April 24, 2005
Morning Worship
Text: Romans 1:14-16
Subject: Evangelism
Title: Change Is In the Air
I am going to begin my message by using a four-letter word. Actually it’s a six-letter word but it might as well be a four-letter word because it makes people cringe when they hear it. The word is – brace yourselves – CHANGE! Can you believe that one word can impact the world; open doors of ministry, and at the same time tear churches apart. I think we have gotten past the fear of change in this church, but what we have seen in the past 3½ years is a gradual change in what goes on inside the church. Now as the Lord moves us forward we are going to see that it is time for radical change in what goes on outside the church. Perhaps you have seen on TV the commercials that advertise the city of Las Vegas. The ads promote immorality by saying that “what happens here stays here.” Unfortunately I believe that is what has been happening in the church today. Undeniably, we have seen some wonderful moves of God take place. The Holy Spirit’s gifts are in operation. Healing is taking place. Wonderful testimonies of God’s power have been shared. But are we living by the code, “what happens here stays here”?
Don’t you know that the world is looking for the spiritual excitement that we are experiencing here? Don’t you know that many in this town have been in one church or another at some point in their lives and there was nothing to keep them there? Don’t you know that the Holy Spirit power that is evident in this church is enough to provide something lasting in the lives of those who have never found anything in any other church?
As we were gathered together for prayer Friday morning, the Holy Spirit was impressing on my heart one thing and one thing only. I tried to pray but I was interfering with what He wanted to speak to me. So as I submitted myself to listen to what He was saying, I heard a simple message. “Change!” He told me of change that was coming on Friday mornings. He spoke of the change that would take place in every heart. And He lay on my heart that we have to change or die.
Today, is the introduction to a short sermon series on “change”. This introduction to the series is based on a short but familiar passage. Romans 1:14-16 is part of a passage in which Paul writes of his desire to visit the church in Rome for the express purpose of sharing something with them. Verse 13 sets the stage for what Paul is about to say by saying these words, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.”
Today we want to look at three aspects of change that we must attend to if we, and ultimately the church, are going to move forward. My prayer is that four weeks from now we will have changed sufficiently to allow God to do in this church the things He desires to do.
I. OBLIGATION - CHANGE OF MIND (14)
Verse 14 NIV, “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish.” The word translated “obligated” in the NIV is “debtor” in the KJV. Paul’s recognition is that he has a responsibility as a Christian. In the context of the passage his responsibility is win the lost. Paul’s passion was for the lost. Obligation originates in the mind. As Christians we know that we have certain obligations. When we are saved our minds are changed. We see things from a different perspective – from God’s perspective. God’s perspective is that He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. So our obligation is to do everything we can to affect that purpose. Romans 12:2 says that it is the renewing of our minds transforms us. “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” So the way we think should be in a constant state of change. I used to work with a friend who came from two families of extremely strong willed German Catholic background. I used to tease him about his head being the hardest known substance in the universe because he did things the way we always did it. But we as the church must be obligated to changing our minds. Why? Because the word says so? No, but because we want to know God’s will. Now, how do we exercise our obligations? It is through the church. When our minds are in that continual state of renewal and change we will recognize that we are obligated to God through the church. We are obligated to God’s work in the church – which is what? – bringing the lost to Christ.
II. EAGER – CHANGE OF HEART. (15)
“That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you in Rome”. The word translated “eager” means that Paul is predisposed to the task He is ready, but it includes an element of passion or fierceness. We already developed the idea of changing the way you think. Eagerness comes from the heart. Eagerness to win the lost involves having a heart transplant. Isn’t that the fulfillment of what the prophet Ezekiel said? “I will take away your hearts of stone and give you hearts of flesh.” Once we have changed our minds to the necessity of evangelizing, we have to be predisposed to it. Change your hearts. Solomon pronounced a blessing over the children of Israel when he said these words in 1 Kings 8:56-61, 56“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers. 59And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. 61But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”
iii. NOT ASHAMED – CHANGE OF SPIRIT (16)
16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” I know a lot of people who are dedicated to a church. They are so dedicated to a particular church or denomination that it makes you stop and wonder if their salvation comes through Christ or through that church. They see their obligation to their church as the first and foremost priority. They may or may not have a true change of heart. We see those who have an obvious change of heart but fail in their commitment to the church of Jesus Christ. “I don’t have to go to church to be saved!” is their battle cry. Not being committed takes away all obligations to the work of Christ. There’s no one to answer to. NO spiritual authority over you. That’s where the danger is. Personal evangelism is about winning people to Christ. There is no question about that. But Jesus didn’t simply tell us to go and witness. He said go and make disciples. You can have a change of mind and a change of heart, but if you are not truly changed in your spirit you can say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel…” and not really mean it. To Paul not being ashamed of the gospel meant being willing, and compelled in his spirit by the Spirit of God, to go! The word “ashamed” means disfigurement or disgrace. Paul is not disfigured or disgraced over the truth of God. He is willing to preach the gospel at any cost. In this case it meant his going to Rome as prisoner. If we are refusing to share the gospel because we don’t know how or for whatever reason, we need to get rid of that spirit and accept the spirit of power.
Lieghton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 67.
I was speaking at an open-air crusade in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Billy Graham was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early. He came incognito and sat on the grass at the rear of the crowd. Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one recognized him.
Directly in front of him sat an elderly gentleman who seemed to be listening intently to my presentation. When I invited people to come forward as an open sign of commitment, Billy decided to do a little personal evangelism. He tapped the man on the shoulder and asked, "Would you like to accept Christ? I’ll be glad to walk down with you if you want to." The old man looked him up and down, thought it over for a moment, and then said, "Naw, I think I’ll just wait till the big gun comes tomorrow night." Billy and I have had several good chuckles over that incident. Unfortunately, it underlines how, in the minds of many people, evangelism is the task of the "Big Guns," not the "little shots."
Change is a difficult word. But change within the church can change the world. I want you to notice one thing that we haven’t discussed. I know we have power in the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but verse 16 tells us that the “gospel” is the power of God to salvation. The gospel message is simple. Point 1: Who Jesus Was! Point 2: What Jesus Did! It’s that simple.
Change your minds. Let God’s word dwell in you richly. See things from God’s perspective. Know that you need to share the gospel. Be obligated.
Change your hearts. Remember how Jesus walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection? He shared with them how the word of God had foretold everything that would happen. He shared the gospel message with them. Luke 24:32 says, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Be eager.
Change your spirits. The prophet Jeremiah got to the point that he thought it was useless to speak God’s word. Nobody listened. “But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak anymore in His name, His word is like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.” Be unashamed.
