Introduction

A few weeks ago, I took a call on the church phone, and the guy started by letting me know he had a message for our church. I thought, “Oh boy, this is one of those calls.” We get occasional calls from men who almost certainly never go to church; instead, they sit in their basement, come up with quacky ideas, and make it their prophetic mission to fix churches. They’re unteachable, unbiblical, and talking with them is a waste of time.

I could tell right away this was one of those guys. So, I asked if he lived in Apple Valley and if he was interested in coming to Life Point? He didn’t want to answer, but it turned out that he lived in Oregon. I should have ended it right then, but I didn’t. Sure enough, this guy was out there, and he was unteachable. It was a frustrating waste of time.

Every pastor has spoken with a few of these guys. I’m sure that Paul also ran across a few of them. So, as Paul comes to the end of Romans, he’s feeling a little self-conscious that the Romans will think he’s one of those guys.

That’s because Paul didn’t plant the Roman church, and he had never even visited them. But he has written a bold letter. He has made some strong theological assertions, and he has made many direct and specific applications. So, he’s worried that the Romans might think, “Who is this nut, and why does he think he has the right to tell us what to do?” Paul’s wants to quell those concerns with today’s text (read).

I doubt you question the authority of Romans. It’s in the Bible, and we revere it as possibly the greatest letter ever written. But God still has much for you in this paragraph. Verse 14 gives strong encouragement regarding your ministry in the church, and vv. 15–17 paint a beautiful picture of what God is doing in the church and how you can participate. So, this passage is going to push us to a variety of practical applications, but I especially pray you will leave committed by the grace of God to minister boldly in the power of the gospel. Verse 14 covers the first part of that. It challenges you…

I.  Minister boldly (v. 14).

It’s important to note that v. 13 ends the body of Romans, and v. 14 begins the conclusion. And Paul’s primary goal in our text is to help the Romans embrace the “bold” letter he has written rather than being offended by it. Verses 15–17 will explain why Paul has been so bold, but he first clarifies that his boldness is not meant to belittle the Roman church or its pastors.

Specifically, he didn’t want them to think he wrote boldly because the church lacked good teaching or couldn’t solve its own problems. Quite the opposite, v. 14 is one of the strongest commendations in any of Paul’s epistles. He encourages the Romans that they can make a difference in each other’s lives. They can care well for each other.

But it’s not because they are so great. It’s because God’s grace was working among them. That same grace is at work in you, if you are saved, and it is at work in this church. God is equipping us to serve each other well. Notice…

God is changing you. Paul had heard that the Romans were “full of goodness.” They had a testimony of righteous living, upright conduct, kindness, and generosity. God was changing them. Paul wanted them to see it, to know that others saw it, and that he believed it.

I like that because the perfectionists among us tend to only see everything that is wrong. You obsess over every failure, and Satan uses it to slog you down in perpetual discouragement. Others are professional critics of other people. They put a magnifying glass on everyone’s immaturities, and they are always disillusioned with the state of the church.

Of course, we need honest evaluation, but honest evaluation must include seeing evidence of grace. The gospel is transforming us. It is good to see that work, to give thanks for it, and to be encouraged by it. So, make sure you notice how God is transforming you and the Christians around you!

Paul also encourages the Romans that God’s grace is filling them with knowledge. He’s not commending random knowledge that’s only useful on Jeopardy; rather, Paul commends their knowledge of Christ through the gospel. Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

So, Paul commends the Romans for their rich understanding of what Christ provided at the cross, of the assurance it gives, and of its transforming power for life today. They were anchored to the gospel. What about you? Do you know you are complete in Christ? Do you meditate often on the truth of the gospel? Does it shape your life?

And do you value the knowledge of Christ in others? The mark of a godly man is not what he looks like, how much stuff he is doing, or how attractive he is to the world. Godly men and women fear the Lord, they are amazed at his grace, and they rest in that grace. Be that person, encourage it in others, and rejoice when you see God growing that knowledge.

In sum, Paul wants the Romans to see God’s work among them and be encouraged. And you must do the same. God is working in the church. He is producing fruit. So, make sure that you slow down and see what God is doing. And especially see the evidence of God’s work in your life. If you are in Christ, God is changing you. Therefore…

God wants to use you. Paul’s third encouragement is the most important. Because the gospel was working among them, they were “able…to admonish one another.” Paul He wants to be clear that he didn’t admonish them because he didn’t think they were capable of doing it themselves. No, he was confident that God had gifted the church to care for itself.

And God is saying that if you are in Christ, you are also able to admonish. The Spirit has equipped you to admonish, instruct, and warn other believers. Now, that may sound terrifying. “Pastor, I’ve got problems. I don’t know what to say. There’s no way I could ever admonish a fellow Christian.”

You do have problems, and you may not always be sure what to say. But you can use the grace you have received. One of the primary ways God guards and grows his church is through everyday believers speaking truth to each other. God commands you, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb 10:24–25). These commands are for all Christians.

A couple chapters later, God commands you, “Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed” (Heb 12:12–13). You know someone whose spiritual knees are feeble. We all need to be pushed to “love and good deeds.”

So, the question is not if there is ministry for you to do. The question is are you engaged in people’s lives enough that you can see their needs, and they can see yours? Would you notice if your brother was spiraling, and would he notice if you were? We must live close enough for that to happen.

Then you need to the courage and love to effectively admonish your brothers and sisters from the Scriptures. If you see Johnny Jew growing judgmental, love him enough to correct his thinking. If you see Joe Gentile destroying Johnny Jew’s conscience, challenge him.

If you haven’t seen a friend at church recently, call him. If he is speaking bitterly about his wife, speak up. If he’s discouraged, point him to a promise.

Of course, our theme this year is “Your Next Step.” One application is that you should grow your capacity to admonish well. So, read some good books and build depth. Find a mentor in ministry. Push yourself into deeper relationships and greater responsibility. God has called you to care for this body. People need you. And God has given you resources to grow your skill. So, take your next step. Minister boldly in the grace that God has given. I also want to emphasize that…

God wants to use your church. I bring this up because we live in a day when Christians are increasingly enamored with worldly methods of solving our problems. You’re hurting, your marriage is struggling, or you can’t beat an addiction, and the first place we turn is to a pagan counselor or a quasi-Christian book you find on Amazon that is little more than worldly wisdom with some Jesus sprinkled in. What’s most tragic is when we use psychiatric drugs to mask truly spiritual issues.

So, I want to emphasize that the verb translated “admonish” is nouthetéō. Maybe you’ve heard of nouthetic counseling. It’s the conviction that the Bible is fully sufficient for every spiritual need; therefore, the first place you should always turn is Scripture. And v. 14 says that God has gifted his church to minister that Word to his people. We can admonish one another. Don’t run to pagans to help you be godly; run to God’s people.

Yes, sometimes we have physiological issues that require medical intervention. That’s a grace of God. And we sometimes benefit from expertise beyond what most local churches can provide. We understand that.

But I want to challenge you to also believe what God says. God has provided you with abundant resources in the gospel, in his fully sufficient inspired Word, and in the gifts of the church. So, run to God’s graces first, not last. Grace can change your heart; pagans can only offer Band-aids. Believe that God has enabled the church to admonish one another.

So, v. 14 challenges you to minister boldly through the grace that God gives every Christian. Make a difference in a brother’s life. Get equipped to make a bigger difference. Believe in the power of God’s grace. The 2^nd major challenge of our text is…

II.  Minister the gospel (vv. 15–17).

Remember that Paul is explaining why he has written such a bold letter to a church he’s never visited. He just clarified that it’s not because he lacked confidence in the church. They were able to admonish one another.

Rather, Paul wrote boldly because God uniquely commissioned him to establish the Gentile church. Since the Roman church was primarily Gentile, Paul had the authority and the responsibility to serve them. Verses 15–21 describe his Gentile mission. In the process, he offers valuable direction for how we should continue his ministry. Notice first…

The Authority of the Gentile Mission: Paul tells us why he had written boldly in vv. 15–16a. Following Paul’s conversion, God told Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Similarly, in Romans 11:13, Paul calls himself “an apostle of Gentiles.” God commissioned Paul to establish the Gentile church. He had authority from Christ to teach the church and equip the church.

Therefore, it’s worth saying that we don’t only study Paul’s letters because they are really good, which they are. We value them, and we obey them because Paul wrote under the authority of Christ. They are Scripture. Paul knew that, and I hope you do too. Romans is God’s authoritative Word. So, feed your soul on Romans, believe what it says, and obey what it commands.

Beyond that, recognize that the authority of the Gentile mission did not end with Paul. No, Jesus told the disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18–20).

Cleary, Jesus is also speaking to the churches they would establish. Afterall, the disciples didn’t reach all nations before they died, and Jesus promises his presence “to the end of the age,” long after their deaths. So, Jesus has authorized the church to go everywhere making disciples. We don’t need anyone’s permission to do Great Commission work.

For example, two weeks ago we had a couple here who plans to make disciples in Morocco even though the king of Morocco says he’s not allowed to do so. Who cares? Jesus is a higher authority than any king. He has given the church authority to go to Morocco.

So, preach the gospel boldly everywhere and anywhere. Sure, don’t pick needless fights but don’t back down either. Jesus’ authority stands behind us when we preach the gospel and make disciples. Remember that this week when fear kicks in. Preach with the authority of Jesus. Notice also what Paul says about…

The Goal of the Gentile Mission (v. 16): Paul pictures himself as a priest preparing a sacrifice in the temple. Of course, preparing a sacrifice was a big deal and a lot of work. You had to pick the right animal, and a lot of work went into cutting it up properly so that God would be pleased.

Similarly, Paul labored hard to make the Gentile church an acceptable sacrifice to God. Paul used similar language in Romans 12:1 for individual believers. God commands you to present your life to God as a holy and acceptable sacrifice. Now Paul says that the church as whole must also become an acceptable sacrifice to God.

It’s noteworthy that what God specifically wants is a church that is “sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” That means God is pleased by a church that is holy, that is distinct from the world based on the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, Ephesians 5:25–27 says, “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

So, I want to say that we should want to reach as many people as we possibly can, and we should seek to remove every nonessential roadblock to people feeling comfortable in the church. But bigger is not the only thing that matters to God. God desires a holy church, a church that is free from sin, a church that is different from the world.

So, we must remember that our goal is not primarily influence, prominence, or worldly success; it is to grow a sanctified church that pleases the Lord. And of course, one that includes as many people as possible.

And you should have the same personal goal for yourself. Don’t spend your Christian life trying to stay as close to the world as possible. Strive to be like Jesus. Flee from sin, pursue righteousness. Strive to present yourself as a holy and blameless sacrifice.

So, that’s the goal of Paul’s Gentile mission, and it’s our goal as a church. We want to become a holy sacrifice that pleases the Lord. But how do we get there? How was did Paul prepare this sacrifice? What has God called Life Point to do, and how has he called you to participate? Notice…

The Method of the Gentile Mission: Paul highlights 3 aspects of our method.

We preach the gospel. Notice again in v. 16 that Paul summarizes is priestly ministry as fundamentally a ministry of “the gospel of God.” Sure, Paul did a lot of stuff. He wrote letters, he preached, and he counseled. But all of it was fundamentally the proclamation of the gospel.

That’s because the only way dead sinners will ever become holy and blameless is through a spiritual work. We can put on great programs, we can create a great atmosphere, we can have great visuals for our children’s classes, and great preaching and teaching illustrations. All of them have their place. But don’t ever forget, as Romans 1:16 says, the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

Yes, we need to minister boldly, but we must make sure that our bold ministry is a gospel ministry. So, if you work in a ministry of our church, remember that you are first a minister of the gospel. Always bring your table, your class, your small group back to the gospel. Parents, the same is true for you. Your kids need the gospel more than they need good character, a strong work ethic, and the skills to be successful. The gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

Maybe you need to believe the gospel for the very first time. If you came to church this morning just viewing it as a step toward making yourself a better person, who can live a better life, and hopefully do well enough that you can go to heaven someday, understand that you will never be good enough. No one here is good enough.

That’s why Jesus came to us. He died for our sins, and he rose again so you can be saved by simply believing on him, by receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior. Please come to Jesus just as you are and receive him as your Savior. We’d love to talk with you afterwards about how you can be saved. 2^nd…

We keep preaching the gospel (v. 15). In other words, the Romans already knew the gospel. So, why did Paul spend 8 chapters explaining the gospel? It’s because we need lots of reminders. We’re all proud legalists at heart. You need constant reminders of your humble reliance on the gospel. You need to actively rely on the grace of God.

So does everyone around you. So, minister the gospel. If you are going to admonish a brother, make sure that your admonishment is rooted in the gospel. If a sister is discouraged, drive her to the gospel. If a teen is worldly, show him a better path in the gospel. Make sure that all your ministry is gospel ministry. 3^rd…

We rely on the Spirit. Verse 16 concludes by saying that the only way our ministry will end with an acceptable sacrifice to God is if it is “sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” We are a busy church. A lot of people work hard to keep our building looking nice, to put on excellent programs, to prepare beautiful music and impactful teaching material. We just challenged you to work with us to create an effective atmosphere on Easter Sunday.

But we better make sure that we never get too busy for prayer. The Spirit alone can save the lost. Nothing of eternal value will happen next Sunday or any Sunday unless the Spirit does it. So pray for the Spirit to work. And always minister in active reliance on the strength which the Spirit supplies.

Conclusion

God is calling you to minister boldly in the power of the gospel. Have you believed the gospel yourself? Do you know that your sins are forgiven in Christ. Once you are saved, God has given you a great task with the mightiest weapon. Walk in the gospel. Preach the gospel to anyone and everyone. Pray for the Spirit to work. And be bold. You are able to admonish one another. So, take your next step. Up your ministry impact for the glory of God.