Series: Called
Message: Called
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Romans 1:1-7 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: Paul drives home in this single greeting that “We are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” It is all because of the Good News of who Jesus is. What He is doing now. How the world is a different place because of Him. We are now called to a new status. John C. Brunt, in the Bible Amplifier on Romans, shares this insight:
The only fitting response to the good news that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior is trust. The same root stands behind the noun faith and the verb to believe. . . . Paul uses the term to refer to a deep, personal commitment of trust and dependence upon God’s grace revealed in Jesus Christ. (p. 45)
When the good news was declared about Caesar being in charge, people did not get to choose if they wish to accept it or not. It was reality. This Good News that Paul shares is a paradigm-shifting Good News. It is of a different type of Cesar, unlike anything they have ever experienced before. It is a different type of power, unlike anything they have ever seen.
I want to live in radical obedience, in total trust. I want to be in a space of utter dependence on Jesus. Paul will unpack this concept in the verses that follow, and it is this foundation that we must not forget when we come to the end of Romans 1. We are called to be disciples of Jesus.
Imagine what it would be like if we extended trust to each other the way Jesus does towards us every single moment. Imagine what it would be like if we accepted that Jesus has us. That Jesus wants the best for us. That following Him, and aligning our will with His, only brings joy and hope. Imagine how families would be transformed and communities would exist if trust were central. What if we gave each other the benefit of the doubt? Try this simple exercise with the person in your life with whom you have the most conflict at present. Trust them first. Forgive them first. Love them first. Then do it again. Do it at least seven times. Each time, ask Jesus to soften your heart and sharpen your mind to see them the way Jesus sees them, as His child, someone whom the Gospel can transform.
Recalibrate: Who in your life do you need to rebuild trust with? God? Family member? Friend?
Respond: Pray for the spirit of reconciliation.
Research: Read one of the recommend commentaries on this passage.
Remember: “This letter is to all of you in Rome whom God loves and has called to be his holy people.” —Romans 1:7 (ICB)
Japhet is senior pastor at Boulder Adventist Church in Boulder, CO, and was co-founder of the One project. Originally from southeast London, Japhet served as a pastor and as youth director in the South England Conference for nine years before moving to the United States in 2006. He was director for the Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE), chaplain for missions, and university chaplain at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Japhet has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Andrews University (Newbold College campus). He has taught youth ministry, coordinated a master’s in youth ministry program, and spearheaded numerous conferences and initiatives. He is married to Becky and they have two sons, Joshua (18) and Jonah (14).
Our little Zoe loves her Uncle Sam. Whenever she sees him, she greets him the way he has greeted her from birth. With eyes wide open and a smile bigger than his face! The beautiful thing is that now Zoe greets everyone the same way, as if there is no one more worthy of her smile. Jesus smiles at you with eyes wide open, seeing every part of you and loving you. He would love you to love your world in the same way.
The best thing about being Jesus' sidekick is that He wants many more than just one sidekick. He wants you to show your friends and the kids in the street and at school and your cranky neighbour three doors down what living like a Jesus sidekick is all about, and that they can be one too. He wants them to know that He will always be there for them.
God has called you to be a part of His family, to be on his team. What are some things that you believe God has called you to do for Him? Once you think of what these things are, ask yourself, "How can I do better at these things and learn more so that I can do my best to be a part of God's team?"