My Ongoing Mission - Romans 15:14-21, 30-33; 16:25-27 - November 30, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – My Ongoing Mission – November 30, 2008

This is our final study in Romans. Our scripture is Romans 15:14-21, 30-33; 16:25-27.

Often when we think of missions, we think foreign missions but mission work is all around each believer wherever he or she is. The great commission is to go into the entire world. A believer’s world is where he or she is at any given moment. Our LORD calls all of HIS children to missions. JESUS said even a cup of cold water is important when serving the LORD. Some believers have a special calling by GOD to serve in specific places either at home or in another country. Most of us serve in the world around us, often members of our family.

To me it is amazing, given the perils of travel in Paul’s day, how much he traveled. The key is that he was led by the LORD. It is vital that a believer is led by the LORD when he or she reaches out to others with the gospel message.

We have studied many Christian foundational issues in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Believers must be on a firm spiritual foundation and understand their prejudices to more effectively minister to others. When people become Christians it is not one size fits all. All are saved but each is shaped by his or her heritage, environment, education, mental ability, training, notions, background and willingness to allow GOD, through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, to shape him or her spiritually. It is all about growth, maturity and relationship with the LORD. It is all about truth and not about notions and assumptions. It is knowing GOD through the revelation of the HOLY SPIRIT and not just knowing about GOD.

It would be nice if the moment we become Christians, we were zapped with instant spiritual maturity. But that is not the case because GOD made us to seek, search, discover and build confidence and trust in HIM. HE rejoices in revealing truth to HIS children and seeing us grow spiritually. It is an awesome journey as we get to know GOD in a more intimate way through our relationship with HIM. The beauty is that knowing HIM and building a relationship with HIM is not exclusive to a certain group but it available to every believer. All it takes is a decision. FATHER, I want to know you and have an intimate, loving relationship with you. YOU show me truth as I continue to study YOUR Word and obediently serve YOU.

Many of us study the Bible, go to Bible studies, teach, preach, pray and read Christian literature, yet, we seem to wonder why GOD isn’t more evident in our lives. I see it in my own life. I get caught up in feeding on GOD’S Word and fall short of putting what I am learning into action as GOD provides the opportunity. It is more comfortable to remain in our comfort zone than to step outside and become involved. It is easier to tell others what they are supposed to do and how they are to live than it is to put it into action. When you put your faith into action it requires commitment.

It is vital for every believer to be led by the LORD when he or she becomes involved in any activity. There are some basics which believers automatically know they need to do such as, Bible study, prayer and fellowship with our LORD in order to grow, mature and learn of HIM.

Paul is closing his letter and tells the Christians in Rome that he considers them full of goodness, filled with knowledge and able to instruct one another. Paul tells the Christians in Rome that he had not visited them because he knew they were already serving the LORD and in essence, did not need him. But he wanted to visit them sometime.

Let’s read Romans 15:14-21:

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. 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 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

The Apostle Paul had penned an in-depth spiritual letter on the fundamentals of Christianity to the Christians in Rome. When Paul wrote his letter, he had never been to Rome. Paul was in Corinth where he had encountered a number of problems with Christian fundamentals. It is possible that Paul wanted to let them know where he was regarding the fundamentals since he was in Corinth. He may have wanted the Christians in Rome to not be confused or led astray by what was going on among the Christians in Corinth, if they were aware of it or should ever become aware of it.

He sets the record straight regarding his understanding of where they are coming from spiritually in verse 14 – He calls them brothers and then tells them, “you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.”

Paul did not want them to misunderstand the purpose of his letter since he addressed them “boldly on some points.”

Paul stated in Romans 1:1 and Romans 11:13 that he was an apostle and especially called to minister to the Gentiles:

Romans 1:1:

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Romans 11:13: 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. In view of the fact that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

Paul considered himself as a priest serving in the temple. Priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. Paul presented the Good News to all but especially to the Gentiles. Paul said he was a minister, which was in essence a person carrying out the duties of the priest. The priest in the temple presented the shed blood of the animal as proof to GOD that a worthy sacrifice had been made on behalf of the people asking for forgiveness of their sins. Paul considered that he was presenting CHRIST to the Gentiles and when they accepted CHRIST as atonement for their sins, CHRIST, as priest, presented them to GOD. Paul made it clear that it was CHRIST WHO did the work through him. Rather than sacrificing animals for the sins of those who came to the temple, he presented the perfect sacrifice, CHRIST, WHO willingly gave HIS life for their sins.

Paul confessed that GOD manifested Himself through him, through signs and wonders, but he knew it was GOD’S power and not his. Paul knew that his power came from the HOLY SPIRIT and he taught others by the way he lived his life. He practiced what he preached. Again, he realized that his life’s example was not because of his strength but the strength and power of CHRIST living in and through him.

CHRIST taught Paul and worked through him in word and deed. The word was the gospel and deed was GOD manifesting HIS power through signs and wonders as Paul obediently served HIM.

As a result of CHRIST in him, he had presented CHRIST from Jerusalem to Illyricum (ih LIHR ih kuhm). (This distance has been estimated to be about 1,400 miles.) His ministry had focused on the Gentiles and in areas where other Christians had not been presenting the gospel. Paul was a pioneer missionary.

Paul then quotes the last part of Isaiah 52:15 which referred to CHRIST. CHRIST will fulfill the scriptures and open the eyes of the spiritually blind.

15 so He will sprinkle[11] As the blood of a sacrifice is sprinkled on the altar on behalf of the people [12] Heb 10:22; 12:24 many nations.[13] LXX reads so many nations will marvel at Him 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.[14] Rm 15:21

Let’s read Romans 15:30-33:

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 asked his brothers and sisters in CHRIST to “agonize” or to join the fight with him in prayer. Paul had been establishing churches in Gentile territory. He had an offering from the Gentiles for the Christian Jews in Jerusalem. However, there had been dissension among the Jews in Jerusalem regarding Gentile Christians. Some of the Christian Jews believed that the number of Gentile Christians was getting too large and was a threat to them. The Gentile Christians did not follow some of the ceremonial rituals the Jewish Christians followed.

Paul was concerned that when he delivered the gift from the Gentile Christians to the Jewish Christians, they might reject it. Paul also had plans to take the gospel to Spain and his plans were to stop by Rome, visit with them and then continue to Spain. Spain was new territory for the gospel.

According to Paul’s travel plans, he would travel from Corinth to Jerusalem. This was a distance of about 800 miles. Then travel about 1,500 miles from Jerusalem to Rome and continue his trip to Spain which would be an additional 700 miles. Travel in those days could be perilous. So Paul wanted and needed prayer support.

When Christians leave for personal or missionary journey’s they seek our prayers. The unknown is always present and we seek GOD’S guidance and blessings as we journey.

Let’s read Romans 16:25-27:

25 Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret kept silent for long ages, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God, to advance the obedience of faith among all nations— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to Him be the glory forever![10] Other mss have these vv. at the end of chap 14 or 15. • Amen.

Paul closed his letter. Paul used the words “according to my gospel.”

Paul is referring to the gospel which he has been taught by CHRIST, preached and as presented in his letter. Paul had encountered the living CHRIST on the road to Damascus and he received his teaching from CHRIST through the revelation of truth from the HOLY SPIRIT.

The gospel truth has been available throughout the ages but hidden until revealed by CHRIST. Why has it been hidden? Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:7-8.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8:

7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3] Ps 24:7

Once CHRIST was revealed, the scriptures came alive and confirmed CHRIST.

Then Paul ended with the word “GLORY.”

The word “Glory” is a powerful and profoundly descriptive word which in the original Greek meant “opinion” or conjecture.” In the New Testament it carried the meaning of “honor “or “praise.” It is the realization that all a believer has heard and read about GOD has been manifested in his or her experience with CHRIST. This realization was culminated in the stark reality that GOD is WHO HE says HE is and can do what HE says HE can do. GOD said HE would send HIS SON to redeem mankind and HE did.

That realization provides a hearty “GLORY” or “PRAISE THE LORD” from the eyes of the heart because of the realization, comprehension and understanding of what GOD has done. This moment is not the result of an emotional experience but a spiritual revelation, realization and understanding that what we have studied about the character of GOD is confirmed.

As believers obediently serve the LORD and see HIS hand at work, we stand in awe of HIM. We are humbled to think that we, who are such great sinners and have been saved by grace, can be used by GOD in such a mighty way. When we see HIS power and hand at work through us, confirms our faith in HIM and challenges us to yield our lives to HIM even more.

Philippians 4:13:

13 I am able to do all things through Him[2] Other mss read Christ who strengthens me.
1 Peter 1:18-21:
18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined[24] Or was chosen, or was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the times for you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead[25] Rm 4:24; 10:9 and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

What a heritage we have as believers in CHRIST. In his letter to the Christians in Rome, the Apostle Paul has given believers of today a trove of spiritually rich fundamentals.