Message by Pastor Yasuhiro Oda
May 7, 2023
Scripture: Romans 1: 1-7
Hello! Everybody,
I am very happy today, because I could meet with you who lives in Battle Creek, Michigan by remote. It’s been since 2006 which is 17 years ago.
I would like to introduce myself for those who meet me the first time. I used to live in Coldwater, MI from 1993 to 2006 (for 13 years) and I also used to visit Mr. and Mrs. Mizutas’ house almost everyweek then. Those times are very good memory for me.
Now, I live in Torance, Southern California which is near Los Angels(About 20 minutes from LAX).
Mrs. Chihiro Nagasue, who is from Hokkaido, Japan (I am also from Hokkaido) asked me to attend this Battle Creek Japanese Worship Service today.
So I really thank God to be able to have this worship service with you today.
As we have to close the service within an hour, let me pray and start the message!
Today, I will speak from “Romans chapter 1: 1～7,” which Ms. Chihiro read, titled “Paul, A servant of Christ Jesus”.
“The Book of Romans” is the most influential book of the Bible, historically.
1 Martin Luther, a monk in Roman Catholic church, who launched the Protestant Reformation, especially taught this “Book of Romans” to his students at the University of Wittenberg, Germany.
While he carefully studied the Romans, he finally understood the meaning of “God’s righteousness” and “The righteous will live by faith.” (1:17) in 1517.
2 John Wesley, a famous minister in the Church of England received assurance of salvation through Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans on Wednesday evening of May 24, 1738.
There are 13 letters Paul wrote in the New Testaments, but this book of Romans is very unique letter than his other writings.
Paul wrote this letter to the church of Rome during his third journey when he stayed in Corinth about A.D. 56.
Though he has never been to Rome before, he wanted to visit there because Rome was the center of the world in those days and so, he wanted to bring to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
In most of his letters, he begins with his greeting.
I want you to know that Paul wrote other contents in the middle of sentences often and this is a good example.
It will be easy to understand his introduction if you read in vs.1 goes to the end of vs.6 which is like this,
1”Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 7To 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.”
But in the middle of his greeting, he suddenly introduced the theme of this book from vs. 2 to vs.6.
He gave them three important points in this short vs.1.
- I was “Set apart for the gospel of God.”
- I was “Called to be an apostle.”
- I am Paul, “the servant of Christ Jesus.”
I would like to give my message today about only 3. “I am Paul, the servant of Christ Jesus” from “Romans 1:1” and I would like to give the message from other 1 and 2, if I am invited by you again.
Paul who wrote this book was called “Saul” before he became a Christian, because it was Jewish name.
However, after he became a Chrisitian and became a missionary for the gentiles, he changed his name to “Paul” which is Greesian or Roman name.
Some of you may have also English name for American people.
Some American calls me “Yasu!” which is shorten of my first name “Yasuhiro” since most of American can’t say it.
It was not uncommon for Jews in those days.
1 For example, In the Old Testament, “Abram” changed his name to “Abraham” after he had “teeth(歯、ハ)？”
No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham,for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)
2 “Jacob” changed his name to “Israel”.
“Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” （Genesis 32:28）
3 Simon was changed his name by Jesus to “Cephas” which means “Peter” when he was chosen by Jesus as one of His disciples.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42)
I think Paul wanted to change his Jewish name to Greesian name when God chose him as the missionary for gentiles, so it was easier to get into those gentiles to tell the Gospel.
Let’s read “Romans 1:1” again!
v1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
I] “Servant of Christ Jesus”: Real Feedon in Christ
When Paul introduced himself to others, he always said, “I am a servant of Christ Jesus!”.
The word “Servant” in Greek is used “doulos” which means “slave”.
There was a “slave system” by Romans in those days and it was a terrible system for those who became a slave.
A “Slave” has no rights to chose his master and no freedom from his master in his life.
Slave was treated not like a human being, but like an animal.
Q1 Then, why did Paul use the word “slave” to call himself?
Because, Paul decided to surrender his life to Jesus when he knew Jesus was his Savior and his master.
Not because he has no freedom after becoming a Christian, but he recognized that he has real freedom and joy in his heart by serving Jesus.
When Paul was explaining why he was arrested to king Agrippa（great grand-son of Herod the great）, Paul said to him in “Acts 26:27”,
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” (Acts 26:27)
Then Agrippa said to Paul in Acts 26: 28;
“Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
I believe that Paul was praying for king Agrippa that he will become a Christian someday.
Because Paul knew that king Agrippa read the Bible and studied about Jewish culture well though he was not a Christian.
Then, Paul said to him in v.29;
“Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29)
Yes, I knew he has freedom and joy because of Jesus who was his master though he was chained by Roman soldiers.
Do you have “Freedom and Joy” in your heart now just like the apostle Paul?
II] “Christ Jesus”: Jesus is my Savior.
One more question I have in this “Romans 1:1”.
II-Q2: Why did Paul say “a servant of Christ Jesus” instead of “a servant of Jesus Christ”?
The word “Christ” is not his first name, but it is the tile, “Xristous” in Greek word and means “Anointed One”,“Messia”,means “Savior”.
Paul wanted to tell them “Jesus is the Messiah, Savior for me! And He is also Messiah, Savior for you, Romans!”
Off cause, most Jews were believing Messiah from the Old testaments time, but they didn’t believe “Jesus is the Messiah”.
That’s the reason why they tried to kill Paul as he said Jesus was “Christ”, “Messaih”.
Please wake up! ‘Cause, I will finish soon.
Bob Dylan sang years ago, “Gotta serve somebody…..!”
What are you serving to as your master now?
Money? Material? Education? Success in your work？Or yourself?
（You may say, “I am serving to my wife!”）
Whether you are a Christian or not, you have to serve somebody like Dob Dylan‘s song.
Don’t you decide to serve to Christ Jesus as His servant today?
Even if you are in the middle of trouble of “sin” which is the unseen chain, Christ Jesus forgives your sin and will set you free from your sin and give you joy today, if you accept Him as your Savior today.
Shall we pray!