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• LESSON 24 (September 28) • Romans 16:1-27 The Grace of Our Lord Be With You Throughout our study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we’ve consistently reminded ourselves of the “big picture” formed by this God-breathed revelation. It is a revelation of magnificent scope, framed by two bookends: …we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith… (Rom 1:5) Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Rom 16:25-27) At the heart of the letter is this question: Are you willing to “present” your body “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”? Will you refuse to be “conformed to this world,” choosing instead to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”? (Rom 12:1-2) The Spirit of God has led Paul to systematically reason throughout his letter that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:16-17) In Romans 16, we’re provided a brief glimpse of real-life men and women who had been declared “righteous” by their gracious heavenly Father and had subsequently dedicated themselves to living by faith. [print attached Lesson 24 for a complete lesson plan]