Ministry Life

Romans 15:14 CSB

My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

INTRO—

“It’s a Wonderful Life”…what George Bailey learned at Christmas in that classic movie is even more true for those of us who name the name of Christ as the most important part of our identity. The description of this life of ours is what...

…I believe we see Paul talking about here in these verses of Romans 15—a “Ministry Life,” is not Paul merely setting forth “A Minister’s Life.” It is a personal picture of what is true of ALL OUR LIVES...

Romans 15:14 CSB

My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

Full of Goodness (Fruit of the Spirit, etc.)

Filled with Knowledge (of Truth which sets us free)

Able to Instruct (in all these things…)

…in other words they ‘had what it takes’ to fulfill a ministry!

To All the Saints [Romans 15.14-16a]

Paul knew it to be true of himself...

Philippians 3:12–15 CSB

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.

We know it to be true of us. Spiritual growth should ALWAYS define us.

By Grace Alone [Romans 15.16b-19]

What “we” accomplish for the Kingdom of God…is only “what Christ has accomplished” through Paul (us).

2 Corinthians 3:4–6 CSB

Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Notice the benefit in telling ‘your story.’ Now, your story is NOT the Gospel, but it does open up opportunities for the Gospel…evangelism for the lost; encouragement for the saved.

Into the Darkness [Romans 15.20-22]

Make it our aim [ambition; goal; aspiration] to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus where he is least known around us...

For Paul it’s not an ego thing…it’s a further the kingdom faster thing.

To fulfill the OT (prophet Isaiah)...

Isaiah 52:15 CSB

so he will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of him, for they will see what had not been told them, and they will understand what they had not heard.

...& “him’ is...

Isaiah 52:14 CSB

Just as many were appalled at you— his appearance was so disfigured that he did not look like a man, and his form did not resemble a human being—

Isaiah 53:1–5 CSB

1 Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. 4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

What drove Paul was not the excellence of specific people around him (hanging out with power people; having a ‘seat at the table’…it was the excellence of Jesus to be proclaimed to anyone around him!…especially where that message had not yet gone.

[Soooooo looking forward to Easter!]

Sustaining Those in the Light [Romans 15.23-29]

Care ministry…around the world (esp. the known world of that day). Mutual blessings! (so also for us today…)

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 CSB

1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.

…a hear and now…and always (friends in other areas, previous churches, etc.).

Unashamed Call Out [Romans 15.30-33]

Paul appeals [calls (out) alongside others..who would be ‘spiritually’ nearby] to his brothers and sisters to strive together in [join fervently in; contend together in] prayer for...

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.

being rescued from the unbelievers in Judea

his ministry to Jerusalem being acceptable to the saints

him being able, by God’s will, to come to the Romans Christians with joy to be refreshed together

All these prayers were answered...

Acts 23:10 CSB

When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.

…in Jerusalem, the mob scene. [Acts 21.15ff]

Acts 21:17–20 CSB

17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

…the collection for the saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 25:11–12 CSB

If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”

Acts 28:14–16 CSB

14 There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

…and following [in Rome; wasn’t the way Paul likely thought/planned, but God made way for him to get there]

CONCL—

Well, Romans 15.33 sounds like a ‘conclusion,’ but...

…yeah, there’s more to come! (Chapter 16!!!)

…truly living the Christian Life…Ministry Life…is a Wonderful Life!!

Romans 15:33 CSB

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