SF540 - WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED (Romans 16 21-27)

Romans 16:21-27

INTRODUCTION

Paul closes with a Doxology

Paul mentions his companions...

Verse 21...

Ø      Timothy

Ø      Jason - Thessalonica, rescued Paul from the riot.

Ø      Sosipater - Paul’s relative

Verse 22...

Ø      Tertius - Paul’s secretary; possibly a slave (name means #3)

Verse 23...

Ø      Gaius - Paul’s host

Ø      Erastus - city official

Ø      Quartus - possibly a slave as well (name means #4)

Paul summarizes His message....

Paul focuses on God’s ability to “establish us”

Ø      Literally God can make us “stand firm”, “be stable”, “stand fast”

Paul gives all the reasons anyone needs to stand fast in our service of God...

1A.      THE MESSAGE: THE GOSPEL (16:25a)

The source of the gospel

Galatians 1:11-12 (NASB) 11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

The heart of the gospel

Acts 4:12 (NASB) 12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

2A.      THE MEANS: PREACHING CHRIST (16:25b)

Preaching Christ is God’s ordained means for evangelizing the lost.

1 Corinthians 1:21, 23-24 (NASB) 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe…   23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Preaching Christ is the only way anyone can be saved.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NASB) 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

3A.      THE MYSTERY: CHRIST REVEALED (16:25c-26a)

“Mystery” = part of God’s truth that was not completed revealed until the NT

The salvation of the Gentiles.

Ephesians 3:4, 6 (NASB) 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ… 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Colossians 1:26-27 (NASB) 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

4A.      THE MISSION: ALL NATIONS (16:26b)

Mark 16:15 (NASB) 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

5A.      THE MOTIVE: TO...GOD BE GLORY (16:27)

God is to be glorified because His is God

Revelation 5:12 (NASB) 12 "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

God is to be glorified because there is no other like Him.

Exodus 20:3 (NASB) 3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.

Matthew 22:37 (NASB) 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

God is to be glorified because of what He has done

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB) 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Application

O, God grant us insight into your gospel, our Savior, and your glory.  So that we may glorify you and enjoy you forever!