Gentile Ministry #

Romans 15:8-13

Introduction

Paul has been advocating how God desires to save BOTH Jew and Gentile throughout his entire letter to the Romans. There appears to have been a great battle for the Gentiles to adhere to the OT religious laws and completely change their way of life. Jesus should and does change your life.

2 Cor 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Salvation should change your life!!!

However, they were trying to force the Gentiles, to follow the religious ceremonial laws of the OT. There was no need for them to continue to sacrifice lambs for their sins. There was not a need for them to change their diet, and stop eating pork, or whatever things they may have eaten. There was no need for them to celebrate all the Jewish holidays. So he is now going to define the ministry to the Gentiles. It is a great definition for ministry.

I. Gentile Ministry Defended (8-14) #

A. Example of Jesus (8-9a) #

1. Jesus being a Jew, ministered to the Gentiles #

B. Evidence of Scripture (9-13) #

1. Verse 9 #

2Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

2. Verse 10 #

Deut. 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

“O Ye nations” would certainly reference the Gentile nations, since “his people” is in the next phrase.

3. Verse 11 - #

Psa. 117:1 ¶ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

4. Verse 12 - #

Is. 11:1 ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Is. 11:10 ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

C. God use you! ((13-14) #

1. Joy – the Gentiles too are reached #

2. Peace – don’t be racist, Salvation is for all! #

3. Hope – Hope, that you too would desire to minister to the Gentiles! #

II. Gentile Ministry Defined (15-29) #

A. Putting you in mind (15) #

This was the purpose for Paul writing back to the christians in Rome
They were confused, and messed up in ministry
- Probable the Jews were telling the Gentiles they had to convert to Judaism to be a Christian. Or the Gentiles were telling the Jews to leave their Jewish traditions and heritage to be a Christian, neither was true!

B. Preaching (16-19) #

1. Gentiles (16) #

God directed Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles!

2. Great Purpose, Joy (17) #

Preaching, witnessing, ministering was not a drudge, but a joy, it was his life!

3. Greece → Rome (18-19) #

C. Philosophy (20-21) #

1. Paul didn’t desire to reach those reached #

2. Paul desired to reach those in need! #

D. Practical Ministry (22-29) #

1. Hindered (22-23) #

2. Hope (24, 28-29) #

3. Help (25-27) #

The Gentiles were helping the Jews in Jerusalem!

III. Gentile Ministry’s Demand (30-33) #

A. Prayer (30) #

1. Pray, because of your LOVE for God #

“for the LORD Jesus Christ’s Sake” – He died, then we should maximize His sacrifice, so as many people as possible can be saved!!!
Because we love the Spirit of God!

2. Unity – strive together #

There is something about prayer meetings, and praying together!
When people pray together, things happen! (Acts 12)

3. They were to pray for the ministry to the Gentiles! #

You cannot hold hatred, bitterness or bad thoughts in your heart when you pray for people
Praying for others, fixes you!

B. Pray for Deliverance (31) #

1. Persecution from the Jews! #

- There are ALWAYS those in opposition to Jesus, and the preaching of Jesus!

2. Acceptance in Jerusalem #

Perhaps the suffering saints in Jerusalem would be too proud to accept help from poverty stricken gentiles.
- It is most humbling to accept a gift from someone who has less than you.