A Message by Pastor Michael Palmer

Given to Green Ridge Baptist Church

December 6, 2009

 

A Solid Church--Connecting with

God’s Gospel Call

Romans 15:13-21

 

     Paul is winding down his letter to the church at Rome. In this section he is covering one of the major reasons for his waiting. His hope that the church at Rome will be a partner with him in his work of taking the gospel to people(s) that have not heard about Jesus. He speaks of that desire for their help in verse 24 but in this section (13-21) he makes an insightful comment about the character of the church at Rome and then he explains something of his ministry to them. We can learn much from this section of God’s word in relation to our need to be stretched as we seek to be a church that makes a difference for Christ locally and globally. 

 

I. CHARACTERISTCS OF A SOLID CHURCH FROM ROMANS 15:14

 

1. Full of Goodness

 

·        The moral and ethical goodness that comes from the Lord

·        Power of the Holy Spirit had changed them

·        Goodness as demonstrated by good works (Eph. 2:10

·        Apparently the church at Rome was known for their works and service to one another and to others

·        Would someone who knows you say that you are “full of goodness”?

 

2. Filled With (complete) All Knowledge

 

This knowledge is content and spiritual knowledge of the Lord God. Remember that one of Paul’s first injunctions after his doctrinal sections was to “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”! This is becoming more difficult in our culture because we are raising children with shorter attention spans and tied to emotion based thinking rather than objective truth. But this phrase should encourage us that it is possible to wed a sharp mind with a tender heart based on the objective truth of the incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

 

·        Our culture is moving away from objective truth

·        People have less Bible knowledge

·        This comment also speaks to Doctrinal Soundness- This was a key component of the growth of the early church at Rome and the church in general (There were many heresies that came in the 2nd and 3rd centuries).

·        Paul felt assured because of this doctrinal soundness that they would participate whole heartedly with him in his gospel mission.

·        Doctrinal soundness coupled with an intimacy with Jesus always produces a brokenness for souls and desire to do whatever it takes to fulfill the Great Commission!

 

3. Able to Admonish One Another

     The admonish word here is “nouthetein” which carries the idea of admonishing another person in order to correct something that may be wrong. It is a comprehensive term for counseling. It refers to the duty and responsibility of every believer to encourage and strengthen other believers based on the truth of God’s word!

 

     Psychology without God is human based and will never get   lasting results! The depravity of man affects all of us and all of our being. Man can only be truly healed by the power of God!

 

     If we are walking with the Lord properly we will bring spiritual truths into our daily conversations. And we will encourage and “sharpen each other” to do right if we deviate from God’s path.

 

II. THE REASONS FOR LOCAL CHURCH SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE WORLDWIDE GOSPEL EFFORT

 

1. God Raises Up People With A Calling To Go

  • “Because of the grace given to me by God”
  • Paul couldn’t help but go!
  • It was and is a gospel call and as such every local church should want to go, to help, to give, etc.

 

2. The Call Is A Divinely Empowered Call With The Goal of Changed Lives

  • Paul a “minister of Jesus Christ”
  • The goal of the ministry is proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ; this is a local church charge
  • The result of the ministry is sanctified lives-by the power of the Holy Spirit
  • Sanctification set apart for God’s obedient “To make the Gentiles obedient”

 

3. The Call Is Accompanied By The Authority of The Holy Spirit’s Working

 

4. The Call Is To A Lost World That Desperately Needs To Understand Who Jesus Is And Why He Came!

     The local church support and involvement is essential to this effort.  Paul’s efforts and every missionary and evangelist DEPENDS ON THE LOCAL CHURCH for material support to take the gospel to the unreached people groups. 

 

III. PAUL’S DESIRE SHOULD BE OUR DESIRE

  • To preach the gospel not where Christ is named
  • To those that have not heard
  • To those areas and people’s that do not have any gospel
  • The southeast USA has more gospel witness than any other part of the world.
  • Yes there are lost people here! But we need to understand the greater need outside of our particular place in this world.
  • Our emphasis needs to be local and global…”GLOCAL”!

 

IV. AT GREEN RIDGE WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS FANTASTIC GOSPEL CALL BY:

 

  1. Witnessing to people here in our region – Seeking to make disciples- People sanctified- Obedient!
  2. Giving through a Ministry Investment plan (budget) that   includes S.B.C Cooperative program and International Missions.
  3. Sending people from Green Ridge directly to mission venues-Places where people(s) have not heard.
  4. Investing God’s word in people so that people will be more likely to respond to His call to go to people who have little or no gospel witness.
  5. Giving to meet special “Mission Needs”
  6. Above our tithe
  7. For the call of the gospel
  8. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the most effective  gospel offering in the world!

 

V. GOD WILL BLESS THE LOCAL CHURCH THAT HAS A BURDEN FOR THE NATIONS

 

·        Let’s go

·        Let’s give

·        Let’s pray

 

“Oh God do a work here and use us to do your work everywhere!”

Would you join Jesus in this wonderful call? Would you allow your life to be “troubled” by personal involvement in our “glocal” calling?

Let’s come to Jesus right now! Grip our heart’s Lord Jesus.