Rom 15-Goers and Senders

| Goers and Senders! Romans 15:15-29

September 21, 2008(NIV) 15I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with 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. 17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18I 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— 19by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20It 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. 21Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” 22This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.  27They 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. 28So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. PRAY Scripture Memory:Romans 15:20a (NIV) – It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known Intro:How many of you have ever read a missionary biography? How many of you have ever participated in a short term Mission trip?How many of you would consider yourself to be “mission’s minded?”How many of you support at least one missionary (besides the ones we support as a church)?How many of you receive one or more missionary newsletters (email or snail mail)? This morning: the heart of Paul,                              the first and consummate missionary Paul’s motivationPaul’s passionPaul’s longingPaul’s gloryPaul’s ambitionPaul’s longing 1. Paul’s Motivation: God’s grace (vv. 15-16)(15I have written you…, because of the grace God gave me 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with 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.)Paul speaks of his motivation numerous times in his letters:2 Cor. 5:11 – Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.2 Cor. 5:14 – Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.Love for God (fear of God) and love for others – the two greatest commandments…1 Tim. 1:12-16 – 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. We talked about this last week… 2. Paul’s Passion: Proclaiming the gospel of God (v. 16 – …the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God)The duty:☞    As Priests… (last week)☞    As Ambassadors…2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) – We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.☞    As Sons and Daughters… (who have every reason to love and boast of their Father…)☞    As Disciples… The Great Commission: 18Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ina the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”       (Mat. 28:18-20)☞    As Bond Slaves… (obedience, living for our Lord, for HIS good)☞    As Redeemed Sinners… (grace…)The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we must become. Henry Martyn A minister was discussing electricity with an electrician. “Is it true,” asked the minister, “that electricity cannot get into you unless it can get out of you?” “That’s absolutely right,” answered the electrician.  3. Paul’s Longing: that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (v. 16 – …proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.)☞    His longing for God’s gloryMissions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” John Piper—Let the Nations Be Glad ☞    His longing for others to know God as He doesRomans 9:2-4a – 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  3For I could wish |   | that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,  4the people of Israel.  ☞    His longing to see lives changedRobert Arthington of Leeds, a Cambridge graduate, lived in a single room, cooking his own meals; and he gave foreign missions 500,000 pounds on the condition that it was all to be spent on pioneer work within twenty-five years. He wrote these words: “Gladly would I make the floor my bed, a box my chair, and another box my table, rather than that men should perish for want of the knowledge of Christ.” 4. Paul’s Glory: His service to God(v. 17 – Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.)Only one life, twill soon be pastOnly what’s done for Christ will lastAn honor and a privilege to be in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ…Who wouldn’t accept an offer to be an ambassador for our country?My march in the Thanksgiving parade…Being in a movie… 5. Paul’s Ambition: to preach the gospel where Christ was not known(v. 20 – It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known)The log…In 1979 the ratio of Protestant missionaries to population in strategic world areas showed:1,448 Ministers per million people in the United States. 56 Missionaries per million people in Africa. 30 Missionaries per million people in South America. 20 Missionaries per million people in Korea. 15 Missionaries per million people in India. 3 Missionaries per million people in Indo-China. Moreover, much of Europe with its 480 million people is largely unevangelized. 6. Paul’s Longing: to visit the church in Rome and then go on to Spainvv. 23-24 – 23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.☞    Paul loved the church… even those he hadn’t yet met☞    Paul longed to see the gospel spread…☞    Paul saw the strategic value of Rome…“Since Rome was an international crossroad of travel and commerce, these Christians had the world at their doorstep.” 7. Goers and Sendersvv. 26-28 – 26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.  27They 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. 28So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.All Christians should fall into one of two categories. Either they are called to serve as missionaries (be a goer) OR they are called to serve as senders.The special person called to do missionary work is every person who is a member of the church of Christ. The call does not come to a chosen few, it is to every one of us. Oswald Chambers Not all of us are called to go… The question: Are you a participant or an observer? The interviewer: Apathy and Ignorance…Are you Apathetic?Are you Ignorant? Dr. Wilder, a dynamic missionary leader in India, was dining with three naval officers. During the course of the conversation one of the officers remarked, “Why don’t these missionaries stay at home and mind their own business?” Dr. Wilder replied, “Suppose you were ordered to take your battleship to Constantinople tomorrow, would you choose whether to obey or not?” The officer retorted, “If we are ordered to go, we must go, even if every ship is sunk and every sailor killed.” “Quite right,” said the missionary. “I have orders from the divine government: “Go and preach the gospel to every creature.”” All of us have orders from our Lord to “Go and preach the gospel to every creature.” The question for us here this morning is, if you are not called to go are you, by intentional investment of yourself and your resources, a sender? Swindoll: five (six) characteristics of competent  Christians (from this passage) – ☞    Good☞    Well-informed☞    Able & Willing to Serve☞    Motivated by grace☞    Missionary Heart☞    Disciple MakerQuestion: Are YOU a “competent Christian?” A Truth to Remember: If you are a Christian you are commanded to “Go and preach the gospel to every creature.” A Challenge to Consider:If you are not called to be a goer, what are you doing to be a sender? One thing I heard this morning was…   Sermon discussion questions:What makes a person a “goer” and what makes a person a “sender?”What are some things you try to do to be a “sender?”Have you ever considered pursuing being a “goer?” Why or why not?Have you ever participated on a short term missions trip? What was it like?In what ways does God’s grace motivate you?How passionate, would you say, are you to proclaim the gospel? Why is that?How does the proclamation of the gospel bring God glory?What does it mean for us to preach the gospel where Christ is not known?How can we become more competent Christians, as Swindoll defined it?☞    Good☞    Well-informed☞    Able & Willing to Serve☞    Motivated by grace☞    Missionary Heart☞    Disciple MakerWould anyone like prayer, specifically in these regards?Prayer for Hope ChurchAs time allows: sharing and prayer |