Romans 1:1 WHO Is CALLED?

When I say, ________ is a called man/woman, what comes to your mind? Do you know someone you consider “called?” What do you mean when you hear someone was called? We hear it all the time, the church called so-n-so to do such-and- such. Is this way of thinking Biblically sound?

Scripture:

Romans 1:1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle

Lesson:

As a minister (I have given my life in ministry to kingdom work) individuals will come to me and say….you need to say or do this…. Because they sense a person is called they feel that that person should be doing such-and-such. It is interesting to me of all the duties and responsibilities of the one "called" designated by those that do not perceive themselves to be "called." Who is the called in your book?  Are you Called? 

When God came to Saul, Saul responded, “What do you want me to do?” Saul obeyed God. Do you think God calls us as believers to certain task?When God comes to us, we are to ask the same question, "What do you want me to do?" He calls out to all of us and we respond as Paul or we ignore the calling. He calls and appoints us to different roles and missions. But keep in mind that God created and designed us for the thing he purposed us to do. He calls and appoints us. The church or people of God are not the the ones who call and the ones called are not under their authority. They are only affirming the call on that person’s life. 

Application:

1.   Have you considered the fact that you are “called.” ?With this new understanding of called, are you called?

2.   Apostle means, one who is sent out. Think about the opportunities you have everyday to speak Jesus to someone. Name some of the opportunities you have.

3.   Would you live your life the same if you wore the title, Missionary    Mary, Pastor Patty, Deacon Diane, Chaplain Christy,etc.? Do we need a title to hide behind to be about God's work?

4.   What are we as Christians called to? God is speaking to you now, what is he calling you to do?

5.  If we would look at the encounters we have each day with individuals as opportunities to witness, how would Christianity be impacted?

Prayer:

Dear Father, help me to realize the potential I have everyday to speak of your greatness and to the difference Christ has made in my life. Open my eyes and ears to the needs of individuals. Help me to be bold in sharing your love.  Again, Father, show me what you would have me do and give me the courage and strength to be obedient to your calling in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:1 IF YOU WERE FREE TO GO….WOULD YOU

Did you see the Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood movie, The Bridges of Madison County, this past week? There are many times we have the opportunity to walk out the door? We do not why?

Scripture:

Romans 1:1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus

Lesson:

That movie elicits many emotions doesn’t it? It appeared that she was a servant in the family, and taken for granted by her husband. Why did she not leave her husband and daughter? As I thought about this scripture, this movie came to my mind.

After his conversion, Paul calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. When we think about servant, we think about being someone’s slave, the person who is to do all the menial jobs that a master would not want to do. The Greek word for servant is bond-servant. A huge percentage of the Roman world was enslaved. A servant was one who had no control of their life; they were at the mercy of their master. They were totally dependent on their master for everything. However, there was a time that the servants were freed.

Sometimes the servant, even though freed, would choose to stay with the master. Paul is saying that he has given himself up to Jesus in this manner. God so loved us that he sent His son to die for us. As His children we have everything we need supplied for us. As Christians we are not bound to God out of a master/slave relationship but with the idea that we freely choose to be in relationship with God because of His love and care for us. I am not sure why Meryl stayed with her husband and child for it was obvious she felt bound to them but there was no love shown.

Not because of who we are, but because of who Christ was and is, we should want to give all we have to him in service. A slave submits with an attitude of responsibility to fulfilling a task and no more and cannot wait till the day when they can be set free. When our attitude is that of a bond-servant we submit out of love and we want that relationship to last for eternity.

Application:

1.   How do you react to the word servant, better yet the word submission?

2.   Do you see your relationship to God as master/servant or as a bond-servant? In other words is your relationship driven our of responsibility or out of  ove?

3.   How submissive are you to the will of God in your life?

4.   Do you ignore God at your leisure? Are you willing to be used? Paul was free to go. We are free to go. God want us in a love relationship not a have to relationship.

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for loving me enough to allow your son, Jesus, to die for me. You grace and mercy far outreaches anything that I might deserve. Forgive me for the times that I have been ungrateful to you. I love you and I want to submit my mind, body, and spirit to you. In Jesus name, Amen.