Separated Unto The Gospel Series

Separated unto the Gospel”

CLBC December 31, 2006 a.m.

Subject: The Gospel

Theme: The Content of the Gospel

Passage: Romans 1: 1 - 7

As we enter a new year, we are also entering a new series of studies. During the last couple of years, we have studied Ezra, and Nehemiah and have rejoiced in “A People with a mind to work”. We have studied First and Second Timothy, and have discovered how to look after the church, and have become more aware that if the gospel is to reach the world for Christ, every generation must “Pass the Torch” to a new group of prepared people.

Now I want us to concentrate our attention on the Book of Romans, in order to make sure that we really understand the great doctrines or teachings of the Christian life.

I have urged our Care Group leaders, and I will now urge each of you to read through the Book of Romans several times. Read it first to get an overall impression of the book, and then read it with a pen in you hand, watching for the important words which are used. If you do I think you will find that the main theme of Romans has to do with righteousness. It deals with the righteousness of God, and the unrighteous condition of man. But above all it shows us how we can gain the kind of righteousness which God requires of every person accepted by Him.

This morning I want to start these studies by looking at the gospel which we are to preach. Let’s read chapter 1: verses 1 - 7

Romans 1: 1 - 7 1 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I want to speak to you today about the Gospel.

When William Carey was a young Baptist shoe repairman in England, he became very convicted by the need to take the gospel to those in other parts of the world who had never heard. Since there were no missionary societies to send peopl e to the mission field, he approached a gathering of Baptist Pastors with his vision of reaching those in other lands.

He was told, “Youn man, sit down! When God wants to convert the heathen, He will certainly do it without your help or mine.”

But what was this gospel which Carey wanted to take to the world? Paul answers the question in his letter to the Church at Rome.

In chapter 1: verse 1Paul begins immediately by introducing himself. You see, Paul had not founded the church at Rome. Nor had he ever visited the church at Rome. It had been founded, perhaps by people who had come to live there like Priscilla and Aquilla. The church was made up of both converted Jews and Gentiles (spoke of as Greeks) So Paul had to introduce himself to the church at Rome. How does he describe himself? “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.

Paul is called to preach the gospel.

Notice the 3 parts of this introduction: 1. He is a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Is that how you would describe yourself? Are you first and foremost, even before being a husband or wife or parent or a worker in such a job, or a retired person, are you a servant of Jesus Christ? If you are you will be all of these other things better than you could be if you were not first a Christian and s servant of Christ.

He then tells them he is called to be an apostle. That is his particular calling. Even though he was not one of the original 12 disciples, he has received a special calling from God to be one of the 12 apostles for the spread of the gospel.

Thirdly, he says he is separated to the gospel of God. This was his chief work - to spread the gospel. This is what God has called him to do.Now I think you all know that the word translated “gospel” means “good news”. The most important thing in Paul’s life was spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.