Sermon Notes - Romans 15:14-33 - Littleby Baptist Church - July 13, 2025

 1.        God has been calling the Roman church and us to bear each other’s weaknesses.

a.        To help each other grow.

b.       To live in harmony.

c.        Knowing that it will be a challenge.

d.       But through the power of our Lord Jesus we can do just that.

e.        All to glorify our God and Father.

2.        Part of that can be seen by learning to accept our fellow Christ followers as Jesus has accepted us.

a.        Not easy.

b.       Something we will not get right every day.

c.        But it is something we are to do.

d.       It is part of our loving our God.

e.        And loving others are ourselves.

3.        Thankfully it is not something we have to do on our own.

a.        As we follow our God.

b.       As we trust in Him.

c.        The Holy Spirit will work in us.

d.       Helping us.

e.        Overflowing us with His Hope.

f.          Growing our faith.

g.        Showing us what it means to love.

h.        Guiding us.

i.          So that we can draw near to Him and love others as we are called to.

4.        Romans 15:14

a.        Paul is starts by recognizing the spiritual maturity he has heard about.

b.       Their goodness or uprightness coupled with their knowledge.

c.        Likely with a focus on Scripture or the teachings of Jesus or the Apostles.

d.       That knowledge has helped them to instruct or correct one another.

e.        Paul is letting them know that even though he may have been coming across strong at times.

f.          He has heard that they have a solid understanding of the Truth.

g.        A strong enough understanding to continue to grow.

h.        A compliment from Paul.

5.        Romans 15:15

a.        Even with their knowledge.

b.       Paul has felt led to be very direct with some topics.

c.        Due to him being called by God as an Apostle to the gentiles.

d.       As we see as we keep reading.

6.        Romans 15:16

a.        It is Paul’s hope that in serving the gentiles that they will turn to Jesus.

b.       That they will give themselves to God.

c.        But for today.

d.       That we, being gentiles, will give our lives to Jesus.

e.        That we will be an acceptable sacrifice to our God.

f.          That we will be sanctified.

g.        That we will be set apart

h.        That we will be holy.

i.          By being bathed in the blood of our Lord Jesus.

j.          By the work of the Holy Spirit changing us from who we were, to people who willingly follow Jesus.

k.        The question you must answer is…

l.          Will you let the Holy Spirit change you?

7.        Romans 15:17-18

a.        It is not about what Paul has done.

b.       It is all Jesus.

c.        Paul may have been the instrument.

d.       People may have heard him speak.

e.        He may have been the one who dictated the letter.

f.          He may have coordinated the offering.

g.        But Paul wants to make sure everything that was done ultimately comes from God.

8.        When we are doing the work of God.

a.        Whether it is in this church building or when we are going about our lives.

b.       If we are following the leading of our God.

c.        We are simply the instrument that God is using.

d.       He is the one giving.

e.        He is the one speaking.

f.          He is meeting the need.

g.        It may be our body, our voice, or money out of our wallet.

h.        But it all belongs to our God.

i.          It is God at work through us.

j.          Like it was God at work through Paul.

9.        Romans 15:19

a.        It is not on Paul’s skill or his power.

b.       Anything that has been accomplished was by the work of the Spirit through Paul.

c.        God allowed Paul to do what he did.

d.       God carried Paul throughout the region.

e.        God equipped him to teach the Gospel wherever he went.

f.          It was the Holy Spirit that made the hearts ready to hear the message as Paul planted churches.

g.        It was God who kept Paul safe as he traveled.

h.        It was God who allowed him to survive the persecution.

10.   Romans 15:20

a.        Paul was a church planter.

b.       He felt called to go to places that did not have a solid Christian influence.

c.        We see proof of it throughout the New Testament.

d.       Even Rome is a good example.

e.        It is believed that no Apostle had been to Rome.

f.          Paul would be able to help them build a solid foundation a faith.

11.   This is not to say that others should not ‘build upon’ what others have started.

a.        Apollos watered… 1 Cor 3

b.       Each of us are called to different types of ministries.

c.        Some are to plant new works.

d.       Some are to come alongside existing groups of believers.

e.        It takes all kinds to further the kingdom of God.

12.   Romans 15:21

a.        Paul quotes from Isaiah 52.

b.       Emphasizing the Gospel being carried to those who have not heard about Jesus.

c.        Paul is using this verse to emphasize his calling.

13.   Romans 15:22

a.        Pointing back to Paul’s ministry throughout the region.

b.       Sometimes we think we are supposed to be at a certain place at a certain time.

c.        But God has other plans.

d.       We may eventually get there.

e.        But God wants to use us in other ways.

f.          Helping other people.

g.        Touching the lives of others in ways we were not aware of.

h.        We need to let the Holy Spirit guide us.

i.          Not always the easiest thing to do.

j.          We like to be in control.

k.        But ultimately, we need to remember that God is in control.

14.   Romans 15:23-24

a.        Paul feels his time in the region is done.

b.       We can look back in history and know that is true.

c.        Scripture tells us as much.

d.       He is heading to Jerusalem, and he will be heading to Rome.

e.        Just not the way he expected.

15.   Romans 15:25-26

a.        Paul and others are traveling to Jerusalem with the offering that the gentile churches are sending to those in need.

16.   Romans 15:27

a.        This is an interesting verse.

b.       Are we indebted to Jewish Christ followers?

c.        Paul was making a case for this.

d.       The salvation we received as Christ followers, came from a Jewish Messiah.

e.        The promises that we have been able to partake in.

f.          We received them because we have been grafted into the vine.

g.        The promises were made to the Jewish Patriarchs.

h.        While we cannot earn the gift of grace that we have received.

i.          While the gentiles of Paul’s day could not earn it either.

j.          They gave this gift as a way of showing thanks.

k.        Was their gift a way of honoring Jesus’ heritage, yes.

l.          Are we indebted, no.

m.     If we were, we would be paying for our gift.

17.   Romans 15:28-29

a.        Paul was confident that when he was done in Jerusalem that He would come to Rome.

b.       And when he arrived that the blessings of Jesus would be upon his arrival.

c.        Jesus would bless the Roman church with Paul’s visit.

d.       Paul would be blessed by the Roman church while he was there.

e.        While we know the events did not play out the way Paul was picturing.

f.          I know that letters were written.

g.        Visits were had.

h.        Words were spoken.

i.          Wisdom was shared.

j.          Prayers prayed.

k.        The fullness of the Lord’s blessing was on Paul and the Roman church.

l.          It just did not look like they may have thought.

18.   That tends to happen to us.

a.        We picture things in a certain way.

b.       We expect events to happen in a certain order.

c.        But it does not happen as we thought.

d.       Our human tendency is to get frustrated, discouraged, and maybe even depressed.

e.        But it may be exactly what God wanted.

f.          Paul wrote 5 letters while in a Roman prison.

g.        Including one of my go to letters, Colossians.

h.        Many lives have been touched by his time in prison.

i.          Many blessings came out of his time in Rome.

19.   Romans 15:30

a.        Strive together in prayer.

b.       Through the power of Jesus Christ.

c.        Through the Love of the Holy Spirit.

d.       Partner in prayer.

e.        That is something we should be doing as a body of believers.

f.          Our prayers are to powered by God and His love.

g.        We may say them at specific times during our service.

h.        But they are more than transition points.

i.          They are pleas to our God.

j.          For His power and love to be at work in each service.

k.        To be at work in our lives.

l.          Strive together in prayer.

20.   Romans 15:31

a.        Putting this in our context.

b.       Pray that our ministry can withstand persecution.

c.        Not that we avoid anything that attracts persecution.

d.       But when it comes that we are able to stand strong.

e.        That we are faithful no matter what happens.

f.          So that other followers of Christ will see the ministry, be encouraged, and join us.

21.   Romans 15:32

a.        That as followers of Christ that we would be filled with God’s Joy.

b.       That we would be refreshed when we gather.

c.        So that when we head out into the world, we are ready.

d.       Ready to share the Gospel.

e.        Ready to withstand whatever comes are way.

22.   Romans 15:33

a.        May our God.

b.       The God of Peace.

c.        Be with each of us.

d.       May He guide us when we are lost.

e.        May He strengthen us when we are weak.

f.          May He give us peace when we are anxious.

g.        May He right us when we are wrong.

h.        May He fill us with His Spirt so that we can be refreshed and renewed.

i.          May He help us walk a righteous path.

j.          May the God of Peace be with each of us.

k.        Every day.

l.          All Day.

23.   For those that know Jesus.

a.        We need to stand with Him.

b.       Letting Him work in us, even when we do not understand the what or the timing of the events of our lives.

c.        We need to trust in our God, knowing that He is in control.

d.       Trusting that whatever we are going through, He can use for good.

24.   If you do not know Jesus.

a.        If you want to receive the peace Paul was talking about.

b.       To be free of your sins.

c.        All you have to do is accept this amazing gift from Jesus.

d.       Give your life to Him.

e.        If that is you.

f.          I would love to talk with you.