Called to Preach – Romans 1:7-15
“To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” (ESV)
In this sermon on Romans 1:7-15, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener about the apostle Paul and the great apostle’s attitude toward his work. In his message titled “Called to Preach” Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls all Christians, especially men called to ministry, to characterize their work as service. He calls all Christians to follow the apostle Paul by rendering their service in the same way he renders his service. Paul’s call to preach the gospel was not a profession or an opportunity to demonstrate his personality. Paul refused to build service to Christ around himself. True Christian preaching for Paul was not about self-promotion, carnal zeal, and relying on the flesh. Instead, Paul served God in his spirit, surrendering completely to the Holy Spirit. Paul’s service, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, was whole-hearted service. Paul was not merely external in his ministry, but instead valued sincerity. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings a challenging reminder of the true nature and character of Christian ministry. MLJ Trust