The Guilt Of Mankind

The Guilt of Mankind

Romans One

Scripture Reading: Rom. 1:18-32

Introduction:

1. The book of Romans gives every Christian the hope of Justification through faith.

2. Faith is the foundation of Christianity.

3. Paul understood that the world needed the Gospel because they were guilty of sin.

I. The Apostles Commission (Romans 1:1-7).

Romans 1:1-7 KJVR

(1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(2) (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)

(3) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made 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) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name;

(6) Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

(7) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. The Calling of Paul (1).

i. “a servant of Jesus Christ”

1. The Greek word doulos, (δοῦλος) comes from the word δέω) which means to bind.

a. This is a generic term applied to anything which can be bound, tied, or fettered.

b. Thayer Definition:

1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

1a) a slave

1b) metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

2) a servant, attendant

c. “He was a bond-man, and hence not free; he owned not himself, nor controlled his own acts. He was bound by the will of another.”

2. All Christians share this title.

a. Jesus taught his disciples to be bond servants.

Mat 10:25 KJVR

(25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Mat 20:27 KJVR

(27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Mar 10:44 KJVR

(44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all.

b. The term was also used by Christians.

Gal 1:10 KJVR

(10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Col 4:12 KJVR

(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

c. This title was used in the Old Testament to designate the Prophets.

Jer 44:4 KJVR

(4) Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

3. We are slaves who have been liberated by binding ourselves to Christ.

a. We are free to do what is right.

b. We are free from the burden of sin.

c. We are free from the sting of death.

ii. “apostle”

1. The Greek word is apostello (ἀπόστολος), which literally means one sent from, sent out, or sent away.

2. Paul was not called by men like Matthias, but was called directly by Jesus.

3. He was chosen by Jesus for a special purpose.

iii. “set apart”

1. “The word aphorize (ἀφορίζω), primarily means to separate one thing from another by drawing a boundary-line between them.”

2. The line drawn was for the purpose of separating Paul from the world and “to the gospel of God.”

3. Paul was “separated” both by God (Gal. 1:15) and by the Church at Antioch (Acts 13:2), to preach the Gospel.

Gal 1:15-16 KJVR

(15) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

(16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Act 13:2 KJVR

(2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

b. The Conviction of Paul (2-4).

i. Born of the seed of David according to the (his) flesh.

1. “(It is) his joyful proclamation of the victory and exaltation of his Son, and the consequent amnesty and liberation which we may enjoy through faith in him.” (F.F. Bruce)

2. The Fact that Jesus was born of the seed of David gives him affirmation.