Sermon 1: Romans 1

  This book is one of the most wonderful in the Bible.  In the sixteen possible lessons before us we shall be able only to touch, in the briefest manner, upon the general outline of the book.  We shall expect to find things we cannot understand, even as we cannot understand how the infinite God upholds the universe by the word of His power.  We believe that which we cannot understand, because God says so.  Approaching the study of the Bible thus, we place ourselves where God can unfold and explain to us the mysteries of His word.

  Chapter 1:1-15.  These fifteen verses are introductory, the first seven comprising the salutation, the remaining eight being personal explanations.  Yet in these verses are some of the richest passages in the Bible, as in verse twelve, wherein Paul states that he expected not only to minister to the church on his visit but to be ministered to by it.  Both were to be comforted by their "mutual faith."  This does not contemplate a condition of the church in which the minister must spend his energy in combating error and settling differences between brethren.

  Verses 16 and 17.  Here we have the text of the epistle.  The entire book is but an expansion of these verses.

  In the remaining verses of the chapter, we have a statement of God's justice in punishing wicked men and of the consequences of a separation from God.  We are liable to get an idea something like this; namely, that we have the third angel's message, consisting of a system of truth comprising such subjects as the law, the Sabbath, nature of man, advent, etc., and that to this we have superadded a little gospel, the idea of justification by faith.  There is but one doctrine we have to preach, that is the gospel of Christ.  Mark 16;15, 16.  This commission is to us.  Those that believe the gospel will be saved.  Is there nothing besides the gospel to teach?  "It is the power of God unto salvation."  What do we want besides salvation?  What more can we ask for?