Sermon Tone Analysis

What Do I Do When My Plans are Frustrated?

Living When God Hinders Your Efforts

(Romans 1:13-15)

Main Point:

Our sincere love and worship of God does not guarantee the realization of our goals.

(Romans 1:8-17)

Three Things We See in Romans 1:8-17 = These ten verses form one complete thought with at least three clear aspects:

1.

I worship God because of you all and want to see you all.

(Rom.

1:8-12)

2. Though it has been difficult, and I am not a free man, I need you to know that I still want to come to you.

(Romans 1:13-15)

3. I want to come to you because I have good news that I want to proclaim to you in person!(Romans 1:16-17)

Last week we looked at the first point and the three handicaps we have in this life:

1. Spiritual: We start out lost and must be born again through the Spirit of Christ

2. Intellectual: We start out ignorant of God’s instruction and must learn it.

3. Participation (Obedience): We ALWAYS struggle to obey/respond to God.

In short, Paul desired to go to Rome because he wanted to help the Romans and be helped by the Romans.

1.

He wanted to see those He prayed and praised God for

2.

He wanted to encourage the church in doctrine and ministry

3.

He wanted to be encouraged by the church in ministry and worship

Today, we will examine Paul’s explanation as to why he was unable to make it to Rome, and what this means for us as believers.

Again, the main point we see is…

· Our sincere love and worship of God does not guarantee the realization of our goals.

· However, GOD ALWAYS ACCOMPLISHES HIS GOALS!!!

Outline of Romans 1:13-15

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,

(1) that I have often intended to come to you

(but thus far have been prevented),

in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

(2) 14 I am under obligation

both to Greeks and to barbarians,

both to the wise and to the foolish.

(3) 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

We can summarize Paul’s statements in verses 13-15 in the following:

“Though it has been difficult—I still want to come to you!”

Paul’s main point in these verses is to inform the Roman church of why he has not yet made it to Rome to visit them: (let’s restate his justification in our own vernacular)

1.

I really want to come to you, but I’ve been prevented from doing so.

2. The reason I’ve been prevented is because I’m under obligation to follow God’s plan and not my own.

3.

But I am more than willing to come to Rome (and beyond)—therefore, I believe I will come shortly.

What this teaches us:

Even our godly passions are subject to God’s will and timing.

1. Verse: “13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.”[1]

a. “Prevented” = (kolyo) = to cause something not to happen—to hinder or forbid.

b.

Paul understands that, presently, God has not granted him permission to go to Rome.

i. Paul’s passion is to strengthen the Roman church and carry the gospel beyond Rome, yet he also understands that he has not been allowed to do so.

ii.

We see two things in conflict from Paul’s statement:

1. Paul’s Desires = Paul wants to go to Rome

2. God’s Timing = God has not allowed Paul to go to Rome (yet)

2. Interpretation: EVEN WHEN OUR PLANS OUR GODLY AND FROM GOD—OUR TIMING MAY BE OFF!

a.

What is required for our plans and acts of obedience to be godly?

i.

It must not contradict the Word of God

ii.

It must advance the glory of Jesus Christ

iii.

It must be at God’s timing

b.

I think we are greatly confused about the will of God, and become discouraged, when what we think should happen does not happen!

For example…

i. Let’s go on a mission trip and encourage another church.

ii.

However, when you try to join a trip you are unable to do so because: 1) there was not a open spot, 2) you could not raise the money, 3) you could not get the time off, and/or 4) you physically were unable to do so.

iii.

Why could you not act upon the urge you felt you thought was from God? Do you not know God, His voice, or His leading?

(it’s possible… but let’s test it out).

1.

Does advancing the gospel and encouraging the body of Christ in other geographical locations contradict the Word of God?

a. No… it is exactly what Paul did, and Paul tells us to imitate him (1st Cor.

11:1)

2. Does advancing the gospel and encouraging the body of Christ in other geographical locations glorify Christ?

a. Absolutely—in fact, it is commanded in Matthew 28:18-20

3. Lastly, Does advancing the gospel and encouraging the body of Christ in other geographical locations fit within God’s timing?

a. Ahhh… No, it does not.

Wait… why not?

b.

If it did fit within His timing, God would have opened up the door for you to go.

c.

The fact that the door was closed demonstrates that going does not fit in His timing.

d.

Why does it not fit?

Who knows, but here are a few suggestions:

i.

You are not prepared or ready.

ii.

You are not the one supposed to go there—but you can encourage others to go.

1. Jesus did not go to the Gentiles, but He sent Paul and us.

2. Peter primarily witnessed to the Jews, but encouraged Paul in his ministry to the Gentiles.

iii.

They (the ones you go to) are not prepared or ready.

iv.

Lastly, you’ve not finished your current assignment from God.

Our godly passions do not override our current assignment from God.

1. Verse: “14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.”[2]

a. “Obligation” = (opheiletes) ① one who is in debt in a monetary sense, debtor.

② one who is under obligation in a moral or social sense, one under obligation, one liable for.

(BDAG)

b.

Paul understands that He preaches because he is under obligation/responsible for delivering the gospel to the Gentiles.

Why is this such a big deal to Paul?