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Set Apart for the Gospel

Introduction: In the mid 50’s AD, somewhere around the year 57, from the city of Corinth, Paul sent a letter to the believers living in the city of Rome. That letter, the book of Romans, was both an introduction and a book of inspired instruction. It introduces the apostle Paul and explained all that he now existed for. And that means that it explains Christ and the good news that concerns Christ. The letter also reveals that Paul planned to visit the believers in Rome hoping for mutual encouragement. Rome was a place where neither he nor his associates had brought the gospel or had any opportunity to establish the churches. Romans 15:22–26, 30-33 (NASB95) 22 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— 25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; 32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Paul hoped to use Rome as an outpost for the extension of the gospel to lands farther away. To that end, Paul knew it was important to make clear what is true of him, and what is true of the message that he preaches. If the believers in Rome are to become a missionary force in union with Paul’s ministry, they have to understand that ministry and have confidence in it. As a result of those aims the introduction to Romans is the most unique among all Paul’s letters. It is the longest. It mentions no fellow workers, though the end of the letter tells us that Timothy was with him (16:21). It is theologically thick. It’s clear that this introduction is more than a hello. In the opening 7 verses, while making use of the common way that letters opened in the Hellenistic world, the name of the sender, greetings, and the names or names of the recipients, Paul takes his hello as an opportunity to introduce several crucial themes. WHO IS PAUL? WHAT IS HIS MISSION? WHAT IS THE GOSPEL THAT HE PREACHES? HOW ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND JESUS? HOW DOES ALL OF THIS RELATE TO THE OLD TESTAMENT REVELATION? These issues begin the letter, and they are all repeated at the end of the letter. Romans 16:25–27 (NASB95) 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. These issues, then, bracket everything in between, and what we find in between is the GREATEST UNPACKING OF THE GOSPEL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS found anywhere in the New Testament. Paul will deal with many issues in these 16 chapters, but we can summarize it all by saying that he: *demonstrates what the gospel is *shows how that gospel that focuses on Christ Jesus demonstrates God’s righteousness and is advanced for God’s glory. We can divide the opening (vs.1-7) into four parts. (1) The Messenger (vs.1) (2) The Message (vs.2-4) (3) The Mission (vs.5-6) (4) The Missionaries (vs.7) THE MESSENGER (vs.1) This morning we begin with the man who wrote the letter. This is the Spirit’s work, but this is the Spirit’s work in Paul’s work. HIS NAME The first word in Romans, both in Greek and English, is the name of the writer. His name, of course, is Paul. Saul was his Hebrew name. Paul was his Roman name. This man, though well known to us, must be remembered by us. He must be remembered, because his very life is a great lesson for us. He was a man specially prepared by God, not only by his conversion, but prior to his conversion, to serve as the apostle to the Gentiles.