Every generation of Christians has a question that needs to be answered with the Word of God. Today's generation of Christians is being confronted with one predominant question: Is homosexuality a sin? The Bible is absolutely clear in its affirmation that homosexuality is a sin, and calls for believers to submit to its teachings in all that it affirms. As the London Baptist Confession states, "it is our only rule of faith and obedience." Thus, the Word must dictate our belief and not our surrounding culture.

What is happening to our world? The answer to that question is found in Romans 1:24-25. God is handing the world over to its own depravity by giving humanity over to their sin. Such a judgment is most clearly seen in the promotion of the LGBTQ movement, whereby people not only practice sexual immorality but also give approval to such practices.

Paul turns his focus from the righteousness of God that is revealed in the Gospel to the wrath of God that is revealed from heaven against humanity. Humans have openly rejected God and now worship creation rather than the Creator. Such brazen sin requires God's wrath, yet God provides His Son to drink His wrath and to provide salvation for those who deserve wrath.

Paul's thesis statement for the book of Romans centers on a phrase from Habakkuk 2:4, "...the righteous shall live by faith." In this section we see Paul speak of the Gospel's power, scope, and trustworthiness. Thus, we are called to proclaim such a Gospel in boldness.

Paul's entire life was oriented towards reaping a spiritual harvest. Not only did he give thanks for the harvest in Rome, but he also prayed for, and shared in the harvest alongside the Roman Christians. The primary harvest that Paul sought to reap among the Romans was peace between ethnic groups (Jews, Greeks, and Barbarians). The primary point of Romans was to proclaim the truth that the Gospel is for all people!

Romans 1:5-7 - What is your calling? Paul addresses three aspects of the Christian calling in his concluding thoughts in the introduction. As Christians we are called to obedience, to belong, and to be saints in Jesus Christ. May we all fulfill our callings as God's adopted children!

Paul teaches that the Gospel he preaches was foretold by the prophets long ago and that the Gospel centers on Jesus. Jesus, who is the sound of David (humanity) and the Son of God (divinity), proves his identity by the resurrection. Thus, Jesus proves to be the good news in a world full of bad news.

Paul introduces himself to a Roman church that has struggled to establish itself. Not only was there a conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles within the church, but there was also pending persecution under Nero that would effectively shake the church to its very foundation. Therefore, Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, wrote the church to help lay an apostolic foundation that would act as a bedrock for the church for millennia to come - the Book of Romans!

The introduction to Romans begins with the first word of the book, "Paul." Paul, otherwise known as Saul of Tarsus, was the most unlikely convert as he began as one of the chief opponents of the early church. However, after encountering Christ, Paul was saved and was called to preach the Gospel to the gentile world.