Sunday, March 4th, 2012
Romans 15:14-22
The Power In Believers
Bible Memory Verse for the Week: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Background Information:
- v.15 – Since Paul had not yet preached in Rome his reference may be to what was already commonly known and accepted in the church.
- v.16 – The imagery here is remarkably forceful because the word translated “minister” is the same root word from which we derive the word, liturgy. The word even sounds like it – lietourgon. This is most significant, because Paul could have used other words to describe himself. For example, he could have used the common term doulos to indicate a servant of Jesus Christ, or he could have used diakonos, which means “servant” or “minister.” But he chose lietourgon because he saw his missionary work like that of a priest offering sacred worship to God. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching The Word: Romans, 288)
- vv. 17-22 – At first glance this seems prideful, and we have been taught that pride in any form is wrong. Yet it is not as simple as that. There is sinful pride, but there is also a proper kind of pride, not in what we are or what we have done by ourselves naturally, but as Christian people who are pleased with what God does through us. This can get distorted and destructive because of sin, but a right kind of pride is helpful – and even necessary – if it is focused properly. Paul had the right kind of pride because he was boasting in Christ and not in his own personal accomplishments or talents. (James Montgomery Boice, Romans Vol. IV – The New Humanity, p1862)
The question to be answered is… What is Paul trying to communicate and accomplish as he switches gears in bringing his epistle to the Roman church to a close, and what can we glean from it as 21st century Christians?
Answer: Paul is seeking to reinforce the fact that his letter has been very rhetorical, in order to instill confidence in the church, and to convince the church that they are ready and should fully engage in doing the things it was designed to do. Paul’s drive and motivation to spread the gospel should serve as an example to us as we fully engage and share the gospel with others.
The Word for the Day is… Engage
What can Paul’s words to the Romans teach us about what being a great church is all about?
I. That in order to be a great church, we must strive for, and engage in, three things (at the very least)… (v.14)
- A. We must strive to be full of goodness. (Mat. 12:35; Rom. 12:9, 12:21; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 3:8, 14)
Goodness makes greatness truly valuable, and greatness make goodness much more serviceable. – Matthew Henry
- B. We must strive to be complete in knowledge. (Ps. 94:8-15; Prov. 1:7; Prov. 8, 10:14, 12:1, 15:7, 18:15, 20:15; Heb. 6:1-6; 2 Peter 1:3, 1:5)
A strong faith is not built on a weak understanding; those who will not struggle with the mysteries of their life are scarcely likely to discover the power which unravels their bewildering tangles. In a day when any easy panacea serves as a substitute for honest thought, it is sobering to remember that Paul did not expect to build strong churches out of people who were too lazy to think. (The interpreter’s Bible, Vol IX, p642)
- C. We must strive to be competent to instruct one another. (Prov. 4:1, 13:13; Gal. 6:6, 1 Cor. 6:2, 2 Cor. 3:5-6)
To this reminder Paul added that the Roman believers minister as priests “the gospel of God, [so] that my offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (v. 16b). A priest, or servant, is concerned not only with one’s conversion but also with one’s sanctification. When we serve others as priests of the gospel, we become involved in its every facet. Among its many aspects, three are central: proclaiming freedom from the penalty of sin (justification), helping others with their release from the power of sin (sanctification), and encouraging believers with the hope of their final deliverance from the very presence of sin (glorification). In other words, like the early Roman Christians, we are to be both spiritual obstetricians and pediatricians. We should be servants who help unbelievers become born again into the family of God as well as disciple them through the growing-up process. (Charles R. Swindoll, Relating to Others in Love, p.48)
II. If we want to be a great church, we would do well to adopt and engage Paul’s drive and motivation for sharing the gospel.
- A. Paul saw his ministry to the Gentiles as a priestly service and we should too! (Rom. 1:1, 16v.16-17)
He [Paul] is nothing less than Christ’s agent to the Gentile world, and even God’s priest to offer to Him a sacrifice consisting of Gentile converts won to the gospel and nurtured in the faith. This is a specific application of the priesthood of all believers, whereby all Christian work is viewed as sacrifice. (F.F. Bruce, New International Bible Commentary, p. 1343)
- B. Paul’s satisfaction and glory was found in Christ and what He was accomplishing through Paul, not in what Paul was doing for Christ. (v.18, 1 Cor. 9:16)
Paul has reason to glory because all glory he has experienced is rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus. He understands it is not of himself. (R.C. Sproul, The Righteous Shall Live By Faith, p497)
- C. Paul’s transformation in Christ was a catalyst for his desire to boldly go where no one had gone before in spreading the Gospel. (v.20)
“Seize the time, Meribor. Live now; make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again” – Capt. Jean Luc Picard, USS Enterprise (Ep. The Inner Light)
CONCLUSION/APPLICATION:
- Strive to be full of goodness by applying God’s Word to your life. (Mat. 5:16; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 2:10, 5:9, 6:8; Heb. 10:24, 13:16; 1 Peter 2:12, 15; 3 John 1:11)
“Change is the essential process of all existence.” – Spock
If there is no obedience, there is no true faith. It may be like a child’s obedience, slow-growing at first, often lapsing into rebellion. But if Christ has entered the heart there will be growth in obedience. Sin my hamper it for a while, but faith and discipline must continue. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Romans Vol. IV, p93)
- Strive to be complete in knowledge by making an effort to add to your knowledge regularly. (Prov. 2, 9:10, 11:9, 13:16, 14:6, 15:14, 19:2, 19:27, 24:5; James 3:13)
“Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 19:27
- As you practice both A and B, you will naturally grow in your competence to instruct others. (Prov. 16:20, 23, 19:20; 1 Cor. 12:7, 1 Thes. 4:1-11)
(15:14) Without love which edifies, knowledge puffs up. Those cannot admonish one another who are not full of love, for they who have only knowledge (and not love) retain it for themselves, are puffed up, and regard it beneath their dignity to instruct others. They only desire to be seen and look with contempt upon others. But they who love freely share their knowledge and edify. They who love, teach by word, yet refrain also from all works that give offense. (Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, p. 215)
- Remember to give glory to God in all things!
Paul was not proud of what he had done, but of what God had done through him. Being proud of God’s work is not a sin – it is worship. If you are not sure whether your pride is selfish or holy, ask yourself this question: Are you just as proud of what God is doing through other people as of what He is doing through you? (Student’s Life Application Bible, p. 1097)
- If you are a believer, you have been gifted by God, are empowered by the Holy Spirit and are fully qualified to share the gospel. So do it! (Mark 16:15)
“Things are only impossible until they’re not.” – Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t—you’re right” Henry Ford
Christians must recover confidence in the Gospel because when they lose it, either they will doubt the need to proclaim the Gospel or they will accept the claim that all religions are equally valid. (Tite Tienou, This We Believe, p. 237)
Worship Point:
Worship happens when the gospel becomes so alive and powerful in your life that you can’t help but share it with others.
Our participation in making the Good News known – or our lack of it – is therefore an indication of our understanding of divine grace. (Tite Tienou, This We Believe, p. 246)
Spiritual Challenge:
Share the gospel! Boldly share what no one has shared before! In Christ, you are fully equipped, capable, and called to share the good news of Jesus with both believers and non-believers. Don’t wait until you “feel” qualified; if you are a believer, you already are!
Quotes To Note:
God is glorified in using us. We are the most unprofitable servants, even if we have great natural talents. But if we will offer ourselves to God as his slaves, he will use us and will bring glory to himself even through our natural human foolishness, our weaknesses, or our lack of worldly status. And that will be our glory too! (James Montgomery Boice, Romans Vol. IV – The New Humanity, p1864)
“… it makes little sense for us to sit over here asking, “What do you want me to do, God?” The answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to make the Gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples, particularly those who have never even heard of Jesus.
The question, therefore, is not, “Can we find God’s will?” The question is “Will we obey God’s will?”
Will we refuse to sit back and wait for some tingly feeling to go down our spines before we rise up and do what we have already been commanded to do? (David Platt, Radical – Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, p.160)
God is the author of the Gospel Christians are to proclaim. Like the apostle Paul, Christians acknowledge that the Gospel is “the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1). So when Christians share the Gospel with others, they do not market their own ideas; they convey a divine message. That is the reason Christians can and should have confidence in the Gospel: It comes from God and belongs to him who is the sole Master of Everything (including humans). (Tite Tienou, This We Believe, p. 237)
Unreal self-depreciation holds no place among the legitimate disciplines of the Christian life. If we ought not to think more highly of ourselves than we should, we are not required to pretend that we regard ourselves more meanly than we do. (The interpreter’s Bible, Vol IX, p642)
Paul’s life is cause for amazement and reflection. In the context of the times in which he lived, his situation appeared absurd. On one side there was Rome, metropolis of the world, heart of the Empire, insufferably proud on her seven hills, shaking the earth with the march of her fabled legions. On the other side was this little Jew, with scarred face and feeble body, ostensibly impotent amidst such power, armed only with something called the “good news.” Yet he changed the history of Rome, Western civilization, and indeed our own lives. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching The Word: Romans, 287)
Indeed, it would be terrible selfishness on the part of Christians if they were to keep the Good News to themselves. Withholding news about the only source of hope of salvation is worse than not sharing information concerning the cure for a dreadful disease. Consequently, proclaiming the Gospel is one of the greatest demonstrations of love toward other human beings because it is the only way of extending God’s love to the world (John 3:16). (Tite Tienou, This We Believe, p. 244)
Often overlooked by conservative Christians is the fact that, although Paul constantly worked with individuals, it was for the purpose of welding them into one body, the church, a new society on earth. Paul was not training prima donnas; he was interested only in choral Christianity. The music of Christian truth does not consist of innumerable solos. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Romans Vol. IV, p90)
In order to influence society, a person or a movement must be different. But Christians will never be different unless they understand, believe and act upon the revelation of the character and ways of God that we have in the Bible. (James Montgomery Boice, Romans Vol. IV – The New Humanity, p1850)
There are several New Testament examples of unlikely evangelists that may provide you with the confidence to share your faith whenever God gives you an opportunity. Our first unlikely witness had a couple of major strikes against her. First, she was a woman. During the time Jesus lived, most men didn’t treat women with the respect or dignity they deserved. Second, she’d already been through five husbands and was living with a sixth guy. Yet God used this unlikely person to reach out to many with the love of Christ.
When this women met Jesus at the well, she noticed that he treated her differently. She was shocked, in part, because a Jew (probably also a religious teacher, by his traditional dress) wouldn’t normally speak to a Samaritan, much less treat her kindly. As they continued talking, Jesus cleverly turned the conversation about water from a well to a conversation about living water, she’d never thirst again.
Overwhelmed by his love and grace, the changed woman had to tell everyone she knew. John 4:28-30 says, “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward him.”
Even though this woman hadn’t memorized the script I learned in seminary, even though she wasn’t a great defender of her faith, able to debate skeptics, and even though she probably didn’t know much about Scripture, she could invite her friends to experience Jesus. Later in the chapter, we see the great results from her efforts: “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39) (Craig Groeschel, The Christian Atheist, 204-205)
It is common knowledge today that how we perceive ourselves greatly determines how we live our lives. Psychologists are constantly reminding us of the importance of self-image. Imagine, then, what this priestly self-perception did for Paul. His missionary life was to him intensely sacred. The most mundane daily occurrences were holy. However ignominious his treatment, he was garbed in imperturbable dignity as a servant of God. Everything was done to please God. All of life was liturgy. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching The Word: Romans, 288)
Paul is anxious to emphasize that he is the apostle to the Gentiles. Failure to see the special place of Paul’s ministry in the program of God will bring confusion to one’s Bible study. In v.16, Paul pictures himself as a NT priest, offering up the Gentiles to God as his sacrifice of praise. Every time we win a soul to Christ, it is another sacrifice to His glory. (Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament, p. 409)
When it comes to our interaction with outsiders, we have to realize that our relationships, our interactions with people, comprise the picture of Jesus that people retain. God has wired human beings so that spiritual influence occurs most commonly through relationships. One of the clear implications of our research is that the negative image of Christians can be overcome, and this almost always happens in the context of meaningful, trusting relationships. The goal of overcoming their negative baggage is not just to make outsiders think pleasant things about us, but to point them to life in Christ. We do not “spin” the Christian message; we live it. We do not need to exaggerate or hype faith; we embrace and describe all the potency, depth, complexity, and realism of following Christ. (David Kinneman, unChristian, p. 209)
Again, let me point out that it is not up to us to “fix” everyone’s ideas about Jesus. Even with the best intentions, even when we live in a Christlike way, it is still possible to be misunderstood. Thousands of years of church history, as much as our own experiences in today’s hostile environment, confirm this. Jesus is a divisive character. (David Kinneman, unChristian, p. 209)
Christ, having come from God, is a demonstration, a manifestation of what God is, and he is the embodiment of God’s knowledge. As Christ fills my being, I am filled with his knowledge. This is what God desires for every believer. He does not want us to limp along, but to soar and to sing in our faith; and He has given us everything needed to make life triumphant.
Most important, He has given us the Bible by which to check our thinking. As the square by which the carpenter tests every board, so is the Bible the standard for the Christian. This is one of the most important purposes for which the Bible was given. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Romans Vol. IV, p80)
What great things Paul could have boasted of. He penned more of the New Testament than any other writer; he did more, according to Acts, than any other apostle; he unquestionably had the keenest theological mind of any in the early church, and probably all of church history. We can only speculate how many were converted through his ministry in his own day, far less through the ages because of his writings. How sincerely he writes in Philippians that all these things, including his marvelous heritage, were as rubbish (3:8). When he boasted it was to bring attention to his weakness and the power of God. The saving grace of God and the glory of the cross were the themes upon which Paul rested his case and in which he took pride. Paul is saying that all that was acceptable to God was done by Christ through the Holy Spirit. He is not boasting of himself and of his own accomplishments; he is boasting in the Lord; he is boasting about what Christ has accomplished. (R.C. Sproul, The Gospel of God, p245)
From the beginning of his ministry to the very end Paul was acutely conscious of the burden that Christ had put upon him as an apostle of God’s gospel. He knew that his duty was to communicate the full counsel of God. That burden has been shared by every earnest minister of the gospel ever since. The pulpit is not a place for the minister to orate or opine on his personal preferences or insights. The pulpit is where the Word of God is to be proclaimed, and the burden of everyone who stands in it is to make sure that the whole counsel of God is to be given to the people of God. (R.C. Sproul, The Righteous Shall Live By Faith, p495)
The Word of God is wonderful, it is important, it is powerful, it is alive, sharper than a two-edged sword, but it has to also work in our lives and be demonstrated through our lives. Many times what I say is totally lost on the ears of the hearers because of what I am. If the Word doesn’t work in my life and I cannot demonstrate the power of the Word of God through my life, then all of the principles in the world, if they are not practical, don’t work no matter how good a principal they may be; they are of no value. It is the Holy Spirit that takes the Word and then makes the Word operable in my life and the deeds then are demonstrated–that of love, that of power. And the Holy Spirit can manifest Himself in many different ways. (Chuck Smith, online commentary on Romans 15, blueletterbible.org)
Picard: What we leave behind is as important as how we’ve lived. After all, Number One, we’re only mortal.
Riker: Speak for yourself, sir. I plan to live forever. -Star Trek: Generations
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