A Bond-Servant of Christ Jesus
May 5, 2002 Northwest Bible Church
Romans 1:1
A Bond-Servant of Christ Jesus
INTRO
- PAUL’S STATUS - A SERVANT OF CHRIST JESUS.
- The meaning of “bond-servant” (doulos ).
- The “servant of the Lord” found in the OT.
- A more humble designation which highlights the fact that Paul was a slave of Christ. The Greek word is doulos which means a slave. Background to slavery in the Roman Empire.
- Reasons for slavery
- The conditions of slavery.
- Paul as a bond-servant of Christ.
- The grace of God behind Paul’s slavery to Christ.
- The power of God behind Paul’s slavery to Christ.
- Paul’s emphasis on his relationship to Christ
- The meaning of “bond-servant” (doulos ).
- EVERY CHRISTIAN A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST.
- All Christians are Christ’s slaves. Romans 6: 19, 22; Rev. 1:1
- What is means to be Christ’s slave. Christ is our Owner, our Master, our Lord, our King. Therefore,
- Obey Christ. 14:15; Ps. 40:81; 143:10; 2 Cor. 10:5.
- Submit our goals and plans to Christ. Cf. Romans 1:10
- Be willing to sacrifice for Him. “I count all things loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
- Remember that we have been bought with a price and that we no longer belong to ourselves but to Christ. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
CONCLUSION
To what degree are we living as servants of Christ?
This is a struggle that we all can identify with. We all know at times what it means to be a runaway slave, prodigal son, AWOL.
But if you need help in living as a slave of Christ, remember: WE ARE HIS SERVANTS BECAUSE HE WAS FIRST OUR SERVANT, Mk. 10:45 Let the love of Christ woo our hearts back to Him. Then let us PUT OUR EARS TO THE DOORPOST (Deut. 15:17) AND PLEDGE OUR LIVES TO BE HIS SERVANTS FOREVER.