Why Try? Romans 15:14-33 - December 18, 2005

Sunday School Lesson – Why Try? – December 18, 2005

This is our third lesson in our series, “The Manger and the Mission”.

Our background scripture is Romans 15:14-33

Our focus scripture is Romans 15:14-24, 30-32.

Last Sunday we studied Paul’s opening remarks in his letter to the Christians in Rome. Today we study the next to the last Chapter in his letter to the Roman’s.

We see the passion or “The Why Try?” Paul has for presenting the gospel to all people as he is led by THE HOLY SPIRIT. We see that Paul depends upon GOD, THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT and the help and prayers of others to accomplish GOD’S leading.

Paul covers a number of issues between Chapter 1 and Chapter 15 in his letter to the Romans:
v Roman road to salvation – Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:8-10.
v Facts about the gospel of CHRIST JESUS.
v The gospel is for the Jew and the Gentile or all mankind.
v Salvation is, also, for all mankind.
v All Christians are justified before GOD through CHRIST.
v All Christians are free from the power of sin, which is death.
v CHRIST fulfilled the law therefore Christians are no longer under the law but under grace, which gives freedom to serve.
v GOD’S desire is for every Christian to become like CHRIST thus GOD has called each Christian to be a saint through the process of sanctification.
v Christians war against the flesh.
v The love of GOD and CHRIST in us sets us free from the dictates of the flesh.
v GOD has a plan for each Christian.
v GOD equips every Christian with HIS power to serve HIM and the body of believer’s by manifesting spiritual gifts through them as HE chooses.
v Agape love is the key to serving HIM and others.
v Be good citizens. A Christian is a citizen of heaven and GOD’S Ambassador here upon earth.
v As Christians we must help each other. Some of us are weak and others are strong. We need to be understanding of each other. We are under grace, which gives us certain freedoms.
v Paul stresses unity between Jew and Gentile Christians.
v Paul gives some insight into his strategy for missions, which gives us guidance to go when we are called, the importance of prayer and the importance for resources whether we go or send others.
v Our passion should be to spread the gospel to others and assist those who may be struggling be it an individual or a church.

Let’s read Romans 15: 14-16

14 Now, my brothers, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, to remind you, I have written to you more boldly on some points[7] Other mss add brothers because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of God’s good news. My purpose is that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian church in Rome likely began when “visitors from Rome” in Acts 2:10 were converted in Jerusalem at Pentecost and returned to Rome and started the church. Paul had a genuine respect for the Christians in Rome.

Paul has discussed a number of points with the Christians in Rome. So as he is getting close to the end of his letter, he wants to make sure they do not get the wrong impression about the points he has made. He calls them his brothers in Christ.

Then Paul uses the word “convinced” which reveals his absolute conviction without any question of three things:
v Their goodness – which implies they are manifesting the fruit of THE SPIRIT, gentleness, kindness, being upright, righteous in their life. It not only refers to the quality of their character but refers to the action of goodness in their deeds. They are good morally. It is genuine character, no phoniness.
v Filled with all knowledge – Paul is referring to knowledge of the Christian faith and not knowledge in general.
v Able to instruct one another – being filled with the knowledge of the Christian faith through the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT equips them to instruct or “counsel”, “warn” or “admonish” one another.

They are well founded in CHRIST never-the-less Paul reminded them boldly and without hesitation about certain matters. Paul admonished them in Romans 14:1-15:13 about eating, drinking certain things and observing holy days.

This is what happens when we have a revival in our churches. We need to be reminded of certain points and matters. Often we become slack or drift unintentionally from our calling. We get caught up in matters that take us away from our first love of building our relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST and serving as GOD directs us.

I know, years ago in quality control, we tried to control the drifting of our production equipment too closely. As a result we produced off quality product. The process equipment had a natural drift. If we let it drift normally, then we produced a good consistent quality product.
The key is we had to know its limits. When it drifted outside normal limits, we applied correction to bring it back within acceptable limits.

I think this is true for us as Christians. Sometimes we try to place tight limits on ourselves or fellow Christians. The result is frustration. GOD has given us limits by way of the Ten Commandments and THE HOLY SPIRIT to guide us along life’s journey. When we drift or go beyond the acceptable limit of “grace”, GOD applies correction to our life.

Paul was called of GOD to be a minister to the Gentiles. The word “minister” used here means public service and emphasizes his call to serve in sacred and religious matters mainly presenting the gospel of CHRIST to the Gentiles.

Then Paul continues by saying he is serving “as a Priest”. The word Paul uses in the original text means to “act as a priest”. This is the only place in the New Testament this word is used. Paul was not calling himself a priest but he is describing his calling to be LIKE a priest offering up the Gentiles to GOD.

Keep in mind GOD demands a perfect sacrifice or offering when it is offered up to HIM. Paul seems to be saying the Gentiles not only need salvation but also instructions. They need to be taught through faith and power of THE HOLY SPIRIT how to walk with THE LORD and be sanctified. Paul’s priest-like work is to bring the Gentiles as an offering to GOD.

This ties back to his calling as a minister; to serve by presenting the gospel and challenging new converts to grow and mature in their relationship with THE LORD.

The gospel, which means good news, is only possible because of what CHRIST has done for mankind on THE CROSS.

When the Gentiles accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR this makes them acceptable to GOD and they are sanctified by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT just like any other converted person - Jew, Greek, or Barbarian. Sanctification is to be set aside for service according to GOD’S purpose.

Paul was obedient to GOD’S call for him.

The key for us is to respond to GOD’S call in our life. It is not a matter of us responding to what we want to do for GOD but responding to what GOD wants us to do for HIM. This can only be accomplished through an intimate loving relationship with our FATHER and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. When we have the right relationship with GOD, we are always in HIS will.

Making GOD’S purpose our purpose can make a difference in the world as we travel through life. Ask our FATHER to reveal anything that is hindering you from knowing HIM in such-a-way that may prevent you from serving HIM completely.

Let’s read Romans 15:17-19

17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.[8] A Roman province northwest of Greece on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea
Paul knows his calling and is confident in that calling. GOD through THE HOLY SPIRIT has equipped Paul to carry-out his calling. GOD will equip us to carry out our call as well. GOD usually does not equip us and then asks us to respond but as we respond HE equips.

In verse 18 Paul makes it clear because of his calling to the Gentiles, he only presents CHRIST and HIS power.
It seems to me that Paul may be making it clear that he does not bring into any of his teachings any thing from his past life as a Jew and a Pharisee. Paul has been changed by the power of the gospel of CHRIST and THE HOLY SPIRIT and that is all that is needed to carry out his calling.

Whether Paul is in Jerusalem speaking to his fellow Jews or any where else his message is the same. CHRIST in you is the hope of glory. Paul makes it clear all that is accomplished through his ministry belongs to GOD.

The area of Illyricum (ih LIHR ih kuhm) is the area northwest of Macedonia. We know this area today as Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Let’s read Romans 15:20-24
20 So my aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named, in order that I will not be building on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written: Those who had no report of Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.[9] Isaiah 52:15
Paul’s Travel Plans
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these provinces,[10] Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[11] Other mss add I will come to you. For I do hope to see you when I pass through, and to be sent on my way there by you, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
Paul is what we would call today a pioneer missionary. He wants to present the gospel where it has never been presented. He has not excluded those areas where the gospel has been presented but his passion and calling is new territory.

Paul recognizes that people are called into a variety of ministries.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3:5-15.
The Role of God’s Servants
5 So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now the one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s co-workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] The Day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5] Lit yet so as through fire

In verse 21, Paul quotes scripture from Isaiah 52:15. In this scripture the prophet Isaiah speaks of the work of GOD’S SERVANT which is prophesy fulfilled in CHRIST.

This scripture could have been the basis for Paul’s strategy for taking the gospel to those who have never heard it.

Paul tells us why he has been delayed from visiting Rome. Simply he has been evangelizing areas where CHRIST was not known. Now he feels that his work in those areas is complete and GOD is calling him to Spain.

It is interesting that Spain in that day was an intellectual center of the Roman Empire. Spain was the center of commerce and a popular tourist location. There were Jewish synagogues in Spain. Paul’s strategy was to go to the synagogues because the Jews are the ones who are looking for the Messiah. Paul was armed with the good news that THE MESSIAH has come. Paul had a group ready to hear about CHRIST.
Paul wanted to visit the Christians in Rome but he also wanted them to partner with him through:
v Prayer for him as he was planning a mission trip to Spain.

v Providing financial support for his mission trip to Spain.

Just think of the travel conditions in Paul’s day. Paul is planning to go from Corinth to Jerusalem to Rome to Spain. This is about a 3,000 mile trip by sea.

As we respond to GOD’S call, HE empowers us through THE HOLY SPIRIT to make a difference in the world around us. We do not have to go to distant lands but be obedient to what GOD asks us to do each moment where we are at any given moment.

Giving to missions is one way we can partner with others in local and world missions. Prayer is another way. Going or doing where we are is another way.

The measure of our obedience will only be revealed in heaven along with the impact our obedience made on the world around us.

Let’s read Romans 15:25-33 (I am including verse 25-32 for information the focus verses are 30-32.)

25 Now, however, I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints; 26 for Macedonia and Achaia[12] The churches of these provinces were pleased to make a contribution to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews[13] Lit to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds[14] Lit delivered this fruit to them, I will go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing[15] Other mss add of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I implore you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to agonize together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf: 31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my service for 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. 33 The God of peace be with all of you. • Amen.

Paul begins verse 30 with the word “implore”. Implore means “to call upon”, “to exhort”, “to urge”. Paul is pleading with the Roman Christians to form a partnership with him to pray.

Not just pray but to “agonize” with him in prayer. The word “agonize” is an athletic term meaning to “to strive together”, “to contend along with”, “to share in a contest” in order to defeat the enemy that would try to prevent him from accomplishing his mission.

When we present the gospel, Satan will try to defeat us but partnering through prayer and giving of our resources as GOD leads us provides the spiritual weapons to defeat the enemy. This still does not mean smooth sailing but it does mean arriving to a safe harbor.

Paul is concerned about:
v The unbelievers in Judea trying to stop him from preaching the gospel. These are unconverted Jews to the Christian faith.
v Paul is taking a financial gift from the Gentiles to the poor Christians in Jerusalem. The Jews in Jerusalem who had converted to the Christian faith could not find jobs and were cut off from the support of fellow non-Christian Jews. They were suffering.
v Paul wanted to build a bridge between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. His hope is that the Jewish Christians will accept the financial support that the Gentile Christians were sending to them by way of Paul.
v Paul also wanted the Christians in Rome to be aware of his situation, pray with him and see the hand and power of GOD working. Paul would share the joy of answered prayer with them when he visits them in Rome.
We find in Acts 21:15-20 that the believers in Jerusalem welcome Paul and the Gentile gifts. Paul’s opponents attack him and attempt to kill him found in Acts 21:21- Acts 23:35. Paul arrives in Rome but not as he had expected. This is found in Acts 24:1-Acts 28:16.

We need to keep in mind that GOD’S ways and HIS thoughts are different and higher than ours. HIS vantage point is broader than ours. Because of his arrest Paul witnessed to the Governor Festus, King Agrippa and then appeals to Caesar. His appeal to Caesar gets Paul his trip to Rome. Paul arrives in Rome, under guard, with a mission to present the gospel to Caesar and to write letters to the churches.

During such times we have to trust that GOD is sovereign and completely in control of all things according to HIS plan and purpose. If Paul had not appealed to Caesar and been under house arrest in Rome where he could write his letters, would we have GOD’S message to us through Paul? GOD always has a purpose.
Partnering with GOD and each other is important to our journey through life serving our LORD JESUS CHRIST:

v Prayer is essential to the success of our calling.
v Agonizing prayer defeats Satan and his power.
v We can partner with others by giving, praying, going, proclaiming, encouraging and responding as GOD calls us to respond.

Why should we try? Because in GOD’S hand all things are possible. The results are not up to us. Our part is to be obedient to HIS call.

Only eternity will reveal the impact of what we might have considered trivial on the lives of others. A lump of coal in the hands of GOD produces diamonds.