THE MAN, THE MESSAGE, THE MISSION: Romans 1:1-7

INTRODUCTION

Stand for the reading of God’s Word.

Romans 1:16–17 NASB95

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Today we start a new series - The Book of Romans.

Excited/ Expectations / Seriously engage / Know and understand the Gospel / Grow in faith in Jesus / Increase in hope / Desire to take the Gospel to all.

I expect the series to take 38 weeks and will share the pulpit in this series with Justin, Jeremy, Jacob, and Allandis.

Before we really begin, I want to point out the verse we just read - this will be the verse we read together for the next 38 weeks.

Theme verse / get in our head / heart / memorize it.

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Let’s jump in with a little back ground on this great book and the Church it was written to.

The Church in the City of Rome - Not started by an apostle / Devout Jews from Rome who came to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost / Heard Peter Preach / Baptized / Took the message back to Rome / Built a Network of house churches / Grew to a few hundred people by the time Paul wrote this letter to them.

Paul DICTATED this letter to this house church network though he had never visited or been to the city.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO FULLY ESTABLISH THE CHURCH ON THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

Paul did eventually get to the city of Rome via a prisoners ship / and house arrest.

Paul was visited by the Church in Rome at his rental house, he taught, discipled, and wrote what we call the Prison Epistles.

Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians/ Philemon.

Both Paul and Peter were executed by Rome between 64-67 AD my the Emperor Nero (Paul Beheaded and Peter Crucified upside down.)

NOW TURN WITH ME TO

Romans 1:1–7 NASB95

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Today we will be looking at the Man, the Message, and the Mission. 

WHO IS THIS MAN, WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE, AND WHAT WAS THE MISSION OF HIS MESSAGE?

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WHO IS THIS MAN PAUL?

Romans 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Paul has an incredible back story but he chooses to use bond-servant of Jesus / called as an Apostle and / Set apart for the Gospel of God, as his identity.

Today identity seems to be an important exploration.  Many in our culture make their sin, political affiliation, or career their identity.   Even many Christians today copy this method of self realization.  I think it is important for us to explore Paul’s identity and see if there is anything we might learn from him. 

PROOF

BOND-SERVANT -

A person who is under ownership of another due to debts that could not be paid back. 

What possible debts could Paul have that are unable to be paid back?

Acts 22:3–16 NASB95

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. 4 “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. 6 “But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 “And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 “And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 “And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ 11 “But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. 12 “A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 ‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

Paul sees the debt of sin and only Jesus was able to pay His debt.

For Paul, he owes his life and reconciliation to Jesus and now His life belongs to Jesus.

PAUL ALSO REFERED TO HIMSELF AS “CALLED AS AN APOSTLE.

Calling - The Greek word Paul uses means - a calling that cannot be refused or turned down.

Apostle - Sent one, emissary, one sent on a mission.

The Bible gives us the qualifications of an Apostle of Jesus

(Acts 1:22-26, 2 Cor 12:11-12, Acts 26:12-18, Gal 1:1 and 11-12, )

With Jesus during his ministry, witnessed the resurrection, hand picked by Jesus, signs and wonders follow the ministry to confirm the Apostles teachings.

Paul witnessed the resurrected Jesus and Jesus personally called and sent Paul, the Holy Spirit confirmed Paul and his teachings through signs and wonders, and lastly the other Apostles confirmed his calling.

PURPOSE OF THE APOSTLE -

TO EXPAND THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH THE PREACHING OF JESUS, ESTABLISH THE CHURCH IN THE FAITH

Ephesians 2:19–20 NASB95

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

LASTLY PAUL SAYS OF HIMSELF, SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

Selected by Jesus and set part by Jesus for the sake of God’s Good News!

PAUL HAD EVERYTHING AS A JEWISH MAN, TITLE, SUCCESS, POWER, AUTHORITY, AND HONOR. YET WHEN HE MET JESUS ON HIS WAY TO ARREST OR KILL MORE CHRISTIANS, EVERYTHING CHANGED. HE REALIZED THAT EVERYTHING HE HAD WAS DUNG COMPARED TO BEING A BOND-SERVANT OF JESUS.

HE GAVE UP HIS LIFE, TOOK BEATINGS, PERSECUTION AND EVENTUALLY KILLED FOR HIS NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST.

Paul challenges us to surrender our comforts, ambitions, and identities so that Christ becomes our supreme joy and the driving center of our vocation.

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WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD, PAUL SAYS HE IS SET APART FOR?

THE MESSAGE

…..The Gospel of God,

Romans 1:2–4 NASB95

2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

POINT

Paul is anchoring the Good News of God in the Law and Prophets of Israel.  He has not come with a new religion or some Jewish novelty.  He is saying, “What I preach is exactly what the Law and Prophets were always aiming at.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Promises of God to ancient Israel. He is the embodiment of God’s redeeming, restoring, reconciling, resurrecting reign that has come to make the world right.

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LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE GOSPEL IS THE OLDEST PROMISE AND HOW THE CHURCH IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW AND PROPHETS.

THE GOSPEL IS THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD TO ALL OF THE WORLD.

Isaiah 61:1–2 NASB95

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 61:10–11 NASB95

10 I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.

The Good News was always about the Messiah restoring, atoning, and bringing salvation and righteousness to all the World.

THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME FROM KING DAVID’S LINAGE. 

Isaiah 9:6–7 NASB95

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

The Messiah will suffer and make atonement for the nations. 

Isaiah 52:13–15 NASB95

13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. 14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. 15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.

THE MESSIAH WILL COME TO MAKE A NEW COVENANT FORGIVING AND EMPOWERING TO OBEY HIM.

Ezekiel 36:25–27 NASB95

25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

THE GOOD NEWS IS FOR THE NATIONS FROM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM.

Genesis 12:3 NASB95

3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Paul’s Gospel must include Gentiles or it would contradict the Law and Prophets. 

THE ANCIENT GOOD NEWS OF GOD PROMISED RESURRECTION THROUGH THE MESSIAH

Isaiah 25:8 NASB95

8 He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.

PAUL SHOWS THE GOOD NEWS AND THE MESSIAH ARE NOT A NOVELTY BUT ARE THE CENTRAL PROMISE OF THE JEWISH LAW AND PROPHETS FULFILLED IN JESUS. 

AND THIS WAS PROVEN BY GOD THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE DEAD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

THE RESURRECTION VINDICATED THE SONSHIP OF JESUS, HIS DIVINITY, AND AS THE JEWISH AND GENTILE SAVIOR, PROMISED IN THE LAW AN PROPHETS. 

HE IS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! ———- TRANSITION———-

This is the ancient message that Paul proclaimed to the Church in Rome.  A message that is founded in the ancient Law and Prophets of his fathers. A message that carries with it a mission.  A message that when heard in faith does the most remarkable things.

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THIS LEADS ME TO OUR LAST POINT,

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF PAUL AND THIS MESSAGE OF GOD’S GOOD NEWS? 

Romans 1:5–7 NASB95

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

POINT

The Gospel Message that God’s Kingdom is reigning in the person of Jesus is about establishing the Kingdom of God / The reign of Christ over the whole earth. 

PROOF

The Gospel Brings Obedience of faith for the Glory of Jesus. 

(Jesus said, if you love me, you will————?)

The Good News is He is the King to whom we swear loyalty and obediance.

Jesus calls us to be separated to Him (Saints) as Lord through the preaching of the Gospel. 

The Gospel transforms us from enemies of God to the Beloved of God.

As the Beloved of God through faith that God is reigning and setting the world right through the Lord Jesus Christ we are given unmerited favor and shalom / Peace.

CONCLUSION Paul shows us that chasing money, power, influence, the acceptance of a tribe, no matter how zealous we are, we will be empty of Life, purpose and meaning. 

As his life points out, it is only when we are confronted with God’s restoring, regenerating, saving, reconciling, redeeming, righteous, resurrecting reign for all the world, in Jesus, that we glimpse reality, truth, beauty. 

THE GOSPEL CALLS US, SEPERATES US FROM THE WORLD UNTO HIM, AND GIVES US UNMERITED FAVOR AND PEACE WITH GOD.

TODAY IF YOU HAVE NEVER PLACED YOUR FAITH IN THE RESURRECTED KING - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, I WANT TO INVITE YOU, TO GIVE YOURSELF OVER TO HIM. 

Allow Him to redeem you from sin, set you free from captivity to the fear of death, reconcile you  to God the Father, and birth in you a power to live the Kingdom life. 

FOR THOSE OF YOU TODAY WHO ARE HIS

I want to remind you, you are called and set apart to Him.  You are not your own but you belong to Him as a citizen of His Kingdom built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, saints of the past.  You have not been saved for yourself, but for the mission of the Gospel. 

Take the Good News of God’s Reign in Jesus to every person in your life!  Be a proclaimer of the Gospel and an invitation to Life in God’s Kingdom.