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.
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Richard Caldwell Jr. is the Pastor-Teacher at Founders Baptist Church. Richard and his wife Jacque have been married for 24 years and have four children, Richard III, Amber, Christopher and Reagan. Richard has served at Founders Baptist (previously named Spring Memorial) since...
