Introduction

• I Timothy 1:5
• Romans 12:9
• Hebrews 10:23-25 – Stir one another up to love and good works.
• I Corinthians 6:9-11

What is an abortion?

• Termination of a pregnancy.

What is life worth?

• John 3:16

• What is a baby’s life worth?

  • Luke 1:36, 41, 57; 2:12 – Note that in Luke 1:36, 57 the Greek word for “son” is used. In Luke 1:41; 2:12, the Greek word for “baby” is used. God referred to the unborn child as a human life.

  • Exodus 21:22 – Punishment for endangering a pregnant woman or her child.

  • Isaiah 44:2 – God didn’t specify when life becomes a baby – just “from the womb.”

Is life supposed to be easy, convenient, or comfortable?

• II Corinthians 11:23-27
• James 1:2-8
• II Timothy 2:2-4

It is my body.

• I Corinthians 6:19-20

Swipe left/swipe right

• I Corinthians 6:18
• I Corinthians 7:1-2
• Romans 12:1 – Our bodies should be a living sacrifice to God.

• Acts 11:20-24

What turning to the Lord is NOT:

• Blind obedience – Ephesians 4:22-24; 3:16-17

• Just adding church to my schedule – Hebrews 10:19-25

• Trying to earn salvation by doing enough good deds.

  • Romans 4:1-5, 11-12, 23-25

  • Abraham was justified because he believed God, which resulted in his obedience.

  • We can’t earn salvation!

What turning to the Lord IS:

• It’s a complete surrender …

  • Matthew 13:44-46; Galatians 2:20

• … that results in faithful obedience.

  • Acts 11:27-30

• When I turn to the Lord …

  • My wardrobe will change – I Timothy 2:9-10

  • My language will change – Ephesians 5:4

  • My social media habits will change – Ephesians 5:3

  • My reputation will change – Acts 9:26; II Timothy 3:10

Introduction (Romans 1:1-17)

• Romans 1:1 – See Acts 9:15; Romans 2:17; 11:13. Paul is the writer. The theme of the book is that salvation is for everyone!
• Romans 1:5 – Paul was made an apostle to bring about obedience in all the nations. Compare Romans 16:26.
• Romans 1:6 – The people were “called” by the gospel.
• Romans 1:7 – The people in Rome apparently had a good reputation in the world.
• Romans 1:11-12 – The spiritual gift he is referring to may be the encouragement they receive from each other’s faith.
• Romans 1:15 – We should also be eager to preach the gospel.
• Romans 1:16-17 – The gospel is the universal solution to the problem of sin. This is the theme of the book. Compare Romans 10:3.
  • “from faith to faith” – This could mean “from the gospel to a believing faith.”

Five-word outline of Romans:

1. Condemnation – All of us are guilty of sin and justly condemned by God.
2. Christ – Thankfully, we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ!
3. Choice – We must choose to die to sin, a system of perfect law-keeping, and the flesh.
4. Children – ALL people can be children of God, whether Jews or Gentiles.
5. Conduct – Given God’s love, His people ought to conduct themselves accordingly.

Condemnation (Romans 1:18-3:20)

• Unrighteous people are condemned (Romans 1:18-32).
• Romans 1:19-20 – God expected people to glorify Him! We should honor Him and give thanks.
• Romans 1:24, 26, 28 – God “gave them up” because they chose to sin.
• Romans 1:26-27 – This is a clear condemnation of homosexuality. See also I Corinthians 6:9-11 and I Timothy 1:10. The “due penalty” could be either physical issues, spiritual penalties, or both.
• Romans 1:29-31 – The “rollcall of the hell bound.”
• Romans 1:32 – See Romans 6:23. This is probably referring to spiritual death.

Introduction

• How can God allow suffering to occur?

God allows us the freedom of choice

• Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6 – Adam and Eve had the freedom of choice.

• Joshua 24:14-15

• If there were no consequences, it wouldn’t really be freedom of choice.

• Luke 23:39-43

• Sometimes the choices of others cause our suffering. Sometimes it is our own choices.

• I Peter 4:14-16

• We need to make the right choices!

  • I Timothy 4:8

  • II Timothy 3:12

The world is a temporary stop on the way to eternity.

• Hebrews 11:13-16
• Eternity will far outshine whatever suffering we endure here.
• I Peter 2:11
• Job 3:17
• Romans 8:17-18 – Suffer now, glory later.
• II Corinthians 4:17-5:1

If our attitude is right, we benefit from suffering.

• James 1:2-4
• I Peter 1:6-9
• When did you pray the hardest? When you were suffering!
• Psalms 119:65-68
• There is good that can come from suffering.
• II Corinthians 12:7-10 – We can get to the place Paul was if we have the right attitude.
• II Corinthians 1:8-10

Jesus suffered.

• I Peter 2:21-23
• Jesus suffered for a time and now I suffer for a time.

Conclusion

• Let us not let suffering be a stumbling block!