Righteousness or Unrighteousness (Romans 1)
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TITLE: Righteousness and Unrighteousness
SUBJECT: Book of Romans
PROPOSITION: In this lesson, we will look at Romans chapter one, which is 1) God’s righteousness and 2) Man’s unrighteousness.
OBJECTIVE: Each hearer will understand that God’s righteousness is revealed through the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ and that man is inherently unrighteous.
AIM: I hope to communicate that God’s righteousness saves but man’s unrighteousness condemns.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Romans 1:16-17
2. About the Text:
1) The gospel is about salvation from unrighteousness.
a. With the gospel, we have God’s righteousness.
b. Without it, we only have the unrighteousness of man, which condemns.
2) The book of Romans sets forth God’s righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ.
3) Will we follow God’s righteousness or man’s unrighteousness.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION:
I. God’s Righteousness (1-17).
1. Is about the gospel (1-7).
1) It was promised by the prophets in the scriptures (2).
2) It is about His Son, Jesus Christ (3-4).
a. Born of the seed of David.
b. Declared to be God’s Son through the resurrection.
3) It is for the obedience of faith (5).
4) God calls us through it (6-7).
a. To belong to Jesus Christ (6).
b. To be saints/holy (7).
2. Is about the proclamation of the gospel (8-15).
1) The faith of the Christian proclaims the gospel (8-9).
2) Preachers proclaim the gospel (10-15)
a. By establishing people in faith (10-11).
b. By comforting people through faith (12).
c. By fellowship (13).
d. By indebting us to one another (14).
e. By preaching the gospel (15).
3. Is revealed in the gospel (16-17).
1) The gospel is God’s power of salvation (16).
2) It is for everyone (16).
3) God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel (17).
4) To be righteous, we must live by faith in Jesus Christ (17).
II. Man’s Unrighteousness (18-32).
1. Unrighteousness is inexcusable because… (18-23)
1) It provokes the anger of God (18).
2) It hinders the truth (18).
3) It fails to acknowledge God’s existence (19-20).
4) It creates vain reasoning (21).
5) It darkens the heart (21).
6) It makes men fools (22).
7) It creates idolatry (23).
2. God separates himself from (gives up) the unrighteous because … (24-27)
1) They pursue unclean lusts (24).
2) They dishonor their bodies (24).
3) They exchange the truth for lies (25).
4) They worship and serve the creature (25).
5) They practice homosexuality (26-27).
6) They refuse to know God (28).
7) They are reprobate (28).
3. Unrighteousness does things not morally fitting, that do not belong to man (28-32).
1) What are these things? (See the list – 29-31).
2) They are filled with these things (29).
3) They know the ordinance of God (32).
4) They who practice these things are worthy of death (32).
5) Those who consent to the practice of these things are worthy of death (32).
III. God’s Righteousness vs. Man’s Unrighteousness
1. God’s righteousness brings salvation.
1) Jesus Christ is the message of the gospel.
2) That message saves.
3) We receive that message by living in the obedience of faith.
2. Man’s unrighteousness brings death and condemnation.
1) It cuts people off from their only hope of salvation – God.
2) It is ultimately futile to pursue.
3) It fills their lives with death and destruction.
4) It ultimately brings condemnation.
CONCLUSION:
1. Romans 1 discusses . . .
1) God’s Righteousness
2) Man’s Unrighteousness
3) The difference between the two.
2. Invitation