Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 1:1-7

A. The Man Paul: God’s Instrument for the Gospel (v. 1)

1. His Identity: A “slave” of Christ Jesus

2. His Role: Called to be an apostle – “ambassador”

3. His Life: Set apart – “appointed” (not a chosen vocation)

B. The Message of Paul: The Gospel of God (v. 1-5)

1. The focus of the Apostle Paul: Rom. 1:1

2. The Gospel of God (Trinitarian)

a. The Gospel of God cannot fail: Rom. 1:2

b. The Gospel of God came through the Holy Scriptures: Rom. 1:3

c. The Gospel of God centers on the Risen Lord Jesus Christ: Rom. 1:3-4

d. The gospel of God provides Good News for the World: Rom. 1:5

C. The Mission of Paul: Pleasing God, Making Disciples: Rom. 1:4-6, Rom. 16:25-27

1. Conversion before Commission: Rom. 1:4-5a, Eph. 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-14

2. Commission defined

a. To promote obedience among God’s called saints: Rom. 1:4-5c, Rom. 6:17, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Mark 1:14, Matt. 28:19-20

– Beyond the local assembly: Rom. 1:4-5c

– Within the local assembly: Rom. 1:6, Phil. 2:12-14

b. To promote Him who is the Gospel: Rom. 1:5d, Rom. 11:36, Ps. 138:2