Romans 1- The Church

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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 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; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you Romans 1:8-10

While many Christians view “Church” as optional or unneccessary, here we see the deep love the Apostle Paul has for the Church of Rome. It’s a demonstration of love when we understand the Church is a family of God, a spiritual community of believers and not an institution. When others become our spiritual brothers and sisters through The Lord Jesus Christ. Without this foundation, your walk as a Christian is in serious danger of being led to the broad road of destruction

The Apostle Paul begins with saying “I thank God through Jesus Christ for you all” Wow, what a beautiful statement, have you thanked God for the brothers and sisters in your life? Can you imagine your life without the Church? Think about this, its only because of The Lord Jesus Christ we are saved and united, if none of us were saved, there is a good possibility many of our paths would have never crossed. The unity of Christ is a powerful thing, I think its often reminded and demonstrated during the sacrament of Communion. We are all united together by one bread and one cup, a remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He has already done for us all

So what influence does the Church have? Think about what the Apostle Paul says here “that your faith is spoken throughout the whole world” The Church of Rome was in the heart of the Roman Empire, the capital of paganism and wickedness. Yet the Church had a major influence on this wicked society, the Church of Rome was the salt and light Christ has called us to be, what influence does your Church have on your community? Is your Church involved in representing Christ in the community?

Another question is how often do you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ? As the Apostle Paul says here “I make mention of you always in my prayers” Instead of criticizing your brothers and sisters, are you praying for them? If your not happy with the state of the Church, are you praying for them? Are you praying for your Pastor and Elders? Are you praying for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your community? Prayer is a powerful thing, typically you can tell alot about someone’s spiritual life by their prayer life.

The Apostle Paul strongly desired to be with his brothers and sisters in Rome, his dedication to Christ and the Church ultimately led to him losing his life in Rome. Do you have a strong desire to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Keep praying for the Church to be the Salt and Light in your community, to produce fruits of the Holy Spirit, to make disciples of everyone in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 1- Grace Through Faith

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By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 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. Romans 1:5-7

The Apostle Paul begins here with the foundation of our salvation, “By or Through Him (Christ) We Have Received Grace” It’s only by Gods Grace that we are saved and not by anything we are doing ourselves. As Paul said to the Ephesians “Its by grace you are saved , through faith, and not of yourselves, its a gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8) This destroys any false religious system of works based salvation.

We can never “earn our salvation” there is no checklist of religious practices that will qualify you for Heaven to become saved, you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a supernatural process, you are drawn to Christ , to repentance, to complete faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. 

It’s interesting that the Apostle Paul brings forth the idea of “apostleship” being received by the Church also. While the Apostles are in reference to the original 12 men of Jesus ministry, apostleship can also mean anyone who is sharing the gospel of Christ. In some sense all Born Again Christians are apostles, however as a true believer we humble ourselves and refrain from titles to elevate ourselves. When people , self appoint themselves as an “Apostle” that’s a red flag of a false teacher, you can only be appointed as an Apostle by Christ himself

So when we talk about grace, then we have to talk about works, as faith without works is dead (James 3) The Apostle Paul says “the obedience of faith” if Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, then we obey him as our Lord, we are obedient to our Master, even to the point of death. While we are saved by grace and not by the works of ourselves, we are obedient to The Lord in our works as faithful servants. As Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)

And this begins the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, to all the nations , the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, as the Apostle Paul says “among all nations (gentiles), for His name (Jesus)” This is the mission of the Church, to make disciples of everyone, to share the gospel with every creature (Mark 16:15) Salvation is found in Christ alone!

I’ll end with another revelation, did you know all Born Again Christians are saints. As the Apostle Paul says “called to be saints” that is the Church. The idea that certain Christians are Saints and others are not, is not Biblical. You are saints, you are apostles, by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Romans 1- The Son of God

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Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Romans 1:1-4

As we begin in the Epistle of Romans, the Apostle Paul, who is the confirmed author, who was a former and well educated Pharisee, will reveal and explain how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and Messianic prophecies. In fact Jesus fulfilled over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. Without the understanding of Christ and the Holy Spirit, you can’t clear understand or comprehend the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament scriptures (Luke 24:44)

The Apostle Paul could have elevated himself, as an Apostle of Christ, but he identifies himself as a Servant of Jesus Christ, this should be our attitudes and mentalities as Christians. Notice Paul makes a clear early reference to Jesus deity “the gospel of God” which the phrase is typically used the gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice he intentionally interchanged the title of God with Jesus Christ. Paul is setting the tone to explain and for our understanding of who Jesus Christ is based upon the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures. As Paul makes a reference “which He had promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures”

Regarding His (Gods) Son, The Apostle Paul makes it’s clear in the beginning that Jesus Christ is The Son of God. Then Paul introduces the incarnation of Christ “born of the seed of David according to the flesh” Remember earlier Paul established Jesus is the Son of God, now becoming flesh, God becoming a man as prophesied throughout the Old Testament scriptures, the Messiah, the seed of David, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords, who will save their people from their sins (Isaiah 53, Daniel 9, Zechariah 12-14)

Once again , the Apostle Paul affirms Jesus Christ is the Son of God but “according to the Spirit of Holiness” The Apostle Paul early introduces the Holy Spirit, who along with the Father and Son as God. As we remember the Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the incarnation of Christ, as the Son of God is conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)

Jesus Christ confirms His deity and power by “the resurrection of the dead” God becomes flesh (John 1:14) to die for our sins and be raised on the 3rd day, defeating sin and death forever (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) The Apostle Paul even mentions the Holy Spirit raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11) 

The Apostle Paul is laying the foundation for the theological teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the epistle of Romans, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, to reveal Jesus Christ is Lord and God, Amen!