Paul: An Example Worth Imitating

How do you think Jesus would evaluate your life?

Would He stand to receive you at your death, like He did with Stephen when we was martyred?

Would He be impressed and say, “well done my good and faithful servant”?

Would He say you are neither hot or cold and “spew you out of His mouth”?

Would He say you are “wicked and lazy” and cast you out from His presence?

Would He identify you as belong to your father Satan (like He said of the Pharisees)?

Now that we are all a little worried and apprehensive, let’s agree that we WANT to live in a manner that the Lord approves.

Thus, our goal from our study of Romans is this...

OUR GOAL: WE STRIVE TO FORM A FOUNDATION FROM THE SCRIPTURE—AND UNDER THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—ENABLING US TO LIVE A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD!

Why the indefinitely long study of Romans? How will this help? (I, seriously, have no idea how long we will be in this book).

Romans is work of necessity, intended to form a firm theological foundation for a church that was not founded by an apostle.

Romans addresses almost every—if not every—theological concept found in the New Testament.

My personal goal for NHBC with Romans, and paired with our scheduled NT reading, is to glue the major themes of Scripture together within our minds.

Before we begin our indefinite study of Romans, allow me to set the stage with the background:

The Background of the Letter to the Romans:

Paul writes from Corinth (A.D. 55-58)

Paul desires to visit Rome but has been prevented—this letter is him in proxy

Paul desires to ensure that the church is Rome has a proper foundation in the faith

Setting the scene:

Paul, a physically marred and afflicted man (beaten, stoned, sickness, starved, and brutalized for Christ), writes from a room in Gaius house in the city of Corinth. Full of passion, but also weary from addressing the Galatian heresy and the Corinthian debauchery and division, he now sets his sights on the church in Rome. Phoebe has planned a trip to Rome, and Paul intends to send the letter by her hand (). Carefully Paul dictates line upon line to Tertius (his amanuensis/scribe). Why?

I imagine Paul thinking if Galatia and Corinth—churches he personally planted and taught—ventured from the truth, what about the church that started without an apostle (the church in Rome most-likely began from Jewish converts present on the day of Pentecost)? Were these churches immersed in heresy and self-indulgence? Was the Roman church a misguided missile set on a course of destruction? Though he tried numerous times to make his way to Rome, he has thus far been prevented from doing so (). Thus, in a desperation motivated by the Spirit of the living God, Paul pens a letter unmatched in depth and system in presenting the great theological truths of the gospel. Paul’s frustration and inability to evangelize and teach the Roman church (found in a city of over 4 million) resulted in a letter that has powerfully instructed the church for nearly 2000 years.

Paul’s letter to the Romans spurred Martin Luther to begin the Protestant Reformation (and Luther’s writings on Romans led to John Wesley’s salvation). This letter has brought scores of men and women to faith (including St. Augustine), and has moved the church back to her Lord over and over again for the last 2000 years. Paul’s desire to ensure the Roman church believed correctly, proved to ensure that ALL churches embrace a correct theology; that is, those that submit to its instruction!

Now, let’s begin our study...

Main Point: A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD BEGINS WITH A PROPER PERSPECTIVE

Romans 1:1 ESV

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

This verse, though subtle, reveals three aspects of Paul’s understanding of a life that is pleasing to God...

Three Aspects for a Life Pleasing to God:

A proper posture

Active participation in your function

A true understanding of the gospel

“The Bible insists that the heart of all human problems is rebellion against the God who is our Maker, whose image we bear, and whose rule we seek to overthrow. All of our problems, without exception, can be traced to this fundamental source: our rebellion and the just curse of God that we have attracted by our rebellion.” (D.A. Carson) [1]

Carson argues (correctly) that all of our problems are related to the fact that we (and all of humanity) raise our hands against God in defiance.

A Proper Posture

That is, we want our way and not God’s way.

However, when we read we see that Paul properly understood who he was before the Lord.

A Proper Posture

Paul identifies himself as a doulos (slave) of Christ Jesus.

Slave (not servant) means to belong to another as property.

It is reported that there was a 3:1 ratio of slaves to freemen in the Roman empire during Paul’s time.

In Jewish contexts, the term “slave”—when connected to the Lord—was a badge of honor.

However, in the Greco-Roman world, to be a slave was not a good thing—they valued freedom and citizenship!

The first of two calls: A CALL TO SAINTHOOD ()

Biblical Truth #1: We belong to the Lord, and He has complete authority over and claim to us.

Active Participation in Your Function

Active Participation in Your Function

The second of two calls: A CALL TO WORK ()

A call to work is seen in the Greek word for set apart (aphorizo) from which two easily recognizable words come from: Horizon and Pharisee

This word, in the verb form, means to mark off or set a boundary; To set aside a person for a particular task or function—‘to appoint, to set apart for.’

Horizon =

Horizon = is the boundary line where the earth and sky meet—it is distinct.

Pharisee = A pharisee was one set apart for the Law, they were distinctly separate and holy in contrast to the people.

For Paul, his call to Christ for salvation also included a distinct call to work within his salvation. (; ; )

He was appointed to work ()

He was to be a minister and a witness to both what he saw and what the Lord would show him ()

He was to go to the Gentiles and open their eye to the light of Jesus Christ ()

In Paul we see that God calls us to life, and then calls us to tell others about this life!

Paul so clearly understood this, that he would go on to teach about Christian’s work in the body of Christ three times (; ; & )

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

The Offices of Leadership within the Church:

Apostles = Two types of apostles

Office = Limited to the 12 Jesus selected, Matthias (replaced Judas), and Paul (a one-off, supernatural call)

Function = (1) Authoritative messenger—the apostles; (2) a missionary that carries the message.

Office

Prophets = Those who call God’s people back to the Lord

Evangelists = Those who call the lost to the Lord

Shepherds/Pastors/Elders = Those who care over the flock ensuring spiritual growth

Teachers = Those who explain the Word in a manner that is consistent and true to the rest of Scripture.

The work of the church:

Romans 12:6–8 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Prophecy

Serving

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

;

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Wisdom

Knowledge

Faith

Healing x 2

Miracles

Prophecy

Discernment of spirits

Tongues x 2

Interpretation of tongues

Apostle

Prophet

Teacher

Helps

Administration

Biblical Truth #2 : Every member within the body of Christ has a job (function) for the glory of God!

A True Understanding of the Gospel

Gospel simply means “good news” and the good news is that of God!

Gospel simply means “good news” and the good news is that of God!

Barnhouse points out 7 things mentioned about the Gospel in this first chapter of Romans:

It is the Gospel of God

The Gospel was promised in the Old Testament

The Gospel is about Jesus Christ

The Gospel must be preached

The Gospel is the power of God for salvation

The Gospel went to the Jews first and, then, to the Gentiles

The Gospel is the revelation of God’s righteousness

What is so good about the news of God?

He loves us ()

He saves us from our sins ()

He is with us ()

He is our way into fellowship ()

Why do I need to hear this? = We struggle with sin, and this struggle has a tendency to make us doubt God!

“As long as I am stricken with the guilt of my sins, I will be captive to them, and will often find myself re-committing the very sins about which I feel most guilty. The Devil is well aware of this fact; he knows that if he can keep me tormented by sin’s guilt, he can dominate me with sin’s power.” (Vincent, Milton. A Gospel Primer for Christians)

Vincent, Milton. A Gospel Primer for Christians

Vincent, Milton. A Gospel Primer for Christians (Kindle Locations 227-229). Focus Publishing. Kindle Edition.

I came across this hymn by Charles Wesley this week:

I came across this hymn by Charles Wesley this week:

Depth of mercy! Can there be mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear? Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

Mercy still reserved for me?

I have long withstood His grace, long provoked Him to His face;

Would not hearken to His calls, grieved Him by a thousand falls.

Charles Wesleys asks:

Charles Wesleys asks:

Is there any mercy left for me—can God refrain from pouring His wrath out on me, a great sinner?

I’ve resisted God’s grace for so long, I’ve openly rejected God’s ways, I’ve refused to listen when He called, and I’ve sinned thousands of times—can God save me?

THE GOSPEL SAYS:

I was incapable of finding God on my own; but Jesus is Immanuel—God in flesh

I was a lost and hopeless wretch; but Jesus brought me to Him

I was damned to an eternity of separation; but Jesus secured for me and gifted me peace with God.

I am weak and constantly pulled by my desires; but Jesus gave me His Spirit to draw me to Him.

I am mortal and death is looming; but Jesus gave me eternal life—proofed from His resurrection

The world is destined for destruction; but Jesus will break through the clouds to take us to be with Him forever.

Biblical Truth #3: The Gospel is the means to my success as a Christian!

How do I respond? How should you respond?

In thanksgiving and praise for the goodness of God’s love—the gospel is our loving God!

In humility—ask the Lord to restore us (and/or save you) and bring you in close to Him.

In devotion—seek the Lord while we have the chance to do so.

In sincerity—identify what you pursue more than God and let it go.

In faith—never let go of the promises that is the Lord who saves us and sanctifies us (we are to abide in His presence).

[1] D. A. Carson, For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God’s Word., vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 25.