"May What Christ Jesus Has Accomplished Continue."
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Romans 15:14-33.
Introduction:
- At certain times in our lives, our work, and local church ministries it is essential for us to accurately assess where we are, what has been accomplished, and what needs to be done. Only then are we able to plan comprehensively and enlist the resources that will be needed for what God is calling us to do.
Someone noted regarding local church ministry and planning,
“Planning allows us to take a long-term view, making us less susceptible to every whim in the short term. It is crucial for sustained impact and longevity.”
- “If you aim at nothing, you will hit every time.” (late Zig Ziglar – US salesman, author, and motivational speaker)
- A minority might suggest too much planning and longer term preparation presumes on God and we might be better to pray fervently and wait more on the Lord for an indication of what He wants them to do.
To them, I would submit that;
- Planning and prayer go hand in hand. The Bible explains that planning allows us have something to submit to the Lord.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
In the midst of his three years of ministry and discipling twelve men, Jesus both prayed and planned. While He was never too busy to help those along the way, He never lost sight of His primary calling. Luke noted repeatedly, Jesus’ focus on Jerusalem and what He was called to do. That included discipling 12 men.
The Apostle Paul understood and able to explain what God had called him to do.
and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
In the portion that we will consider today, Paul explained what he done in ministry, what more he felt was calling him to do. Paul understood that to accomplish that, he needed both the Lord’s help and ministry partners.
He demonstrated that by:
1. Praise for (pride in) what Christ Jesus has accomplished through Him – Rom 15:14-21.
Comunicating effectively is never easy. Even with the best words and ideas, even with the truths and facts that we do our best to communicate, using the best vehicle possible, we have no way of gaging and insuring that those with whom we are communicating are hearing us and understanding.
In his letter to them Paul had explained that he hoped to visit them and why. But did they remeber that?
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote to this church that he had not visited. There was no mention of doctrinal errors or problems. Among the 29 believers mentioned by Paul in chapter 16, no Elders, Deacons or leaders are named. He does name Priscilla and Aquilla, who were from Rome and in whose house the church met. Priscilla & Aquilla had to leave Rome because:
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
Paul met them in Corinth.
Paul sent his letter to Rome from Corinth with Phoebe.
Rom 16:1-2
Rom
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
Sometimes the communicators do not communicate as well as they think they do. All of us who who need to communicate effectively must review and look for ways to improve our communication skills.
The same should be true of listeners.
For effective communication the communicators and the receivers must tune their frequencies to each other.
David Ring - evangelist who speech patterns were limited by cerebral palsy - compounded by being orphaned at age 14 and not receiving care and physical and speech therapy that would have helped some, David, persevered, battled depression, came to saving faith in Christ. In the beginning David is a bit of a challenge, but if the hearer is patience very soon Davids’ love for the Lord, his heartt and what he has to say soon eclipe his occasional difficulty forming sounds the way that we are used to.
In order to tune our frequencies to each other, we must trust each other and understand each others’ hearts..
Rom 15:14-16:23 was Paul’s way of sharing his heart as an apostle. Paul was confessing that although he had been called to be an apostle, he was fragile. Later in his second letter to the church in Corinth, he reminded them that we have this treasure in earthen vessels.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
In the previous verse, Paul had explained that the treasure was not the cheap, breakable, replaceable clay pot , but the light of the Gospel and the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
By the grace of God given to me to be – 15:14-16.
Having listened to the reading of Paul’s long epistle, some of the Roman believers might have become restless, wondering why all of the heavy extended theology. Tneir meeting was not a school of the prophets. This was not the time for a disortation on:
Righteousness coming only from God.
God justifies guilty sinners only by grace through faith.
God’s plan and promises for Israel.
Spiritual gifts.
The believer’s responsiblity to human government.
And principles of Christian liberty.
To defuse that potetential distorted perception, Paul assured them regarding how he saw them and his purpose in writing.
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God
Paul’s reminder serves us well too.
Paul also explained that what he had written should be read not only with the understanding that he was an Apostle, but also as a reminder of God’s grace. We will consider that more later in our Scripure portion.
Although Paul was an Apostle, called out of due time, Paul did not hold that over people’s heads, with the expectation that they bow at his feet and kiss his ring, if he had one. Paul explained that who he was, what he had written and his privilege of serving the Lord publically in worship and preaching was about God’s grace. Salvation and service are by the grace of God.
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
Apostleship can refer to anyone sent with the message of salvation.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
- A minister of Christ Jesus – 11:33; 13:6; Matt 25:44; Eph 3:7; Lk 1:2.
Minister - in the NT used re public service/servant rather than leader with authority - In Rom 15:27, translated service.
Of Jesus Christ
To the Gentiles.
Although Paul always presented the Gospel first to the Jews in any city that he visited, his primary calling was to the proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles.
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
- To the Gentiles
- In the priestly service of the Gospel – 15:16; Acts 6:4; Lev 8:30-36.
Ministry of the word is priestly service.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
Within the New Covenant instead of a Levitical priesthood who regularly offer sacrifices at an altar, the New Testament is clear. All believers are priests.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Paul explained that the goal of this priestly service of the Gospel included the Gentiles.
Whose offering was made acceptable having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Through Paul, Jesus Christ brougth the Gentiles to obedience in word and deed.
- In Christ he had reason to be proud – 15:17-19.
By the power of:
- Signs and wonders – Acts 2:16-24, 43; 4:30; 5:12; 1 Cor 9:2; 2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:3-4.
God used them to authenticate the preaching and teaching of the Apostles and thier associates.
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
SIGNS AND WONDERS ARE REFERENCED ONLY HAVING BEEN PERFORMED BY THE APOSTLES TO VALIDATE THEIR MINISTRIES, and cease after their generation.
Never anend in themselves.
- The Spirit of God – Jn Acts 19:11-20; 2 Cor 12:12; Jn 16:12-15.
What Paul did was also by the power of the Spirit of God.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
- Ministry of the gospel of Christ fulfilled – 15:19.
by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
o Ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ has not already been named – 15:20-21.
‘Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice until everyone has heard it once?” (Oswald J Smith)
so shall he sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths because of him,
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
We are called to tell those who have never heard so that mught understand their sin
2. Planning to visit Roman, Spain, and Jerusalem – Rom 15:22-29.
Because others have not heard and need to understand has delayed Paul’s coming. But seen the Lord call out believers in most major cities from Jerusalem to Illyrocum (North of Macedonia, East side of Adriatic Sea opposite Italy)
After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
Affirmation as to longing and why had not visited before – 15:22-23; 1:10-11
That he might impart some spiritual gifts to strengthen them
Spiritual gift - charisma - grace gift
Spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God.
In Romans this same term is used to describe:
Christ Himself
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.
General blessings from God.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Specific spiritual gifts given to the body to minister to the whole.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
En route to Spain by way of Rome via Jerusalem – 15:24.
Macedonian and Achaian believers’ contribution to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem – 15:25-28.
Were pleased to make some contribution to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem
And they owed it to them.
The spiritual impact of the Gospel in Macedonia began in Jerusalem via Antioch.
WHEN NEEDED WE NEED TO WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SHARED WITH US.
KIMBERLEY ANNIVERSARY GIFT TO fELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CRANBROOK - PASTOR DAVE REEVE.
o Will come in the fullness of the blessings of Christ – 15:29.
I know - Paul
Had been faithful in proclaiming the Gospel and had allowed the Lord to order his steps. Because of that he was confident of the fullness of the blessings of Christ.
3. Pleading for them to strive together with him in prayer – Rom 15:30-33.
- Appeal to strive together with me in your prayers – 15:30.
Brothers - family
By our Lord Jesus Christ
By the love of Spirit.
Strive together
Whether in serving, regular giving, praying faithfully, we are picking up our part of what God is calling together as a group of believers.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
- That – 15:31
- I might be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea.
- That my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.
More than word now deeds.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Do we do our share?
Serving
Giving
Caring
Praying
- So that I may come to you – 15:32.
o May the God of peace be with you all. Amen – 15:33
As we plan and pray, we do well to remember Paul’s Biblical emphasis.
1. God’s grace enables ministers of Christ Jesus to serve the Gospel of God.
In all of our ministries, our goal should be to share the Gospel. We do that by what we say, how we say it and what we do.
Teaching in AWANA or Children who go downstairs at church time.
Greeters and those who serve in the nursery.
The way that we interact in the cafe.
The way that we interact in the auditorium. While we have come to worship, and we need to, we are members of a body of believers who need to care for and interact with other. How aree you doing? How can we pray for you and helo you.
PRIESTLY SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL - Rom 15:18.
2. In Christ, anything accomplished by God will be the power of His Spirit.
We plan and work hard. We do not presume on God.
Having done our best, we know that it God’s spirit who help us to communicate and be heard.
It it the Spirit of God using the word of God to convict of sin and instruct in righteousness.
So insure that we can used by the Spirit of God, make sure our hearts are right before God and maximize the word through which God has promised to work.
3. Powerful fulfilling ministry of the Gospel of Christ is planned in obedience to the word/spirit of God and enabled by fervent prayer partnerships.
Praying fervently does excuse us from careful planning and preparation.
Planning is especially important if we are part of a ministry team.
Someone else’s lack of planning does not constitute an emergency for me.
We should be being to be asked and asked each other, “Are you prepared?”
ex “Leadership” book during food.
4. Prayerfully planned ministries/ministers are pleased to yield when God’s priorities change.
Even as we pray and plan, what we have planned does not constitute our final agenda.
God gives us new opportunities
God slows us down
When God intervenes who are we to argue.
We need to do our best and leave the rest with the Lord.
When the Lord shuts us down because of a blizzard, have a plan B - BLIZZARD.
5. Those who share in the spiritual blessings of others ought also to share material blessings.
Sharing is at the core of all relationships. When we value our relationships, we share as much as we are able with those with whom we have a relartionship.
No where was that more beautifully lived than among first generation believers in Jerusalem.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This was not a commune and they continued to own property. For them ownership and possessions were gladly surrendered to care for those who were now family.
Throughout history some have tried to replicate this sharing. Other than among very committed believers it never works. The reason is sin.
When we benefit and reap spiritually or materially we are obliged to share and care for others the way that we would want to be treated.
Employment
Ministries
Missions
Family
Tigs
6. Our sincere prayers might not be answered as we would like.
Successive cohorts of preachers, teachers and belivers have been misunderstand the word of God, our Father in heaven, the will of God and prayer.
Their basic erroneous premise if that if we have enough and pray sincerely, God will yield to our will and answer our request.
They misreference and quote out of context:
Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
This involves church discipline.
They conveniently forget the earlier experience of Paul when he prayed three time for God to remove his thorn in the flesh.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
And more glaring is that they forget the example of our Lord when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
AWV/Feb 11/24