Yesterday morning I began our series on the book of Romans with our Middle School students; by far one of my favorite books of the Bible!
Many of the books that one may read today have a short descripion or biography of the one that authored the book, usually on the back cover or the inside flap. As we bagan our study in Romans we saw that it offers much the same....a discription of the author, that of course being the Apostle Paul.
In 1:1-17 we see a great description of a man fully committed to living out the gospel. A man that modeled the life that I desire my life to look like.
This is what we see...
Paul’s role (vs. 1) - A servant of Christ Jesus
Paul’s title (vs. 1) - Apostle (one sent forth)
Paul’s position (vs. 1) - Set apart for the gospel
Paul’s calling (vs. 5) - To call people to Christ
Paul’s commitment (vvs. 9-10) - Serve with his whole heart, prays all the time
Paul’s desire (vvs. 10-11) - To visit the Romans, to bless and encourage them
Paul’s motivation (vvs. 14-15) - Preach the gospel to all
Paul’s reason for confidence (vs. 16) - The power of God
Think what the world would look like if we all looked a little bit more like Paul, who of course sought to look a lot like Jesus.
Like Paul
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2 comments:
I think we (American Christians) are mostly afraid to look like Paul. Not because we don't desire the above, but because we don't want the 2 Corinthians 11 description: in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the moce. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked...
Or half the stuff he went through in the book of Acts!
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