Romans Series Title: The Line in the Sand
Message Title: The Party Line
Scripture: Romans 1:2
Romans 1:2
2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
In politics, the line or the party line is an idiom for a political party or social movement’s agenda, as well as those specific ideological elements that are peculiar to the organization’s partisanship.
In communications, a party line is where two or more people share the same telephone loop or line. The number of rings would tell you which house was being called. Ring, then a pause, then another ring meant it was for you. Ring, ring, and that would be for the Smiths down the road a piece, and ring, ring, ring meant it was for the Jones.’
Though either explanations or definitions of the term the party line can stand on their own, they are very similar when you think about the two. It’s all about subscription to a group. It’s all about being a part of something.
In a Christian organizations, where a group of people of ‘like faith’ have come together and call themselves a church, it is referred to as the Statement of Faith. But, we could just as easily call it the party line because everyone in that group, through their interpretations of the Scriptures, has determined the basic subscription policy to that group of believers.
Now, not saying that opinions, philosophies, values and ethics all have the same meaning, but every organization, and for that matter every person in the world, has basic opinions, philosophies, values and ethics concerning faith, beliefs, life, education, and work, and it even extends into recreational time. Most of these opinions, philosophies, values, and ethics are based on or influenced by how and where you were brought up and they form your own private line. People search around the church, the community, the city, the region, and the country [through the internet!] looking for other people that have a similar private line. Once the two get together, it’s a party line.
If you were brought up in an area where everyone was in a gang, you may end up being in a gang and your work ethic and your value for life would be much different than someone brought up in, say, a tribe of Christian natives in Papua New Guinea.
What about this? If you were brought up in an area rich in natural resources [oil, agriculture, etc.], then your work ethic may be different than someone that lives on the beach in Hawaii or a mountain cabin in the Appalachians.
If you were brought up in George Mueller’s orphanage as opposed to one of the state-run facilities for orphaned children, would there be a difference? Definitely, all of your opinions, philosophies, values, and ethics would be worlds apart.
You have a private line. It is yours, and that is what makes you who you are. Now, because you’re human, there shouldn’t be much difference between your private line and the party line to which you subscribe or, the group to which you belong.
So why are you here in church? Didn’t your upbringing determine where you should fit into this world? If so, why are you here?
The world will tell you that your private line of opinions, philosophies, values, and ethics are what set you apart from everyone else, but in actuality, those very things are what draw you to others. Those very things are what advertisers prey on to get you to buy their products.
The world will tell you that, once imprinted onto your system, these opinions, philosophies, values, and ethics are next to impossible to change.
If so, again, why are you here?
Some of you had the benefit of Christian parents, Christian families and Christian homes, but there are others here that were not so fortunate. Why are you here?
Let me answer that for you…
Romans 1:2
“the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures”
In this scripture passage it says "the gospel," which means God’s good news. Then Paul says, "he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures…" Now, since we know that Paul was writing this in the first century we know that there was no New Testament, so the Holy Scriptures here would mean the Old Testament. The promise of God’s good news can be read in the Old Testament.
Why are you here? You’re here because of the gospel of God and what it has done to your life.
Party lines in the political world are shaped by not only people but many other variables. Party lines in the Christian world are shaped by God and based on His Word, His gospel. But, wait a minute…my opinions, philosophies, values, and ethics were already shaped by my environment…
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:4-6 (edited),
I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. …no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
God knows that your private line is shaped by the world, so in order to change your private line and then bring you into His party line, you must be born again. Without rebirth, then all of your prejudices, all of your concerns and all of what sin and the world have made you, are still packed in that baggage that you carry around with you from day to day. And, as Jesus says, unless you’re born again, you’ll not see the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:2
“the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures”
God made a promise through His prophets, that He would come into this sin-sick world and fix it. There’s a lot to be said for the phrase, “let’s get to the heart of the matter.” Because that is what God does. His Word penetrates to the very soul of man…
Hebrews 4:12
…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Rebirth into the family of God gives you the opportunity to let Him do away with that errant imprinting that threatens to ruin your heart and your life. Being born again affords you the privilege of being given a new, clean heart that is just waiting and wanting to be imprinted by the leading of His Word.
In summary, I just want to say that there seems to be so much confusion about the ‘gospel,’ even in the Christian world. Confusion concerning the very word ’gospel’ itself, or what the gospel is or contains. Quite simply, we must align ourselves with Paul and say, we teach Christ, and Him crucified. That is our gospel which was promised. Romans 1:2 tells you that the Bible contains God’s promises for you. Have you found any this week?
God’s Promises (Our Daily Bread, January 1, 1985)
God’s presence -- "I will never leave thee" (Hebrews. 13:5)
God’s protection -- "I am thy shield" (Genesis. 15:1)
God’s power -- "I will strengthen thee" (Isaiah. 41:10)
God’s provision -- "I will help thee" (Isaiah. 41:10)
God’s leading -- "And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them" (John 10:4)
God’s purposes -- "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah. 29:11)
God’s rest -- "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew. 11:28)
God’s cleansing -- "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
God’s goodness -- "No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly" (Psalm 84:11)
God’s faithfulness -- "The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake" (1 Samuel. 12:22)
God’s guidance -- "The meek will He guide" (Psalm 25:9)
God’s wise plan -- "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28)
Those are just a few of the promises that God has included in His word. What do we do with such wonderful and magnificent promises?
The following illustration appeared in the daily reading for Our Daily Bread, on February 4, 1994.
“Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase the beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."
The gospel God promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures was and is a more excellent work than that musical instrument. Someone knew that they had no right to keep it all to themselves so they brought it to you. You have it now, it’s yours. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.
