangelical Renaissance in history!”      Leon Morris
 


a) Augustine

In the summer of 386 Aurelius Augustinus, North Africa, now two years
As professor of rhetoric at Milan, sat weeping, burdened in the garden of a friend. He was almost persuaded to commit to Christ. Child singing at neighboring house, “take up and read; take up and read” He pick up his friends scroll and his eye fell of Romans 13: 13b-14….
… “No further would I read, nor had I any need; instantly, at the end of this sentence, a clear light flooded my heart and all the darkness and doubt vanished away!” Saved!
 
 


b) Luther

Travel to Rome, the holy city in the early 16th C. There on the “scala sancta” (holy stairs) of St. John’s church we will find a young Augustinian Monk, Martin Luther --- ascended on his knees, praying, kissing each step to gain remission for years in purgatory. But his mind was distracted…
 

 
§ Left pursuit of Law School to enter monastery. “Not to study theology, but to save his own soul! He worked hard to gain Righteousness --- prayers, 3X7 cell, fasting, cleaning, kneeling, self-flagellation, sleep without blanket, Confession (“Come back when you’ve done something worth confessing!)
§ Assigned to study Bible and Teach … Dr. in theology… Romans!

I hated the phrase “the righteousness of God!”
Finally began to realize that our righteousness will never do; we need His righteousness… It comes to us by Faith!
 

 
§ That phrase kept pounded in his head, even as he crawled up the steps of St. Johns. “The just shall live by faith.” Midway up the steps, he stopped. He stood up; and received God’s righteousness by Faith; He walked away!

 


c) John Wesley

Young Wesley had attempted to go into the family business as pastor in the colony of Georgia; but failed. No confidence on board ship; estranged from his love; returned home disappointed. A few years later he would return to the New World and spark the Great Awakening! Power! What changed? “On the evening of May 24, 1738, Wesley went very unwillingly to a gathering at Aldersgate Street in London, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. “About a quarter before nine while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for my salvation; and an assurance was given to me, even me that he had taken my sins away!” (journal)
 

II. Background of Romans (from Hand out)
III. Purpose of the Letter (speak to relevance)
Romans 15: 22-29
 
a) Paul saw himself and his gospel under attack. He wrote to clearly explain the Gospel as He had received it from the Lord.
b) Paul wrote to unify the Church at Rome.
c) Paul sought financial support from the church for his mission to Spain.
IV. Small Group Assignment
 
o How might God use the study of Romans in your church --- Relevance.
V. Outlines, Overviews, and my approach!
 
a) Start with the Big Blocks! Romans is Huge (Luther, Calvin, Metzger)
b) We will read a lot of text (nearly whole book). Augustine Quote
c) Tommy Lea and Jack MacGorman
d) My Simple Outline and Dr. Lea’s Detailed!
VI. Romans 1:1 – 17
a) Notice how Paul affirmed his readers! (Number 6)
 
§ Important to God (6-7)
§ Important to Kingdom (8)
§ Important to Me (9-12)
b) Paul’s eagerness to Preach flowed from His confidence in the Gospel!
§ NBC Evening News last week .. Brian Williams and Pastor
 
· What do you have to offer these families? What do you say? (perfect set up!)
· Everything BUT JESUS and Gospel!
c) Vs. 17 – Understanding the Righteousness of God
· Read Luther Quote!
· “If the truth of justification by faith is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time. It alone begets, nourishes builds and preserves the Church of God!”

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