Romans Chapter 1:1-19

1. Rom 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,

separated to the gospel of God
A. Paul- Gr. Paulos- meaning "little"
1. Before He was called Paul, his name was Saul, which meant "asked for or
desired"- He was named after Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul was everything
the people asked for in a leader- good looking, tall, proficient in battle, etc.
2. Saul of the New Testament was like the Saul of the Old Testament. – He trusted
in all of his natural abilities instead of God.
a. He saw himself the greatest among men- Gal_1:14
b. He saw himself as blameless- Php_3:6
3. However, once Paul accepted the grace of God, He accepted the name Paul-
little.
a. Now Paul saw himself the least of all the saints- Eph_3:8
b. He now recognized he had been the chief of sinners- 1Ti_1:15
4. Understanding grace makes us little in ourselves but makes God great. If we
will humble ourselves we will receive His grace. Before we can learn the "in
Him" truths we must learn the "In me" truths!
5. "In me" truths
a. In me, I am nothing- 2Co_12:11
b. In me, I have nothing- 1Co_4:7
c. In me, I can do nothing- Joh_15:5
6. Once we receive grace, God makes us great! Once we embrace the "in me"
realities, we can now receive the "in Him" realities
a. In Him, I am the righteousness of God- 2Co_5:21
b. In Him, I possess all things- 1Co_3:21-22
c. In Him, I can do all things- Php_4:13
B. bondservant- Gr. doulos- slave- from Gr. deo- to bind
1. There were two types of slaves in ancient times
a. unwilling- These were bound by their master who purchased them to do
their will.
b. willing- These were bond slaves who had obtained their freedom from
their master, but they had chosen to bind themselves to their master's will
because they loved their master.
2. Those under the Law were unwilling slaves that were obligated to serve God.
You could not decide one day that you did not want to do what the Law said.
The only way you could change the type of slave you were was by exercising
faith in Christ or the coming Messiah. You could go from an unwilling slave to
a willing one! Unfortunately, many Christians are living under legalism and are
still unwilling slaves!
3. Under grace, we are all made bond slaves. Our freedom price from slavery
had been fully paid by the blood of Jesus. Once we understand God's great
love and grace towards us, we will bind ourself to Him voluntarily to do His will.
We do this by faith and from the motivation of His love that He first gave us.
1Jn_4:19
 4. If you feel pressured to serve God, then you are not operating in New
Testament servanthood. New Testament servanthood is done from willingness
and faith, not law and obligation. We do not "pay" God back for what He has
done for us by our serving Him. You were saved by grace, and now we are to
serve God in and by grace [freely from our love and empowered by Him]
C. Jesus Christ
1. Jesus- salvation; Christ- Gr. Christos- the Messiah, Anointed One
a. Jesus is anointed to save [Gr. sozo] us. If you are not allowing Christ to
save [Gr. sozo- save, deliver, heal, preserve, make whole, prosper] you by
His grace then you are not receiving His anointing.
b. It is the anointing that destroys the yoke- Isa_10:27
c. If you do not receive salvation [Gr. sozo] by sheer grace alone through faith
alone, you will fail to receive the anointing that saves [Gr. sozo] you both
spiritually and temporally.
D. called to be an apostle- lit. "a called apostle"
1. called- Gr. kletos- If God has not called you, then it does not matter what you
call yourself! Many that are in ministry have not been called. They have just
showed up! Also, many are not coming who have been called. This is a
problem.
2. apostle- Gr. apostolos- sent one with authority and a message
1. We need to be sent by God
2. We need to understand and operate under and in authority
3. We need a message- Many are going out without a message!
4. There are 4 categories of New Testament apostles
a. The Apostle of our Confession- Heb_3:1- There is only one in this
category- Jesus Christ!
b. The 12 Apostles of the Lamb- [twelve disciples]- Rev_21:14
c. Foundational apostles- These wrote scripture and laid down New
Testament Doctrine - Eph_2:20
d. Equipping apostles- Eph_4:11- These equip the saints to do the work
of the ministry- These are in the church today and will be until we are
raptured.
5. Apostle is not a TITLE but a FUNCTIONAL OFFICE in the church
a. Paul never called himself the "Apostle Paul". He refers to himself as
Paul, called to be an apostle. 1Co_1:1
b. There is too many titles being tacked onto people nowadays. This is a
badge of pride. It is fine to show honor, but we should not demand
someone to call us by some title. [Just call me Rick or brother Rick!]
c. If you really have a ministry gift in you, people will recognize it right away
without having to see it on your business card!
6. Apostles are sent away from the local church to establish new works for
God. They often will do the work of an evangelist and pastor until they get
a new work up and going. Then they will be sent away again to start all
over again! Many modern missionaries do apostolic work but not all
missionaries are apostles.
E. separated- Gr. aphorizo- to mark off, define, limit, appoint
1. In this verse we see two terms that are interrelated. One is "called" and the
other is "separated". You might be called to the ministry but not be
 separated unto that ministry. There is a time lapse between your call to
ministry and when God separates you and commissions you into that
ministry. Act_13:2- separate me Paul and Barnabus unto the ministry I
have called them.
a. This time-period is a time of testing for faithfulness.
b. This time-period is a time for maturing.
c. This time-period is a time for intimacy with God.
2. Our calling and separation is for a certain place, time, and people. It
has limits! No one is called everywhere and to everyone. Even Paul was
limited in His calling to the gentiles and Peter was limited to the Jews. You
also are called to a specific and limited ministry. You must find that
niche and stick to it. You will find the anointing present right there in that
place and to those people God has called you to. Many think their gift will
prosper anywhere and with anyone. This is not the case, if God has not
called you nor opened the door there. These people are sadly mistaken.
Many get broken and bruised in the ministry because they are trying to use
their gift in the wrong place and with the wrong people. God limits His call
of ministry to us. We must know those limits!
a. Paul never prospered in ministry until he left the Jews and started
ministering to the gentiles. When he got into trouble it is when he would
leave the gentiles and try to minister to the Jews! [Acts chapter
20]
b. Peter did great with the Jews, but when he went to minister among the
gentiles he got into trouble! [Gal_2:11-12]
F. unto the gospel of God
1. unto- Gr. eis- into- Paul was called into the gospel. The gospel of grace is
the entrance into God's plan for man.
2. gospel- Gr. euangglion- good message or news- Paul was sent by God,
with His authority, but Paul had to know His message. This is what he
learned from the point of his calling to the point of his separation unto the
ministry God had for him. He had to learn grace.
a. We are called to preach the gospel – the good news. If what we are
preaching is not good news, we are not preaching the gospel. Preaching
that we are made righteous as a gift by the finished work of Christ is
good news. Preaching whether we must become righteous or maintain
our righteousness by our acts of obedience is bad news. As a matter of
fact, this is "old news"! That system already existed under the Law! The
Law is bad news for mankind. The gospel of grace is great news for
mankind!
b. If we do not understand grace we will preach bad news to people.
c. Every Christian heard good news when they got saved, but many have
not heard much good news since then because they are bogged down
in legalism.
d. If you lack joy in your life, friend, it is a sure sign you are believing bad
news! You do not understand or believe the gospel. When we hear and
believe good news, we will have a smile on our face!
2. Rom 1:2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy
Scriptures,
A. promised before- Gr. proepangellomai- to proclaim in advance
1. What was proclaimed in advance- the gospel of grace.
a. The gospel story was in every ritual and ever sacrifice of the Old Testament.
b. The gospel story was in the tabernacle and latter in the temple
c. The gospel of Christ is seen in the stories and events of the Old Testament.
d. The prophets revealed the holiness and wrath of God but also the promise
of salvation by the coming Messiah
2. Your life is not in doubt! God has proclaimed in advance your outcome
Christian; you win; not just when you get to heaven, but in every circumstance
of life! [2Co_2:14] If you will find out what He has proclaimed about you and
your future and agree with it, you will see it manifest in greater ways in your life.
3. This is one of the biggest pieces of evidence for the Bible being the very Word
of God; fulfilled prophecy! Jesus Christ Himself fulfilled over 300 Messianic
prophecies that are found in the Old Testament. It is staggering odds that one
man could even fulfill just a handful of them. [It is really hard to have control
over how and what is done to you when you are executed!] However, Jesus'
death on the cross was vividly declared centuries earlier in Psa_22:6-22 and
Isa_53:1- 12.
B. Through His prophets
1. The Bible is unlike any other writing in existence. All books outside of the Bible
are completely the work of man. However, the Bible is completely the work of
God and man. The Bible is 100% of God and 100% of man. Every thought and
word was inspired by God, but every thought and word was written down by
man in expressing his own personality. The written Word of God mirrors the
Living Word of God- Jesus Christ.
a. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man in one person. He is not 50/50 or
a mixture. So, it is with the written Word of God.
b. The Bible is the only book that contains life in it.
c. If we neglect the Written Word of God, we neglect the Living Word of God.
2. God used man to give voice to His Word. This is God's plan. God has ordained
that we give voice to His Word in order to have its life released in this realm-
the realm in which He has given man authority over.
a. We must give our voice to the Word of God. Many are hoping and begging
God to get involved in their circumstances, but it will not take place until we
give God's Word our voice. When we speak His word in faith, the Living
Word of God is released to do its work.
b. We all as believers have a prophetic responsibility to "speak forth" the Word
of God over our lives and into the earth.
3. The prophets were inspired to write the Word of God. They were swept up and
carried along by the Holy Spirit. Their thoughts and words did not originate with
them, but with God, however they were expressed in the framework of their
human intellect and personalities. 2Pe_1:21 The Word of God is truly
supernatural and miraculous.
C. in the Holy Scriptures- lit. set apart writings
1. Again, the Bible is set apart as unique among all writings on the earth. It is the
only writing that has life in it. It is set apart from all the others.
 2. Have we set this book apart? Many are reading other books as much or more
than the Bible. Among many Christians, the Bible is no longer Holy to them.
Their Bible says "Holy Bible" but it is not holy to them, because they have not
set it apart in their lives. Instead of going to the Word of God in times of trouble
they turn to everything else. One of the biggest selling sections in most
Christian bookstores, is the "self-help" section. I find that term funny- "self-
help". The one who needs help is going to themselves for help!
3. Many are turning to counselors for help instead to the Word of God.
Psa_119:24 states that "your testimonies are my counselors." If we regard the
Word as holy in our practical life, then the Word will bring practical holiness into
our life!

3. Rom 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed
of David according to the flesh,
A. Concerning His Son Jesus Christ
1. Jesus is unique. First, He has eternally been the Son of God. Early church
creeds stated it this way, "Jesus Christ was eternally begotten of the Father."
This refers to His Deity.
a. Isa_9:6 - A child is born; a son is given. However, He became recognized
to us as the Son of God, according to His humanity, by being born as a
human on a certain day. Heb_1:5
2. The words "Jesus Christ" speaks of His humanity; God anoints man. The words
"our Lord" speaks of His Deity.
B. who was born- lit. who came to be- This refers to the humanity of Jesus. Notice,
that "Jesus Christ" came to be, not just "Jesus" came to be. Christ is not Jesus'
last name, nor does it refer to His Deity. It speaks of His anointing and appointment
from God to be our human representative and deliverer.
C. of the seed of David according to the flesh
1. Jesus was heir to the throne of David through His adoptive father, Joseph, a
descendant of Solomon, one of the sons of David. [See Matthew 1]
2. Jesus was also the seed of David through His mother's side, Mary, who
descended from Nathan, another son of David. [See Luke 3]
3. Jesus was born of royalty to signify that He had the right and authority to rule
over all mankind. He was born of spiritual royalty [of God] and earthly royalty
[of David]. This signifies that Jesus is Lord both of those living [on the earth in
flesh] and those who are dead [who have gone on and live in spirit] Rom_14:9
4. God prophesied that Israel would end up ruling over all the nations
[Gen_27:29], and Jesus was prophesied to rule over Israel. [Jer_33:17] Jesus
therefore is Lord overall. Act_10:36
D. Firstly, Jesus was born to die, and then to rule. This is the pattern we must go
through. We must first find the death of the Lord Jesus working in us, and then the
ruling resurrection life of Jesus will go to work in us. 2Co_4:10
1. Jesus was born to rule over all flesh. We were born again to rule over our flesh.

4. Rom 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit
of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
A. Declared- orizo- the same Gr. root as the word separated in verse 1- marked off,
define, limit, appointed
 B. Son of God- [the one unique Son of God] - By Jesus raising from the dead [not to
die again] showed that He was unique from all humanity. This proved He was the
Son of God.
C. with power- It took all of God's power to raise Jesus up from the dead.
1. God created the universe with His fingers Psa_8:3 - There was no resistance
to creation.
2. It took God's arm to raise Jesus from the dead- Isa_53:1 - There was all of
hell and Satanic opposition to raising Jesus from the dead.
3. It took a mighty display of God's power to raise Jesus from the dead
a. Eph_1:19-20 Paul uses four different Greek words for power to describe
what it took to raise Jesus from the dead - dunamis- latent dynamic power,
energeia- energy, kratos- ruling power, ischus- endowed power
D. according to the Spirit [spirit] of holiness
1. This is referring to the spirit of Jesus, not the Holy Spirit. His human spirit was
sanctified and pure.
2. Jesus was fully human; He had a human body, soul, and spirit. The second
member of the Godhead called the Word became fully human taking on a
human body, soul, AND human spirit.
3. Jesus did not die in His Deity on the cross. He died in His human spirit. This
human spirit was reborn and sanctified after three days.
4. Jesus’ human spirit was quickened and made alive once we were justified.
1Pe_3:18 [this verse refers to Jesus’ human spirit being made alive. [see
NASB]
5. The fact that Jesus was raised from the dead was a sure sign we were
justified. Rom_4:25
E. By the resurrection from [among] the dead
1. There were several people raised from the dead in the Bible, but only one that
experienced resurrection; raised to live and not die again. Jesus’ resurrection
separates Him from all other humans both religious and secular.
2. We await our resurrection. Jesus is the firstfruits of resurrection. We will
experience resurrection at the rapture of the church. This is called the first
resurrection- because we are connected to Jesus the firstfruits. Rev_20:6 All
unbelievers will not experience the first resurrection. They will experience the
second death!

5. Rom 1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring
About the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake,
A. received grace and apostleship
1. We must receive grace first before we can receive the office God calls us to
stand in. If we do not understand and receive grace properly, we will be
ineffective in our calling.
2. When God calls us to a ministry office He equips us with grace first. This grace
is working in us before we are separated into the ministry He has called us. If
we are faithful to steward of this grace, then He will separate us to a greater
ministry office.
a. There are 7 body offices in the body of Christ- Rom_12:6-8 prophecy,
ministering [helps], teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and
mercy. There are 5 equipping offices to minister to the 7 body offices-
 apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher. 7+5= 12 - twelve is the bible
number for administration or governing. God administers His will through
the 5 equipping offices and the 7 body offices.
b. One does not start out as a Prophet although they have the grace to
prophesy. They start out in the body office of prophecy. If they will steward
that gift, then they will be separated if God wills to the office of Prophet. The
Evangelist does not start out as an evangelist. He starts out in exhortation
first. The equipping office of Teacher does not start there. He starts out
using the grace of teaching in the body office of teaching. If he is faithful to
steward the grace gift of teaching, he will be given the office of Teacher if
God wills.
B. obedience of faith - [note: some translations have "the obedience to
the faith", but the Greek says "obedience of faith"]
1. Obedience under the Law and obedience under grace are not the same
2. Obedience of the Law was mere outward and external observance to the
written commands of God.
3. Obedience under grace is of the heart and has faith as its source.
4. The terms obey and believe are interchangeable in the New Testament.
a. Act_5:32 -The Spirit is given to those who obey [believe] Him
b. Gal_3:1 - Obey [believe] not the truth
c. 2Th_1:8 - Obey [believe] not the gospel
d. Heb_3:18-19 - did not obey, because of [unbelief]
e. Heb_5:9- author of salvation to those who obey [believe] Him
f. 1Pe_4:17- obey [believe] not the gospel
5. God's demand for obedience under the Law was perfection. To break one
command was to break all of it! Jas_2:10 God only has one standard for Him
blessing us, which is perfect obedience. However, none have given God what
He demanded and needed. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of
God. Rom_3:23 Only one man has given God what He demanded in order to
give forth His blessings. This man was Jesus Christ. Jesus obtained perfect
righteousness under the Law by fulfilling the Law for 33 years on the earth. He
did it as our representative. It is through Christ's perfect obedience that we were
given His righteousness. Rom_5:19 God blesses man on the account of
righteousness, perfect righteousness. Jesus Christ's obedience and
righteousness has been imputed to us who believe. Because of this
righteousness, then all that Jesus died for is freely given to us by grace.
Rom_8:32 He FREELY gives us ALL things with Jesus! We are blessed
because of the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Many are trying to obtain the
blessings of God by their own obedience to the Laws of God. However, even
the most hard-line legalist realizes that he does not ALWAYS keep ALL of
God's Laws ALL the time in EVERY way with ALL his heart. At the point of
them missing it they then try to fall upon God's grace. God has not left us this
option. We must either approach God and receive from Him totally by grace or
totally by works. These cannot be mixed. If they are then both are destroyed.
Rom_11:6
6. When we come to God by His grace and receive the gift of His righteousness,
then the Holy Spirit will work in us powerfully to bring our lives into line with that
righteousness. Grace does not free us to live as we want, it empowers us
 to live as God wants! Instead of trying to change ourselves from the outside
in, God will transform us from the inside out by faith! When we trust Christ and
His Word then God sees this as obedience and ties us to Christ's perfect
obedience and God's blessing and power is released in us. It all comes through
the perfect obedience and righteousness of ONE man- Christ Jesus. That is
why I pray in Jesus' name! I pray on the basis of the standing and merits of
Jesus Christ. When I do, I receive from God! If I pray in my name and upon my
own personal standing and merits with God, then I will leave empty every time.
God will not receive impartial obedience and imperfect righteousness.
7. Under the dispensation of grace our Christian walk started out with the
obedience of faith and now we are to live the Christian life under the same
principle. Col_2:6 The book of Romans begins with the "obedience of faith" and
the book ends with the "obedience of faith." Rom_16:26 We received initial
blessings by the obedience of faith, and we will continue to receive God's
blessings by our obedience of faith.
C. among the gentiles
1. This gospel was given to the gentiles because it is a gospel of grace. This
means the good news of God's redemption is given on the basis of unearned
favor. God offers freely everything Jesus died to give us outside of our merit.
What better way for God to reveal His grace than to give it to the gentiles who
had no hope and no covenant with God. Eph_2:12 The gentiles were heathen
dogs to the Jews. They were unworthy of the least of God's blessings in the
Jews' mind. Who better to offer unmerited favor than to those to who deserved
it the least!
2. The fact that God's redemption, Holy Spirit, and His blessings were given freely
to the gentiles was to bring the Jews to jealousy and for them to receive Christ
by faith also. Rom_10:19
D. for His name's sake
1. This is the sole reason we receive from God today. It is for His name's sake.
A name in biblical times stood for three things. It stood for one's character,
standing, and merits. The gospel and all of its blessings come to us by grace
and for Jesus Christ's name sake.
2. Most Christians believe that God moves in their life based upon their own level
of holiness and obedience. God moves in our lives because of our faith in Christ
and His perfect holiness and obedience. However, true faith will be expressed
in appropriate actions and words.
3. Many people are shocked at these statements. They argue as those against
Paul, "Then we can sin all we want and be blessed, right?" God forbid! Grace
does not free us to sin, it frees us from sin. Righteousness is not just
imputed to us but also imparted into us! Our nature has changed from sinner
to holy. Eph_4:24 Now we are motivated to a holy life because of the life of God
on the inside of us. We do not live holy to earn the blessings of God. The
blessings of God are freely given to us to empower us to live holy. We are not
saved or blessed by good works, but we are saved and blessed unto good
works! Eph_2:8-10 Many try to put the cart before the horse. This just confuses
and frustrates the horse!
6. Rom 1:6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
A. I am so thankful that He called me, aren't you! If He had not called me, I would be
lost and bound for hell. No person can find God without God having first drawn
Him toward salvation. Joh_6:44
B. All men are drawn toward salvation [Joh_12:32 ], but only some respond and are
saved. Many are called, but few are chosen Mat_22:14 God chooses those who
respond to Him and say yes to salvation. They enter Christ and in Him are the elect
or chosen ones. God knew before the foundation of the world who would respond,
so those who did, are seen elect or chosen from the foundation of the world!
Eph_1:4 The sign over the entrance of the door of salvation says, "All may come"
but when you walk through and look over the door it reads- "chosen from before
the foundation of the world" How great is our God!

7. Rom 1:7 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.
A. To all who are in Rome
1. Paul did not start this church like he did in Philippi, Ephesus, and Corinth.
B. beloved of God
1. Oh, the depths of these three little words! We are the beloved of God. There is
nothing more important to than to know that - "God loves me, this I know, for
the Bible tells me so." Nothing can separate us from that love. Rom_8:39
C. called saints
1. We are saints. According to the New Testament, a saint is not a hyper spiritual
person who did three miracles. No, everyone who is born again is called a saint;
a holy one. Saint and holy are from the same Greek word hagios. Holy or saint
means to be set apart. We are set apart from the world and belong to God for
His purpose and glory.
2. If we would renew our minds to the fact that we are holy because of our new
birth, it would manifest in our natural lives. Many are trying to live holy in order
to become holy. No, we must believe we are holy, and then that will affect our
lives and produce holy living.
D. Grace to you
1. This is not just a customary greeting to be read over quickly. It is filled with
power.
2. This is one of the most repeated phrases in the New Testament outside of "in
Him" and such like phrases. Thirteen of the New Testament books begin with
this phrase and most of the other books mention grace in the beginning of the
letter.
3. Grace is declared upon us at the beginning of each book before the Christian
is told to do anything practically in their lives? Why? It is because grace is the
unmerited favor of God. It cannot be deserved or earned by our actions. All the
blessings in spiritual places have already been given to us before we are ever
told to do anything in the Christian life. Eph_1:3 These blessings are actually
given to us to empower us to live the Christian life.
4. Grace is not just an attitude God has towards us. Grace is not a thing. Grace is
a person! The Law was given, but Grace came to us. Joh_1:17 Jesus came to
us. He is the grace of God. He is the resource for the Christian life. Grace is
not just the unmerited favor of God. It is also the ability of God that has been
placed within us to empower us to live a God honoring life! Grace is the ability
 of God. 2Co_12:9 Grace is the strength of God that is sufficient for us in every
and any circumstance. If you are being overcome in any area of your life, you
are not drawing upon the grace of God in that area. His grace makes you an
overcomer!
E. peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
1. Peace is the result of receiving grace. Rom_5:1 If you lack peace then you are
not tapping into the grace of God. Living towards God and others based upon
your own merits and performance will cause you to be nerve racked! Once you
accept the finished work of Christ on your behalf before the Father, you will
enter a deep peace.
2. peace- Gr. eirene- from eiro- to join
a. The peace of God is much like the word saved [sozo], it is an all-inclusive
word which is total wholeness in every area. The grace of God through
Jesus Christ brings wholeness to every area of our being and life if you will
believe, receive, and act on it.
3. True peace can only come from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Many claim
to have peace with God and reject Jesus. This cannot happen! You can only
accept the Father and be acceptable by Him through Je99sus Christ. 1Jn_2:23

8. Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith
is spoken of throughout the whole world.
A. First, I thank my God
1. We need to put first things first. The first thing in our lives should always be the
praise and worship of God. Thanksgiving is a form of praise to God.
Thanksgiving should never be lacking from our prayer recipe because it causes
our prayers to rise! Php_4:6
2. If we would start our prayers with thanksgiving, then our prayers would be a lot
less selfish and self-centered.
3. If we would start our prayers with thanksgiving then the rest of our prayers will
be charged with faith. It is not possible to thank God for any length of time and
not sense that our faith has been energized. Faith comes by hearing the spoken
Word of God. When we verbally recount to God His promises and how He has
fulfilled them in our lives and in those around us our faith is energized.
4. Whoever or whatever is our God will receive our thanks. Some people are
thankful to money or possessions because they are their god. It is quite
humorous to see people say they are thankful but claim to be atheists! Who are
they thankful to? If God in heaven is your God, then you need to be thankful to
Him on a regular basis.
B. through Jesus Christ for you all
1. Anything we offer to God must go through Jesus Christ before it will be
accepted by Him. Jesus Christ sanctifies what is of man. Heb_10:10
2. If we do not see other Christians through Christ and having being forgiven and
made holy through His blood, we will not be thankful for them. Often, we get to
looking at people's failures, weaknesses, and faults. We are to no longer look
at other Christians according to the flesh, but through Christ. God sees you
forgiven, clean, and holy. We are to also view other Christians as God does.
2Co_5:16 If we look at everyone through Christ, we will be thankful for
everyone!
 C. your faith is being spoken about throughout the whole world
1. This should be one of our goals. Most people's mouths are been heard but not
their lifestyle of faith.
2. The best form of advertising is word of mouth. Is our life of faith being
advertised by word of mouth or is it our ungodly behavior? Bad news always
travels faster than good news.
3. Word gets around! What is the word on the street about you?

9. Rom 1:9 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,
A. God is my witness
1. This is a fact all the time. God is our witness. He is our witness when we are
living right and when we are living incorrectly. God is our witness all the time.
This should affect our lives! God is both our Judge and witness. God will be the
witness to our lives at the Judgment Seat of Christ. His testimony is truth.
B. whom I serve with my spirit
1. serve- Gr. latreuo- to render sacred service- This word was used of the
religious service of the priests to God in the Old Testament. Their service was
a fleshly natural service in line with written and external rules and codes.
2. with [by] my spirit- Paul's service was done from faith in Christ who indwelt
his born-again spirit. By faith, Paul allowed Christ to express His life in and
through him. Gal_2:20 Paul did not serve God according to the flesh and with
outward observance to a written code. Paul was led by the Spirit of God in his
spirit. Paul's life and service to God was done by the leading of the Spirit in his
spirit.
3. When we sense the leading of God in our spirit and follow that, then we are
serving God with or by our spirit. Only born-again Christians can serve God
with their spirit. All those in religion are trying to serve God with their flesh. God
does not receive service from the flesh. There is nothing good in the flesh that
is acceptable to God. Rom_7:18
C. in the gospel of His Son
1. The good news of the gospel is that we do not have to approach God based
upon the performance of a list of external right and wrongs any more. We
approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished work.
2. The good news of the gospel is that our nature has been changed, and God
now dwells in our spirits and He communicates His will to us by an internal
leading in our spirit. We are now empowered by God from the inside to will and
to do His good pleasure! Php_2:13
3. The gospel is the gospel of His Son to sons. Those who are led by the Spirit
are the sons of God! Rom_8:14
4. Sons are led from the inside; servants are directed from the outside. Those
under the law are mere servants of God, but those who have received Christ in
their hearts have become sons!
D. that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers
1. without ceasing means Paul regularly mentioned the Romans to God in his
prayers.
2. Prayer is powerful! Just the mention of a name before God will bring the answer
of His providence and care over that person!
 a. Paul did not say that he prayed for hours concerning all the Roman’s saint's
problems and concerns. He just said he mentioned them before God. It is
good to pray specifically concerning the needs we know about, but when
we don't, just the mention of someone's name before God and committing
them to His care will avail much.
3. prayers- Gr. proseuche- beseeching to the face- this is an intimate face to
face encounter with God. Prayer is no more or nor less than communicating
with God. Communication transpires when both talking and listening take
place. God desires to commune with us.
4. I believe the power of Paul's life was his prayer life and revelation of the Word
of God.

10. Rom 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.
A. Making request- Gr. deomai- to make petition
1. Many do not ask God for transfer papers from one place to another. They just
go without asking.
2. Paul made request that he might find a way to the Romans in the will of God.
3. This means there are ways that we can go places out of the will of God. Paul
actually found one of these ways. Instead of listening to the Spirit of God about
not going to Jerusalem to minister to the Jews, which Paul was not called to,
he was went any way because he wanted to.
B. by some means..I may find a way
1. God found a way to get Paul to Rome. It was on board a prisoner ship! Paul
went to Jerusalem to preach the gospel, but he was captured before he could
even preach about Jesus! He was sent to Rome to stand trial. I do not believe
this was God's first choice on how to get Paul to Rome, but he got there all the
same.
C. in the will of God to come to you
1. In the book of Acts , Act_19:21, Paul speaks of his plan to visit Rome after he
went to minister to the Jews in Jerusalem. I believe it was God's will for Paul
to go to Rome then, but he was so set upon ministering to the Jews because
of the great burden he had for them. Rom_9:2-3; Rom_10:1 However, the Jews
were not his calling. It is so important to know our calling and stick to it. This is
where God's will and blessing lay. God sent person after person to warn Paul
about going to Jerusalem, but Paul would not listen. Having a hard heart can
be a blessing or curse in the ministry!

11. Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so
that you may be established--
A. For I long to see you- "long" - Gr. epipotheo- intense desire and longing
1. What a work of grace that had been wrought in this ex-Pharisee! Here he is
longing for gentiles that he had never even met!
a. Gentiles were dogs to the Jews and especially to the legalistic Pharisees.
b. Paul was longing for those who he had never met before. Loving people
you never even met is the sole work of the thrice Holy God working in the
human heart.
2. Paul got this intense love for others from his personal encounters with God.
You cannot rub close to God without having His love rub off on you! Legalistic
 people have trouble believing with all their heart that God loves them. Paul got
a revelation of the love of God. He then prayed that all the saints would get the
same revelation. Eph_3:17-19
B. that I may impart- Gr. metadidomi- give over, share
1. You cannot impart what you do not have. A minister is called to impart to others.
We must be sure we have something to impart. Too many ministers are giving
out way more than they are taking in. This is a sure recipe for a burnt minister!
C. some spiritual gift
1. Paul had been given many spiritual gifts to share. Our gifts are not for us, but
for others. Many use their gifts for their own personal advancement. Gifts from
God are for the advancement of others.
2. The spiritual gifts are given to profit others. 1Co_12:7
3. When we share a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, or a prophetic
utterance with someone it builds them up.
4. We need to desire the spiritual gifts more than we do then we would see them
more often in our midst.
5. The spiritual gift here is not necessarily one of the 9 manifestations of the Spirit
seen in 1 Cor. 12. It could include revelation from the Word of God which also
is a spiritual gift to us.
D. that you may be established
1. The spiritual gifts are to establish the body of Christ. Many who believe that
they are operating in the gifts, are actually tearing others down. People in these
cases are not operating in the spiritual gifts of God. They are either operating
in the flesh or operating in demonic manifestations. Satan will always tear
down. When the spiritual gifts are in operation people are established and built
up.

12. Rom 1:12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual
faith both of you and me.
A. that is, that I may be encouraged together
1. This addition is a sign of humility on the part of Paul.
2. Many ministers are too proud to receive from their congregation
encouragement, insights, and input. Paul was open to giving and receiving from
others.
3. A minister needs encouraging just as much as the congregation does!
B. By the mutual faith both of you and me
1. It takes faith to operate in the spiritual gifts- Rom_12:6 - prophesy in proportion
to your faith
2. It takes faith to receive the ministry of the spiritual gifts- we must believe the
word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and prophecy before it will be effective for
us and in us.
3. When a minister ministers in faith and the congregation pulls from that minister
by their faith then there will be an impartation of a spiritual gift that will bring
encouragement and stability. The congregation has as much a part to play in
receiving a spiritual gift from a minister as the minister imparting it. A
congregation that has an open heart and is believing to receive from a minister
will draw upon the gift within them and much more will come forth.
4. Jesus could not impart very much to those in His hometown because of their
unbelief. Mar_6:5
13. Rom 1:13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned
to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit
among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
A. I do not want you to be unaware brethren [lit. ignorant- not knowing]
1. How often do people judge, gripe, murmur, and talk about others simply
because they are ignorant of all the facts!
2. There were most likely some people who were shooting their mouths off saying
that Paul did not keep his word about coming to see them like he said he would.
They did not know that he often planned to do so but was actually hindered by
the enemy and by circumstances beyond his control.
3. We should be very careful about judging someone's motives and why they did
something. Often our conclusions are in error because we are ignorant of the
facts.
B. I often planned to come to you
1. It is up to man to plan, but we need to realize that our steps are ordered and
directed by the Lord. Pro_16:9 We can make plans, but we need to submit them
to God for His approval and blessing and be sensitive if the answer is no.
Pro_16:3
2. Paul was sensitive to God on his second missionary journey. He went to preach
the gospel but got a "no" when he tried to go into Asia. He got a "no" when he
tried to go into Bythinia. Act_16:6-7 He got a yes to going into Macedonia.
Act_16:9 We need to listen and watch for the Lord's "no's" and "yes's".
C. (but I was hindered until now)
1. We need to be aware that when our plans seem to keep having snags, it could
be that we have the wrong plan or have the wrong time. Usually when we have
the right plan and timing, we will sense a smoothness. We will sense a grace
for everything. When we are following a wrong plan or wrong time, we will find
the way hard and full of obstacles. We will sense a lack of grace and the
presence of frustration. However, sometimes, we are in the right plan and time,
but we are just being attacked by Satan. When we experience times when our
plans are being hindered, we should spend extra time in prayer to find out God's
mind and direction in the matter.
D. that I may obtain some fruit from you also

14. Rom 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to
unwise.
A. I am a debtor- Gr. opheiletes- one who has assumed a debt
1. Paul said he was a debtor. We will see in the next verse that the debt was to
preach the gospel.
a. Paul was a debtor because the Lord Jesus Himself commissioned him to
preach the gospel. Act_26:14-18
2. Paul said he would not be rewarded for preaching the gospel because it was a
necessity placed upon him. He was saying that preaching the gospel was a
debt he owed God because it was His command to do it. 1Co_9:16-17
a. Paul would be rewarded for how he preached the gospel. He said he would
be rewarded for preaching the gospel free of charge! Paul often preached
without taking up any offerings from the people he preached to, as in
Corinth. 1Co_9:18
 b. Billy Graham made a habit of not taking up any offerings from those t o
whom he preached the gospel. He will his reward according to the Word of
God.
B. to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and unwise
1. The Greeks claimed to be wise, and the barbarians were seen as stupid and
unwise. These two categories comprise the Gentiles.
2. Paul was a debtor to the Greeks and barbarians [the gentiles]. He did not say
he was a debtor to the Jews. No, Paul was indebted to the Gentiles. This is
because God gave him a commission to the Gentiles. Act_22:21,Act_26:17
3. Paul was sent to the Gentiles, but God revealed to him that he would in the
course of doing this give testimony to the children of Israel. Act_9:15 However,
Paul was not instructed to go to Jews. He was commissioned by the Lord to
the Gentiles.
4. We have a debt in the area and to the people that God commissions us.
5. The whole church has been given the world as its commission Mat_28:19, but
you individually have a specific allotment in the world that He has called you to.
This is where your debt lays.
6. We all are indebted to preach the gospel because we all have a commission to
preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus. We also are indebted to a certain group
of people. Where God places you to work and live is the place where you are
indebted to preach the gospel.

15. Rom 1:15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to
you who are in Rome also.
A. So, as much as is in me
1. This is such a crucial principle in ministry! We can only minister to others as
much as is in us!
2. There are way too many ministers preaching and teaching from the "very little"
that is in them.
3. This phrase, "as much as is in me", first speaks of the revelation of the Word
of God that we have. There are many ministers who preach other people's
material without first having the revelation which the minister they got it from
had received it from the Lord.
4. This phrase also speaks of our need for continual input of the Word of God in
our lives. We need DAILY study and meditation in the Word. As we store up
the Word in our heart, we have a reservoir to minister from. If a minister stops
putting in fresh Word into their heart, then their teaching and ministry will lack
life and will stagnate! There are many stinky ministers preaching stinky
messages out there! If your minister opens their bible and notes and blows off
a layer of dust off of them, you need to find another church!
B. I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome
1. Paul was ready to preach the gospel because of what was in Him!
a. ready -Gr. prothumos- of a predisposed mind. Paul was "cocked and
loaded" and ready to preach when any opportunity presented itself. It is
wise, if you have nowhere to preach, that you prepare sermons anyway. We
are to prepare first and then the door will open!
 2. Again, many people are not ready for the ministry because they have little word
in them. Are you ready for the ministry God has for you?

16. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek.
A. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
1. Why would Paul be tempted to be ashamed of the gospel? It is because the
gospel is offensive to the flesh and to those who are legalistic. Gal_5:11 When
you preach that we are accepted by God based upon Christ's finished work
alone and not our performance or personal level of holiness or obedience to a
code of right and wrong then you will draw great disdain and
persecution. The simple gospel is offensive to those who embrace and live
under the Law. When you preach that you are blessed in your daily life because
of what Christ has done for you and not what you do for God, then you will be
accused of teaching and preaching ungodliness and lawlessness. Paul faced
this in his ministry. He had many accuse him of preaching that sin in our life
does not matter to God and that we actually should sin more in order to get
more grace. Rom_6:1; Rom_3:8 This of course is not what Paul preached but
this is what legalists heard when pure grace was ministered. The true gospel
does not free you to sin but frees you from sin. This is because the power of
God is in the gospel- the power to set you free from all sin and bondage. Grace
liberates and Law enslaves. Rom_6:14 You are not truly preaching the pure
gospel if you do not have to deal with this question, "So are you saying that
it is alright to live in sin and still be blessed by God?"
2. Many are not offended at grace when it is preached to unbelievers for salvation
but become very offended when it is preached to believers as a means of living
the Christian life. Some of the same people who rejoice to see sinners blessed
with salvation by grace through faith, will fight you vehemently when you
preach that believers are blessed, healed, delivered, prospered by grace
through faith. They have changed horses mid stream! They have traded in
grace for the Law and legalism when it comes to living the Christian life.
3. If we are faithful and good ministers of the New Covenant we need to be
prepared to be riled against and lied about. It does not feel good when people
say we are preaching that sin is fine and that we should not care about holiness.
That hurts! It makes you feel embarrassed that people think that you are
preaching that stuff. However, you cannot back off preaching the grace
message just because some legalistic people do not understand it and twist it.
If you do not deal with that feeling of shame and embarrassment then you will
slowly find yourself shying away from preaching the gospel of grace. When we
do, it will rob us of all the power of God in lives and for the lives we minister to!
We have a debt to God to preach the gospel of grace. He will watch out for our
reputation. We do not have to defend ourself. I AM NOT ashamed of the gospel
of grace, are you?
B. for it is the power of God unto salvation
1. The gospel of grace taps you into the power of God. The Law taps you into
the power of your flesh. When you trust in grace, God will perform works of
power for you. Under Law you work for God under the power of your own ability.
Grace
 focuses upon what God does. What God does, He does with His power! That
power is more than sufficient for everything we need and face! If you live under
a performance mentality towards God then you will always struggle with lack,
deficiency, and weakness.
2. Our flesh will fail us. We cannot perform in the flesh to the standard that God
requires of us. He will not accept our partial works or obedience and then supply
what is lacking. This is a common belief. However, it is dead wrong! Either God
performs all for us based solely on His merits or He performs nothing for us.
Our part in the Christian life is faith. Now, faith is released by words and our
actions, but those actions are not the cause for God moving in our life. Our
movements are to come because we believe God first moved for us by sending
Jesus and what Jesus did at the cross! God's movement in Christ is the cause
for our movement and what empowers it. The life of faith is a most active life!
Paul said he did more than others, but it was actually the grace of God
empowering him. 1Co_15:10 Our flesh will fail us, but if we lay hold of God's
grace, it will sustain us and take us higher by His power! Isa_40:31
3. unto salvation- Gr. sozo- deliverance, preservation, healing, wholeness, and
prosperity. This is an all-inclusive word for God's benefits towards us. The
grace of God brings all that we need in the Christian life. Grace is what God
does for us outside our merits or level of obedience to a list of rules. God sees
faith as obedience and actually links us to the perfect obedience of Christ which
was displayed in His perfect life under the Law and His sacrificial death for us.
One cannot experience any form of salvation by works or by the Law. God only
accepts perfect works and perfect obedience to the Law for Him to move for
us. Noone has done this except the one Man, Christ Jesus.

17. Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as
it is written, "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
A. For in it- in the gospel of grace.
B. the righteousness of God is revealed
1. righteousness- Gr. diakaiosune- "the state of being as one ought to be";
right, innocent.
a. There was only one person that was just as He ought to be in God's eyes.
That was Jesus Christ. The problem with humanity is that we are the
opposite to what we are ought to be in God's eyes.
b. There are two aspects to righteousness. One is a judicial act conferred
upon us, and the other is that God's decree is executed and something
takes place within us.
1a. imputed righteousness- Rom_4:24 This is a legal verdict of God
that declares us as we ought to be. It declares we have met the
standards of divine justice through Christ and therefore are in right
standing with Him. This was given to us when we believed upon
Christ. This speaks of the believer being "in Christ". This speaks of
our position in Christ.
2a. imparted righteousness- 2Co_5:21 This is the actual planting of the
righteous life of the Lord Jesus in our reborn spirits at the point of
regeneration. The nature of God and His righteousness is imparted
into the spirit of the believer. Eph_4:24 This is the beach head from
 which God can operate in the life of the believer. It is the source for
the fruit of the Spirit. Gal_5:22-23 This is Christ Jesus in us. This
speaks of our condition. Christ in us the hope of Glory.
3a. Christians who abuse grace or are afraid of grace only see one side
of righteousness. They see the imputed side. They only see that God
made a judicial decree and declared us righteous. Those that abuse
grace like to say, "Well, God sees me righteous, so it does not really
matter what I do" or they say, "God sees me righteous, but He knows
I cannot live without sinning because I really am just a sinner saved
by grace" God not only imputes righteousness to us, but He also
IMPARTED righteousness into us. Knowing this and believing this will
release the power of this righteousness to empower us to live a God
honoring life! The nature of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit
are the promise of the New Covenant spoken of in Ezekiel. For by a
new heart and the Holy Spirit, we will be caused to walk in the will of
God! Eze_36:24-27 We will be caused to walk, not made to walk. If
we will believe that the righteousness nature of God is in us then it will
empower us. causing us to walk a supernatural walk! Those who are
afraid of grace say this, "If you do not make people live by a list of
rules to be blessed, then what will motivate people to live holy? Won't
they just go willy-nilly and go wild?" This would be the case if God just
declared us righteous without changing us too. However, God made
us righteous and imparted His sin hating life in our hearts. Through
the new birth we do not want to sin! God took out the old pig heart we
used to have, which loved the mud, and replaced it with a sheep heart
that hates the mud. A sheep might stumble into the mud occasionally,
but they are not content to stay there, I promise you! God is able to
keep us living holy much better than man can by fear, intimidation,
and legalism. In the Old Testament, a man tried to keep the ark of
God's presence and holiness in balance by his own hand, however,
he was struck down for it! 2Sa_6:6-7 No, God is able to keep His
holiness and grace, in balance, in our life by His nature in us and by
the Holy Spirit.
2. is revealed- Gr. apokalupto- to remove the cover off; present tense- lit.
being revealed
a. As long as someone tries to perform for God to get Him to react to him, then
righteousness will be tightly sealed from their sight and the actual
experience of it in his life.
b. The gospel of grace takes the lid off righteousness and it can be seen and
experienced.
c. Those under legalism are blinded to righteousness. They are always on a
quest for "hidden treasure". They have only heard about it, but have never
seen it, or experienced it. They are always a few rules away from finding it
in their estimation. However, they never do, unless they find Christ first!
d. There have been multitudes of Christians who had a brief glimpse of
righteousness when they got saved but it was quickly covered over again
by preachers of legalism who are in too many churches. Most teach that
 you get saved by grace but to receive anything else after that from God you
must perform for Him and keep a set of dogma or rules of right and wrong.
Once this happens then the believer is plunged back into the dark and sets
out on the treasure hunt for righteousness and the blessings of God that are
all too elusive. Many, sad to say, end up living and dying empty handed!
They go to heaven when they die, but they experience very little of what
Jesus died to give them.
e. Whenever we exercise, in our faith, in the finished work of Christ and what
He provided by His grace then righteousness is being revealed to us. The
more we focus on and meditate on all that Christ did for us and freely gave
to us, by His perfect life and obedience to God, we will see more and more
of God's righteousness manifested in our lives! God's open door into our
lives is righteousness. Not our own righteousness, but God's own
righteousness conferred upon us and placed within us. From this basis and
beach head he pours out all of heaven's resources into us and through us.
Is God's righteousness being revealed in you today? Are you enjoying the
righteousness of God or are you on a treasure hunt trying to find it?
C. from faith to faith
1. This is much like breathing. You took your first breath of air when you were
born, and then you live from breath to breath. As you have started you need to
continue!
2. This is the same way with the Christian life! You were born again by faith in
God's grace. Now that you were born again by faith you are to live by exercising
you faith in God's grace in each situation. Just like you breath in and then out
and then in again, so it is with faith. We take in the Word of God, we release
our faith. We take in the Word, we release our faith- over and over again!
3. We are to continue to walk in Christ the same way we got saved- It was by faith
in God's grace. Col_2:6 Each time we take in God's Word and release our faith
by words and actions, the righteousness of God is revealed in us and through
us!
4. The sad thing is that many Christians were born again by grace through faith
but afterwards they moved from grace and faith to legalism and works. They
move from unbelief to unbelief and their life falls apart instead of getting better.
The path of the righteous [one that lives by faith] grows brighter and brighter.
Pro_4:18 If your life is not getting better and better then you are not living by
faith in God's grace.
D. As it is written, "The just shall live by faith"
1. This is a quote from Hab_2:4
a. This verse begins, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not right"- The
person who tries to be holy enough for God to bless Him is lifting his soul
into God's face. This person is not right with God. Those who live by a code
of Law in order to receive from God is shown to be unrighteous! The Just
[one who has received Christ by faith], shall live by the same principle of
faith.
b. Legalistic people argue and fight trying to prove that they are right. God says
they are not right! Only those who humble themselves to receive grace by
faith are right. Only those who live in this way live right lives.
18. Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness,
A. For the wrath of God
1. wrath- Gr. orge- deep seated anger as opposed to Gr. thumos- outburst of
anger
2. It is important to note that God's wrath in this verse is revealed against
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, not against men as objects
primarily themselves. Of course, men are connected to these actions but God's
wrath today is revealed against the lawless deeds in the Earth.
3. In the Old Testament. God's wrath was towards people because of their sins.
Today, His wrath now is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness
that are committed by people.
4. The wrath of God was revealed towards mankind at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Jesus took the wrath of God for all the sins of humanity at the cross. His wrath
was propitiated in regards to people. Jesus Christ is the propitiation of the wrath
of God for the whole world. 1Jn_2:2 People do not go to hell today because of
their sins. These have been paid for at the cross! They go to hell for the
rejection of Jesus Christ as their Savior.
5. God is not imputing men's sins against them today. 2Co_5:19 This means God
is not directly pouring out is Divine wrath on people for their sins. God is not
sending hurricanes, tornado's, and floods to punish people for their sins. He is
however revealing his wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness in the
Earth. How? In two ways.
B. is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men- lit. is being revealed [Gr. apokaluptos- unveiled]
1. First God is revealing His wrath toward ungodliness and unrighteousness in
the consciousness of men's hearts. God has placed within the human
consciousness what is right and wrong and that they deserve to be punished
and die for their wrongs. Rom_1:32
2. Secondly, God's wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness, which is of
heavenly origin, is being revealed to us on the Earth by the authorities he has
established upon the Earth to judge these acts of ungodliness and
unrighteousness.
3. God has established authorities in the Earth to reveal His wrath against
ungodly and unrighteous behaviors.
a. Rom_13:1-4 - In the same book of Romans, Paul explains that God has set
authorities [ex. policemen. judges] in the earth to execute wrath upon acts
of evil and those who do it. We should fear the authorities for wrath's sake.
Whose wrath? God's wrath revealed from heaven by the authorities he has
established in the Earth.
b. The wrath in this verse speaks of temporal wrath for ungodly and
unrighteous behaviors and not eternal wrath revealed at the cross of Jesus
Christ. Of course people are connected with these ungodly and unrighteous
behaviors and thus they will incur the natural penalties dictated by our
courts [ex. prison terms, capital punishment]. Each prison on the Earth is a
 revelation of God's wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men. The cross of Jesus Christ however was God's revelation of God's
wrath against mankind for their sins.
C. who suppress the truth in unrighteousness
1. suppress- Gr. katecho- kata- down; echo- to hold- lit. who are holding down
a. the meaning of this word can be seen in the example of holding an air- filled
beach ball under the water. You have to really try hard to keep it submerged!
If you let it go for a second it, it will explode to the surface. This is true of
sinners today. They know in their hearts there is a God. They know they
have sinned. They know they deserve to be punished for their sins.
However, people are trying really hard to keep this knowledge and truth
submerged under the surface of their daily thought life. They try to "drown"
these truths with activity, pursuits, sinful pleasures, and addictions. They do
not allow themselves to think about the true condition of their lives and life
after death.
b. This is why so many sinners become angry when someone talks about sin
or hell. They do not want to think about it.
c. People already know they are sinners, even the atheists that tell you they
do not believe in God. Even atheists know they are sinners and are
deserving death. How do I know? Because God said so! Rom_1:19;
Rom_1:32 They know this but they are the ones trying the hardest to hold
down the truth by their unrighteous lives and thoughts instead of coming to
grips with it and seeking a solution.
d. We need to preach the gospel to sinners. The gospel is good news. The
good news is that even though we deserve punishment and hell for our sins,
Jesus Christ took both, for us, so that we do not have to experience them!
This sets the sinner free! There is a way out when there appears to be no
way out! Joh_14:6 If we will preach the good news of God's grace many
sinners will accept the gift of righteousness with gladness! If we preach sin
and hell, then sinners will run from us to hide. They already know sin and
hell! They need to know the cross, grace, and forgiveness!

19. Rom 1:19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God
has shown it to them.
A. because what may be known of God
1. known- Gr. gnostos- "what is well known"
a. There are some things that are not very well known about God that relatively
few know [ie. God delights in the prosperity of His servants], but there are
some things that are well known about God, so well known in fact, that every
sinner knows them!
B. is manifest in them
1. manifest- Gr. phaneros- to shine, make evident, clear, or plain
a. present tense- is being made evident, clear, and plain
b. what is being made manifest to sinners is discussed in vs. 20
2. in them- in their inner consciousness
C. for God has shown it to them
1. God has made Himself evident and clear to all men. There will be no man on
some remote island that had no knowledge of God's existence. Such a man
has never, does not, nor will ever exist!
2. God has given the light concerning Himself to every person that has been born
into the Earth. Joh_1:9
 3. God does not desire that any should perish but all men be saved. 2Pe_3:9;
1Ti_2:4 Therefore, He has given all men enough light concerning Himself that
they can turn and seek Him.

Romans Chapter 1:20-32

20. Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal
power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
A. For since the creation of the world
1. Before the world was created God was not clearly seen
B. His invisible attributes are clearly seen
1. God has made His attributes clearly seen by creation
2. God is invisible and no human eye outside of Jesus has seen God, the Father-
Joh_1:18, Col_1:15, Heb_11:27
C. Being understood by the things that are made
1. being understood- Gr. noieo- to grasp mentally, mental understanding
a. Scientists who say there is no God have lost their minds, because the
existence of God is mentally understood by what is made.
2. by the things that are made- You can learn a lot about a person by the things
they make. [ie. an artist or musician is revealed by the painting and music they
make]
D. even His eternal power and Godhead
1. The first thing revealed by creation is that God is eternal. If there was no God,
then all that we see around us must be eternal because they did not come from
nothing. So, if there was no eternal Creator, then what we see in the universe
must be eternal. It is much easier for me to believe that an eternal being, with
vast intelligence and power, created what we see, rather to believe that all the
non-living, non-intellectual matter of the universe is eternal. If you will just keep
asking yourself, "Where did this come from, and where did that come from, and
where did that come from?" you will find God in the end! God had no beginning.
He is eternal and He was the Creator of time. Even many scientists today are
coming to grips with the fact that time did not always exist, but it had to have a
beginning point!
2. The second thing revealed by creation is God's awesome power. Our human
mind cannot fathom the vastness of the universe. There are
billions and billions of galaxies that contain billions and billions of stars. (I am
sounding like Carl Sagan now!) The enormous power to create even one star
is staggering. God is awesome in power. We can see that by what
He has created!
3. The third thing revealed by creation is, the Godhead.
a. Godhead- Gr. theiotes- more proper divinity, divine nature
b. Creation reveals God as Divine, not necessarily Him being a Trinity.
c. Creation takes powers and abilities that are vastly superior and above man.
Only Divinity could have created what we see.
 d. Divinity is to be worshipped. Beholding what has been made in the universe
calls for worship. Sadly, many have mistakenly worshipped what has been
made [ie. sun, moon, stars, nature] instead of the Creator who made it! We
can do this today, my friend!
E. so they are without excuse
1. No one will stand before God with the excuse that they did not know of God's
eternal existence, His power, or His Divinity which calls for worship.

21. Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as
God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their
foolish hearts were darkened.
A. because, although they knew [about] God- we can only know God
personally, by faith.
a. knew- Gr. ginosko- progressive and experiential knowledge. The more they
beheld what was made the more they knew about God.
B. they did not glorify Him as God
1. glorify- Gr. doxazo- to render weight [esteem, honor, or magnification]
2. The beginning of the downwards slope in human experience began with a
decision not to glorify God, as God. If we want to turn around any situation or
come out of any degradation then the beginning point is glorifying God by
worship, thanksgiving, praise, and faith. What we call our God, we will worship.
In failing to worship God, man by default changes gods! If you want God to
manifest in your life and be God to you, then start by worshipping and praising
God!
C. nor were thankful
1. We live in one of the most unthankful generations of all times. It is no wonder
we are also so godless and ungodly. Glorifying God will lead you to thank God
for all He has done. Many think that the ungodliness of today started with
homosexuality or some perverse practice. No, it started with a refusal to
worship, praise, and thank God, for all He is and has done. Unthankfulness is
the beginning of heathenism! We have a lot of heathens walking around today!
All the evil practices of our day have their beginning and find their continued
energy from refusing to glorify God and to give Him thanks!
2. Therefore, we badly need a revival of worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God.
This will begin to turn the tide of ungodliness in our land.
D. but became futile in their thoughts
1. became futile- Gr. mataioo- to become empty, vain, or foolish; aor. pass.
- the passive voice reveals that this was the result that happened to them after
they stopped glorifying and thanking God. They did not actively get this way,
it happened to them. If you stop praising and thanking God in your life you will
become an empty-headed fool by default! It will just happen to you!
2. in their thoughts - Gr. dialogismos- mental dialogue, inner self discussion
a. we all have an inner dialogue with ourselves. In this dialogue we can either
speak the truth to ourselves or we can lie to ourselves, to justify our own
desires and lusts. Fallen humanity has a unique ability to justify their evil
ways with elaborate self-lies and false excuses. Atheists have done this to
themselves. They have lied to themselves in this inner dialogue and have
 pushed down the knowledge of God into their sub-conscious. However,
there are no atheists in fox holes or in airplanes going down for a crash!
What is in the subconscious will come roaring to the surface!
b. Even Christians can lie to themselves in this inner dialogue. What the heart
wants to do, the mind can find justification for. This is why it is so
important to keep your heart aligned with God by continuing to worship,
praise, thank, and believe God.
E. and their foolish hearts was darkened
1. foolish hearts- It is one thing for someone to fool our heart, but it is
another for our hearts to fool themselves. There is no greater deception than
self- deception. When we cease to worship, praise, and thank God we
become empty headed fools which results in a foolish heart. Once the heart
is made foolish, this opens the way for all manner of evil to be unleashed
through the mouth and in the actions. The heart is the wellspring of life or all
manner of death. Mat_15:19, Pro_4:23
2. Having a dark heart reveals the absence of God's influence [Who is Light] in
the heart. A heart that is devoid of God's thoughts is a dark heart. Once a heart
is plunged into darkness, it loses its way and point of reference. Up is now
down and down is now up. As with natural darkness, it is the same with
people with a dark heart. They stumble over things that are a mystery to them.
They do not know what is tripping them up and why.
3. Staying in the Word of God keeps the heart filled with light. God's Word is a
light to our way and a lamp unto our feet. Psa_119:105 One's attitude and
relationship to the Word of God speaks volumes about their heart. One who
esteems God greatly in their heart will esteem His words greatly. One who does
not esteem God in their heart, will not esteem His words either. A worship life
then will facilitate a hunger and desire for God's Word.

22. Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

A. Professing to be wise
1. Professing- Gr. phasko- to affirm, allege, or declare
2. wise- Gr. sophos- skilled, expert, learned
a. It is interesting to see that the most educated people of today seem to be
shouting the loudest saying that there is no God and we have all evolved
from primordial soup. They laugh at uneducated simpletons that still believe
in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. They laugh at the idea of sin and hell.
Many a youth is being perverted from true wisdom at college by professors
that claim to be wise but are really fools.
b. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the thrice Holy, Triune God.
Therefore, the Word of God repeats three times that the beginning of
wisdom is the fear of the Lord! Psa_111:10, Pro_1:7, Pro_9:10
B. They became fools
1. The further they advanced in their godless acquisition of knowledge the more
they advanced in foolishness! Many have higher degrees in foolishness today.
They have PHD's- Phenomenal Human Dumbness! Don't get me wrong, you
can be a PHD and have true wisdom because you fear the Lord.
23. Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image
made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping
things.
A. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God
1. changed- Gr. allaso- to make different
2. glory- doxa- esteem, honor, and magnification
3. uncorruptible- Gr. aphthartos- undecaying
4. Once the heart is darkened then man and natural things become more
esteemed than God and spiritual things.
5. Nature now takes the place of God. Nature is spoken of as an exalted person
and replaces God. Many today are feverishly trying to preserve nature because
nature is their god. I don't know about you, but I want a God that can preserve
and defend me and does not have to be preserved and defended by me!
6. Many have taken the same road as the heathen and have become more
focused upon their natural life than on God. Have we done that in our lives?
B. into an image like corruptible man
1. Once we have gotten rid of the living God in our mind and heart, then the only
thing left are images. This is called idolatry. Once God is removed, man tries to
put himself in His place, at least in his own estimation. Man is only the image
of God, not God Himself. An image as no life of itself. Our society has given
itself over to images. T.V., movies, videos and such, which are nothing but
images. However, people hang onto these images for hours at a time in
mesmeration! We by and large entertain ourselves with images that are not
real. It is no wonder we lack life and vitality!
2. It is amazing to see movie stars, musicians, and sports heroes getting more
praise and attention than God. We were made to worship, and if it is not the
God of heaven, then it will turn towards man and what has been made.
C. and of birds, and four footed animals, and creeping things
1. We now are more concerned about preserving the life of a duck egg and
its embryo [made in the image of a duck] than saving the fetus of a baby
[made in the image of God]
2. We see the progression downwards from what speaks of God and heaven to
what is of the earth and eats the dust- Here is the downward progression : man
[made in God's image], birds [which fly in the heavens], four footed animals
[who walk on the earth], things that creep on the earth and eat the dust-
[snakes, reptiles and insects]- it is amazing how people even give their hearts
to creeps!
3. Many civilizations of man have worshipped statues of men, birds [such as the
eagle], animals [such as the bull], and reptiles [such as snakes and insects]
4. One might say, "Well, in the modern world of today, we do not worship images
like this." No, we do not worship images of other people, or animals, no, it is
worse, people today are worshipping themselves! Their lives are fully immersed
in themselves, and their hearts are filled with self. Paul saw this rock bottom
place humanity would find itself in and spoke of it. 2Ti_3:1-2 He called these
days we live in today, as perilous times in which men would be lovers and
worshippers of themselves.
24. Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of
their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
A. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
1. God gave them up
a. Some people abandoned God, so God had no other option than to
abandon them!
b. God created man to be a servant. If we will not serve God, we will serve
Satan and be enslaved to the Earth.
c. God gave Adam and Eve authority and rulership over the Earth. However,
in the fall, man became enslaved to the Earth. Man is enslaved to their
earthly flesh. They have become addicted to natural substances that come
from the Earth- food, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc.
2. uncleanness- Gr. akatharsia- impurity
a. Man's body was made in the likeness of God. This is why Satan longs to
mar that image. Satan wants to take what reminds him of God and to
dishonor it as badly as he can. He feels by doing this he is mocking God
and dishonoring Him. Sadly, to say many Christians are allowing their
bodies, which are not only the image of God, but also the temple of the
Holy Spirit, to be dishonored by sexual sin. Only trusting in the grace of God
through Jesus Christ can set them free.
b. Sexual sin will always be prevalent when man rejects God. The more a
society is removed from God, the sicker and more perverse their sexual
practices will become. The basement of sexual perversion is bestiality. We
are fooling ourselves if we do not see this as a growing trend in our modern
sophisticated world. Homosexuality and lesbianism are rampant today more
and more. It does not shock us to hear someone say they are gay or to see
a man act like a woman. It seems normal to us now.
c. Sexual sin is but an outward manifestation of a relational and heart problem
in a person. A heart that is filled with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit of
God will express holiness and purity.
B. in the lusts of their own hearts
1. Once the light of God has left the human heart then it becomes the breeding
ground for lusts. The heart was created to be filled. As a vacuum will always be
filled, so it is with the human heart. Once we have vacated God from our heart,
then it will be filled with the lusts of the flesh and the eyes.
2. The good news for those who are enslaved to lusts, is that the process can be
reversed. Lusts can be displaced by the light of the Word of God and the grace
of God by His Spirit. These will always conquer and cast out of the heart
whatever opposes them! The law of displacement can work for you. Instead of
struggling to get rid of lusts, you can fill your heart with something else that will
remove them from your heart! It is crucial that a believer is grounded in grace
instead of legalism. The strength of the flesh and sin is the Law. 1Co_15:56
What liberates is grace. Rom_6:14 This is why understanding the book of
Romans and and the grace of God is so vital for a believer.
C. to dishonor their bodies among themselves
1. When sexual sin is committed with others, you dishonor your body, and you
dishonor their body. Sexual sin is the opposite of walking in love. Many excuse
their sexual sins as acts of love, but they are acts of selfishness.
 2. When sexual sin is committed alone- ie. As in pornography- one defiles and
dishonors their own body. When a Christian does it, it also dishonors the Lord,
because your body is His temple.

25. Rom 1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and
served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.
Amen.
A. who exchanged the truth of God
1. exchanged- Gr. metallaso- to trade one thing for another; to switch
a. Satan has always gone about to replace the things of God with his
things. Here the truth of God is replaced by the lie.
2. THE truth of God- A specific truth is in mind here, just as there is a specific
lie, called THE lie.
a. THE truth is that God is the source of all things for man including
righteousness and life. Man possesses nothing of himself, nor can attain to
anything by himself. God created man in order to be all to him and to
graciously give all to him. These resources would empower man to fulfill
the will and purposes. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, they exchanged this truth for THE lie. What is
THE lie?
B. for the lie
1. THE lie is the direct opposite of THE truth. The lie was the first lie our parents
Adam and Eve believed.
a. Gen_3:4-5 - "You will become as gods, knowing good and evil"
b. This singular lie is the root of all other lies. Satan promised that man could
become like God. When Adam and Eve believed this they disconnected
from God as their source and they lost God's life. Instead of receiving life
and righteousness by God's grace, they went about to work to establish
them themselves.
c. With the introduction of the lie, religion came. At this point Adam and Eve
sowed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness. They were trying to
make up for the deficiency they now had and felt. They used to be complete
by God's grace, now that they believed the lie that they would be themselves
gods, they were very incomplete.
d. They did not understand the nature and heart of God which is grace.
Therefore, they tried to make themselves as they ought to be in God's sight
so that He would accept them. They tried to do all the good things and avoid
all the evil things in order to become as they ought to be. However, this did
not bring them closer to God but led them further away from His grace. The
entire Old Testament is just a record of mankind either trying to make
themselves as they ought to be [religion] or denying God's existence to
soothe their conscience [heathenism] because they knew were not as they
ought to be.
e. Multitudes of Christians are still believing the lie when it comes to living the
Christian life. They are trying to become as they ought to be, instead of
believing that they are as they ought to be by a gift of God. Believing this
causes people’s actions to come in line with it. The Truth is that you have
been given righteousness and made righteous in Christ. It is a grace gift of
 God. He is the life source. He provides Himself to us freely and abundantly.
This is the cause and resource of our life which then will explode in activity
and vibrancy by the power of the Holy Spirit.
f. Most Christians are trying to become. This was the lie of Satan- "you shall
become..." Adam and Eve already were like God according to
Gen_1:26-27. As long as we believe that we are not as we ought to be we
will try to become. The greatest hindrance to experiencing being as we
ought to be is trying to become as we ought to be. When you try to become
what you are not, you are saying to yourself, I am not! God says you are!
Once we have cast out the truth of God, then the truth will be replaced by
the lie. The lie will never produce life and victory even though it promises
both!
e. God cares about our actions and life, taking on the image of His Son, but
God has designed that it be by transformation instead of trying to change
outwardly hoping to make an internal change. Transformation is based
upon morphosis. To morphe means to take on outwardly what you are on
the inside. A butterfly worm goes through metamorphosis. The worm takes
on outwardly what was locked up in its DNA all the time. Once it looked like
an ugly worm, but by the process of transformation, it takes on its true inner
nature. This is how the Christian is to see their lives take on the image of
Christ. By meditating and believing the truths of the New Covenant and what
occurred at the cross and our new identity in Christ, we are transformed into
that same image by the Spirit of God. 2Co_3:18
C. and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator
1. What or who you worship is what or who you will serve.
a. Mat_4:10 - Satan asked for Jesus’ worship. Jesus responded that we are
to worship AND SERVE God alone. Jesus knew that worship will lead to
servitude. We cannot truly serve God without first worshipping Him. If we
will worship Him, we will be empowered to serve Him!
b. Many worship money and thus have become slaves to money
2. If we cease worshipping God, then there is nothing left to worship other than
the creation, even if it is ourselves. God has set a law into effect- worship
leads to service. If we turn our hearts to anything that is created to meet our
needs, then that thing will enslave us and have control over us.
3. Some say that they have no gods. This is not the case. Man was made to
worship. We cannot help but worship. What we turn our hearts over to becomes
what we worship and then what we worship ends up being what we are
enslaved to.
D. Who is blessed forever. Amen.
1. Blessed- Gr. eulogetos- spoken well of
a. All of creation will one day be destroyed as we know it now. What is being
worshipped now will cease to be, along with its worship. However, God will
never pass away; therefore, His worship will be forever.
b. The saints in heaven will forever worship and bless the name of the Lord.
The angels will forever worship and bless His name.
c. Let us turn our hearts to the Eternal One who made all of creation and
worship Him right now. God is blessed forever! He is blessed because of
Who He is. We are blessed because of Who He is. When we worship God,
then we partake of that blessing.
 d. God is blessed forever. It is up to you to say in your heart, "Amen- it is so
in my life!" If you say amen, then worship Him now.

26. Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their
women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
A. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.
1. God had no other choice but to give them up. What they worshipped they had
to serve. They rejected God and refused to worship Him. Instead, they
worshipped the creation, and since there is a curse upon creation, they became
slaves to its curse of sin and vile passions. Praise God, that in Christ we are
set free from being enslaved to the creation. If we will worship God, then the
Spirit of God will take control of us, and He will keep us in His holiness and
purity. If we reject Him, then He has to give us over to serve what we worship.
2. vile- Gr. atimos- dishonoring, shameful- If you forsake worshipping God with
your heart, your heart will be given over into the slavery of dishonoring and
shameful lusts.
B. For even their women exchanged the natural use [of the man] for what is
against nature.
1. According to this Divine record, lesbianism was the first form of homosexuality
introduced. Satan introduced homosexuality to the human race first through
women. This was less shocking than if he had first introduced it through men.
Satan moves slowly and subtly until he has finally brought full degradation.
2. Homosexuality is dishonoring and shameful. Those who practice
homosexuality have a root of shame in themselves, even though they seem to
be proud of being gay. In fact, their outward displays of pride are to cover the
deep shame they feel about themselves.
3. Homosexuals have been given over to the worship of the creation. They will
say, "I was born gay". They will not and cannot say God created me gay. They
will say they were born gay and that they are gay by nature. What they are
really saying is that nature has caused them to be gay. The fact is that God
created every one of us, and He never created anyone a homosexual.
Homosexuality is a preference we choose, not something we are. Every
homosexual who desires to remain in the lifestyle first accepts the lie that they
were born gay. This is what gives someone the excuse to continue in the
lifestyle. One cannot help live out what we are by birth so they tell themselves.
However, if homosexuality is a choice and not something they are as a person
then they are accountable for their decisions.
4. These vile passions are very strong, so strong that one might think they are
part of them and in the deepest part of their being. However, these passions
are from Satan as an origin and not God. God can and will set those bound to
homosexuality and vile passions free, but they must first forsake the worship of
the creation and the lie that they were just born gay. They must turn to God and
worship Him and the vile lusts will be removed from their heart by the power of
God.
5. The deeper you worship the stronger the bonds of servitude will be. The more
we worship God the greater the bonds of service we have to God. The more
we give our heart, however, to the things of the flesh, the strong the bonds will
be that tie us. The more a person gives themselves over to homosexuality the
stronger they will be held by it, until; it is not possible to free oneself without the
aid of God Himself.
27. Rom 1:27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is
shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was
due.
A. Likewise also the men
1. once lesbianism was introduced it was not long until male homosexuality was
introduced.
2. As with the fall, what is brought into the earth by the man takes
the largest toll in the world.
3. Today's culture is being shaped by the homosexual agenda, and it is male
homosexuals which are leading the charge.
B. leaving the natural use of the woman
1. God has designed that a man needs the woman to reproduce. So
homosexuality is a perversion of God's design and against His purposes which
is first instituted in Genesis chapter 1. The first commandment God gave man
was to be fruitful and multiply. Therefore, homosexuality perverts the most
basic and primary will of God at it's very foundation and is the violation of God's
first command to man. This first command is impossible for homosexuals to
fulfill. Gen_1:28 Homosexuality is founded upon rebellion at its deepest core.
It is the throwing off of God's will and authority.
C. burned in their lust for one another
1. burned- lit. burned out; engulfed in flames
2. The lusts associated with homosexuality are very strong and they consume
you. It is much like a house fire. It just gets stronger and stronger until it
consumes and destroys. The only way you can escape the flames is to have
the fire put out by God Himself! One must repent and turn to Christ and to His
grace by faith to have the flames put out!
3. These lusts are so strong many are fooled into thinking that they are a part of
their natural makeup and thus they buy into the lie that they were born gay.
D. men with men committing what is shameful
1. This is Paul's polite way of describing the male homosexual sex act. The Word
says it is shameful. Again those who live a homosexual lifestyle have deep
shame in their lives and often try to counteract it by displays of “gay pride”.
Gays often will become quite belligerent and angry if their actions are spoken
of as a sin or being wrong. They do not want to be reminded or come to grips
with their inner shame.
2. shameful- Gr. aschemosune- indescent, deformity, shameful
E. receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which is due
1. Homosexuality will scar one's personality and alter it. Homosexuality is a
deformity of God's design; therefore it causes a deformity of the soul. This is
most easily seen in male homosexuals. Often male homosexuals will start
taking on feminine characteristics in their speech, demeanor, and look. This is
the perversion of their God given personalities.
2. Also, homosexuals are much more prone to sexual diseases such as AIDS.
3. penalty- Gr. antimisthia- a reward owed for what is done whether good or bad
4. error- Gr. plane- straying from a fixed or proper position. From this word we
get the word planet. In the ancient world, stars were mapped out and used as
directional aids because the stars were fixed. However, there seemed to be
 some stars that would wander about the sky and did not remain fixed. The
ancients did not know that these wandering stars were actually planets and not
stars! They thought they were wandering stars, so they were called planets.
God has fixed his plan and will for human sexuality to be between one man and
one woman who are married to each other. This plan is fixed and will never
change. However, some have strayed from God's design, and have tried to
change it. They have strayed from the truth and are in error. It is possible to be
in error and be so deluded that you really think that you are in the truth. In the
Tribulation, those who follow Anti-Christ, will be deluded with a strong error and
they will believe a lie thinking it is the truth. 2Th_2:11 Homosexuals are deluded
and are living in error. They are guided by their feelings instead of the revealed
will of God, both in His Word and in nature. If they would but look around at all
of nature and at all the other animals, they would see that they mate, male and
female. Only rebellious man perverts God's plan and throws off His will!

28. Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God
gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
A. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge
1. The lost and rebellious do not like to retain God in their knowledge.
They do everything possible to forget about God. Every person knows within
them that there is a God, and they are accountable to Him. They also know
that their sins are deserving of death. Therefore, they do notlike to keep God
in their conscious thoughts, so they try to push down any thoughts about God
with activities, pursuits, entertainment, addictions, or false religion that makes
God palatable to them.
B. God gave them over to a debased mind
1. A mind that has rejected God will be given over to debased and dark thinking
2. debased- Gr. adokimos- rejected upon testing; to be flawed- Those who do
not like to keep God in their thoughts will by default have flawed thinking!
3. Flawed thinking leads to flawed living. Flawed living will bring forth death in
every aspect.
C. to do things which are not fitting
1. not fitting- Gr. me katheko- lit. not coming or fitting together. Homosexuality
does not fit! Two women together do not fit! To men together do not fit! Their
parts do not fit. You have to go into perversion to try to make them fit.

29. Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife,
deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
A. being filled with all unrighteousness
1. The root of all human perversions is the issue of righteousness. The way to
righteousness according to God's Word is by faith in Christ Jesus. It is
accepting righteousness as a gift. Those who choose not to believe in Christ or
accept His grace will by default be filled with unrighteousness.
2. All the descriptions that follow are fruit of man not trusting, accepting, or
believing the grace of God and His imputed and imparted righteousness.
 3. All the descriptions that follow are rooted in lack. Righteousness brings
complete fullness where there is no lack. Once a Christian comes to realize
and believe, that they lack nothing in God and are complete, then sin and
temptation will lose its power.
B. sexual immorality- Gr. porneia- we get the word pornography from this word
1. Those who reject grace will often struggle with all manner of sexual sins
including pornography. This includes legalistic Christians who reject grace for
works.
C. wickedness- Gr. poneria- evil actions that hurt others
D. covetousness- Gr. pleonexia- grasping for more and more natural things
1. A grace filled Christian has no desire for more when they have everything through
Christ!
2. A filled man has no desire for anything more! They will put the fork down!
E. maliciousness- Gr. kakia- moral evil
F. full of envy- Gr. mestos phthanos- full of jealousy
G. murder- Gr. phenol- murder not killing
H. strife- Gr. eris- to create factions and divisions
I. deceit- Gr. dolos- decoy- This is a form of lying. To make something appear to
look like something else with the aim of giving a false impression is a lie. Many will
tell a partial truth but will leave an impression that is not the truth. This is called a
white lie. God sees it as a black lie.
J. evil-mindedness- Gr. kakoetheia- to have an evil disposition
K. whisperers- Gr. psithuristes- secret slanderer- what is whispered from the lips
is shouted into the ear of God!

30. Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents,
A. backbiters- Gr. katalalos- to talk against someone behind their back
1. If you do not have the courage to say it to their face, then don't say it behind
their back.
B. haters of God- Gr. theostuges- hateful to God
1. When we are hateful towards others, we are hateful towards God.
2. The biblical word "hate" carries the idea to prefer something more. The Bible
says that Rachel was loved but Leah was hated. Gen_29:31 What was being
said here was that Jacob preferred Rachel over Leah and loved her more.
Gen_29:30
3. When we put things above and prefer things more than God we are hateful
towards Him.
C. violent- Gr. hubristes- to severely insult by words or actions
1. This can be seen on our roads every day!
D. proud- Gr. huperephanos- to show yourself to be better than others
1. Our society is addicted to competition, so we can be seen as better than others.
E. boasters- Gr. alazon- to be a braggart- Not only do we like to win, but we love to
brag about it!
F. inventors of evil things- Gr. epheuretes kakos- discoverers of evil
1. There are some who are always looking for new ways to sin or to use the
latest technology to commit ancient sins!
 G. disobedient to parents- Gr. apeithes goneus- unpersuadable by parents
1. A child who was rebellious in the Old Testament under the Law was taken out
and stoned. Deu_21:20 We would have very few teenagers walking the streets
today if we were under the Law now!
2. More and more kids today are disobedient to "parent". A child who has
"parents" is an endangered species today.

3 1 . Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

A. undiscerning- Gr. asunetos- not being able to put it together
1. Many cannot make sense of life or put things together. Life has become
random and meaningless. No wonder the suicide rate keeps escalating.
B. untrustworthy- Gr. asunthetos- not willing to agree or keep agreements
1. This includes marriage covenants. Divorce continues to be on the rise.
2. This includes contracts, which now are made to be broken
3. This speaks of people refusing to listen or come to any common ground
C. without natural affection- Gr. astorgos- no love between family members
1. This is seen more and more today with parents abusing and killing their kids. It
is not uncommon today to hear about a man coming home and killing his wife
and all his children. We are not shocked by this any longer.
2. We see more and more mothers killing their own children or abusing them.
D. unforgiving- Gr. aspondos- not being appeased, not willing to forgive
1. Many people today hold grudges and take them to their graves. They will not
be appeased or let them go for anything. They hold onto grudges like they are
priceless treasure.
E. unmerciful- Gr. aneleemon- without any mercy or compassion
1. Many people today are untouched by the suffering of others or by the pain they
inflict on others.

32. Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who
practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also
approve of those who practice them.
A. who, knowing the righteous judgement of God
1. God has placed in the human conscious the knowledge of right and wrong and
of God's judgment.
B. that those who practice such things are deserving of death
1. Every person also knows in the core of their being that they deserve death for
their sin. This is why unbelievers are so afraid of dying because they do not
want to face the judgment and wrath of God.
C. not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
1. misery loves company. One feels better, feeling more justified, if other
people are doing the same sinful things that they are doing.
2. However, we must all stand-alone before God one day. On that day,
all our friends we sinned with will not be there to stand with us. We will
answer for what we did ourselves and give account for our own lives to
God.