July 2, 2023
SERMON SERIES: GOD’S WORLDWIDE PLAN FOR EVERY PERSON
BOOK OF ROMANS
Sermon # 2: WHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD DO
Romans 1:8-17
God has a worldwide plan for every person. Romans is the epistle written for every person. It is the Gospel of God (1:1). It is a book for the world (1:4-2:16; etc.); a book for the church (see 1:1-7; etc.); a book for theologians (see 3:1-5:21; etc.); a book for philosophers (see 1:1-2:16; etc.); a book for legalists (see 7:1f; etc.); a book for immature believers (see 6:1-8:30); a book for mature believers (see 8:12-14; etc.); a book for sufferers (see 7:1-8:39; etc.); a book for unbelievers (see 1:1-2:16; etc.); a book for religionists (see 2:17-5:21; etc.). Romans is the truth desperately needed by every person.
Sermon number 1: Being a slave to Christ engages us to be totally of service to Christ! To willingly become a slave to Christ; to serve Christ with no reservation. Today’s Sermon, “WHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD DO”. When we live for God, we should do everything we can to bring out the best in people after they become believers.
Our job as Christians is to lead people to Christ. However, the Bible teaches we should do all we can to bring out the best in people after they become believers. In this lesson, Paul is an example of what every Christian should do to bring out the best in people.
Let’s look at four movements that we should do to help us bring out the best in people.
I. WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE SOMETHING TO COMPLIMENT v. 8
In this text Paul begins with a compliment.
A. A cause for thanksgiving. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all (Rom. 1:8a). The believers in Rome were living pure lives in the midst of an immoral, base, and unjust society. Rome was “sin city” and famous for its sexual immorality, greed, Caesar -worship.
B. The reason: A worldwide testimony. Paul continues his compliment: “that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (Rom. 1:8b). The believers were serving Christ faithfully and laboring ever so diligently for the Lord. Wherever they were, at home or away traveling, they were sharing Christ and ministering to people---so much that some of them were known by name all around the world.
When the Gospel is lived out, it affects every member of the church. If the Gospel is not taken seriously, the results are obvious as noted in this story.
“There is a story about four people in the church whose names were Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
“The church had financial responsibilities and Everybody was asked to help. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But you know who did it? Nobody. It ended up that everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
“Then the church grounds needed some work, and Somebody was to help. But Somebody got angry about that, because Anybody could have done it just as well and, after all, it was really Everybody’s job. In the end the work was given to Nobody, and Nobody did a fine job.
“On and on this went. Wherever work was to be done, Nobody could always be counted on. Nobody visited the sick. Nobody gave liberally. Nobody shared his faith. In short, Nobody was a faithful member.
“Finally the day came when Somebody left the church and took Anybody and Everybody with him. Guess who was left. Nobody!”
Are you working to make your church great? Or are you leaving it up to everybody else?
What should we do to bring out the best in people?
1. We should recognize something to compliment
II. WE SHOULD REINFORCE OUR EFFORTS WITH PRAYER v. 9-13
A. The Gospel stirred Paul to pray without ceasing v. 9. Paul was a person of intercessory prayer, a person who always prayed for others. Note two points.
1. Paul called upon God to bear witness that he prayed. He did not…
· Just talk about praying
· Just tell people he was prating for them as a courtesy
· Just pretend to pray
· Just spend a few minutes in a religious exercise of prayer
Paul really prayed; he took time to ask God to strengthen and help
others.
2. Paul even prayed for believers and churches whom he did not know. Remember he knew only a few of the believers in the Roman church; he had never met most of them; yet he prayed for the whole church.
B. The Gospel stirred Paul to seek people personally v. 10-13.
Paul prayed for the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you v. 10. He did not leave the ministry and the sharing of the Gospel up to others. Paul became personally involved.
Paul Higle said, “We must be willing to put “feet” to our prayers. When we pray for someone to be encouraged, we should be willing to be the person who encourages them.” Whatever we pray for, we should do the leg work.
1. Paul wished to impart or share some spiritual gift to the believer v. 11. The spiritual gift of teaching.
2. Paul wished to be comforted or encouraged together with other believers v. 12.
3. Paul wished to bear fruit among them v. 13. He wished to bear the fruit of:
· Converts (Ro. 1:13)
· Righteousness (Ro. 6:21-23)
· Christian character, the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
What should we do to bring out the best in people?
1. We should recognize something to compliment
2. We should reinforce our efforts with prayer
III. WE SHOULD REMEMBER OUR OBLIGATION v. 14-15
A. The word “debtor” in verse 14 means to owe, to be obligated, to be bound by duty. Paul said he was a debtor…
· Because Christ had done so much for him (saved him).
· Because Christ had called him to preach (given him a task to do).
1. The indebtedness was deeply felt by Paul. As Christians we are obligated to tell a dying world about Christ! Really, the only way to bring out the best in other people is to bring them to Christ.
2. The word “ready” in verse 15 means an urgent willingness. Paul experienced both a willingness and an urgency to preach the Gospel. He is willing to spend all of his energy and effort to preach the Gospel.
What should we do to bring out the best in people?
1. W should recognize something to compliment
2. We should reinforce our efforts with prayer
3. We should remember our obligation
IV. WE SHOULD RELY ON THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL v. 16-17
A. It is the “good news” from God Himself.
B. It is the power of God to save.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only message in the world with the power to save people and bring out the best in them! The righteousness of God is through His perfect Son, and because of that we have a right relationship with God.
WHAT EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD DO
1. We should recognize something to compliment
2. We should reinforce our efforts with prayer
3. We should remember our obligation
4. We should rely on the power of God
Responsive Reading: Romans 1:8-17
Comments