Sermon Central
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Paul And His Commission Series
Contributed by Larry Wilson on Feb 12, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: When God needed to lift the gospel from the Jewish context that predominated in the early church, He knew that it would take a special man. And He had just such a man prepared. Truly, Paul had a unique commission.
Salvation: Why? and How?
or, SALVATION: ITS NEED AND PROVISION
Romans Chapters One to Five
Calvary Baptist Church
Series Begins Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sermon 3: The Man Who Said “Yes.” (Or, Paul and His Commission)
October 28, 2012
Romans 1:14-17 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
INTRODUCTION:
• We are in the section of Romans that I have called the salutation (1:1-17).
• Last week we looked at Paul and his calling (1:1-7).
• Then we turned our attention to Paul and the Church (1:8-13).
• One of the ways that Paul expressed his love for the believers in Rome was to tell them that he wanted to come work with them in evangelizing Rome.
• He felt a compulsion to go there (see handout for sermon 2).
• Today we look at Paul and his commission (1:14-17)
• He expands his vision to one in which the object is to reach all men with the good news about Christ!
THEME: Paul's awareness that his salvation, his calling and his unique gifts obligated him to preach the gospel to all men.
OBJECTIVE: The listener will understand that our gifts, talents and training bring with them responsibilities to use them for the Lord.
Paul evaluated the need, evaluated his calling and gifts and said “yes” to God. Each believer must do the same.
STATEMENT: The man who said “yes.”
CONCEPT: Paul saw the need, saw the problem (Jewish message to Gentile world), saw his unique preparation and said, Lord, I am ready. Yes, Lord, yes!
Paul and His Commission (1:14-17)
I. Paul’s Responsibility for Preaching (1:14)
Romans 1:14 (KJV) 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Debtor – one under obligation.
EXAMPLE USE: Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Greek – those conversant with Greek culture.
Barbarian – One who is foreign. One who speaks a strange and unfamiliar language. Those who say “bar bar.” Those not familiar with the Greco-Roman culture.
Wise – The clever, skillful, experienced person.
Unwise – The foolish, dull-witted person.
• Paul’s declaration is that he will preach to all classes of people, all cultures of people, all educational levels!
• All need Christ.
II. Paul’s Readiness for Preaching (1:15; Mt. 26:41)
Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Ready – prothumos. Eager, willing.
EXAMPLE USE: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
A. Ready in His Effort
“as much as in me is” (Lit., the according to me eagerness)
B. Ready in His Extent
“to you that are in Rome also”
III. Paul’s Resolve In Preaching (1:16)
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
A. The Pride about the Gospel (Cf., Mk. 8:38)
“not ashamed”
EXAMPLE USE AND APPLICATION: Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
B. The Power of the Gospel
“it is the power of God”
EXAMPLE USE: Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
ILLUS: The girls home sang, “I am so glad, go saves ole sinners, I’m thrilled and amazed, that he sets them free, but the greatest thing, about saving ole sinners, is that he would save, a sinner like me.”
• Girls so bad their own parents threw them out!
• Yet they came to know Christ!
• Oh, the power of the gospel!
C. The Promise of the Gospel
“unto salvation”
• We are not pushing the peddle cart of religion through the streets of this world.
• We are not standing on the street corner hustling people into reformation.
• We stand and offer freely the great gift of eternal life!
