Romans - Week 36

Enthusiastic

READ

Romans 15:17-18

17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

Paul was enthusiastic about all his Savior had done. Especially this concerned using him—a converted Jew—to reach Gentiles. Paul was able to bring them to God by his message and lifestyle among them. A key component of his message was the resurrection of Jesus. Gentiles worshipped many gods, but only the grave of the Lord Jesus was empty. He not only taught a powerful message, but he lived a holy life before the Gentiles.

REFLECT

Have you thought about the apostle Paul being excited about something? It was about spiritual realities, not physical ones.

RESPOND

Read Acts 18:24-26 to see how Apollos also taught the Scriptures with an enthusiastic spirit. Are you and your disciple witnessing and teaching others with enthusiasm?

Paul's Ambition

READ

Romans 15:19-20

19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. 20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

The proof that Paul was an apostle was proved by the signs, wonders and miracles he was able to perform (see 2 Corinthians 12:12). This was before God’s revelation was completed as it has now been (see Jude 1:3). Paul had preached the gospel where the name of Christ had not been known. It was his desire to preach to unreached people groups. God significantly used him in this regard.

REFLECT

Do you pray for those today who are seeking to evangelize unreached people groups? Such groups may have a few believers but there are not enough to evangelize their country.

RESPOND

Read Matthew 28:18-20 to be reminded that Jesus commanded believers to take the gospel to all ethnic groups. You and your disciple need to be praying for those doing this.

Mission to the Unreached

READ

Romans 15:21-22

21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” 22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

Paul gives the scriptural basis for what he had been doing in preaching to unreached people groups. Note his concern that these who have never heard might “understand.” Some hear the gospel but do not understand it. Paul wanted to take the time in teaching and preaching to make sure they did understand the need to trust Jesus as Savior. Paul also tells his readers that his concern for this kind of ministry has delayed him in coming to them.

REFLECT

Pray that some who are hearing the gospel might understand it.

RESPOND

Read 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 to see what else Paul said about those who could not understand spiritual truths. In witnessing, be sure to take the time necessary seeking to help an interested person to understand the message.

Travel Plans

READ

Romans 15:23-24

23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

Paul tells of his travel plans. He was planning to go to Spain, which was the western edge of the Roman Empire. On the way, he wanted to briefly stop to see the people in Rome. Note his reason: he wanted to enjoy their fellowship. Paul, the great apostle and leader in the first century, needed to enjoy believers’ fellowship. That would also give the Christ-followers there the opportunity to help as they could with his journey to Spain.

REFLECT

Have you thought about how leaders need to enjoy fellowship with believers just as those under their leadership do?

RESPOND

What are you and your disciple doing to be sure some spiritual leaders you know can enjoy fellowship? Are they invited to your group settings? When they do are you treating them like fellow believers or like those who are above everyone else?

Offering for the Poor

READ

Romans 15:25-26

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.

Even before he planned to briefly fellowship with those in Rome, Paul needed to deliver an offering to the poor people in Jerusalem.  The offerings eagerly given by those in the northern and southern parts of Greece were desperately needed by believers in Jerusalem. These needing the offerings were likely being persecuted for their faith and perhaps had few sources of income.

REFLECT

Even though you may not have much to give, are you helping others who have even less than you?

RESPOND

Read 2 Corinthians 8:16-21 to see the care the apostle Paul exercised in handling offerings. This is a principle to be followed even today.