Good News
Text: Romans 1:2-5
Theme: The good news of what God has done for us should cause us to bring glory to His name among the nations.
Key verses: “…Paul…sent out to preach his Good News” (v. 1). “The Good News is about his Son…” (v. 3a). “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name” (“for the sake of his name among the nations” in ESV) (v. 5).
What God said to me: Good morning! Glad you joined me and carved out time to meet this morning. So much I have to show you in Paul’s letter to the Romans. What I want you to see in this opening chapter is Paul’s focus on worship and bringing me glory. Keep watching for it and meditating on this chapter. Read some commentaries and talk with some trusted Christians you know. There is deep truth awaiting you in this chapter (and book) on the subject of worship. Notice right off the bat Paul defines in a general sense what Good News is. He refers to Jesus’ blood line with King David, his resurrection and his awesome name, “Jesus Christ our Lord.” All those are pregnant with great news for mankind. However, Paul sums up Good News in verse 5 with these simple words: “what God has done for them.” Dwayne, volumes of books have been written to try to encompass and unpack that idea. But no eye has seen, nor has any ear heard, what I have in store for those who follow and love me. Note in reading these opening verses how quickly Paul gets to what seems to be his opening point. He immediately moves the reader toward the purpose for the Good News: “so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” Or as the ESV puts it, “for the sake of his name among the nations.” Once again in my Word you see how worship is a top priority from my children. I expect you to bring glory to my name. Yes I love you, and yes I want you to spend eternity with me. But I also want your neighbors and friends and the world around you to come live with me forever. Be careful not to make the Good News only about you. And be on guard not to interpret my intentions for you as only what you get out of the deal. I demand, desire and deserve your praise. I require your whole-hearted worship to glorify me every day, in everything you do and everywhere you go.
What I said to God: Thank You, my holy Father and God. You are my all in all. Forgive me when I take my eyes off of You and allow my lust and pride to take over. Today I choose to place You on the throne of my heart and worship You in spirit and truth. Thank You for showing me this powerful truth in Romans 1 about worship. I’m excited to discover so much more as I go through this amazing book.