ROMANS 1 // CALLED & SET APART
Romans | Hope for the City • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsIf you could be a "Self-Proclaimed ________________", what would that be? How would you introduce yourself to a group of people you had never met, but cared deeply about? Where would you start? How would you describe yourself? Check out this weeks sermon as we look at the introduction to Romans.
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Last week we looked at the Life of the Author of Romans
We gained some pretty crucial insight that sets the pace for the remainder of the Letter.
Feel free to check out iTunes, YouTube, VCLB.org to listen to the message once again.
BUT, BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED A REFRESHER, HERE IS A LITTLE RECAP
Who wrote this letter?
Paul the Apostle
Who was Paul
Paul, aka Saul of Tarsus, was a man who was zealous for the things of God
The God of the Old Testament and Paul were on good terms
Until the God of the OT sent his son
Paul didn’t want anything to do with this so-called Messiah
As he was on the way to Damascus, letters of permission on hand, Jesus confronts Saul, and there began his Journey as a Follower of Jesus.
This Paul, went on three Missionary Journeys, before arriving in Rome
On his second missionary journey, Paul wrote to the Church in Rome from Corinth.
A lot had happened with this church.
31-34 AD The Church was founded
Mixed group of people, led by Christian Jews
49 AD Emperor Claudius expells all of the Jews from Rome
54 AD Emperor Claudius dies, and the Jews begin to trickle back into Rome
By now, the Church was predominantly Gentile
Paul is writing, not only to set things in order
But to create a strong bond of unity between the two people groups.
In doing so, He is also laying down some very strong foundational statements
Truths that set into place the things we believe about the God of the Bible,
With this background in mind
NOW, LAST WEEK WE ASKED THE QUESTION
If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
For Paul, this letter was his prized piece
Though He probably didn’t know it, it has become known as His greatest work.
Let’s take a look at
LET’S TURN TO ROMANS 1
1 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.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
PRAY
SLIDE
1 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.
Romans 1:
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
SLIDE IF YOU COULD BE A SELF PROCLAIMED ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
BEFORE JESUS, PAUL HAD A DIFFERENT IDENTITY.
HE WAS A SELF PROCLAIMED:
Pharisee of Pharisees
Tribe of Benjamin
Circumsized on the 8th day
According to the law, Blameless
AFTER HIS CONFRONTATION WITH JESUS
He switches from that prideful, elite, identity
To a very different identity
SLIDE VERSE: 1 PAUL A BONDSERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST
A Doulos
A Willing Slave of Jesus Christ
Why does Paul refer to himself with this specific word?
Could it be that he knew the what was happening in Rome?
Could it be that Paul knew that there were 6 Million slaves in Rome at the time he wrote this?
Could it be that Paul is trying to build a bridge with Roman Slaves who had heard the Gospel? People he wanted to minister to?
Or maybe he wanted to set precedence?
Maybe he wanted to let everyone know what he was about.
We must remember
Paul had never been to Rome
He may have known a few believers there, but not many.
AS PAUL IS TRYING TO BUILD CREDIBILITY WITH HIS AUDIENCE
HE NOT ONLY CALLS HIMSELF A SERVANT OF CHRIST
HE CALLS HIMSELF AN APOSTLE
This title is a little more aggressive
It shows us a little more of the relationship Paul had with Jesus
For Paul to call himself an apostle is to proclaim what Jesus had commissioned him to do.
It takes us back to his conversion in
Remember the fear that fell on Ananias
Right after Saul’s confrontation with Jesus,
The Lord confronts Ananias, and asks him to do something incredible.
Go and talk to Saul of Tarsus, he is in the house of Judas
He has seen a vision of a man named Ananias who is on his way to bring him sight.
Homeboy was scared to go talk to Paul and give him a word from the Lord
In his fear, the Lord comforted him.
SLIDE
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
SLIDE ROMANS 1:2-6
Romans 1:2-
When Paul was blind, hadn’t eaten in days
Still pondering everything that Jesus had told him on the road to Damascus
God Himself, sends someone who is scared, to confirm to Paul the reason for His Salvation
Notice how, God tells Ananias that Paul is a:
Chosen Vessel
Name Bearer
You are a
One who will minister to Gentiles, Kings, and Israelites
One who will suffer for the name of Jesus
It is a complete paradigm shift for Paul
Had Paul prayed the sinners prayer?
Had Paul recieved the Holy Spirit?
Had Paul memorized ?
But God saw him with Divine Potential
Potential to change the World
Known by God where the works that Paul would do even when Paul was fighting against the Lord
SLIDE: WHO IN YOUR LIFE IS JUST LIKE SAUL?
THINK ABOUT IT FOR A SECOND:
Someone who is actively persecuting Christians
Someone who is actively against the Will of God
Someone who may know it all
Someone who is zealous for the things of God, but whose practice is Jesus deprived.
HERE IS A QUESTION FOR YOU:
Someone
Who may even have some spiritual things going for them.
HERE IS A QUESTION FOR YOU:
SLIDE: ARE YOU WILLING TO BE THEIR ANANIAS?
Are you willing to go share what God thinks about them?
Are you willing to go speak life into them
When everyone else is counting them out
Will you invest in them
Will you reiterate the truths of the Bible to them
Will you do what everyone else is scared to do?
THIS WAS MY WIFE AND MY BUDDY JEREMIAH
These two never gave up on me
Constantly reshared the Gospel with me
Answered every one of my questions
I believe I was 19 when I started working at Red Robin
I remember training Jeremiah
I remember when Carol and her friend came in and asked for an application
I also remember being dead in my sins
After working with them
Realizing they were different
Wondering why they relentlessly invited me to Church
Seeing the potential I had in following Jesus
3 years later, at age 22, I surrendered my life to the Lord
They were my Ananias
I AM WILLING TO PUT MONEY ON THE FACT THAT GOD IS REMINDING YOU OF SOMEONE RIGHT NOW.
SOMEONE WHO THE WORLD HAS COUNTED OUT
SOMEONE WHO NOBODY BELIEVES IN
SOMEONE WHO MAY SEEM LIKE YOUR ENEMY
SOMEONE YOU MAY BE SCARED TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH
SOMEONE WHO IS JUST LIKE SAUL OF TARSUS
BUT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE PAUL, A BONDSERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST.
PAUL WAS CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE, SEPARATED TO THE GODPEL OF GOD
You want to know something crazy
The word Pharisee has the same root of Separated
The Pharisees were called the “Set Apart”
Prior to Paul was Set Apart to the Law
Now Paul was Set Apart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
WHEN GOD CALLS YOU TO SOMETHING, HE SOMETIMES CALLS YOU TO LEAVE ANOTHER
FOR PAUL IT WAS A DEPARTURE FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE LAW, TO THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS FOUND IN JESUS.
Some of us need to make this change
Some of us need to shift our idenity
We need to go from priding ourselves in what we do for God
To boasting on all that God has done for us.
IF GOD HAS DONE ANYTHING, IT IS THIS
He has kept His Promise to provide a Savior for His people.
SLIDE ROMANS 1:2-6
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;
THROUGHOUT ALL OF SCRIPTURE AND THE PROPHETS
GOD HAS KEPT HIS PROMISE CONCERNING HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
HE WAS PROPHECIED TO BE FROM THE SEED OF DAVID
He was
You can look at and see the literal lineage of Mary the Mother of God.
HE WAS DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD BY THE POWER ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS DEMONSTRATED IN THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD
Because of the Spirit of Holiness that was in Him
Because of the Power demonstrated in rising from the Dead
He has earned the title of Son of God
THROUGH HIM WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE
WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED APOSTLESHIP
A NEW IDENTITY THAT IS MARKED WITH OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH AMONG ALL NATIONS FOR HIS NAME
AMONG WHOM, YOU ALSO ARE CALLED OF JESUS CHRIST.