Right Actions

12 January 2014 – Romans 15:14-33 – Romans – Scott Childs

Introduction: In the book of James we read these words, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Self-deception is the greatest deception. God will reward Christians for what they DO, not for what they know.

Transition: This morning we are going to examine three right actions which, like Paul, we ought to have in our lives.

I.        1st Right Action: We Must Give God all the Glory

A.     Paul gave God glory for His grace (14-16)

1.      Before reminding them of his ministry, Paul gave the Roman Christians three complements (14).

a)      He complemented them for being full of goodness. This word points to moral excellence making them good, upright people. This is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

b)      He complemented them for being filled with all knowledge. They knew the Scriptures well and were soundly rooted in the fundamentals of the faith.

c)      He complemented them for being able to admonish each other. The word “admonish” means to counsel with the goal of bringing another into right relationship with God. “The stress is on influencing not merely the intellect but the will and disposition.” TDNT Because they were full of goodness and full of all knowledge, they were then able to counsel others.

This is a good reminder that we cannot give direction or good advice to our spouse, our children, or another person until we are right with God and knowledgeable in the Scriptures.

2.      Though the Romans were doing well, Paul reminded them of the grace God gave him to be a spiritual minister to the Gentiles. He gave God the credit for this, and then he pointed out two God-honouring reasons for his ministry to the Gentiles (16).

a)      Like an OT priest, as Paul preached the gospel, he wanted to offer Gentile believers to God as an acceptable sacrifice.

b)      He wanted them to be sanctified or set apart unto a holy life by the Holy Spirit.

Leading people to Christ so they can please the Lord and live sanctified lives is a fantastic goal for every Christian.

B.     Paul gave God the glory for saving Gentiles (17-19)

1.      Paul said he was able to glory through (lit. in) Jesus Christ in things pertaining to God (17). He was not boasting in his own work but in Jesus Christ.

2.      He lists examples from his own ministry among the Gentiles, not the ministries of others (18). He identifies for us three things that God used to make the Gentiles obedient to the Gospel.

a)      God used the preaching of His Word.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

b)      God used Paul’s deeds or godly conduct. God worked in the hearts of Gentiles through the godly testimony of Paul.

c)      God used signs and wonders by the power of God’s Spirit. The first century was a transitional period between Judaism and Christianity. During that period, God used various miracles and the ability to preach in unlearned languages to confirm the truth of this new Christianity.

1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

In 1Corinthians 13, God tells us that many of the miracle signs would cease when the Bible was complete. In addition, as Christianity spread the need for authentication decreased and the Bible mentions less and less of these miracles.

II.      2nd Right Action: We Must Seek to Live for Eternity

A.     Paul lived to share the gospel (19-23)

1.      At the end of verse 19, Paul said he had preached the Gospel from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum. Illyricum is the region east of the Adriatic Sea, across the water from Italy. (See map)

2.      He lived to preach the Gospel. Oh how we need a greater passion to preach the Gospel.

3.      Evidently, Paul made it his personal goal to preach the Gospel in every place where it had not yet been heard (20). This does not mean people do not deserve a second hearing of the Gospel, but to preach to the untold was his goal. Paul paraphrases Isaiah 52:15 to support his goal.

4.      Paul states that this passion to preach to all of the untold regions had kept him from visiting Rome up to that point (22).

5.      Paul finally ran out of untold regions (23). He had travelled far and wide and had faithfully preached the Gospel everywhere he went. He made a similar statement to the Ephesian people.

Acts 20:26-27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Someone has wisely said, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” What are you doing for Christ? How many people did you talk to about the Lord last year? Are you truly living for eternity or for yourself? We have work to do!

B.     Paul planned to continue sharing the gospel (24-29)

1.      He was planning a preaching trip to Spain. Though he was aging and his body had been abused by many hardships and persecution, he had no thoughts of retirement. We do not know if he ever reached Spain or not.

2.      Paul told the Roman believers that he planned to stop in Rome on his way west to Spain (24).

3.      His immediate plans were to go to Jerusalem to deliver the collection given by the mission churches for the pour saints in Jerusalem.

Truly, Paul lived for eternity not for himself. How are you doing in this area?

III.     3rd Right Action: We Must Depend Fully on the Lord

A.     Paul gives two strong motives for prayer

1.      Because of all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. He made a similar appeal back in Ro 12:1.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living …

2.      Because of the love the Spirit puts in our hearts. This love is a fruit of the Spirit that cares about others not just about oneself.

These two motives ought to cause us to pray as well.

B.     Paul urged prayer for his future plans

1.      He asks them to strive together with him in prayer.

Kenneth Wuest writes, “It meant ‘to contend along with, to share in a contest.’ Paul asks the Roman saints to contend with him in prayer against the opposition of the hosts of wickedness, contending with him as athletes would do with one another, with intensity of purpose and in perfect cooperation.”

2.      His request was threefold

a)      That he may be delivered from Jewish unbelievers

b)      That his service (gift of money) would be accepted by the Jerusalem saints.

c)      That, if it were God’s will, he might visit Rome with joy and be refreshed with them.

3.      Notice here Paul’s dependence on the Lord for protection, help, and guidance. God cares about your need for protection, help, and guidance just as much as he did about Paul’s, but we must pray specifically. Remember what James said, “ye have not because ye ask not.” (James 4:2)

Conclusion: God wants us to glorify Him, live for eternity, and depend fully on Him. Life is too short to live for self-glory, to live for present pleasures, and to depend on our own strength. This morning God is calling us to action. Will you accept the challenge? Will you make the needed changes? Will you begin witnessing?

Perhaps you have not yet been saved from hell by believing the Gospel. Will you trust Christ today?

Song: Have I Done My Best – 368