Romans 16

Faith: Approaching the NT Book of Romans / Romans 16

What really matters

We will look at our end, our strategy, and our ultimate win.

What is our Our end?

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

• God is the one who is able.

• God is the One who will strengthen.

• God is the one who is revealed in Christ.

• God will bring out the obedience to faith.

What is our means?

Romans 16:19 ESV

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

wise

• to be wise to what is good is to apply what is good. to focus on what is good. To allow for and make room for what is good.

innocent

• We are called to be innocent as to what is evil.

• that means we don’t participate with evil.

• The Christian, in being wise and innocent blends those two things together to discern.

• We discern our culture.

Romans 16:20 ESV

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Christ will crush satan under His feet with the Word of God. It says out of His mouth comes a sharp sword. His weapon is the authority of the Word of God. His voice is the voice of perfect creation and judgement. And from that we can see that it is His word that crushes satan under His feet.

Christ has offered us a strategy, an end, and a victory. That is more than you have ever been offered from anyone else.

The book of Romans calls us to live differently because Christ has done more than anyone else has. He has gone further, He has actually met us in our need before we knew where to go to meet it. He has met us on our worst day and invited us into His best life.

Paul’s final words remind us that Christ was revealed to us, and in faith we live lives loyal to Him that affect every part of our lives.