Romans 1 Lesson
Being Excited About Our Faith!
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ROMANS
Paul wrote the Book of Romans in AD 57 near the end of his third missionary journey.
At that time, Rome was the most powerful city in the world with a population of more than one million people.
The Book of Romans is inspiring, and thought-provoking! About the Book of Romans, Martin Luther said:
“This epistle is the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest gospel. . . . It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.” – Martin Luther.
As you read Romans Chapter 1, think about the following words written by The Apostle Paul to the Romans:
- “For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” - Romans 1:11-12.
It is Paul’s excitement that we will be looking at during today’s lesson.
As we think about today's lesson, we need to ask ourselves if we too are excited about our faith.
Do our behaviors indicate that we are?
MAKING AN IMPACT
At the time of Paul’s letter, Rome was the most significant city in the world. And while Paul was traveling from city to city, he was probably particularly excited to be with the people from his hometown.
- “Paul the Apostle was a Roman citizen. Unlike others in his time who had to buy their citizenship, such as the Roman commander in Acts 22:28, Paul was born a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). The fact of his Roman citizenship is explicitly stated in Scripture and was something that Paul used on occasion to his advantage. Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and Tarsus, where Paul was born, was a free city (see Acts 21:39). (Source: gotquestions.org).
Paul was a citizen of Rome. And because Paul was devoted to serving the Lord, he would have been excited to use his talents where he knew that he could have the most impact.
PUTTING OUR TALENTS TO WORK FOR THE LORD
As we think about how to put our talents to work for the Lord, we need to ask ourselves two questions:
- “What talents do we have that we can put to work for the Lord?"
- “Where and how can we use these talents to bring the most glory to God?”
During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached a parable called, “The Parable of The Talents.” (Mathew 25:14-30).
What can we learn from the Parable of the Talents?
First, it is interesting that the monetary unit of value was called a ‘Talent.’ God gives us each ‘talents’ of value.
For some, it is indeed money.
For others it is kindness.
For others patience, and so on.
God was not pleased with the third servant who simply buried his talents and handed them back to his master. In fact, that servant is referred to as ‘wicked’ and ‘lazy.’
The takeaway for us is that whatever our talents are, God wants us to put them to work to Glorify Him and to serve others.
He does not want us to coast by with what we have been given, He wants us to go out and do something!
PAUL WAS EXCITED ABOUT HIS FAITH
In Acts Chapter 9, we read about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.
After speaking with Jesus (who blinded Paul), Paul obeyed Jesus and went to Damascus.
It was here that Ananias laid his hands on Paul and said:
- “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 9:17.
If we read on to the next verse, we see that the next thing Paul did was to get baptized:
- “And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.” – Acts 9:18.
Paul believed, and then he acted!
That is the type of excitement that God wants us to have as we live our lives and strive to glorify Him (not ourselves).
That is His greatest commandment!
- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment.” – Mathew 22:37-38.
CONCLUSION
Our faith is something that we should be excited about!
Think of all that Jesus has done for us, and the glory that awaits the faithful in Heaven!
Think about how much God loves us! (John 3:16).
And understand that He has a plan for all of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
Not some of us, all of us. And with God's help, and a pure heart, there is nothing that will be impossible! (Mathew 19:26)
As we grow our faith through the studying of God’s word, we need to remember the example that Paul set.
He was excited to be serving the Lord and living such a meaningful life.
We should be too!
The words of the Bible are there to encourage us and to show us the right way and the wrong way to live our lives.
Following Paul's example and being excited and passionate about our faith is something we all should do.
We will end today’s lesson with the following words spoken by Paul in his second letter to Timothy.
These are the same words that we hope to be able when our time on Earth is done:
- “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. ” -2 Timothy 4:7-8.
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
The question is "What talents do I have that can be put to the Lord?"
A thought-provoking question that we all must think about and be able to answer for ourselves. And then we need to, as the saying goes, "Just do it!"
True!
This was a very encouraging Study on how our faith should excite us, thank you!
This passage explains a lot about the state of this world. Those that are determined to do their own thing, in rebellion to God's Word will find that God will let them pursue it to let them see for themselves how bad things can get. Today it seems that the world isn't learning, but perhaps we are in the middle of God's process of working things out to His glory.
You are so right. The final verses in this chapter describe us to the T and God haven given us free will is allowing us to just did a deeper hole everyday. It’s seems evident that His purpose is clear. We should be living each day like it is our last because it certainly could be.
Talk about diversification! Paul was trying to reach people who extended from one end of the Roman Empire to the other. He was trying to reach Jews, the Chosen ones , who abided by the law and Gentiles who did not. Paul goes on to demonstrate that the Jews were not following the law and the gentiles who should have learned about God from observing the greatness of His creation were not obeying God either. They all sinned by worshipping what God had created rather than God. Ultimately, in verse 17 “ It is through faith that a righteous person has life. “ This faith is shown by the love we give to others and this gives glory to God.
Great points. Thanks for sharing!
I especially appreciate verse 20. We cannot God but we can see what he has made, powerful evidence that he exists. Psalm 19 is a beautiful backup.
Makes me think of the ocean.
I like the connection you made regarding feeding on God's Word and spiritual gifts. Although I do not believe there are miraculous gifts of the spirit for us today, there are talents, abilities and opportunities that God gives us to use to His glory. We will see these things as we are connected to His Word because it tells us of His will. If we know the will of God as He has revealed it, we will also see our abilites to service Him.
Amen Brother! Thanks for sharing!!
I always think of the pilot on an airplane that tells us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before assisting others in the event of a loss in cabin pressure.
We need to take care of ourselves spiritually, and make sure that we are being fed and growing in our knowledge of the Lord. This is a necessity if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission and bring the message of Christ to the world.
I love the Bible! It might sound silly, but it reminds me to be the good person that I want to be, and that God wants me to be. Between 24 hour news and social media, I see so much negativity and the bad qualities of people. I believe that if more people were in God's word everyday, our kindness would come out more often. Thanks for spreading the Gospel!