Romans 1:6-7 c

Introduction

Romans 1:6–7 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most humbling message in the history of the world. There is not another message that can compete with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in humbling. Sadly, the longer we are saved the less humble we become. We take salvation for granted. And, unknowingly become more Pharisaical - Luke 18:10–14 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Paul never forgot the humbling power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” - Written 53 AD

Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;” - Written in 62 AD

1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” - Written in 65 AD

We are reminded of the humbling power of the Gospel in confronting sin:

Matthew 7:3–5 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

God uses humbled people

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Matthew 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

Exodus 10:3 “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”

So, as we look at “called…beloved…belong…saints.” We should never forget who we were before salvation:

Romans 5:6–8 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Psalm 143:2 “And enter not into judgment with thy servant: For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Titus 1:15–16 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

Called

Romans 1:6 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:”

Jesus highlights two callings: Matthew 20:16 “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

Paul highlights the effectual calling in 1 Corinthians 1:24 “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

General calling leads to rejection and rebellion - Effectual calling leads to repentance and submission.

Why are there 2 callings? If there was just 1 calling, no one will be saved. Humanities natural response to the Gospel call is to reject and rebel. The reason is they are dead in their trespasses and sins - Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Therefore, an effectual calling is needed. This calling is prompted by the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work. John 3:8 “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” Ezekiel 36:25–27 “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

Back to Romans 1:6 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:” Paul wrote to Christians who are the called of Jesus. What separated then from the rest of the world was the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit as the first cause!

Do you know how humbly it is to realize that your salvation is completely and wholly a work of God?

Salvation is completely a work of God.

Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: Thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”

Psalm 68:20 “He that is our God is the God of salvation; And unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.”

Revelation 7:10 “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Beloved

My life v. is Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

In order to beloved by God, Jesus had to die.

I have heard so often how that God loves the sinner and hates the sin. Yet, the sinner and not just the sin is cast into the Lake of Fire.

A sad day is coming for those who have repelled the Gospel, refused to bow a knee to the Lordship of Jesus in this life in which they will be the defendants st The Great White Throne Judgement. A place where they will receive God’s judgement and condemnation. They will hear the final verdict: Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The centerpiece and catalyst of God loving sinners is Jesus Christ.

In order to be in the beloved, Jesus has to be the only and final solution.

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Why is it important to be hid in Christ? God’s love is there!

Ephesians 2:8–10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Belong

Romans 1:6–7 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Nouns serve different functions - subject, direct object, indirect object, and possessive.

Whenever you read something of anything then the something is possessed by the anything.

We belong to a fraternity and a family that is awesome and amazing.

Saints