THE ROLE OF THE GOSPEL IN THE BELEIVERS LIFE

 

Romans 15:14-33; 16:1-16

Robert Murray McCheyne wrote, “Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument. I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure; according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talent God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hands of God. This word awful is not speaking in the negative, but in a positive way. This word reminds me of the hymn song “How Sweet And Aweful Is This Place.” “Awful” some interpret it to be “awesome” in more modern day language. I personally, prefer to leave it as its written when Robert Murray McCheyne and Isaac Watts wrote it. “awful”  in the context of this quote means “full of awe”.

 

“…It is not great talent God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.

A holy minister is an “full of awe” weapon in the hands of God.”

 

A holy minister who is full of awe towards a God who is……. Might & Powerful, Holy, Righteous, Just, Loving, Perfect, Glorious, and Sovereign over everything. So, Paul concludes his letter with his “Magnus opus”  Paul reveals his personal heart of awe towards the One who gives him the ability to do all things for the glory of God through the gospel. “Magnus opus” is a great work; especially: the greatest achievement of an artist or writer. Paul reveals/concludes, his heart to the church in Rome that He…… Is a builder, a servant, a shepherd, and an apostle of the church. His entire life is being spent in the spreading of the gospel to lost sinners. This is Paul’s “Magnus opus” his greatest achievement and work on this earth, the Gospel!

 

The gospel is the heart of Paul and it must be ours as well

for the sake of others. Our lives are to be spent on spreading the gospel for the Kingdom that is yet to come. By Paul closing his letter He makes himself as an example for other Christians to follow, all the while pointing to Christ. Paul is not boasting here; just as he wrote to the church at Corinth, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.” 

1 Cor 4:15-16

 

To the church at Philippi Paul said, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Phil 3:17-21

 

To the church of Thessalonica Paul said, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thess 1:6-7

 

To follow the example of another, one must do it first for others to follow. For example a surgeon named Dr Evan Kane in the 1920’s tried to show you can have surgery without using a general anesthesia, by using a local anesthesia for the greater health of the patient and recovery. He proved this by removing his own appendix, only using a local anesthesia successfully. As one theologian said, “It has been said that great leaders ask their followers to go nowhere they have not first been themselves.” That’s Paul, as he expresses his passion and life by following Christ through the gospel. The Christian life is to be characterized by the fullness of joy and the completeness of peace of future things through the Holy Spirit. The values and priorities of our life are to reflect Christ to every generation. A person committed to the gospel is a person who has the power of God over their lives. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

 

That’s how Paul lived his converted life and this church was known for doing the same. (v14) This church was known for three very healthy characteristics: goodness, knowledge and the ability to instruct one another. 

Goodness….. this speaks of moral excellence, this church demonstrated and gave abundant evidence to the transformed life through the gospel. They had a kindness and generosity of heart that was put into action. What constitutes a church? A genuine gospel confession and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Paul could say to them what he said of the Colossians, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.” Col 1:3-8

 

Knowledge….. they were theologically a discerning people and also shared together the standard of Biblical teaching. Paul could go into some of the deeper theological issues with them without having to start from a blank slate. Paul even credits them with being able independently without the help of Paul or anyone else, to caution one another against faults. They knew God and knew His truth and by the power of the Holy Spirit they were committed to living holy lives. Peter wrote, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 2 Peter 1:2-8

  

Instructing one another…. they were marked by mutual edification being able to instruct one another. As needs and opportunities arise amoung them they were equipped to admonish one another. They were able to give sound biblical counsel; they were competent, to address each other as brother and sisters. John MacArthur said, “When God’s Word rules our heart, His Holy Spirit makes us “rich in true wisdom” and prepares us to admonish one another.”

 

These are marks of a healthy Gospel-Centered church. This was Paul’s heart as he personally shares in the closing of his letter. (v15-v21) Paul’s passion should be equally ours for souls to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s life was consumed with one thing! The Gospel. (v20-v21) Paul was not to plant churches where they already exist; hereby he was fulfilling what Isaiah wrote, “Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.” Isaiah 52:13-15. Christ, Himself the supreme example lead Paul and so many others to go into a broken world system to preach the gospel.

 

The Hebrew writer wrote that we are to go outside and bare the reproach as our Lord did. “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Heb 13:12-16

 

Let’s take the gospel to a people who have never heard it and passionately speak the gospel into the hearts of sinners. John Piper calls this “a holy ambition” this is to proclaim the good news where people had not yet heard the name of Christ spoken. Understand! Not everyone will have Paul’s ambition, and that is fine, we all have different gifts and we must individually account to the Lord. As Paul said, “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” 1 Cor 7:7. This doesn’t excuse our responsibility to proclaiming the gospel with every opportunity. A healthy church is a gospel saturated church to know Christ and Him crucified. The healthy church is to have a passion for the gospel and a heart for people. We are to aim for this holy ambition as a local church, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Cor 2:1-5

We need to settle this in our hearts…. If we see any fruit in the ministry, the glory goes to God. It’s this life Paul sacrificed for all those years, so people would hear the gospel message is the reason he desires to see those believers in Rome. (v29) “I know” reflects his absolute assurance that when he comes to Jerusalem it would be in “the fullness of the blessing of Christ. This is speaking of an inner blessing that no one can steal away from Paul. “Blessing” knows the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension. This blessing is the complete and overflowing joy of Paul’s heart and ministry….. Nothing could deter Paul from fullness of this blessing. Not… his suffering, his imprisonment, the beatings, the stoning, dangers from the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, or any other hardship could take his blessing away. Paul saw his imprisonment and suffering as a means to spread the gospel for the glory of God and for the saints to have a boldness. “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Phil 1:12-14

 

The example of Paul’s life and ministry to the church is what we are to follow after with our whole life. (16:1-16) Paul expresses his deep seated love for the saints in Rome; people we know very little about and that ok, Paul and the Lord know them. But Paul wants us to recognize their service unto him and the service of the gospel. Here, is what is important for you and me to see! It’s not about the famous people inside Christian circles that make an impact for the Kingdom….its common men and women like you and me. Paul sends a personal greeting to those “ordinary Christians” and says they are the joy of heart and the fullness of blessing to see the saints walking together. The church as a whole plays a part in Kingdom building, never forget that in your life as you serve, love other with the truth, and walk beside your brother and sisters for the glory of God.

 

We demonstrate this walking together in active worship

with a “holy kiss” (16:16)

 

This was something the Jews did as a common practice in the Old Testament, on the cheek, forehead, or the beard. They were never romantic, or exotic, and never on the mouth, that was reserved for married couples. This custom in the New Testament church was primarily of the Jews. And because so many of the Christian Jews were considered outcast from their own families this demonstration of affection was all the dearer to them with the saints. So Paul admonishes the church to continue or maintain this practice This same expression was instructed by Peter as well, “Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” 1 Peter 5:14 This is an expression of true love and affection, and is hearty and sincere. Such a love the Jews call, as the apostle does here, "a kiss of love" Think about how the gospel has impacted lives for Christ and what its produces; not only in Paul, but in the saints of the church. (both Jew and Gentile)

 

We have also seen the glorious effects the gospel produces . . . 

The hardened, melted down into repentance and love.

The miserable, made happy in Christ alone.

The sorrowful, filled with comfort and peace as they face troubling days.

The guilty, receive a full pardon by the Just and the Justifier through the gospel.

The filthy, made pure and holy to living as an example of grace.

The troubled, made calm and peaceful; and the cruel, made kind and gentle!

What an honor as Paul confesses here and

this honor is handed to the church.

 

We have….. 

A message of mercy, to miserable sinners to find eternal hope.

A message of grace, to unworthy sinners who deserve condemnation.

A message of provision made, for very poor and needy sinners.

A message of comfort, for hurting and troubled sinners.

A message to alarm careless sinners to return to fellowship with Him and the saints.

A message to solemnly warn, for stubborn sinners.

A message of encouragement, direction, and winning love--to those who believe in Jesus.

 

This is the vision of the church; this is what a healthy church produces in its community. 

A Gospel-centered and a gospel saturated church.

Seeing life and mission through the lens of authentic worship.

Understanding ministry fruitfulness is the results of divine enablement.

Our holy ambition is driven by the gospel and a heart for people.

Supporting the work of the gospel ministry.

Refreshing and praying for those who are on the frontlines with the gospel.

  

This is your reasonable act of worship in the gospel. Serving Christ together is developed strongly in the trenches of loving service to the Lord…together.