God Reigns Over Our Handicaps (Romans 1:8-12)

When we think about our life, spirituality, and our purpose it is quite easy for us to feel overwhelmed.

· We all have dreams and ambitions that we will never achieve—and many of us are coming to terms with this realization.

· We all have sins that seem to crush, suffocate, and overwhelm us.

· We all have fears that stifle our obedience and witness

· We all cave to the demands of life and the pursuit of pleasure instead of spending time in the presence of the Lord.

In short… we are handicapped!

We are handicapped in:

1. Our awareness of the Lord and interaction with Him

2. Our relationships

3. Our understanding

4. Our emotions

5. Our physical bodies

6. Our vocations and ability to make a living

7. Our ability to enjoy life and experience sustained pleasure

The truth is that everyone struggles in these handicaps—even the apostle Paul

Today, we will look at how God reigns over and above our handicaps; in fact, God accomplishes His will in us and for our good in spite of our handicaps.

· Would you like to have the freedom and joy found in the Lord even though we are weak, handicapped, and confined?

· Wouldn’t you like to live a life with deep satisfaction, security, and joy that is unique to the world around us?

· If you do… then let’s look at God’s work in Paul and the Romans.

Romans 1:8-12

Romans 1:8–12 ESV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,

because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers,

asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

11 For I long to see you,

that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Conceptual Outline of the Passage:

1. Paul worships the Lord in Praise, Prayer, and Proclamation

2. Paul worships the Lord through the Lord and in his spirit

3. Paul worships the Lord in connection with other believers.

Take a Deeper Look:

1. Three Acts of Worship that Paul Reveals in Romans:

a. Praise: He Thanks God for the Roman Church (The gospel is advancing outward)

b. Prayer: He Intercede to God on behalf of the Roman Church

c. Proclamation: Paul writes to the Romans proclaiming the gospel of God.

2. The means by which Paul Worships the Lord:

a. Empowered: Through Jesus Christ

b. Sincerely: Through his spirit (the new life from God)—not just his actions

c. Obediently: In accord with the will of God

3. What Paul Desires from His Visit with the Romans:

a. Fellowship: To see the Roman church

b. Ministry: To strengthen the Roman church

c. Sanctification: To be strengthened by the Roman church

Three Handicaps:

1. We are Spiritually Handicapped

2. We are Intellectually Handicapped

3. We are Handicapped in our Participation

What does this teach us?

First: Worship is Dependent Upon God Working in Our Spirit: (we are spiritually handicapped)

1. There is a massive difference between route legalism and authentic Christianity

a) Legalism is concerned with rules, practice, and human effort

b) Authentic Christianity is concerned with the presence of God and interaction with God that is completely powered by God!

2. Acceptance:

a) Legalism strives to make oneself acceptable to God

b) Authentic Christianity realizes that Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice was accepted by God

3. Direction:

a) Legalism attempts to ascend (rise up) to God through human effort

b) Authentic Christianity realizes God descended and dwells with us

4. Motivation:

a) Legalism is motivated by human desire

b) Authentic Christianity is motivated by the experience and acceptance of God’s love.

5. Authority:

a) Legalism is a system created by human thought and ingenuity

b) Authentic Christianity is grounded in the Word of God and led by the Spirit of God.

6. Hope:

a) Legalism looks for personal achievement

b) Authentic Christianity looks for Christ’s return

7. Security:

a) Legalism has no basis for security

b) Authentic Christianity rests in the promises and work of Christ

Second: We are Limited by Our Weakness (we are handicapped in our intellect and ability to discern)

1. Our desires, though within God’s will, may not be at God’s timing =

a) Paul desperately wanted to go to Rome, yet he was not able to go at his timing

b) However, later, God would send Paul to Rome (in chains)

c) Paul would be released, and he preached in Rome for two years

d) Later, Paul would be executed in Rome by Nero.

2. What this means for us:

a) Though saved, we are still imperfect

b) Though we feel an unction from God, we may not know how to properly respond to that unction.

c) Though we know we should do something, our timing may not be in-line with God’s timing.

Thirdly: God Sovereignly Directs Us (we are handicapped in our ability to participate in the work of God)

1. God often uses our misguided desires to accomplish His plan—this demonstrates His sovereignty.

2. Ravi Zacharias: (quoting Russell Self) “When God takes away from you something that you really desire, it is to protect you for what He really wants for you.”

3. Let’s look at Paul:

a. Paul felt compelled to lay a foundation for the Roman church—naturally, he thought it best to go to them.

b. However, the more Paul tried to go to Rome, the more he realized that God was shutting him down.

c. It what seems to be a slight frustration/confusion, Paul pen a magnificent theological foundation for the gospel and Christian life.

d. Some years later Paul finally makes it to Rome. He strengthens the church and preaches the gospel unhindered for two years (at least).

e. Then, I’ve I mentioned already, Paul is executed by the Emperor Nero.

f. However, though Paul wanted to make this trip years before, God hindering Paul from venturing to Rome, compelled Paul to write the letter that would dramatically instruct the church and scores of people in how to walk with Christ for nearly 2000 years!

4. What this teaches us:

a. Even though we are handicapped in our obedience, God is not handicapped in His sovereignty.

b. I don’t have to understand the game plan and I don’t have to know exactly what to do because God does!!!

c. What I need to do is…

i. Abide in the Word of God

ii. Abide in Communion with God

iii. Abide in the Fellowship with the Bride of Christ

iv. Act upon the passions, desires, and unction in my heart that promote the glory of God.

d. Too many Christians fail to act upon the prompting of the Lord because:

i. They don’t know the full plan/agenda

ii. They don’t trust the leading of God

iii. They don’t trust the authority of the Bible

iv. They don’t believe that God gives us freedom to choose

v. They don’t believe God is powerful enough (sovereign) to control and direct the universe!!!

How Should I Respond and Live?

1. Strive to rest in the work of Christ and enjoy Him.

2. Start with doing what the word commands and instructs us to do—don’t expect God to tells what He has already told us!

3. When a door shuts or opens, attempt to walk through it and respond to God’s leading—God is in control

a. You should already be praying

b. You should already be worshiping

c. You should already be testifying to God

d. You can trust God has your front and back!