Rom 15:14-21
Notes
Transcript
Minor league call up videos.
“Getting the Call”
At this point in the book of Romans, Paul is drawing things to a close it’s been quite a Journey.
Romans had taught us
Orthodoxy (What we know about God as he has revealed himself)
And Orthopraxis (How we are supposed to live in light of what we know)
This verse mentions orthodoxy and orthopraxis, See if you can spot it:
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God
Paul can come across as kind of a stern no nonsense guy. He doesn’t have a lot of time for fluff and Sparing feelings But there are verses like this that remind us that Paul knows that there is potential within messy imperfect people To Have a thriving, healthy church and bring glory to God.
Interesting note:
To instruct you aught to be
Full of wisdom (so your words are based on truth not your opinion)
Full of goodness (so that you are not a hypocrite)
At Sandusky life Church we are committed to not letting the foolish and immature teach or those who are living a life that is contrary to God’s word even when it comes to teaching the children we hold up a high standard of excellence when it comes to wisdom and maturity and personal holiness
Why was Paul able to write so boldly?
Paul was bold because he was fulfilling a direct call from God on his life.
Do we have a specific calling? Yes, maybe, sometimes.
We’ll talk about our calling in a little bit, but first, let’s look at Paul’s
What is Paul’s calling?
What is Paul’s calling?
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, …
Paul/we bring the holy of holies to the world. the gentiles did not have access to the temple but we ARE the temple
Why?
16…, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
As an offering to God for his glory
Not a collection of individuals but a unified body of diverse believers
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Not personal pride but an upswelling of gladness to be able to be a part of what God is doing
“In Christ Jesus” not in the multitudes who believe as a result of my ministry not because of my stats
“Accomplished through me” NOT by my but by HIM through me
“To bring” God is the one who does the brining
“by the power of the holy spirit” not my own strength and willpower
“the ministry of the gospel of Christ” not my own mission.
This is not mere lip service to God But a true dependence on God.
Paul was thrilled to be bringing glory to God and pointing others to God’s glory
Note:
When preaching the good news of Jesus, BOTH word and deed are important.
20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
We at sandusky life church have the philosophy that we want to reach NEW people who have not heard. We are not trying to build a church only on people who come from other churches.
We should support missions to unreached people
Do we have a direct call?
Yes:
General Callings of Every Christian
1. Follow Jesus
Deny yourself
Take up your cross
Abide in Him
Come to me all you are weary and heavy laden
General Callings of Every Christian
2. Live a Spirit-Led and Holy Life
Believers are called to holiness, transformation, and growing in maturity.
Walk by the Spirit
Put sin to death
Grow in Christlikeness
Bear spiritual fruit
General Callings of Every Christian
3. Love One another
Love one another
Forgive one another
Serve one another
Pursue unity and humility
be a part of the body
General Callings of Every Christian
4. Make Disciples
preach the gospel
Make disciples (show people how to follow Jesus)
Be ambassadors for Christ
General Callings of Every Christian
5. Glorify God in Every Area of Life
Every moment of life is an opportunity to worship
Work faithfully
Steward gifts and resources
Seek first His kingdom not your own kingdom, wealth or fame
General Callings of Every Christian
6. Care for the Vulnerable and Pursue Justice and Mercy
Care for the poor
Defend the marginalized
Practice generosity
Show mercy
Maybe/sometimes:
Paul’s Story
Converted, spent 3 YEARS preparing, then sponsored by Barnabas to the apostles to become a pastor/evangelist then ministered faithfully locally and in obscurity for 8-10 years (not putting out any content)
Then the church leaders and apostles saw evidence of God’s calling on his life and they sent Him out on missionary journeys.
Paul also saw evidence of his calling in the old testament scripture. (God will not call you to do something that is contrary to scripture)
My story
Your story?
You may not be ready
You may not be listening
your call might change
So What?
So What?
Is God calling you today to believe?
Is God calling you today to believe?
Are you doing your best to live out the call God has on your life?
Are you doing your best to live out the call God has on your life?
Do you believe that God has a specific call on your life? Lets talk about it?
Do you believe that God has a specific call on your life? Lets talk about it?
