Week 12 Romans 15:14 – 16:27

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Week 12 Romans 15:14 – 16:27 WEEK 12 PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY ROMANS 15:14 – 16:27 1 PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY - ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ 15:14-16:23 – Personal Matters ○ 15:14 – Paul expresses confidence in their goodness, knowledge and ability to instruct others. ○ 15:15-17 – He justifies the boldness with which he had written to them on the basis of his position. ○ We see the motive for Paul’s evangelism – proclaiming the gospel of God so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God ○ 15:16 – Paul says his evangelism is an offering to God in response to all Jesus has given him. ○ Our evangelism is no less part of the way we make an offering of ourselves to Christ ○ Witnessing is not an add-on to the Christian life; it is a 2 central part of it. PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY - ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ 15:18-21 – He reviews his missionary labors and his practice of preaching where Christ wasn’t known. ○ 15:18 – Paul’s goal in evangelism is not merely some kind of conversion experience, but completely changed lives. ○ The object of our evangelism must be to make disciples of Christ in accordance with Matt 28:19-20. ○ The goal of evangelism is complete life change. 3 PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY - ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ 15:18 – Paul shows us how central evangelism is to him. ● The thing he was most excited about was the people he had seen pass from death to life through his ministry ○ We may not have Paul’s calling or all his gifts, but we are called to make disciples of all nations and to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have so that we can make the most of every opportunity (1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 4:5) ○ 15:18,19 – Paul did not only get the message of the gospel across by speaking, but by his life and actions. 4 PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY - ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ 15:22-23 – He explains that this is why he has never been to Rome in spite of his desire to visit. ○ 15:24-29 – He plans to visit on the way to Spain, but has to make a delivery to the saints in Jerusalem. ● Helping the poor is not an option; it is a debt to be honored. ● This duty is something Christians will be pleased to do. Grace makes us debtors to those in need. ○ 15:30-33 – He requests their prayers that if it is 5 God’s will, that he may visit them. PERSONAL MATTERS AND DOXOLOGY - ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ 16:1-16 – Paul commends Phoebe to the church and sends personal greetings to various individuals. ○ 16:17-20 – He warns the saints to have nothing to do with those who oppose sound doctrine. ○ 16:21-23 – He conveys the greetings of his companions to the saints in Roman. ○ 16:25-27 – The concluding doxology – Paul gives praise to the eternal, all-wise God, who through the Scriptures, has made known the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of salvation by faith freely offered to all men, Gentiles as well as Jews. 6 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ There are three questions that are given as an outline for testing an act to see if it is sinful. But what if one were faced with a situation of which he was uncertain? Perhaps he does not know if the Bible forbids his doing the thing in question, or perhaps he is uncertain as to whether it would tempt him or offend a brother. In such a case what must he do? The Biblical answer is when in doubt about a thing, don’t do it. “The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves. But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Rom 14:22,23). 7 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ Using the following three principles for determining Christian liberty demands that each believer know the Scriptures for himself. It also demands that he make decisions for himself and not allow any man or church to dictate to his conscience. Every Christian must declare with Luther, “I am bound by the text of the Bible, my conscience is captive to the Word of God.” Each believer must also determine for himself how and when to use the liberty given him. But he must make his judgements in the full realization that he is responsible to God for all his decisions and in the last day will have to give an account of himself to Him who knows the secrets of the heart. 8 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ (1) Does the Bible forbid my doing this? ○ If the Bible gives an unqualified command forbidding a Christian to do a certain thing, then that act is sinful. For example, if one should ask, “Is it wrong to murder? To commit adultery? To steal? Or to get drunk?” the answer is absolutely YES! For these acts are clearly forbidden in the Bible. No Christian can knowingly and willfully do such things without breaking God’s law. 9 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ (2) Although it is not a sin in itself, would my doing this lead me into temptation and cause me to sin? ○ The words of Christ, recorded in Matthew 5:29,30, plainly teach that Christians are under obligation to avoid occasions of temptation to sin. “ ‘ If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.’ “ Vos, in commenting on this passage, observes that “these words are not to be understood literally; the Lord does not intend us to attempt to avoid sin by actually mutilating our bodies. The real meaning is that the Christian is bound to cut off occasions of temptation to sin.10 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM ROMANS 15:14-16:27 ○ (3) Would my doing this cause me to offend a weak brother so as to make him stumble? ○ A Christian is not only obliged to avoid acts of sin (things forbidden by the Bible) and the occasions of temptation to sin (things not sinful within themselves but which lead to sin) but he is also told to avoid practices which would offend a weak brother so as to cause him to stumble. Note the admonition of Romans 14:13, 21, “Then let us no more pass judgement on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of a brother . it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.” Paul lays down this principle repeatedly in Romans 14:1-15:13; I Cor 8:1-13; 9:19-23; and 10:23-11:1. These passages should be given careful study. 11.
Recommended publications
  • THE CROSS and the CHRISTIAN's CALLING Romans 15-16
    The Cross and Christian Community The Cross and the Christian’s Calling Dr. David Platt September 29, 2013 THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING Romans 15-16 Before you open your Bible, I want to pray for what is about to happen in the next few minutes. Acts 13 tells us that while the church at Antioch was worshiping and fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). I’ve often wondered how that happened. Exactly how did the Holy Spirit say this? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I do know that as a result of what the Holy Spirit said on that day, a missionary movement was born that led to the spread of the gospel throughout the known world in the first century. Earlier this month, we set aside a day to fast as a faith family, and we came together that night. One of the things we prayed for specifically was this day. We fasted and we prayed that God might see fit in our worship gatherings today to say by His Spirit, “Set apart these people for the work to which I have called them.” We’ve been praying ever since that day for the same thing: That by His Spirit through His Word in our worship today God might call certain ones of us from Brook Hills, from Birmingham to spread the gospel in places outside of Birmingham. Just so you know where this is all going, at the end of our time in the Word today, I’m going to invite anyone—any individuals, any couples, any families—in this room who believe the Lord may be setting you apart to move outside of Birmingham for the spread of the gospel to stand where you are, so that we can pray with you about that possibility in your life or your family.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chapters of Romans
    Liberty University Scholars Crossing An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible 5-2018 The Chapters of Romans Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "The Chapters of Romans" (2018). An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible. 58. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible/58 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Romans SECTION OUTLINE ONE (ROMANS 1) Paul opens his letter to the Roman church by talking about God's anger with sin. The opening chapter may be thought of as a trial, where God is the judge and sinful humans are the accused. I. THE COURT RECORDER (1:1-17): Here Paul, author of Romans, provides his readers with some pretrial introductory material. A. His credentials (1:1, 5): Paul relates four facts about himself. 1. He is a servant of Jesus (1:1a). 2. He is an apostle (1:1b). 3. He has been set apart to preach the gospel (1:1c). 4. He is a missionary to the Gentiles (1:5). B. His Christ (1:2-4) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 15 Resources
    Romans 15 Resources Previous Next Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Romans Overview Chart - Charles Swindoll ROMANS ROAD to RIGHTEOUSNESS Romans 1:18-3:20 Romans 3:21-5:21 Romans 6:1-8:39 Romans 9:1-11:36 Romans 12:1-16:27 SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE NEED WAY LIFE SCOPE SERVICE FOR OF OF OF OF SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION God's Holiness God's Grace God's Power God's Sovereignty Gods Glory In In In In The Condemning Justifying Sanctifying Saving Object of Sin Sinners Believers Jew and Gentile Service Deadliness Design Demonstration of Salvation of Sin of Grace Power Given Promises Fulfilled Paths Pursued Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Needed Credited Demonstrated Restored to Israel Applied God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness IN LAW IMPUTED OBEYED IN ELECTION DISPLAYED Slaves to Sin Slaves to God Slaves Serving God Doctrine Duty Life by Faith Service by Faith Modified from Irving L. Jensen's chart above HENRY ALFORD Romans 15 Commentary Romans 15 Commentary (Greek phrases translated) PAUL APPLE Romans Commentary JACK ARNOLD Romans 15:1-13 Power to Please Romans 15:14-33 The Concerns of a True Minister WAYNE BARBER Romans 14:22-15:3 Responsibilities Under Grace 16 Romans 15:4-13 Responsibilities Under Grace 17 Romans 15:14-16 Responsibilities Under Grace 18 Romans 15:17 A Right to Boast - Pt 1 Romans 15:17-18 A Right to Boast - Pt
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 15: the Final Appeal to Unity
    Scholars Crossing Romans Study Guide Center for Global Ministries 2009 Romans 15: The Final Appeal to Unity Don Fanning Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgm_rom Recommended Citation Fanning, Don, "Romans 15: The Final Appeal to Unity" (2009). Romans Study Guide. 15. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgm_rom/15 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Global Ministries at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in Romans Study Guide by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. R o m a n s 1 5 Study Guide P a g e | 1 NOTES Chapter 15 A Final Call for Unity It is always difficult to give up one’s rights and privileges, but even more so when asked to give up what one likes or enjoys so as not to create an offence for someone that you may only marginally like personally. Is this asking too much? Are we willing to yield to the legalistic brother in our church in order to not encourage him not to violate his conscience? How much are we willing to give up for the sake of unity in the Body of Christ? David described this biblical principle in Ps 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brothers to dwell together in unity!” What is the intent of Jesus in John 10:16 and Rev 21:1-4? A general theme throughout the epistles is the need to overcome any cultural hang-ups or dislikes of each other over ethnic or cultural differences in order to build unity (Read Col 3:11-14 in the context of cultural dislikes, and ethnic prejudices which were rampant in the early churches).
    [Show full text]
  • Phone Call Bible Class Notes ROMANS 15 NOTES
    Phone Call Bible Class Notes FOR THE LESSON ON SUNDAY, May 31, 2020 ROMANS 15 NOTES* (based on NASB) “Reach” Romans 15:14-21; 30-31 (BACKGROUND TEXT: Romans 15:14-16:27) INTRODUCTION: • Romans among the Letters of Paul. o Romans begins a set of twelve letters written by Paul in the New Testament. Great men of God through the centuries have feasted on the riches of the Book of Romans. Martin Luther once said, “This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.” o Romans was probably written from ancient Greece, possibly from the city of Corinth about 57 AD during the latter part of Paul’s third missionary journey. Ancient Corinth was a city state located on an isthmus that joins the Peloponnesian peninsula to the mainland of Greece, about 3½ miles southwest of the modern city of Corinth. o Paul seeks to resolve a “human problem” in the letter to the Romans. Certainly, this deals with problems between the Gentile and the Jew, but far more than that. He digs deep into the basic problem of sinful mankind. Then, he even digs into the difficulties faced by the immature Christian, and he exposes the profound hope that God brings to all people.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans Commentaries & Sermons
    Romans Commentaries & Sermons Acts 1 Corinthians OVERVIEW CHART OF BOOK OF ROMANS Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Romans Overview Chart - Charles Swindoll Source: Dr David Cooper Click to Enlarge ROMANS ROAD to RIGHTEOUSNESS Romans 1:18-3:20 Romans 3:21-5:21 Romans 6:1-8:39 Romans 9:1-11:36 Romans 12:1-16:27 SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE NEED WAY LIFE SCOPE SERVICE FOR OF OF OF OF SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION God's Holiness God's Grace God's Power God's Sovereignty Gods Glory In In In In The Condemning Justifying Sanctifying Saving Object of Sin Sinners Believers Jew and Gentile Service Deadliness Design Demonstration of Salvation of Sin of Grace Power Given Promises Fulfilled Paths Pursued Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Needed Credited Demonstrated Restored to Israel Applied God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness IN LAW IMPUTED OBEYED IN ELECTION DISPLAYED Slaves to Sin Slaves to God Slaves Serving God Doctrine Duty Life by Faith Service by Faith Modified from Irving L. Jensen's chart above Rome in the Time of Paul (c. A.D. 60) The city plan below shows most of the features of the city of Rome that archaeologists have so far identified as dating from the time of Paul. Sections of the city would have been very impressive in his time, but most of the outstanding buildings visible in Rome today date to after his death.
    [Show full text]
  • ROMANS 15:15-27 MINISTRY to UNBELIEVERS— May 30, 2021
    GJW PITWM VERSE BY VERSE ROMANS 15:15-27 MINISTRY TO UNBELIEVERS— May 30, 2021 INTRODUCTION: 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Paul makes it a point to acknowledge the commendable qualities of the Roman believers. He first called them "brethren." And he goes further to lay down a most needed encouragement toward these believers. He was persuaded, satisfied, and convinced that they were: • full of goodness; kindness and helpfulness. • filled with all knowledge; spiritual insight, and perception; knowledge of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. • able to admonish one another; well able to teach, to implant the truth, guide, correct and instruct. Paul had never visited the Roman church, but he had met a few of the Roman believers in his travels over the Mediterranean world. Therefore, his writings are of things he had heard about of them, and at the beginning of the chapter he stressed that "those who were strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves" 15:1. He didn’t look at himself as being superior to other believers. He knew that all believers needed encouragement from time to time. His spirit was gracious as he acknowledged their commendable qualities. LESSON: I. MINISTRY PRIVILEGE ROMANS 15:15-17 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,— In Paul’s letters, he was bold in reminding the people of the great truths of the gospel, because of the grace that’s been given to him of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 15:10-12
    Romans 15:10-12 Romans 15:10-Paul Cites Deuteronomy 32:43 To Support His Conviction That The Father’s Redemptive Purpose Through His Son Includes Gentiles And Jews By way of review, the apostle Paul in Romans 15:1 issues both a command and a prohibition. Romans 15:1, “Now, we who are strong are, as an eternal spiritual truth under obligation to patiently and sympathetically endure the weak’s scruples and in addition not please ourselves for our own benefit.” The command reminds the strong that they are under obligation to patiently and sympathetically endure the scruples of the weak and the prohibition that they are not to please themselves for their own benefit. The apostle Paul in Romans 15:2 wants his readers who were strong to meditate upon the command in this verse to continue making it their habit of pleasing the weak for their benefit, for the purpose of that which is good in character, specifically, their edification, i.e. their spiritual growth. Romans 15:2, “Each and every one of us without exception must continue to make it their habit of pleasing his neighbor for their benefit for the purpose of that which is good in character specifically, edification.” This command does not mean that the strong are to conform to the scruples of the weak or that the strong are to let the weak control the local assembly since this would not further the spiritual growth of the weak. Rather, this command means that the strong are to refrain from exercising their freedom in Christ with respect to eating and drinking while in the presence of the weak for the purpose of their spiritual growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Patience, Comfort, and Hope from the Scriptures No
    Sermon #2753 Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 1 PATIENCE, COMFORT, AND HOPE FROM THE SCRIPTURES NO. 2753 A SERMON INTENDED FOR READING ON LORD’S-DAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1901 DELIVERED BY C. H. SPURGEON AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON ON LORD’S-DAY EVENING, JULY 20, 1879 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 THE apostle Paul was an inspired man when he wrote this epistle, so there was no necessity on the part of the Holy Spirit, when guiding his mind and pen, to employ words which had been used before in the Scriptures, for His language is unlimited. Yet Paul, inspired as he was, frequently quoted from the Old Testament, and in the verse preceding our text he quotes from the Psalms, “As it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” One special reason for quoting from the Old Testament was, doubtless, to put honor upon it, for the Holy Spirit foresaw that there would be some, in these later days, who would speak of it disparagingly. Not so did our Lord Jesus Christ. Not so did His apostles. Not so did any by whom the Holy Ghost spoke. The Old Testament is not to be regarded with one jot less of reverence and love than is the New Testament—they must remain bound together, for they are the one revelation of the mind and will of God—and woe be to the man who shall attempt to rend asunder that seamless garment of Holy Scripture.
    [Show full text]
  • Praying Romans 15
    Praying Romans 15 Release Date: October 14, 2019 Romans 15:1–21 (ESV) 1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ​ ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not ​ ​ ​ ​ please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 ​ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of ​ ​ endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord ​ ​ Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of ​ ​ God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in ​ order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might ​ ​ glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, ​ “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, ​ “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, ​ “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the ​ Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 15:22-33 June 27, 2010 the Rev
    Paul carefully laid his plans for future ministry, but, as it happened, they did not come to fruition. We must plan and we must pray but God will determine the course of our lives and rarely will he explain his purposes to us. “The Best Laid Plans…” Romans 15:22-33 June 27, 2010 The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn In the previous paragraph Paul has reminded the Christians in Rome that he had been given a special calling to reach the Gentile world for Christ and the gospel of God’s grace. Now he is going to bring them in on the plans he has for the next stage of that work. Text Comment v.22 The reason, explained in the previous verses, that Paul has not visited Rome to this point is that he has been preoccupied with building the Gentile church from Jerusalem to Illyricum. v.26 He mentions Macedonia and Achaia because he has been most recently among those churches. Those two Roman provinces formed the bulk of modern Greece and would have included the New Testament churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. Indeed, Paul wrote Romans while spending the winter in Corinth, which was in Achaia. v.27 The Gentiles owe loyalty to the Jewish believers because it was from them that the gospel of life made its way to the Gentile world. v.29 You remember that Paul, on what is nowadays referred to as his third missionary journey, had been taking a collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem among the churches of his circle and was soon to take that collection to Jerusalem in the company of representatives of those largely Gentile churches.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans Study Guide
    ROMANS STUDY GUIDE Following Jesus Romans 15:1-13 Brief Comments Introducton: A new kind of community is the theme of Romans 12:1-15:13. Leading up to this passage, Paul has identfed four traits for this new kind of community including spiritual worship (12:1-8), authentc love (12:9-21), citzenship (13:1-14), and unity (14:1-23). The ffh and fnal characteristc of this new kind of community is following Jesus (15:1-13). The Christan life is really about following Jesus. Jesus was the original person for “Just do it.” So, if Jesus studied/taught the Word, worshipped, prayed, discipled, served, evangelized, and fasted, then we should follow Jesus and “just do it.” Following Jesus also includes developing Christ-like characteristcs such as grace, holiness, love, mercy, justce, compassion, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, perseverance, humility, patence, truthfulness, and forgiveness. Romans 15:1-13 is about following Jesus in light of pursuing unity. Thus, these verses contnue the theme of unity began in Romans 14. Paul makes two points in this passage. First, followers of Jesus don’t please ourselves (15:1-6). Second, followers of Jesus welcome one another (15:7-13). Don’t Please Ourselves (15:1-6) 15:1-2: When we choose to not please ourselves, then we put others frst. First, the strong/mature in faith have an obligaton (duty, responsibility) “to bear” (like carrying a burden; cf. Galatans 6:2) the “failings of the weak” (failings refer to issues of consciences highlighted in chapter 14: meat, holy days, drinking wine).
    [Show full text]