Romans 15:14-16:27
Final lessons from Paul:
1. My service is an offering, Rom. 15:14-33. Paul is careful in his wording to the church at Rome. He did not found it. He describes his ministry in priestly language. He gives all credit to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for the work that has been done there. Humble service is an offering to God for what He has done. When we work for God, He will work through us. Our service is not about what we get, it’s about what we offer. I may have an idea of how I want to serve that may already be handled. So I will need to find another way to provide service. It may be spiritual service or it may be physical, fleshly service.
2. Welcome other servants of Christ. Rom. 16:1-16. Most of the content leading up to this point concerns living in harmony with one another. This is not just a boring list of names. There is a point to it. Paul is modeling living in harmony. This list includes both Jews and Gentiles and he values their contributions to his ministry. They all have value in the kingdom and they matter to Paul. There is value in including various people in our lives, not just our close friends or family members. Fellowship in Jesus brings us, each of whom comes from various backgrounds, together. So the message to us is we welcome each other as fellow servants of Christ. One way to accomplish this is to talk to someone we don’t normally talk to when at the building. Or at in-home group meetings, do we sit with the same people all the time?
3. Avoid divisive people, Rom. 16:17-18. If we’re seeking unity we need to avoid those who are contrary to this teaching, people who put roadblocks to growth of the body. Don’t let external division affect our goal of unity.
Let us live in harmony with one another and work together in God’s kingdom to the praise of His glory.
