Are You Living for Your Name or His Name?
In a world obsessed with building personal brands, accumulating accolades, and climbing social ladders, how does the Bible define what it truly means to be a servant? The Apostle Paul's opening words in Romans 1:1-4 provide the most powerful answer to this question found anywhere in Scripture. What if I told you that Paul's first four words contain the secret to true Christian living and effective gospel ministry?
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). Notice what Paul doesn't lead with - he doesn't mention his education, his previous status as a Pharisee, or his impressive religious credentials. Instead, he introduces himself in the most humble way possible: as a servant.
Paul's Lane: Separated Unto the Gospel
Paul knew his calling and he stayed in his lane. Look at his focus at the end of verse 1: "separated unto the gospel of God." Not politics, not social reform, not running food banks or seeking political office - though these things aren't wrong in themselves. Paul was laser-focused on the gospel because he understood something we often forget: that is what saves souls.
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). This is our Great Commission. Paul didn't get his hands mixed up in too many different things that would make his ministry convoluted.
Scripture confirms Paul's calling: "But he is a chosen vessel unto me" (Acts 9:15). And in Galatians: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen" (Galatians 1:15-16).
Find yourself a heathen this week and preach Christ to them.
Names Come and Go, But Servants Remain
Desire: Here's what struck me about Paul's approach: he takes the lowest place in proper position to the highest One. People come and go. There are many Pauls in heaven, many athletes building legacies, new Super Bowl champions every year, new names on the Forbes richest list annually. Names come and go.
But Paul said, "I don't want to be remembered by my name - I want to be remembered as a servant, and I submit to you: try not to live your life being remembered for your name, but for His name's sake."
Names tend to separate us. How are you going to sit down for lunch with the richest man in the world? How are we going to get together with Super Bowl champions? But you know what unites us? We're all servants of Jesus Christ. That's the unifying factor.
If the floor needs to be vacuumed, we'll do it - why? Because we want to serve Jesus. If gospel tracts need to be handed out, we'll do it - why? Because we want to serve Jesus. And if somebody gives you a snarky look or gets on your case, just know they did worse to our Lord.
Don't worry about your name and reputation. Worry about being a servant for the Lord.
The Gospel of God - Not a Casual Message
This isn't Paul's good news - whose good news is it? It's God's good news. Never forget: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). At least 15 times in John, Jesus references that "the Father hath sent me."
This is the gospel of God. It's not something to be trifled with or taken lightly. Some people treat the gospel like a book report for school or a college science project. It's the gospel of God.
We get to be used by the highest, the greatest, the Creator. Your debt to your town is that nobody would come into that town without knowing about Jesus Christ because somebody from your congregation told them - whether at lunch, walking through the neighborhood, at an event, or during a work break.
Promised by the Prophets in Holy Scripture
"Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures" (Romans 1:2). Every Old Testament prophet pointed to Christ:
Moses spoke of the woman's seed
Abraham received promises of his seed
Isaiah called Him the virgin's son, "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6)
Jeremiah called Him "the righteous Branch, The LORD Our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Daniel called Him the Messiah Prince
Malachi called Him "the messenger of the covenant" and "the Sun of righteousness" (Malachi 3:1, 4:2)
Why are these scriptures holy? Because "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). My faith isn't in Paul, the translator, or the scribe. My faith is in God, who is the author.
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21).
Jesus Christ Our Lord - Three Essential Truths
Action: Romans 1:3 introduces "Jesus Christ our Lord." Notice three crucial elements:
1. Jesus - The Savior
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus is His personal name, identifying His humanity as the Savior.
2. Christ - The Anointed One
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31). There are no ifs, ands, or buts - not through Muhammad's name, not through any other name, but through His name alone.
3. Lord - The Highest Authority
"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)" (Acts 10:36).
People don't want Him as their Lord. They'll put Him up there with their other gods - TV, social media, sports, pick your idol. They're okay with Jesus as long as it's a Jesus they can add to their other gods, which really isn't the Jesus of the Bible.
If you've trusted Him as your Savior, He is your Lord. Where is He in your life? First place? Prove it. What is your heart attracted to? What you watch, what you listen to, what you spend your money on? Where are you laying up treasure - eternal things or earthly things that will all pass away?
The Power of the Resurrection
"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).
The resurrection makes it good news. There is no gospel without a resurrection. He rose from the dead. That means He didn't need oxygen, didn't need medical intervention - He's God. When He was ready, He came up from the grave.
This demonstrates two crucial aspects:
Son of David - God faithful to His promise
Son of God - God with power
Christ walked among sinful men but never sinned. He faced death and offered Himself without spot to God. The proof of His power is the resurrection from the dead.
"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20).
That's why we sing "Victory in Jesus" - because the only way you'll have victory is through Jesus Christ conquering sin and death and rising from the dead.
Your Gospel Presentation Made Simple
If you don't know where to go in witnessing, just go to First Corinthians 15:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Need evidence? "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" (1 Corinthians 15:5-6).
That's 513 eyewitnesses. You're going to believe the news media over that?
The Heart of the Matter
I'm concerned about heart matters. I want you to be concerned about heart matters. That's the whole focus behind Paul's introduction - the gospel is God's gospel, and hearts and souls are at stake.
If you don't compel people to think about spiritual matters, who will? The college professor? The boss? This Laodicean church age that attracts people with entertainment instead of the Word?
Find yourself a heathen this week and tell them about Jesus Christ.
This powerful exposition of Romans 1:1-4 barely scratches the surface of this rich passage! 🎧 For the complete verse-by-verse Bible teaching and to experience the full impact of this expository preaching, I humbly encourage you to listen to the entire sermon message. There's so much more depth, conviction, and practical application waiting for you! 📖
[Listen to the Full Sermon Here - Complete Expository Preaching of Romans 1:1-4]
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