Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Romans

October 9, 2005 #8 in series

PAUL’S MISSIONARY MOTIVES

Romans 1:14 -16

Part Two

“For I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to the foolish. So, as for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. “

In part one of Paul’s Missionary Motives we examined the beginning of the Christian missionary program initiated by our Lord Jesus Christ and developed by the Apostle Paul. In part two we will look at how some see coming to salvation apart from Jesus Christ and contrast it with how God sees it.

Man’ View –

Men are psychologically lost – They are confused and simply need psychological adjustment. So many go to a “shrink” or physic for help rather than the Word of God.

God’s Truth –

Man’s problem is not a psychological problem, it is a spiritual problem – cf Romans 8:7,8 “Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Man’s View -

The social mandate – Clean up society and you remove the problem.

God’s Truth -

The problem is that society doesn’t make men, rather men make society! The only thing that will change men is to change their hearts and only Jesus Christ can do that.

Man’s View –

All men will ultimately be saved because of the magnitude of the grace of God. A loving God would never send anyone to hell!

God’s Truth –

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6.23

Paul’s Missionary Motives Part two

Man’s View –

All men are already saved and need to be informed of their salvation so they can enjoy their salvation.

God’s Truth –

“Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:19, 20

This change takes place in man, not God. It is never said that God is reconciled to man, but always that man is reconciled to God. This reconciliation is effected by the death of Christ. By His death Christ reconciled the world unto God: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” The relation of the sinful world to God was changed thoroughly. All men were thus rendered salvable, that is capable of being saved. But this does not automatically effect the salvation of a single sinner. Each individual must personally be reconciled to God.

Bottom Line –

We live in a world that desparately needs Christ. We only have to look around us, read the newspapers, watch (or hopefully turn off) the garbage coming into our homes through television, to bring that truth home. Jesus said, “Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all arund us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” John 4:35-37, NLT.

Will you, will I, have a part in the harvest?

In our next pen pulpit we will examine the great evangelical mandate and how it relates to the doctrine of election. Until then, God bless!