In 1903, a group of 17 men got together to form a small political organization. By 1917, this organization of 17 men had grown to 40,000 members and had become powerful enough to overthrow Czar Russia. Hammer & Sickle began to make their way across our world. And before the Iron Curtain fell, communism had dominated up to 2/3 of the globe. In spite of our aversion to communism, we still must ask ourselves how 17 men could possibly have made such an amazing impact upon the world in as few as 70-80 years.

I believe the answer is simple: the men who founded the Communist Party were committed to impacting their world. And today I must ask you a very important question: “Are you a person of commitment?” Think about that question for a moment. “Are you truly a person of commitment?” “Are you?”

If I were to ask your spouse, your children, your friends, or your co-workers, what would they tell me? Unfortunately, I’m afraid that many of us just go through the motions, with little, if any, commitment beyond the circumstances of the moment and the shallowness of self-interest. Week in and week out, we follow the same mundane routine. Without any real sense of purpose we go to work or school; we care for our kids or enjoy our retirement. The goal for most of our weeks is more endurance than commitment. We mindlessly maintain, looking forward only to the weekend when we won’t have to go to school or plod off to work or be left alone at home with the kids. It is a monotonous cycle, week after week. And where there is no commitment, there is no impact!

Yet, I’m convinced that the Lord is looking for men and women-young and old-who are willing to make an impact! Hopefully, a careful study of Romans 1:8-15 will help motivate us to be impact players-those vital first-stringers, or even those who are ready to come off the bench to make a difference, to make an impact on the game. Often, impact players single-handedly affect the outcome of the game. In these eight verses in Romans, we can learn how we can become spiritual impact players like Paul. Likewise, we can gain a better understanding of how we can serve on an impact team-a team such as the one Paul writes to in Rome. And as we study together Paul’s consuming mission, we’ll also learn what was in his heart, for ultimately it was Paul’s heart for Christ and for lost people that made him a man of great influence. These eight verses provide us with five important clues to the kind of heart Paul had.

[First, we will notice that Paul possessed…]

1. A Grateful Heart (1:8). Paul made a practice of beginning his letters with (1) a word of thanks to God, (2) a specific prayer, and (3) a personal message to those who would read his letters. It is worth noting that, in 10 of his 13 letters, Paul states that it is his relationship with others that actually causes him to be thankful. This repeated emphasis indicates the priority Paul placed upon gratitude. The word “first” is not followed here by the word “second,” for in this reference the word “first”(1) implies importance rather than the beginning of a list. In this section of Scripture that we are studying, Paul begins with an expression of his gratitude for the faith of his Roman readers. It is quite obvious that Paul loved fellow believers. He cared deeply about both the lost and the saved, for along with the Gospel people had top priority in his life. Can we say the same? Do we invest ourselves in personal relationships? Do we truly love God’s people? Are we full of gratitude for the believers the Lord has sovereignly brought into our lives? If not, may we too begin to adopt a grateful heart.

If we are to be grateful believers, as Paul was, we need to be like Evergreen trees. An Evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather and season. It is green in the burning heat of summer; it is just as green in the icy cold of winter. In the same way, our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the stressful heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we are to stand “ever green,” always grateful, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us.

Paul writes, “I thank my God.” Other than the Lord Jesus at the time He spoke from the cross, Paul is the only other person in the New Testament who speaks of God as “my God.”(2) The addition of the pronoun “my” draws our attention to the intensely personal relationship Paul had with God. Obviously, Paul was not some crusty, bookish theologian; he was a lover of God. To Paul, the Lord was not some distant abstraction to be worshipped from afar; He was close and personal-His Father and his friend. Is this true of you? Are you that close to your heavenly Father? If not, you need to bring into focus the fact that your heavenly Father is your God. He craves intimacy with you more than you could ever imagine. If you and I are willing to slow down the pace of our lives in order to nurture our relationship with our Father, we too will share in this same intimacy with the Lord that Paul experienced.

Please observe that Paul’s gratitude to God is expressed “through Jesus Christ.” Paul understood the simple truth that only Jesus can provide us access to the Father. Apart from Jesus Christ, we have no right or opportunity to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Yet, because of Christ’s death, resurrection, and intercession, we are permitted to have a relationship with God that is so intimate that we can call Him “our God.” Surely this truth should cause all of us to rejoice in the absolute majesty of Jesus Christ.

Paul concludes 1:8 by stating that the faith of the Roman believers was “being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” How did this happen? It becomes apparent that these Roman believers were solid and mature in their faith. Indeed, Paul wasn’t writing this letter to deal with apparent problems. Rather, he was longing to help “establish” these believers further and deeper in their faith. The word translated “proclaimed”(3) is a very strong verb that could just as easily be translated “advertised.” These Christians were living advertisements for Jesus. Since the Roman Empire was so desperately dark, the churches in Rome stood out as a living light. The fervent faith of these believers was so contrary to the societal norm of their day that all who observed them couldn’t help spreading the word about them.

It is worth noting too what Paul meant by the use of the phrase “the whole world.” In the New Testament, that phrase normally refers to the Roman Empire. Since Rome was the capital city, it seems reasonable to suggest that the faith of the Roman church was being proclaimed (advertised) throughout the whole empire, not the “whole world” as we know it today. Obviously, the whole world couldn’t include the still undiscovered Western Hemisphere, nor would it take in the Far East.

What will it take for our faith to be “proclaimed throughout the whole world”? For starters, we must ensure that we are “established” in our faith. Only then will our community take notice. Only then will those around us be forced to acknowledge our presence as followers of the risen Savior. We’ve all heard the statement that satisfied customers are the most effective means of advertising. Nowhere is this truer than in the church. Indeed, the best commercials for Christ are saved individuals full of faith and vitality. When we live the Christian life to its fullest, society will reflect our testimony and thereby unintentionally evangelize for us. Those we have impacted will very naturally join in spreading the faith and reputation of Christ throughout the world. How about you? How effective of a commercial for Christ are you? On a scale of 1 to 10, how high would you rate? How strong is your advertising campaign? How will the world “proclaim” you?

[Not only did Paul have a grateful heart, he also had…]

2. A Praying Heart. The statement “God is my witness”(4) is a strong expression that Paul used on a number of occasions. It probably represents an oath that he had taken to be faithful to pray for the church with great constancy and fervency.(5) So strong was this commitment that, in the original manuscript, Paul placed the word which is translated “witness”(6) as the first word in this sentence. (Refer to the New King James Version.) In the Greek New Testament, words were often moved about in the sentence structure for the purpose of emphasis. Thus, placing “witness” in the initial position would be analogous to placing it in boldface or italics.

The word translated “unceasingly”(7) or “repeatedly” means “without letting up or leaving off.” The word suggests that there is no great length of time between prayers. Although praying so consistently and repeatedly may seem to be an unusual commitment for a man who didn’t personally know most of the people he was praying for, such unceasing prayer characterized all of the apostle Paul’s Christian life and ministry. He was a man of great prayer. He prayed fervently for the church at Rome in the same way that he prayed for all of the other churches.(8) Prayer was the invisible power behind his ministry. In fact, it was Paul’s passion for prayer that ensured the success of his ministry and led to the growth and maturity of the early churches. I too want to have a praying heart, to be committed to praying for my church. May we all be known as people of prayer, so that others will know that we are praying for them. When a mother of three feels overwhelmed, she will know that somebody is praying, that somebody cares for her. When a businessman faces a difficult decision, he will know that there is someone who is right there with him in prayer. When a student struggles to make ends meet or agonizes over her assignments, she will know that she is at the center of a caring brother or sister’s thoughts and prayers. When we are dependent upon the Lord and express that dependence through prayer, we will become what Jesus intends for His church, and as a result, the faithfulness of his people will be proclaimed throughout the whole world.

In 1:9, Paul reaffirms that in his Gospel preaching, he is serving God. In this passage, the word translated “serve”(9) is rendered “worship” in Philippians 3:3. In the Greek Old Testament, this same word is used to refer to priestly service and worship. Although the word is not used here to convey the idea of priestly service, it definitely evokes worship imagery. Indeed, Paul’s service is worship. Thus, there is a very important spiritual principle here: service is worship. When we serve the Lord, every act of service is truly an act of worship. An understanding of this principle removes the false distinction between sacred and secular tasks. Every act of the believer done in service to the Lord is indeed sacred. Just think: Tomorrow morning need not be just another mundane Monday; instead, we can get up and go to that dreaded job and actually worship God in our work. Each day we need to remind ourselves that our vocation is God’s mission for us. When we realize this marvelous fact we will look forward to our work instead of dreading it. We are not workaday drudges; we are worshippers, worshipping God through our service.

In 1:10, Paul expresses his desire to visit the churches in Rome. In the meantime, however, he is bent on faithfully praying for them, “always”(10) petitioning that he be able to visit these fellow Christians. How could Paul be so committed to these believers that he had yet to meet? Simply, he loved God’s people, wherever they were. Paul had a genuine desire to minister to as many of them as possible. And in this case, Paul was so moved by the God-centered reputation of the Roman church that he especially wanted to make contact with them. However, God did not grant Paul what he had his heart set on. And the fact that God did not permit Paul to visit Rome should remind us that God alone knows when and under what circumstances our ministry will be most fruitful. Although He has instilled a God-given passion for ministry in each one of us, He alone knows where and when we should exercise our gifts and desires. Like Paul, we must trust totally in God’s sovereignty as He opens and closes doors to make His will known to us. Are you at the place in your life where you have chosen to completely trust in God’s sovereign will? Obviously, it is easy to trust in God’s sovereignty when He does what we have asked Him to do. But what happens when He closes doors on the desires of our heart? How do we respond?

[We have seen that Paul had a grateful heart and praying heart; now we need to see that he also had…]

3. A Longing Heart (1:11-13). In 1:11, Paul writes that he “longs” to see the believers in Rome. The word “long”(11) literally means “to strain.” Compelled by Christ, Paul longed to visit the Roman church and he had good reasons for such a visit. First, Paul sought to impart spiritual benefit. The word translated “spiritual gift” in 1:11 is the Greek word charisma, which can also mean “blessing or benefit.” In this verse, Paul is speaking in a very wide and generic sense,(12) not attempting to refer to the “spiritual gifts” discussed elsewhere in the New Testament.(13) Rather, this verse and its surrounding context seem to be speaking of an operation of the Holy Spirit in which God would use Paul to enlarge and settle Roman believers in their faith. It is likely that the “spiritual gift” mentioned in this passage was the Word of God, effective both for the salvation of the lost and the building up of believers.

The second reason that Paul longed to visit Rome was to establish believers. The word translated “established”(14) simply means “to strengthen.” It is used in 1:11 and then again in 16:25. Paul wrote to the Roman church so that believers of all ages would be strengthened, that they would be established firmly in the faith. Paul wasn’t just the greatest evangelist and church planter of all time; he was also a discipler. And today we should all seek to help “establish” fellow believers.

Besides imparting spiritual benefit and establishing the believer, Paul longed to promote mutual encouragement. In 1:12, Paul used a very unusual word for “encouragement,”(15) one that is used nowhere else in the New Testament. The word refers to a mutual encouragement, something that happens only when each member is regularly investing himself or herself in the lives of others. Notice too that faith is to be the stimulus of encouragement. My faith should encourage others, and their faith should encourage me. I need encouragement, and so do you. No believer can make it alone; we need each other. Regardless of how long we have been a Christian or how active in church we have been, we will never be so mature that we can’t benefit from the spiritual input of other believers.

A final reason that Paul longed to visit Rome is found in 1:13-to bear fruit. If the church at Rome was already so fruitful, why was Paul on a quest for “fruit”? An answer to that question can be found in the fact that Paul never used the word “fruit” to refer to new converts. “Fruit”(16) is a broad term that points to the work of God in the believer. Thus, Paul was saying that he wanted to go to Rome to be used by God to see something supernatural occur in the lives of fellow believers who lived there. This is fundamental Christianity-life lived in such a way that the fruit of spiritual maturity spills over into the lives of others. Indeed, the thrust of the book of Romans is a presentation of the process of discipleship, a virtual manual on how to be “established” in the faith.

[A fourth characteristic of Paul is that he has…]

4. An Indebted Heart. Paul wrote in 1:14, “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” The word translated “obligation” refers to someone who is a debtor. What made Paul think that he was a “debtor” under obligation? Perhaps a verse from a previous letter provides a clue: “For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). Whatever the case, Paul was gripped by a divine logic. He felt “obligated” to go to those places where people hadn’t yet heard the Gospel, a point he stresses further in chapter 15. Doesn’t his logic make sense? Surely it is not right for those who haven’t heard the Gospel to be denied access to spiritual truth when, at the same time, those who have heard the Gospel continue to reject it. In our world today, there are over 2000 people-groups (3.2 billion) who have yet to hear the Gospel clearly proclaimed. We too have a debt; we owe those who have never heard the message of salvation. Like Paul, we must reach out to them wherever they are. After all, Jesus Christ is an equal opportunity Savior. With Him, there is no distinction, whether by language (Greek or any other Gentile tongue) or by culture (wise or foolish). We must seek out the Greeks (civilized), the barbarians (uncivilized), the wise (educated), and the foolish (uneducated). Each of us has been sent to be Christ’s witness in our world. Let us pray that the Spirit would burn in us a real sense of personal responsibility.

[The final characteristic of Paul’s heart is found in 1:15.]

5. An Eager Heart. Paul wrote, “So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” But why preach the Gospel again to those in Rome? In the book of Romans, the “gospel”(17) is much more inclusive than just a presentation of the essentials of salvation-that Christ died for our sins and offers salvation to all those who accept Him as personal Savior. After all, the Christians in Rome had already believed the message of salvation, and their faith was known throughout the whole world. Thus, in the book of Romans, Paul preaches an expanded and developed explication of the Gospel in all of its ramifications. It is the Gospel of the “righteousness of God” by faith. And it is this Gospel that impacts earthly lives and determines eternal destinies!

Are we ready to join the team and be an impact player? My sincere hope is that every morning each one of us will wake up with a longing to make an impact. Our daily prayer ought to be, “Lord, how can I impact and influence people for Jesus Christ today? How can I help my family and my church have the impact and influence that You desire for us to have?” That’s what it’s all about; that’s the real catalyst for evangelism!

I’ve never known anyone at the end of his life who has declared, “Oh, how I wish I’d spent more time at the office!” Or “How I wish I’d been away from my family more!” Or “I should’ve added more trophies to my showcase.” No, I’ve never met anyone like that. But I have known plenty of men and women who have said, “I should’ve spent more time with the people who really mattered to me.” Or “I wish I hadn’t been so obsessed with working that I forgot to build some relationships.” And what do you suppose might be said about us if we were to die today? “Too bad he was always so busy.” “At least she got her degree.” “He climbed the ladder to the top.” “She made it in a man’s world.” “He just didn’t have time to get to know people.” “We’re glad she’s gone.” Perhaps we have all heard it said that only two things will last forever-the Word of God and people. Everything else fades away. What have we done this week that will last forever? Here’s my simple challenge: How about each one of us doing something this week to touch three hearts? That shouldn’t be so difficult. First, let’s write their names on a piece of paper, and then, beside each name, let’s write down some specific way we can touch each one of them individually this week. It might be through a phone call. Or maybe by writing a letter. Perhaps, a word of encouragement. It might simply be a matter of praying for them. Or going to see them. Remember, a life of impact begins when one heart reaches out to touch another heart. Let’s make an impact-an impact for Christ!

N.B. This sermon was not intended for publication and is, therefore, not well footnoted. Should the reader desire further documentation, this can be provided.

Notes

1. Gk. Proton, cf. Rom 1:16; 2:9-10; 3:2.(back)

2. Ssee 2 Cor 12:21; Phil 1:3; 4:19; Phlm 4. (back)

3. Gk. katangelletai(back)

4. See 1 Sam 12:5; Ps 89:38; Jer 42:5.(back)

5. See 2 Cor 11:23; Gal 1:20; Phil 1:8; 1 Thess 2:5, 10. This oath is not the frivolous kind of oaths condemned by Jesus (Matt 5:33-37; cf. Jas 5:12), but is rather Paul’s attempt to communicate his true love (expressed through prayer on their behalf) for this largely Gentile church which he had never visited-a fact which may not have gone unnoticed by the people. (back)

6. Gk. martus(back)

7. Gk. adialeiptos, cf. only other usages: 1 Thess 1:2; 2:13; 5:17. (back)

8. See Eph 1:15-19a; 3:14-19; Phil 1:3-5; Col 1:9-12. (back)

9. Gk. latreuo (back)

10. Gk. pantote(back)

11. Gk. epipotho, cf. Acts 19:21. (back)

12. Cf. 5:15; 1 Cor 7:7; 1 Pet 4:10. (back)

13. E.g. Rom 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 28-31; Eph 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11. (back)

14. Gk. stericha, Rom 16:25; 1 Thess 3:2, 13; 2 Thess 2:17; 3:3.(back)

15. Gk. sumparakaleo. In the Greek, this word is preceded by the prefix sum, which means that this will be a joint encouragement. This is the only use of this word in the Greek NT. It has been defined as receiving (passive voice) solace, comfort, and encouragement in the society of other believers. (back)

16. Gk. karpon, see Phil 1:21-25; see also Rom 6:21-22; 15:28; Gal 5:22; Eph 5:9; Phil 1:11; 4:17; 2 Tim 2:16.(back)

17. Gk. euangelion.(back)

All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
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