Paul's
Epistles
Part
38 – God's Will
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House
of Faith Church | www.PS127.org
| www.TruthDigest.org
INTRODUCTION
This
epistle from the Apostle Paul was written to the Christians in Rome in February
of 58AD.
At
this time Paul was staying in Corinth at the house of a wealthy Corinthian
Christian by the name of Gaius.
The
purpose of this epistle was Paul's answer to the age old question, How should
man be just with (or before) God.
No
one can be just if they are not made right with God, and Paul reveals and
expounds God's was of justification.
Key
versus are Romans 1:16, 17
6 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is
revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The
righteous will live by faith.”
These
two verses could be considered Paul's Scripture (or text), and the rest of the
epistle as the sermon.
The
scripture Paul refers to is Habakkuk 2:4.
The
entire epistle is broken into two parts, the first (Chapters 1-11) gives the
Doctrine, and then in Chapters 12-16 he gives application of those doctrines.
We
have already looked at Paul explaining;
·
Our
justification by faith revealed in the gospel
·
The
universal need for justification
·
How
we are justified
·
how
justification by faith is no new doctrine
·
blessings
that follow justification
·
the
struggles of the justified
·
liberty
and privileges for the justified
·
justification
and the unbelieving Jew
·
and
the duties of the justified.
Recently
we looked at how we are to treat those of weaker faith than us.
As
we near the end of the Book of Romans, we will look at Paul's visit to Rome.
SCRIPTURE
REFERENCE Romans 15:23-33
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and
since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan
to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and
to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your
company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the
Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution
for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They
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. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have
received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the
way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of
the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the
love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray
that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the
contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s
people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your
company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
I.
PAUL'S JOURNEY
a.
I have been
hindered from coming to you
i.
Paul refers to scripture once again
1. “Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.” - vs. 21
and those who have not heard will understand.” - vs. 21
2.
Which is from Isaiah 52:15
ii.
Paul's calling as he explains is to reach those who
have not heard of the name Jesus
iii.
He tells the church, because of this calling by God, he
has been hindered from seeing them.
b.
But now there is no
more place for me to work in these regions...
i.
Paul explains that his calling was fulfilled in this
area, and he must be moving on.
ii.
When God gives us a calling, sometimes we fulfill it,
and that's it.
iii.
Sometimes we fulfill it, and we must move to continue.
iv.
Sometimes, we fulfill it and our calling changes.
c.
For Paul, he
fulfilled it there, and moved on to continue.
i.
Paul speaks of travel to Spain next
ii.
Although there is no scripture evidence, or actual
historical evidence he ever got to make this trip, there are traditions in the
area that he had.
d.
Paul tells us he
has to go to Jerusalem
i.
His travels were to help the Christians there who were
still being persecuted by the Jewish Sanhedrin.
ii.
Paul states that he was to deliver contributions or
ALMS to them from Macedonia and Achaia.
iii.
He explains they were happy to give, because they had
received spiritual blessings, and they owe it to the Jews to share with them
their material blessings.
1.
This is referring to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem
who were being persecuted by the Jewish Sanhedrin.
2.
They refused to the Christians in Jerusalem own land,
or sell goods, which forced them to be poor.
II.
TITHES, ALMS, LOVE
OFFERINGS AND COMPENSATION
a.
Tithe - Giving to
God a portion of what He has given you to honor and obey Him
i.
Honoring what God
has blessed you with
1. Matthew 22:21 - Then he (Jesus) said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is
God’s.”
ii.
To fulfill obligation to God
1. Matthew 23:23 - You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have
neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and
faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without
neglecting the former.
2. Jesus said they were paying tithe on what they
had, while ignoring justice, mercy and faithfulness. Then He says they should
do both.
iii.
To
keep the church open and pay the ministers of the Gospel
1.
1 Corinthians 9:14 - the Lord has commanded that those who preach
the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
2.
The Word is simply stating, that those who
Minister spiritual things, should be supported financially by those to whom
they are ministering.
iv.
To be a
blessing when you are blessed
1.
Luke 6:38 - Give,
and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and
running over, will be poured into your lap. For
with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
2.
This refers to more than just money, mercy, grace,
love, help...
b.
Alms - Giving to
the poor
i.
Hebrews 13:16 - And
do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
ii.
Matthew 5:42 - "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from
him who wants to borrow from you.
iii.
Deuteronomy 15:7 - If
there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in
your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your
heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother
iv.
Romans 12:8 -
...He who gives, do so with liberally...
v.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 - Remember
this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you
should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8 And
God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As
it is written:
“They have freely scattered their
gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
their righteousness endures forever.”
c.
Love Offerings - to
help with expenses
i.
This is not a tithe to God, you are not giving to the
poor, and it is not pay for services....it is simply you sharing from your
abundance with someone ministering the gospel.
ii.
i.e. supporting missionaries.
d.
Compensation -
Payment to a minister
i.
1 Timothy 5:17-28 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double
honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture
says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The
laborer deserves his wages.
ii.
Galatians 6:6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with
the one who teaches.
iii.
1 Corinthians 9:9-14 For it is
written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the
grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for
our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope
and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown
spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless,
we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an
obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are
employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who
serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
iv.
1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim
the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
e.
So there is
i.
Tithes - What is God's
ii.
Alms - to the poor
iii.
Love Offerings - to help with
expenses
iv.
Compensation - what is due to a
minister
f.
Paul was taking
these ALMS to the Christians in Jerusalem, because they were poor.
III.
PAUL'S PRAYER
a.
I urge you, brothers and
sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in
my struggle by praying to God for me.
i.
We can join ministers and missionaries in their struggles by praying for
them!
b.
Pray that I may be kept
safe from the unbelievers in Judea
i.
Though a minister to the Lord, as Jesus says in Matthew 5:45, He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
ii.
Bad things still
happen to good people in a fallen world.
iii.
Luke 13:1-5 “Do you think that these Galileans were worse
sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too
will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in
Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others
living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
iv.
Jesus makes it clear that we live in a fallen world,
and bad things happen, even to good people. Just because something happens to
someone that is bad, does not mean God is punishing them.
v.
Jesus did however warn them to repent or they would
parish, He was speaking spiritually.
c.
and that the contribution I
take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s
people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your
company be refreshed.
CONCLUSION
God's
will
This
must be our goal in life.
Paul
had desires, to see those in Rome, however, he still prayed for God's will.
Jesus
desired not to suffer the cross, but prayed for God's will as well.
Paul
knew what God's will was for him in his life, to minister to those who have
never heard the name of Jesus, wherever they may live.
We
too must discover God's calling on us as well, and live it.
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