Pg.1
Opening Prayer. Father God, open our minds and hearts to the words of Paul to the Church in Rome may we indeed be filled with the desire to know more and become intimate with the blessings of life that you have given to us through your word. May our thoughts words and deeds be acceptable in thy sight and our study of Your word become a guide for our understanding of your will for our lives. Bless those of our group that are not here tonight, we pray that you will share our blessing with them. Lead us now as we study Your word, In Jesus name Amen.
Rom 15:14-22 I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
14, I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another, 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." 22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Discussion
Paul was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Spirit. The conversion of souls pertains unto God; therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not make one soul obedient, further than the Spirit of God accompanied his labors. He principally sought the good of those that sat in darkness.
Paul's one ambition was to present the Gentiles as a sacrificial offering to God. All this was due to Christ working through the Apostle. Anything that was not wrought through the power of the indwelling Christ was not worth recounting. The work which really told was not what Paul did for Christ, but what Christ did through Paul. It is noticeable how careful Paul was to break new ground. This is especially characteristic of all the best and highest forms of work. It is a poor and mean church which recruits itself from the labors of others, but has no power to secure converts from the world. Whatever good we do, it is Christ who does it by us. Although it may be delivered to our ears by a familiar voice, it will nonetheless fail to take root and grow except it be imparted to us through Jesus Christ.
Questions
1. Why did Paul feel it necessary to write this letter?
2. Do we as Gentile Christians in our world today need reminding of our duties and dangers?
3. Paul preached the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles but to whom did he give the glory for it?
4. What are your feelings about how the gospel is delivered in our churches today?
The Things of Christ Pg.2
As with all Paul’s epistles to the churches, his purpose in writing was to proclaim the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ by teaching doctrine and to edify and encourage the believers who would receive his letter. The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. And in this chapter we read why he did not yet go to Rome.
Rom 15:23-33 Shared blessings
Rom 15:23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 4 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. 30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Discussion
It is expected from all Christians, that they should promote every good work, especially seeking the work of the conversion of souls. As did Paul, so does the dedicated Christian believer quickly find that the love of the Spirit is a very special relationship. It encourages the confidence with which we may commit ourselves to His prompting to do the things of Christ.
Thus it was Paul's charge to deliver the message of the Gospel to all the churches. And of particular concern to Paul were those to whom this letter was written—those in Rome who were “loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Because he himself was a Roman citizen, he had a unique passion for those in the assembly of believers in Rome. Since he had not, to this point, visited the church in Rome, this letter would serve as his introduction to them. But his visit with them must wait, as there was the contribution from Macedonia and Achaia that he was to deliver to the church in Jerusalem before he was to go to Rome.
In any endeavor where the things of Christ are manifest, it is to the Christian's best interest to undertake such matters before any consideration of a personal nature. Let us be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's sake, and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may come upon the souls of Christians, and the labors of our ministers who devote themselves to the spread of God's word.
Questions
1. What was the reason Paul wanted to visit the church in Rome?
2. What was Paul’s reason for not going directly to visit the church in Rome?
3. Considering these two questions, 1 &2 what is today's Christian to draw from them?
4. Is there a preference to be considered when we do the things of Christ?
Pg.3
Meditation; The Things of Christ
The thought that there is a special place in this world (paradise), where one can go to rest and recuperate is a thought that is given to all who struggle in this world, with the ways of this world. Actually there are those places, and many people find them, but do they really answer the desire of mankind to have perfection in an imperfect world. At best maybe a few moments of peace and quiet. Real rest for the soul is found only through Christ.
Charismatic leaders seize opportunities to draw people to their own agenda or their own cultic beliefs, but can do so only when the truth of the gospel is not fully known. To some perhaps, that equals nirvana. Is that really what one wants out of this life? Is that what the Christian seeks? In the Christian context, that place is Heaven on earth. It is in fact the doing of the things of Christ, doing the will of God. In any endeavor where the things of Christ are manifest, it is to the Christian's best interest to seek to know the will of God, and then to follow up with the doing of it. That does not evoke thoughts of retiring in paradise.
The letters of Paul are a great example of doing the things of Christ. Paul's love for the Lord, combined with his appreciation for the grace he has received, shapes his entire world view. And as committed true believers when we find ourselves engaged in those things that pertain to God, we cannot help but react as Paul did. When there is an opportunity to teach the truths of the Gospel, Paul could not help but provide instruction. When we respond to something that we firmly believe and something in which we have confidence, we often respond with passion. When Paul engages in matters of the faith, those things which pertain to God, “The things of Christ” we see a combination of excitement, passion, enthusiasm, and glorious expressions of God's love. In this same way, all Christians can "glory" through Jesus Christ in matters of the faith as they indeed, are the light of the world, sharing the things of Christ. This is what Christians are commanded by Jesus Christ to do.
The spread of the gospel to new places is the fundamental mission of the Church. Many churches today do not share Paul's missionary zeal, but would rather keep the gospel within the walls of the church facility that serves as the home for their fellowship. Thankfully, there are many others who have a vision that reaches beyond themselves. These latter people of faith understand that Christians are to be fishers of men. The church that is obedient to the Lordship of Christ is one that has a missionary zeal, utilizing its gifts and resources to extend the gospel of peace to those in their community, their region, and throughout the world. Our church, Advent Presbyterian Church, is driven by the desire “to cause God great joy by sharing his love with others as we have experienced it in Jesus Christ”. Advent does this by sharing the “Things of Christ in the many mission fields where Advent works, and in our worship.
Paul's is a tremendous example of one who had a faith in God to the point that he was a bold witness for Christ wherever he went. Many Christians today answer the call to boldly witness in many different places in our world. Yet still there is a desperate need to be bold witnesses right where we live. The opportunities are boundless, and as Christians our charge is to do the things of Christ. To God be the glory, Amen.
Closing Prayer: Father God, be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress. ____________Give those mentioned here tonight the strength and comfort to endure, and continue to watch over each of us as we strive to live a just and righteous life.. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN
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