The Obligations Of The Saints

Temple Baptist Church - 5-26-2019

Romans 15:14-21

Introduction: 

A.  Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, recognized his responsibility to the nation from which he came.  He is now ready to take the contribution mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16 to the poor saints at Jerusalem. 

B.  He could have simply said that God had called him to the gentiles and that the Jews were the responsibility of Peter and the other apostles.  With salvation comes responsibility! 

C.  Some think that going to Heaven is all that salvation is about, but there is much more to it than that.  Salvation is not only an eternal hope, but a temporal life lived for Christ.  With divine privilege goes divine responsibility. 

D.  I want to look at some areas of responsibility for the children of God. 

E.  Our first responsibility is to God!  That should be the priority that compels us to live for God and others instead of for self.  John 20:19-21  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  (20)  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  (21)  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

F.  To be used of God, we must:

1.  To Be Holy – Holiness is a subject no longer preached and, when preached, no longer heeded!  1 Peter 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

a.  By Putting On The New Man - Ephesians 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Romans 12:1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Colossians 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

b.  By Putting Off The Old Man - 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Ephesians 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

2.  To Be Faithful – Because of the lack of holiness, faithfulness is in great decline.  Colossians 1:2  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Paul put the words “saints” and “faithful brethren” joined by “and” which makes them equal.  Proverbs 20:6   Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?)

a.  Faithful In Stewardship - 1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  (“Stewards” – a distributor, a manager, and overseer.  God’s blessing upon us physically, financially, spiritually are to be managed and distributed, not hoarded!)

b.  Faithful In Service - 1 Timothy 1:12   And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  (God calls only faithful people.  I learned long ago, if you want something done, give the job to someone who is already busy.  They will find time to get it done whereas people who are not busy generally are not busy for a reason.  There is so much to be done.  Get involved!)

1 Corinthians 4:17   For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus,who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

3.  To Be Fruitful - John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

a.  Fruitful In Soul-Winning - Romans 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

b.  Fruitful In Righteousness - 2 Corinthians 9:10  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

c.  Fruitful In The Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

James 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

d.  Fruitful In Service - Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

e.  Fruitful In Worship - Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

4.  To Be Obedient - 1 Peter 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Romans 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;