Delivered on: January 25, 2009. Streetsboro.
INTRODUCTION.
The Epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul.
Most believe it was written during his third missionary journey probably while he as at Corinth around A.D. 57.
No apostle had been to Rome.
We know this is the case because they had not received any spiritual gifts.
Romans 1:11. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.
The theme of the this wonderful letter is salvation by faith. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Paul is going to spend a great deal of time emphasizing the fact that all have sinned and all need salvation.
The only path to salvation is through Christ and the gospel.
Let us start out this letter by looking at Paul’s greeting.
Romans 1:1-7. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
BODY.
Verse 1. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Paul’s Attitude. “Paul.”
Notice that it wasn’t Dr. Paul.
It wasn’t Reverend Paul.
It wasn’t Right Reverend Paul.
It wasn’t Rabbi Paul.
It wasn’t Father Paul.
By human reckoning, if ever any man had a right to wear a title, it would be the apostle Paul.
Yet he just describes himself as Paul, a bondservant.
Paul never violated the teaching of Matthew 23:8-12. But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This is in contrast to the practice of many religious leaders in the world today who are fond of their titles.
Like the Pharisees of old, they enjoy being venerated. Matthew 23:5-7. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
Paul’s Servitude. A bondservant.
Doulos – means a slave or bondservant.
But it is a willing, voluntary slavery. Not unwillingly.
Paul had willingly turned his life over to Christ. Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Notice Paul’s motivation for giving his life over.
Because Christ loved him and died for him.
We owe a debt to Christ that we can never repay.
Luke 17:7-10. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
He placed Christ’s desires and goals before his own. Matthew 8:21-22. Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Do we?
Called an apostle.
The words “to be” are in italics. They were added by the translators.
Paul was not telling us what he was called to be but rather what he was. An apostle.
As an apostle, he had authority.
Matthew 16:19. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Galatians 1:11-12. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Apostles had the ability to pass on miraculous gifts.
Acts 8:14-19. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
In fact, one of the reasons he wanted to go to Rome so badly was his desire to impart spiritual gifts to them. Romans 1:11. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
Paul’s Solitude. Separated to the gospel of God.
Notice that he doesn’t say separated “by” the gospel but separated “to” the gospel.
It is true that we are separated from the world by the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But we are also separated “to” the gospel.
“Separated” = Aphorizo = to mark off from others by boundaries; to appoint, set apart for some purpose.
We must be separated from the world, sin, the Law of Moses.
The boundaries that have been set are the New Testament.
We must leave the world in order to live the gospel.
1 John 2:15-17. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18. Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.
There are too many who claim to be Christians who have never separated themselves from the world.
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