Selfless Strenthening - Part III

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What is your deepest desire as a follower of Jesus Christ? Maybe you would say 'my desire is to be with the Lord,' I long to be in His presence and to glorify Him. 'Great, let's say you have the opportunity to stand before Jesus right now, what

would you hear Him say? Well done good and faithful servant or would you be reprimanded for hiding the gift he gave

you to share? I am not saying to have a deep desire to be in Jesus' presence is bad, it's actually good, but that deep

desire to be in His presence should be a motivator for us to be on mission as we walk this earth.

So what is your mission? What should you be doing? How do you accomplish your mission? What is the end result?

I have said many times before, Paul is one of my heroes of the faith, just as he is for so many pastors. This morning we will see just why he is a hero of the faith and why he's a man we should imitate too. We should imitate Paul because he has what we need, A mindset to see God’s kingdom grow through new believers.

As Believers, we can learn from this that selfless strengthening comes from a desire to see new converts.

Believers must have a mindset to see God’s kingdom grow through new believers

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Turn with me in your Bibles to Romans 15:14-21Romans 15:14–21 (NASB95): 14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21 but as it is written,“They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.”

As Paul now begins to bring his letter to the Roman church to a close he commends them and also in a sense bookends his letter with words of assurance that the Romans have a deep faith. Let's look at verse 14 so I can show what I mean by Paul's assurance of their deep faith. Romans 15:14 (NASB95): 14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

Here we find Paul's, pastoral heart. Remember Paul has yet to visit this church and as we will see shortly the church Paul is writing to is not one he planted but Paul nevertheless loves these people as though they are his disciples. From what Paul has heard these people have a deep faith in Jesus and the gospel. In chapter 1:8 Paul writes this, Romans 1:8 (NASB95): 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. So as Paul is traveling Asia Minor he hears about the faith of the Romans from others who have visited the church there and now have come in contact with Paul. Paul knows they have a deep faith. Paul doesn't want them to be insulted but wants them to be encouraged, especially after what he has just written to them about the weaker and stronger in faith.

Paul was not specifically correcting or addressing an issue in their church although the possibility of that was very high. He was addressing a known issue in churches. After a discourse like that, a caring pastor wouldn't want the church he was writing to, thinking they were being scolded. He also didn't want them to think he was lying when he wrote earlier that their faith was being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Paul commends them or compliments them. This is a sincere compliment too, it is not just flattery.

He says, 'And concerning you, my brethren,' acknowledging they are related through the blood of Jesus. 'I myself also am convinced,' because he has heard of their deep faith. That is the only reason he could be convinced. It is a confidence Paul has and it is not confidence in the people in Rome but confidence in the one who fills them. Paul continues, 'that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.' They’re being filled with goodness. This goodness is what they have, they are full of it and it is moral excellence, it is actively working itself out. Goodness is not something people have, it is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22; Galatians 5:22–23 (NASB95): 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

We don't have goodness in and of ourselves, it is the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a part of the fruit that grows in us because of faith. The deeper the faith, the deeper the goodness. What Paul has heard proclaimed about the Roman church has convinced him they have a deep faith in Christ that strengthens their goodness toward one another.

They are also full of knowledge. Knowledge is not just knowing things but knowing the things of God. Knowledge in the gospel, knowledge of how to conduct yourself in the presents of other believers. Knowledge of how to conduct yourself with unbelievers. This is the knowledge of how to live godly. This is also something we don't just have but are filled with it. Knowledge comes from time spent with God, time spent in His Word, hearing His truth taught, and discussing God's truth with others. This knowledge is experiential, it is not just something we know but something we learn. As we learn more about God our faith deepens and our knowledge deepens, we are filled with it.

It's through goodness and knowledge that the Romans are able to admonish one another. They strengthen one another through discussion about what is godly and what isn't. Paul is complimenting them, and says to them, 'I know you got this.' I know you guys have faith, you are filled with the Holy Spirit and moved by Him, and you can handle the non-essentials. It would be nice if the church had a letter like this written to it today. This church is commended for its faith, and for its reliance on the Holy Spirit, and for seeking out God through these issues.

Think about it, Paul has written his letter to Corinth within the last year. The events of 1 Corinthians are still on his mind. A church he planted and spent a long time with and working with and ministering to, and they are a train wreck. With these events still fresh on his mind, Paul hears about the church in Rome and how deep their faith is. He must have been so pleased with the work God was doing in a church he had nothing to do with. Knowing God is working through others and the church in Rome knows who Paul is, he would have been the equivalent of Voddie Bauchem, or Paul Washer, or John MacAurther of today. Everyone has heard of Paul and everyone would have wanted to hear him speak. So for Paul to commend this church was both a big deal to Paul and to his audience.

Now that Paul has commended the Roman church, now that he has laid out his conviction about the Spiritual well-being of this church he turns to his mission. This is the mission of all who follow Jesus and it is the mission of the gospel.

The Mission of the Gospel.

The Mission of the Gospel

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In verses 15 &16 Paul writes, Romans 15:15–16 (NASB95): 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Paul was bold in writing this letter to the Romans, he was bold in what he wrote concerning the gospel message and tackling a few items of concern. His boldness was in the fact that he wrote what he wrote. He writes this statement to ensure no one feels as though Paul is being condescending, talking down to them. I'm sure you have felt that way before. Someone comes to you and starts telling you things you already know but it's for the purpose of that person demonstrating what they know and treating you like you don't know the information. Paul has provided a lengthy explanation of the gospel and Paul doesn't want his audience to feel like he is talking down to them or this is new info. So he says it's bold and it is also a way of reminder.

Paul doesn't want them to think he is providing something new, he's just reminding them of what they already know. He

then repents his credentials 'because of the grace that was given me from God.' What Paul means here by the grace given to him by God, is the gift that came to him by God through Grace. This is a portion of his 'grace gift' and

his 'grace gift' is to be God's servant to the Gentiles to bring them the gospel.

In Acts 9 in the account of Paul's conversion the Lord goes to Ananias and says this in Acts 9:15, Acts 9:15 (NASB95): 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

Paul himself in Acts 22:21 says this as he gives his testimony in the temple to a Jewish mob out for his blood. Acts 22:21 (NASB95): 21 “And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” These are Jesus' words to Paul, clear command, go to the Gentiles.

Again Paul gives his testimony this time to the governor and the king of the region, Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26:15-18 let's look at what Paul says here. Acts 26:15–18 (NASB95): 15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Paul's mission was clearly set out for him he knew what he was called to do. He has all the right to write this letter he doesn't need to apologize for writing what they already know but so he doesn't step on toes he writes this. Paul knows his mission and Paul knows his audience. It doesn't stop him from giving the gospel to all people but he also knows God has called him for a specific group, the Gentiles. If only we had some clear command to show us we should be on a mission to share the gospel.

Oh wait we do, Matthew 28:18-20. Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB95): 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.”

Oh, I know what you're thinking, this isn't a clear call for me to share the gospel, this was said to the disciples. OK, let's go to John's gospel. John 17:17-21, John 17:17–22 (NASB95): 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Jesus' High Priestly prayer extends to us and if His prayer extends to us so does His commission for us to make

disciples of all the nations.

Our mission is the same as Paul's, to share the gospel. Our motivation should be the same as Paul's and Jesus' to glorify God.

Motivated for God's glory

Second Point

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Look at verse 17 with me; Romans 15:17 (NASB95): 17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

Paul's drive, his motivation to go to the Gentiles and share the gospel is not for wealth and fame, it is not to put a

notch in this belt and say look what I have done but it is all for God's glory. There should be no personal profit in sharing the gospel. It shouldn't be for bragging rights, look how many people I saved. Really, because last I checked you didn't save anyone, God did through His Son.

Our mission is the gospel our motivation is God's glory and our message is Christ-centered

Our message is Christ-centered

Our message is Christ-centered

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Look at verse 18-19; Romans 15:18–19 (NASB95): 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Paul's words are only words about what Jesus has done. In a narcissistic society, we hear a lot about how you can do

anything. You have the power to succeed. Paul knows differently and his focus is not on his works but on Jesus' works because it is only through Jesus' works

that man can be saved.

Our mission is the gospel, our motivation is God's glory, our message is Christ-centered and our mindset is new believers.

Our mindset is New Believers

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Romans 15:20–21 (NASB95): 20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21 but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.”