EXPOSITORY SERMON: ROMANS 15:8 - 16:27

1. Servant or Service - (our word deacon) 15:8, 25, 31; 16:1.

2. Minister - to serve the public - 15:16,27

3. To perform sacred or priestly rites - 15:16

B. In this final lesson we will study four different ministries, as explained by Paul.


II. DISCUSSION

A. The Ministry of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (15:8-13)

1. We know Jesus came to minister to "the Jew first." His earthly ministry was on their behalf. While he did serve individual Gentiles from time to time, His major emphasis was on Israel (the Gospels).

2. He commanded the Apostles to begin their work in Jerusalem after His resurrection (Acts 1-7).

3. In Acts 8 the gospel was taken to the Samaritans and finally to the Gentiles in Acts 10. Paul then took it throughout the Roman Empire (Acts 13:1-3).

4. Why did God emphasize the Jews first?
a. Through them he would send the Good News to the Gentiles. The first Christians were Jewish believers, through the Jews, the gentiles were converted.
b. Note the progression in the OT quotes Paul uses in verses 9-12.
(1) Jews glorify God among the Gentiles
(2) Gentiles rejoice with the Jews
(3) All Jews and Gentiles together praise God.
(4) Christ shall reign over Jews and Gentiles

5. At one time Gentiles were without hope, but through Christ they have it. They have Christ because Jewish Christians were faithful to bring the gospel to them.

B. Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles (15:14-24) - Paul's distinctive ministry makes us fully appreciate the message of God's grace .

1. It was received by grace (14,15) - As Saul of Tarsus, Paul knew nothing of the true grace of God. But by the grace of God he was saved and called to be an apostle (1 Cor. 15:8-11; Rom. 1:5)

2. It was centered in the Gospel (16) - Paul took his ministry as seriously as any priest of the Old Law. Notice the involvement of all three personalities of the Godhood here in verse 16. A minister to the Gentiles, for Jesus Christ, preaching God's gospel to bring them to sanctification through the Holy Spirit.

3. It was done for God's glory (17) - the word glory here means "take pride in." It is sometimes translated "joy" (5;11). Paul has already used the word at least five previous times in Romans. Paul's "boast" concerns what the Lord has done, not his own deeds (Col. 1:18).

4. It was done by God's power (18,19) - Paul was empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit to perform signs, works and wonders. As always, the purpose of these miracles was to authenticate the messenger and the message (Heb. 2:1-4). Miracles in and of themselves were never meant to save the lost. The message (the Word) is what would lead the Gentiles to obedience in Christ. We have the ability to share this Word today.

5. It was according to God's plan (20-24) - Paul was not to preach where other Apostles had ministered. Since Paul would eventually minister at Rome, this precludes Peter from founding that church. When we consider the slow means of travel in the first century and the scope of Paul's journeys, it makes it easier to fully appreciate his achievements.

C. The Gentile's Ministry to the Jews (15:25-33)

1. The Gentile Christians of Greece had purposed to send an offering to the Judean saints. This gift had 3 basic purposes.
a. An expression of love by the Gentiles for their Jewish brethren.
b. Practical relief for suffering brethren.
c. A unifying force in the church, it was a bond between the Jew and the Gentile Christians.

2. Paul looked at this offering as a debt being repaid. The Gentiles had received spiritual wealth from the Jews, now they returned material wealth.

3. Additionally, this offering was fruit -the natural result of the Gentiles growth in the spirit.

4. Paul's constant battle with the judaizing teachers could be helped if a closer bond between the church at Jerusalem was formed with churches elsewhere.

5. Paul recommends fervent prayer as an additional help. This something the Roman church could do even though they were not taking part in the monetary gift.

D. The Believer's Ministry to Paul (16:1-27)
In this chapter Paul greets 28 individuals and several "house-churches." Then he closes the letter with greetings from 9 companions. In addition to being a soul winner, Paul was obviously a friend maker. Paul was not a solitary man and while we all need to get away sometimes, God's work is done among people.

1. Some friends to greet (1-16) - From this list we can see the various parts that different Christians play in making the church a success. Many of these listed are called "helpers" by Paul. The conversion of some led to the conversion of many. Some were workers, others were fellow-prisoners.

2. Some foes to avoid (17-20) - While many were working with Paul, others were working against him. They were dividing the church by preaching false doctrine, using deceit and clever speech. Paul tells us to identify and avoid such as these.

3. Some faithful servants to honor (21-27) - This is a roll call of gospel heroes, including Timothy, Paul's "son in the faith." The benediction here in Romans is the longest ever written by Paul. It reflects his ministry to the Gentiles. The message being that both Jew and Gentile were to be united in one church. The Judaizers persecuted Paul for this teaching because they wanted preeminence in the church.

III. CONCLUSION

A. Paul wrote this letter to explain God's plan of salvation, so that Christians would be established in the truth, and in turn, share the truth with the lost. We cannot share what we do not possess.

B. Our own study of Romans should help to stabilize our individual faith and make us not only inclined, but exited to share our faith with others. The result: (27) - "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever!"