WHEN TRUTH IS RECEIVED

Part One of the Series: When Truth Is Rejected

Romans 1 and the Consequences of Life Without God

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

SERMON BIG IDEA:

Before Paul shows us the consequences of rejecting truth, he shows us the calling of those who have received truth.

SERIES THOUGHT:

Truth rejected brings consequences, but truth received brings salvation, transformation, and life.

INTRODUCTION:

Romans 1 begins with the gospel before it speaks about judgment.

Before Paul shows us what happens when people reject truth, he first shows us what happens when truth takes hold of a life.

Paul was not always a preacher of the gospel. Before he was Paul the proclaimer, he was Saul the persecutor. But one encounter with Jesus changed everything.

When truth is received:

- It changes our identity.

- It changes our allegiance.

- It changes our assignment.

- It changes what we live for.

POINT 1: THE MESSENGER CHANGED BY TRUTH

Romans 1:1

“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”

Paul was the messenger, but he was a messenger changed by truth.

Paul did not introduce himself by his past, his position, his education, his citizenship, or his accomplishments. He introduced himself by who he now belonged to.

Paul said three things about himself:

1. He was a bond-servant of Christ.

  - This speaks of surrender.

  - Paul belonged to Jesus.

  - His life was no longer about his own will, but the will of Christ.

2. He was called as an apostle.

  - This speaks of assignment.

  - Paul had been sent by God with a message.

  - Every believer may not be called to the same office, but every believer is called to carry the gospel.

3. He was set apart for the gospel of God.

  - This speaks of purpose.

  - Paul had been separated from his old life and set apart for God’s work.

  - The truth that saved him also gave him a mission.

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

- Who do I belong to?

- What has God called me to do?

- What has God set me apart for?

POINT 2: THE MESSAGE CENTERED ON TRUTH

Romans 1:2-4

The message Paul carried was not built around his opinion, personality, preference, or background. It was centered on the gospel of God.

The gospel is not good advice about how to improve our lives.

The gospel is the good news about what Jesus Christ has done to save our lives.

Romans 1:16 reminds us:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

KEY TRUTH:

A changed messenger must carry an unchanging message.

The church must never become distracted from the gospel.

Our message is still Jesus Christ crucified, risen, saving, and reigning.

POINT 3: THE MESSIAH WHO PROVIDES TRUTH

Romans 1:3-5

The power of the gospel is not in the preacher. The power is in the Person being preached.

Jesus Christ is:

- The promised Son.

- The resurrected Lord.

- The source of grace.

- The One who calls us into obedience of faith.

Jesus is not one truth among many.

Jesus is the Truth.

John 14:6:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

KEY TRUTH:

The truth is not only something we hear; the truth is Someone we receive.

POINT 4: THE MEMBERS CALLED TO CARRY TRUTH

Romans 1:6-7

Paul was called, but he reminds the believers in Rome that they were called too.

The gospel does not stop with Paul.

The gospel does not stop with Rome.

The gospel does not stop with the preacher.

The gospel must be carried by every believer.

The church in Rome had internal tensions, but Paul points them back to the mission.

There were people around them who needed the gospel, but division and pride could distract them from the assignment.

KEY TRUTH:

When believers become distracted, the mission suffers.

Every believer is responsible for reaching someone else with the gospel.

APPLICATION:

- Am I living as someone changed by truth?

- Am I carrying the gospel, or have I become silent?

- Have distractions, pride, fear, comfort, or busyness pulled me away from God’s mission?

- Who around me needs to hear the truth of Jesus Christ?

CLOSING TRUTH:

Paul was changed by truth.

Paul was sent with truth.

The Romans were called by truth.

And we are responsible to carry truth.

FINAL REMINDER:

Do not leave having only heard truth.

Respond to truth.

Truth rejected brings consequences.

Truth received brings salvation, transformation, and life.