Paul, The Debtor
Notes
Transcript
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 any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Introduction
Introduction
Last week, we preached the first seven verses of the chapter on the thought of “Paul, The Servant” , talking about the introduction Paul gives.
He tells the Romans about himself, as a servant, he tells about his ministry, his message, his master, and his mandate...
In the passage today, as Paul began his grand epistle to the Romans, he wrote of his desire to see the Roman christians...
We see his diligent prayers toward that end - Ro 1:9-10
Notice that Paul's praying was without ceasing and always.
We so often miss out on one of the greatest resources God has given us. That is prayer.
We see his desire to encourage them through mutual edification - Ro 1:11-12
The word for long carries the idea of "an intense carving and earnest desire." Paul's purpose for wanting to go to Rome was two-fold. It was to encourage and edify the Christians there…Again, we see his servanthood that we talked about last week.
We see his plans to come, that he might have some fruit among them - Ro 1:13
His desire to see them was related to the Gospel...
The Gospel which he served as an apostle of Christ - Ro 1:1
The Gospel related to the good news concerning Jesus - Ro 1:3
It was this Gospel of which he was not ashamed - Ro 1:16
Paul revealed his debt to preach the gospel to all men including the Gentiles.
He understood humanity's need for redemption and proclaimed how the gospel could free mankind from the bondage of sin.
That thought brings us to where I want to settle in for a little while today as we look at the thought of “Paul, The Debtor”
Paul’s Debt To People
Paul’s Debt To People
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Paul tells us he was a debtor. This word for “debtor” is a Greek word meaning “one bound by duty or compulsion; obligated.” Paul was saying, “I am obligated to others.”
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
We are all debtors because of what God did for us and for what others have done for us. We are under obligation because of the needs of the lost and because our life is a vapor.
Our duty is to win the lost to Christ.
Regardless of their Race & Reasoning
Regardless of their Race & Reasoning
Romans 1:14 (KJV 1900)
14 ...to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
The Gospel is the great equalizer.
Whether poor or rich, smart or ignorant, powerful or weak, famous or unknown, you need to be saved and can be through Jesus Christ!
Paul’s Desire To Proclaim
Paul’s Desire To Proclaim
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Paul had a burden for the lost. His heart burned to see people saved. Evangelism stood in the forefront of Paul’s ministry.
The word ready comes from a Greek word meaning prepared and willing...
Paul had a desire and was ready to preach. Later Paul would exhort Timothy to,
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
To be instant in season, out of season is to be ready and available at all times. The word instant means to "stand by," or "to be ready at all times."
Paul didn't need a notice, only an opportunity.
Paul was ready to tell others about the Lord!
When he preached in Jerusalem, he was mobbed, but he also was ready.
When Paul preached at the intellectual, secular centers of Athens, he was mocked, but ready. When Paul preached at the legislative or government center of Rome, he was martyred, but ready.
We should be ready!
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Paul’s Defense For Preaching
Paul’s Defense For Preaching
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
He writes,
Romans 1:16 (KJV 1900)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...
Too many are ashamed of the Saviour and His gospel. They are embarrassed and uncomfortable with speaking up for and being identified with Christ.
They are …
* embarrassed about eternal life
* distressed about denouncing the Devil
* bashful about the Bible
* squeamish about the Savior and sin
* apprehensive about the accusations of the world
* uneasy about the unkindness of the crowd
* concerned about the criticalness of others
Jesus said,
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
In his second letter to Timothy Paul warned the young preacher,
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Many are ashamed and deny Christ because peer pressure and intimidation. They are concerned about what others might say. They speak of sports, politics and world events, but they are silent concerning Christ. God help us to speak up for Christ.
Paul went on to say,
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul stood for Christ unashamedly, how did Paul do it? I was faith! It was Paul’s unwavering trust in Christ!
After all, this wasn’t just any gospel, it was the Gospel of Christ!
A. The Strength of the Gospel
A. The Strength of the Gospel
Romans 1:16 (KJV 1900)
16 ...for it is the power of God...
The word “power” comes from a Greek word which we get the english word dynamite.
Paul preached the Gospel of Christ because of its power to save sinners.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Make no mistake about it, there are many different gospels being preached in our day.
• There is the Gospel of religion that says, “Turn over a new leaf.”
• There is the Gospel of materialism that says, “Your worth is determined by what you have. Gain is the goal of life.”
• There is the Gospel of liberalism that says “I’m OK and you’re OK. God accepts us like we are and will take us to Heaven if Heaven really exists.”
• There is the Gospel of society that says, “Do as you please for life is short.”
• Paul’s message, on the other hand, says, “You are a sinner, and if you die in your sins, you will go the Hell. However, God loves you and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus into the world. Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead. If you will place your faith in Him, then you can and will be eternally saved.”
There is no other message on earth that has the power of the Gospel of Christ!
C. The Strategy of the Gospel
C. The Strategy of the Gospel
Romans 1:16 (KJV 1900)
16 ...unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Paul's purpose in preaching was to bring the lost to Christ. Notice the word everyone. Everyone who believes will be saved. There are no outcasts. Jesus said,
John 6:37 (KJV 1900)
37 ...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
The Gospel of Christ is a simple message. It is clearly stated in...
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Look at verse 17 in our text...
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Through the preaching of the gospel, the righteousness of God revealed.
The gospel teaches us that God is holy and we are sinners. As sinner's we are helpless to save ourselves. Therefore, God gave His Son to provide salvation for whosoever would believe. However, faith is not only the method of entering into salvation, but faith is also how we are to live.
Paul says,... the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
We go from faith to faith. That is, as we live by faith, the righteousness of God is continually revealed. Saving faith is more than fire insurance, it is the way our life is to be lived.
After someone hears the gospel of Christ, it’s as easy as A-B-C to be saved!
A-Admit you’ve sinned!
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
B-Believe!
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
C-Confess!
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What a testimony we find in verses 14-16: “I am debtor! I am ready! I am not ashamed!”
Isn’t it amazing that God would take the most important message the world has ever heard and place it is the hands of redeemed sinners? Isn’t it amazing that He would give us His Gospel and then command us to take it to the world, knowing that no one is ever saved apart from the preaching of that Gospel?
• How are you doing when it comes to sharing that message?
• Who do you know in your life who needs to hear the Gospel?
• Why not come to this alter and pray for those people, and ask God to give you the opportunity to tell them about Jesus?
• If you are saved, you are not ashamed of the Gospel! You know its power, and there is a desire within you to share it with those who do not know its power. There is no better time to get busy telling others than today.