The Heart of an Apostle.

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 1:1-15

 

Romans 1:5

Jesus was kind to me and chose me to be an apostle,^[c] so that people of all nations would obey and have faith. 

(ESV)

 

Today is Halloween, a day of ghosts, Jack-O-Lanterns, and haunted houses. While this could cause one to fear, God has not given us a spirit of fear but love, power, and soundness of mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Much has happened in our world that could cause us to fear so on this night of fear, I want to remind my readers not to fear but to have faith in God to take them through any situation in their lives.

 

The Apostle Paul is ministering in Corinth but has a heart’s desire to minister in Rome. While this is the Heart’s desire of the Apostle Paul, something has always come up preventing him from going to Rome (Romans 1:13). Paul eventually does arrive in Rome and is finally able to minister in Rome fulfilling his heart’s desire (Acts 28:17-31). Paul expresses his heart’s desire by,

 

1)      Greeting with his mission statement to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7) – This powerful greeting by the Apostle Paul states his foundational heart's desire to serve God. Paul begins this discourse by stating his calling as an Apostle, one set apart for the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1). Paul then declares the source of the Gospel for which he was called as the prophets of God and the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2). The message of the Gospel is all about Jesus Christ who was in the flesh a descendent of David (Matthew 1:1-16), declared to be the Son of God at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), and demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead (1 Peter 1:3; Romans 1:3-4). Since there could be no resurrection without crucifixion and death, The grace and mercy given to all choosing to make Jesus his or her Savior should invoke obedience of faith so all nations can experience the saving grace of God, including those in Rome (Romans 1:5-6). Paul then prays for the Grace of God and His peace for those in Rome (Romans 1:7). The heart of Paul is a solid connection with God, the foundation of his belief and calling as an Apostle.

2)      Thanks to Jesus Christ for the believers in Rome (Romans 1:8-15) – Paul then moves on to the horizontal focus of his heart, which is the people of Rome for this epistle. Paul has heard of the faith of the believers in Rome as it has been proclaimed in all the world (Romans 1:8). Paul’s gratitude for the believers in Rome is not just words, but action as he continually prays for them and that somehow God may clear a path for him to visit them (Romans 1:9-10). However, Paul does not have a selfish purpose for wanting to go to Rome, but to impart some spiritual gift to strengthen them (Romans 1:11). This impartation of a spiritual gift to strengthen the believers in Rome does benefit Paul as the encouragement is mutual (Romans 1:12). Paul restates his heart’s desire to come and visit the believers in Rome (Romans 1:13). Paul’s calling in Christ is to share the Gospel to Greeks and barbarians, the wise and foolish, which is his heart’s desire to also preach to the Romans (Romans 1:14-15).

 

Paul takes his calling as an Apostle seriously. His calling is not just his job, but the result of a radical transformation occurring in his life through his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). This encounter with Christ radically transformed Paul from one persecuting those of the way, believers in Jesus Christ, to one with a calling from God, although he was not aware yet what that calling was. However, even though Paul does not know the specifics of his calling, he now has a vertical connection with God through the redemptive mercy and grace of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The horizontal calling of Paul to take the Gospel message to the Gentiles would come through Ananias when he would pray for Paul to regain his sight (Acts 9:13-19). Paul experienced a radical transformation in his life through an encounter with Jesus Christ, radically transforming both his vertical and horizontal heart’s focus.

 

Every individual responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, making a profession of faith to God of Jesus as his or her Savior, experiences a similar transformation. We may not be blinded by a light and hear a voice from heaven, but our encounter with Jesus is just as real for all that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). However, believers can become weary in ministry and lose sight of their first love, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:2-4). This represents one who has lost their vertical connection with God through Christ, trying to maintain a horizontal connection with the lost in the world around them. Others have a vertical connection with God but lack any horizontal connection with the lost in the world around them as they have become self-focused, using God to bring personal gain (Revelation 3:15-17).

 

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshippers of God, worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This true worship represents a balance of a heart vertically connected with God in spirit that connects horizontally with the lost in the world through the declaration of the truth of the Word of God. The heart of the Apostle Paul is a model of one establishing a vertical and horizontal balance in his heart, and an example to follow. I now want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to make Jesus their Savior to pray with me now and establish a vertical connection with God,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

I encourage those that just prayed to find a Church teaching from the Bible or Bible study so they can strengthen their vertical relationship with God through Christ. I also encourage you to begin establishing a horizontal connection with those around you who do not know Christ by sharing what Jesus has done in your life. You can also share this post with them. May God challenge and bless those reading this post.