Today's lesson comes from Romans 15: 13-26. At this point in his writing, Paul may have had some intimations of the trouble he would face in Jerusalem. He expresses his appreciation for his readers, sets forth his future plans, and sends his personal greetings. The first portion of the lesson (vv. 13-16) entails Paul's reasons for writing to these believers. There was an emphasis on God's calling him to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. In the first chapter, he wrote about imparting a spiritual gift to the church at Rome and as he closes, he becomes more specific. Paul's desire was that they might be "sanctified by the Holy Ghost." The second section (vv. 17-21) recounts his life as a missionary. He gives Jesus Christ the glory for the accomplishments and acknowledges that his ability should be credited to the "power of the Spirit of God." In the final section (vv. 22-26), he expresses his desire to evangelize Spain, but first has a pressing responsibility of taking an offering to Jerusalem. Paul wanted a unified church, with no separation between Jew and Gentile.
Paul had a consistent message to the church at Rome. You need to be sanctified! He taught how a man could be forgiven and stand justified before God by trusting in the atonement made by Christ. Moreover, he proved the corrupt nature of the heart can be cleansed by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted believers to live the sanctified life, a life that is totally committed to Jesus Christ and lives a practical holiness. In the closing chapters of the book, Paul writes in a more personal manner, assuring his readers of his love and desires to be with them.
The first section is "A Gentile Ministry." (vv. 13-16) Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know that the source of real joy and peace were found in God through the power of the Holy Spirit. By faith in Christ, we have peace. The indwelling Holy Spirit provides the power to live a victorious life over sin, the flesh and the world. Verses 14-16 assure the readers of Paul's confidence in them. Paul had not started the Roman church, but he wanted any error in the church to be eliminated. He wrote boldly to them and wanted to emphasize the essential truths of the faith. He was a minister to the Gentiles and wanted them to be sanctified wholly. Paul was not content with scattering gospel seed, he wanted to see the fruit of personal holiness in their lives. He wanted them to be living sacrifices which would only be acceptable if they were "sanctified by the Holy Ghost." Paul wrote boldly that they might press on and obtain a sanctified heart. G.A. McLaughlin said: "The great work of the Holy Ghost in this dispensation is to sanctify the church. All His other operations tend either to this end, or to the building up of those who are sanctified."
The second section is "A Pioneer Ministry." vv. 17-21 Paul had been called to be a pioneer for Christ, and he desired that others would follow his example until the whole world had been reached with the good news of salvation. Paul was quick to give Jesus Christ the glory for the successes and he was careful not to exaggerate regarding what had been accomplished. The Holy Spirit did miracles through the hands of Paul in his ministry establishing the principle that the only effective work for God is that which is done by the power of the indwelling Spirit.
Paul engaged in pioneer work spreading the gospel in his missionary journeys. It is important to note that Paul did not soften the gospel message. Unlike many "preachers" today who try and make Jesus a social self-help guro, Paul preached salvation from sin and sanctification leading to a holy life. He declared that God was able to deliver a person from all sin, and that God expected the person who served Him to live a holy life.
The third section is "A Unifying Ministry." vv. 22-26 Paul had desired to go to Rome earlier, but his great zeal to spread the gospel to unreached areas had delayed him. Now Paul had reached a point in his ministry where there were "no more places in these parts" which had not been made aware of salvation through Christ. Thus, Paul felt it was time to push farther westward, and visit Rome on the way to Spain. Paul wanted to unite the Jewish believers with the Gentile Christians. A famine had swept through Palestine, causing the Jewish believers to be in want. The Gentile believers in Macedonia and Achaia had taken up an offering to send to their suffering brethren. The gift would do much to eliminate the legalistic attitude that some Jewish believers had toward the Gentile Christians. Paul had urged the Gentiles to give to acknowledge the spiritual debt they owed to the Jewish Christians that had spread the gospel to them. The Jewish believers would receive the compassion from the Gentiles and it would help facilitate the unity of the church. Paul wanted a unified church and this would help bring about his desire.
The Golden Text is: "And I am sure that, when I come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:29) Every Christian has the blessing of Christ, but sanctified Christians have "the fullness of the blessing." Entire sanctification is the piece that fills up the experience of regeneration by casting out the old man. Carnality is not suppressed in entire sanctification, it is destroyed. In Romans, Paul states clearly the conditions and blessings of holiness. As we finish this quarter, have you entered into this rest? You can if you desire.
My summary points:
1. All believers need to be sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
2. God expects you to live a holy life.
3. Bring unity to the church by helping the needs of others.
This lesson ends this quarter. Next quarter we study Ezekiel and Daniel.The lesson next week is "Ezekiel's Call" from Ezekiel 2:1-10. If you would like the free study materials, please email me at bljenkins7@yahoo.com.
Read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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