The Just Shall Live by Faith # 4
“Because Of The Gospel”
Romans 1:8 –15
Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor
In Romans 1:8, Paul identified two qualities of a Great Church:
- The believers in Rome were living pure lives in the midst of an impure society.
- In the day of this writing, the citizens of Rome were known for their immorality, indulgence, and Idolatry.
- The term “Roman Orgy” was used to describe parties of unrestrained sexual behavior, drunkenness, gluttony, and every kind of wickedness.
- The believers in Rome were serving Jesus Christ faithfully and laboring diligently for the Lord.
- In Romans 16:3-16, Paul commended them for their willingness, not only to stand firm in their faith in Christ even in such a wicked and perverse society, but to continue to share the gospel.
- “Give me 100 preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and they will shake the gates of Hell and set up the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth.” (John Wesley)
Because of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul said he:
1. Served God in His Spirit – Vs. 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.”
- The believer’s body was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
- The believer is to serve God in his body as well as in his spirit. (Rom. 12:1-2)
2. Prayed To God Fervently – Vs. 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 ”
- What Paul prayed for – Eph. 3:14-21
- Who Paul prayed for – Eph. 6:18
3. Witnessed To People Personally – Vs. 10-13
- To impart the truths of the grace of God to them.
- To be comforted and strengthened by them.
- To bear spiritual fruit among them.
4. Paul Was Concerned for The Lost Globally – Vs. 14-15 – “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”
- Because Christ had saved him.
- Because Christ had called him.
Paul felt obligated to share the gospel with the whole world. (1 Cor. 9:16)
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“Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
(Paul – Acts 20:24)
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