Romans 15

The Ministry of Sacrifice for Unity (1-7)

Love is not selfish rather it seeks to share with others and make other happy

Don’t endure one another, encourage one another

A spiritually mature person is willing to give up their rights so that someone else may be helped, and he does not see this as a burden but a blessing

2 sources to become like this; The Word (4) and Prayer (5-6). A mature Christian has to major in these two things

The Ministry of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (8-13)

When Jesus came and died He confirmed the promises that God made to Abraham and the fathers of the Jewish nation.

In the OT God chose Israel to be a minister to the Gentiles, but instead Israel copied the idolatrous ways of the Gentiles

In the NT God chose Jewish believers to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles and they obeyed.

Notice the progression that Paul lays out here:

The Jews glorify God among the Gentiles (Rom. 15:9, quoting Ps. 18:49)

The Gentiles rejoice with the Jews (Rom. 15:10, quoting Deut. 32:43)

All the Jews and Gentiles together praise God (Rom. 15:11, quoting Ps. 117:1)

Christ shall reign over Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 15:12, quoting Isa. 11:10)

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles (14-24)

Paul’s ministry was received by grace (14-15)

How did Paul experience the grace of God?

Paul’s ministry was centered around the Gospel (16)

Note the Trinity here: Minister of Jesus Christ, of the Gospel of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit

Paul’s ministry was done for God’s glory (17)

Glory - boast, take pride in

Paul was not in it to make a name for himself, he had a much higher purpose in mind

Paul’s ministry was done by God’s power (18-19)

Signs and Wonders in the Bible, miracles, were given to authenticate the message and messenger of God.

Signs and Wonders by themselves cannot save the lost

Acts 14, Paul heals a cripples man at Lystra, they worshipped Paul till he preached the Gospel.

What was the purpose of the signs and wonders? v18. to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed

Paul’s ministry was according to God’s plan (20-24)

God’s plan was always to take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth

Paul finished one job before he started another

There’s no record of Paul making it to Spain

The Gentiles Ministry to the Jew (25-33)

The Gentiles had received a spiritual blessing from the Jews so Paul says it was their duty to minister to their material needs

Gentiles were indebted to the Jews for Jesus

Do we feel in debt to God for how good he has been to us or is it just payment for what we are owed?