The Book of Romans #2

November 9, 1997

(Romans 1:1 Being called is being Separated unto the Gospel)

Brian Kocourek

 

[Romans 1:1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)

 

    Last Sunday we began our new series on the Book of Romans at verse one with PaulÆs opening statement where he introduced himself to the saints at Rome. In his introduction in verse one, Paul laid out three specific points that we began to examine.

 

#1) He begins by telling us that he is a servant of Jesus Christ. There are many different duties that servants may do, but a servant is not a slave, because although a slave may be put to the same task as that of a servant, yet the difference lies in the fact that a slave is a servant against his own will. On the other hand, a servant is a servant based upon free will. Therefore, Paul was a servant because he decided to serve, and to do so correctly he had to lay down his own ideas of what sort of service he would render. Therefore, we find in point #2), that Paul defines what his servant duties as that of an apostle. And he further tells us that he is an apostle because he was called to be an apostle. Therefore, the choice of what his service is to be is not of his own choosing.

 

Another interesting thing about this being called to be an apostle is that this calling that he speaks of is not just a general call for help and Paul decided that he would answer that call. But the word call here suggests more than a mere invitation. It also speaks of a divine selection and appointment. If you will remember, it was not Paul seeking Christ, but it was Christ who sought out Paul. Paul was out trying to destroy the very workings of the early church that Jesus had established. And when Paul was on the road to Damascus where he intended to arrest the believers that were there, he met the Lord Jesus Christ in the form of the Pillar of Fire.  It was at this meeting that Paul was knocked off his high horse and given instructions as to how he was to go about his ministry as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ doing the work of an Apostle.

 

Therefore, we can safely say that this calling has to do with a pre-selection. It was not just a call that went forth and whosoever comes, let him come. But it was a direct call to one individual, (Paul), and therefore we can say that this call was part of the divine selection and appointment that came forth from God Himself. 

 

In [Romans 8:28] we hear Paul use the term, ôThe Calledö when he is speaking of a specific group of people. ôAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.  Now, the key here is to find out who this specific group of people are. The scripture here tells us that these people are ôThe Calledö.  And the qualifier is ôaccording to His Purposeö.  Now what is the purpose of God? Can anyone tell me? ___?___. Then can anyone tell me what the purpose of God sending forth His Son into the world was? In other words, what is the purpose of the Son? ___?___.  

 

We know God has a purpose that purposed in His Son Jesus Christ. In [Ephesians 3:11] we read,

ôTo make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:ö

 

Therefore we see that Paul speaks to us of God having a purpose and that purpose was placed in the embodiment of His Son. We are told what that purpose is in [1 John 3:8]. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  So we see, then that this class of people whom Paul describes as  The Called, has been called with a purpose in mind. Therefore, there is a connection between their being called and being predestinated to receive that calling. 29 to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. Now, watch here as we are told what that purpose is. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  30 Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called them he also justified: and whom he justified them he also glorified.  Now this brings us to the third point that Paul makes in his opening address in this epistle. And with this third point I would like to focus our attention this morning.

The Book of Romans #2

Point #3) Paul tells us that with his being called, he has been separated unto the gospel of God. Now, let’s begin our study this morning by examining this statement that Paul uses to open this epistle to the Saints at Rome. He says, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.   Called and Separated unto the Gospel of God.

   

Now, we have already examined what it means to be called. We know that this being called is directly tied together with being divinely selected and ordained to a certain position or place. But notice with this call there comes a separation as well. You can not be called to the Gospel of God without your being  separated unto It as well. Then what does it mean to be separated unto the Gospel, and why does Paul speak of separation within the very first few words that he addresses to the saints at Rome and to us whom God intended to read this Epistle.  You know that is a very good question.

 

Most people in this Message have yet to fully understand what the word separation means. There is a great move going on amongst those who claim to be the mainstream message goers, of Evangelism. They claim that we should open our pulpits to whosoever feels that they have a call to preach the Gospel. And yet when it comes right down to it, they will have nothing to do with those who believe that Christ is here. Yet they have opened their pulpits to every sort of trash that is imaginable under the guise of  preaching the Message, and as a result the Faith of the people has ebbed to such a low degree that most do not really know what the message is anymore.  And when they see that we, (those of us who associate with Brother Vayle), are very careful as to who we have in our pulpit. And because we will not have their super apostles into our pulpits, we are called separators as though the word separation is a bad word.

 

But what does the Word of God tell us about separation. Is it a good thing or is it a bad thing? Because, frankly, I am not interested for one minute what anyone else thinks, but what the Word of God says. So let’s look into this subject this morning on separation, because after all we hear Paul introduce himself as one who has been separated unto the Gospel of God, and he doesn’t say this bashfully as though he has committed some sin in doing so. But, rather, Paul speaks of his separation in the same breathe as he speaks of his calling, and therefore being called by an holy calling, he is also asked to separate himself from anything which would be contrary to that call.

 

 In [Matthew 25:32] we read, And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: Notice, in this scripture we see that it is the Lord Himself that is responsible for this separation that will take place, and notice the separation comes forth as one, a shepherd, who purposely separates his sheep from what he thinks to be goats. Branham used to quote the church as singing this song, From the sermon called Elijah that he preached in 1955, he said,  Church all let down the bars, they all sing: "They let down the bars; we compromised with sin. We let down the bars, the sheep got out but, how did the goats get in?" You just let down the bars, that's what it was. You let down the standards of Christianity. Amen. The devil might've went out of fashions but he hasn't went out of business yet. He's still in the business. 

 

From the sermon, "Hear Ye Him" he said, See? What's the trouble: they let down the bars, the old fashion standard of the Holy Ghost that leads the church and guides it into all truth. Now, that's the truth. That might be old fashion; it might hurt a little bit. And from a message that Brother Branham preached when he visited brother Vayle’s church in West Palm  Beach, FL, in  53-1130 entitled, Has the Lord spoken only to Moses? he said, ôthey used to sing a little song, "We let down the bars; we let the bars; we compromised with sin. We let down the bars; the sheep got out; but how did the goats get in?" You let down the bars, that's why the goats got in. exactly.   You begin to take in anything in the church. Which reminds me of what God said in the Book of [Malachi 1:7-10] A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor that is due me? If I am a master, where is the respect that is due me? Says the Lord Almighty. It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. But you ask, æHow have we shown contempt for your name? By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. When you bring a blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? Says the Lord Almighty. Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will He accept you? Says the Lord Almighty.

 

The Book of Romans #2

November 9, 1997 (Romans 1:1 Being called is being Separated unto the Gospel)

Now, I want you to listen closely to the next words the Lord says here.  Oh that there were one among you whose duty it is to minister to Me, who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on My altar to no purpose, (an empty futile, fruitless pretense)! I have no pleasure in you, says  the Lord of Hosts nor will I accept an offering from your hands. God is a jealous God and He has strict laws for worship, and that is this. They that worship God must worship Him in Spirit and Truth. And how can we be so low as to just allow anything to be preached from this table of the Lord. God holds us responsible. Therefore, God loves separation. Look at what God did the very first time he spoke. He said, let there be light and then he separated the Light from the darkness. Then the very next time God spoke He separated the waters from above from the waters from below. Look how discriminating God is? First Light from darkness and then an even finer separation of waters from waters.

 

Then at the first Exodus when God was calling His people out of Egypt, God was there to ensure that the separation that He called them to would be accomplished.  Pharaoh didnÆt want separation, so he went after them when they did. But what did God do? He sent His Pillar of Fire down and got in between them so that they could not unite. Hallelujah. God wants separation. Paul a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ called and separated unto the Gospel of God.

 

 227  Demonology  The church is all polluted, and the Pentecostal age is the Laodicean age, which gets lukewarm, and spurted out of God's mouth. And out of the whole group, God calls His remnant and takes her home

 

[Acts 13: 2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. God called them and told them to separate themselves from the others.

 

[II Corinthians 6: 17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, What is the unclean thing?  It’s unbelief, Unbelief in what? The Message of the hour. And what is the Message of the hour? He said, My ministry is to declare Him that He is Here!  Therefore anything outside of this teaching of ChristÆs presence among us is unbelief.

 

E-49  Eagle Stirs Her Nest  "Come out of that stuff. Come out from among them; be ye separated, saith God. Touch not the unclean thing, and I'll receive you. You'll be sons and daughters to Me, and I be God to you. Don't yoke yourself up with unbelievers, but come out of it." If there ever was a coming out time, it ought to be right now 

 

E-44  Jehovah Jireh  Anything that's contrary to God's Word, separate yourself from it. Don't care what it is. Come out from among them. Touch not their unclean thing. That's good sound sense, spiritual speaking, understanding. The Bible said so, "Come out from among them. Touch not their unclean things; I'll receive you." Can't bring the world, He just won't do it. No, sir. When you're circumcised, the world's cut off of you. That's right. Then you're Abraham's seed.  God has recognized His promise like He did with Abraham, circumcised him. And that's the same thing it is when God recognizes your faith, and He cuts the world off of you, and give you the Holy Ghost, and you really believe God then for whatever He says. That's right. Until then, you're just a professor, not a possessor.

 

 E-64  Faithful Abraham  Now, God wants separators. Now, the people wants mixers. Oh, my. Today they got to have a little Hollywood guy, you know, and, you know, and all this, and there has got a lot of flowers, and just color up. They don't want the old fashion preacher that lays it right on the hewing line. They won't have it. He's a fanatic. He's a holy-roller. That's what they want. They want mixers, somebody that'll go swimming with them, and somebody will play bunco with them, and somebody will go to dances, and not fanatics. See, they don't want that. But God wants separators. Separate yourself. The very word "church" means, "separated, called out." "Come out from among them," saith God, "and I'll receive you and touch not their unclean thing.  Separators... Oh, Christians. Separate yourself from everything of the world, brother, sister. Get away from the things of the world: separate.  Then what about the preachers that try to act like the denominational preachers. What about the smooth guys that are so politically correct in their delivery. 

 

The Book of Romans #2

Now, when God called Paul to be His servant, He also called Paul to separate himself from everything that was contrary to that calling. Brother Branham said, in the message E-47  ôFrom That Timeö Abraham had to separate himself from all the unbelief.  And that's what God calls to every man or woman. When He meets you, and forgives your sins, and calls you to be His servant, He expects you to separate yourself from all unbelief. Disassociate yourself from all things that's ungodly. Look not at the world. Come out from among the world. "Touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, saith the Lord. And you'll be My sons and daughters, and I'll be God to you."  Yeah. Come out from among unbelief. Separate yourself. Segregation. God is a segregationalist. Called Israel out. He called His people out. He calls His... The very word Church means called out.

 

[Romans 1:1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,).

 

Notice, Paul tells us in verse two that this promise of our being called and separated untot he Gospel of God is not a new thing, but the promise had been made by God through His Prophets aforetime. That means before. The promise which was made before. Now, we have already shown you how that God has always called for separation from unbelief. God did it in the days of Moses. He did it is the days of Paul.  HeÆs doing it again in this hour under the same circumstances, where He has come down in the form of the Pillar of Fire and has performed the very same things in this hour that He has done in the first and second Exoduses, proving that He is the same  yesterday, today and forever.

 

And each time He came, He expected those who believed in that coming to separate themselves from the rest of the church world. That is why I do not consider whether a person claims to believe this message or not. I look at what he or she really believes. Are they just a Pentecostal person who has added another notch to their belt with a few more doctrines. Or are they truly sold out to God, Lock, stock and barrel. It this message to them, Live, die, sink or swim? Or is it just a nice social club.

 

To Daniel it was a live or die situation. To Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego it was the same. They said, whether our God delivers us or not we still wonÆt bow down and serve your idols. [Daniel 3:14-25] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, [Is it] true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

 

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [and] to cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into

the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.