Notes for the July 29th episode of the “Enjoying the Bible” podcast.

Introduction

Welcome to the July 29th episode of the “Enjoying the Bible” podcast. I’m Matt Ellis, and I’m the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida.

Today’s reading is Psalm 49-50 and Romans 1, but we will focus only on the New Testament in this podcast.

If you have questions about anything in the Old Testament or New Testament reading assignment, please email me at mattellis1997@gmail.com. I may answer it on the next podcast.

Romans 1

Vss. 1-7 – Paul’s Introduction

Vs. 1 – Paul is a self-avoid slave of Jesus; he is also an apostle (a special messenger; an office that was relegated to the first-century church)

Vs. 2 – Paul saw the Old Testament as a wonderful source of the knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel

Vs. 3 – Jesus is fully man

Vs. 4 – Jesus is fully God

Vs. 5-6 – Paul’s duty was to share the Gospel and encourage people to obey the Lord; it’s all for the purpose of glorifying the Lord Jesus.

Vs. 7 – Paul wrote to the “saints” in Rome who God dearly loved. Those “saints” were not dead people as our Catholic friends understand the word “saint.” Instead, those saints were very much alive. The word for “saint” in the Greek means “holy ones.” So, my friend, if you are saved, you are in this moment a holy one. So the message of Christianity is: “Act like who you are. You ARE a saint/holy one, so act like it.”

Vss. 8-11 – Paul’s desire to be with and preach the Gospel to those in Rome

Vs. 8 – Paul thanked God for the Roman Christians’ witness that was being told around the world.

Vs. 9-10 – Paul was praying, asking the Lord to make it possible for him to travel to Rome to visit the Christians he was writing to. The book of Acts lets us know that he would eventually appeal to Caesar and get that chance.

V. 11-12 – Paul anticipates that his meeting with the Roman believers would be mutually beneficial; they would be able to encourage each other in the faith.

Vss. 13-15 – Paul is ready to preach the Gospel

Paul was excited and ready to preach the Gospel to everyone, no matter how different they might be. He especially wanted to preach the Gospel in Rome. This could get him jailed or even killed, but he had a passion for letting everyone know how they could enter into a relationship with the God of Heaven.

V. 16-17 – The power of the Gospel

Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, no matter how much it was mocked by Jews and Gentiles alike. It alone had the power to save anyone who was willing to turn from their sins and trust in Jesus to save them.

Paul’s point was that it has always been God’s plan for people to be declared righteous by faith. They trust in God and are brought into a relationship with Him.

Vss. 18-32 – God’s wrath is revealed

V. 18 – God’s wrath is directed at the unrighteous who try to shut out the truth about God (in themselves and with those around them).

V. 19-20 – General revelation; God’s existence and some of His attributes are clearly illustrated in Creation.

V. 21-23 – Rather than worship the true God, people worship other “gods.” What is a “god?” It’s what we go to, instead of God, to get our sense of worth and fulfillment. It’s also what we feast our minds upon and worship. So, for instance, if baseball is the most important thing in my life, if it is the primary thing I enjoy that gives me fulfillment, then it is my god. But if I am cultivating an enjoyable relationship with the Lord Jesus, and He is genuinely the most important thing in my life, then baseball becomes secondary and is a source of great joy without being a god.

Vs. 24-25 – God’s wrath is revealed in His abandonment; He gives sinners what they crave; the first step mentioned is unfettered adultery. (Honestly, this chapter reads like it is about 19th – 21st century America.)

Vs. 26-27 – God’s wrath is revealed in that when society engages in unrestrained adultery, He gives them over to the LGBTQ+ lifestyle.

Vs. 28-32 – Finally, God’s wrath is revealed when He gives a society engaged in adultery and distortions of the divinely ordained guidelines for sex, to a state of lawlessness. Sin goes unchecked and is even applauded. Anarchy is around the corner.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, when we read Romans 1, we hear it giving us a warning. While You have graciously revealed Yourself in Creation and hold out an enjoyable relationship with You for our taking, mankind typically chooses sin. Rather than finding our worth, fulfillment, happiness, and so many other things in You, mankind often goes after cheap counterfeits that can never ultimately satisfy.

So, help us, Lord Jesus, to be like the Apostle Paul. Help us to share His passion for the powerful Gospel that can transform lives. Enable us to effectively share it with others so that hearts can be changed and people can enjoy You both in this life and in the life to come.

We pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Closing

I hope today’s episode has helped you to understand and enjoy God’s Word so that you can apply it in the power of the Holy Spirit.

If looking over the notes for this podcast would be beneficial to you, hop on over to my website at mattsmusings.net. I will provide a link in this episode’s show notes.

The “Enjoying the Bible” podcast is a ministry of the First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida. Check us out at fbcpolkcity.com. See you next time.

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