Romans – Day 1
28 Sep 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God [Romans 1:1]
At MBC every Sunday morning and evening we are encouraged to introduce ourselves to people around us in the building. I find it really interesting the way in which people describe themselves… very often they define their life and role by their job or where they live or whether or not they are married and have kids. If they are a student – they might say I study… I come from… and when the conversation goes further they might talk about hobbies and interests… if they are a hairdresser they could describe the holiday they are going on later in the year (apologies for all ridiculous stereotypes being created during the series).
If you had three words to describe yourself what would they be?
From the many writings that Paul left us and from the Acts of the Apostles (written by Luke) we can piece together a great amount about Paul – his training – zeal – conversion – intellect – ability to reason – he is a scholar – pastor – teacher – tent-maker and yet here at the very start of this – perhaps his most studied letter to the church in Rome, he describes himself as a SERVANT, as an APOSTLE, and as SET APART… or HOLY.
I am not sure that you or I would ever use these words in a conversation in the first few minutes of a church service (let alone in the barbers!). But what an awesome way to describe yourself.
HOLY – set apart – different – set apart for the Gospel of God – the orientation and direction and goal of my life is the good news of God – his plan – we can know God – the restoration of all things
SERVANT – one who serves – God – his purposes and People
APOSTLE – one who pioneers this Good News . One who embodies and bears this news of God.
As we start this study together – in community – would you dare to pray that by the conclusion of the study – you would find your life best described by these things – HOLY – SERVANT – APOSTLE .. and not by what you do for a job – what you own – or the relationships you have.
Today would you join me in praying for this as individuals and as a community – find someone else in the community – a friend – a prayer partner – a spouse – and open up as to how you wish to grow this coming year.
- Karl