We will begin studying the Epistle of Romans. Before we look at the scripture, I would like to share with you an experience I had when I was a child. When I was ten years old, I received a letter from a young lady named Brenda Bryan. She had asthma just like I did. She wanted to encourage me to not be depressed about my health condition. We wrote to each other for about sixteen years. We did not always talk about asthma. We would share many of our personal struggles, and some of our accomplishments and goals. One thing I remember the most is that we encouraged each other to stay close in our walk with God. The same is true about the epistle of Romans. An epistle is a letter. This was a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Roman Church encouraging them to stay close with their walk with God.

Paul was once an enemy of the Church of God. His purpose in life was to purge the Jewish Community of the scourge called The People of the Way, Christians. He felt that the Church was a threat to the Jewish faith and institution. As he was on the road to Damascus, Christ intervened. This account is told in Acts 1:1-22. It tells of how he turned his life over to Christ and became one of God’s greatest allies.

Let’s begin by reading Romans 1:1-6.

"Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel

of God through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His son Jesus Christ

our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the Flesh, and declared to

be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection

from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience

to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you are the called of Jesus

Christ.."

These first six verses begin the introduction of Paul’s letter to the Roman Church. Also, they reveal Paul’s attitude about his position with Christ. This humble stance is also the stance that we as Christians need to model. Paul felt he was God’s property. The title of this sermon is the same, "God’s Property". He felt he was called and separated to do God’s work for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we look at these versus we will discuss what is God’s property, being called and separated, and living in allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Repeat out load these words- "We are god’s property!" Repeat it again. We should never forget it. Paul sure didn’t! His first six words in this letter say that he was God’s property- "Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ.." Let’s not get these words confused with Kirk Franklin’s gospel group called God’s Property. I’m sure this group is filled with great Christians, but let’s make this point. It is one thing to sing about being God’s property. It’s O.K. to talk about being God’s property. Even so, Its another thing to live like your God’s property. Being God’s property means that you called to Jesus and gave him charge of your life as your Savior and Lord. We see this in Romans 10:9,10. It means that you will put all Jesus’ commandments in practice in your daily life as mentioned in John 15:16. The property of God is available to God, to be used by God, and to glorify God. In I Corinthians 3:16, Paul describes us as God’s temple. That means that God lives in you. That means that you are God’s.

Its amazing that we have so many people who call themselves Christians, but live their life anyway they want to live. They go to church when it’s convenient to them. When they give their offering, it’s not a tithe, but spare change. They only go to God when they need help, or a blessing on a new opportunity in their lives. Their life is reflecting the hell of the world instead of the heaven of Jesus. Their actions are like what Paul in Galations 5:22 speaks about: Worshipping other Gods (that could be involvement in the New Age fads), adultery, sex outside of marriage, living a filthy life, indulging in eroticism, partaking in witchcraft, living a life of hate, being argumentative, always losing your temper, living with our own selfish ambitions in mind, wanting what other have that we don’t, alcoholism, bar hopping, and any thing else that does not please God. Those people that live in this type of lifestyle are not living like they are a bondservant of Christ. A bondservant is a slave. If you live your life as a loyal slave to God you will do his bidding. You will involve yourself in daily reading of the Bible. Your actions and attitude would reflect the actions and attitude of Christ. The difference between the slave of Christ, and the slaves that we seen in our recent history are that the historical slave had no choice in his disposition. We as Christians traded the chains for sin to live in service of the Good Master, Jesus. Living for him leads to freedom. He does not force himself on us. He invites us, and we freely follow him. He then rewards our obedience with eternal salvation. He lets us experience his love, joy, and peace. He gives us life. His Spirit is not a possession, but an empowerment of refreshing life. A bondservant of Christ joyfully follows him. He is proud to be called God’s Property.

Our lives should reflect that we are God’s property, but we must also remember what is our motivation. We are called and separated to God’s work. What happens when you become a Christian? In Romans 8:15,16, Paul tells that the Holy Spirit enters into us and we become sons of God. II Corinthians 5:17 says that we are new creatures. James 2:5 describes as holy priest. We were sanctified, set apart through his blood on the cross. His blood cleanses our sins and we are now able to follow Jesus in His spiritual service.

What is our calling? It is very simple. Matthew 28:19,20 tells us to spread the gospel, and lead the people in obedience to Jesus Christ. This means being a good example. Our lifestyle and conversation must mirror Jesus. There are some wristbands and T-shirts that have the letters written on it WWJD –What Would Jesus Do. We should live our life asking that question. Once we have found the answer, we need to put it into practice in our life. It’s disheartening when I hear some tell why they don’t go to church. Last week I spoke to a man during our Bridging Bloomington Day. That is our outreach day that we do once a month for the church. He told me about how he was tired of the hypocrisy he had seen in the church. We all have seen it. We go to church in our Sunday best. We sing songs and praise the Lord. Then once we leave the church doors, its like nothing ever happened. It’s just a show. There was no real change. We live our lives with double identities. We wear two masks. One for Church, and the real one for everyday. This is not how we should be. We need to live our lives like Christ- Called and Separated.

How can you know how to live your life called and separated for Jesus? You can find out through daily reading of the Bible. Second, you should pray and listen for Christ speaking to your heart. Then you need to put the word and Christ’s instructions in practice. Let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you. Be that royal priest. It is our duty to let the world know what it means to be a Christian. It is not only our duty; it should be our most earnest desire. We have family, friends, and coworkers all around us that do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. If we don’t live our lives for Christ they won’t see the value of being a Christian. If we don’t share with them the good news of how the can have a personal relationship with Jesus, they will die and go to hell. That should be motivation enough for us to live our life called and separated to Jesus Christ.

Yes church we are Gods property, called and separated. Let us not forget what we are called and separated to. We are called and separated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That means we should live our life in allegiance to Jesus Christ. Church repeat after me- We serve a living and real Savior. Repeat it again. We need to know whom we serve. We are not servants to Buddha. He had some good things to say, but following him does not send you to heaven. We do not serve an exalted angel. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus created the angels. We don’t just follow a great prophet. How could a dead prophet do us any good? Church, you have to know whom you serve. In John 1:1 it clearly says that Jesus is God. I know the Jehovah Witnesses missed interpreted a part of that verse. The problem is that they did not pay attention to what the word Word meant. It comes from a Greek word called logos. This is a term that philosophers used to describe God. To Hebrews and Greeks, the Word is what kept things in order. Basically, that means that if Jesus did not exist, we would not exist. This is also expressed in Colossians 1:15-18. Here Christ is described as the invisible image of God. The first born is in reference to his resurrection. If he had been created, how could He call Himself the Alpha and Omega as we see in Revelation 1:11. Also, one can see that the image of Jesus in Revelation chapter one matches the Glory of God described in Ezekiel chapter one. Our Savior is the real thing. He is someone we can depend on. He holds to keys to heaven and hell in his hand. He is the gate that we must approach for salvation. He is the one we depend upon daily for living a meaningful life. He is the one that lets us experience the joy of being a Christian. There is a song that says "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – Sweetest name I know, Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go." People, we must not forget where our purpose comes from. We must not forget who called us. His name is Jesus, and we are called to do his work by living for him and spreading the Gospel.

Let me ask this question. Are you God’s property or a vacant lot? What is a vacant lot? A vacant lot is not claimed by God and is open to be run through by Satan. That means you have not surrendered yourself to Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only key to eternal life. He is the only one that can save you from hell. John 10:10 tells us that he comes that our lives would have meaning. We can become God’s Property by calling on him through prayer. All you have to say is "Lord Jesus, I need you. I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you died on the cross to be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart and take control of my life." If you say these words and mean it, Jesus will send his Holy Spirit to come and dwell in you. Ask him in your heart today. What if you are saved but have not been living your life like you are God’s Property. Pray and ask God for forgiveness. Make a commitment to live your life for him today. Be and live like God’s Property today!