Living With Gospel Purpose

Around A.D. 57, the apostle Paul sat in the bustling city of Corinth, preparing to write a letter to a group of believers in Rome, people he had never met but longed to see.

Welcome to our new series on the Book of Romans. We’ll be going through this book verse by verse.

This letter, which we now call the Book of Romans, has shaped church history, sparked revival, and changed countless lives. From Augustine to Martin Luther to John Wesley, generations have encountered the power of the gospel through its pages.

Romans matters today because it speaks to our deepest questions. Who is God? What’s wrong with our world? What has Jesus done about it? And how should we live in light of it all?

As we walk verse by verse through this book, we will see how the gospel brings clarity, hope, and transformation into every part of life.

Here’s what we’ll discover together:

In chapters 1–3, we’ll see why everyone needs the gospel.

Chapters 4–5 will show us the heart of the gospel, how we are justified by faith in Christ alone.

In chapters 6–8, we’ll explore the power of the gospel, what it means to live free from sin and secure in God’s love.

Chapters 9–11 will pull back the curtain on God’s plan for the nations and His people.

Finally, chapters 12–16 will show us how the gospel reshapes our relationships, our communities, and our daily lives.

Each week, we’ll slow down and take our time, walking through the text carefully and practically. Because Romans isn’t just for scholars or theologians, it’s for ordinary people like us, learning to live out the gospel in a complicated world.

Our prayer is the same as Paul’s in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” As we study this book, may we not just learn the gospel but live it, and may its power change us from the inside out.

Romans has shaped church history in profound ways.

Augustine found Christ through Romans 13:13–14.

Martin Luther ignited the Reformation after reading Romans 1:17: “The just shall live by faith.”

John Wesley’s heart was, as he put it, “strangely warmed” hearing Romans explained, launching the Methodist revival.

Alright, let’s move into our study of the Book of Romans.

There’s two books of the Bible I have people read when they ask where they should start.

The first is the Gospel of John, and the second, the book of Romans.

Don’t let the Book of Romans scare you. Yes, it can feel intimidating to some. Some deep theology. Heavy truths.

But it starts on a really personal note. Paul introduces himself. Not with a laundry list of his accomplishments, or with his resume’, but who he is because of the gospel.

Here’s why I think this matters. We live in a world that’s constantly trying to tell us who we are. Your job title. Your followers. Your bank account. Your reputation. But Paul shows us a better way: When the gospel defines you, everything else finds its place.

So here’s the question for today: What would it look like for the gospel to shape your identity, your calling, and your purpose the way it did for Paul?

That’s how I’ll set the stage for this message, and this series. What would our life look like if we lived it with Gospel Purpose?

Let’s start by reading the Apostle Paul’s greeting and introduction.

Romans 1:1–7 NKJV

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me ask you a question? What is your life’s purpose?

What is your purpose in life? The reason you get up in the morning.

Is it your job? Your kids? Your grandkids?

How long will that last? What happens when you retire? When your kids leave home?

Do you have a life purpose beyond that? I think we do.

Tony Campolo tells the story of a friend who discovered his true calling in life. He had been a college English teacher, but suddenly quit his position—to become a mailman.

After hearing the man’s reasons for resigning from teaching to become a mailman, Campolo tried to encourage him with the old Protestant work ethic: “Charlie, if you’re going to be a mailman, then be the best mailman in the world!” To which his friend replied, “I’m a lousy mailman, Tony. I’m the last one to get back to the post office every day, and besides, I can’t sleep at night.”

When he asked for an explanation, here is what Campolo heard: “There are so many lonely people on my route who never had anyone visit them until I became their mailman. Have you ever tried to sleep after drinking fifteen cups of coffee in one day?” (Hughes, Stories, pp. 337–339).

Tony Campolo reached an important conclusion about his friend Charlie: “He was alive with the excitement that comes to a person doing something meaningful with his life.”

How does Paul open the letter in verse 1?

He opens with this: “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ…”

The word for “bondservant” here is doulos. It means slave or servant, but Paul’s using it willingly. He’s saying, “I belong completely to Jesus, every part of me.”

Now, think about this: Roman culture looked down on servanthood. Status was everything. Power was everything. Yet Paul says, “My highest identity? I’m Christ’s servant.”

That’s upside-down thinking, isn’t it?

That’s the first thing we learn from the Apostle Paul…

I. Live as a Willing Servant of Christ (1)

Romans 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

Here’s the takeaway: Following Jesus means laying down the right to call the shots. It’s not about Jesus fitting into my plans, it’s about my life fitting into His.

Paul wore this as a badge of honor.

Paul was also an apostle.

This word means, “one who is sent by authority with a commission.”

There are those who may think differently, but I do not see anything in the Bible that would allow for or necessitate the office of Apostle today. For one thing, the main thing you need on your resume’ to be called an apostle is to have been taught by Jesus Himself.

The only reason we believe Paul was qualified comes from his sharing about his time spent in the Arabian desert.

After his conversion on the Damascus road, Paul spent approximately three years in Arabia before returning to Damascus. 

While the Bible doesn't tell us specifically the teachings Paul got from Jesus during this time, the apostle Paul stated in the book of Galatians that he received his gospel "by revelation of Jesus Christ" and not from human sources. 

This period in Arabia is widely understood as a spiritual retreat for Paul to reflect, meditate on Scripture, and process the implications of his encounter with Jesus, and receiving his spiritual education directly from Christ. 

But in a way, we are all sent by an authority, Jesus, with a commission to share the gospel. The Great Commission, Matthew 28.

Next, Paul says he is, “set apart for the gospel of God.”

It’s important to note that Paul only views himself as set apart for one thing: the gospel?

Does it mean he didn’t do anything else?

No, he worked a part-time job to support his travel. He made tents and sold them.

This was his primary calling.

And I believe this all our primary calling. Will it look different for everyone. Sure it will.

For the new mom, your calling is to bring that child/children up, training them, in the teachings of Jesus. They’re your primary mission field in that season of your life?

Does that mean you let off the hook for sharing the gospel with others while you’re in that season of life?

Of course not. You will have tons of opportunities to impact others in the other spheres of your life. Other moms, your neighbors, and the list goes on.

Do you work a job? You’re to give your employer the best job you can do while you’re on the clock.

But will you have the opportunity to reach others with the gospel while you’re doing it. Of course you will.

The same goes for whatever season of life we’re in.

So here’s our takeaway: This week, pray a simple but bold prayer: “Jesus, every part of my life belongs to You. Use me however You want.”

Let’s move on to verses 2-4…

Romans 1:2–4 NKJV

2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

So what message is Paul going to be sharing with the Romans?

He tells them clearly to make sure that they are receiving not another gospel or a new gospel or a different gospel, but the gospel gospel, the one promised beforehand through [God’s] prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

The gospel is serious business for Paul. It is the heart of the message about the kingdom of God and its impact, and he wanted to make sure that the Romans had confidence in what they were about to hear.

Paul was preparing to tell them more about the gospel than they had ever heard, and he wanted their full attention (plus, he did not want to be cursed; see Gal. 1:8–9).

Galatians 1:8–9 NKJV

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

We’re not free to make it up as we go. Or, to put our own spin on it.

What it takes to be right with God and have our sin forgiven and become a child of God is spelled out clearly in the Bible. It’s not up for personal interpretation.

It’s the gospel of God (1) because it originates with God. It was not invented by man.

It’s the gospel of Christ (1:16) because it centers in Christ, the Savior.

Paul also called it the Gospel of His Son (1:9), which indicates Jesus Christ is God!

The gospel is not a new message. It was promised in the OT in Genesis 3:15

The Prophet Isaiah for sure preached it in passages such as Isaiah 1:18, and chapters 53 and 55.

The apostle Paul makes two big points, Jesus is fully human (seed of David) and fully divine (Son of God… by the resurrection).

Here’s why this matters: Our faith isn’t built on feelings or trends. It’s anchored in what Jesus has already done.

In the next verses Paul broadens the scope of his introduction.

Let’s look at verses 5-6…

Romans 1:5–6 NKJV

5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

The promised Messiah did not come for the benefit of the Jewish nation alone. The gospel is good news for all who will respond in faith.

Notice the word obedience in verse 5.

Faith inevitably involves obedience.

If you’re not sure of that, simply read the Book of James. He says, If you tell me have faith, that’s not enough. Your works need to show that your life has changed and that you’re following Jesus.

Otherwise your faith is dead. There’s no salvation.

Faith is not intellectual assent to a series of truths of the Bible, but surrender to the one who asks us to trust him.

To surrender is to obey.

Biblical faith is not some mild assent to a collection of ethical teachings but an active commitment of one’s life.

Obedience is the true measure of a person’s faith.

E. M. Best comments that “faith and obedience go inextricably together. Only in obedience is there faith, for faith is not emotional feeling or intellectual acceptance but active response to a person.”

Paul’s desire was to take the gospel to the entire world and see the nations turn to God in a faith that changes conduct.

Any other response would be inadequate. Apart from a changed life there is no real faith according to Paul and James.

Paul started his letter saying that He was called by God.

Now, in verse 6, he tells the believers in Jesus that they had also been called.

They were called to “belong to Jesus Christ.”

Salvation is not something that we do for God; it is God who calls us in His grace (2 Thes. 2:13–14). When you trust Christ, you are saved by His grace and you experience His peace.

II. See Your Life as a Calling, Not an Accident (5-6)

Paul sees his whole life—his conversion, his mission, even his suffering, as a calling from God. None of it’s random.

And here’s the thing: That’s true for you too. You’re not here by accident. Your job, your neighborhood, your family, this season of your life, God has you there on purpose.

Action Step: Ask this question: Where has God placed me this week to reflect Christ—in my home, my work, my conversations?

And last, verse 7…

Romans 1:7 NKJV

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Live Set Apart for a Watching World (7)

The word “saints” is hagios. It means holy, set apart. Not perfect people—set apart people. People who belong to God and live differently because of it.

And Paul speaks two words we desperately need today: grace and peace. Grace, God’s unearned favor. Peace, God’s wholeness in a broken world.

Action Step: What’s one way this week you can live differently because you belong to Jesus? Integrity at work? Kindness in conflict? Hope when others feel fear?

Conclusion

Paul shows us three things the gospel gives:

Identity – We belong to Jesus.

Calling – We live for His mission.

Purpose – We bring grace and peace into a restless world.

When the gospel shapes your life like that, you stop drifting. You start living with clarity and courage, even in a noisy, confused world.