Servants and Saints

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This is the first message in a series of messages on the book of Romans. This message is based on verses 1-7 of Romans 1.

Written Excerpts...

Introduction:

Quite a few weeks ago I began to feel impressed by the Spirit of God to start a new sermon series. I have been feeling led to start a series that will follow through an entire book of the New Testament. The Bible book that I have chosen to study with you is the book of Romans. This is considered by most Bible scholars to be the most thorough presentation of the gospel in all of the NT books.

Let’s get started by talking a little bit about some background information regarding the author and the audience.

I. Background Information

A. Author

The author of this letter is the man who had formerly been known as Saul of Tarsus and later had his name changed to Paul. Some have stated that Saul was his Hebrew name, while Paul (lit. Paulus) was his Roman (Latin) name.

He is believed to have written this letter while in the city of Corinth during his 3^rd missionary journey. At the end of the letter (16:23) he sends greetings from Gaius and Erastus, both of whom lived in Corinth.

The time of the letter is generally considered to be approximately 55-57 A.D. So you can see that this letter is definitely written during the early development of the Christian church.

We’ll have more to say about Paul in a few minutes as we begin to look at the text.

B. Audience (Recipients)

The Christian believers in Rome. Mix between Jew and Gentile.

(Reasoner) The population of Rome has been estimated as between one and four million. There were probably twenty to thirty thousand Jews living in Rome during this time period. [Church historian] Philip Schaff supposes, “The first tidings of the gospel were brought to Rome soon after the birthday of the church by witnesses of the pentecostal miracle in Jerusalem.” According to Acts 2:10-11 there were visitors from Rome in Jerusalem at Pentecost.

This was a church that he did not initiate, but he intended to visit them in the future to “impart some spiritual gift” with the result that they “might be established.” (v. 11)

Some believe that the purpose of this letter was to provide a thorough presentation and explanation of the gospel in order to “lay the groundwork and establish a “beachhead” for the expansion of the Kingdom farther west into Spain.” (15:24)

Romans was not the first or earliest of Paul’s letters, but it is believed that it comes first in the NT because of it’s perceived importance in relation to all his letters.

Having considered a few brief facts concerning the background of this letter, let us begin to examine its content. We’ll begin by looking at Paul’s own introductory remarks to open his letter. Today, I want us to specifically notice verses 1-7.

II. Paul Introduces Himself (1:1)

A. A Servant (Slave)

(Reasoner) Paul humbly identifies himself as a servant or slave of Christ Jesus. Doulos is from the Greek verb “to bind” and indicates unconditional commitment to God.

(The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament) A slave of someone in high position had more status, authority and freedom than a free commoner; the emperor’s slaves were some of the highest-ranking people in the empire, as the Roman Christians would know…. 

B. Called An Apostle

General definition is “commissioned messenger.” Specific meaning refers to the vocation/ministry of planting the gospel and initiating the formation of groups of believers. Paul clearly includes himself in with all the other apostles (disciples) of the Lord who had personally been with Jesus and received His commission to go. He too had personally seen Jesus on the Damascus road and had been sent out by the Lord.

(Reasoner) John Stott observed that while the term slave is a title of great humility, apostle is a title of great authority.

(The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament) Paul, who had once been a… commissioned messenger (apostle) of the high priest (Acts 9:2), was now a representative for God.

C. Separated

Writers tell us that there may be some intentional play on words here by the Apostle.

He had been a “Pharisee;” a strict teacher of the law. The name “Pharisee” literally carried the meaning of “separatists.” Once he had belonged to the sect that considered themselves separated from the “Gentiles” to the select people of God. Now he declares that he is separated apart from the usual understanding of the Jewish law and unto the gospel of God.

Now, rather than being separated from the Gentiles, he is separated to the Gentiles. (Reasoner)

III. Paul Introduces His Message (1:2-6)

The message of the Apostle is “the gospel of God.”

A. It is a message founded on the Holy Scriptures. (v. 2)

B. It is a message about Jesus Christ our Lord. (v. 3-4)

“Made of the seed of David” (KJV) – referring to physical birth and genealogical connection to King David = Messiah.

“Declared to be the Son of God” –

(Reasoner) “…his divine nature was not fully manifested until after his resurrection. This comment, taken from John Wesley, should not be interpreted as meaning that Jesus became deity at his resurrection, as the early Adoptionist heresy had taught. Instead, the resurrection declared, delineated, and powerfully confirmed his divine nature. Richard Watson observed, “horizo – [declared] signifies to fix limits, and mark boundaries; and hence it is used for showing things to be what they really are.”

Now, Paul is clearly setting forth a doctrinal mystery that Jesus is both human and divine; fully man and fully God (as later described in the creeds of the church). The core of the message is Jesus. The central truth of the gospel is Jesus. But, it is not just any Jesus, fashioned after our own imagination. It is a specific person with specific human and divine natures.

Theology may be boring to some, and it may be difficult for us all to understand, but the simple fact of the matter is this: a Jesus that is not human cannot save us; neither can a Jesus that is only human.

C. It is a message He is commissioned to spread. (v.5-6)

“…we have received grace and apostleship…”

Paul, like all of us, certainly deserved judgment and condemnation, but he received GRACE: underserved favor and blessings from God.

The grace & apostleship comes (originates) from Christ, resulting in obedience, to the faith, for all people (all nations), which includes his audience (Romans).

They too are called by Jesus Christ. It is a calling from disobedience to obedience, from darkness to light, from self-centeredness to surrender and submission, from ungodliness to holiness.

IV. Paul Extends Formal Salutation (1:7)

“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.”

They are the recipients of this treatise.

They are loved by God.

They are called to be holy.

They are extended blessings of grace and peace.

Conclusion:

We are just getting started into a wonderful letter that helps us understand the whole scheme of salvation that God designed and provided. We have learned some important truths about the author and the recipients.

There are many ways that we too can identify with both of these. Everyone one of us here today fall into one of two groups: a) those who need salvation; and b) those who have already experienced salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. We have received the abundant grace of God when we deserved judgment and condemnation. We have the privilege of telling others about this wonderful gospel and grace that we have so graciously received. We, like Paul, are called to be servants of the most high God. We, like the Romans are called to be saints. Let us live up to these high callings.

Let us close our service today by singing an old hymn:

“Take Time to Be Holy”