It's Time to Grow Spiritually

FEBRUARY 8, 2023 STUDY NOTES ROMANS 1:11 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES IT’S TIME TO GROW SPIRITUALLY Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; “For I long to see you” is an explanation of why Paul was praying to visit Rome, Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. Paul had a strong desire to see them, he continually longed to see the believers in Rome, Act 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. Which Paul expressed again toward the end of the letter to the Romans, Rom 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Paul’s “great desire” was to minister in Rome, we have an example of his ministry in 1 Thessalonians Paul compares his ministry to a “Mother’s Care,” 1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: Paul had a compassionate heart, he was gentle, tender, and served others with loving care God’s love must motivate us to minister to others, a wrong attitude of duty can misguide our ministry It is easy for Christians today to have a spirit of superiority, a better than you attitude toward others “Among you” means “in the midst of you,” and not the thought of standing above you When it came to caring for others, Paul was like a mother caring for her own child He had the concern and compassionate of a nursing mother, a heart of loving care, 1Th 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. Paul’s heart had a longing and a yearning to tell others about Jesus, a strong desire to preach the gospel The love of God filled the heart of Paul and there was nothing holding back his ministry to others Our hearts should be filled with such love to minister to others, Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. “Shed abroad” means that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill our hearts with God’s love Use our heart of love daily and the Holy Spirit will continually flood our hearts with an abundance of love Paul wanted them to know why the love of God was so strong in his heart It was because Paul believed and preached the same message that John did, 1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Paul has already referred to “my God,” and his God is love, 1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. We have the evidence of God’s love, 1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Salvation is a personal experience of God’s love, 1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (Jesus did what we couldn’t do) Motivation for ministry is God’s love within our heart, 1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. John describes the kind of love and affection that Paul took with him when he went to Thessalonica The love of God filled and motivated Paul’s heart with the desire to go to Rome People today have the desire to go to Rome as a tourist, Paul wanted to go as a minister to others Too many Christians today are on an earthly pleasure tour instead of a mission trip Paul had no selfish desire, he was not seeking something personal, his motive was to give to others Paul gives three reasons why he longed to see the people in Rome Page 1 of 6 Note the word “that” in Romans 1:11,12, & 13: “That” I may impart unto you some spiritual gift (vs. 11) “That” I may be comforted together with you (vs. 12) “That” I might have some fruit among you also (vs. 13) Verse 11, “That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift” One reason Paul wanted to personally see the Romans was to “impart” something special to them The word “impart” is the same word Paul used in 1 Thess. 2:8, “we were willing to have “imparted” The meaning is to share or impart that which is within the heart, a heart that is full and must be shared Expressing that the desire of the heart to give to others is greater than the desire to receive from others The same word is found in, Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Here the need is the basic necessities of life that sustains our life, which is “our living” or “our livelihood” Christians do not have to be wealthy before they can help others with their needs Most of us have more than enough food to eat and more clothes in the closet than we can wear We usually have more than it is going to take for us to survive The point is that you have more than the one you see who has a need Christians should be interested enough to look at those who have needs We should even put forth an effort to see those who have needs God’s love obligates us to search for an opportunity to love one another When you see the need of others, then see if you can meet that need, you probably can most of the time When the need is there, you minister to them through the “love of God” God’s love does not result in a hard heart, a closed mind, a blind eye, or a deaf ear God’s love does not turn and walk away from the opportunity to help those in need Paul’s concern in Romans 1:11 is in the realm of the spiritual, that pertaining to the spiritual life Most churches today have a ministry to meet the physical needs of others, which we need to do But how often do our churches today fail to meet the spiritual needs of one another? Which Paul identifies as “Some spiritual gift,” we must understand what Paul is saying The word translated “gift” means a “gift of grace,” identifying that God is the giver The same word is used to identify various spiritual gifts given to believers, every believer is gifted Here Paul is using the word in a more general sense, referring to that which will develop spirituality There is a great truth here concerning the ministry of Christians one to another, it is a must ministry The Roman Christians could be strengthened spiritually as a result of Paul’s presence with them Christians are to be burdened for the physical welfare of one another, we are, listen to our prayer requests Paul’s main concern was their spiritual welfare, he knew that it was not easy to live for Christ in Rome The daily Christian life is not easy to live in America today and especially throughout the world It is time for Christians to strengthen one another in the faith, it is time to obey, Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Christians must “consider one another,” we must be concerned about one another Our concern must not be limited to the needs of the physical life, there must also be spiritual concern As a Church Family we are to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of one another We are given two specific areas of concern for one another, love and good works “To provoke unto love,” “provoke” means to stimulate or to stir up in a good sense Christians have a ministry of stirring one another up for a good purpose, “love” Our ministry is to excite love and good works among one another Many times, Baptist stir one another up, but not according to what this verse tells us to do I have talked with many a “Stirred-up Baptist,” some churches need to change their sign Their sign outside reads Friendship Baptist; Fellowship Baptist; Harmony Baptist; Unity Baptist But when you go inside you find “Stirred-Up Baptist,” stirred up in the wrong sense We are not to stir up trouble or conflict, but we are to stir up “love” and “good works” When we come together, we have an opportunity to get excited about God’s love Excited about God’s love among us and within us will motivate us to unite together in “good works” Page 2 of 6 Which is why we must obey, Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. This verse deals with a major problem found in many churches throughout America today Too many church members are not faithful in their church attendance as they once were Compare any church roll with their church attendance and you will see the problem Too many church members have a “Triple L” attitude toward the preacher’s message It can’t be too “Loud,” too “Long,” or too “Laborious,” meaning, don’t tell me what I need to do Today there are too many “Seldom Saints,” those who come when they have nothing else to do And there are too many “Selfish Saints,” it all better be done the way I want it or I’m not coming back And “Snobbish Saints,” who don’t attempt to shake hands with anyone, but they better shake mine We must have “Serving Saints,” those who excite one another to “love” and “good works” Faithfully coming together is our best opportunity to do what we have been instructed to do We can encourage and motivate each other when we come together as a Church Family How can you encourage someone unless you meet with them? You must be faithful in order to encourage them to be faithful, “and so much the more” The reason many are not faithful to church is because they have “much more” other stuff in their life “Much more” social life, much more sports activities, much more leisure, much more personal pleasure And they don’t have time for “Much More” of God or the Church Family, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Because of the world that we live in, Christians need to spend “much more” time together How often did the early church come together? They came together on-a daily basis, Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, We should at least have daily Christian fellowship with other Christians Be sure that you have a Christian friend that you can talk to and pray with at any time The early church did not only come to meet with God, they came to meet with one another, Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. When they came together, they were grateful, thankful, helpful, encouraged, excited, and evangelistic Do we need that kind of gathering today? How important is it for us to assemble-together today? The answer is, we must “as ye see the day approaching,” the day of the return of Christ to the earth Christians must live for Jesus today because we expect Him to return some day And it doesn’t matter whether He returns today or not, we must daily live for Him Jesus is coming, “That’s Exciting,” Church is Sunday and Wednesday night, “That’s Exciting” Paul knew that if he could spend time with the Romans, he could impart to them “some spiritual gift” The spiritual gift was something in the spiritual realm and the source was the Holy Spirit It was of the Holy Spirit but would be ministered through Paul to the Romans Spiritual guidance and strength that would come through sharing truths with them from the Word of God Spiritual assurance that would come through exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and prayer together For Paul Christianity was not a show-out, it was a show-forth, presenting the Person and Work of Jesus This verse does not teach that Paul was bestowing a second blessing upon them as some teach today It does not teach that Paul was bestowing certain spiritual gifts upon them through laying on of hands Paul was ministering to their spiritual needs, strengthening them spiritually, which we must do today What does Paul mean when he says, “To the end ye may be established?” Do we as saints today need to be established? The word “established” means to “make firm or solid,” to make stable, to strengthen That which is to be “established” is our faith, our daily life of faith, our spirituality There are many verses of scripture revealing the means and the method of establishing spirituality The Word of God is a “must” for spiritual sustenance, Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Life worth living must be lived according to the Word of God, Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; Page 3 of 6 the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Christians are sanctified, which means they are set apart to serve God, serve according to God’s Word, Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Christians today need to understand “Biblical Sanctification,” the truth of which is found in scripture The word “saint” is applied to all Christians identifying “Positional Sanctification” As Christians we have been “set apart” by God, for God, and set apart “forever,” Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. The offering that sanctified us forever was the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us, Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. As saints, we are in a life-long process of being conformed to the image of Christ (Spirituality) That life-long process is known as “Progressive Sanctification,” which is growing spiritually, 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. As saints we are assured of our “Ultimate Sanctification,” 1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (Our spiritual goal should be to become as much like Jesus as we possibly can before He returns) As Christians, our concern today must be upon our “Progressive Sanctification” Progressive Sanctification is what Paul is referring to when he says, “to the end ye may be established” Scripture often reveals that Christians are to be established and how we are to be established Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to “establish” them, 1Th 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: “To establish” has the idea of making firm or solid by providing a support Timothy was to be that support he was sent to strengthen the Thessalonians in the faith, their spirituality We need that same work of being established in the faith in our churches today, we need one another We need Christians doing that same work of Timothy today God sends us out daily to do the same thing that Timothy was sent to do There are at least two goals that Timothy was to accomplish within the believers in Thessalonica He was to “establish” the believers and he was to “comfort” the believers Both were directed toward the same area of their life, Paul was concerned about their faith Christians must continue to stand strong in the faith until Christ returns There are too many Christians today who are not stable or solid in the faith Many Christians are not standing firm upon the foundation of faith, they are being moved about Satan’s goal is to defeat the Christian and to prevent spiritual growth, Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (We must be spiritually mature to defeat Satan) The opposite of “to establish” is to move a structure from its foundation (Satan’s deceiving work) Meaning that a structure had collapsed or caved in (tossed to and fro) Today many Christians are giving way, breaking apart, falling to pieces because of spiritual immaturity Problems are not to move us from our faith but to “mature” us in the faith (“Establish” us) God is working in us to keep us from shifting, drifting, and swaying from the truth Some Christians can be wild with excitement one day and then something goes wrong And they are falling apart emotionally the next day, don’t let it happen in this present day Christians are to be stable, able to stand true in all tests, not tossed to and fro, or shut down The most qualified person to help others through difficult times is a Spiritually Mature Christian In-order to help others we must be living as a Christian should daily before them Be sure that we are allowing the Spirit to guide us in all-of our decisions Be dependent upon the Holy Spirit in all that you do, all must be done in love and truth, Eph 4:15 Page 4 of 6 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: When Christians speak, they should speak “truth” “Speaking the truth” means more than just telling the truth when you speak Speaking the truth is more than a verbal conversation, it is more than what we are saying It has the meaning of telling the truth as we live our daily life, “It is time to grow spiritually” It is when our daily life tells the truth of being a Christian and having Christ in our life“ “Speaking the truth in love” will reveal the truth of Jesus in our life Living the truth daily is an expression of truth in the truest sense Truth in the truest sense means there is nothing counterfeit and nothing hypocritical “Truthing it” is a good way to define it, the way to reveal it It is not just telling the truth, it is living the truth, living a life of absolute truthfulness Speaking the truth is preaching the truth, and living according to what we teach and preach A life of absolute truthfulness, maintaining a life of truth through all circumstances of life This life of truth is in-contrast to the life that was described in Ephesians 4:14 Living a life of truth is the exact opposite of the life that is tossed and turned by Satan’s lies The mark of maturity is a truthful life, Christians must know and live the truth “in love” This is God’s love, 100% Love, the Love that can only come from God and through God Without God’s love there can be no truth, regardless of what we say or do, life will be false Truth apart from love has no appeal or attraction, it becomes a meaningless ministry Attempting to live for God and serve God without God’s love is lifeless and fruitless Truth without love doesn’t attract, good deeds without love are powerless Ministry without love is lifeless and will not reach into the heart It is “love” that makes truth real and appealing, love reveals that there is no hypocrisy It is love that begins to describe the “Fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Without love first there is no fruit, love adds the truth to everything else, Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. That is why Paul said, love is the “more excellent way,” 1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Then Paul describes the ministry of love in chapter 13 and the conclusion is found in, 1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. All that we do must be done because we love God, and we must do all in the love of God We are to be growing and maturing in the “Love of God” We are to be serving God and ministering unto others because we love God Loving God will motivate us to do what Paul said he wanted to do, Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Paul is talking about encouraging spiritual growth which should be the goal of every Christian Growing spiritually is the same as spiritual perfection and maturity Growing spiritually means that you are becoming more and more like Jesus To become more and more like Him day by day, step by step To be more like Him in what we say and in what we do each day Spiritual growth is like physical growth, it takes time and experience We begin the Christian life as a newborn baby, 1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: We are to grow from spiritual childhood and become a spiritual adult We grow through each experience of life as we trust God through each experience We are to grow spiritually “in all things,” all that pertains to our daily life, it is all for God Spirituality is a life of hope, Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Spirituality is a fruitful life, Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: Page 5 of 6 Which comes through the knowledge of God, Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; It is all “in Christ,” “through Christ,” and “for Christ” We are to share with one another the life that we have received in Christ That is what Paul is telling us to do, the same thing he wanted to do with the Roman Christians, Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; We all have a ministry within our Church Family, we are to “impart some spiritual gift” Which means we are to share our spiritual life with one another That we all “may be established” IT’S TIME TO GROW SPIRITUALLY Page 6 of 6