Romans 1 The Call
Romans 1:1-6 NASB
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as 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 born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
This is the introduction to Paul's letters to the Roman church. As I was reading verse 5 stuck out to me. Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for His name's sake,
In verse 6 whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus died on the cross we were not just given grace, mercy, and salvation, but we were given a call. Apostle comes from the Greek word (Strong's Concordance)
apostolos which means he who is sent out, messenger.
to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for Christ. In our society today whenever you hear "the calling" many times you hear someone talking about being a pastor or some big ministry. The call that Jesus gave us was never to be about ourselves or the pay check we bring home. It was never about some elaborate job in the church. It wasn't about being the next big worship leader who can sing the best. It's not about who can sell the most books and who's name is more well known. The call that Jesus gives us is to teach the the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To get up and go out in to our cities and teach other's about the Cross and the grace and love of God.
The Amplified versions puts it this way
4 and [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated to be the Son of God with power [in a triumphant and miraculous way] by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles, 6 and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;
Matthew gives us the direct account of Jesus's giving the commission to the disciples.
Matthew 28: 16-20
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We may not all be led to pack up our belongings and move over seas to live on the mission field, But we live on the mission field everyday. We are surrounded around people who are lost and dying. We are called to take the truth that ensures us of our salvation. The truth of a loving Father who knit and formed us in our mother's womb. A father who never leaves us or forsakes us. A father whom provides our every need. A Father who's love is unconditional. A Father who loves His children so much that He sent his only son so that we could live in Heaven and have eternal life with Him. We are to go out of our homes and teach this Truth to those around us. This is the message that the Lord has placed in us. It's the message of hope to a very hopeless world. We come along side those and we teach them, we disciple them so they can go forth and share the same message and truth. We make disciples not for a stamp on our card, but so they can have fellowship and relationship with God, and so then they can go and reach more people. It's not about competition; it's about souls for Jesus. It's about people dying and spending eternity in direct communion with their Father in Heaven.
We are all called to preach the good news. We just all have different platforms. For some that may be a Pastor in church, mentoring the young people on the streets, being a stay at home mom and raising your children to follow Jesus, or being a cashier and showing the love of Christ to those co workers and customers. Whatever position you are placed in, know that you have been hand chosen by God and that is your platform to minister and share His message. You are called and equipped!
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as 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 born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
This is the introduction to Paul's letters to the Roman church. As I was reading verse 5 stuck out to me. Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for His name's sake,
In verse 6 whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus died on the cross we were not just given grace, mercy, and salvation, but we were given a call. Apostle comes from the Greek word (Strong's Concordance)
apostolos which means he who is sent out, messenger.
to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for Christ. In our society today whenever you hear "the calling" many times you hear someone talking about being a pastor or some big ministry. The call that Jesus gave us was never to be about ourselves or the pay check we bring home. It was never about some elaborate job in the church. It wasn't about being the next big worship leader who can sing the best. It's not about who can sell the most books and who's name is more well known. The call that Jesus gives us is to teach the the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To get up and go out in to our cities and teach other's about the Cross and the grace and love of God.
The Amplified versions puts it this way
4 and [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated to be the Son of God with power [in a triumphant and miraculous way] by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles, 6 and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;
Matthew gives us the direct account of Jesus's giving the commission to the disciples.
Matthew 28: 16-20
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We may not all be led to pack up our belongings and move over seas to live on the mission field, But we live on the mission field everyday. We are surrounded around people who are lost and dying. We are called to take the truth that ensures us of our salvation. The truth of a loving Father who knit and formed us in our mother's womb. A father who never leaves us or forsakes us. A father whom provides our every need. A Father who's love is unconditional. A Father who loves His children so much that He sent his only son so that we could live in Heaven and have eternal life with Him. We are to go out of our homes and teach this Truth to those around us. This is the message that the Lord has placed in us. It's the message of hope to a very hopeless world. We come along side those and we teach them, we disciple them so they can go forth and share the same message and truth. We make disciples not for a stamp on our card, but so they can have fellowship and relationship with God, and so then they can go and reach more people. It's not about competition; it's about souls for Jesus. It's about people dying and spending eternity in direct communion with their Father in Heaven.
We are all called to preach the good news. We just all have different platforms. For some that may be a Pastor in church, mentoring the young people on the streets, being a stay at home mom and raising your children to follow Jesus, or being a cashier and showing the love of Christ to those co workers and customers. Whatever position you are placed in, know that you have been hand chosen by God and that is your platform to minister and share His message. You are called and equipped!
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