PAUL BLESSES, ENCOURAGES AND GIVES HIS FUTURE PLANS TO THE CHURCH AT ROME
Romans 15:14-16:27
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Paul praises Christ Jesus because of the great work being done among the Gentiles and his call to this work (Rom. 15:14-22).
A. The church of Rome has been a good and growing church but now with this letter they should be even more equipped to instruct (nouthetein- counsel, admonish, warn) one another (vs 14,15).
B.Paul's calling was to serve as a priest of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (vs 16-22).
1. He proclaimed the Gospel of God to the Gentiles and the Gentiles after belief (justification) and discipleship (sanctification) became and continue to become an acceptable offering (vs 16; Rom. 1-5; 12:1).
2. He gives all the glory to Christ Jesus for his ministry (vs 17,18).
3. As an apostle, God gave Paul the ability to proclaim the Gospel through signs and miracles to areas where Christ was previously unknown (vs 19-22; I. Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:12; Isa. 52:15).
Thought: As a believer, do you know what spiritual gifts you have been given? Do you know what ministry area you have been called to?
II. Paul lets the church at Rome know of his short range and long range plans (Rom. 15:23-33).
A. Paul believed his work east of Rome had been pretty much completed in his first three missionary journeys (vs 23; Acts 13:1-20:3).
B. His future plan is to start proclaiming the Gospel West of Rome all the way to Spain and visit Rome on the way (vs 24a, 28c).
C. He currently was on his way to Jerusalem with an offering to the needy and poor Jewish believers from the Gentile churches (vs 24b-28b).
D. He knew of the dangers, asked prayer for safety, but sensed the leading of the Lord to go anyway (vs 29-33). As it turned out, the Lord had a plan to get Paul to Rome in a different way (Acts chapters 21-28).
Thought: Have you ever had the Lord change the way in which you thought you were supposed to go?
III. Paul sends his greetings to some of the believers at the church at Rome (Rom. 16:1-16).
A. Phoebe was a deaconess (diakonon) of a church at Cenchrea (seven miles from Corinth - where Paul wrote this letter). She probably was on her way to Rome and carried the letter (vs 1,2).
B. Paul greets 26 people in these verses and a third of them are women (vs 3-16).
C. Rufus (vs 13) was probably the son of Simon the Cyrene who was forced to carry the cross of Christ (Mark 15:21). It is believed that Mark's gospel was written for the church in Rome and Rufus would have been known by all the believers there (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11).
Thought: As believers serving in Christ's Kingdom, we accomplish more together than separate.
IV. Paul finishes the letter with a warning and a blessing (Rom. 16:17-27).
A. Believers need to watch out (skopeiv - observe, mark, scrutinize) for division causers and stumbling causers in regards to their teaching (vs 17; Rom. 3:20-23; 14:13).
1. After warning and counseling them, the next step is to avoid them (vs 20; Rom. 15:14).
2. Through our knowing the truth in Scripture and applying it, God will bring restored peace through His power and disciplining process (vs 20; Gen. 3:15).
B. Believers are made firm and stable through the Gospel which is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as delivered to us in the Scriptures. The mystery of the Gentiles and Jews being one body in Christ has now been revealed and may the only God who is awesomely wise receive all the glory! (vs 21-27).
