Romans 1:8-15 Paul's Interests in Discipleship.

Last week we learned about...

Paul’s credentials. The Gospel. His purpose in writing to the church in Rome. Paul graciously with no boasting, or over powering told the Romans God had called him to preach to them. Paul moved on to explain that the Gospel is all about Christ, and Christ’s power to offer salvation. Paul ended the passage by explaining that the Gospel is a gracious gift from God, and this should encourage those divinely called among the Gentiles to obediently respond to it in faith.

Read Romans 1:8-15

Paul’s Thanksgiving.

Romans 1:8

Romans 1:8 NASB95

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

OK so tonight’s passage is going to be all about discipleship.

Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them. For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.

Paul truly has a heart for encouraging believers to walk obediently and faithfully in their Christian walk. He starts his passage out and thanks to God through Jesus Christ. Everything is through Christ. Christ died and rose again giving believers access to God. Paul gives thanks to God through who? himself? Jews? Through Christ. Christ’s death and resurrection gives believers direct access to God. Like the Romans we too have direct access to God. And when we live obedient faithful lives for God He is pleased.

John 16:23–24 NASB95

“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Paul is giving thanks to God for the believers in Rome because their faith. Their faith has been proclaimed throughout the whole world.

Proclaim (Katangello) - refers to reporting or announcing something publicly.

Paul is probably using hyperbolic language, which means he’s embellishing a little bit. However, it doesn't lessen the fact that the faith of the church in Rome is still being reported throughout the Roman Empire and the world. Notice how much Paul is happy for other Christians that are living out their faith. Do you get that happy to hear that your Christian friends are living faithful lives?Can you imagine if Christians today lived like actual Christians and their faith was announced throughout the United States? What do you think that would do for the gospel? But instead Some Christians live like hypocrites. What do you think that does for the gospel? This should encourage us to pay attention to our own behavior in our own conduct in every day life.

Paul’s Prayer.

Romans 1:9-10

Romans 1:9–10 NASB95

For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

What is interesting is it in this passage Paul has a bunch of thoughts. They all seem a little bit different from one another. The previous verse we just learned that he gives thanks to God for the faith of the Roman church. Now in verses nine and ten he moves on to prayer. He tells the church that God whom he serves obediently by preaching the gospel, which concerns Jesus, is indeed his witness to Paul’s own unceasing mention of the church in Rome in his prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s praying for the church is refreshing to see. We have to remember Paul has never been to Rome yet and he has heard about the churches faithful living. He has wanted to go to Rome, but has not been able to. Yet, Paul will wait for God’s will, with the hope that God will enable him to go to Rome. Paul has a heart for his fellow believers and he prays for them unceasingly. How many of us get excited or overjoyed to hear about the faith of our Christian friend or a church member? How many of us pray unceasingly for the Christian friends that we have? Or the Christian family members we have? Or Christians around the world that we don’t know? What are somethings we can pray for other Christians for?

James 5:6

James 5:6 NASB95

You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

Colossians 1:9

Colossians 1:9 NASB95

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 NASB95

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Ephesians 1:18

Ephesians 1:18 NASB95

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Paul’s Encouragement.

Romans 1:11-12

Romans 1:11–12 NASB95

For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Paul’s interest is to visit the church. Why? Verses 11 and 12 explain that Paul has longed to see his brothers and sisters in Christ in Rome so that he may be able to disciple them. Or as Paul puts it, So that he may be able to give or share with them a spiritual gift in order to support or strengthen their faith. What is the gift? The gift is explained in verse 12. Paul’s gift is a gift of encouragement. Note that Paul does not pridefully imply that because of who he is he doesn’t need encouragement. But instead Paul suggests that his faith will be encouraged as well. Why would they need encouragement? Why would we need encouragement?

2 Timothy 2:1-2

2 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB95

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Do any of you get encouraged when you are with Christian friends and family? If so why? How many of us do this? Seek intentionally to build another believers faith up? How many of us set aside time to meet with one or two or more Christ followers just to talk about how their walk is going?

The Gospel for All to Hear.

Romans 1:13-15

Romans 1:13–15 NASB95

I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul changes gears again and he tries to grab the attention of his audience because he has something important to say. He explains that he has intended on going to see them, but he was needed elsewhere. Paul wants to make clear that he isn't ignoring the church in Rome. Paul has been just about every where in the region but Rome, and he want wants to visit so that he can also bear fruit, that is preach the Gospel and have people saved, or preaching the Gospel and having people respond in faith. And preach not just the Gentiles in the church. Paul goes on to talk about how he is obligated to preach to all kinds of people - both Greeks and to barbarians both to the wise and the foolish. Greeks refers to non-believing Greeks and barbarians refers to anyone who is Jewish, or Paul also refers to them as both the wise because Greeks believed they were wise, and to the foolish those who are uneducated barbarians who could not really speak Greek. How many of us feel obligated to share the Gospel with others? How many of us go out of our way to share the Gospel with others? Paul is a great role model because he has a passion to share the Gospel - as he we see how he ends this passage. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Paul loves the gospel. Paul loves Jesus. Paul understands that believers need to be discipled and he also understands unbelievers need to hear the gospel. What can we do to help further the Gospel?