Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Romans

October 16, 2005 #9 in series

PAUL’S MISSIONARY MOTIVES

Romans 1:14 -16

Part Three

“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 this Pen Pulpit we continue our study of Paul’s Missionary Motives.

The Mission to Evangelize (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)

If we understand the great commission correctly, the responsibility for missions falls upon the church. It is this sense of responsibility which motivates us. In Matthew 28:18b-20 we read, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This passage is quite clear as to what the church’s mission is all about. We got it directly from our Lord, Himself! However, we must look at this with the concept of God’s divine plan of election.

To help us understand the Doctrine of Election, I have included this note from one of the greatest biblical scholars of our time, Dr. Warren Wiersbe.

In Ephesians 1:4 we read, “Just as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.” This is the marvelous doctrine of election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others. A seminary professor once remarked to me, “Try to explain election and you lose your mind, but try to explain it away and you may lose your soul.” That salvation begins with God and not with man, all Christians will agree. “You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16).”

The lost sinner, left to his own ways, does not seek God (Romans 3:10-11); God in His love seeks the sinner (Luke 19:10). Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame.

In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No. He responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (John 6:37). Both are true and both are essential.

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Paul was motivated by an eagerness to preach the gospel (verse 15).

When we come to understand, as Paul did, that men without Christ are lost and we have the only message that can save them from an eternity in hell, we should be willing and eager to be used of God to share the message of salvation. In other words we should be committed! You are a committed Christian when you are as available to God as God is to you.

But sanctify Christ as LORD in your hearts, always being READY to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (I Peter 3:15). READY means to be prepared. Christian commitment is not blind. God never places a premium upon ignorance. We Christians have the full responsibility to prepare ourselves spiritually to share the good news of salvation.

The local church should help in this preparation (Ephesians 4:11-16). It is when God’s people are willing and eager, not only to share, but also to prepare themselves, that they can be really effective. Doctors need preparation; spiritual physicians need preparation.

In our next pen pulpit we will conclude our study of Paul’s Missionary Motives. I urge you to continue to read Romans daily. Until then, God bless!

Love to you all,