Read Romans 16:21-27
As Romans draws to a close we again find more greetings. Timothy to whom 1 and 2 Timothy were written is currently with Paul and sends his warm hearted, Jesus honouring greetings to the church at Rome as does Tertius. This particular fellow Tertius was Paul’s amanuensis or scribe who wrote down the letter for Paul, probably as he dictated it. Considering Galatians 6:11 and 4:15 it’s possible that Paul was going blind and was unable to see well enough to write consistently so he used a scribe.
The benediction that closes Romans is worthy of comment and could well lead to a sermon or 10 in it’s own right. These words are filled with theological insight, wisdom and deep truth that needs mining out.
Read again the verses of the benediction and take note of the deep truths contained there in.
Romans 16:25–27 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him. 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
What truths come out of this benediction? Let me list just a few.
· God is the one who is able to establish the church. Thus our first port of call in all matters, even in matters of disunity and attack by the evil one, should be prayer. We should seek the stability of the Church by praying for the Church. The best thing you can do is pray for your church daily.
· The church is established by the Gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the foundation of the Church. The preaching of Christ Jesus is not an optional extra but the focus and foundation of the Church. The Church must be focused on the Gospel and the preaching of that Gospel.
· This Gospel has been revealed (ie made known). It is not something people can work out for themselves. It must be revealed to them by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. If this is true then prayer is the vital ingredient in our evangelism and outreach. We must pray for clear preaching and conversions.
· The prophetic writings in the Old Testament foresaw the coming of Christ into the world and foresaw the coming of the nations into the Grace of God.
· The purpose of preaching the Gospel is that the entire world might come to believe and obey Christ. God wants all men to be saved and has chosen the church as the vehicle through which the Gospel goes into the world. Thus the church must be a missionary/evangelistic body as well.
· All of this brings glory and honour to the only wise God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we read the closing benediction of the letter, let us never forget that God is in the business of bringing glory to Himself and magnifying His great name in all the earth. We have a choice as both individuals and as a church to get on board with God’s plan. Don’t delay. Get on board today.
Prayer:
Use today’s Bible reading and notes to pray along the following lines.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that tomorrow’s service at church would indeed be gospel focused and that everything in it would bring glory and honour to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that the saints would be greatly edified and that the unbelievers would be challenged to put their faith in Jesus Christ and to obey Him.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. How can you tell what the focus of a church is?
2. If the focus of your church is not the Gospel, what should you do?
3. What purpose does a benediction serve?
Discipleship Moment For Girls
Intro: Church can sometimes be really really boring. Sometimes it can be ok and at other times it can be pretty awesome. What do you think of Church? Do you like going to church? why or why not?
What are some other things that stop us from going to church?
Discuss how you feel about church and why you like going and want to go to church each week.
Read Hebrews 10:24-25.
What are we commanded to do here?
Why should we not stop meeting together?
What advantages come from meeting together as a church?
Pray together that God would give you a heart for the church.
Intro: Church can sometimes be really really boring. Sometimes it can be ok and at other times it can be pretty awesome. What do you think of Church? Do you like going to church? why or why not?
What are some other things that stop us from going to church?
Discuss how you feel about church and why you like going and want to go to church each week.
Read Hebrews 10:24-25.
What are we commanded to do here?
Why should we not stop meeting together?
What advantages come from meeting together as a church?
Pray together that God would give you a heart for the church.
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