THE MESSENGER & HIS MESSAGE

Romans 1:8-17 “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. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Paul has not yet visited Rome. Many of the perils he will experience in his ministry are still before him. However, he has experienced many conflicts already (Acts 13-20). He has been imprisonment, beaten, ridiculed, experienced physical disease and the heart-break of seeing fellow servants turn away from serving the Lord.

He has also experienced the blessing of seeing the fruit of the gospel produced in the lives of others. Several of the persons he had won to Christ moved to Rome to help build the church there (Romans 16:3-5).

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: ⁴ Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. ⁵ Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

In our text today I want you see two major divisions – Paul’s Character & Paul’s Confidence.

1.   PAUL’S CHARACTER (v 8-15).

Character = virtue: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

• Paul’s Thankfulness: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (v 8). What was Paul thankful for?

For Jesus Christ! I thank my God through Jesus Christ…

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

For other believers! For you all,..

For a fruitful ministry! Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul could have chosen to be bitter, and would have – had he not set his affections on higher ground. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

• Paul’s Service (v 9).

God is my witness. Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;..

Whom I serve with my spirit. This is a foreshadowing of what Paul would teach in Romans 8:1-6

• Paul’s Prayerfulness (v 9-10). Paul did not always have the freedom to preach, but he always had the freedom to pray.

• Paul’s Longing (v 11-12). Reflects his sacrificial nature. To impart to you.... that ye may be established…that I may be comforted together with you reveals you can’t give without receiving!

• Paul’s Purpose (v 13). I would not have you ignorant...

• Paul’s Debt (v 14). I am debtor...

• Paul’s Readiness (v 15). So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  1 Peter 3:15 Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

2.   PAUL’S CONFIDENCE (v 16-17). “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. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

• Paul’s CHARACTER is the result of his CONFIDENCE in Christ sufficiency.

The Theme of This Epistle – The Gospel of Christ…

The Reason For This Theme – For it is the power of God unto salvation.

• Notice The Words Paul Uses…

Power [dunamis] dynamite / dynamo. The gospel tears down... The gospel builds up. Jesus Has all power. Matthew 28:18

Salvation. The purpose of the gospel. 1Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Righteousness. The result of the gospel...

Faith (v 17). He mentions faith 3 times. The just shall live by faith… I’m tired of Christians who want to live by sight!

Ashamed (embarrassed, reluctant to identify with) of the gospel of Christ.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

2 Timothy 1:12 I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.