Romans: A Spirit of Thankfulness

Spiritual leadership is NOT based on the words we say, but on the way we live.

• The key to this whole passage is Romans 1:9.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;Romans 1:9

• Paul was a man of abundant gratitude…nearly 60 times in Pauline Epistles he uses the phrase or expresses the concept of being grateful to the Lord.

“I thank God” Rom 1:8, 7:25, 1 Cor 1.4

“God be thanked” Rom 6.17

“Thanks be unto God” 2 Cor 2.14

• The first mark of true, Spiritual service and leadership is a heart of gratitude, a heart of thankfulness.

The object of Paul’s gratitude

• Paul said, v. 1 “I thank my God through Jesus Christ…”

• He did not thank himself, that would have been, “Self-Promotion.

• He did not thank the Roman’s themselves, that might have been, “Flattery”

The intimacy of Paul’s gratitude

• “My God”, Paul is close to the Lord.

• No pagan would ever say that. They would never refer to their God, being personal with them. Their view of God was and is, one of punishment and almost exclusively fear. (Not a reverential, holy fear, but a fear of impending judgement and damnation)

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.John 15:15

The mediator of Paul’s gratitude

• Apart from the Work of Christ there would be no thanksgiving.

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.1 Corinthians 15:17-19

• We understand that apart from Christ there is nothing of consequence we can do.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Hebrews 4:15-16

• A true servant of the Lord understands that any “Success” they might have is entirely of the Christ.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:Colossians 1:27

The impartiality of Paul’s gratitude

• Paul wasn’t just thankful for a few folks in the church, or those he had simply heard of, or maybe those thought to be popular, everyone who is involved in the church, adds value and makes up the church.

• The church is not simply the pastor, the assistant pastors, the musicians, the teachers, etc., the church is everyone who has united in membership for the cause of engaging people in a joyful church family, encouraging them to develop a passionate love for God, and equipping them for the work of the ministry.

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.James 2:1-10

The faith of the Church

• Notice that Paul says, “Your Faith is spoken of”….

• Spoken, proclaimed, people talk about your faith,

• From secular history we learn that in A.D. 49 Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome, thinking they were all followers of someone named Chrestus (a variant spelling of Christ). Apparently, the testimony of Jewish Christians had so incited the nonbelieving Jews that the turmoil threatened the peace of the whole city. The believers had, then, a powerful testimony not only in the city, but throughout the whole world. What a commendation!

• Those Jewish believers who had the gospel at Pentecost returned to Rome and they had been so effective at sharing the gospel that the whole region was greatly impacted.

Your faith…not your… · Wealth · Buildings · Intellect · Organization

faith = that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith. firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity,

• The known world would have heard that the Jews had been expelled, by Claudius. They didn’t allow that to deter their Faith.

• What a contrast that must have been to Paul, when there were those who walked away from the Lord, or gave up their “Leadership in the church”