Paul The Servant
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today, I’d like to begin a series preaching through the book of Romans.
In the Bible, we find three vital books that the Christian needs to have a good grasp of. Don’t get me wrong, all the Bible is important. I don’t say this to diminish any book.
Here’s what I’m getting at though:
Genesis gives us a grasp of the past and our beginning.
Revelation gives us a grasp of the future.
And Romans gives us a grasp of the present. Romans explains key doctrines that are dear to Christianity and our responsibilities as Christian now while we live on this earth.
The Book of Romans has life changing truth but it must be approached with effort and determination to understand what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul.
The book of Romans has been called the Fort Knox of Bible doctrine. It is the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the Christian Faith.
Paul wrote three epistles which were pivotal.
One was the book of Ephesians, which explained the mystery of the church. Paul wrote the Thessalonian books which explain the mystery of Christ’s coming and Romans which explains the mystery of Christ’s cross. It is a very powerful book.
Today, we begin in chapter 1 and our subject this morning will be “Paul, The Servant” - Paul begins his epistle to the Romans by declaring himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. As a bondslave for Christ, Paul completely surrendered to the will of God.
I-The Servant’s Ministry
I-The Servant’s Ministry
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Paul introduces himself to the Roman Christians by describing himself, let’s take a look at this description:
Paul was a servant of Jesus Christ...
Paul was a servant of Jesus Christ...
There is a great lesson in the way Paul introduces himself.
Paul had studied and received his education at Jerusalem under Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish teacher of his time (Acts 22:3). Upon the completion of his education, Paul joined the sect called the Pharisees. They were proud and authoritative religionists who held strictly to their brand of the law. He was later a member of the great Sanhedrin.
Paul could have introduced himself as "Saul the distinguished theologian." His Hebrew name was Saul, meaning "one who is sought after or asked for." It signified someone who was prominent and much in demand But he used his Roman name Paul, which means "small or little."
Here is a man who was once a proud Pharisee, glorying in his pedigree, his education and his religion, now he signs his letters Paul, the little one. He did not try to exalt himself. The days of trying to be a big shot were over for Paul. Paul was little, the Lord was great.
Furthermore, he introduces himself as a servant. This is very significant.
The religious leaders of his day who used such terms as "Rabbi" and "Master," and who sought the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. (Matthew 23:6) But when Paul introduced himself to the Roman Christians, he didn't begin by magnifying himself. Instead he identified himself as a lowly servant or slave.
By this term he does not mean that he is forced against his will to be a slave to someone. The word servant carries the idea of a bondservant. The Mosaic law allowed a servant to voluntarily become a permanent bondservant of his master.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
A bondservant was someone who voluntarily surrendered his life to the will and service of another. In essence this is what Paul had done. He had voluntarily given himself wholeheartedly to the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his life.
In doing so Paul was following the example of his Saviour.
Ya’ll remember this past Wednesday...
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
There’s never been a greater servant live than Christ...
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Paul was summoned by God...
Paul was summoned by God...
Paul was called an apostle...
Paul became an apostle when he saw the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road (Acts 9).
It was there on that dusty road that he was converted and called into the gospel ministry.
The word apostle means "sent one" and carries the idea of a "commissioned emissary or messenger." Paul establishes the authority for his ministry.
An apostle of Jesus Christ met several requirements.
1. He was chosen by God (Acts 9:15).
2. He was personally commissioned by Jesus Christ (Acts 9:6).
3. He had seen the risen Savior (1 Corinthians 9:1, 2).
4. He was a recipient of divine revelation (Galatians 1:10–12).
There are no apostles today. We have God’s complete revelation of truth in the Scriptures.
Paul was separated unto God...
Paul was separated unto God...
Paul says that he was separated unto the gospel of God.
Paul was a separated man. Notice that his emphasis was not on what he had separated from, but what he was separated unto.
This is an interesting point; I believe the the world needs to know what we are for, not only what we are against…We’ve spent a lot of time telling everybody what we are against and nothing about what we are for!
The word separated means "to mark off from others." It carries the idea of setting boundaries. So far as Paul was concerned, there was no other purpose for his existence.
His life was to be spent within the boundaries of the gospel. He never stepped outside of his boundary. Everything he did was in service to his Saviour for the purpose of propagating the gospel. Paul's life purpose is summed up in his words,
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
II-The Servant’s Message
II-The Servant’s Message
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
This was Paul’s message!
The Scriptures declare the “gospel of God” that Paul was separated unto!
His message was not to proclaim some new theology. Paul's message was as old as the word of God. The gospel was in the Old Testament Scriptures.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
The Old Testament had clearly revealed the person and work of Christ. The ceremonies, rituals and even many of the people of the Old Testament serve as types and point to Christ.
Every type, every promise and every prophecy of the Saviour was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
Which brings us to our third point this morning...
III-The Servant’s Master
III-The Servant’s Master
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
These verses tell us of Paul’s Master…It was none other than Jesus Christ our Lord!
Let’s take a look at our Lord’s name in these verses:
“Son” describes His unique relationship to the Father...
“Jesus” describes His humanity...
“Christ” describes His messianic office, He is the Anointed One!
“Lord” describes His exalted position and person.
Think about this…Even the order of this in our Bibles is correct!
He came first as “Son,” (eternity), then “Jesus” (Time), “Christ” (messianic ministry) and “Lord” (exalted) -
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He is God!
Notice with me, the Bible says, “…which was made of the seed of David...”
Others were “born” flesh but Jesus was “made” flesh, a testimony to the “virgin birth.”
His humanity came from the seed of David; In vs. 3, the Bible says, “according to the flesh” and vs. 4 says, “according to
the spirit of holiness.” His humanity is created but His deity is uncreated. The humanity of Jesus was “made” at a definite point in time but His divine nature was existing from eternity and needed only to be “declared.”
This word “declared” means to mark off, to establish a boundary, to setup a landmark, to place a monument for permanent evidence of the established boundary of a territory.
Thinking of that definition…Jesus’ resurrection is a monument unto His deity.
Jesus’ resurrection is a monument for perpetual evidence…What I mean by that is: it ends all arguments as being a demonstration that is worth a thousand arguments!
Paul makes it clear that Jesus literally lived, He literally died, and He literally rose from the dead.
The resurrection of Christ is essential to the gospel. After all, what good is a dead Saviour?
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Praise God! Jesus Christ came of the grave and is alive for evermore.
The devil hates the doctrine of Christ's resurrection because it is where He was defeated.
What a death blow the resurrection dealt to Satan. Satan tried throughout the Old Testament to stop the prophecy of from being fulfilled. Even at Christ's birth Satan tried to get Him killed and throughout His ministry Satan constantly moved against Him.
When Christ was pronounced dead Satan thought he had won the war.
The death of Adam was Satan's handiwork. God had assured Adam that if he disobeyed and partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that he would die. Satan's temptation led to Adam's disobedience.
With Adam's disobedience came both his spiritual and physical death. Satan put Adam in the grave. Up until the resurrection of Christ Satan could claim every grave as his own possession. But when Jesus stepped out of that grave, the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled and Death was Conquered and the Devil was Crushed!
IV-The Servant’s Mandate
IV-The Servant’s Mandate
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul had been a recipient of God's grace on the Damascus road.
It was during that time that he also received his apostleship.... for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.
The word for speaks of "intent or purpose." That intent is obedience to the faith among all nations.
God saved and called Paul with the intention and for the purpose of preaching Christ.
Paul says, Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ.
This tells us that It’s not just Paul's job. It's not just the work of the preacher, but it is everyone's responsibility to get God's message out. We have been given a mandate from God!
Conclusion
Conclusion
As Paul concludes his introductory remarks he finishes by bestowing a blessing upon the Romans. It is a prayer that they might be the partakers of peace and grace.
I don’t know where you stand today with the Lord. But, I do know that if there are problems that you need help with, that help will be found in the Lord Jesus.
I do know that if you are lost, the Lord will save your soul. I do know that if you are out of the Lord’s will, He will receive you back into His fellowship and He will forgive you your sins.
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