Called For a Purpose

Romans 1:1–7 ESV

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the opening verses of Paul's letter to the Romans, we encounter a profound declaration of identity and purpose that resonates through the ages, speaking to every believer's heart today.

As we delve into Romans 1:1-7, we uncover timeless truths about our calling in Christ and the transformative power of the gospel.

The Apostle Paul uses a different introduction for his letter to the church in Rome.

With both letters to Corinth, and also to Ephesus, Colossae, as well as his 2nd letter to Timothy-

Paul refers to himself as an Apostle, “Through the will of God”

1st Timothy he is an Apostle, “By the Command of God”

In both letters to the Thessalonica church and with Philemon a much more informal opening is used.

The Letter to the Roman Church is the only letter that includes Paul’s credentials as an Apostle, but also his unique calling, “Set apart for the Gospel of God...”

Paul’s point of emphasis, in doing this, is to drive home the fact that this gospel message was not something new, but was part of God’s over all plan, from before time began.

Our passage, today will highlight the fact that EVERY believer is called by God for a specific purpose in their lives.

Uniting the Gospel message across the vast number of believers that will eventually come to faith around the world-

All empowered by the Holy Spirit, our constant companion, guide and direct connection to God, through prayer and consistent study of Gods Word.

What does Paul identify himself as in Romans 1:1 and what significance does this have for understanding his mission?

Let’s look a little closer:

1- CALLED TO A PURPOSE

Romans 1:1 ESV

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

Paul introduces himself not just as an apostle, but as "a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God."

This unique introduction sets the stage for understanding our own calling as believers.

Like Paul, each of us has been set apart for a divine purpose, chosen to play a crucial role in God's grand narrative of redemption.

While God specifically called Paul to be an Apostle to the non-Jewish world,

This calling wasn’t unique to the first century Apostles.

Although those Apostles were uniquely called for a unique purpose,

The overall call to spread the Gospel has always been extended to every generation of new believers.

In the early days of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell famously had a mishap when he exclaimed, 'Mr. Watson, come here! I want to see you!'

Imagine for a moment that first telephone call ever made. Alexander Graham Bell's words, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you," might have seemed mundane at the time, but they heralded a revolution in human communication.

Likewise, God's call on our lives may start as a whisper, but it has the potential to create ripples of change that extend far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.

Although charged by God as an ambassador to the multitude of ethnic groups, cultures and communities outside of Israel and his Jewish heritage, Paul consistently, refers to himself as a Servant of Jesus Christ.

He accepted this high calling with great humility.

We can be encouraged today, to know that our identity and purpose has been well established in Christ’s purpose for us.

Do we still have free will to determine for ourselves to follow that path?

Certainly, BUT, if we are true believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, WHY would we choose any other path?

If you are struggling with doubt about your calling, I would suggest looking inward- Being honest with yourself-

And ask yourself if there is anything that you may be holding back from God that is keeping you from making that full, All-in, commitment.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of today’s society and your role within it, take a moment to reflect on how you can embody Christ’s love in your community.

Choose one area, like local support for the homeless, and dedicate your time monthly to help with food distribution or fundraising events.

This active participation can help you live out your calling, demonstrating God's love to those around you while inspiring others to join in making a difference.

So that was Paul’s calling and is our continued calling, now lets look at how we can be confident in our calling- Just as the Apostle Paul was in his.

2- Promises Made, Promises Kept

(...set apart for the gospel of God...)

Romans 1:2–4 ESV

which he (God) promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

The first thing Paul does in this introduction, is to establish HIS credentials to the readers of the letter.

Now, Paul establishes WHERE the AUTHORITY behind his credentials comes from.

If anyone has ever played a “Twenty Questions” type game, where you have a certain amount of questions to gain enough information to guess what the secret subject is...

Paul does the same thing by providing several hints of who this promised one of God is...

He was...

Was promised beforehand through the OT prophets

Was descended from King David through the flesh

Declared to be the Son of God in power by the Holy Spirit

Confirming His Deity by His Resurrection from the Dead...

If you haven’t figured it out yet...

Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

How does the passage in Romans 1:2-4 relate Christ's resurrection to the theme of God's promises?

Because of that victory over Death, we too can now share in Christ’s victory.

Our calling to a life of Faith and Victory is directly linked to Christ’s victory.

We can now live with the same power that raised Christ from the dead, dwelling in us as the Holy Spirit.

He is our constant Guide, Comforter and our direct connection to the Throne of God through our prayers.

God has not only saved us from our own sinful past, but has saved us to a much greater purpose,

As we will see next:

3- Saved From and Saved Too

Romans 1:5 ESV

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

In what ways can embracing our identity as 'called ones' impact our daily actions and decisions?

Paul recognized that he had been saved from a life that was well-intended but wrongly applied.

His conversion was as dramatic as it was humbling. It also opened the door for us to be modern day missionaries to our own friends, families, co-workers, neighbors and communities.

Luke 12:48 ESV

...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

This Gift of Salvation, so freely given to all of humanity, who deserved so little...

How could we not want to share this same gift with everyone we meet?

All followers of Christ, today have the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel truth with those around us.

Showing the same grace and humility that the Apostle Paul exhibited during his missionary life.

Consider the story of Jonah, who was called by God to preach to Nineveh. Initially, he didn’t want to go and tried to escape on a boat. The irony? He was a prophet running from his calling!

Yet, we often find ourselves avoiding our own divine callings just like Jonah. When we embrace our purpose, even if it’s unexpected or challenges us, we can make a meaningful difference in the world, sometimes even from the belly of a fish!

How might you apply the message of being called to contribute to your community in practical ways?

4- Loved by God, Called to Faith

Romans 1:6–7 ESV

including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It would be good to reread this introduction, all seven verses over again without the breaks, as we have done here, for study purposes.

As Paul confirms in verse 6, he is specifically referring to the Body of Believers in the City of Rome, as those “Loved and Called by God.”

Paul is not simply offering a nice opening to his letter, but is setting up the foundation that he will later build on as he outlines the Gospel message and how if impacts everyone.

The group of believers in Rome, some of whom where, most likely, in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, and heard Peter’s gospel message in Acts 2, had been going well to live out their faith in the following 20 or so years before this letter was written, without any further mentoring.

This speaks well of the power of the Holy Spirit to have a lasting and complete impact on a persons life.

It was Peters sermon that galvanized them as a group of believers and solidified their shared identity in Christ.

We, too, share in that same bond of unity in our Lord and Saviour.

We have all been called to be an active part of God’s plan of salvation.

Not all will be called to journey to a foreign land,

not all will be called to fill a pulpit in a local body of believer.

Not all will be called to start a podcast-

BUT All believer have been called to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves.

Consider the story of Thomas Edison and the invention of the light bulb. After countless failures, reportedly, he tried well over one thousand different ways, Edison's persistence finally paid off, illuminating the world in ways previously unimaginable.

His response to critics of his waste of time and constant failures: he had not failed at all, he had simple discovered a thousand ways to NOT make a lightbulb.

Our calling in Christ may sometimes feel like Edison's journey – filled with setbacks and moments of doubt. But when we persevere, trusting in God's purpose, our lives can become beacons of light in a dark world.

So I leave you with a final question to ponder-

What does it mean for each of us, to be part of a 'community of the called' and how can this understanding enhance our spiritual journey together?

It means recognizing that we're not alone in our journey. Just as the early believers in Rome were united by their shared faith and purpose, we too are part of a global community of believers, each playing a unique role in God's kingdom.

Our lives, like that first telephone call or the invention of the light bulb, may seem ordinary at first glance. But when lived in response to God's calling, they have the potential to illuminate the world with the light of Christ, connecting hearts to the transformative power of the gospel. Let us step forward boldly, confident in our identity as those loved by God and called for His purpose.