“Called to be Saints!” Romans 1:1-7

Basilica of the Sacred Heart Several sources claim this is the second most visited sight in Indiana… As a young boy I remember going to visit this building several times… Basilica of the Sacred Heart

An N.F.L. Football Team

A Pop Singing Group

A Breed of Dog

A Movie A TV Series

“When the Saints Go Marching In!”

Purpose: to better understand how our being called saints is significant in our quest to live for Christ

We are called of Jesus Christ (1:6) – we are “called to be saints” (1:7)!

I The Definition of a Saint A. One Set Apart (Consecrated, Holy One…) 10

agios When used as a noun it usually refers to those who have been added to the Body of Christ, the Church…

“Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His… This appellation is very often in the N.T. transferred to Christians, as those whom God has selected out of the world.”

“It is used of men and things in so far as they are devoted to God “It is used of men and things in so far as they are devoted to God. These are called hagoi, saints, i.e. ‘sanctified’ or ‘holy ones.’ This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state in which God in grace calls men.”

I The Definition of a Saint A. One Set Apart (Consecrated, Holy One…) B. It is Applied to All Christians - if you have been added to the Body of Christ, you are a saint… 14

Ephesians 1:15 “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints.”

Note: a saint is NOT some “super-Christian”… (more faithful than your ole’ dog and able to pray long prayers without going to sleep…”

II The Beginning of a Saint A. Called Through the Gospel 17

2 Thessalonians 2:14 “It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

II The Beginning of a Saint A. Called Through the Gospel B. Restored by Christ 19

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

“The wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a “The wages of sin is death…”

“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23b “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

III The Life of a Saint A. As Revealed in Ephesians 23

Ephesians 5:3-4 “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

III The Life of a Saint A. As Revealed in Ephesians B. As Revealed in Colossians 25

Colossians 1:9 “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Colossians 1:10 “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Colossians 1:11 “Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.”

Colossians 1:12 “Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”

“Auntie,” the little girl finally spoke, “Who are those people in the windows?” “They are saints,” replied the aunt. After a long pause…

“A saint is one who makes goodness attractive.”

Conclusion and Summary Romans 1:5, the key verse of this first chapter has Paul making clear that he was called to be an apostle NOT just to lead the Gentiles to faith as an end in itself, but to lead them to the kind of faith that produces obedience. God wants obedience, yet; but He wants obedience that comes or results from, faith in Jesus Christ…