The Servant of God, pt 2

II. Servants seeks corporate support

A. They may need support from others

Paul didn’t visit Rome because it didn’t fit his purpose yet. There was a church there already, and he needed to preach the gospel in Asia Minor.But his mission was complete in Asia Minor. That didn’t mean that there was no more need for the gospel in Asia Minor, but Paul’s purpose was to plant churches in major metro areas and let the people spread the gospel from there. He had done that now.His intention to go to Spain is an extension of his individual purpose.He asks for their help in accomplishing this goal.If Paul can seek support for his spiritual purposes, we may do the same. If we have a ministry opportunity, we can ask those it makes sense to ask for help. Paul didn’t ask the people of Jerusalem to help the way Rome did, because Rome was on the way. It made sense to stop and ask them for help.This is not an excuse to have others do your work for you. It should be a spiritual task, and you’re not looking for someone to do it for you, but for them to assist you.

B. They may require responsibility from others

Paul’s current mission doesn’t technically concern the church at Rome, since he isn’t planning to visit them before going to Jerusalem with the money.

The Collection: Paul’s final Project

This collection comes after another collection

Acts 11:27–30 NKJV

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The famine in the days of Claudius took place AD 47; but Romans was written AD 54-59. Also, in Acts this collection takes place on Paul’s first missionary journey, while in Romans Paul has finished his mission in Asia Minor. While Luke describes the collection before Paul’s missionary journeys, this is just to finish the story. the death of Herod in Acts 12 takes place AD 44, three years before the collection. Since Paul’s journey to the Jerusalem counsel happened about then, it seems that Paul had taken a collection from just the church at Antioch when he left to go to Jerusalem to get answers about the Judaizers (Acts 14:27-15:3).

This collection isn’t mentioned in Acts, but Paul presented it when he returned to Jerusalem for the last time.

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 NKJV

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

He didn’t just leave it with an explanation of why he wasn’t visiting right now. He pointed out that the Gentile Christians had an obligation to the Jewish Christians.That’s why we support foreign missionaries. It isn’t enough for us to be concerned for our own community, we must also have some interest in God’s wider mission to the world.

Philippians 4:15–17 NKJV

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Paul did come in the blessing of Christ, but not how he intended. Ministry will have setbacks. How you respond to them will determine your effectiveness.

C. They should request prayer from others

The request for prayer concerns Paul’s trip to Jerusalem. It’s not something the Roman church can help with directly.Three specific requests (1) deliverance from unbelievers (2) his gift would be acceptable to the Jerusalem church (3) so that Paul can visit the church at Rome.Prayer changes things, so by praying for others we can influence their work, even when we aren’t in a position to do anything about it directly.