Paul’s Identity, What is Your Identity?
Servant
Apostle
Set Apart
Missionary
DBF Sunday Sermon, 4/27/03, Romans 1:1-5
Today we will start a study in the Book of Romans.
The Apostle Paul wrote this book as led by God to show us the revelation of God’s righteousness, the vindication of God’s righteousness, and the application of God’s righteousness.
We will be looking at Paul’s identity this week.
If you were asked today what is your identity, what would be your response?
Are you Cajun, Filipino, Eskimo, Inupiat, Athabascan, or another race?
Are you male or female?
Are you brown haired, red haired, black or blond?
Are you brown eyed, blue eyed, green or gray?
I remember when I was a very young Cajun in Louisiana, my grandfather would always ask me who I was and would laugh continually when I responded “Bruce a Bert a toroutoroutourdof…”.
I had been told that I was Bruce, son of Bert (Wilbert), son of Rodolf Landry by my father, mother, grandfather and grandmother. I just had a little trouble saying it right at the age of about 3 or 4.
Many Natives in Alaska identify themselves by tribe or clan.
You see that we as people identify ourselves by many means, lets look at Paul’s example in the book of Romans.
Servant
Romans 1:1 (KJV)
Paul, a servant
Paul Paul had many different things that could have identified him. Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee, Roman Citizen yet of all things that showed his identity, he chose to identify himself in light of his relationship with Jesus Christ his Lord. Paul identified himself as a slave or as doulos, doo’-los; from Greek (deo); a slave bond-servant. You see Paul had not neglected himself into slavery, but had freely given himself into this position. Can the same thing be said of you today? Have you fully given yourself into submission to Jesus Christ and HIS will in your life today? The word deo, deh’-o, means to bind as in to bind, to be in bonds, to knit, to tie, or to wind. Paul was bound to, bond to, closely knit and completed tied to whatever God laid before him in his life to complete God’s “good and perfect will” in Paul’s life and in the lives Paul touched. Can the same be said of you today? Who did Paul serve and whom should we serve? Acts 16:17 (KJV) The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. Acts 27:23 (KJV) For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, John 12:26 (KJV) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Rev. 22:3 (KJV) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Let us serve the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. Apostle Romans 1:1 (KJV) Paul…called to be an apostle… Next Paul tells us that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. A term generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom Jesus Christ entrusted the organization of HIS church and the dissemination of HIS gospel, “the twelve,” as they are called. Our Lord gave them the “keys of the kingdom,” and by the gift of HIS Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his church. John 14:16-17 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:26 (KJV) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15:26-27 (KJV) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: [27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. To them, as representatives of HIS complete church, he gave the commission to “preach the gospel to every creature”. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the Apostle was afterwards added to their number. Acts 20:4 (KJV) And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. Acts 26:15-18 (KJV) And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. [16] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; [17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1 Cor. 2:7 (KJV) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1 Cor. 2:10 (KJV) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Cor. 2:13 (KJV) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Cor. 2:16 (KJV) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:2 (KJV) Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 2 Cor. 5:20 (KJV) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 1 Tim. 1:12 (KJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 1 Tim. 2:7 (KJV) Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2 Tim. 1:11 (KJV) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. It was characteristic of the apostles and necessary (1.) That they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27; Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 22:14, 15). (2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Luke 6:13; Gal. 1:1). (3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:13). (4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; 1 Cor. 12:8-11). The apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only authoritative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle ceased with its first holders. Set Apart Romans 1:1 (KJV) Paul…separated… Paul next tells us he was separated or “set apart” to the work of God. Paul used the word aphorizo, af-or-id’-zo; from Greek (apo) and (horizo) which means to set off by boundary, to limit, exclude, appoint, or to divide, separate, or sever. Paul was separated from all that he had known by his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Could it be said of you that you have been truly “set apart” in your walk and life? If God is to truly work in your life it must be so. Until we answer God’s call fully and call upon Christ fully to come into our hearts in full submission unto HIS will, then we will never truly be “set apart” unto God. Answer Jesus’ will in your heart and life today, become as Paul a “set apart” separated servant unto Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Missionary Romans 1:1 (KJV) Paul…separated unto the gospel of God, Paul goes on to tell us that this separation was specific to the spread of the “Good News” message given by Jesus Christ. The word gospel comes from the word euaggelion, yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on; meaning a good message, i.e. the gospel. Holman’s Bible Dictionary defines MISSION(S) A task on which God sends a person He has called, particularly a mission to introduce another group of people to salvation in Christ. In the Christian context, the person sent is called a missionary. This person is charged with the task of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to people to whom he is sent. The mission of the churches is to send our missionaries to all parts of the world until everyone has had the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus and accept Him as Lord. Paul describes the group of people selected him by Jesus Christ. Romans 11:13 (KJV) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: This had to cause Paul some anxiety as a former Pharisee, knowing the laws relative to Gentile contact. Yet Paul became all things to all men so that some might come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Are you ready to answer the “Missionary call” in your life today? There or still people everywhere that need to come and here and know what is that “good and perfect” will of God in their lives. We are all unique as in our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, so it is with our ability to reach and serve different segments of our un-churched neighbors. Just as Saul of Tarsus’ life was changed dramatically that faithful day on the road to Damascus, God sends his faithfully missionaries out to bring others to HIS grace into salvation. We are asked to bring our brothers and sisters in the world to a point were they understand that they reap what they sow. All will receive their just rewards for what they reap and sow in life and in death. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit never would have anyone believe that there are not eternal consequences for a life spent apart from their will. There are numerous places in the bible that tell you that you will face the very pits of hell and damnation for your sinfulness if you live a life apart from what God calls all too. The only way out of this reaping is to turn and believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, believe that HE is the Son of God who has come and given HIMSELF so that all who believe might not die but inherit the promise of eternal life. Oh what a glorious day, that saw my Saviors face, I could not, would not, should not have been allowed, but for calling upon HIS righteous name I have life, when indeed I knew I deserved not only death but death and hell. I pray that you have made this very important decision in your life today and that people are seeing the fruits of Christ in your walk and life. If not, you are invited to come forward and we would love to pray the sinner’s prayer with you to help you start your walk in newness of life today. If you have any prayer requests or concerns we ask you to bring them forward or let us know, we would love to pray for you as you continue to strive for the light that is in Christ Jesus Our Lord. Closing prayer.
