Bent Oak Church

Having addressed how Jesus' death and resurrection had made a way for humanity to become righteous by faith, Paul next turned his attention to the problem of sin. If we were now reconciled to God and if God was making us righteous through Jesus, why do we still experience sin and particularly sin's consequence of death?

Having explained how God is welcoming humanity into his covenant through faith, Paul next turns to explain the implications of what this reconciliation means. We now have peace with God, access to his presence, and the ability to rejoice in the revelation of his glory. Even in suffering, we are compelled to hope. 

Paul often anticipates the objections of his audience and in chapter four, he not only anticipates their interest in Abraham but uses this Old Testament character to deepen his point about faith. Abraham's faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God, hope against hope.

By the end of chapter three, Paul had finally reached the culminating point of his explanation, Jesus. Though humanity was lost in sin and no one was searching for God, God had now intervened. 

After three chapters of discussing sin, Paul reached his final conclusion: no one is righteous.For Paul, that is best described by the phrase, "all are under sin." Sin is not just mistaken choices or wrong decisions. Sin is a force that influences all of who we are. This is the problem facing humanity. The power of sin's influence.

Paul knows that what he has been writing could be misunderstood or intentionally manipulated. In what is one of the most complex passages of scripture, Paul answers objections to the points he's been making. Is there any advantage to knowing the revelations of God?

Having described the way that sin distorts our thinking and desires, how we suppress the truth, Paul now turns his attention to those who know the truth. But as Paul will soon point out, possessing the law isn't enough. Those who know still fail to do.

Before Paul addresses specific questions in Rome, he turns his attention to leveling the playing field. In chapter 3, Paul will declare that no one seeks God. He works his way there by explaining how the human heart suppresses the truth and refuses to give thanks to God. For Paul, a lack of gratitude is at the heart of sin.

In this introductory sermon, we take a look at the historical background of Paul's letter, both in Rome and with Paul. We also look at how Paul consistently approaches challenges with the gospel. As he put it in this first chapter to the Romans, "for I am not ashamed of the gospel."

Join us for our annual Christmas Eve service as we reflect on the meaning of Christ's birth and the significance of how Christ was born into the world—a divided world.