Living the Gospel

Daily need of the Gospel…

Am I living the Gospel? The gospel is not a one time deal, but an ongoing continuous reality in my life.

I am broken, and desperately need God’s grace everyday.

My abilities are limited, and I cannot depend on myself to get me through life.

Life is messy, but God, with the good and bad, is using my mess to create a glorious message.

I am in desperate need of God.

I am daily in need of grace and mercy.

I must always confess my sins for God’s forgiveness.

Jesus is the only one who makes a difference in my life.

I am constantly being transformed into the image of Jesus.

I have no hope apart from Jesus.

True joy only comes by what Jesus did for me.

I am a new creation old things are past.The Preachers Credentials

If we don’t get the gospel right, then everything else will be wrong in our faith and Christian life. You cannot be wring about the gospel and be right with God. To be right about the gospel is to be right about everything that truly matters. Getting the gospel right is that important.

When Paul wrote the letter to the Romans he was on his third missionary journey probably in Corinth. His work in the eastern Mediterranean was almost finished, and he longed to visit the church that was in Rome. But he could not go to Rome, so he sent a letter with every intention of visiting the church while he was en route to Spain. The letter served as a theological introduction with the hopes of eventually visiting this church.

The primary theme of Romans is the basic gospel, God’s plan of salvation and righteousness for all mankind.

Romans 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Romans is Paul’s greatest work. The letter to the Romans is the most comprehensive and systematic statement of the Christian faith in the Bible. Not because it was the first letter of Paul’s thirteen epistles to be written, Romans was placed first because of its importance over the rest of the twelve epistles.

The four Gospel’s present the work and words of Jesus, while Romans explores the significance of Christ’s sacrificial death.

Paul uses the question - and - answer formate, and he records the most systematic presentation of doctrine in the entire Bible.

Romans is more than a book of theology; it is also a book of practicality.

The good news of Jesus Christ is more than facts to be believed; it is also a life to be lived —a life of righteousness befitting the person who has,

Romans 3:24 ESV

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Martin Luther had this to say about the letter to the Romans and its importance to the Churches life as well as the Christian life.

“A gateway to heaven,” “An open door into paradise.” “The chief part of the New Testament,” and “The very purest gospel.” “Every Christian should know [Romans] word for word, by heart…[and should] occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul.” Romans “can never be read or pondered too much. The more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.”

“Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and woman, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God…Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose —to proclaim the gospel of God” — Oswald Chambers.

Paul boldly sets forth his credentials and his message : called by God to preach the gospel of God.

The church at Rome would play an important part in taking the gospel to Spain and beyond. The believer’s in the church at Rome had never met Paul, so he must validate himself. He wanted them to know, that what they were about to read in his letter did not originate from him. His letter was a part of a divine mission, and what he wrote, he wrote for God.

There were three credentials Paul lays before these believers to validate himself; Servant, Sent, Set-Apart.

I. Paul the Servant.

1. The gospel had arrested Paul for God

Acts 9:1–3 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

Acts 9:1–9 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

2. The gospel had radically changed Paul’s life. He went from being a persecutor of the church, to a strong proponent of the gospel.

“Doulos”, the common NT word for servant. In Greek culture being a servant was involuntary, permanent service of a slave. In the Hebrew sense, the servant willingly committed himself to his master on the basis of love and respect.

Being a slave was a position of honor, the Hebrew use of the word.

The slaves every need was met by the master, and in return the slave gave the master unwavering loyalty, and uninterrupted obedience,

Galatians 1:10 ASV

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

Those who love the Lord serve Him, Exodus 21:5-6, this servant out of love became a “bond-slave” He did not serve because he was forced to, he wanted to, cf. Genesis 26:24; Numbers 12:7; Joshua 24:29; 2 Samuel 7:5; Isaiah 20:3; Isaiah 53:11.

Paul chose to serve the Lord.

Being a slave was a position of humility, the Greek use of the word.

Paul saw himself as a table waiter for Jesus,

1 Corinthians 3:5 ESV

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.

“Servants,” diakonos, “table waiter,” a menial servant.

Paul saw himself as a third level galley slave,

1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

“Servants,” hupmaeretes, the prefix ‘super’ means ‘under’ and the suffix ‘etes’ means ‘to row.’ Ships in Paul’s day were three leveled, there were three levels of galley slaves that rowed those ships. Paul say I am the lowest slave on the ship.

II. Paul the Sent.

1. Paul was called to be a preacher of the gospel.

Paul was called to be an Apostle by the effectual calling of God, cf. Luke 6:13 (first use of the word ‘Apostle’), cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1.

Call to banquet (called in the proclamation of the gospel).

Called to or discharged to a particular office.

Called by divine selection and appointment.

Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Lord, Acts 9:15. The decision for Paul to preach was the choice of Jesus, cf. Acts 26:16-17.

Paul had the responsibility to preach laid on him by God,

1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV

16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Paul was not appointed by man

Galatians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Galatians 1:12 ESV

12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:15–16 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

2. Paul was commissioned to preach the gospel.

“Apostle,” apmapostolos means ‘one who is sent, commissioned, or dispatched.’ It refers to a messenger, ambassador, or an envoy (one on a diplomatic mission).

Paul’s position as an Apostle.

An apostle was someone who held an official office in the church. It carries the idea of all those who carry the message of Jesus,

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

To be an Apostle there were certain requirements.

Verbally called Jesus, Acts 9:1-9.

Eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus.

Jeremiah 23:1 ESV

1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

The signs of the Apostles., the apostles were given the ability to do signs, wonders, and miracles,

2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV

12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

The office of the apostle was not restricted to the local church for a certain period of time.

Once you were an apostle, you were one for life.

The apostles were the foundation of the church.

III. Paul the Separated.

1. You cannot serve God unless you are separated; being set apart for a certain task or purpose.

Being set apart is to honor God,

Numbers 15:20 ESV

20 Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it.

God set the best men to serve him in the tabernacle and eventually in the temple,

Numbers 8:11 ESV

11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord.

God set apart the entire nation of Israel,

Leviticus 20:26 ESV

26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

“Aphmaorizein” is separation in the fullest sense. Paul knew once he was called, he would be disconnected from his past. The man who would be most effective for the gospel must burn all bridges.

God elected Paul unto the gospel,

Galatians 1:5 ESV

5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul was sent to carry the cross, he had to cut the cord with the world,

Acts 13:2 ESV

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Ministry Breakdown,

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Timothy’s ministry was falling apart,

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

Timothy had been getting lazy in the ministry, he had become timid,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Timothy had permitted himself to get caught up in things that were sucking the life out of his ministry,

2 Timothy 2:16–17 ESV

16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

2 Timothy 2:22–23 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

Timothy had been influenced by the world’s evil system. Timothy needed to cut ties with the world.

Conclusion

Paul is a servant, sent, and separated. He cut ties with the world,

2 Timothy 2:4 ESV

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Preachers must break ties with the world, and be committed, consecrated, and commissioned to preach the gospel. Paul was a man after God’s own heart.