Some scripture’s to help set the context.

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” – 1 Cor. 4:5

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Heb. 4:13

Judges 14-16

Verse 1:
What goes on in the darkness, in the spot-light your an artist/ in day light at the job workin’ your hardest/ when the lights on spread seed for the harvest/ but when the lights off spill seed on the carpet// righteousness like a light switch/ flip it on and off when you wish, livin’ life as a hypocrite/ a great actor a fake wit a mask/ your ashamed of the fact your a slave to you master// it was subtle how you lust crept in/ started in your head, spreadin’ through your bread like leaven/ age eleven exposure/ spark somethin’ dark in your heart burned ’til you got older// you were born again, it was smolderin’/ zealous young buck, throwin’ out stuff, you were bolder then/ the church criticized, said “you’re too holy” then/ you began to compromise, heads started noticin’// things changed but, heart didn’t change much/ fan to the flame, lust ran through your brain much/ you messed up on occasion/ makin’ sure, it’s at least a week before, you were on stage again/ you leave time for repentance/ sometimes you might even mean it ’cause your sins ain’t consistent/ but, you can’t lie it’s the Most High you rebel against/ sinnin’ wisely, hidin’ all your evidence

Hook: You can’t hide in the darkness/ God sees all actions and intents of the heart it’s/ gonna come to the light/ so repent, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might//x2

Verse 2:
I know another cat like you, you might know him too/ matter of fact yo, his stories in the bible/ ever read about Samson/ Nazarite since birth, crushed anything he laid hands on// He had an issue with sin too/ it crept in slowly, most didn’t notice what he went through/ they get the story all twisted/ compromise started way before Delilah, most of y’all missed it// it begins in the vineyard/ rule number one for the Nazarite: no wine or vinegar/ even the grapes are off limits/ eatin’ anything from the vine was a breach in the commitment// he never should’ve got close but/ now he’s put to the test when a young lion approaches/ the Spirit of the Lord fell on him like an adrenaline rush/ literally rippin’ the lion up// later on he returned to the scene/ rule number three, all dead bodies are unclean/ can’t touch ‘em, I don’t care how much you loved them/ if it’s carcass you must regard it disgusting// but it’s not so with Samson/ he found bees and honey in the dead lion and stuck his hands in/ then he shared with his parents/ sin seems sweet when it’s secret so please be aware men

Hook

Verse 3:
You got a lot in common with Samson/ hope it ends there though, his story has a bad end/ though God did much with him, he was still lust driven/ had a thing for revenge plus women// After about a thousand and thirty dead Philistines/ he finds the woman of his dreams/ but she was schemin’/ bribed by her Philistine people, offerin’ a whole lot of cream and// before I get to the point it should’ve hit you when I was going through the rules earlier I skipped [#] two/ here it is though, never bring a razor to your head bro/ Nazarites gotta let their hair grow// she enticed him, he told her/ she sent for the lords of the Philistines so they came over/ while he slept she shaved him/ no longer Nazarite, Lord’s gone, no one to save him// they put his eyes out blindin’ him/ fetters of brass binding him, and now he’s grindin’ in prison/ the pagans want to play wit’ ‘em/ so they sent him to the house of Dagon, but Samson is prayin’// the Lord avenges him, pushes out the pillars in the buildin’/ three thousand dead men and women/ but he went with them, like I said it’s a bad endin’/ so how you gonna finish yours, Christian

Hook

I thought it fitting today to choose Shai Linne’s “Atonement Q&A” for this week’s focus. If you have never heard this song, your in for a musically and theologically delicious treat. The song is simple, a theological word is shouted out and Shai explains the word in hip hop form. One of the most edifying tracks I have ever heard. Now, I say it is fitting because of very recent events. There is a dialogue you can read between Shai Linne and a fellow brother and blogger discussing a concern in this song. Shai Linne just posted the interaction last night on his personal blog. You can read this dialogue here.

Verse 1
Who is God? God is the universe’s Creator
And Sustainer plus the only Savior, there is no one greater
He triune, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute
Loving, sovereign and righteous are a few of His attributes
How do we know this? Well, we know this from the Bible
Where God has revealed Himself- anything else is just an idol
What’s the Bible about? Man’s complete ruin in sin
And what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again
What is sin? Sin is the breaking of God’s law
Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws
What’s the result? The result is by nature we’re God’s enemies
And must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy
What the remedy? The remedy is the cross of Christ
Where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type
I’ve been rescued by the Lamb, I’m convinced that He’s risen
And blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!

Chorus
Just fall back, and with the eyes of faith
Behold the beauty of surprising grace
Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise
He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied
Just fall back- there’s an atonement now
The cross of Christ is holy ground
Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise
He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied

Verse 2
Regeneration- the Holy Spirit’s true work in His love
To the elect, who receive new birth from above
Expiation- expiation means God’s removed my filthiness
The old testament type was the goat into the wilderness
Redemption- we’ve been freed from slavery to sin
And His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend
Propitiation- Propitiation means since the Lamb has died
His work is finished- God’s wrath is satisfied
Adoption- adoption means God is now my Father
I got the hottest Poppa and by the Spirit holler Abba
Reconciliation means there’s no more enmity
God is now a friend to me, we’re no longer enemies
Justification- God declares us righteous
Sanctification- we’re being made into His likeness
Glorification- that’s what happens at the finish
When God conforms believers perfectly to Christ’s image!

Chorus

Verse 3
God’s grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent
Son- through faith and repentance we get the benefits
What is faith? Faith is a gift from God- when we receive this
We trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus
Repentance? Repentance is turning from your sin
And trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within
What is grace? Oh, grace is unmerited favor
Our inheritance major ‘cause we cherish the Savior
Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan
But believers get Jesus’ righteousness through imputation
Imputation? God takes Jesus’ righteousness amount
Through faith He credits it into the Christian’s account
Anything else? Well, I guess this overview must suffice
But none of this is possible apart from union with Christ
And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord than the
only thing that you can say is Soli Deo Gloria!

Chorus

This song, “Whatever It Takes”, was inspired by Joshua Harris’s book “Dug Down Deep”. Much like the book, the song is about the importance of digging deep into God’s word. Voice is rapping about his own experience of digging into theology and realizing the importance of it all. Jesus is our goal. We want to know Him more. Know everything about Him that we can know. Study our Savior. Theology Matters.

Music starts at 1:33

Verse 1
I’m on a mission with my shovel out cuz sin is deep so I’m glad that he has dug us out
And its a fight everyday its like I’m in a bout, ding ding life is a ring the world shouts
And everything is speaking for allegiance, competing with the God I am complete in.
I need grace its like my faith is depleting so I’m on my face asking Lord am I deep in
Uhnn most of my life has been a rumspringa, meology my introduction to theology
Was like whoa I was offering God apologies, I want the right opinion of him orthodoxy,
It takes Moxie nowadays to choose life,
we should be asking what are we choosing by choosing Christ
Its more than nice that theology matters,
bcuz what you believe determines who you are in the hereafter.

Hook
I’m trying to figure out what this life is about,
I gotta see what I believe in world full of doubt,
Cuz even though I know what’s true to not be confused by the fake,
I’ll do whatever it takes

Verse 2
If I’m honest sometimes I feel the pressure,
cuz digging deep is not an option, its doctrine
It is Luke 6 Christ’s words I adopt them building foundations on the sand
hope I’m not him
cuz its easy to fall a victim to and base confidence on what’s insecure that is sinking you
and be deceiving yourself if you don’t think it through, when the storm comes it’ll wash your foundation through
And I’m telling you it don’t stop hurting’
unless you build what you building now as a rock person.
what I mean is you putting your faith in practice,
truth requires action you lay it down like a mattress.
so when they ask this “what’d you build your life on”
if Christ is the goal u should be headed for the Pylon
so when the storms and the waves come and pile on,
your foundations rock solid get your smile on.

Hook
I’m trying to figure out what this life is about,
I gotta see what I believe in world full of doubt,
Cuz even though I know what’s true to not be confused by the fake,
I’ll do whatever it takes

Verse 3
I wanna touch the heart of theology and when I do it Lord help me do it properly
and thinking true thoughts all the wrath that you caught,
is intensified by the purchases that you bought
blood shed is the reason I wanna be with him this is no moralistic, therapeutic deism,
this is good news headline reads be digging,
no small thoughts all thoughts be that he’s risen
uhnn so now lets make this thing practical, since we are convinced
this is God’s word and factual
but not merely a list of facts and features they are truths that inform for all what belief is
so I’ll study the attributes of God and I’ll dig deep even when my arms are getting tired,
I won’t stop until I’ve dug on this spot as I learn you are far but you’re near
you’re the Rock.

Hook:
In this land of do or die
Where innocent bystanders lose their lives
You do what you gotta do just to survive
What’s the answer? Christ crucified
Where brutal guys abuse their wives
Cats who seem to have it all commit suicide
Check your heart- what you trusting in? You decide
What’s the answer? Christ crucified

Verse 1:
To speak the truth is my main aim
And I don’t mind saying the same things
We live in strange days and cats are trying to maintain
While sin holds the world prisoner like a chain gang
If you don’t believe me, how do you explain pain?
Soon it’s gonna rain flames; you can’t play the blame game
You’re on the highway to hell, you’d better change lanes
‘Cause you’ll only gain strain and your fame won’t remain
It’s plain, salvation through any other name is lame
I can’t trip off somebody saying “He’s offending me”
I see the enemy- plus the world needs the remedy
And I don’t wanna dis you just tryin’ to confront the issue
‘Cause everyday, shells from guns rip through stomach tissue
Street soldiers toke spliffs and hold pistols
They got smoked- or take short cuts like cliff notes
Politicians might slit throats to get votes
While rich folks with jokes sniff coke on big boats
I spit quotes that make you sense your need for the Lord
And I don’t seek your applause cause He’s my reward
Spiritual hijacker- don’t have to pack a nine; in line
With the Divine Mastermind- crash ya like a linebacker
Plus, there’s a time factor- tomorrow’s not promised
You borrow God’s homage? You’re just a blind actor
Life is fierce and dark- heed the pull of the truth
Christ can pierce your heart- even through your bulletproof.

Hook:
In this land of do or die
Where innocent bystanders lose their lives
You do what you gotta do just to survive
What’s the answer? Christ crucified
Where brutal guys abuse their wives
Cats who seem to have it all commit suicide
Check your heart- what you trusting in? You decide
What’s the answer? Christ crucified

Verse 2:
Phat sacks dull brains in the Alley of Fears
Backpacks full of pain in the Valley of Tears
You rallied for years, trying to climb the Mountain of Blood and Sweat
Just to get drowned in the Flood of Regrets
Hey yo, I’ve been through it- everyday under the influence
Or should I say “SINfluence”
It started in the garden when we departed from our Sovereign
Now we’re darkened in our hearts and we’re starving for a pardon
The enemy is within- no one’s protected
Not one area of society is unaffected
Which way is up, when authorities are corrupt?
Mandatory minimums lock minorities up
But it’s not about conspiracy theories- you’re spiritually weary
Your future appears to be eerie- you hearing me clearly?
Straight from the frying pan into eternal fire-
The fate of every dying man who spurns Messiah!

Hook:
In this land of do or die
Where innocent bystanders lose their lives
You do what you gotta do just to survive
What’s the answer? Christ crucified
Where brutal guys abuse their wives
Cats who seem to have it all commit suicide
Check your heart- what you trusting in? You decide
What’s the answer? Christ crucified

Verse 3:
When I say “Trust in Jesus”, cats look at me like I’m crazy, yet
This song is your “wake-up show” like Sway and Tech
‘Cause sin’s problem is much greater than human hurts
You owe a debt to the Creator of the universe
And trust me son, He’ll do much more than dial your number
The Lord is gonna track you down like a bounty hunter
On judgment day, coppin’ pleas ain’t gonna work
‘Cause God is like a shower drain, He sees all your dirt
The evil you do with your devious crew
You’re rotten to the core, He’s knocking at your door
Your weed and your brew, the freaks that you screw
You’re shopping at the store; you should be dropping to the floor
If you make it your business to pray for forgiveness
The Savior of misfits will take you from His hit list
But say you dismiss this- it shows you’re misled
‘Cause like “The 6th Sense” you don’t even know that you’re dead.

Hook:
In this land of do or die
Where innocent bystanders lose their lives
You do what you gotta do just to survive
What’s the answer? Christ crucified
Where brutal guys abuse their wives
Cats who seem to have it all commit suicide
Check your heart- what you trusting in? You decide
What’s the answer? Christ crucified

-Lecrae
-After The Music Stops
-Reach Records

Yeah, I got a question, after the show, after the set, after the music stops, what’s next? Are we just writing songs or are we concerned with uniting a people to follow the great commission of Christ.
Yeah let’s get it, let’s go…

Back in the day I was a lunch line rapper, after that I guess I was a punch line rapper, then I got saved and sometime after, ya boy came back as a frontline rapper, and when I say the frontlines, that’s not a frontline, I’m out here preachin’ Christ on the frontlines, and no it ain’t about rockin’ stages ‘coz some of my engagements are out on the pavements yeah.
I’m out to take the bible, create disciples, who make disciples, disciple-cycles, that’s why I want the beats to knock so after the music stops you can meet the rock i pray, that you would know him well, this is like show and tell, it’s more than a show, I’m showing you Emmanuel,
So yeah I’m hopin’ that you’re likin’ the flow but it’s only so you could know that God I’m writing it for let’s go…

After the show, after the set, after the music stops what’s next?
Will there be fellowship, prayer, disciples, will you open your bibles after the music stops.
After it’s over, after it ends, after the music stops, what then?
Will you understand that Christ is King? Or will you just like the words we sing after the music stops.

I recorded a couple songs some fast some slow, so the listeners would know the importance of the show, the importance of the show’s not to excite these folks but make God’s truth relevant, ignite these folks.
Discipleship is our call but we make disciples, this is not a suggestion, create disciples. The teachin’ is a process, it’s not over night and it’s not a stage and a mic nah, it’s life on life Christ -
Walked with twelve, ate with twelve, talked with twelve, shaped the twelve, invested in ‘em well you could say that he made the twelve. Who made many more, who made plenty more, now it’s on you and me if there’s anymore.
1 teach, 2 teach, 3 teach, 4 teach, 5 teach, 6 teach, 7 teach more, this is what we’ve been commissioned, it’s the reason why I write, so that you could hear the truth, not so you can say I’m tight whoa…

After the show, after the set, after the music stops what’s next?
Will there be fellowship, prayer, disciples, will you open your bibles after the music stops.
After it’s over, after it ends, after the music stops, what then?
Will you understand that Christ is King? Or will you just like the words we sing after the music stops.

So, we write this for the right the speaker was righteous, and then we might check for a culture who likes the hypeness. Some say we keep it crunk, some say we hype man; we just wanna pump the resurrection of the Christ man.
We in the -burbs and the hoods that’s hostile, we share a common view like synoptic Gospels and you know we keep a couple young dudes around us and teach ‘em the same truth God used to ground us.
This is a lifestyle so, when the mic’s down I pray people follow Christ when they turn the lights down. I pray that everybody playin’ this song will be challenged by everything I had to say in this song.
I don’t do this for the money, I don’t do this for fame, I don’t do this so the industry can know my name, I do this and host to glorify Yeshua the King, if you’re feelin’ me you know you should be doin’ the same let’s go…

After the show, after the set, after the music stops what’s next?
Will there be fellowship, prayer, disciples, will you open your bibles after the music stops.
After it’s over, after it ends, after the music stops, what then?
Will you understand that Christ is King? Or will you just like the words we sing after the music stops.

This track is off of Stephen the Levite’s solo LP “To Die is Gain”, and it’s called “RnA”. Stephen is a favorite of mine, as he has this great ability to handle very heavy subject matter while just being sick wit it on the mic. I love this dude. Check it!

(Reject!) Anything that I spit you that isn’t biblical/ but don’t assume it isn’t because it convicts or gets to you/
(Accept!) Your responsibility to search the scriptures dude/ it’s written in epistles: the Christian is to be critical/
(Reject!) The misconception that says that you shouldn’t judge/ the hypocritical misinterpretation of Matthew 7:1/
(Accept!) Correction comin’ from older brothers and sisters/ consider it with humility please don’t get all defensive kid/
(Reject!) the relativistic philosophy that you can find at “chu’ch”/ that says “well, what I got from that was…”/
(Accept!) the fact that what the preacher said is what he said/ whether wrong or right or whatever/ don’t try to get all up in his head/
(Reject!) the authority of a popular cliché/ if it isn’t plain in the text then prob’ly doesn’t hold any weight/
(Accept!) the fallibility of any kat that’s preachin’ or rappin’ that isn’t Jesus/ or canonized with His teachin’ please/
(Reject!) the tradition of applaudin’ for all performers/ regardless of what he taught us or how doctrinally off it is/
(Accept!) that you might actually be a whack emcee or a Christian/ too young to be spittin’ gifted but lackin’ in wisdom/
(Reject!) any promotion prior to proper preparation/ in light of the fact your facin’ a greater condemnation/
(Accept!) Cats who communicate the gospel completely/ a Savior still in the grave is confusing news it would seem to me/
(Reject!) the ideology that truth should be followed by an apology/ that doesn’t make any sense to me logically/
(Accept!) the persecution with happiness and humility/ praising God that your able to partake in His identity/
(Reject!) the seeker-friendly mentality and delivery/ pickin’ apart the gospel and removing the offensive piece/
(Accept!) the fact that the Father draws ‘em and not your methods/ but methods can turn ‘em off and be flawed and cause a rejection so/
(Reject!) the ways of men when engagin’ a slave to sin/ for the sake of relatin’ the gospel is forsakin’ or way too thin/
(Accept!) the great commission as more than evangelism/ the multiplication of Christians bent for missional livin’ and/
(Reject!) the hypocrisy that says that a woman shouldn’t wear pants but/ the church is full of women “wearing the pants” bruh/
(Accept!) that Jesus though He was equal was still submissive/ and such is the role of a Christian but specifically women and/
(Reject!) the femininity of men whether they’re homosexual or not/ the stumblin’ block has gotta be stopped/ my friend
(Accept!) the roles and responsibilities of a godly man/ and stop the trend of spiritual fatherless-ness we got us in/
(Reject!) the rebellion of the youth and the stubbornness of the older/ we’ve gotta learn from each other to reach the culture/
(Accept!) this as the end but if needed there’ll be a sequel/ so read and obey your word to discern between good and evil//

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl…” Job 31:1

Look at that, whatchu lookin at?

Verse 1: Trip Lee
In a culture that is crazy, in a world that is fallen
It’s hard tryna lead this thing according to your callin
Every time I’m steppin out my heart is still appallin
Desires waging war back and forth like A-ballin
Yeah, man, hold up! I’m hopin we can see me
That you catch me watchin what I’m watchin it ain’t easy
My heart it wants to see joy, but there’s too many decoys,
And I don’t want to end up in a trap, like a D-boy
Can’t be all relaxed, ain’t no time for getting lazy
Time for us to act, cuz the times is getting crazy
So I wrote an agreement, and I made my eyes sign it
I won’t look on a woman with no lust now I’m denying it!

Hook:
(whistle) look at that, what you lookin at?
Oh, she lookin good! Aww mayn I ain’t look at that
I’m watchin what I’m watchin, yeah this thing hard
But I’m watchin what I’m watchin – we gotta be on guard (x2)

Verse 2: PRo
Now if I listen to that radio then I would have to spit up in the swisher and fill it with green pine
And if I listen to the TV, then you can catch me chasin plenty chicks, cause, homie, they fine
But I ddt my mind, put my flesh in a figure fo
Yes, sometimes I fall, but this right here ain’t gon’ kill me fo
Cause if I had to be a blind amputee I guarantee my Father here is purging me from all of my impurity
Bank on ‘im, bo, bank on ‘im, go hard, Father rain on em ruh, rain on em so you guard cuz
Everytime I slow up, that’s when my father show up
Make-make ways of escape and I….
Tell my TV to shut up, whatchu sellin’ I don’t want it
Hide that Word inside my heart, Ron Artest gon and guard it,
No, I don’t want your goodies baby, you can keep your cookies baby,
I know they got M&Ms but this road I’m on’s slim and shady

Hook

Verse 3: Trip Lee
With every single glance, man my sin tries to kill me
So I ain’t givin in, how my brothers gotta feel me
I’m free from my slavery, and no that ain’t the real me
I belong to my God and I can’t let no lust steal me
There’s nothing I can gain, this sister she ain’t move me
Cause my God is holy, the epitomy of beauty
Bought me with a price and I’m prayin he would rue me
My eyes belong to him he’s my king and Lord truly.
It’s men who trust Jesus who can’t be cool with all that
And when my eyes start to trip I tell them boys to fall back
So if you see me look away, don’t be surprised
Cause I’m in love with my God, I got some covenant eyes!

Lyrics are in video!

Verse1:
God word is like a breeze in the tropics/
And Jesus got the keys to the cockpit/
He’s the King, the Priest and the Prophet/
So please watch as we proceed with the topic/
And that’s Biblical Theology/
That phrase alone will give some people allergies/
They say its not practical enough/
Just give me Jesus that will be enough/
That seems plausible and logical/
Nobody wants to be all cold and theological/
But being a theologians not optional/
Cause when you talk about Christ/
your saying something doctrinal/
Either accurately/
Portrays his majesty/
Or its a travesty/
Or worse, blasphemy/
You could do a global search/
This mark is crucial to the health of a local church/

Hook:
The Christian life is a difficult odyssey/
The faithful are a statistical anomaly/
The enemy wants to trick us hypnotically/
That’s why we need that Biblical Theology/

Lord God, deliver us from apostasy/
The human heart is given to idolatry/
The situation is critical, we gotta see/
The importance of Biblical Theology/

Verse 2:
What do I mean by Biblical Theology?/
The whole theme of Scripture and God’s the key/
It’s following the Bibles storyline/
And the ultimate goal is seeing God’s glory shine/
What He starts he finishes with dedication/
A work of art/
From Genesis to Revelation/
From God’s creation/
To mans fall, to redemption, to consummation/
His designs in structure,
Each time will fluster/
What mind could instruct the divine conductor/
His worthiness sits enthroned in the heavens/
Sturdy and fix/
Romans 11:36/
Biblical Theology encompasses/
Who God is, what he promises and accomplishes/
So clever we behold/
His endeavors unfold/
The Greatest story ever told/

Hook

Verse 3:
The LORD has not decided to keep us guessin/
He gave us the word/
providing us correction/
And the Spirit for guidance and direction/
Biblical Theology is like protection/
From ourselves/
and our improper reflections/
So we can follow the BIble/
Not just our affections/
Otherwise we would chop it into sections/
And not make the connection like the doctrine of election/
And satan is waiting to slice us into mince meat/
If our faith is a mile wide and an inch deep/
Theology is like a root of a tree/
Which determines how rich the fruits gonna be/
And by Gods grace/
He’ll breath on us with His breath/
lead us in His steps/
show us His eagerness to bless/
And we’ll experience true peace within our depths/
Because we’ll know the meaning of Jesus in His death

Hook

Welcome back everyone! I am not able to share too much for this weeks entry because I am on my way to the Ligonier Conference in Orlando, FL! So check out Shai Linne’s exposition on the book of Romans. The song is called “Gospel Music” and it is off the 13 Letters album.

Intro to the book of Romans (a glance):
16 chapters, 433 verses. Romans is rightly regarded as the most comprehensive and systematic summary of Christian doctrine anywhere in Scripture. It is the Bible’s own systematic theology—a summary of saving doctrines that serves as a Bible within the Bible. Like the other NT epistles, Romans was written by one of the apostles (Paul) to the church in a particular city (Rome). In this case, though, it was a church the apostle had not yet visited in person. So rather than addressing his own pastoral concerns about the church or answering specific questions that had arisen in the course of a partnership in ministry, Paul instead introduces himself to the Romans by offering a full statement of his understanding of sin and salvation in Christ. Although the interpersonal context is evident from the opening greeting and closing remarks, the main body of the letter is a sustained doctrinal argument that is directly relevant to any person, at any time, in any place. The universality of the book is highlighted by its theological scope. Romans addresses the plight of every guilty sinner in the whole human race, whether Jew or Gentile, laying out the whole plan of salvation from eternity past to eternity future.

Hook:

I’m not ashamed of the gospel, y’all
It’s the power of Christ that can save us all
In the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed
And who lives by faith? The righteous will!

(Verse 1)
Awake from your slumber, rise! A letter from the wise
The book of Romans- the Christian faith summarized
By Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus
Called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel (1:1)
Chapter 1:16-17 is the thesis
Because our sins are colossal, hearts are harder than fossils (1:21, 29-31, 2:5)
That’s everybody’s plight; cant’ solve it- goodnight!
How do sinners get right in a Holy God’s sight?
Amazing is the answer, see- Romans states it candidly
The first three chapters- God’s case against humanity
Whether it’s idolatry (1:23) or religious hypocrisy (2:1, 23)
No one can possibly see the charges and say “It’s not for me”
Everybody’s guilty, everybody’s filthy (3:9-19)
Before God on judgment day is where everybody will be (2:5, 16)
For those who believe in Jesus who suffered and died
“It feels so good to be justified” (3:21-26)

hook

(Verse 2)

At the cross the wrath of God was spent on Jesus
On behalf of all who repent and believe this (3:25)
We receive His perfect righteousness (4:5)
In exchange, believers cursed lives are His (4:25)
Behold the blessedness for earth’s cold residents
Chapter 4- Paul defends it from the Old Testament (4:1)
Up to this point, we saw the need for justification (3:19-20)
In chapter 5 and following, we see it’s implications (5:1)
In service and purity, we yearn for maturity
Empowered by Christ, who gives eternal security (5:9-11)
Slowly but surely, He removes every vice
Raised to newness of life through our union with Christ (6:4, 14, 17)
But chapter 7 finds us struggling with sin (7:15, 21)
It’s buggin’ us within but He loves us to the end (7:24-25)
Even with complications through sin’s occupation
For God’s consecrated there’s no condemnation (8:1)
The Holy Spirit inside, He comforts like no other
He convinces us we’re God’s children even when we suffer (8:16-17)
Nothing in creation could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ Jesus who saved us (8:39)
In chapter 9 we see God is sovereign in His mercy (9:15)
His dealings with Israel shows He’s working out His purposes (9:11)
By the end of 11 it’s Jew and Gentile together
United in Christ to His glory forever!

(hook)

So in view of God’s mercies
We remove our worldly uniforms and throw on crucified jerseys
Holy and acceptable, ruled by the divine
Being transformed by renewal of the mind (12:1-2)
Yeshua’s design- obedience to the Scriptures
With love as the key ingredient in the mixture (12:9-10. 13:8-10)
The godly man’s picture under the new covenant
Mindful of God, we submit to the goverment (13:1)
Not passing judgment on weaker brothers
Instead we spread love to them to keep them from stumbling (14:13-15)
When we do this, God will truly then smile
As Christ is glorified through jew and gentile (15:5-6)
And the God of peace at His judgment seat
Will soon crush Satan under our feet! (16:20)
Now this is just an overview- go and read Romans through
And I pray the God of Romans will grab a hold of you!