How might you introduce yourself in a letter to someone you’ve never met?

Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand  through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures  3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Romans 1:1-7 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand  through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures  3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Romans 1:1-7 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1-7 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

Romans 1:1-7 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

God’s call actually creates… called people.

1 Corinthians 2:9 “…no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart….” (Hebrews 3:15)

Romans 1:1-7 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 

Romans 1:1-7 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—  6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans 1 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the relationship between FAITH is the KEY to OBEDIENCE! FAITH and OBEDIENCE? FAITH is the KEY to OBEDIENCE!

1.) We are called to a new role: slaves of Christ. 2.) We are called to a continual experience: obedience that flows from faith. 3.) We are called to a core identity: “to be his holy people”…“called to be saints” (hagios) (vs. 7)

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Calling shapes identity.

We are ALL called to… 1.) a new role: to be slaves of Christ. 2.) a continual experience: obedience that flows from faith. 3.) a core identity: sainthood and holiness.