Unashamed of the Gospel
Set Apart as Slaves of Christ
Romans 1:1-13
Turn to Romans 1. Verse 16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” We concluded last week that this is Paul’s overarching theme throughout the book of Romans, as the book is all about the gospel, a truth that Paul is unashamed of. And what I wish to do this morning is to go through the verses prior to this statement and take note of the truths that Paul states around this gospel, for how are we to be challenged here by Paul in our connection with the gospel if we do not fully understand what it all means? In other words, why would we sign up for something that we do not know what we are signing up for? So, in the beginning verses of Romans, Paul is about to give some nuts and bolts about the gospel.
Now there are some things that we need to mention up front about Paul’s letter and to better understand the people to whom it was written. There is apparently some mystery of the beginnings of the church in Rome. Paul had never been there and there is little evidence that Peter started the church. It could simply be that Jewish Christians who lived in Rome began this church, though there is also evidence of Gentiles as Paul mentions them throughout the letter. Some have suggested that Romans was written to unite the thinking around the gospel. Consider Paul’s letter to the Galatians that we have just finished in our church read, there was some obvious misunderstanding of the gospel that Paul was correcting, whereas I would see in Romans more of a celebration of the gospel. Well, whatever the makeup of the congregation and the exact reasons for writing, Paul was obligated to, he was eager to proclaim and was not ashamed of the gospel that he was about the explain. And in Paul’s introduction these are some things we learn about all those who have received the message of the gospel and are unashamed of its truth.
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel are slaves of Christ (vs 1).
“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God.”
Romans 1:1 (LSB)
One of the things that we read in the New Testament often refers to believers as being both slaves and sons. And sometimes we might wonder, what is it? slaves or sons? At first glance we might think that we are slaves of Christ and sons of God, but Titus 1:1 also calls us slaves of God. And of course, in Galatians 4:7 says you are no longer a slave, but a son. Yet here Paul refers to himself as a slave of Christ. Now some of our translations will use the word “servant” (NIV, ESV, KJV), and “bond-servant” (NASB); but most conservative scholars would argue that the translation of the Greek word “doulos” should always be “slave.” Some of you kids, I know, get treated as slaves at home. You have to do everything, don’t you? Your Mom and Dad’s are really lazy and you have to do all the work. I really pity you. Actually, I don’t! Anytime I might have asked my Mom for something as a kid, as I was laying on the couch; my Mom would say to me, “What did your last servant die of?”
Kidding aside, there is a difference in thought between a slave and a son. But we see the very tension here in not only Paul’s writing, but also in Peter’s writing:
“Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as slaves of God.”
1 Peter 2:16 (LSB)
So, Peter here talks about free people being slaves. Again, which is it? And then Paul will also say later in Romans:
“For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Romans 8:14-17(LSB)
So, here in these two passages we have both terms bouncing around. And at first glance it is difficult what to call ourselves a slave or a son, or more importantly, what God calls us and how does God view us? So, clearly in this Romans 8 passage Paul is adamant that we would not want to be fearful that we have received a spirit of slavery, as a vast majority of the population back then in Rome would have been slaves. And would know the fear that came with being a slave. And then to add to this, there are passages like John 15 where Jesus actually calls His disciples friends. So, we have verses where we are called friends of Christ. Verses where we are called sons and children of God. And then verses where we are called either slaves of Christ or slaves of God. So how do we make sense of all this?
Well, I believe we can set straight some aspects of being a slave that we have been delivered from considering our relationship with Christ. One, we should be delivered from the fear of slavery in the sense of being punished by an evil master as God will not punish us. He may discipline us, but our sins have already been punished through Christ. So, that part of being a slave does not apply to the believer, as Paul wants us to know that we have been adopted as sons, and in that sense, we are no longer slaves. Secondly, from the Romans 8 passage, Paul says if you are children of God then you are heirs with Christ. Well, slaves do not receive an inheritance, but we do. So, in this sense we are not a slave, but a son, a child, and therefore an heir. So, two things that are not true of a slave. One, we do not need to fear punishment as an earthly slave might from his master; and two, we will receive an inheritance as an earthly slave would not.
And then in the John 15 passage there is also something else that changes for the Christian. In this case, because he is considered a friend and not a slave. Jesus said, “No longer do I call you slaves, for a slave does not know what his master is doing.” Well, though we do not understand all about God, the Lord has certainly let us in on His plans for us, His purposes for us, revealed His blessings and much of His will to us. And a slave does not have any of these advantages. So, we do not need to fear the master, we have been given an inheritance, and we are instructed or “let in” in the many plans and purposes of God. And so, we might conclude that yes, we are not slaves of Christ or slaves of God. Yet, Paul still calls himself here a slave and Peter does as well in some of his letters. And a few verses later in the John 15 passage where Jesus just said they were friends, He says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me [the Master], they will also persecute you [insinuation … the slave].” So, we are right back to the inference that we as believers are slaves of Christ in some sense.
What the Bible is teaching as John Piper states that there are aspects of slavery that are true of us and there are aspects of slavery that are not true of us. Piper says, here is one aspect of slavery that is true of us, and it is that Jesus is over us! In Matthew 25:21 it says, “Well done, good and faithful slave. [again, some translations say servant, but there is no reason to do that as it is the same word as a slave] You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” In other words, we find out that in the area of “service” a slave can be good and faithful and that he serves a joyous Master. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 6:
“Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (LSB)
Here we see another aspect of the slave that parallels the position of the believer, that we have been purchased by God. Piper said:
“We are slaves of God is the sense that we don’t belong to ourselves. He bought us at the price of His Son’s blood. We are to live for His glory.”
John Piper
I would suggest that the clear message of the Bible in regard to our being a slave and not being a slave is that if we truly want to be free in this world, we must be a slave of Christ. Why? Because when you are a slave of Christ, you are treated as a son, and you will receive an inheritance, and you know that your Master is good and that He has a plan and purpose for you that is for His glory, as those who are unashamed of the gospel are slaves of Christ.
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel are set apart and chosen by Christ (vs 1, 6).
Notice there (vs 1) “having been set apart for the gospel of God.” And we could think that Paul is only referring to himself, but notice (vs 6) “among you also are the called of Jesus Christ.” As a believer, I am owed by Christ and am to be used by Christ, and that using me by the Master means that I am to be “set apart.” And anytime we see that phrase “set apart,” it always has to do with a life that is set apart as holy. A life that is fit to be used. In this case the slave being used by his Master. And being chosen is a massive privilege for us but also is a massive responsibility.
I don’t know if you can tell by looking at me, but I have been chosen to a prestigious group, something that you will all be jealous of. I have never been part of this group before; it is the Canadian Rose Society. I am not sure if they just heard about me or if they have driven by our house, but obviously they chose me to be part of this wonderful society, and the perks are unbelievable. And they do not allow just anyone to join, as they do not allow just any low life to be part of this great community. But they accepted me only after I sent in my $25 membership fee.
We likely all remember times when we would be about to play road hockey or any sport or game that requires making up teams and there were two captains and they started selecting. And nothing worse than when it gets down to the last few guys and you had still not been chosen. But here in the most important game or event or purpose in all of life, the honour of bringing glory to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. And knowing, as we found last week, that God is not ashamed of us, for He chose us in Christ for His service. And I don’t know if anyone would be considered His first choice or considered His last choice, all we know that before the foundation of the world God said, hey, I want you! Chosen in Him, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love. And that He adopted as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace. Those who are unashamed of the gospel are set apart and chosen by Christ.
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel enjoy a firm foundation in Christ (vs 2-5a).
“[W]hich He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was designated as the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace.”
Romans 1:2-5a (LSB)
Sometimes in our Christianity we fail to appreciate the vastness and wealth of the complete purposes and plans of God throughout history. That from the first pages in the Bible we read of a continued plan of God to save His people. That everyone who comes to Christ from the very first believer in the Old Testament to the one who came to Christ today and to however long God is longsuffering in this world. All those called were in the heart of God before creation. And that God would choose a nation like Israel to save, and that he would choose a king matters, matters to us. Because through Israel, God would bring an eternal King who would bring salvation and who would give His life for every man and woman who would ever believe. And this is part of the foundation that our faith is built upon.
We often look to the cross as the point of our salvation, and that is true. As the cross really is the dividing line throughout history. As everything in the Old Testament looked ahead to the cross and everything since looks back to the cross. But we also need to see our calling from eternity past, when God determined His plan and saw everything that he would accomplish, that was all consummated at the cross. Yes, it as all accomplished there, but it started long before that. I look forward someday in eternity when God sets up His outdoor theater and we watch as the redeeming plans of God unfold before us, as God shows His home videos to His children. And every few moments there is an outburst of praise and thanksgiving, where we as His children sometimes will sit silent in amazement of what He has done, and at other times with a resounding cry of joy. For those who are unashamed of the gospel enjoy a firm foundation in Christ.
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel began with obedience to Christ (vs 5b-7).
“[T]hrough whom we received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of His name.”
Romans 1:5 (LSB)
Why has all this happened? For the obedience of our faith. Now when Paul uses that term “the obedience of our faith,” in this context he is referring to the obedience of believing the gospel. There is the tendency to view those who are not Christians as those who merely do not believe, as we may fail to understand that it is disobedience to not believe. As the first step in our obedience is our faith, responding to the message of the gospel in faith. This is why all our righteousness is as filthy rags prior to salvation. Because anything “good” done outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ may be admirable in our culture but does not amount to a hill of beans before God. And the reason that this is so important and the reason that true faith obeys is because our becoming a Christian is a step of obedience, just as we would teach that baptism is another step of obedience. And I suppose if we dug down to the bare bones of this, we would say that if we come to Christ in faith—which is a step of obedience—but without the intention of continued life of obedience. This places—rightly so—our faith in question.
Do you understand? Faith is not strictly a mental assent to truth. James says the demons believe and shutter. We do not believe and shutter. We believe by faith, right? This is the whole truth of the perseverance of the saints—which we will address down the road. But we need to teach our children and unbelievers that faith is obedience to Christ, a willingness to follow Christ. In the New Testament there would be no such thing as becoming a Christian and following in obedience of faith, only to make a turn in disobedience. And we are not talking about perfection here, for no one is perfect, and we are not talking about our obedience as the reason for our salvation, as Christ’s obedience is the reason for our salvation. What we are talking about is the heart of the person who truly has come to Christ in obedience by believing in Christ, following Him. And then that changed life continues to strive to be obedient to Christ in all areas of life. As we should try to fulfill every command that Christ has given to us, though we know we will fail and fall short. In John 16:9, Jesus said:
“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me.”
John 16:9 (LSB)
Paul will later write, but the one who doubts is condemned, and whatever is not from faith is sin, as disobedience is sin. And our first step in obedience is when we place our faith and trust in Christ and choose to become His slave.
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel become so loved and valued within the ministry of Christ (vs 8-10).
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you, always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.”
Romans 1:8-10 (LSB)
One of the interesting facts about the church in Rome, as I mentioned is that Paul had never been there. Yet Paul has this great heart to encourage these believers, and he so wanted to visit them. That alone must have been such a blessing to them. Imagine when they receive this letter and hear that Paul, this well-known apostle, wants to come and see them. Imagine if we received an email from a well-known preacher who said, how are the folks at Elim doing? As I am always talking about you, always making mention of you, as you are always in my prayers, and I trust that by the will of God I may come to Arkona and see you. We are not sure of the connection here with these believers and the Apostle Paul, but obviously there was an awareness of them in the heart of Paul.
This past week I watched the funeral service for Pastor Gary Goodkey from Wallenstein Bible Chapel near Almira and the quest speaker at the funeral was Rick Reed, who I know fairly well, as he was the pastor at the Met (an AGC church) in Ottawa, and most recently as the president of Heritage Bible College, and retired just a few years ago. It was an extremely difficult funeral. But through the sadness, you realize the depth of love and community that we experience within our churches, sometimes becoming even more apparent during times of sadness.
Paul says two things that should remind us of the blessing of church family. First, he says that they were always in his prayers. I know one of the major concerns as a leader and as an elder—and this would be true of the deacons and many of you—is the great concern that we have for the spiritual well-being of not just the “church,” but the spiritual well-being of every individual in this church. And certainly, the emotions of people as we experience highs and lows in our lives through work and home, finances, whatever; but even more than that is always the concern of the spiritual growth of people. I would say as I think about my own children and grandchildren, the thoughts of you and how you are doing with your relationship with Christ is constantly on my mind. I would say that it by far is the greatest burden of being in leadership, but I know it is also the burden of many of you. So, Paul says you are constantly in my prayers.
But secondly, Paul expresses this desire to be with them. That is another—not burden—but blessing, the desire to be with each other. I would say that with most of us, if anything happened to us, something tragic, some kind of struggle, we would most want to be with church family. And I know we understand the sovereignty of God, and that God will bring about His ultimate will, there is absolutely no question in my mind of this truth. But I want you to notice Paul’s words here (vs 10) when he was wanting to be with them, he writes, “always in my prayers earnestly asking.” What we learn here is that our understanding of the sovereignty of God should never hinder us from pleading with God. Paul does not say here, well, whatever God’s will is, so be it. No, we find him earnestly asking of God. I will never be able to explain this to you, but somehow in God’s sovereign Being, the believer is told to lay down before God his heart and always be ready to ask Him for the burdens that are within us. Finally:
- Those who are unashamed of the gospel must strive for more of Christ (vs 11-13).
“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be strengthened; that is, to be mutually encouraged, while among you, by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.”
Romans 1:11-13 (LSB)
Paul’s desire to come to them was for their “spiritual” benefit. And notice what Paul specifically hopes for in the lives of these believers, the first is strengthening. This Greek word “stay-rid’-zo” translated strengthened means to make stable or firm. Believers in churches, who are rocks, pillars, stable in the faith. Those that we might quickly turn to when there may be some tension or ripple within the congregation. And we need to see that this is not for the sake of the individual believer alone, but Paul’s hope was that they would be, the second point (vs 12) that they might have mutual encouragement in the faith. In other words, my spiritual growth ought not to be for my benefit only, or your growth in Christ, not for you only, but it is that we would be mutually encouraged. And Paul adds (vs 12) by each others’ faith, both yours and mine. This has to be one of the greatest encouragements in the body of a church, and that is the encouragement of the growing faith of each other. Colin G. Kruse writes that Paul’s intention is not that his ministry will be in one direction, but that it would flow to one another and even back to Paul, as he says, “yours and mine.” As the needed encouragement of a congregation must come from many sources. Don’t miss that. Do not underestimate the importance of your spiritual growth for the encouragement and betterment of the whole congregation.
And then finally, Paul adds one more desire for this church in Rome, that they would have some fruit among them. The Bible uses the word “fruit” in a couple of ways. We might first think of the “fruit” of the Spirit, that Paul was eager to see the spiritual character of each person to grow. But in this case the word “fruit” is likely more in relation to not only the maturing of current believers, but also to the winning of new believers. As immediately following this verse, Paul goes into his obligation to the gospel and his eagerness to proclaim the gospel to the wise, and the not-so-wise.
I spoke with someone once who was expressing the many open doors to him in sharing the gospel. And as we talked it became apparent that the opportunities were there simply because this is where his heart was. I mean, if you are over-the-top excited about playing shuffleboard, it will leak out in your conversation. If you are excited about an upcoming trip, it will leak out. And if you are chopping at the bit about your relationship with Christ, it is pretty hard to keep quiet about it. This is the verse we mentioned last Sunday (Luke 6:45) “For his mouth speaks from the abundance [or the overflow] of his heart.” In other words, what is overflowing in your heart? Well, whatever it is, it will naturally come out. And if it some are harbouring secret sins, you will likely be ashamed to speak of it. But if it is what God has been doing in and through you and your passion for Christ, you will not be ashamed, and you will overflow with that message.
Set apart as a slave of Christ. As the Apostle Paul sets up in this opening chapter that as believers, we are obligated to the gospel. And it must begin with the understanding that when we come to Christ, we become His slave. And that we have been chosen for this purpose, that we have been set apart for such a purpose. In other words, don’t sign up for with Christ so that you can merely go to heaven when you die. I suppose the one who signs up with the army signs up so that he or she hopes to keep their country free, but there is a lot of battle going on in the meantime. I would hope that the guy who signs up for the battle has every intention of fighting in the war. And that is what we are signing up for, to fight the spiritual battles on the side of Christ.
But then also realizing that we have not only received Christ, but that He also chose us before the foundation of the world for a purpose that did not start with you or me, but a purpose that God has been sovereignly overseeing since creation, as we are just a part of His ongoing plan, but also a very strategic part. And maybe Abraham and Moses and Elijah and John the Baptist and Paul are part of the cloud of witnesses who are watching and saying, hey, Elim Bible Chapel, don’t blow it, this time is vital, this is a crucial part and time in the battle! And when we consider that when we first came to Christ it was our first step of obedience, why would be disobedient now?
And let us not lose sight of the blessings of being part of those who have joined with Christ the blessings of being part of all the saints, those now and those who are watching and cheering us on. And you the precious saints that we can be with each and every Sunday. So, may we strive to be better soldiers. Well, you might say, I am only a private. Well, become a corporal. Well, I am only a corporal. Well, strive to be a sergeant. And if you have been given an assignment of leadership, then strengthen the troops, mutually encourage one another in the faith, and bear much fruit for the glory of our Commanding Officer. Jesus Christ. You, we who have been called by Christ, remember it is always a calling by grace for it is always a calling that is undeserved. But it is a calling that is such a blessing, amen? As we prayerfully consider our calling this morning as slaves of Christ, I wish to close with a poem.
I gave my service, but with a heavy heart.
And with it went but little love or trust.
He was my Master. I must serve or die.
So I gave my service for I must.
That is the voice of destiny.
Then o’er the dreary dullness of my road,
There came the kindling ray of better thought,
I owed my service to a loving God,
So I gave my service for I ought.
That is the voice of duty.
And lo, the master made my service sweet
And like a ray of glory from above,
There came the knowledge that to serve was joy.
And so I gave my service, for I love.
That is the voice of devotion.
Lord, would you give us that kind of heart. A devoted slave of the Master we love. That Your work is done in Your way. And all God’s people said, amen.