Saints on the road to Rome
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Intro
Paul on a trip to Rome. These are familiar places to me: I grew up in the areas described by Luca.
Only 2 kilometers from my house, one of the most famous Roman roads passes: the Via Appia.
Illustration. On November 9, 1942, in England, during the Second World War, London dignitaries gathered to present the Major of London.
This was a custom practiced for 700 years. The only difference on that occasion was the fact that London had changed profoundly. The German bombs had transformed the English capital into a cemetery: buildings, churches, houses... everything was destroyed.
On November 10, 1942, the English city woke up after another very hard night of bombing. It was a dark morning and yet, on that morning, the English, the French and the Allied forces received wonderful news: America had entered the war! Help was on the way.
Application. The meeting between Paul and the brothers in Rome reminds us of America's entry into World War II. Help arrives for the church in Rome.
Sermon's outline. We will talk about the blessing that fellowship grants to believers:
The Saints who desire fellowship;
The Saints prepared for fellowship;
The Saints delighted by fellowship.
N.1 - The Saints who desire fellowship
N.1 - The Saints who desire fellowship
The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
Desire. The saints we find on the road to Rome have a desire to have fraternal communion.
They ask Paul to stay at their house for 7 days, they reach Paul 80 km away: this is called desire, sincere love for the saints.
Paul desires the believers (v. 14), the believers of Pozzuoli host Paul for 7 days and the believers of Rome go to meet Paul.
How necessary it is to rediscover the joy of fellowship.
Do not run away after services. Do not desert prayer meetings. Every occasion in which you can experience the fellowship:
1. Seek it like Paul;
2. Open the house like the believers of Portici;
3. Go to meet like the believers of Rome.
A four-year-old girl, hugging a doll in each of her pudgy little arms, looked wistfully up at her mother and said, “Mama, I love them and love them and love them, but they never love me back.”
How true of some Christians who are loved and loved and loved by God, but never love him back.799
N.2 - The Saints prepared for fellowship
N.2 - The Saints prepared for fellowship
The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
Meet a dignitary. The term "met" (v. 15) is a Greek word used to describe the custom of a delegation from a city going out to meet a dignitary and then escorting him into the city with celebrations.
In other words, they left their homes prepared, ready to travel another 80 km to escort the apostle Paul to Rome.
The same term is used in Matthew 25:1
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Also in 1 Thessalonians 4:17
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Prepare yourself for all the needs that fellowship requires: time, energy, contributions, etc.
N.3 - The Saints delighted by fellowship
N.3 - The Saints delighted by fellowship
The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
2 benefits. First of all, Paul "takes courage" (v. 15). There are many in the world who want to take away the courage of God's servants.
Be he or she who inspires courage, strength, zeal and vigor for those who serve the Lord.
The second thing Paul "gave thanks to God" (v. 15). True fraternal communion, that produced by the Holy Spirit, leads believers to glorify God, to give glory to God.
Where man is exalted and God forgotten, that is not a blessed gathering of Saints.
At the end of every meeting, we want to give air to God.
1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching God’s Glory
In 1715, Louis XIV of France died. Louis, who called himself “the Great,” was the monarch who made the infamous statement “I am the State!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was spectacular. His body lay in a golden coffin. To dramatize the deceased king’s greatness, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lighted, with only one special candle set above his coffin. Thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak. Slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle, saying, “Only God is great!”575
The prophet Isaiah said: Isaiah 42:8
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Help is on the way. The Lord is sending His angels helping you. Don’t give up.
