A Purposive Ministry vv. 22-29
the lives of all those who have received the gospel. A Personal Ministry vv. 14-17 At the outset the Apostle commends the Roman Christians for the good things he knew about them (v. 14). He had not yet been to Rome but he had heard about the faithfulness of the brethren there and writes in apprecia tion of it. Here is a good practical les son for all Christian workers. Usually more is accomplished by commending than by scolding. Sometimes the scold ing is necessary but it is most always more effective if it follows a bit of praise. Following the commendation, the Apostle next reminds the Roman be lievers that he had been called to min ister to Gentiles such as they. Further more, he has wherein to glory due to the fact that unto him has been committed the glorious things of the gospel. He was thus preparing his readers for his contemplated ministry among them. A Dynamic Ministry vv. 18-21 Paul now speaks of the powerful char acter of the work which Christ had wrought through him. Through the dynamite of the gospel (Rom. 1:16), sin had been rooted out of many hearts. Many had been the triumphs of God’s grace. Note how modest Paul is in put ting himself in the background and giv ing Christ all the credit for every vic tory that had been won (v. 18). Then he shows the goodness of God in attest ing the divine character of his preaching by “mighty signs and wonders” (v. 19a). These supernatural manifestations aided in speeding the preaching the gospel so that his efforts covered a wide terri tory (v. 19b). Since we now have a completed Bible, God has seen fit not to accompany the preaching of His servants with mighty manifestations such as were common in Paul’s day. We are to de pend upon the full revelation of God’s Word to bring men to conviction and to Christ. We note also the pioheer char acter of much of Paul’s work (w . 20, 21). He sought to minister in un touched areas.
worship every god, that they had made an altar “ To the unknown God.” Paul told them that his God was the un known God to them; the only God who truly is God. He told them that his God made the world and all things in it and that He could not be worshiped as an idol or housed in a building of worship. After Paul had finished his sermon, some of the people were interested in hearing again about the Lord Jesus, but others made fun of Paul and his mes sage. All people everywhere feel the need of worshiping something or someone. Many people throughout the world today are worshiping idols trying to find some thing that will satisfy them. Some peo ple are worshiping money, fame, splen did cars or houses, friends, families, etc., trying to find joy and happiness. Those who know the Lord Jesus as Saviour have a wonderful opportunity to tell them of the only One who can truly sat isfy and bring joy and peace that no one else can give and that no one can take away! This week’s lesson is taken from the practical portion of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Chapters 1 to 11 are usually considered to be the doctrinal section, whereas chapters 12 through 16 are the practical section. The latter section opens with the words, “ I beseech you therefore, brethren” (12:1). The import of these words is that in view of the doctrinal foundation laid in the preced ing chapters, those receiving this mes sage ought to build a worthy super structure upon the foundation. To change the figure, there ought to be fruitage in the lives of those who have embraced the gospel. The lesson before us is in the very heart of this practical section. Paul gives a picture of his own ministry in the gospel. He shows the effect which this gospel has had in his own life. The Spirit of God would see a like effect in September 30, 1951 INTO ALL THE WORLD Rom. 15:14-29 Pointers on the Lesson
It had long been the purpose of Paul to visit Rome. He knew the importance of the capital city as a radiating in fluence for the gospel. Furthermore, he purposed to get to Spain. He had a tre mendous vision in the matter of preach ing the gospel. However, he had been “hindered” (v. 22). Hindered because he was busy preaching the gospel in other places. Remember this, sometimes hin drances are very definitely in God’s plan for our lives. God allows them for His glory.
Helps for the Children Jesus, Friend of All Acts 8:4, 5, 26-29, 35-38; Romans 15:14-16, 22-29
Memory Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). During the days of the first Christian churches, the Christians were often se verely persecuted and tortured for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than giving up their Lord, the Chris tians bravely preached the gospel wher ever they were driven. One of those who had to leave his home for his Lord was Philip. While he was in Samaria preach ing the gospel, the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to go to a desert place to. the south. Perhaps the command seemed foolish to Philip, for many peo ple had found Christ in Samaria through his preaching. Philip obeyed the Spirit and found a wealthy Ethiopian man riding in his chariot and reading from the book of Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to speak to the man. As they talked, the Ethiopian found the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and was baptized in some water along the road. Paul also traveled much to preach the gospel to every creature. Constantly he thought about those in other cities and other countries who 'did not know his Lord. Sometimes when Paul could not visit a town for which he had been praying, he wrote a letter to the Chris tians there. One of these letters is the book of Romans in our New Testament. Wherever Paul went, even while he was in prison for his faith, he always preached to groups or individuals. We do not need to be a preacher nor a missionary nor a Sunday School teacher to preach the gospel. Just the message of John 3:16 is enough to bring a soul to the Saviour. If you memorize only that one verse and prayerfully give it to some unsaved friend or loved one, the Holy Spirit is able to take its message and cause that soul to find your Lord. Pray that you will be faithful in wit nessing for your Lord now that when you are older you can be of greater service to Him because you have been His faithful messenger each day.
Neu/est
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