Romans 15:14-33 - Gospel Spread

Introduction:

What do you do when credits begin to roll at the end of a movie? Generally, I am one of the first ones out of the theatre, BUT if a particular actor or song has caught my attention, I may hang around to become informed. Other times, I’ve been told that there is a bonus after the credits that is worth waiting for.

Today’s text begins the closing credits of Paul’s epistle to the Romans, but instead of rushing through the remainder of the book, I hope you will stay in your seats as we become more informed about God’s work in our world.

TRANSITION: Through Paul’s biography our lives can find an important mission!

The Ambassadors Plan (Romans 15:14-21)

Priestly Presentation (Ro 15.16)

Call and Response

a. Believe and Do commands, not feel

Over my 40 years of pastoral ministry, I have observed at least 2 major pendulum swings in American faith expression. The “Jesus movement” of the 70s ushered in a seeker movement – traditions were exchanged for what those outside of the Body wanted to feel. They wanted to feel acceptance, liberty, and excitement, so dress code loosened, organs and orchestras were replaced by strings and percussion in dark rooms with focused lights.

At the dawn of this millennium, one of America’s largest congregations that bought hook, line and sinker into seeker sensitivity admitted that they missed the mark. They were effective at filling seats and recording decisions, but that method was revealed to be ineffective at making disciples! This led to a pendulum shift.

Many church attendees admit the weakness of seeker sensitivity, but are unwilling to embrace the path of Biblical transformation into reproducing disciples, so they simply made a change in style from “smoke and lights” to “bells and smells”.

Without spending too much time describing these 2 approaches to gathered worship, trust me that both are based largely upon a feeling that is manufactured, rather than an obedience that is commanded.

A call to receive the Good News

An opportunity to Respond

present themselves - Ro 15.17 through the rest of this paragraph (Ro 15:17-21) mentions Paul’s work which leads me to believe that right here he is thinking back to Rom 12:1-2 where he challenges people to offer themselves. People are the offerings.

present their collection - the next paragraph will specify aid, sharing of blessing, contribution and collection; so it is not unreasonable to conclude that what Paul is feeling good about is the outpouring of love by those he has preached to, as a priest in biblical times transported the offerings of the people into the Temple.

This is important because it lays a foundation for what we should expect when we gather in this room each week!

Pioneering Motivation (Ro 15.20)

This Summer I have been intrigued by the Smithsonian Channel’s series called How did They Build that? In season 2 Episode 3 They look at a skyscraper that took over 78 years to build.

The millionaire publisher bought property in the entertainment district and intended to build a theatre. His plans changed to building a tall business building, but the Great Depression and WW2 slowed the progress beyond the first 6 stories. Then the front of the building was determined a historical landmark and the existing foundation would not support a modern sky scraper. An architect, Norman Foster, totally gutted the original building, carefully preserving each wall face, then dug down to install new pylons that would support a modern sky scraper within a historic shell.

It would have been easier to start from scratch, but the Historical registry would not issue permits.

Paul states that his mission is not to turn 6-story buildings into 46-story towers, but to build where nothing exists. Starting new churches requires a certain skill set, and improving on others’ work requires a different skill set. Both the Pioneer and the Refiner need respect for what the other does (Eph 4:11) . The four-fold ministry has been described differently by preachers throughout the years. I’m not convinced that Paul is thinking chronologically because he lists the prophets after the Apostles. Perhaps these prophets and apostles are not limited to the Major and Minor Prophets with a capital P of the Hebrew Scriptures or the 12 Apostles (capital A) of the New Testament that are mentioned in Eph 2:20 and Eph 3:5 as foundational to the church. Through observation I see that there are pioneers to start new work (think missionary), there at those who warn of coming judgment (prophets), those who are eager to share good news (evangelists) and those who care for and instruct for long-term health as I am called to do.

TRANSITION: Both Pioneering and Building require partnerships. All 4 of the Ephesian roles require partnerships. Every place Paul went; he sought to establish partnerships in order to build bodies. This is explained in the next group of verses.

A Strategic Partnership (Romans 15:22-28)

Those who GO (Ro 15:25)

Behind me and to my right are flags of 23 countries. 22 of these represent the countries where our mission dollars are making the largest contributions.

As I read through the list of countries, I ask you to count the number of countries you have personally placed your foot on their soil…

I know all of you have stood in at least 1 of these countries, but how many of us have stood in all 23? 15? 10? 5? How many? Which ones?

Paul says to the citizens of Rome that he is going to Jerusalem to do what they cannot do from Rome, then he hoped to go to Spain to do what they could not do from Rome.

Later this month we will hear from one who crosses cultural lines within our country and another who is crossing oceans and borders to do what cannot be done from Chase County, Kansas.

Those who GIVE (Ro 15:26)

The success of those who go is absolutely dependent upon those who give from where they remain.

Jerusalem would not have their needs met if Macedonia and Achaia (southern most regions of Europe) These would have included believers in Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth.

Paul was not ashamed to ask for the Romans’ assistance in getting to Spain (Ro 15.24,28).

The countries represented behind me will not be reached for Jesus if existing believers do not give.

TRANSITION: Missions activity is not just a financial transaction! It is a…

A Spiritual Process (Romans 15:29-33)

Paul appeals to the body of Christ to partner with him in Gospel spread.

I am familiar with many methods that churches use for giving. I’m aware of Joash boxes at the doors, I’m aware of some that do a march to the altar. I know of some churches with a kiosk at the welcome center or passing of tablets for people to swipe a card. I’m familiar with churches that provide a QR code or text-to-give electronically. I know that some of us give by automatic transfer from bank to bank.

Our leaders choose to speak about stewardship and pass a physical basket during worship for 2 reasons that have nothing to do with financial transaction. 1) We want all donors to realize that giving is a matter of God’s worth - it is worship. By using the time in the middle of our service, the intent is that those who have already arranged for a financial transaction will see that as an act of worth. and 2) It provides an opportunity for more of our body to serve. We are raising up servers when the young people receive your tithes and offering.

Likewise, mission giving is not just a financial exchange, it is a stewardship of the Gospel and its spread.

A ministry of Prayer (Ro 15.30)

Paul appeals for their prayers

Paul offers specific ways for them to pray (Ro 15.31)

A missionary’s appeal for prayer is WAY MORE than a technique to capture your contact information! It is a powerful way to legitimately partner with the one who goes!

A ministry of Presence (Ro 15.32)

In 1967 a short film was made telling the story of those who wanted to spread the Gospel with the least amount of effort on their part. In 1974 the story was told in the form of a comic book.

I’ve read the billboards, I’ve passed on touching the tract placed on the urinal in the public restroom. I’ve read many pros and cons of He gets us commercials.  I applaud efforts of Broadcasting and technologylike internetmissionaries.org WHERE physical presence is not permitted.

But we cannot deputize technology with OUR responsibility to the Great Commission! Every tract publisher I know admits that a personal exchange multiplies the effectiveness of literature at least 10x.

Impersonal messages like “I’ve got great jeans” can be misconstrued and cause more problems than it solves. I personally participated in a calling-room for an attempt to create public curiosity with a blitz of “I found it.”

Anonymous messaging absolutely benefits from PERSONAL presence that Paul mentions in Ro 15.32

Even the anonymous ministry of Gideon Bibles is committed to EVERY Bible or Testament being placed personally by a member of Gideons International.

Even as Paul writes a letter, he realizes the benefit of a personal visit. How often do we trash bulkmail (even from services we value) without even opening the envelope or unfolding the pamphlet?

A ministry of Peace (Ro 15.33)

Missions is more than just a communication exchange. It is a spiritual process whereby the triune God works in givers, goers, and gospel-recipients to accomplish His task of repairing the breach and establishing peace between God and man.

Conclusion

The task of Global Gospel Spread can seem overwhelming. But you know how they tell you to eat an elephant...one bite at a time; so here are some bite-sized suggestions for your application of this text.

Light & Lamp Application:

Light for my Path

God’s Kingdom cannot be contained or controlled!

Lamps for my Steps

Go to operationwold.org, click on the interactive map, select 2 countries to watch the report

Choose 1 people group from the OperationWorld map and 1 people group from the Christian Aid Mission Prayerline and pray 5 days for an increased burden.

Select 1 of FHCC’s ministry partners (see Sharon Harshman, Missions Chair) to mail a hand-written note of encouragement.