Notes of Faith May 2, 2026
Today is the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. When you live as close as we do, it is hard not to take notice! Pray that the thousands paying attention to this event will be touched by the Spirit of God toward spiritual things rather than any earthly thing…
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
November 3, 2002
“PAUL’S ATTITUDE TOWARD MINISTRY”
Romans 1:14-16
What is your attitude toward the ministry God has given you? Is it the same as the Apostle Paul’s? Let’s take a look at Paul’s attitude and find there a lesson for us all. In the passage before us Paul declares a three-fold attitude toward His ministry.
I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Romans 1:14
1. Paul is obligated to his ministry. He has an obligation to all classes of people, whether they be wise or foolish. You see, people aren’t lost because of what side of the tracks they were born on or their education or lack of it, people are lost because they are without Jesus Christ. We are all sinners, whether we live in a shanty or a palace.
Francis Shaffeur took the Gospel to the “up and outer” – to people who wouldn’t think of going into a rescue mission. Some of our church folk take that same Gospel to the “down and outers” in the Long Beach Rescue Mission.
We preach the same Gospel to the educated and to those who have little or none. We have the same obligation as the Apostle Paul. Then he says:
Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. v. 15
2. Paul is eager in his ministry. Paul was an eager beaver when it came to preaching Jesus Christ. Why? Because he knew what he had been saved from. He lists his human merits in Philippians 3:4 ff. Read the list for yourself. Pretty impressive, isn’t it? Yet in verse 7 he considers those things as nothing – as loss – when it comes to knowing Christ. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. That is why he was eager to preach. He goes on to say:
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. v. 16
3. Paul is not ashamed of his ministry. Preaching the simple Gospel to people brings hatred sometimes. But it assures eternal life to those who receive it by faith. Paul wasn’t ashamed because the Gospel is the power of God to everyone who believes – no matter who they are because God’s righteousness is revealed in it.
What a motivation to ministry!
•I am under obligation. •I am eager. •I am not ashamed.
I trust this is our motivation as well as Paul’s. If not, pray about it. I know I shall examine my heart. God bless.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Charles
John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
Matt 28:18-20
Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
We are to come to Jesus in Faith as we are drawn to Him by the Father, and live in His power and authority through His gift of the Holy Spirit, being obedient to His commands, declaring the truth of God to all around us, praying for His Spirit to open their ears and hearts to hear, that they might be saved!
Pastor Dale