Three Marks of a Gospel-Governed Life

Instructions

Will you take your Bible and turn to Romans 15:22–33? Please search the Scriptures with us. Don't be afraid to use your index.

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Capture

When the gospel takes hold of you, it doesn't just change your eternal destination—it takes over your present life.

Paul already said it in Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

Not intentions.

Your body—time, money, energy, habits.

Significance

Here, nearing the close of Romans, Paul shows us exactly what that sacrifice looks like.

Context

Paul has spent 11 chapters on the mercies of God and 3 chapters on Christian behavior. Romans 15 closes not with abstract theology but with travel plans, fundraising logistics, and prayer requests. It looks like a missionary newsletter. But Paul is revealing what a living sacrifice looks like in three dimensions.

The Question

What does a life governed by the gospel actually look like?

Bible Verse

Romans 15:22–24 CSB

22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while

1. The gospel governs when we gather (vv. 22–24, 29).

Paul's Verbs Reveal His Heart

Paul opens with a confession: "This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you."

Notice the verbs of a man who wants the church:

He's "been prevented many times" (v. 22),

He's he's "longed for many years" (v. 23),

He "hopes" to see them and wants to "enjoy your company for a while" (v. 24).

That's not a man treating fellowship like an accessory.

Paul teaches us that the default posture of a believer is bent toward fellowship—eager, longing, planning to be with the family of God.

If you can stay away from the gathering of God's people with no grief, no hunger, no loss—something is wrong.

But he says he was hindered.

And what stopped him?

Not forgetfulness. Not laziness.

He was hindered by the gospel itself—unreached territories, perishing souls, churches that needed planting.

God providentially hindered Paul's desire for fellowship.

The Confrontation: The Fellowship Test

Here's the pressure point: what keeps you from the people of God?

When you miss worship, when you disappear from the body, can you honestly say Christ providentially hindered you?

We miss church and say, "I was busy" or "Something came up."

By sleeping in? By a boat on the lake? By bad weather?

It is more accurate to say, "My priorities hindered me."

Look at verse 29:

Romans 15:29 CSB

29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul did get to Rome—in chains, as a prisoner of Emperor Nero, after two shipwrecks.

Application

Put the gathering of the church back where it belongs.

Plan for Sunday like it matters.

Build your week around worship, not worship around your week.

If you have a real hindrance—sickness, caregiving, unavoidable work—ask God for help and ask yourself: when was the last time I rearranged my schedule because I was eager to be with God's people?

We don't need more time. We need reordered priorities.

If Paul—the apostle who planted churches across continents—made fellowship a strategic priority, what does your calendar say?

2. The gospel governs what we give (vv. 25–28).

Paul shifts in verse 25:

Romans 15:25–26 CSB

25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, 26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

He's carrying a massive financial collection from Gentile churches in Greece back to poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.

Why? Is this just charity?

It's a Debt, Not a Tip

Look at verse 27:

Romans 15:27 CSB

27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs.

Paul calls it debt—opheiletēs. Not "if they feel led." Debt.

Why?

The Jewish believers sowed the gospel into Gentile soil—the Scriptures, the apostles, the Messiah Himself. T

The Gentiles reaped eternal life.

Therefore, the Gentiles owe a material return.

Look at verse 28.

Romans 15:28 CSB

28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain.

Verse 28 calls it "fruit."

Spiritual sowing produces material fruit.

Principle: Receiving spiritual good creates responsibility for material support.

The Broader NT Pattern

This is the biblical pattern for the local church.

Paul uses the same principle in 1 Corinthians 9 and Galatians 6.

1 Corinthians 9:11 CSB

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

Galatians 6:6 CSB

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.

Ministers sow spiritual things into congregations. Congregations owe material support back.

We love to treat giving like a tip at a restaurant.

Paul says: No. If you have been fed spiritually, you owe a debt materially.

This isn't the prosperity gospel—we're not telling you to sow money to reap money.

This is a gratitude gospel.

You received spiritual good; is it really so much to give material things?

What About Tithing?: Cheerful and Sacrificial

"So, Pastor, how much? Do I have to tithe 10%?"

You won't find a commanded tithe in the New Testament.

But you do find a principle that transcends the law.

Abraham—the father of all believers—gave a tenth to Melchizedek, a type of Christ, before the law (Genesis 14).

So yes, 10% is a good biblical principle.

But we don't use 10% alone to determine your giving.

In the New Testament, giving must be two things:

Cheerful

2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

In the New Testament, giving must be two things:

Cheerful

Sacrificial

Philippians 4:18 CSB

18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

We aim for the intersection of those two.

Here's the test:

If it's cheerful but costs you nothing, it's not sacrificial.

If it's sacrificial but makes you bitter, it's not cheerful.

For some, 10% is the starting line of sacrifice.

For others, 10% might crush you and steal your joy.

Find the spot where you're giving cheerfully and stretching.

That's the debt you owe to gospel ministry that benefits you.

Application

If you've received spiritual riches—if preaching has fed you, if discipleship has strengthened you—you owe an open wallet.

Choose an amount you can give gladly and one that requires real trust.

If ten percent is a helpful starting line, use it as a principle—not a badge.

But don't hide behind "no tithe command" as an excuse for a closed fist.

If you've been fed spiritually, fruit belongs on the tree.

3. The gospel governs with whom we pray (vv. 30–33)

Finally, Paul takes us into the engine room:

Romans 15:30 CSB

30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.

Agonizing Prayer: Prayer Is Warfare

The word for "strive together" is sunagōnizomai—it gives us "agonize."

It's the language of the wrestling mat, the battlefield.

Paul wasn't asking for polite bedtime prayers.

He needed them in the foxhole.

What does Paul need them to agonize over?

Romans 15:31–32 CSB

31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.

Paul gives specific requests: deliverance from "the disobedient" in Judea (v. 31), acceptance of the offering, a joyful arrival "by the will of God" (v. 32).

He's heading into the lion's den—there's a hit out on his life.

Do you pray like that—specific, urgent, others-focused, mission-aware?

Or is your prayer life thin—occasional, vague, mostly about your comfort?

The Instinct of the Body: Prayer Is Instinct

Why should the Romans care?

They've never met Paul.

Look at how he motivates it:

Romans 15:30 CSB

30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.

Spurgeon answers: "In Christ Jesus there has been begotten in our hearts an affection for one another which death itself shall not destroy. It is the instinct of the new nature."

If I step on your foot, your mouth cries out.

Why?

The nerves are connected—they're part of the same body.

When Paul is in danger, the Roman church hits its knees.

When a gospel partner is in danger, the church hits its knees.

That's the anatomy of the body of Christ.

The Result: Peace Is the Goal

Paul closes with a benediction:

Romans 15:33 CSB

33 May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.

Here's the paradox:

We agonize in prayer so we might rest in the God of Peace.

The church doesn't get peace by pretending there's no conflict.

The church gets peace by fighting the right battles on its knees.

Application

If you love your pastors but never pray for them, Romans 15 confronts you.

If you want gospel fruit but won't labor in prayer, Romans 15 confronts you.

Pray daily for your pastors and missionaries.

Pray for conversions.

Pray for unity.

And when you feel nothing—pray anyway.

Dependence is not a mood; it's obedience.

Take-Home Truth

The Gospel doesn't just save your soul; it commandeers your calendar, opens your wallet, and bends your knees.

Paul didn't write Romans 15 to give us a travel blog.

He was revealing what a living sacrifice actually requires: a calendar bent toward fellowship, a wallet opened in debt, knees agonizing for the mission.

And if you're thinking, "I can't live like this," you're finally seeing the point.

You need Christ.

This is about what it means to be in the body of Christ.

Jesus had the perfect yielded calendar.

He set His face toward Jerusalem when everyone tried to detour Him.

Jesus had the perfect open hand.

His hands were nailed open for sinners.

Jesus had the perfect bended knee.

In Gethsemane He agonized alone—and He did it for you.

Union with Christ doesn't just forgive you; it remakes you.

The same Savior who justifies you also reorders you—schedule, wallet, prayer life—because His mercies take possession of the whole man.

Summons

Do a self-audit right now.

Check your calendar:

Look at your absences from this body.

Can you honestly say, "I was hindered by the Lord for the sake of the Gospel"?

Or were you hindered by your own priorities?

Block out Sunday.

Make fellowship non-negotiable.

Check your wallet:

Are you giving?

Are you tipping God or giving a debt?

If you can give 10% without feeling it, go higher.

If 10% crushes you, start lower but start somewhere.

Find the intersection of cheerful and stretching.

That's your debt.

Check your knees:

When was the last time you agonized in prayer for this church? For your pastors? For the lost?

Not polite prayers. Wrestling prayers.

Wake up! We are in a war!

Come Wednesday night.

Agonize for your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, our missionaries.

We need a church that gathers together, gives together, and prays together.

When we do that, the God of Peace will be with us.

Repent, Believe, and Be Baptized

If you're not a Christian, you stand outside this sacrifice. But Christ sacrificed everything for you. Turn from your sin. Trust the crucified and risen Christ. He will save you and change you.

Spurgeon said, "Ungodly man, if thou art ever to be saved, thou must draw nigh to God in prayer. Go to him at this moment, just where thou art sitting, and confess all thy sin to him; there is no need for thee to utter a word that any of us can hear, for God can read the language of thy heart."

"Dear Jesus, I confess I'm a sinner deserving judgment. I've lived in rebellion. I cannot save myself. But I believe You died for my sins and rose to give me eternal life. Forgive me, come into my life, grant everlasting life. Help me live for You. Amen."

Baptism is the visible side of faith, the public confession of your commitment to follow Christ. To sign up, text BELIEVE to 706-525-5351 or visit www.mtcarmeldemorest.com/baptism.

A Prayer for Gospel-Governance

God of peace, we confess we have treated Your church lightly. We have guarded our schedules, clenched our fists, and lived on our own strength. By the mercies You have given us in Christ, reorder us. Protect this church from division. Refresh us with Christ, and make us faithful living sacrifices—submitted in our time, open in our giving, and fervent on our knees. In Jesus' name, amen.