Romans 15:22-29 | Part 5
Romans 15, Part 5
How is a trip different than a journey?
The trip is super fun, usually a vacation
Journey, going somewhere that could be difficult. Adversity implied. I envision hobbits and walking sticks. Just me?
Set the foundation for today:
Isaiah 6:8 | And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
God calls us to GO!
Psalm 139:7-8 | Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
When we get there, HE is already present
Romans 15:22 | That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.
There were issues keeping Paul from seeing them
Work to be done
Imprisonment, beatings, church planting, letter writing, sending his best leaders out, not keeping them, shipwrecked at sea, etc.
Ministry is tough!
Romans 15:23-24 | But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain.
Work is done. Next. The list never stops 🙂
Paul believes he will be able to see this church full of Christ followers he has never met
One of the best parts of the body of Christ. We are worldwide
Who planted the church in Rome?
Roman Catholics say Peter, but he’s not mentioned at all in the Book of Romans
The clue is found in Acts 2:7-11, “visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts)” are mentioned as being present at Pentecost
So this is interesting. They knew some of the same people. Peter was at Pentecost, Paul was not…
They came, and they were sent back (GO)
Romans 15:2 | For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
Paul desired to SERVE and BE SERVED
Which one do you struggle with? Both are a part of being a part of Christ’s body, the church
Galatians 5:13 | For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Called to freedom
Not free to do whatever you want
Freedom to serve and be served
Romans 15:25-26 | Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, 26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
1 = Corinth
2 = Rome
3 = Jerusalem
4 = Illyricum
5 = Spain
Romans 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs.
Interesting
When you are cared for, you should care for others, right?
When someone helps you, you should want to help others.
Golden Rule, right?
Matthew 7:12 (sums up the law and the prophets)
Here is its origin:
Leviticus 19:33-34 | “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Romans 15:28-29 | So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
This trip was out of his way literally MONTHS out of his way
He choose to go because he loved these people! Why? He had never met them
Because God had called them to be together in Christ!
Jesus was a GOer also:
John 16:7 | Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
God the Father sends
God the Son goes
God the Son leaves (returns)
God the Spirit goes
You are called to GO