Romans 15:14-33

Paul wrote pages and pages to the Roman Christians. He proclaimed the gospel. He corrected doctrine. He gave instruction. He encouraged hearts. He called his readers into greater holiness. He reminded them sanctification is a continual process. He covered a lot of ground in this letter and now we see the landing gear. Paul lands the plane over the next 3 weeks.

He will remind us to celebrate what Christ has done. He will remind us Christ’s work is accomplish by God’s power through our words and deeds. He will remind us there are people that have never heard the gospel. He will remind us to be a blessing even if we think people don’t deserve a blessing. He will remind us that it takes a team of people for the gospel to be advanced. He will remind us there are always people who are obstacles to advancing the gospel, some of them are in churches. He will remind us that our Christian effectiveness is from the Lord.

MAIN IDEA: What we do for Christ matters more than anything else we do.

Because we are his instrument for good works.

Romans 15:14–17 ESV

14 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. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.

In verse 14, Paul celebrated that the Roman church “knew God, they knew His truth, and they were committed to living holy lives.” As we have seen throughout Romans, they weren’t perfect. Some course corrections were necessary, but they weren’t unbelievers. Did they have work to do? Yes, but there was plenty to celebrate in the Romans church. They were mutually strengthening and encouraging one another.

Because we live among people who have never heard the gospel.

Romans 15:18–24 ESV

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, 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; 20 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, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

3.

Romans 15:25–33 ESV

25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

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