Romans Devotion #5: Overview of the Gospel, Part 1

Romans 1:14-18 give us an overview of the Gospel.  Today, we will be studying verses 14-16.  Take a moment and look at the picture above.  We use this picture to teach these verses.  There are two truths about the Gospel that we learn from these verses.  

Truth 1:  The Gospel is for everyone.

Romans 1:14-15

14. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  

15. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul listed 4 groups of people that he was obligated to in these verses.  The word "obligation" is the same greek word for indebted.  I briefly mentioned these people in my previous post.  Now, I want to look at them in more detail.  We are indebted to these same groups of people.

The Gospel is for Barbarians:

Liberia's past is full of violence.  Talk to any Liberian and you will hear personal stories of the atrocities of war.  Brutal battles were fought nearly everywhere we walk.  For example, visit our local hospital and you will see a monument, in honor of those who were slaughtered there while seeking refuge.  When the rebels entered a town, they often killed every man, woman and child.  Those who survived, ran into the bush, often never seeing their families again.   

Monument at Phebe Hospital

I tell you this information because it helps us understand the significance of the Scripture we are studying today.  You see, the Roman Empire was fighting a brutal war with the Barbarians during the time Paul wrote the book of Romans.  These Barbarians personified violence and dishonor.  The Barbarians invaded Rome from the north and much like Liberia's civil war, they killed every man, woman, and child when they entered a town.  Those who survived were left with deep emotional scars.  For the Romans, the Barbarians were the ultimate example of injustice, inhumanity, and hatred.  They here heartless and ruthless.  They were... Barbarians.   Question: Who are the Barbarians in your life?  If Romans 1:14-15 is true, we have to stop thinking that our enemy owes us and begin to think that we owe our enemy.  

For some, the thought of owing their enemy is repulsive.  Isn't it interesting that we love the mercies of God when they are applied to us but we hate them when they are applied to our enemies.  This should not be.  We find it easy to imagine God's justice being poured out upon our enemies but we find it almost unthinkable that God would lavish His grace and mercy on them.  

We must not forget that we were once God's enemy (Romans 5:6-10).  At that time, Jesus loved us and even chased after us (Matthew 18:10-14).  Could it be that Jesus is chasing after your enemy right now?  As a "follower of Christ," we must join Jesus in His righteous pursuit.  We must remember, we were forgiven a debt that we could not repay (Matthew 18:21-35) and that we are called to be sin's mortgage burner (Ephesians 4:31-32).  

Take a moment and think of the barbarians in your life.  Get out your match, stand before God with a heart full of worship and burn their debt against you.  Now, put on your running shoes and join Jesus in His righteous conquest.  Chase your enemy with the Good News!  You will find your soul liberated as you run.  Pour grace upon them.  Lead them to the same freedom that you are finding in Christ.  Trust God for justice, pay your debt.

Here are a three additional things God commands us to do to our enemies:

-  Love your enemy (Matthew 5:43-45).

-  Forgive and pray for your enemy (Matthew 6:9-13).

-  Provide for your enemy (Romans 12:20).

The Gospel is for the Greeks:  

For the Romans, the Greeks were their fellow citizens.  Like Paul, we are indebted to our fellow citizens.  

Imagine owing a friend a few hundred dollars and not being able to repay the debt.  What kind of feelings would you have?  For me, I would feel stressed and shamed.  Compare those feelings to the feelings you would have if you needed to repay the same debt after having won a million dollars.  For me, I would be eager to pay the debt and would probably add an additional blessing to my payment.  Which of these two feelings best represents the way a Christian should feel concerning repaying our debt to share the Gospel?  As Christians, we are to be eager and ready at any moment to pay our debt by sharing the Gospel to all who will listen.  We have won an incredible spiritual lottery!  Let us joyfully look for open doors and take advantage of every opportunity God gives us.  Like the Romans, we are in debt to our fellow citizens.  Lets go and pay some bills!   

The Gospel is for the wise person:

Most people enjoy the company of the wise.  Wise people tend to be influential.  Their education leads them to higher incomes and they are often seated in places of honor.  We read their names in the newspaper and hear about them on the television.  They are CEOs, foremen, and supervisors at our workplaces.  

Two days ago, I took Christian with me into the bush.  Our mission was to train pastors who had gathered at one of our remote Bible training centers.  Christian's mission was to teach the pastors Romans 1:14-16.  For a 13 year old boy, to stand in front of grown pastors and teach is a little intimidating.  Like Christian, we often feel intimidated to share the Gospel with those we perceive to be wiser than us.  Be strong and courageous!  Open your month and allow God to fill it with life changing words.  We have a debt to pay to those who are smarter than us.  Don't let you spiritual account be in default.  Pay your bills with a joyful smile on your face!    

The Gospel is for the foolish:

Unlike the wise person, few people seek the company of the fool.  Most people do not want to be associated with the fool.  Jesus, however, was different.  He was known as a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19).  Liberians consider the foolish man to be the man on the street, wearing nothing but underwear, who has lost his mind.  They look at a drunkard as the fool. Unfortunately, they also look at people who were born with mental disabilities as fools.  Two days ago, while teaching in the bush, I was asked, "How can we share the gospel with fools?"  Our students reasoned that it is impossible to share the Gospel with unreasonable people.  Let us not forget that we are to be ministers both in word and deeds (Romans 15:18; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:8).  If a person is unreasonable, we must share the Gospel with them through our actions and not through our words.  

Please let your hearts be broken for those the world labels as fools.  To be indebted to them means that we must place ourselves under them and become their servants.  Here is what this looks like for me.  Today, I will hold every disabled child I can find, I will feed those who are hungry, and I will share the gospel to anyone who has enough reason to understand.  What does this look like for you?

The first thing we learn about the Gospel is that it is for everyone.  Look at the picture at the top of this post.  Keep in mind, this picture was drawn for Liberians.  Study the crowd.  As you look at the crowd notice the Greek (Liberian's fellow citizens), the Barbarians (those with the guns), the Wise, and the Foolish.  

Truth 2:  The Gospel is the power of God.

Romans 1:16

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Did you know that when you share the Gospel, you are participating in the power of God?  Please reread that sentence and ponder it's truth.  This is the amazing truth that I want us to explore next.

Have you ever taken time to meditate on God's power.  If you have not seen Louie Giglio's video called Indescribable, I encourage you to watch it because it will help you understand the awesome power of God.  I want us to look briefly at how God's power is displayed.  

Two days ago, while pushing a car out of the mud, my power was displayed through the strength in my arms and legs.  Our power is displayed through the strength of our physical bodies.  What about God?  How is His power displayed?  Is His power displayed through His arms and legs?  Are you ready for some incredible news?  The Bible teaches us that God's power is displayed through His spoken Word.

Take a look at creation.  In Genesis 1, God spoke and Boom, things were created.  God's spoken word is powerful!

Next, lets look at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelations 19:11-21).  The Bible says the armies of heaven show up to the battle "arrayed in fine linen, white and pure" (Revelations 19:14).  Who shows up for a fight wearing their Sunday's best? Contrast the wardrobe of the armies of heaven with God's wardrobe.  God wore a robe dipped in blood and His eyes blazed like fire (Revelations 19:13).  Who do you think is going to be doing the fighting, God or His armies.  The Bible says a sword will come from the mouth of God and slay all His enemies (Revelations 19:15-21).  Do you think God will vomit a physical sword, pick it up, and with the strength in His arms slay His enemies?  No, this sword is referring to the spoken word of God.  When God speaks, the battle will be over and all God's enemies will be destroyed.  God's spoken word is powerful!

The Bible says, God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).  Wow, God's Word is ALIVE!  Consider an unbeliever's Judgment Day.  Revelations 20 says books will be open that contain every detail of that unbeliever's life.  They will be judged by what is written in these books.  The Bible tells us that another book will be opened which is the Book of Life.  If a person's name is not found written in the book of life they will be "thrown" into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:15).  How do you think these unbelievers will be thrown in the lake of fire?  Do you think angels will pick them up and throw them into hell?  To answer this question, let's think of the last words unbelievers will hear before being thrown into hell.  Matthew 7:23 tells us the last words they will hear, come from the mouth of God.  God will say, "Away from me, I never new you."  As they hear these words, they will feel their bodies being picked up by the living Word of God and thrown into hell.  God's spoken word is powerful.

Now let's consider how the Bible instructs Christians to dress each day.  We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the helmet of salvation.  We are to take up the shield of faith and have our feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel.  Lastly, we are to take up the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17) .  If you take time and look up the words "Word of God" in a greek lexicon you will discover this verse is referring to the spoken word of God.  Could it be that God gave us the same sword for our battles that He will use to slay His enemies in the Battle of Armageddon?  

Now, lets read Romans 1:16 again.  "I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."  Wow, oh wow.  God has given us the wonderful privilege of participating in His power as we speak His words.  When we accurately speak the Gospel, our words become living and active because we are God's ambassadors and God is making His plea through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).  The words, coming from our finite mouths cary all the power that is necessary to take the hardest heart and transform it, if that person simply believes.  

Look again at this picture.  Does the man with the Bible look powerful?  If he is speaking the Gospel accurately, the same power that created the world is pouring out of his mouth as God recreates those who believe in Him through the spoken Word of God.  Brothers and Sisters, we are truly blessed to be entrusted with the Gospel.  Smile, God has entrusted you with something that is truly AWESOME!

Prayer to Pray:

Father,

Thank you for the Gospel.  Please help me to truly understand its message so I can walk in freedom and so I can help others walk in freedom.  I am eager to pay my debt to everyone who will listen.  For those who will not listen, I am eager to preach your Gospel through my actions.  Please open my eyes to see every opportunity You give me today.

God is working on Kokoyah Road

Students in Gbenequella

Church leaders from every denomination on Kokoyah Road gathered during the past two days, to be trained in Gbenequella.  There are a currently 130 people participating in our training.  I praise God for all He is doing.  Here are a few steps we felt the Lord leading us to take in the past and the few steps we feel Him leading us to take in the future.  

 

Painting of Romans 5:3-5

Step 1.  Last month, we felt led to hire a full-time artist, named Prince, to work with us in developing a visual curriculum that teaches book by book through the Bible.  These pictures have proven to be incredibly effective as Liberians live in an oral culture with an extremely high illiteracy rate.  God is good.    

Last Wednesday in Gbenequelleh

Step 2.  Two months ago, we felt led to begin opening Remote Bible Training Centers on Kokoyah Road.  The vision for these centers is to make disciples and for those disciples to make disciples in every town and village on the road.  God is good!  We opened our first training center in Gbenequelleh hoping 20-30 people would participate.  We were surprised when 70 showed up.  Later, we felt led to open a second training center in Foloblai.  We expected 20 people to participate but 60 came to be trained.  Every month, students receive 14 hours of training from these centers. 

Pictures of Romans hanging in the front of our classroom

Step 3.  We felt led to begin our training by leading students verse by verse through Romans chapters 1-8.  We knew many of our students were not Christians.  By teaching these chapters, students are learning about sin (chapters 1-3), salvation (chapters 3-5), and sanctification (chapters 6-8).  As of today, nearly all of our students have made a profession of faith.  

Booklet on Left:  Sin.  Booklet on Right:  Salvation.

Step 4.  This month, we felt led to create booklets which lead students a second time through Romans.  While going through Romans again, students are forced to wrestle through every verse in small groups while writing down how they will teach each verse and their corresponding pictures in the future.  Students then practice teaching each other.  This is a slow and tedious process but it helps students to truly know Scripture.  

In this picture, students are working through the booklet on SIN.  

Step 5.  After completing the study, we feel led to meet with each student one-on-one, listening to them teach through Romans.  This step is important in avoiding false teaching.    

Step 6.  Every student who demonstrates the ability to teach accurately will be given a copy of all our training material.  These trained students will meet together for prayer and fasting as we look at a map of Kokoyah Road.  After selecting towns to minister in, students will be commissioned and sent out.  Our prayer is for disciples to be made in every town and village on Kokoyah Road.

Step 7.  We feel led to continue teaching, book by book through the Bible, giving students the training and tools they need, until we see healthy churches in every town and village on Kokoyah Road.

Thank you for partnering with us in the Gospel.  We feel very blessed to get to do what we do everyday.  Please remember our students in your prayers.  Pray also for healthy churches in every town and village on Kokoyah Road.  Thank you!

Romans Devotion #4: Character Traits of a Christian Leader

There are 8 character traits of a Christian leader that are listed in Romans 1:1-14.

Character Trait #1:  A Christian leader lives like a servant and not like a king.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).

If you were to spend extended time with our family, you would likely hear my wife and me asking our children, “Are you acting like a servant or a king?”  This is a saying that we use often while training our children.  Let’s face it, there is a king inside of each of us that we must crucify if we are going to truly be servants of God.  A Christian leader must learn to live like a servant and not like a king. 

Character Trait #2:  A Christian leader is humble not proud.

“through whom (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations” (Romans 1:5).  

Notice Paul did not say, “We have received apostleship and grace.”  He said, “We have received grace and apostleship.”  The order of words is important because it reveals Paul’s heart.  In essence Paul is saying, “It is only by God’s grace that I am who I am today.”  A Christian leader is truly humble, not proud. 

Character Trait #3:  A Christian leader praises others not self.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world”       (Romans 1:8).

Is Paul praising himself or others in this verse?  How about you?  Do your conversations tend to lift others up or do they lift yourself up?  Christian leaders praise others, not themselves.  

Character Trait #4:  A Christian leader serves God not self.  

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son…” (Romans 1:9a)

When Paul says that he serves God with his spirit, he is saying, “I serve God from the deepest part of me.  I don’t just serve Him by my actions but I serve Him from the very core of my being.”  The driving force of a Christian leader is to serve God not self.   

Character Trait #5:  A Christian leader prays for those he or she is leading.

“… that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you” (Romans 1:9b-10).

I have heard it said that if you look at a person’s checkbook, you are looking at their heart.  Scripture says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).   I believe there is another gage of a person's heart that is equally revealing.  It is the gage of prayer.  The true condition of a person's heart comes out during prayer.  Those who are selfish, pray self centered prayers.  Those who have faith, have prayers that are full of faith.  Those who are hurting, cry out to God during their prayers...  The true condition of our hearts is revealed in our prayers.   As a Christian, the love of God has a growing impact on our lives and compels our prayers to become more focused on others than on ourselves. 

Character Trait #6:  A Christian leader is a life long learner.

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12).

What do you think your pastor would do if the Apostle Paul wrote him and asked to preach at your church?  That is exactly what Paul did in verses 11-12.  Look at Paul’s heart as he offers to go to Rome and preach.  He didn't just say that he wanted to "impart some spiritual gift" (referring to teaching the Gospel) but he also said, “that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”  

Here is what the Apostle Paul was essentially saying.  “I want to come and preach at your church.  When I am done, I want to sit down and have you preach to me.  I need to learn from you.”  Can you imagine the author of Scripture wanting to sit under your pastor’s teaching and learn from him, better yet, to sit with you and learn from you?  A Christian leader has a God given hunger for truth.  He never becomes proud, believing he knows everything.  He often sits under those he leads and learns from them.  

Character Trait #7:  A Christian leader follows God’s plan and not his own.

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles” (Romans 1:13).  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this truth if very important for us to learn.  Everyday, we are surrounded by good things that we could choose to do.  Surely, God would want us to do all the good things that are around us, right?  No!  As a Christian, our lives are not to be consumed by doing good things.  Our lives are to be consumed by doing the good things we are called to do.  Please do not misinterpret me.  This is not a license for apathy but it is a call for sweet fellowship with God in everything we do.  There is an enormous difference between doing good things and being led by God in the good things we do.  Paul desired to go to Rome to strengthen the church.  This was a good thing to do, right?  Yes, but it was not what he was called to do at the time.  The needs around us are huge.  We are not God, we are simply God’s servant.  We cannot and should not try to do everything.  Lasting fruit in your life will be found as you focus on doing the things you are called to.  You will know the things you are called to do as you spend sweet, sweet time listening to Jesus in prayer.  

Can you believe that God desires to give leadership to your day?  Stop and think about how amazing that is.  The Creator of the universe wants to give you step by step wisdom and direction as you go through your day.  What an incredible blessing!  Will you allow the Holy Spirit to direct your steps?  Will you sit and listen to Him through prayer?  If you do, your day will be a wonderful adventure no matter what happens.  Your day will be filled with good works that are divinely inspired as you are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Character Trait #8:  A Christian leader serves everyone, not just a few.

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome” (Romans 1:14).

Paul was referring to the Romans when he said he was obligated to the "Greeks".  He was speaking of Rome’s enemy when he mentioned the "barbarians."  He was talking about the smartest, most prestigious people in town when he referred to the "wise."  He was speaking of the lowest of the low when he mentioned the "foolish."  Get this, when Paul entered a town, his eyes and heart were focused on each of these people groups.  While talking to the prestigious, he still noticed the poor and would have often excused himself from the company of the wise so he could be with the lowly.  At times, he would have turned down meetings with big donors so he could experience Christian fellowship with the needy.  Paul loved everyone and he sought to serve them all, under the Holy Spirit's leading, regardless of race, gender, or status.

The word “obligation” is the same Greek word that is translated elsewhere in Scripture as “debt.”  Scripture teaches that every Christian is in debt in two ways:  First, we have a debt of love to pay to everyone (Romans 13:8).  Second, we are indebted to share the gospel with everyone we know.  This second debt is what Paul is referring to here in verse 14.  We are indebted to every man, woman, and child.  We owe them love and we owe them the wonderful Gospel.  

Application:

We are all leaders in one way or another.  Some lead ministries while others lead businesses.  Some lead their families while we all have friends we lead.  Please allow today’s Scripture to challenge you in the way you lead.  

Prayer to Pray:

Father, humble me.  Help me live as a servant and not as a king.  Teach me to truly love others.  I acknowledge that there is a king in me that needs to die so that I may truly live as Your servant.  Please help me to put the needs of others above myself.  Fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

Romans Devotion #3: God's Slave

Early each morning, I wake my oldest son, Christian, around 6:30 so he can spend time alone with Jesus.  We believe Christian is old enough to begin having his own quiet time in addition to our family’s morning devotions.  I typically make him a glass of his favorite hot tea and we drink our teas together, sitting on our back porch, while the sun rises.  For me, this is one of my favorite times of the day.  

Two days ago, Christian and I talked about what it meant to be a servant of Christ.  During our discussion we mentioned that true servants put others above themselves and don't demand their own rights.  Little did I know, my servanthood would be tested that day.

Crazy day at the bank:

LBDI Bank on a less busy day

Early that morning, I had to go to the bank to withdraw money.  Unlike America, going to the bank in Liberia is a big ordeal.  As I pulled my motorbike into the bank's parking lot, my heart sunk as I saw the long line of people who were standing outside.  Typically, I would have turned my bike around, deciding to return at another time when the bank was less busy, but we are out of money so I was forced to stand in line.  

Liberia is different than America in every way.  Even the way you stand in line is different.  In America, your position in line is based upon the time you arrive.  Those who were first to show up are at the front of the line while those who were last are at the back of the line.  Liberian lines are completely different.  Those who are most important are at the front of the line and those who are least important are at the back of the line.  If you are important, you simply walk to the front of the line and those who are not important are expected to recognize your status and welcome you to the front of the line.  

As a Christian, who came to Liberia to serve the poor, I could not bring myself to cut in line.  So, I got off of my bike and took my place at the back.  Immediately, those around me told me to go to the front.  I told them that they were more important than I was and that I was fine waiting in line.  

This is where my patience was tried.  While standing in line, I pulled out my pocket Bible and began reading, trying to prepare for our upcoming pastors' conference.  The sun was beating on me while sweat poured from my body.  I quickly learned that I was unable to concentrate so I put my Bible back in my pocket and looked toward the front of the line.  

Next, I decided to try to pass time by calculating how long it would take me to enter the bank.  From where I was standing, I could see the top of the head of the person who was standing at the front of our line.  I looked at my phone to see the time.  Countless times, “important” people walked past our line, and were greeted at the bank with an open door while the poor were being overlooked.  Several times these “important” people stopped to greet me and encouraged me to join them at the front of the line.  Again, I told them that I was not more important than those who were around me. It took 40 minutes for security to allow the first man from our line in the bank.  

To make a long story short, I finally reached the bank’s porch.  From my new vantage point I could see the guard and began to give him the death glare, trying to get him to move our line.  Little did I know, I would never move past the bank’s porch.  In my disgust, I told one of the security guards who passed by that he better get our line moving or I would take my business elsewhere.  This guard entered the bank, spoke to the other security guards and then opened the door and called me by name, waving for me to come to the front of the line.  How could I possibly walk to the front?  Am I more important than those I came to serve?  Now, the whole crowd was looking at me.  I told the guard that I would wait in line.  People around me instantly began talking.  They told me that I was the first white man they have ever met who waited in line.  They told me that they highly respected me for what I did. 

I wish this was the end of the story but it wasn’t.  In time, I made it to the front of the line, with only a few people in front of me.  It was now time for the bank to close.  The security allowed the few people in front of me to enter the bank but for whatever reason decided to close the door right in front of me.    

Remember my devotion with my son Christian earlier in the day.  A true servant has no rights and does not demand his own rights.  God gave me such a wonderful opportunity to model Christian servanthood but I blew it.  While the guard started to close the door, I held the door and said again, “If you don't let me in this bank, I will take my business elsewhere!”  The guard simply said, “Please step back… excuse me” and with that, the door was shut in front of me.  I returned home vexed, with no money.  

Today, we are studying Romans 1:1-7.  These verses teach us about being God's servant.  This portion of Paul’s letter to the Romans is known as his greeting.  Typical letters in Paul’s day started by the author stating his name and his credentials.   This allowed the audience to know by who and what authority they were writing.  Next, the author would write a short greeting and then address his audience.  

Romans 1:1-7

1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

2. which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 

3. concerning his son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 

4. and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5. through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

6. including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7. To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul's Cradentials:

Read verse 1 again and see if you can identify Paul’s 3 credentials. 

Credential 1:  Servant of Christ Jesus.  

The word servant is the same greek word for the word “slave.”  Can you imagine introducing yourself using the word "slave"?  The world around us is intoxicated with titles.  Everyone wants to have an important title associated with their name.  The same was true in Paul’s day.  Think of all the important titles Paul could have chosen to use.  Paul was the author of Scripture, he had started numerous churches, and he had sacrificed and suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel.  Despite all the high titles he could have chosen, he chose the title “Servant of Christ Jesus.”  

As you reflect on your walk with Christ, can you describe yourself as Christ's slave?  The highest position in God's Kingdom is the position of a slave.  A slave wakes in the morning, receives his instructions from his master and then goes about his day doing the his master's work.  This description of a slave should reflect every Christian's life regardless of occupation, age, or gender.  

Isn't it interesting how the Bible describes God's church.  God describes His church as a body and each of us as a body part (1 Corinthians 12).  Some are hands, some are feet... but none are the head.  The position of head is reserved for God alone (1 Col 1:18).  Let me ask you a question, what part of the body does the thinking?  Does the hand do the thinking?  No!  The head does all the thinking.  Can you imagine what your physical body would be like if each part thought on its own and did its own thing?  I am convinced that we, as Christians need to do less thinking and more listening to our wonderful Head.  As we develop the habit of listening and faithful obedience, we become slaves of Christ.  

Credential 2:  Called to be an apostle.

The word apostle means, “sent one.”  Paul lived his life on mission.  Each day was filled with divine purpose.  He used both his times of joy and his times of suffering as opportunities to broadcast God's love to the watching world. 

The greatest honor for a Christian is to be chosen and sent by God.  The one who is sent has been given both a sacred trust and a fearful responsibility.  Those who are sent actually get to be ambasitors of God.  Wow, can you imagine being God's ambassador and speaking on His behalf?  

Perhaps you think this honor is reserved for a few select Christians.  That is not true.  This amazing, thrilling honor is for every Christian.  2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."  Your assignment from God for this day is simply a "listening" prayer away.  Please don't waste your life.  Please don't waste today.  Your life can impact eternity today.  You are called and are being sent (Matthew 28:19-20).  Fulfill your sacred trust and your fearful responsibility! 

Credential 3:  Set apart for the Gospel of God.  

The words “set apart” means to put a fence around something.  If I want to set apart my yard, I put a fence around it.  Did you know that our God is a fence building God?  Have you ever allowed God to build you a fence?  God's fences are great!  They have a wonderful way of narrowing our activities, making us more fruitful.  It is not until you allow God to build your fence that you discover God's specific calling for your life. 

Most Christians have never allowed God to define their lives. They live with no Divine purpose nor specific calling.  Life simply happens to them as they bounce from activity to activity.  

To allow God to construct a fence around your life requires you to have complete trust and surrender to God.  He alone determines how far your fence goes and what is contained inside it.   

Most people are too fearful to allow God to build their fence.  They want to remain in control.  "If I allow God to define my life, He may send me as a missionary to Africa," they fear. Brothers and Sisters, run toward God.  Trust Him.  Surrender everything to him.  Hold nothing back.  Embrace whatever life God is calling you to.  Truly enjoy the wonderful journey of a Divinely directed life.   

Paul's life was, "set apart" by God for the Gospel.  God wants to set your life apart and give you a specific calling.  This calling is what He created you for.  You will be most satisfied as you live the life you were created for.  

God is the only qualification you need:

While there are many additional points we could draw from today's Scripture, I want to focus your attention on one more point.  Please reread Romans 1:1-7 and pay special attention to verse 5.  Notice the specific order of each word. 

In verse 5, Paul mentioned that he received grace and apostleship from God.  Notice Paul didn’t say that he received apostleship and grace.  The order of words is important.  He said, I received grace first and apostleship second.  In essence, Paul is saying, "it is only by God’s grace that I am able to be an apostle."  This statement not only illuminates Paul's humility but it reveals God's qualification.  It was not Paul’s abilities that qualified him to be set apart for the Gospel.  It was God’s grace that qualified him.  This same grace qualifies us to be servants of God.  This grace takes the most hardened sinner, turns him into a saint, and sends him on mission for Jesus.  Smile, God's grace toward you is abundant!

  

Prayer to Pray:

Father, my prayer today is simple.  I surrender everything to You.  I want to be a slave of Your Gospel.  I want to live today on mission for You.  I am running towards You.  I trust You.  Please build a fence around my life and reveal my life's purpose.  Thank you for Your abundant grace that not only saves me but also qualifies me for Your service.  I love you with my whole heart.