Knocked Off Our Box

Posted by on November 16, 2008 under Sermons

Thesis: Generous Christians bring glory to God
Antithesis: Selfish Christians dishonor God

Thesis of Romans

  • Romans 1:16-17
    Antithesis of Romans
  • Romans 2:1 – 3:20

    Thesis – Antithesis Pairs

  • Righteousness – Wrath
  • Jews – Gentiles
  • Righteousness – Law
  • Four possibilities …

    Knocked Off Our Box

  • Romans 2:1 …
          “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.”

    No Excuses

  • Romans 1:18-31
          THEY have no excuses for their sinful behavior
  • Romans 2:1 – 3:20
          YOU really do not have an excuse because you have God’s word

    Paul the Philosopher

    1. Paul is using philosophical rhetoric to make his argument
    2. Hypothetical questions
    3. The Nature of God
    4. Use of voices (the braggart, the question from the audience, straw man)

    Paul the Prophet

    1. Paul is not rejecting the covenant with Israel
    2. Paul is following the tradition of OT prophets (See Amos)
    3. Paul is following Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount
    4. Judgment on Empty Spirituality

    The Power of the Gospel

    1. A “sermon on the mount” kind of righteousness
    2. Spiritual vs. Literal
    3. Salvation for Jew and Gentile
    4. Salvation for Christians
    5. Gospel and Grace