Sermons and Outlines

Rom. 1:1-7 THE CREDENTIALS OF PAUL THE APOSTLE - PART 2

Intro: As we began our study of the Book of Romans, in verse 1 the Apostle Paul introduced himself to the Roman saints. He had never met these people and he wanted to let them know that he was on the up and up. It seems that in those days, there were some people running around claiming to be servants of the Lord when actually they were out for financial gain. Sounds like today doesn't it? After Paul introduces himself personally by sharing some facts about the messenger, he moves on to his message.

This is the foundation for the Book of Romans. It is a Book about the essential elements of Christianity. Beginning with the Gospel and moving into the deeper truths of the Christian faith, Paul shares the mind of God with the Roman Christians. As we travel through the great Book, we too are going to encounter truths that will be life changing.

In verse 1, we talked about The Credentials of Paul the Apostle as we discussed Some Facts About The Messenger. We learned that he was a servant, and that he was also an ambassador. We also learned that Paul had been set apart to carry the Gospel of God to a lost world. In that one verse, we learned a great deal about the Apostle. Tonight, I would like to continue speaking about Paul's Credentials as we look into verse 2 and beyond.

I. V. 1 THE FACTS ABOUT THE MESSENGER

II. V. 2-5 THE FOUNDATION OF PAUL'S MESSAGE

(As we look at these verses, we are going to see that the Apostle's message was centered in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.)

A. V. 2 Jesus Is The Promised One - The Gospel that involves the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus was not an afterthought with God. He had been declaring that His Son would come and that He would die for the sins of humanity. The Gospel was not a new thing, but it was something that was older than man himself, Rev. 13:8.

1. The Old Testament Scriptures speak of the Lord - John 5:39.

2. The sacrifice of the Messiah is plainly foretold in the Old Testament - Isa. 53:1-12.

3. The Old Testament is filled with types and symbols that point to the coming Savior - Note especially, Adam, the Ark, the Manna, the Tabernacle, the Sacrificial system, etc. All of these things pointed ahead to the One who was to come. (Ill. Every little lamb that was killed in sacrifice gave testimony to the One who was coming later. Jesus was the promised One.)

B. V. 3-4 Jesus Is The Powerful One - Ill. These verses tell us that the Gospel is far more than just a recollection of Old Testament prophecies. It is far more than that. The Gospel is about a Person named Jesus Christ. These verses say a lot about His power and His position.

1. His Position - (Ill. Son of God) - Jesus Christ was no ordinary man. He as in fact the very Son of God. I don't understand the mechanics of it, but God the Father took a virgin called Mary and caused her to conceive without the benefit of a human partner. Luke 1:35. The child she carried in her womb was none other than the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Lord Jesus. I think that one of the greatest mysteries of all time is how God could robe Himself in human flesh, yet this is exactly what He did, Phil. 2:5-8. While Jesus walked this earth, He was not a divine man, neither was He a human god. Jesus was the God-man. He was 100% both at the same time. That is a mystery that our mortal, finite minds could never hope to unravel.

(Ill. Perhaps a deeper look at Phil. 2:5-8 is in order here. There are several words in these verses that demand our attention and our understanding concerning Who Jesus really is.

A. V. 6 - The Bible says that Jesus was in the "form" of God. This word refers to the very essence of His being. One could not be in the form of God and not be God, for God is a Spirit. Jesus was in every essence God! However, verse 7 says that Jesus "took upon Himself the "form" of a servant." Very same word! Jesus became in every essence a servant. However, it is worthy to note the word "being" in verse 6. This verb is in the present participle. It means that Jesus continued in the "form" of God. That is. while He became a man in every way, He also remained God. He was very literally the God-man.

B. V. 7 - In this verse, the word "likeness" is used. This word means "resemblance". While Jesus remained God inwardly, outwardly, He had every attribute of humanity, except for a sinful nature. Had any of us seen Jesus when He walked this earth, we would not have known Him, by appearance, from any other human - Isa. 53:2.

C. V. 8 - This verse tells us that Jesus was found in the "fashion" of mankind. This word refers to His physical form. Paul is saying that Jesus Christ was a very real man. Some were saying in that day that Jesus was merely a spirit and that He had no flesh. However, Paul tells us that He literally became a man so that He could give His life in death for the sins of the world. It would have been impossible to nail a spirit to a cross!

D. The conclusion then is an easy one to reach, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the God-man!

2. His Person - Paul takes three titles of the Lord and piles them one upon the other to tell us more about Him.

A. He is Jesus - This is His human Name. The title of His humiliation. (It is interesting to note that demons always referred to Jesus Christ by this name alone.)

B. He is Christ - The words means "the Anointed". This name is His official title. It portrays Him as Prophet, Deut. 18:15-19; Priest, Psa. 110:4; and King, 2 Sam. 7:12-13. In Jesus Christ is found the One who had been promised before the foundation of the world. He is the Messiah and He is Savior of the world.

C. He is Lord - The third title mentioned by Paul is that of Lord. This is the title of His exaltation. This word reminds us that He is the victor over death and the grave and that He is the resurrected and exalted One. He is to be honored, feared, obeyed and served. He is Lord, Acts 2:36.

3. His Pedigree - The last portion of verse 3 and all of verse 4 tell us about this man named Jesus. In these verses we are given His pedigree. Paul gives us, in these verses, the credentials of the Lord Jesus.

A. His Human Credentials - Paul tells us that He came from the kingly line of David. As such, Jesus is qualified to sit upon the throne as the King of the Jews. When the Bible says that He was made, it literally means to "become." Jesus is God, yet He became a man so that He might live among us and die for us. He walked as we walk, He suffered as we suffer, He bled as we bleed. Therefore, since He is a man, and has lived as a man, He is more than qualified to aid us in our times of difficulty - Heb. 4:15.

B. His Heavenly Credentials - While Paul says that Jesus was the son of David, that is, a man, he also tells us that there is proof that Jesus is the Son of God. There are 2 proofs given in verse 4 that declare His Heavenly Credentials

1. His Righteousness - The very fact that Jesus was born without sin, that He lived without sin and that He died without sin proves that He was heavenly in His origin. (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 Pet. 2:22.)

(Ill. Jesus lived His life as a man by doing what we are expected to do: He yielded totally to the "Spirit" of holiness. Everything Jesus did, He did as a Spirit filled man. He lived a righteous life by the power of the Holy Ghost, and we can too, if we will yield to God. Will you ever be sinless in this flesh? Probably not! But, if you yield to the Spirit as you should, then you will certainly sin less, 1 Cor. 10:13.)

2. His Resurrection - Just as His righteous life proved His heavenly origin, so too does His resurrection from the dead. You see, death could never hold Jesus! He was perfectly holy and only submitted to death for our sakes, John 10:18. All others who have ever lived and died are gone from this earth forever, but not Jesus! He died and conquered death so that those who follow Him might enjoy eternal life!

(Ill. Before we move on, I would like to spend just a few more minutes on the duality of Christ's nature. While He was here on earth, there were certain instances when His dual nature is on display. Allow me to share 3 with you this evening.

1. Matt. 17:24-27 - In this passage, Peter comes to Jesus because some are asking whether Jesus was going to pay His taxes or not. Now, nothing is more human that paying taxes. Nowadays, we are taxed to death. Jesus responds to Peter by telling Him that Kings are exempt from taxes, but to avoid offending anyone, He will pay His taxes. However, His method of getting the money proved His deity. He sends Peter to go to the lake and cast in his hook. He tells Peter that he will find the money for the tribute in the fishes mouth. Think about it! Jesus is saying, "Go to the lake that I created. I know that one of my creatures has dropped a coin into my lake. My law of gravity caused it to sink into my water and I commanded one of my fish to take that coin into its mouth and not swallow it. When you cast in your hook, I will command my fish to take it. When you land the fish, the money will be in its mouth and you can pay our taxes to other people that I created who work for a government that I allow to rule."

2. Mark 4:35-41 - After one of the toughest days of His ministry, Jesus enters a ship with His men to pass over to the other side of the lake. When He gets in the boat, Jesus appears very human. He is literally exhausted and He falls asleep in the rear of the ship. While He sleeps, a storm descends upon the little boat. The disciples, who are seasoned boatmen, a afraid of the storm and fear that they will die. They awaken Jesus and He gets up and speaks to the storm and says, "Peace, be still." When He does, the storm stops in obedience to its Creator.

3. Luke 23:39-43 - In this passage, Jesus has been nailed to the cross and He is doing a very human thing; He is bleeding and dying. However, one of the thieves that were crucified with Him turns to Jesus and asks for salvation. Jesus does something that is very divine. He saves the man and promises Him a home in paradise when he dies.

If nothing else tells us that Jesus Christ was both God and man at the same time, then these passages ought to clear that up forever. He proved His identity and His deity countless times throughout His life. Our duty is to learn to take the Bible at face value and believe what it says about our Lord.

C. V. 5 He Is The Performing One - Paul wants to share one more thought about the Lord Jesus before He moves on. He tells us that we have received 3 things from the Lord Jesus. Note the word "we" in verse 5.

1. We Have Received Grace - Grace is the unmerited love and favor of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners. Through grace we are saved, Eph. 2:8-9, kept, and cared for. It is by grace that we understand the promise of an eternity with Jesus in Heaven.

2. We Have Received Gifts - Paul says that we have received apostleship. That is, we have been gifted to work in the Lord's service. We have been drafted for His mission - Acts 1:8. We have all been sent out to be witnesses for the glory of the Lord.

(Ill. I fear that many in the church have developed the mind set that witnessing is for the paid staff members of the church. However, I think the Bible is abundantly clear when it tells us that every child of God is to be a worker in the Lord's fields of harvest, Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15.)

I. The Facts About The Messenger

II. The Foundation Of His Message

III. V. 6-7 THE FOCUS OF HIS MINISTRY

(Ill. In the last two verses of this passage, Paul turns his attention to the people to which he is writing. He tells them three great things that need to be noted because what was true of them is also true of us this evening.)

A. V. 6 They Are Called To Be Saved - Paul reminds them that they share with him one of the greatest honors ever to be bestowed upon any person. They have received the sovereign call of God to be saved. Man in his natural state is dead to God and to the voice of God, Eph. 2:1. However, when he is quickened by the Holy Spirit, he can hear the call of God for salvation. No man can be saved when a where he chooses, but only when the Lord calls him to come, John 6:44.

(Ill. The glories of salvation:

1. Sin Taken Away - John 1:29; Col. 2:13-14; Psa. 103:12

2. Claimed by God - 1 John 3:1-2

3. Declared righteous by God - 1 Cor. 6:9-11

4. Brought nigh to God - Eph. 2:13

5. There are dozens more benefits that could be named right here, but these will suffice to let us see that salvation is a special gift from the Lord.)

B. V. 7a They Are Called To Be Sons - Note that Paul says they are "beloved of God." Now, it is a known fact that God loves all men, saint and sinner alike, John 3:16. What does the Apostle mean when he says that the redeemed are "beloved of God"? I think he means the same thing we mean when we talk of love. By the grace of God, it is possible to love all men, and as far as I know I truly do. However, there are 3 people who live in my house that are a whole lot closer to my heart than anyone else. I love all men, but those in my family are beloved to me. Do you see the difference? God loves all men, but the saints have a special place in the heart of God that no other people on the earth can share.

C. V. 7b They Are Called To Be Saints - These Roman Christians were also called to be "saints". That is, they were called to live lives that were separated and sold out for the Lord. They were to be different from the pagans who lived all around them. They were to be light in a dark world, Matt. 5:16. God still holds the same expectation for you and me. His plan for our lives is that we become different than others who live around us. He does not want His children to live like the world, but He wants us to live like Him. That is why He tells us that we become new creatures when we come to Him, 2 Cor. 5:17, and that our walk should match His as we go through the world, 1 John 2:6. You see, the word "saint" means "holy, set apart, sanctified." It carries the idea of being totally set apart and dedicated to the Lord's service. That is what God expects from each of us. He did not save our souls for us to serve the devil, the world or the flesh. He saved us that we might be vessels of honor unto Him as we pass through this wicked, sin cursed world. Are we living like saints?

Conc: As Paul concludes his introductory remarks he finishes by bestowing a blessing upon the Romans. It is a prayer that they might be the partakers of peace and grace. I pray the same prayer for you this evening.

I don't know where you stand this evening with the Lord. But, I do know that if there are problems that you need help with, that help will be found in the Lord Jesus. I do know that if you are lost, the Lord will save your soul. I do know that if you are out of the Lord's will, He will receive you back into His fellowship and He will forgive you your sins.

If there is a need upon any heart, please bring it to the Lord this evening. If the Lord has dealt with you in some manner through these verses, then you come before Him and allow Him to do His work in your life. Will you do what the Lord is leading you to do tonight?