Ministering in the Will of God
Notes
Transcript
Paul wrote the major part of his letter to the Roman church to establish himself with them doctrinally.
In this epilogue, he establishes himself with them personally, indicating his heart’s desire to minister to them and to fellowship with them.
One of the most striking things about the book of Romans is how right on Paul was with some of the things that he told the people having never been there before.
Underlying the surface of this very personal passage is the basic principle that was the foundation of Paul’s life, the principle that directed everything he thought, said, wrote, and did.
He articulates that truth in verse 32: “by the will of God.”
The rest of the passage leads up to that statement and reveals in an intimate and unique way the attitudes, perceptions, and purposes of a believer who lives wholly in the knowledge of God’s will.
Depth of ministry is always more important than breadth, thoroughness more significant than scope.
God always demands depth of commitment, whether the field of service be large or small, constant or changing, public or private, and, in the world’s eyes, noble or ignoble.
Providence (v22)
Providence (v22)
The reason Paul had never made it to Rome is that God has always called Him to other places.
Faithfulness to His calling hindered him from doing many of the things he would like to do.
God changed the course of events by direct, miraculous intervention, such as opening the Red Sea for Israel to cross on dry land.
He forced Johanna to go to Nineva and He also changed the lifes mission of Saul by changing Him into Paul.
The provdence of God works in all of our lives.
We all have a divine plan that is set out for us wether or not we follow it is up to us.
But if dont we miss out on so many blessings that we dont get.
Planning (vv 23-24)
Planning (vv 23-24)
A second element for a believer who faithfully fulfills his divine calling is care in making plans for ministry.
Contrary to how it may seem on first thought, sensible and careful planning by God’s people does not necessarily indicate lack of trust in His providence.
Waiting on the Lord’s providence does not preclude personal planning.
The prerequisite in every case, of course, is that our planning, no matter how carefully and sincerely made, be constantly and completely subject to the Lord’s control and alteration—just as were Paul’s plans to minister in Bithynia and to visit Rome.
Making sensible and careful plans for serving God does not conflict with reliance on His providence, and reliance on His providence does not excuse failure to plan.
But personal plans, no matter how unselfish and spiritually motivated, must be subject to God’s plan.
Paul’s desire to visit Rome was strong, but his desire to obey God was stronger still.
He had the self-discipline and steadfast dedication to fulfill what God had given him to do, setting his personal dreams aside until, and if, the Lord brought them to pass.
Often times waiting on the Lord is one of the hardest things we can do.
Sometimes it is not what we want to do but it is what we Must do.
Priority (vv25-28)
Priority (vv25-28)
Paul illustrates a third element characteristic of a believer who faithfully fulfills his calling, namely that of setting clear priorities.
Planning for future ministry must never cause a present ministry to suffer.
Before Paul would be free to go to Rome, much less Spain, it was necessary for him to go about a thousand miles in the opposite direction to Jerusalem, in order to serve the saints there.
But at the time Paul wrote this letter, probably in A.D. 58, the church in Jerusalem was suffering not only great persecution but great poverty.
There was a famine throughout Palestine, and because of persecution by unbelieving Jews, many Christian men lost their jobs and many others were put in prison, making bad conditions still worse for their families.
In addition to that, many foreign Jews who were visiting Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost were converted to Christ and decided to remain in the city, usually as guests of believers who lived there.
Because of that great need, Paul had made an appeal to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, who were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
We must make Gods will the priority in our lives.
Prosperity (v29)
Prosperity (v29)
A fourth element characteristic of a person who faithfully fulfills his divine calling is spiritual prosperity.
Paul’s saying I know reflects his absolute assurance that when he came to Jerusalem it would be in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.
Because he lived continually in obedience to the Lord, his life was always blessed.
Obviously, that blessing did not exclude physical hardships and afflictions, as he mentions in verse 31 and in many of his other letters. But nothing physical could rob him of the fulness of that spiritual blessing.
What is often referred to as the “health and wealth gospel” was the furthest thing from Paul’s mind.
His obedience to Christ cost him dearly in both of those areas.
Because of his service to Christ, he suffered imprisonments, beatings, stoning, dangers from Gentiles as well as Jews, and a host of other hardships 2 Cor. 11:23–27
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
The prosperity of following Gods will is far better than following the plan of prosperity of man.
Purpose (v30a)
Purpose (v30a)
The faithful Christian witnesses for the sake of those who need the Lord and he serves for the sake of those who need help, but his supreme motive always should be to serve His Lord and Savior, in whose name and by whose power he ministers to others.
Paul rejoiced in the fact that, if he succeeded in reaching Jerusalem with the contribution of the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, Christ would be glorified, within the church and before the onlooking world.
The Lord would be glorified by the willing and loving generosity of the Gentile contributors as well as by the grateful reception of the gift by the Jews to whom it was sent.
Christ is always honored and glorified when His church is unified in His name and in His service.
Devotion to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and love for His Holy Spirit should be the foremost and ultimate motive for all Christian living and service.
In gratitude for the divine grace by which Christ saved us and for the divine power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, everything we think, say, and do should express our love for them and bring them glory and honor.
Prayer (vv30b-32)
Prayer (vv30b-32)
Perhaps the cardinal characteristic of a person who faithfully does the will of God is prayer.
And Paul now urges his fellow believers in Rome to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.
Corporate prayer as a church is vital.
We must pray for each other, and the church as a whole.
Here Paul asks them to pray for 3 things
Safety
the word here for disobedient is the word for obstinate or unpersuadable.
He was being hunted by the ones that did not believe much like he hunted believers before his conversion.
Success
Paul’s second prayer request was that, regardless of what dangers might befall him, his service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints.
Satisfaction
We have great joy and peace in our hearts when we do what the Lord calls us to do.
When His plans become our plans we have great Joy in seeing Him work out all things in accordance to His will.
Benediction (v33)
Benediction (v33)
On the human level, Paul’s life as an apostle was far from peaceful.
As far as outward particulars were concerned, he lived in uncertainty and often turmoil.
He was under almost continual threat against his physical safety and life.
But he knew intimately the God of peace, and he lived himself in the peace and settled tranquillity that God gives to those who faithfully abide in His will. Amen.