The Study: Romans 1:1 Paul, a Killer called to represent the Kingdom

CATCHING TODAY'S PASSAGE:  Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle..."

     If there was anyone who seemed unqualified to represent the Kingdom of God, it was the apostle Paul.  Paul was a killer of those who were members of God's Kingdom.  And, yet, God called Him to be His apostle.

     There is a phrase that flies around our community that is used to describe some of the people in our community.  It is a phrase that tells volumes about that individual.  The phrase is, "he's a killer."  Sadly, there are many who have lost their lives and many who have lost loved ones because this statement is indeed true.  But it is also true that God takes these killers and transforms them into representatives for His Kingdom.  God clearly sees in others and in us what we often times do not see...workers in the Kingdom of God.  This is surely what God saw in Paul as He called him to be an apostle. 

  

     An apostle is an ambassador and a representative.  It is a person who has been "sent out" onto the field of life to represent the Kingdom of God.  Incredibly, killer Saul was called to be representative Paul.  God's ways are surely not our ways.  If we were in charge of hiring for God's Kingdom, most of us would have trashed Paul's resume, but not God.  God took it and took him and made him into not just His child, but His representative.  And if God can do that in the life of Paul, then He can surely do that in my life today, regardless of what is on my resume.  

TUCKING THE TRUTH INTO MY HEART:  I Timothy 1:15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst."  

RUNNING WITH IT ON THE FIELD OF LIFE:  O God, use my life for your Kingdom's sake today.  Take the resume of my life with all it's flaws and transform me into a representative for You.

      

The Study: Romans 1:1 From a Saul who persecuted Christ to a Paul who proclaimed himself to be His slave!

TACKLING TODAY'S PASSAGE:  Romans 1:1  "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,..."

    As Christians, we rejoice in the life of the apostle Paul because he illustrates both the grace of God to love the one who hates Him and the power of God to transform that one into one of His most devoted servants.  When Stephen's body lay lifeless on the ground after being stoned to death by the "stiff-necked" Sanhedrin, it was Saul who was there, "giving approval to his death."  (Acts 8:1)  And his approval of Stephen's persecution was not just directed towards Stephen, but also to Christ Himself.  On his way to persecute more Christians in Damascus, Jesus struck him down with His light and spoke in his ear, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  (Acts 9:4)  Yet, later, the first thing that Paul would say in his letter to the saints in Rome is that he is now "a servant of Christ Jesus." (Romans 1:1)  Paul was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit from a persecutor of Christ to His personal "servant."  (Romans 1:1) 

     Paul's 180 degree turn around is both amazing and complete.  The word "servant" means a "bond slave" and according to the law of the bond slave in the Old Testament, a slave could choose to refuse his freedom and voluntarily remain with his master.  (Exodus 21:1-6)  This was the choice that Paul made.  God could have transformed him and forced Him to be His servant.  But, instead, while God did indeed change Saul from the inside out, He still allowed him to make the choice of who he would now serve.  Paul's choice was Jesus Christ.  He knew that Christ had set him free from his hateful life and that he now belonged to Him.  Paul gladly humbled himself and allowed himself to be Christ's servant and he did so because he had experienced God's amazing love and His transforming power.   

TUCKING THE TRUTH INTO MY HEART:  I Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."  

TAKING IT ON TO THE FIELD:

     Lord, help me to live today as a "bond slave" to your Son.  Like Paul, may the first thing that characterizes my life be my surrender and servanthood to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  ___________ (your name), "a servant of Christ Jesus."  

       

The Prayer Closet

Please pray for 3 people who are considering baptism.

Please pray for 2 young couples considering marriage.

Please pray for many to take the 2:14:1 Challenge!