Senior Sunday School

Text: Romans 15

Subject: “A minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” I

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,

16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.

Romans 15:14-17

A COMMENDATION OF THE ROMAN CHURCH

1. Confidence expressed in the Roman Church

Now I myself confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Romans 15:14

a)  They are full of goodness

b)  Filled with all knowledge

c)  Able to admonish one another

2. This was Paul’s personal understanding

a)  Of the Roman Church

b)  This is a general statement

c)  Not an assessment of every individual in the Church

A TESTIMONY OF PAUL AS A MINISTER TO THE GENTILES

1. The Ministry to the Gentiles was already proven to be a Biblical one

2. Paul explains and expands on his ministry to the Gentiles

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,

16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:15-16

a)  He was following the example of the Lord Jesus (Romans 15:8-9)

b)  He was sure of this ministry because there was Scriptural support (Deuteronomy 32; Psalm 18, Psalm 117; Isaiah 11:2)

3. A reminder

a)  Of the grace of God

b)  His ministry to Gentiles was because of the grace of God given

c)  Grace was a key element in the Gospel of God

4. The Gentiles as an Offering to God

a)  All Gentile believers may be described as an offering to God

b)  The gift described further:

i) Acceptable

ii) Sanctified by the Holy Spirit

A REASON TO GLORY IN GOD

Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.

Romans 15:7

1. Paul was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles

2. As Peter was appointed to minister to the Jews (Galatians 2:7)

3. Glorying

a)  This is valid

b)  It is glorying in the Lord Jesus Christ

c)  It is glorying in the things which pertain to God

i)  In God’s plan

ii)  Within His will

iii) With clear and good fruits arising