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Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Pastor James May
PAUL’S EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
Lesson #2
Romans 1:8-16
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 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.
Verse 8. Paul begins the preface of his epistle to the Romans immediately upon the completion of his salutation. In these verses he attempts to show his good opinion of the Christians at Rome, and to prepare their minds for his reproofs and exhortations.
It is always best to begin with recognizing the good in someone before you begin to teach them what they do no understand or know.
Your faith is spoken of and is celebrated, throughout the whole world and in every place where the Christian religion is professed.
Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold."
The testimony of this church is based upon the sum totals of the individual testimony of each of its members. Our church will be known as a loving church, a caring church and a church where the Truth is found only if every member loves others, cares for others and speaks the truth in love.
We can also be known as the judgmental church, the permissive church, or any one of a hundred other names simply because one or two of our membership act in that fashion. Whatever we do, whatever we say, wherever we go, we are in the spotlight. And, everything about us is a direct reflection of the church we attend whether good or bad.
My hope and prayer is that God thinks of Victory Temple in the same glowing terms that Paul spoke of the Roman church. Let our reputation reflect the spirit of love and compassion for the lost and hurting. Let our reputation reflect the conviction that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.
Verse 9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
I would to God that all of God’s children and every member of this church felt that way for one another. God help us to pray for one another without ceasing.
Make you a list of the names of everyone you can think of and call their name before God in prayer that God would save them, heal them and bless them. How long could you pray then?
If we are truly concerned, we will pray.
Romans 1:10, "Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."
By this we see how earnestly the apostle longed to see Rome. It had long been a subject of continual prayer to God that he might have a prosperous journey to, or rather meeting with them. Read the 27th chapter of Acts to see how Paul’s prosperous journey went on his trip to Rome. He was shipwrecked, snake bitten, cold, hungry and under arrest of the Roman Army, but his journey was prosperous for it was ordained of God.
So you think you had a bad day!
Romans 1:11, "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"
My greatest desire is to see the gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation in our church. I pray that when God speaks we all will hear.
God desires to move upon the hearts and lives of the people but we often limit what He can and will do by our own unbelief. My prayer is that I can give to each of you, a word of strength and encouragement every time we come together.
I want you to be established upon the Word of God and upon the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that you faith cannot be shaken.
Romans 1:12, "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
The work of the Lord in the church requires a togetherness and teamwork. It is only when we are all working together in unity of purpose and in the same mind that anything great can be accomplished.
God, help us to remain humble before you. Don’t let sinful pride enter our heart to ruin our walk with you.
We strive together to perform the work of the ministry so that we can keep and enhance that “good name” or reputation that we began with.
Romans 1:13, "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles."
Sometimes the work of the Lord takes us into places and circumstances that we would rather not go. There are other times when we want to go and God doesn’t allow it happen at the time that we think is right.
Romans 1:14, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
Are you a debtor to Christ? Do you have a debt to pay that you could never pay?
Jesus is calling us to service to spread the word of His good news to all men.
Romans 1:15, "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."
Paul felt morally obligated to preach to everyone he met. He was obligated to preach salvation to the Greeks, His own people, to the Barbarians who knew not god and to the Wise and unwise alike and desired to show them the way of the Lord.
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."
The gospel of Jesus Christ will never leave us shaken and ashamed for it is a living gospel of power.
Some people count on many things to bring salvation to them. They trust in money, power, wealth or fame, only to find out that none of those things can save them.
Trusting in anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ will leave us standing before God ashamed in the Day of Judgment.
But, it we trust in Jesus we won’t be ashamed for His righteousness will cover us.
We will not be ashamed to preach this same gospel of salvation, love and mercy to anyone else both because we feel obligated and we are convinced that this is man’s only real answer.
Let us follow Paul’s example in desiring to see the church grown and to reach out to lost souls. Let us desire it with all our heart. Let us pray for that end without ceasing.
God, give us a prosperous journey in our quest for winning the lost!
Let Victory Temple, and every member of this church, be examples of the love of God caring for and reaching out to those in need of a savior and a helping hand.
