WEBVTT

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<v SPEAKER_00>Abbreviated message here.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Romans chapter 1 and verse 1.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It begins this way Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated under the gospel of God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, I've wanted to talk to you about this idea of Paul's apostleship, and we will do that in an extended, you know, version of this message here in two weeks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Talking about the second uh two parts of this verse, Paul an apostle, and Paul separated under the gospel of God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think there's enough content there to at least preach a whole year, nonetheless.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We'll at least give it one sermon.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This morning I want to talk to you about Paul, and then I want to uh give you two more points following our message last week on Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>By way of introduction to the book of Romans, we've seen some context and we've walked through Israel's history.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We saw the nature and the purpose of the book of Acts to establish Paul as a true apostle, but we've only done that with brevity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so I'm hopeful to continue to have that discussion and give us a sense of the importance of the distinction of Paul's ministry against the others, that is, the other apostles, and what we have found, and really the rest of the Old Testament.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Rather than beginning with the recipients, that is Paul to Rome, Paul actually begins the book of Romans talking about himself, and that is different than every other epistle that we would find.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And I think it's because as you enter into the Pauline letters, you have to know who is writing to you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so that's what we need to talk about this morning.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This isn't about Rome right now.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It will be here in a second in verse 5.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is about Paul the Apostle.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that only makes sense coming out of the book of Acts, because Acts, as we shorthand it, is, it's in its full title, The Acts of the Apostles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And it is my, again, conviction and estimation that the book of Acts is given to us to establish Paul as a legitimate apostle.

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<v SPEAKER_00>As we discussed last week, it only makes sense for the first word or few words of the book of Romans to begin the way that they have.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Romans then is built upon the authority of the man that God chose to reveal the mystery of the body of Christ and the gospel of grace to the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at with me Romans chapter 11 and verse 13.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It should be on the screen if it hasn't been already.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It says, For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ephesians chapter 3 and verses 1 through 8, we've read this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let me give your attention or help you see the phrase, you Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ephesians chapter 3, starting in verse 1, it says, For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of the uh of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given to me you word, how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words, whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge and the mystery of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Verse 5, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Verse six, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel, whereof I made a minister according to the gift of grace of God given to uh unto me by the effectual working of his power, verse eight, unto me, whom uh who am least less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I mean, you cannot leave Ephesians chapter 2 and 3 and think, Paul does not have a unique apostleship towards the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>2 Timothy chapter 1 in verse 11, it says this, where unto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so I want to begin our time this morning just talking to you about Paul, a saved man.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, a saved man.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Before we talk about the book of Romans, and before we hear the word apostle, or before we see Paul a servant, before we hear the word grace, we simply have Paul, his name, and that's very significant.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It may not seem that special to consider, but the emphasis here is aimed at his new identity in Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Think about the Jewish mind and all those that would have known Paul in his former name, Saul.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Saul of Darsus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I mean, his identity had completely changed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so I want to talk to you about Paul the saved man.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He wasn't Saul anymore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In other words, this book is written by a saved man or a new man who's given a new name and a new identity in Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>According to the first occurrence of this name change from Saul to Paul, found in Acts 13 and verse 9, we realize that God changed his name to actually emphasize the beginning of his Gentile ministry.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so the name is not just, oh, you got a new identity, that's true.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It is also a like a moniker or a marker for us to think this is the beginning of God doing something new.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Of God doing something new.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Acts 13 and verses 1 through 2, it says this, as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And when they had fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Again, this name change emphasizes the beginning of his ministry to the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You can find that first mention of Paul in Acts 13 and verse 9 in this same chapter.

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<v SPEAKER_00>His conversion, though, is in Acts chapter 9 and verse 15.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It says, But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Okay.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Yes, a message to the Jew first, but he was a chosen vessel, a unique individual, given a unique ministry to bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That is a new message, and I just want to make sure that seed is planted in your heart.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God is doing something new with Paul.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Acts chapter 13 and verses 46 through 48, it says, Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you, but seeing that ye put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turned to the Gentiles.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation of the ends of the earth, verse 48.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So, first, the saved man is not Saul anymore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God converted him and gave him a new identity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Secondly, his greater identity was the new one, not his past identity as a Jew.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so understand the emphasis in opening the book of Romans is on Paul's new nature, not his old one.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Before Christ, Acts 22 in verse 3 says, he was a Jew born in Tarsus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A city in Cilicia.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You can find that here in verse 3.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It goes on, it says, Yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gimeliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye are all this day.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, and considering this heritage and this old man status of Paul, in Philippians 3, he writes to the church in verses 5 and 6, he says this of himself, circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew of Hebrews, as touching the law a Pharisee concerning zeal persecuting the church, touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A Hebrew, a Pharisee, a student of Gameliel, a Roman citizen, a respected religious leader, and yet, as the book of Romans opens up, none of those things are mentioned.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Paul, not Saul anymore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That old identity gone.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, not a servant of the law.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He wasn't under the law anymore, but grace.

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<v SPEAKER_00>See, before Christ he was all of these things, yet after Christ, he would go on in Philippians chapter 3 and verses 7 and 8 and say, All those things that were gained to me I count loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at with me, verses 7 and 8, it says, But what things were gained to me, those I counted loss for Christ, ye doubtless, and I counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I might win Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Just know that's how the Book of Romans opens up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A man who has forgotten who he was, because God was doing something new, not only in his life, but through him and to the nations.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, thirdly, I want you to understand that this change happened because of the grace of God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Saul was made a new man or a saved man because God came in and converted him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We can learn about that conversion in Acts 8, but also his recounting of his conversion before King Agrippa in Acts 26.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He also tells Timothy this in 1 Timothy chapter 1.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at with me how he describes his conversion in verse 12.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It says, But I thank, I'm sorry, and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious, as we were just reading.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He says, But I have obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly and unbelief and in unbelief.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sorry, ignorantly in unbelief.

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<v SPEAKER_00>14.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Howbeit, for this cause I obtain mercy, that in me first Christ Jesus might show forth all long suffering for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now that that alone, that phrase, that in me first, Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, should get you to think, well, what the heck?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What about all the apostles before Paul?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What were they doing?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What is Paul saying here?

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<v SPEAKER_00>He's saying that God started to do something new.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's God was actually showing something about his nature and his dealings with man through Paul, and Paul was actually set as a pattern for this new thing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so there's a lot of things we need to get accomplished in terms of our understanding of this new age or this new dispensation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But one of them is that Paul is set as a pattern or our example to actually follow.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's why he's able to write to Corinth and say, follow me as I follow Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not follow the early church fathers.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Follow Peter.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No, follow me, Paul says.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that is significant.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The language of Scripture is precise.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God is measured in his word, he's preserved it for us to understand important doctrine.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Hold in your thinking, God is doing something new with the Apostle Paul, and he is set as a pattern for Christians.

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<v SPEAKER_00>1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verses 9 through 10, it says this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He knows that there is something different about him, that he is undeserving of this label that God's given him, an apostle.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Verse 10, he says, But by the grace of God I am what I am.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In other words, that's the only way I possibly could have obtained it, is if God gave it to me out of due time, uniquely.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's a gift of grace.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And his grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I labored the more, I'm sorry, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was in, which was with me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He never forgot who he was before Christ, but he also would never get over what Christ had done in him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so devotionally here.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Aside from all of the important doctrinal points to be made about our understanding of Paul's apostleship, what about you and I?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Has our life changed?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do we tend to identify more with who we were in the old man?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or what school we went to, or the education we got, or the job we worked, or you know, being a father or a mother or the country we're from, or where's your identity?

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the question.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For Paul, it was not about his Roman heritage or his Jewish heritage.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It was not who he was sitting under as a student.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It did not matter where he went to school, and on and on.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It wasn't how religiously zealous he was according to the law, how a good of a person he was.

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<v SPEAKER_00>His new identification was an agreement with what God had done in his life, and that was a gift of grace.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When somebody asks you, who are you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>You think, well, I'm a, what do you do for a living?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What do you think?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What's your response to a question like, what do you do for a living?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Well, I'm a doctor, I'm a home builder, I'm a nurse, I'm a an accountant, I'm a fill in the blank, you know, that you typically I'm a father, I'm a mother.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What if it was I'm a servant of Jesus Christ?

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm a new creature in Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm a son of God, given power to be called one because of my belief in the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Our identity has to be wrapped up in the gift of grace.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul's life radically changed, not only his name.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What about you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Christian.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What about me?

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm a Christian now.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Okay, that's great.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Your name changed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Has your life?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul's life changed radically.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He moved from being a servant of the law to being a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What about you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What about me?

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<v SPEAKER_00>A lot of things to learn doctrinally about Paul.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But devotionally, what about us?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Have we radically changed so much so that when people look at our life, they see the change?

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<v SPEAKER_00>We don't have to convince them that we're a Christian.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Come on, you don't think I'm a Christian?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Uh I have question marks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So many nominal Christians in our culture today, aren't there?

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<v SPEAKER_00>People that say, I'm a Christian.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What does that mean, bro?

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<v SPEAKER_00>I believe in God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The devils believe in tremble.

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<v SPEAKER_00>James 2.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Is that enough?

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm a Christian.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I believe on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I've been born again.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Wonderful.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Wonderful.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You're a child of God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Genuinely not mocking that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amazing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Is your life a reflection of the greatest gift you could have possibly ever received?

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<v SPEAKER_00>And it's mine.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And is mine.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You got a name change, but has your identity or nature changed with it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>There's the question.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Has your nature changed in accordance with your new name?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Only your name or your nature too with it?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Are you a Christian in name only or deed also?

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<v SPEAKER_00>And what evidence could you point to in your life to confirm that reality?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law.

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.679
<v SPEAKER_00>Is that true?

00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:47.440
<v SPEAKER_00>When you hear that list in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 21 and then 22 at the end, is that a reflection of my life?

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.759
<v SPEAKER_00>Am I reflecting what is true of the Holy Spirit?

00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:54.960
<v SPEAKER_00>Because that's what I got when I got saved.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You see, Paul here in Romans chapter 1 is a saved man, and that's what we can learn in his name.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The book does not open Saul, a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Secondly, a servant of Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And we we talked about this last week.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I gave you five marks of what it means to be a servant of the Lord.

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:19.839
<v SPEAKER_00>You can see those on the screen at this time.

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<v SPEAKER_00>First, a servant of Christ seeks the Lord in prayer throughout the day for others.

00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:28.880
<v SPEAKER_00>Secondly, the servant of Jesus Christ shares the gospel.

00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:33.200
<v SPEAKER_00>You can go reference last week's message to see these points and the scriptures.

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.240
<v SPEAKER_00>They're drawn from.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thirdly, the servant of Jesus Christ strives to keep unity in the body of Christ, not serving his own belly.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.640
<v SPEAKER_00>That's Romans 16.

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:49.279
<v SPEAKER_00>Fourthly, the servant of Jesus Christ suffers with him.

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:52.240
<v SPEAKER_00>Fifthly, serves to only please him.

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:59.200
<v SPEAKER_00>He's not a men pleaser, he's serving and doing all things heartily as unto the Lord, not as unto men.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, this morning, as I was meditating on this phrase, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, I was considering this week 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verses 24 through 26, which read, And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, and meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:38.799
<v SPEAKER_00>If God per adventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:45.519
<v SPEAKER_00>In other words, there's some descriptions here of the servant of the Lord and what the servant must do.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so I just want to add two points for you regarding what it means to be a servant of Jesus Christ, and that is sixthly.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A servant of Jesus Christ is soft unto all men, gentle, not striving, meek.

00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:08.240
<v SPEAKER_00>And that means the servant is also slow to react with harsh or heavy-handedness.

00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:11.359
<v SPEAKER_00>They're not there to just judge and condemn.

00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:16.240
<v SPEAKER_00>They're desiring that somebody would actually turn and repent.

00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:23.599
<v SPEAKER_00>And what that means is that if someone's going to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, we can't be in control.

00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:28.960
<v SPEAKER_00>We can't convince somebody to come out from a certain lifestyle.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We have to be patient toward all men and slow to just write people off because they don't live the lifestyle we think they should.

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:59.519
<v SPEAKER_00>A man was asking John MacArthur later in his life what the greatest leadership quality was that he could see in Scripture that he felt like was often neglected in the list of things that leaders should be.

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:02.640
<v SPEAKER_00>And his response was patient towards all men.

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.839
<v SPEAKER_00>It's true.

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.839
<v SPEAKER_00>We get hasty, we get frustrated.

00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:10.559
<v SPEAKER_00>Whether that's with family, spouse, children, lost people, we think you should be better.

00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:14.079
<v SPEAKER_00>It's like, well, be patient, be gracious.

00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.599
<v SPEAKER_00>Wasn't God that way with you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Man, God was with me.

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.559
<v SPEAKER_00>I'm so stubborn.

00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.599
<v SPEAKER_00>I'm still stubborn.

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:21.839
<v SPEAKER_00>And God is merciful to me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm so grateful for that.

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:28.079
<v SPEAKER_00>I'm so thankful too for the men that God's put in my life to be patient with me.

00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:35.519
<v SPEAKER_00>And so this is really all I want you to consider this morning is Paul a saved man and Paul a servant.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul understood that his credentials were not in a position, but in his surrender before the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And so just make a note, while the world values positions of authority, apostleship, Paul is emphasizing his servitude first.

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:58.400
<v SPEAKER_00>The world values positions of authority, God values the authority of submission.

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:01.200
<v SPEAKER_00>And there is authority in submission.

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.359
<v SPEAKER_00>There is a power in humility.

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:13.200
<v SPEAKER_00>And if you've ever met someone who's super effective and genuine at being humble, you know there's power there that you may not understand or have access to.

00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:17.279
<v SPEAKER_00>It's why people marveled at the words of Jesus Christ when he spoke.

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:22.480
<v SPEAKER_00>He had a humility about him, and it wasn't as the scribes taught.

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:27.599
<v SPEAKER_00>They marveled at his gracious words, the gospels say.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So what about us?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Are we holding on to that servanthood or that submissive spirit?

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not a weak position to be in, it's actually the thing God's using to create a great wake of spiritual blessing in people's lives.

00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:49.119
<v SPEAKER_00>Think about that phrase the authority of submission.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God accomplished the greatest work humanity has ever known by submitting to the Father and going to the cross.

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.519
<v SPEAKER_00>You think, oh, submission's a dirty word.

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.319
<v SPEAKER_00>Don't like when the Bible uses the word submission, okay, then you don't like the cross.

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.680
<v SPEAKER_00>And I don't either.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Submission is a beautiful word, and wrapped up in it is actually the authority of God and the power of God.

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:16.559
<v SPEAKER_00>Just disguised in God's wisdom, not earthly wisdom.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if you're sensitive enough to say, I want to agree with God and how he thinks, not how the devil thinks, James chapter 3 at the end, then you're going to actually find that that wisdom from above is easily entreatable.

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:35.599
<v SPEAKER_00>It's patient, it's gentle, and it's able to get the spiritual work done that God needs.

00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:40.720
<v SPEAKER_00>Not through strength or, you know, the wisdom of man's words, but through weakness.

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:48.160
<v SPEAKER_00>Those are the weapons that we need, not cardinal ones, but the ones that are weak, so that God can show up in our life through grace.

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:56.720
<v SPEAKER_00>This way of thinking is contrary to our natural mind, and yet it is the wisdom of God.

00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:08.000
<v SPEAKER_00>And so I just want you to think how God actually develops servanthood in people by presenting them opportunities for it before they're put in positions.

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:13.680
<v SPEAKER_00>And so, before positions of leadership, God brings people through opportunities to be servants.

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:20.000
<v SPEAKER_00>This is true of Moses, this is true of Joshua, this is true of David, this is true of Timothy.

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.200
<v SPEAKER_00>The list could go on and on.

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:26.000
<v SPEAKER_00>True of Paul, a servant first, then the position.

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.240
<v SPEAKER_00>Paul has an amazing position.

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:35.839
<v SPEAKER_00>We have to understand that he is a pattern and that he is actually set for us to look to and follow.

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:41.119
<v SPEAKER_00>But the thing that comes first is his willingness to serve Jesus, not men.

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<v SPEAKER_00>By way of application, and as we close this morning, I just want to tell you that the greatest title or position in Christianity is not apostle, though so many in the church today claim that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Are you willing to be there in that place?

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.400
<v SPEAKER_00>Am I willing to be there in that place?

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:20.400
<v SPEAKER_00>God forbid if I'm not.

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:24.880
<v SPEAKER_00>Because it means that my life then is not a reflection of Christ.

00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:29.119
<v SPEAKER_00>And that's the whole goal of the Christian life, for me to be conformed into his image.

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:34.799
<v SPEAKER_00>And so why would I reject or buck against the very thing God's trying to accomplish in me?

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.640
<v SPEAKER_00>Confirmation to his son.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Mark chapter 10 and verse 45 through 40, 44 through 45, it says, And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all.

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.480
<v SPEAKER_00>Referring to the kingdom.

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.839
<v SPEAKER_00>Verse 45.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:04.480
<v SPEAKER_00>This morning we close by considering these two thoughts out of Romans chapter 1 and verse 1.

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:08.160
<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, a saved man, and Paul a servant of Jesus Christ.

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:12.160
<v SPEAKER_00>Here in two weeks we'll look at the next two parts of verse 1.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, an apostle, or that is to say, a sent one.

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.200
<v SPEAKER_00>I think this is in the next slide.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A sent one, and Paul separated under the gospel of God.

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:25.519
<v SPEAKER_00>Okay, so that was my intention is to share on those four ideas.

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:33.839
<v SPEAKER_00>Paul, a saved man, a serving man, a set apart man, or one sent out, an apostle, a sent one.

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:38.880
<v SPEAKER_00>And then finally, you know, Paul a separated man under the gospel of God.

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:45.200
<v SPEAKER_00>We will have to pick up our time in a few weeks talking about the importance of his apostleship.

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.519
<v SPEAKER_00>But as we close, I just want to tell you this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If Jesus Christ gave his life a ransom for many, and the invitation of the Christian life is become like Jesus, are you willing to give yours?

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:58.319
<v SPEAKER_00>Are you willing to surrender all?

00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:12.480
<v SPEAKER_00>Are you willing to, just as Jesus was willing to humble himself and take on the form of a servant, Philippians chapter 2, are you willing to have that same mind?