Romans 15:14-33
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14 My brothers, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
You can just about read Romans 1:15 right through to this verse.
15 So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome.
14 My brothers, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
Notice the encouragement and building up of these believers in Rome. You also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God
In Spite of you being full of goodness, filled with knowledge and able to instruct one another, I have written to remind you.
More boldly on SOME points.
I don’t know about you but I am thankful the Lord led Paul to only be bold on SOME points. That’s sarcasm.
This statement makes me laugh because much of Romans has challenged us and I know teaching the book that I have labored and sweat through some of the parts.
His reason for boldness on some points is because
of the grace given me by God.
Think about where he has come from Saul of Tarsus, the crusading rabbi, that had letters to arrest those who are a part of the Way. He meets Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9) and experiences the grace of God. God’s grace called him and made him an apostle. God calls him to the Gentiles the very people he was persecuting.
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of God’s good news. My purpose is that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul is ministering and serving the King. He is doing the things that will extend the Kings rule in the world.
Serving as Royal Priest before the King
My purpose is that the offering…
He focuses on worship that we have talked about over the last several weeks. What are the things might I do for someone else or rights I might give up so that we might worship together.
So Paul sees his work as an offering that he is offering up to the a Lord.
It is not just his own worship but it is also worship in bringing the Gentiles to God as an offering.
Paul preaches the good news and when those who hear it and believe then they themselves are the sacrifices that Paul sees himself bringing to the Lord.
Think for a minute what your sacrifices would look like in light of this verse? What would you have to offer? Who are you leading to the Lord or have led to the Lord?
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,
Paul is boasting or proud of what the Lord has done in His life.
It’s fun to keep this in the right perspective. Paul sees what the Lord has accomplished through him. He knows the Lord has done this work in His life. He did not want to make a name for himself but he wanted to bring glory to Jesus Christ.
I will not speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to (obedience)
How?
By word and deed
Just like Jesus did. He has announced the good news but he has demonstrated that there is a new power that has been released throughout the whole world.
This new power is transforming peoples lives. It is not just done in word but there is action as well. This is the deed part. The power of Jesus at work in actions as well as words.
Who will take notice as your character and actions model Jesus?
19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.
Word and Deed
Power of miraculous signs and wonders
Power of God’s Spirit
Imagine Paul going to these Gentile nations and these things being present.
Wiersby reminded me of Acts 14.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: Man on the Move (Romans 15:8–16:27)
When Paul healed the crippled man at Lystra (Acts 14), the immediate response was pagan: the people called Paul and Barnabas gods and tried to worship them! When Paul shared the Gospel with them, they did not respond so enthusiastically. Finally, the people stoned Paul and left him for dead outside the city walls.
(Map)
20 My aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,
I love this pioneer ministry. His desire to minister and evangelize where Christ has not been named.
It is believed that the ministry in Rome was founded by Peter.
A pioneer ministry of taking the Gospel to places is challenging and rewarding. It can be hard to share the Gospel where there is not a presence of the Gospel at all. Helping people become obedient to Jesus when this is not the tradition.
I am reminded of the Summers at the Beach story several years ago where the two girls were watching the Youversion Kids Bible app and they heard the story of the crucifixion…
NO LOOK AT MY TABLET JESUS IS ALIVE!
In the western world, this continues to become the norm where the name of Jesus is mentioned less and going to church is not the tradition. I would say Bridge of Faith has learned to share the Gospel in this challenge and has not built on the foundation of someone else.
21 but, as it is written: Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.
Paul sees this ministry as part of the bigger story of the Messiah ministry by quoting Isaiah 52:15.
Paul is of course telling more people about Jesus but he sees himself as a part of the bigger plan of God. It’s not just him accepting a mandate but it is God and his purpose.
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.
23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these provinces, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you
24 whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through, and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
City evangelist
Strategic places of Caesar and Spain was the far outpost from which the Gospel could spread.
Not sure he actually makes it. Church tradition says he does make it to Spain.
25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints,
26 for Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews in material needs.
28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain.
29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
This is fun!
The Gentiles are taking an offering to meet the needs of the needy Jewish saints in Jerusalem.
The Gentiles are indebted to them because the Gentiles have shared in the Spiritual benefits of the Jews then they are obligated to share in the material needs of the Jews.
Not only is he ministering in word to the Jews but also in deed by bringing them money from the Gentiles.
When he returns to Jerusalem, Acts 21.
(Maybe a few words about Israel)
30 Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf.
31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that the gift I am bringing to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.
33 The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
N.T. Wright draws out the point.
Paul wrote Romans because he wanted to go to Spain. He believed that is what God was calling him to do. God allowed Paul to dream of a vocation in Spain so that he would write Romans.
We don’t know if Paul got to Spain or not but out of this dream we got the letter of Romans.
God gives us dreams that we might have preliminary task to the big dream we might have so that those might be the things that God is using.
