Partnering in missions
Romans 15:14-16:27
Now we see the ultimate purpose of Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul wrote Romans because he was planning a major shift in his ministry. After years of preaching east of Rome, all around the Mediterranean basin, he now plans to visit Jerusalem and then after that to visit Rome. He sees Rome as his new mission launch pad into the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, planning church planting trips as far away as Spain. Paul explained his gospel in depth to the Romans because he was planning to ask them to support his church planting efforts from Rome on to Spain.
He was inviting them to partner with him to preach the gospel and plant churches.
1) End of Romans matches the beginning:
16:25-27 and 1:1-5
Gospel
Proclaiming Jesus Christ
Revelation through the prophets
Focus on 'all nations'
ESV Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
ESV Romans 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
All of us are called to make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:19-20
2) Sense that we are in synch with something beyond ourselves. For example, Champaign Vineyard is hosting a missions Sunday today. They are leading the new East China/Taiwan Missions Partnership for Vineyards across America. They are going on a trip to Taiwan next month, and so are we. In fact they are visiting the same church we plan to visit in Taiwan. We did not coordinate this with them!! God is giving us coordinated marching orders. That's amazing!!
3) Know your calling: Paul focused his life on fulfilling his calling.
ESV Romans 15:15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
4) Faithfully pursue your calling: Paul planted churches where there were no churches for 25 years. Now he was longing to break new ground in the western Mediterranean basin. Be faithful to pursue your God-given calling.
5) When good planning, strategy and the word of the Lord converge together, it's the Kairos season. This means it's a crucial time to do whatever it is that God's leading you to do. God sometimes grants us the longings of our hearts after many years. 15:23 Dont be afraid to tell God what you want to do! Sometimes that's His desire too!!!
ESV Romans 15:23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,
Discerning what to do and when to do it under the leading of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily conflict with long time desires of your heart. Particularly if you are driven by love for people in those desires!
6) Romans is a letter written to form a missions partnership between Paul and the churches in Rome to reach as far west as Spain.
7) There are three key components to this partnership.
A) Paul ministers the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit to the Romans. 15:29
ESV Romans 15:29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
B) The churches in Rome are invited to finance Paul's journey. 15:24
ESV Romans 15:24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
C) The churches in Rome are invited to pray aggressively for Paul's obstacles to success. 15:30-33
ESV Romans 15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
8) In our city you can befriend foreigners that God brings across your path. Have them over for dinner. Spend time talking with them regularly.
GO on a missions trip!
