Romans 16:17-27 "Final Warning & Words"

Let’s Pray!

Good Morning, Calvary Chapel Lake City!

Well… what a big day! Today we finish Paul’s epistle to the Romans.

We began this journey through Romans at the end of September 2024… now almost a year later… in 44 messages total… we come to the end of this fantastic doctrinal letter by Paul.

In some sense, we should never praise ourselves for studying the word of God… that should just be part of our spiritual DNA… as part of our reality as Christians.

We should desire to know God more and understand what Jesus has done and what the Holy Spirit is doing in us… and these truths are packed into his word.

But on the other hand… Romans is not exactly light reading…

Romans is a highly theological book… and for those more devotionally inclined… this has been a difficult journey… so great job in hanging in there!

I’d like to start a new tradition here at Calvary Chapel Lake City… that when we finish a book… we celebrate with snacks.

But, today is our Fellowship Lunch, SO… next week we will have a snack celebration after church.

I’m sure the anticipation will be unbearable. Snack Celebration will be in you dreams. Sorry for that!

The last two weeks… we have been looking at Paul’s rather lengthy conclusion… 756 words in Greek.

More than the typical 1-2 sentence conclusion we write at the close of an email.

We saw last time that Paul commended Phoebe… a Christian sister… known for her good reputation of serving at her church… and for helping… for being a patroness or financial supporter to Paul and many others.

And, being there was no public postal service in Rome… it was customary to find a trusted letter carrier… and to commend that person at the end of your letter.

And since Phoebe was commended… it’s widely accepted that she carried this letter from a port city near Corinth, Greece… to Rome… likely sailing on a merchant vessel for up to 15 days.

Not an easy journey… but she said, “Yes.”

The list of people we read about last week was full of people who said “Yes” to Christ… and labored until exhaustion… and were Paul’s fellow workers… and fellow prisoners.

Paul mentioned over 30 people by name plus 3 house churches and other groups of people.

Jews, Gentiles, 27 Men, 10 Women, Slaves, Freedmen, Social Elites, Common Citizens… people from all walks of life…

A revolutionary list of people who believed in Jesus Christ… and elevated unity in Christ… over Roman classes… and hierarchy… and societal customs.

As Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

And, today… we will continue to see Paul’s love for his Christian brothers and sisters as he closes this epistle with his “Final Warning & Words” which is our message title today.

Let’s now close this epistle… and in reverence for God’s word, please stand as I read our passage.

Romans 16:17-27 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

Praise God for His word. Please be seated.

After Paul greets a number of people in Rome in vv3-16… in vv 17-18, Paul extends a warning to them.

Now this may feel disconnected… like Paul strayed off to grab some coffee… encountered a divisive person… was reminded of the dangers of false teaching… and now wants to warn the Roman church.

But, Paul can’t just copy / paste this final warning into the scroll or codex…

So, does Paul think… “Oh no. What to do? I want to add this thought, but where? I don’t have space in the margins. I know… I’ll just slap it in here at the end.”

That’s not what’s going on here. This thought is entirely connected to Paul’s love for the people he just greeted.

Romans is a letter inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus it’s coherent and connected… it’s very intentional that this warning is found here.

This is NOT an AFTER THOUGHT… it’s a CAPSTONE THOUGHT… it’s of the greatest importance and that’s why it’s here at the end… so they do not forget.

Sadly… many people do forget… or just disregard the warning… which is harmful.

And avoidable if we adhere to the boundaries to turn away from the divisive and offensive person.

Last week, we read about how Paul knew the people in Rome… he knew their stories, their works… it is obvious that Paul cared deeply for people…

And, as Paul closes and greets his beloved in Rome… he is inspired by the Holy Spirit to think about what may destroy those he holds so dear.

In his love and care for people… what better way to end this letter than with a practical warning of the dangers that could lead to tragedy and disruption of ALL that he previously wrote about in this epistle…

And these the dangers of divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine they learned.

Now… these dangers can from without or from within.

From false teachers without and their false teachings who Paul titles “savage wolves” in Acts 20:29.

And from those who would rise up from within the flock… speaking perverse things and drawing away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).

And the warning against the false… is repeated in Scripture.

7x we read of “false prophets. ”

2x we read of “false christs.”

2x “false brethren”… 1x “false teachers.”

We read of “false lips”, a “false tongue”, a “false pen”, a “false vision”, “false divination”, “false dreams”… and so forth.

And, God does NOT like it…

Of the things described as an abomination to God in Pro 6… are “A lying tongue”, “And one who sows discord among the brethren.”

So, Paul here in Romans 16… is penning a warning that God has hated always.

And, truly Paul’s warning here in Rom 16 and in Acts 20 and elsewhere… is founded in love.

In fact… when Paul warned the Ephesian elders about a the same danger…

Hear Paul’s heart. We read in Acts 20:31 “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

Paul was moved for a long time (three years)… warned them repeatedly (night and day)… and with great loving affection (to the point of tears)…

This is a Shepherd… this is a true friend… he loved them and was concerned for them… thus he warned them.

A friend with the same heart attitude of Paul… who would warn you… or caution you about a person who is causing division and offenses… is a true friend indeed.

And like this final thought to the Romans… to the Ephesians… Paul emphasized the importance of watching for… noting… and avoiding false teachers and false disciples.

And the Ephesians seemed to take this warning to heart… for when John wrote Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus some 40 years later…

In Rev 2:2 Jesus praised the Ephesian church saying, “… you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars...”

The Ephesian church was sensitive to watch for false teachers… and they had a reputation for doing many good works.

Their issue… which we’ll discuss in our next Revelation study… was they left their first love.

For all that we do for the Lord… don’t forget… of primary importance… in our intimacy with… our love for the Lord.

Looking closer now at V17… Paul begins writing “Now I urge you, brethren...”

The word urge in Gk is parakaleō… a well known word meaning “to exhort, to implore, to beg.”

This is not a casual suggestion, but it’s Paul pleading with them to listen.

“Note those… ” Note… Gk. skopeō “keep your eye on, look at, contemplate...”

It’s root word skopos means “a watchman or a mark.”

I prefer to mark them with something bright… fluorescent spray paint… Bic BodyMark Markers…

I’m considering switching over to a Paint Ball gun… much more tactical.

You may think I’m just greeting people at the door…

… But now… if you hear a spray can going off at the back… now you’ll know what’s up.

Interesting… Skopos is the root word for our English word scope.

Related to tools… the "telescope" and "microscope” tools for viewing or observing deep within… or deep without.

We are to “...note [observe and mark]…those who cause divisions and offenses…”

Division means “a standing apart or dissension”…

Offenses Gk skandalon (in English Scandal)… means “a trap, a snare, a stumbling block.”

It’s translated as “hindrances” or “obstacles.”

Something that would cause one to trip and lead to destruction or ruin… or an occasion of sinning…

And in this context… it’s false teaching…

As seen in the words… “… contrary to the doctrine which you learned...”

The NLT renders this "… by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught.”

A false teacher misleads another from truth.

In 2 Pet 2:1-3, Peter warned, “… there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words...”

Heresy is when a “party” or “sect” is formed from the parent body… and teach contrary to the accepted beliefs.

Paul spoke about sects or “factions” forming in the Corinthian church…

Divisions formed when they gathered for meals… some would eat in front of others and wouldn’t share… even when there were hungry Christians present.

They were even getting drunk at church gatherings.

And while this was bad, Paul said it had the good result of making it clear who the true Christians were.

1 Corinthians 11:19 “For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.”

Back in 2 Pet 2:1, Peter spoke about false teachers who set up shop “among you”… within the church… posing as ministers of the gospel…

They come in secret… As wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7)… as tares growing among wheat (Matt 13)…

Jesus spoke often about false teachers and their sneaky ways… and Jesus warned people with parables.

False teachings are destructive… they blaspheme the truth… denying faith in Jesus Christ as the sole means to salvation.

Jude 4 states, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And one of our best defenses to “note those”… to identify the false… is to know the word of God.

To be a student of the scriptures.

So WHEN… not IF… but WHEN someone tries to pay you with a counterfeit bill… you can clearly spot the error.

“This is NO $100 bill. Look at the blurry printing… the off colors… there are even missing security features! Feel the paper texture… it’s all wrong.”

If you know the genuine, you won’t be ripped off by the counterfeit.

If you know the word, when you hear false teaching… your little Spidey Senses will tingle… and you’ll think, “That didn’t sound quite right to me.”

And, that’s why we hold such a high view of Scripture here at Calvary Chapel Lake City… it’s a key reason we teach Chapter-by-Chapter and Verse-by-Verse…

It’s why we teach the Bible… the whole counsel of God… rightly dividing the word of truth.

Peter wrote “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him...” (2 Pet 1:3)…

This includes ‘the Christ’s high priestly work… the ministry of the Holy Spirit… our new life at conversion… and the instruction of the word of God.”

And, after we believe in Christ… instruction in the word of God must be a focus…

… to prepare us for glory… as part of our sanctification… as part of our training to avoid deception.

I love this warning from our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:15-16, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.”

MacDonald described ravenous wolves as “vicious unbelievers who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible.”

Though initially they appear as Sheep… but you can spot them… the fruit they bear is contrary to the fruit of the Holy Spirit… their fruit divides, it does not unify… their fruit serves them and brings glory to them…

… they live to satisfy themselves… seeking power, position, they feed their pride…

Often they lead hedonistic and licentious lifestyles.

We read in 2 Pet 2:3 “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words...”

Their motive is greed and they exploit or deceive for one’s advantage… and they do this with deceptive words.

V18 in Romans today… They serve their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Their teaching is convincing… and strums the heart’s strings… but it strays from the truth of scripture… though it sounds believable.

Satan’s forked silver tongue was known to twist scripture.

As early as Eden, Satan tempted Eve asking, "Did God really say?”

Satan distorted God’s words… and exaggerated God’s prohibition… sowing doubt… and then directly contradicted God’s warning… "You will not certainly die”…

And, then he suggested God was withholding something desirable. And, Eve was deceived.

In Scripture, Satan displayed a pattern…

His strategy included using partial truths… selective quoting of scripture (out-of-context)… and misapplication of God’s words to deceive.

And, false teachers do the same… for they are like their father the devil.

Paul confirmed this writing about false teachers in Corinth. They desired to be regarded as equals with Paul…

And, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, Paul wrote, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

So… do not be surprised if you see those who cause divisions and offenses mimicking the ungodly and deceptive behaviors of Satan.

In fact, in the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus explained the parable and said, “the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil.”

The tares that have been planted in the church are a ‘corrupting influence’…

MacDonald wrote, “Satan has a counterfeit for every divine reality. He sows the world with those who look like, talk like, and, to some extent, walk like disciples. But they are not genuine followers of the King.”

They are unbelievers posing a ministers of righteousness… just as Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (which he is not).

And these tares will remain until the end of this age… until the harvest when they will be sorted out and burned in, as the parable states, “the furnace of fire” where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Which is a consistent picture of the end state in hell for all unbelievers.

We see this first time of harvest at the end of the tribulation at Jesus’ Second Advent in what’s called the Sheep/Goat judgment… but then the final and eternal separation occurs at the end of the Millennium at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Scripture is clear that God does not tolerate a corrupting influence… a false presence… and unbeliever of Jesus Christ to remain in His kingdom… any such notion is against scripture and a false teaching. Avoid it.

And, avoid them… Chuck Smith has said something to the effect of, “If you put a German Shepherd with a pack of wolves… will the wolves become domesticated, or will the dog become wild?”

The negative influence of the false teacher is more likely to penetrate… so avoid them.

And Paul’s counsel here in Romans 16, regarding those causing divisions and offenses contrary to the teaching which you have learned… is clear… “… avoid them.”

Other translations more simply read, “Stay away from them.” … “Keep away from them.”

By def., “turn away from.”

Paul urges those he loves… to keep their eye on those who would cause divisions and put obstacles in the way contrary to the teachings they learned… and when one such individual is identified…

… don’t run towards them… don’t try to convert them… don’t disciple them and be their friend…

Avoid them.

And why? V18 “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

This is their motivation. Their service is NOT unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

His is NOT their Lord… they do not submit to Him as Master.

They serve their own belly.

In Phil… Paul warns to “note those” who are the enemies of the cross of Christ… he writes in Philippians 3:19 “… whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”

The belly lit. means “hollow” or “a cavity”… it represents the stomach… fig. the heart… it’s the innermost being.

The appetite of unbelievers varies, but commonly… they desire to feed their flesh and their pride… which may manifest in a variety of ways…

Power… position… purpose… monetary gain… recognition… lifestyle… they seek their own glory… to build their own kingdom… they do not serve Jesus Christ.

They are deceivers. Deceive means “to seduce wholly or thoroughly.”

In Ezk 34:2, God prophesied against the shepherds of Israel stating, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”

They took advantage of the flock. They did not “feed the flock, they fleeced the flock.”

And, they do this… a strategy of theirs is “by smooth words and flattering speech.”

Smooth words… or “persuasive words” Col 2:4… or “deceptive words” 2 Pet 2:3…

Their words sound “good” (that’s what smooth means)… they sound biblical… they sound mostly right, but there’s something a little bit off…

A trick as old as Satan in the garden.

They twist words… they manipulate scripture…

They promise prosperity as an absolute… ‘if you give $1000, you will see a return.’

They claim to know secret truths… they stir up emotions.

And, they flatter. “Flattering” in Gk is ĕulŏgia.

From which, in English, we get our word “eulogy.” A eulogy is ‘a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.’

By def. “flattering” means “fine speaking, blessing, praise.”

And, false teachers use flattery as a form of manipulation on a personal level.

The late Pastor Gayle Irwin has a really message on YouTube titled “Dealing With Manipulators.” I highly recommend you check it out.

Manipulators use flattering speech because… well… because it works.

“Hey brother… hey sister… I have to tell you, I’m so impressed by you. You’re such a spiritual person… I can really tell you love the Lord… and you’re such a great influence… people really look up to you… you’re going to have impact.”

“Oh yeah? Tell me more. This is really working out for me.”

Flattery works because we love to hear about ourselves… and false brethren weasel their way into our hearts with this tactic.

You might be tempted to think, “That would work on me… I’m a mature Christian. I wouldn’t fall for something like that. I’m well studied… I’m not milky.”

Well… who is Paul writing to? Not the carnal Corinthians… He’s writing to the Romans.

Paul wrote his great doctrinal thesis to the Roman Christians… a group that could handle this depth… and his final capstone point IS this warning.

Deep knowledge can make one an easier target. Through flattery a deceiver can play on your love for knowledge.

“Let me give you knowledge to the fullest.” Which is a form of manipulation as well.

What did Satan say to Eve? “… your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Many false teachers today… change the narrative of scripture…

The sermon becomes a story about how YOU are victorious… about how you are the hero.

About how through your good works… you can save yourself. You can save your family. It’s rubbish… it’s a tactic.

Do you know there are dozens of sales books published today on story telling and making the customer the hero?

And many Pastors preach the same way… and remove Jesus from the story.

But, Christians are NOT customers… NOR are we the hero of the story.

There is only ONE HERO… and His name is Jesus Christ… He alone is the Savior over all history.… and all history is HIS Story.

But, by smooth word and flattering speech, false teachers deceive the hearts of the simple.

The simple are by def. “guileless, innocent, unsuspecting.”

The fact that Paul lays down this classification (“the simple”) seems to suggest that not all are readily deceived,

It’s been suggest the “simple” are most often those young in faith… but we must all be discerning and vigilant.

Any of us can be blind sided.

Eve walked with God in perfection, and even she was deceived.

Verses 17 & 18 of Romans 16 are two of my favorite verses in the Bible for they protect us from harm.

They have served as a guide to many… and empower us that it’s wise to have boundaries and avoid those who cause divisions and offenses.

Now… as Paul continues… in V19… he makes it clear the Romans were doing well to avoid these destructive situations…

V19 “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”

The reputation of the saint in Rome was good. They were known to throughout the churches to be obedient to Jesus Christ… and their faith was spoken of throughout the world (Rom 1:8).

The Roman saints obeyed the gospel… the word of God… and the Apostle’s instructions.

In the context of those who would divide and deceive… Paul’s desire was for them to be wise.

‘As sheep in the midst of wolves… to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.’ (Matt 10:16).

To be “wise” meaning “clever, intelligent, divinely instructed” in good teaching.

And, “simple” (different Gk word from V18)… simple here means “unmixed or pure.”

Paul wanted them to be unresponsive or unadulterated to evil teaching. For their doctrine to remain pure.

And then Paul lays down this hopeful encouragement… this faithful promise…

V20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

God is the “God of peace.”

In justification, we have peace WITH God.

And, through abiding in Christ, we know the peace OF God. A peace that surpasses understanding.

And, God desires peace for the church… not disruption by Satan and his minions… his tares… his false teachers…

… whose end is destruction… whom God will crush under… interesting… not “His”, but “your” feet… shortly… “shortly” meaning “quickly.”

In one sense, we know the end of Satan… he is bound… ultimately cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20)… fulfilling Gen 3:15.

But V20 may refer to how… as the Roman saints reject false teachers, those under the sway of the devil… how they would disrupt the work of Satan… and it would be swift.

Either way… what a blessing knowing… God reigns victorious… and saints are on the winning team.

And then, Paul lays out this benediction, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

This is a characteristic benediction of Paul. The phrase “the grace of our Lord” appears 10x in Pauline epistles… and it’s how the Book of Revelation closes.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor and we need the Lord’s grace… praise God for his grace… our lives and salvation is all about grace.

And Paul pronounces Grace to the Saints in Rome… here and in V24.

And, then Paul says, “Amen.” meaning “truly” or “So be it.”

For us… it’s how we close prayers… it’s how Pastors typically close their teachings.

But not Paul… here at the end of Romans.

In Paul’s conclusion… he writes “Amen” 4x.

At the end of Chapter 15, and then in Chapter 16… vv 20, 24, and 27.

If a Pastor says “Amen” or “Finally” or “To close”… people get excited to hear those words… especially if that Pastor has preached long.

But then if the Pastor goes on for a long time after saying “Amen” or “finally”… it’s like he broke a unwritten rule.

People feel a sense of injustice… perhaps discouraged… maybe even provoked to wrath… especially when lunch is waiting.

“You can’t do a “double finally” Pastor… you Sir have overstepped.”

But, truly what Paul demonstrates here is “biblical Apostolic precedence" for people who minister the word.

Paul here gives the Pastor a gift to stand upon…

“If Paul can close a letter with four Amens… then it is permissible for me to close with a double finally.”

Well… finally… in the next four verses… those with Paul are recognized… and they send greetings to Rome.

V21 “Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.”

Timothy… his name means “honoring God.” No doubt this is Paul’s “son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2)…

Scripture tells us his mother was Jewish, his father was Greek…

He was a faithful worker… assisting in ministry and carrying letters. To him Paul wrote 2 Pastoral epistles.

We spoke about Ephesus earlier… and from apocryphal writings and Foxes Book of Martyrs… we read that Timothy served as the first Bishop in Ephesus for about 15 years after Paul’s imprisonment.

Around 97 A.D. he died at age 80 when he tried to stop a pagan procession to Diana by preaching the Gospel and denouncing idoloatry.

An angry mob beat him badly, dragged him through the streets and he died of his injuries two days later. He was buried in Ephesus…

And, look… tragic end no doubt. But he finished his course and ran his race to win. He was faithful to the end and stands as an example to us today of one who stood up boldly… to the face of the lies of society.

Lucius… his name means “of the light.”

There is a “Lucius of Cyrene” mentioned in a list of ‘prophets and teachers’ in Acts 13:1. Whether this is the same… we don’t know.

Some think Lucius was Dr. Luke, but again… we cannot say for sure.

Jason… not the “argonaut”… though I did love the “stop-motion animation” from the 1963 film.

His name means “healing.”

There was an assault on Jason’s house in Thessalonica Acts 17.

Thessalonica to Corinth (where Paul wrote Romans) was a doable trip. About a 4 day walk… perhaps easier via sailing.

So this may have been Jason from Thessalonica.

Sosipater… his name means “Savior of his father” or “Saving father.”

Potentially the same as “Sopater of Berea” in Acts 20 who accompanied Paul to Asia Minor.

All four of these men in V21 are Paul’s countrymen… Jewish Christians… and in Paul’s circle of those who ministered with him.

They all said, “Yes” and all have their names penned in eternal scripture.

For the rest of the story… you’ll have to see them in heaven.

The good news is when you hear their name… you won’t feel at a disadvantage… like running into a celebrity whom you don’t recognize.

Because that’s always awkward. You have to whisper to your friend, “Who is that?”

You won’t have to do that… you can confidently say, “Hey… you’re one of Paul’s friends listed at the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans!”

“I know you.” You can tell other people, “I know him.”

Paul mentions some 35 people in Acts 16… Paul had now been in ministry for some 20 years… and he had built relationships with many who came to faith.

He was not some stoic philosopher and isolationist. Acts 16 testifies he was involved with many people‘s lives.

He was not just a teacher… he was also a Pastor.

This testifies that Paul was not simply a teacher, but that he was also a pastor. He was a pastor teacher

V22 “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.”

Next time you’re at a Christian party… if you want to confuse people… ask you friends “who wrote the book of Romans.”

And when they happily reply “Paul!”

You say… “No, it was Tertius.”

No one will talk to you the rest of the evening. And, you won’t get any dessert. But, at least you had a laugh.

Tertius has a really creative name… it means “third.” Quartus in the next verse… his name means “fourth.”

It had to be a Dad that came up with these names. “Third, come here. Fourth… go to your room.”

In reality, those with numbers for names… very likely had a slave background. Perhaps freed at this point.

Regardless, being their names are listed here… they are Christian brothers.

And, Tertius served as Paul’s scribe (or technically his “amanuensis”).

Perhaps due to Paul having eye issues… Paul often used a scribe, but would sign with his own hand for emphasis or authentication.

And, how cool is this. Tertius got to write his own name into eternal scriptures.

V23 “Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.”

Gaius… his name means, “I am glad. On earth.” That’s what the Dictionary of Bible names says.

Odd name. What do you say to that? “I’m glad you’re glad. I’m also on earth.”

There are several Gaius’ listed in scripture.

Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4).

John addressed his 3rd epistle to “the beloved Gaius.”

Being Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, this is probably Gaius of Corinth… one of the few whom Paul baptized (1 Cor 1:14).

Gaius hosted the whole church at his home… so he was likely a man of means… and likely had a very large house, and had the gift of hospitality.

Civic officials in 1st century Corinth had homes roughly 4,300–5,400 square feet… so not too shabby.

Erastus… his name means “beloved.”

Act 19:22 and 2 Tim 4:20 also mention an Erastus.

And he was the treasurer of the city… which was not an elected position, but an appointed position… meaning he had deep political connections.

And he likely had deep pockets. Archeologists found what is called “The Erastus Inscription ” in Corinth… dating back to the 50’s A.D. … same time Paul was there.

And the inscription reads, "Erastus in return for his [a]edileship laid this pavement at his own expense."

An [a]edile managed public works, finances, markets, and taxes… which aligns with the role of a treasurer.

Imagine Kosciusko County giving you a call… “Hey… can you cover the cost to repave 30 in Warsaw?”

If you can pay for a road to be built… you’re doing pretty good.

V23 ends with Quartus (Fourth)… a Christian brother… likely a slave or freedman… whom we know little about… who also sends a greeting.

And this testifies of the diversity in the early church… in vv 22-23 alone… there are two slaves and two social elites.

Roman culture did not bring these groups together… this is what commonality in Christ does.

V24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Once again… Paul’s common benediction of Grace… and third mention of “Amen” since the end of Chapter 15.

Finally… finally for real this time… Paul’s closing doxology…

vv25-27 “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

Paul closes this letter bursting forth in praise of God… who alone is “able to establish” the Christian.

“Able to establish” or “able to strengthen”… God is able to make His people stand firm.

God brings stability in our lives… how unstable would our lives be without God? I don’t like to ponder the reality of my life without God. I know what my life was like before God… and the only answer for the “old man” was death.

God uses the gospel to bring the message of Christ into our lives… and then the Holy Spirit to in-dwell and baptize us… and He uses the word to sanctify us…

He uses ‘all things’ to establish us.

We can think on the man who was demon possessed in Gadara with a legion of demons.

And after he encountered Jesus the people of that region saw him “sitting and clothed and in his right mind.”

Is that not a picture of what Jesus has done for us?

Many of us… prior to Jesus were figuratively wandering… naked… and out of our minds.

And, through faith in Jesus… God established us… and now we sit here… clothed… and in our right minds.

There’s transformative power through faith in Jesus… that no Doctor… or counselor.. nor program… or book can provide.

Paul says it’s “according to my gospel..”

Not according to a false gospel being passed around by false teachers… a works based Gospel.

There is only one way to salvation and it’s to trust in Jesus Christ… this was the Gospel Paul preached.

Which is… according to “… the preaching of Jesus Christ.”

Which could refer to all the Jesus Christ preached during His earthly ministry…

OR… preaching about Jesus Christ.

Both establish the believer.

And, believer’s are established “according to the revelation of the mystery…”

It was a mystery in the Old Testament how God would reveal the Gospel…

How the many prophecies that pointed to Messiah would unfold… how God would save and redeem mankind.

“… things which angels desire to look into.” (1 Pet 1:12)

How God “might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)

How God would unite Jew and Gentile to be fellow heirs… to both partake of His promises (Eph 3:6).

This was God’s plan which was kept secret from the beginning of time…

V26… but now has been made manifest… made known through fulfilled prophecy… to the nations (Gentiles everywhere)…

God commanded the Gospel message to be made known to all nations… so people might obey the faith… and be saved.

We could reflect back to all we read in this great doctrinal letter… all that has been provided to us through this book…

Because of the gospel… and faith in Jesus Christ...we are not condemned… we have been justified… we are being sanctified…

God is faithful and will not abandon us… even when we make mistakes… as He demonstrated historically through Israel.

Thus, we should be fully devoted to Him… our minds transformed and renewed by Him.

(worship team please come… that’s the true finally).

Final verse… Paul states in V27 “… to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

“All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.”

God is the source of all wisdom… to Him belongs all glory through our mediator and great High Priest… Jesus Christ.

And let it be so forever Amen.

Let’s Pray!

We are now going to take communion… remembering all the Lord did and is doing in our lives. Our communion passage is…

1 Cor 11:23-31 “...the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.”

Please distribute the elements...

Communion is a time for us to look three directions…

We look back remembering Jesus’ sacrifice… His broken body and shed blood for the remission of our sins.

His new covenant. Salvation by faith through grace.

Look forward in hope of His imminent return… we proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. He is coming.

This is also a time to look inward for a moment of self-examination…

To reflect on our treatment of other Christians… have we been loving… and unselfish… (per the context of Paul’s passage)?

Reflect and also confess to God any unconfessed sin.

Examine yourself… in order to partake in a worthy manner.

But, the reality is… none of us are worthy… so Praise Jesus… because only in Him have we been made worthy.

Once you have prayed… take the communion elements individually.

Our worship team will play one worship song, and then close us in prayer.

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If you have never accepted Jesus as Lord...

...either let the cup pass and do not partake in communion -or- the better option...

Pray and trust Jesus as your Savior today.

Believe that His death was the sufficient sacrifice for your sins.

… and then take communion.

Our prayer team will be available to pray with anyone who needs prayer as we close.

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