Introduction---How do you think about a people, most of whom you have never met, who are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and who belong to a ministry assignment that's been entrusted to you- Or, they belong to a potential ministry opportunity---That is what Paul gives expression to in these verses. In verses 8-15 he's introducing himself to a group of people, most of whom he's never met.--But they are the Lord's people in the city of Rome.--They are Paul's people - Paul's spiritual family - by virtue of salvation.--They are the fruit of the preaching of the gospel.--They are people for whom Paul is now responsible as an apostle, and to whom this inspired truth is being communicated.--THIS IS PAUL'S CHALLENGE. AND WHAT WE READ IS PAUL'S PERSPECTIVE.--But as we examine what Paul says in these verses, we face a challenge of our own.--How do we think about the Lord's church - as the Lord's church---The question is not---How do I think about my friends at Founders---How do I think about people that I know well and have a lot in common with from a natural point of view---How do I think about a congregation that I've spent many years with---Rather, the question is---How do I think about God's people as God's work---Do I love God's work because I love God- Do I love God's work because it's His work, and because it magnifies His name, and because it represents the advancement of His kingdom---DO I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF GOD AS THE WORK OF GOD---So that, as we take note of Paul's perspective, his attitude, his mindset, with respect to the saints in Rome, we have an opportunity to examine our own attitudes and perspectives regarding the Lord's church.

A new MP3 sermon from Founders Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio.com with the following details:

Title: The Mission

Subtitle: Series - Romans

Speaker: Richard Caldwell Jr.

Broadcaster: Founders Baptist Church

Event: Sunday - AM

Date: 7/7/2019

Bible: Romans 1:5-7

Length: 44 min.

Overview: Introduction--Salvation imparts purpose. Salvation imparts ministry responsibility. -This is something often missing in the average Christian's understanding.-Christianity, in the minds of far too many people, refers to something God has done that is personal, and private, and for the betterment of one's own life. It has little reference to lives of others.-If I asked you, today, what salvation means for you - what it means for your personally - I have no doubt that you would talk about forgiveness. I have no doubt that you would talk about eternal life. I have doubt that you would talk about the transformation of your spiritual condition, which means love for God, love for truth, love for righteousness, and even for love for His church.-But what often comes to mind at the very end of such a list, if it comes to mind at all, is that salvation means that you now have a ministry purpose to fulfill.-DOES THAT USUALLY MAKE YOUR LIST- WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN CONVERSION, DOES MINISTRY PURPOSE HOLD A PROMINENT PLACE IN THE GREAT WORK THAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE--God's purpose for saving us takes many different things into account, but one thing that can't be left out is that He saved us to make use of us.-That's why every child of God has been given a spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are not given for personal edification, they are given for the profit others.-1 Corinthians 12-4-7 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.