The Bondslave From Tarsus
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Introducing a new series on Romans by learning how God molds His bondservants for His purpose and His glory.
Text: Romans 1:1
Date: 07/19/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 1
Description:
Paul's epistle to the Romans has had a profound impact on the minds and souls of countless Christians and therefore an inestimable impact on the Christian church. As we launch into this new series, we will focus on just the first phrase of the first verse. Particularly, we will consider the unique upbringing Saul of Tarsus had that God used to prepare him for the task He had set aside for him. Then we will carefully analyze what it means to be a "bondslave", and finally how inseparable to Paul were the two words he used to describe the Lord: "Christ Jesus". Ultimately we will recognize how God brings all of His children through the events of their lives to develop the very attributes, resources, and skills He has designed for them to use for His purpose and for His glory; so that we, too, might define ourselves as "bondslaves of Christ Jesus".
View:
Options:
I. Introduction, Rom. 13:13-14, 1:16-17.
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:1.
A. Background
1. The impact of the letter to the Romans.
a. The impact on great men of the faith.
b. Answering the fundamental questions of Christianity.
2. The historical setting.
a. Who established the church at Rome?
i. Not by Paul, Rom. 1:7-8,10.
ii. Not by Peter.
1) How Peter probably DID NOT establish the church, Gal. 2:7.
2) How Peter might have founded the church, Acts 2:8-11.
iii. How the church was probably established.
b. Where and when was the letter written?
i. Where the letter was written, Rom. 16:1,2,23; 1Cor. 1:14.
ii. When the letter was written.
c. The situation in Rome.
i. The emperor.
ii. The demographics of the city.
iii. Persecution of the Jews, Acts 18:2.
B. Paul's self-introduction.
1. A bondslave named "Paul".
a. A zealous Pharisee, Phil. 3:5-6; Acts 5:34, 22:3.
b. A "citizen of the world", Acts 17:28.
c. A citizen of Rome, Acts 16:38, 22:27-29.
d. A persecutor of the church, 1Cor. 15:9; Acts 8:3, 22:4.
e. A dramatic conversion.
i. Paul's hatred, Acts 9:1-2, 26:9-12.
ii. Paul's conversion, Acts 9:3-5, 15-16.
2. A servant of Christ Jesus.
a. A bond-slave.
i. The deeper meaning of "servant", Ex. 21:5-6.
ii. A bondslave of Christ Jesus, John 8:34; Rom. 6:16,22; 1Cor. 7:22-23, 6:19-20.
b. A man in love, 5:14-15.
c. Writing as a servant.
d. A servant of the GodMan.
i. The significance of the two words.
1) Jesus, the man from Nazareth, Matt. 1:21.
2) The Christ, the divine Son of God, John 1:1,14; Phil. 2:6-8.
ii. The inseparable natures of "Christ Jesus".
III. Application
A. An encouragement to the heartbroken.
B. Navigating the narrow road.
1. Avoiding the two ditches.
a. The ditch on the left.
b. The ditch on the right.
IV. Conclusion
