Sermon Tone Analysis

Today I want to start a new study in the book of Romans.

I pray that in my time as a pastor I am able to revisit this book, because I believe throughout my life my understanding of it will grow.

This book is credited with the salvation of a great number of saints - including Martin Luther - because of its explanation of the gospel.

As a church we want to be a people who share the gospel - because we know what it has accomplished for us.

To share the gospel well we have to understand it well.

I believe the book of Romans will help us to do that.

I believe also that the Book of Romans helps us to understand that the gospel is not simply the doorway into the kingdom of God but it is the framework, the aesthetic, the format, the guidelines, the foundation for who we are in the Kingdom of God.

It is the establishment of our reality - the recreation of relationship with the creator.

My prayer is also that this study lights a fire in us for our love of scripture - as we dig into the truths that are contained within these passages.

Things like Romans 8:1

The roman road - describing a clear picture of the gospel

Theologians have debated the theology of Romans, but not the importance of it.

Some have even said that it is the most important theological work ever written.. it’s that good.

And we must remember who wrote it…

Paul.

The Pharisee.

Paul - the persecutor.

Paul - who approved the execution of the first Christian Martyr.

That Paul.

Lets Pray....

I want to read through the introduction to this letter and ponder on a few things.

Romans 1:1–7 (CSB)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures—

concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh

and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.

Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles,

including you who are also called by Jesus Christ.

To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the very beginning of this letter - Paul gives his identity.

There are a few times in our lives where we are given this opportunity ourselves.

When we introduce ourselves, we might give a brief description of our occupation - or where we were before we lived here.

On Our social media accounts - we have a space to write a description, when we apply for work with a resume - we create an entire page about ourselves and our accomplishments.

We try to write something that fits our personality.

Something that is witty.

Funny even.

And then that stays at the top of our profile until we change it.

For our resumes we get really serious.

Single-handedly managed the successful upgrade and deployment of new environmental illumination system with zero cost overruns and zero safety incidents

That means that you installed a lightbulb.

Someone will likely - eventually - write your obituary.

And probably the same person would right the words for your tombstone.

They might read something like “Grandmother, Sister, Friend” Or “He made the best chicken”

No matter what those instances say, funny or not.. witty or witless, they will be completely focused on you.

Listen again to how the apostle Paul introduces himself in this letter.

Paul.. his name.

Necessary, so that they know who he is.

A servant of Christ Jesus.

Called as an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God.

He gives his name - and then the focus immediately changes.

He could have done a great deal of speaking about himself.

Phil 3:1-6

Paul could have started with that.

He could have said … I am Paul - and Jesus chose me because of how awesome I am!

God becomes the fore front of the conversation, as Paul assumes the idenity of a bond servant.

Bought / Paid for

Owned

Ruled.

He says I am not my own, I belong to the Lord Jesus.

In those first few words he declares that he is only concerned with doing that which would most please his Lord.

It isn’t look at me and see how special and smart I am.

It was a matter of Look at my Lord and how magnificent he is.

Not only was he listening to the instructions that were passed down from a crucified God to his disciples and then to Paul - Paul declares that Jesus had been resurrected.

Everything that he was writing was current.

It was a right now - in this moment, not just the past - situation.

Jesus was ruling in His life right now!

2.

An Apostle.

Paul had an understanding that not only was he not concerned for his own glory, but also that when he spoke, he wasn’t only speaking for himself.

He spoke for the Lord.

3. Set apart for the Gospel of God.

Jesus is the main character - But the Story is God’s.

It spans from the old testament to the new.

We watch promises fulfilled, and know that promises made to us will be.

Jesus dieing on the cross was the plan since Adam and Eve entered into sin in the garden.

And the story isn’t over.

Because that Jesus that died on the cross is coming again.

He will reign.

We will go with him into eternity.

Romans is about God.

It relates to God.

It teaches us greatly about God.

And it teaches us about ourselves.

This morning, I would challenge ourselves to look at how we Identify.

What are the things that come first - what are the things that are most important.

Do we understand that - Like Paul - we are bought and Paid for, do we allow God to rule?

Do we understand that - Like Paul - we represent God to the world.

That we are to testify of him everywhere we go?

Do we understand that - Like Paul - we were set aside for the Gospel, from birth?

It is from that place that we go forward - into the world.

I believe God has called the people of this church.

To give him Glory.

To Equip one another and minister to one another - and to share the Gospel with the world and with ourselves as we need it.

We are going to study the book of Romans.

Because we need to.

Communion.