Paul’s closing remarks (4 things)

• 1^st – Paul’s purpose in writing the Epistle to the Romans… vs. 14-16
  • Paul having concluded the teaching on the doctrine of Salvation by faith in Jesus alone…
    • Having given Israel as an example of not attaining salvation – through good works…
    • And given the application for the church in light of our common salvation…
    • Now begins to conclude his epistle to the church in Rome (it will take 1 ½ chapters)
  • Paul was confident…
    • 1^st – The believers in Rome were already full of good works…
      • Paul had not written the letter to the Roman church because of any problems…
      • There were no particular sins rampant in the church (Paul had never even been there)
      • From everything Paul had heard – the church overflowed with the Love of Jesus…
      • Romans 1:8 – “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
    • 2^nd – The believers in Rome already knew everything Paul was teaching…
      • Paul had also not written the book because of lack of knowledge in the church…
      • There were no outstanding false teachings – (salvation by works not by faith)
      • And nothing that Paul taught in his letter was ‘new’ to them…
      • The believers in Rome were not ‘new born’ Christians – in fact…
    • 3^rd – The believers in Rome were able to teach others these same truths…
      • It would seem the believers in Rome had grown into mature/solid Christians…
      • Well enough taught – founded in God’s Word – they could even teach others!
      • We aren’t told who first brought the Gospel to the city of Rome (tradition says Peter)
      • But they had done a VERY good job in establishing the believers there in the faith…
      • When we first come to know the Lord – we are not going to understand much…
      • There is a LOT about Jesus and God’s Word we do not understand…
      • We are going to make a lot of mistakes – and struggle to overcome our sin…
      • But we should not stay that way – as we get into God’s Word – we should grow…
      • It is cute to bottle feed a young infant – no surprise when they mess their diapers 
      • But when a grown adult is still on the ‘bottle’ – still wearing diapers…
      • It is a tragedy – something has gone terribly wrong…
      • When those who should be teaching others – still need to be taught simple truth…
      • * Hebrews 5:12 – “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food.”
      • As believers in Jesus we should by spending time in God’s Word…
      • Moving beyond the simple truths – salvation by faith / eternal judgment…
      • Growing in the Lord to a place where we can begin to teach others about Jesus!
  • Why Paul wrote the letter – to remind them…
    • They might have known these truths – but everyone needs a reminder now and then…
      • We get so caught up in the daily routine and demands of life – it’s easy to forget…
      • All of us at one point or another need the gentile reminder – ‘just Jesus’…
      • It puts things back into perspective – it reminds us to put our eyes on the Lord…
    • So the church in Rome might be an acceptable offering – sanctified by the Holy Spirit
      • Paul was the minister (literally priest) of the Gentiles – bringing them the Gospel…
      • And his desire was to see them finish what they had started – to complete the race…
      • It is not those who start a race who win – it is those who finish a race…
      • * I Corinthians 9:24 – “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.”
      • There are a great many people who decide to ‘follow’ Jesus – run after God…
      • But many of them – somewhere along the way – seem to drop out of the race…
      • What causes them to ‘drop out’ – sin – the temptations of this world…
      • * Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
      • Running a race is tiring – tie a 100lbs weigh to your back – it’s near impossible!
      • If you see a brother or sister in the Lord struggling – stumbling in their walk…
      • Take the time to go encourage them – throw off the sin that is weighing them down…
      • So they will finish the race – offer their life as an acceptable offering to Jesus!
        
• 2^nd – The minsitry of Paul… vs. 17-21
  • The incredible effect of Paul’s ministry…
    • In mighty signs and wonders – by the power of the Holy Spirit…
    • The Gospel had been preached from Jerusalem to Illyricum (north east of Italy)
    • Not to boast – it was all about what Jesus was doing through Paul…
    • Saul (Paul’s name before Jesus) had sought to destroy the church – kill Christians…
    • He called himself the ‘chief of sinners’ before Jesus got a hold of his life…
    • The contrast between ‘Saul’ (mighty) and ‘Paul’ (little) is enormous…
    • Through the power of the Holy Spirit – ‘Paul’ wrote 1/3 of the New Testament…
    • * I Corinthians 15:10 – “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”
    • Who we were – and what we did – before Jesus mean nothing – Philippians 3:13
    • It is all about who we become as new creations in Jesus – II Corinthians 5:17
    • Not that we get any credit for the work – all the credit and glory go to God!
  • The direction of Paul’s ministry…
    • Paul’s desire was to preach the Gospel where the name of Jesus had not been heard…
      • So as not to build on the work of another man – Isaiah 52:15…
      • If a building has a foundation – floor – walls – ceiling – and roof…
      • Paul liked to be the 1^st one a the construction site – he liked to put in the floor…
      • He didn’t want to go where the Gospel been preached – a church already established 
      • He preferred to go where no one had gone before – trailblazing for Christ!
      • Not that there is anything wrong with ‘building on another man’s foundation’…
    • Paul is just sharing his particular calling and desire in ministry…
      • God speaks to us through His word – sometimes generally – sometimes specifically
      • This is the verse God gave me many years ago – stirring my heart to church plant…
      • I relate to Paul’s heart not to want to build on another man’s foundation…
      • I had several opportunities over the years to pastor existing churches – no interest…
      • It was the desire to see a church grow from the foundation up – a new work…
      • That brought me to the Philippines – that brought me to the Bukid of Himamaylan!

• 3^rd – Paul’s desire to see Rome… vs. 22-29
  • Paul WANTED to get to Rome…
    • Acts 19:21 – “Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’”
    • Romans 1:10 – “One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.”
    • Acts 23:11– “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
    • But because Paul had been preaching all over – he’d been too busy to get to Rome…
  • Having finished his 3^rd missionary journey – Paul was ready to come – Acts 20:1-3
    • First he had to go to Jerusalem – to give a gift from the Macedonia churches…
      • Hard times had hit the church that was in Jerusalem…
      • The gentile churches took up a collection to help them out – II Corinthians 9:1-11
      • As they had been blessed spiritually by the Gospel that came out from Jerusalem…
      • They saw the least they could do is give back practically to the hurting church…
    • Then Paul’s plan was to go all the way to Spain – the western most end of the Empire…
      • On the way he would stop by and visit the saints who were in Rome…
      • It was Paul’s desire to go to Rome – it was God’s will for him to get there…
      • But things would not go as Paul planned – he would be arrested in Jerusalem…
      • He would spend 2 years in captivity – only to be shipped to Rome as a prisoner…
      • When God gives us His ‘will’ – desire – it does not mean that it will happen right away
      • It also rarely happens in the way that we would expect…
      • It always happens in a way that keeps us looking to and dependant on God!
    • But God’s plan is always a better plan…
      • Because Paul went to Rome God’s way – as a prisoner who appealed to Caesar…
      • He was able to share the Gospel with the most powerful ruler on earth…
      • If Paul had following his plans – he would have never gotten to see the emperor!
      • We do not always understand God’s methods – or His timing…
      • But in the end God’s way always works out better than our very best plans!
        
• 4^th – Request for prayer… vs. 30-33
  • Join in the fight – through prayer…
    • The Church in Rome had never met the Apostle Paul…
    • But the Holy Sprit had given them a common love for him – a desire to help him….
    • We may not every go to preach the Gospel in far away lands…
    • We may never even meet those whom God has called to go and establish churches…
    • But we can still be a part of the work God is doing – through prayer!
  • 1^st – Pray for the time in Judea…
    • Paul foresaw two challenges that awaited him when he arrived back in Judea…
    • 1^st – There were many Jewish ‘believers’ who did not like gentiles were being saved…
      • Men who falsely taught you needed to become a Jew in order to receive Jesus…
      • We also live in a community where most are very hardened towards the Gospel…
      • Most would prefer ‘religion’ and ‘tradition’ to a relationship with Jesus…
      • They would rather have their old lives – than the new life Jesus offers to them!
    • 2^nd – The Jews were also a VERY proud people…
      • They thought they were superior to the gentiles – God’s chosen people…
      • So it would be hard for them to accept help from the gentile churches…
      • We also live in a community where most don’t see their need for salvation…
      • They are proud and think their ‘religion’ is enough to get them into heaven…
      • They don’t see their great need for Jesus – to grow in the Word and in faith…
      • How do we break through – how do we reach them – through the power of prayer…
  • 2^nd – Pray – by the will of God – I will come to see you with a happy heart…
    • It was nice for Paul to send the letter – but there is nothing like fellowship…
    • Paul longed to encourage – and be encouraged by the believers there in Rome…
    • II John 1:12 – “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”
    • May the God who gives us peace be with you all – Amen…