Romans

Pray

Cheryl Bachelder, the CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, turned her company around with a focus on serving others. A committed Christian in the workplace, Bachelder is also the author of Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others. In a recent interview, she share her thoughts on servanthood:

The Bible verse that's on my calendar every day is Philippians 2:3 Because I haven't found one that's more paramount to how I want to lead in my family and in my work. And that is, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." I really like the choice of words around counting others more significant than yourselves. I believe we're all born with an inner 2-year-old. And we'd really still like to be laying on the floor, kicking and screaming because we didn't get the candy bar we wanted, or the pony outback. It's pretty hardwired that we're self-absorbed little people. And we learn to fake it well, but we're still pretty much that 2-year-old on the inside.

She goes on to explain: I find that biblical perspective really challenging in every aspect of my day—how I'm spending my time, the decisions that I make. To put them through a filter of whether I'm thinking about myself or whether I'm thinking about others. Am I doing this because I'll get a bigger bonus check? Or am I really thinking about the long-term interest of this company? Am I doing this truly for my franchise owners, or am I getting some personal benefit that I haven't been willing to acknowledge?" Those kind of provocative self-mirror questions hold you to a higher standard. I always say servant leadership is an aspiration, because you can really never claim you've arrived. Because as soon as you do, someone will find you—and in a trap of self-interest. It's something you're always working toward.

We hear this story this morning, and has anyone ever been to Popeyes chicken?Funny enough, a few years back their chicken sandwich was one of the biggest crazes out there. So much so that fights would literally break out at the store. Over this thing.

But here’s the thing, for Cheryl Bachelder her approach to servant leadership, formerly at popeyes chicken, and now at Chick-fil-a… has worked… it worked, with great sales, and great food, but more importantly it’s left a lasting impression of servanthood.

We transition then to ourselves this morning. And in the midst of a culture that will tell you “Have it your way.” What would it look like, if we lived out this idea of servanthood on a day-to-day basis? What sort of impact would that have, if we served others, as we’re called to do? What would that look like, if we truly lived out our faith, and remembered others above ourself?

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Romans 1. And as you’re turning there, we’re going to begin a summer series in the book of Romans. Beginning today with this idea that we are divinely set apart specifically for 3 things this morning. Set apart to: 1. Serve others 2. Pray for others 3. Live by faith

1. Set apart to: Serve others

Romans 1:1-7 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we stop and consider this scripture here’s what we find. We find Paul is writing to the Roman church most likely during the end of his 3rdmissionary journey, from the city of Corinth. Which for any of you history buffs would take place this during the year AD 56.

And there are several occasions for the writing of this letter. On one hand, Paul wanted to visit Rome. but at this point did not have the opportunity to do so. Paul also wanted to go and be mutually encouraged by these believers. He writes in Romans 1:12 “ 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” So, there was a sense of being a blessing to the people. But and mutual encouragement. There may have likely been a sense of bridging gaps with the people so they would help provide resources for his missionary work.

But the main purpose of Paul, his primary mission, was advocate for and advance the gospel.

He writes: 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

You see here’s the point. From the top of this letter. Paul wants it to be clear. That he has been Set Apart (as it says in verse one.) For what? For the gospel of God. God had called him out on the road to Damascus. To be an apostle. Meaning a person who has been sent on mission.

And Paul’s mission was to share the Gospel, with every tribe tongue and nation. By the way, this word Gospel, in the greek is the word euangelion: Meaning good news.

Is the same good news that the shepherds would receive years before at the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:10 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

The shepherd you’ll remember went out and investigated for themselves what was told to them… then at finding the messiah, they we’re overjoyed by the encounter with the messiah… so much so, that they would go out and tell others of this good news.

You see church, the good news changes a person’s perspective on life, so much so, that they have to Go and tell others.

Paul goes from being the persecutor to the persecuted, from one who is hating others, and signing off on their imprisonment and execution. To the one who becomes hated, the one who would be imprisoned, and face his own suffering for the sake of Christ. Why Because of the Gospel?

In fact, Paul would Write just a few verses later: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Paul is not ashamed of the gospel… He had witnessed it firsthand… and it changed his life. So much so that he became a servant of Christ.

I want to stop then. In light of the gospel, and the transformative effect it had on Paul. I want to hone in on an examine this idea of Servanthood… as we consider our own relationship with Christ. You see, Paul would write: 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God

If we stop and consider this word Servant for a moment. It’s the Greek word doulos. Meaning 1. Bond-servant. 2. Slave, or (I like this definition) 3. devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interest

And at the time, it’s estimated in Rome that 1 out of 3 people were serving as slaves. Now in one instance a bond-servant could be a person who voluntarily served others. But it usually referred to one who was held in a permanent position of servitude. And Under Roman law, a bondservant was considered the owner’s personal property. A bondservant not only is owned by another. They do not have anything that is their own—in fact even their time belongs to their master. They wake up each day seeking to know and do the will of their master above all else.

And here, Paul is saying. I am a slave. I am a bondservant. To Christ, all my possessions… all my time… it’s Christ. In fact, he would write later in Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

I’m reminded of a story that has been told from Civil War days before America's slaves were freed. In this story a northerner went to a slave auction and purchased a young slave girl. As they walked away from the auction, the man turned to the girl and told her, "You're free!"

With amazement she responded, "You mean, I'm free to do whatever I want?" "Yes," he said. "And to say whatever I want to say?" "Yes, anything." "And to be whatever I want to be?"

"Yep." "And even go wherever I want to go?" "Yes," he answered with a smile. "You're free to go wherever you'd like." She looked at him and smiled and replied, "Then I’ll go with you."

Friends, there’s something beautiful about this story. This a sweetness, that as the girl recognizes she’s been freed. She is committed and loyal to the one who has set her free. What about you?

2 Peter 2:19-22 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Church, what are we slave to this morning? What do we serve?

Joshua 24:15 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

2. Set apart to Remember others

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

As we stop and consider the scripture, we see Paul commend the church for their faith which he says: is being reported all over the world.

And this idea of gratitude and appreciation… is a common theme of Paul. With every epistle but one, Paul finds a way to express his gratitude and appreciation towards the church. The one church by the way who Paul seems to rebuke is the church in Galatia, which Paul confronts their system of justification through works rather than through grace.

But again, there is a sense of love, and loyalty, from Paul to the believers in Rome. both to the Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. As here’s the key, he is devoted to others.

Along these lines I want to stop and lean into this idea of remembering. Paul seems to make no distinction among believers, regardless of their ethnicity, their background, their socio-economic status, in all things… Paul is committed to loving and serving others. But look with me if you would at verse 9: 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

You see if we stop and consider this word remember. It carries this idea of remembrance, or memory, or mention of the people. To put it in other words, fellow believers were constantly on Paul’s mind. And he expressed his love for them through. 1. Pray and 2. Works.

Regarding Prayer. Paul expresses to the Church, how he constantly remembers them says in verse 10 10 in my prayers at all times (at all times, not just sometimes… Goes on to say) ; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

You see Paul was a man of prayer… For many things… but among these things were the people of God.

And he didn’t stop at prayer, no he wanted to go and be a blessing.

Goes on to say: 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

You see church, there was a deep sense and commitment to not stop at prayer… but to actually go and be a blessing to these people. To not just pray that God would send someone else as the blessing, but to be the blessing himself.

John McCarthur Puts it this way. Paul not only prayed for the spiritual well-being of the Roman Church, but was eager to be used by God as an instrument to help answer that prayer according to His divine will. The church has always been full of people who are quick to criticize, but seems short of those who are willing to be used by God to solve the problems they are concerned about…

What about us, are we quick to pray? Are we quick to remember others? Are we quick to be a blessing?

1 Thes 5:1111 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I came across a story from Peter Greig who writes in his book How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People: the following words. He explains…

I was stranded in Chicago. All airplanes have been grounded by the eruption of an Icelandic volcano, and I couldn’t get home to England. I asked God how he wanted me to use the interruption. Several American friends had already been kind enough to invite me to stay, but as I prayed, I found myself thinking about a particular friend who lived 150 miles west in Madison, Wisconsin. "Hey, I'm in Chicago," I e-mailed. "Can I come crash on your couch?"

I didn’t know that Joe had just received terrible news, nor that his worried wife had asked, "Who do you wish you had on your couch right now?" Those had been her exact words. Nor that he had replied, "I wish Pete was on my couch, but I know that's crazy because he's in England, and he's never even been to our home."

The prophet Malachi says that "those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard" (Mal. 3:16). Sometimes God listens to our casual conversations and receives them as prayers. Within hours of Joe's throwaway line, I had materialized on his couch.

Church, we need to pray for each other. We need to encourage each other.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:9-11

We live in a fallen, a difficult world. Yet God has called us to carry each other’s burdens. To think of other smore highly than yourself. It starts with prayer, it starts with remember, it starts with being a blessing. We have been set apart, for others, would we own up to that responsibility this morning.

3. Set apart to live by faith.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

As we wrap up this morning, we find Paul address the Roman church with a verse we’re all familiar with.

We states: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Here Paul uses the Greek word Dunamis, for power… it’s the same word for which we get are English word Dynamite.and he explains the gospel, or the good news of Christ, is the dynamite power… that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

Also, the word salvation here, carries the idea of being delivered or rescued, from sin… and I can’t help but imagine a person who is drowning… that about to go under… yet in these moments, we find Christ our rescuer… who comes and saves us…

And here’s the key… that in this saving, in this salvation… that we have been set apart to live by faith. For it says: 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

For the sake of time, we won’t this morning, spend a too much time on the idea of faith… but it’s a good reminder to us this morning… that in our lives, we don’t live by what we see… we have been called out by God… but we must live through a lens of faith.

It’s idea as 2 Cor 5:7 tells us For we walk by faith, not by sight.

You see the truth is this. As Paul opens his letter to the Roman church, these are people, like us who knew difficulty. They knew hardship. They faced persecution, they hard trying times in life…

And yet, it didn’t matter what their circumstances we’re Paul writes to them, to encourage them. And to remind them, that “The righteous will live by faith.”

I’m going to call the worship team up at this time…

Here’s a question as we close…. where are you this morning… what season of life are you in? What questions, or challenges are you facing, and how are you responding?

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6

1. Called to live by faith this morning. Set apart.

2. Set apart to Serve.

3. Set apart to rememberand pray for others.