Pray for Me: Romans 15:22-33(Sermon)
.jpg)
WELCOME
Hi again. It is so neat that we have a group going to the Czech Republic, or Czechia as some are calling it now. We want to be praying for those who are serving. I have found that right before and after mission trips, there are often spiritual trials. We can be praying for safety, health, sensitivity to the Spirit, wisdom, unity, opportunity, and fruit. Prayer is critical to their mission. Yet it is simply talking to God, who knows and controls all things. He invites us to be the means by which he works in the world today. He longs for us to have an open and honest personal relationship with him, and prayer is part of that.
PASSAGE
In our passage this morning, we pull back a curtain and peer into a conversation between the apostle Paul and the church in Rome 2000 years ago. We hear his prayer and need for prayer. And his example and words can help us as we talk to God and seek his ways.
TEXT
With that, I am going to have E.V. read for us. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word?
This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
(Romans 15:22–33, ESV)
PRAYER
Thank you. Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we need you. I need you. Help us to understand and apply your Word for your praise and honor. Send your Spirit to work in our ears. May we not fall asleep as you invite us to listen to you. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen. You may be seated.
CONTEXT
Paul was wrapping up his letter to the Roman church, which included both Jewish followers of Jesus and non-Jewish ones. Their cultures and traditions were vastly different, clashing like two waves on the beach, one going in and out. Paul headed to Spain on a mission trip. He wanted to preach the gospel where it had never been before. In his letter, he spent eleven chapters discussing theological truths: that all people need God’s mercy and freedom from sin. That mercy and freedom are open to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Not only that, they receive the Holy Spirit and enjoy the Father’s affection. In Chapter 12, Paul unpacked the implications of those truths. He called the church to “Live together in the power of the gospel because it saves everyone who believes.”
POINT / STRUCTURE
This passage is like an ending to his letter, with three movements spelling out Paul’s :
15:22–29 Plans
15:30–32 Petition
15:33 And Prayer (no. 3)
God wants us to share his blessings and our burdens with him and each other. That is what being a follower of Jesus involves.
PAUL’S PLANS
15:22–29 His Plans
15:30–32 His Petition
15:33 His Prayer (no. 3)
We come to the first point, Paul’s plans. Last week, we heard about his ambition to go where no one else has gone before, like William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise.
Yet, instead of space exploration, Paul sought people’s spiritual formation. He evangelized and planted churches in untouched places. God called him to reach the unreached with the good news about Jesus. It was all foreign to them. For him, that meant,
“This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you” (Romans 15:22, ESV).
He wrote he couldn’t visit Rome, even though he wanted to. Let’s pick up the context. What was the reason Paul hadn’t made it to Rome? The answer was that he was still preaching to the unreached people. But things were changing, the time was ripe. He had finished his mission. Go back to verse 18:
For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:18–19, ESV)
Paul met his objectives. He fulfilled his ministry. That didn’t mean everyone was Christian. It just meant that he thought his work was completed, and he was free to travel to Rome. Verse 23,
But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. (Romans 15:23–24, ESV)
Paul looked forward to seeing his friends and fellow believers in Rome.
TRIPS
We have this team going to Czechia. I think they are excited. St. Joe High School Orchestra just got back from a trip to Italy. I am sure they enjoyed themselves. Paul was anxious to get to Rome. In Chapter 1 of Romans, he shared,
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. (Romans 1:8–13, ESV)
Keep looking at Romans 1 with me. We repeat what we think is important. We share what we care about. What was on Paul’s mind, what did he care about, when he wrote this letter?
He was thankful for the church. We can learn from Paul’s example. Are there people in your life you are thankful for? Are you thankful for a local church?
He wanted to visit these people. Can you relate?
Their faith blessed Paul. Are there followers of Jesus who have encouraged you along the way?
Paul prayed for this group of people. Whom do you pray for?
Paul is a model for us. He was not perfect, but his words and ways point us to God’s will and ways. Paul made plans to travel the 600-plus miles from Corinth to Rome to visit. Here is a picture of that distance.
Yet there was one catch. What was that?
Jump to verse 25.
“At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:25–26, ESV).
He had been raising money for relief among Christians.
I love cross-references. They are like showing your work in math or footnotes in a David McCullough biography. We get a fuller picture of what was going on as we explore the broader scene. For example, in 1 Corinthians 16, we read,
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. (1 Corinthians 16:1–4, ESV)
Paul was collecting relief money. Like the offering we take after communion called benevolence, Paul was taking money to Jerusalem to help. They didn’t have electronic funds transfers, ATM’s, or money orders. You had to carry the money from one place to another, like FedEx or UPS. How would you feel with 10,000 dollars in your pocket or stashed away in your hotel as you traveled for days, weeks, and months? The anxiety and weight of responsibility were heavy on Paul’s shoulders. He had to unload this burden before it was stolen.
Perhaps, some might wonder, why couldn’t the Christians in Jerusalem take care of themselves? Good question. We don’t know much of the particulars. It was a cosmopolitan city, the nexus of trade, and it attracted the poor looking for help. It was a major city in the area. And Christians often were persecuted, resulting in unemployment and personal harm. In some cases, we get why there needs to be relief. Think of hurricanes, tornadoes, and wars. People can’t always pull themselves up by their bootstraps. They need outside aid. How did Achaia, Galatia, Corinth, and Macedonia respond to Paul’s request? What did Paul report in verse 27?
“They were pleased to do it” (Romans 15:27a, ESV).
From what Paul wrote, they were happy to take their money and send it to Jerusalem. 27 goes on:
“And indeed they owe it to them” (Romans 15:27a, ESV).
Why? Why did they owe Jerusalem anything? What did they do? Keep reading:
“For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings” (Romans 15:27c, ESV).
If you recall the history of the early church, the church began in Jerusalem. The spiritual blessings Macedonia, Corinth, Galatia, and Achaia were byproducts of the ministry of Jerusalem. They owed their salvation to God, yes. However, God used the witnesses in Jerusalem to reach Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the known earth. The least they could do was send a monetary gift to help. They welcomed the opportunity.
Paul planned to go to Jerusalem, then Rome. Verse 28,
“When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ” (Romans 15:28–29, ESV).
That was his plan. Let’s now look at his petition.
15:22–29 His Plans
15:30–32 His Petition
15:33 His Prayer (no. 3)
Verse 30. Look in your Bibles. What does it say?
“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf” (Romans 15:30, ESV).
Paul asked for what? To pray with him and for him. Let me ask you this. Was that selfish? No, it was
Honest,
Good,
And humble.
Again, Paul’s words and life can be an example for us. We are not all called to travel to Jerusalem with relief money. But we can and should all seek prayer. On the flip side, we can all carry one another’s burdens. It doesn’t matter how smart, busy, or physically challenged you are. We are not islands. We need each other. We can’t do this life on our own. We need God’s help. And he ordains it through his people and prayer. Here is a question for you to ponder.
When was the last time you asked someone to pray for you?
What was it?
Why was it?
Do you ever struggle to ask for prayer? I do.
Sometimes I don’t want to bother people. I don’t want to be fixed by people. I don’t want to look bad. Why do you hesitate to ask for prayer? Maybe there are some good reasons. But let’s be people of prayer. Let’s be people who talk to God frequently and ask others to do the same on our behalf.
Each week, we have a list in our bulletin of people who are asking for prayer. We email out prayer requests. I get the privilege of hearing the prayer requests and seeing them answered. If we don’t ask, it is hard to point to God as our help. God wants you and me to be constant in prayer. Are we? What might God do if we talk to him like Paul did? What prayers might he answer?
What did Paul desire for them to pray? Read verse 31:
“That I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints” (Romans 15:31, ESV).
Paul faced persecution for his faith. He had been thrown in prison. He had been stoned and left for dead. People hated him. He was a threat to the establishment. He upset the balance of power. He cared for people, and people were healed. He wasn’t perfect. But these sufferings were not because of his sin, but because of his righteousness. Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy,
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV).
And Paul was persecuted. Jesus was persecuted. He told his followers that if people hated him, they would hate them. Jesus did nothing wrong and was killed. We should expect nothing less.
A Christian prophet named Agabus warned Paul about future persecution in Jerusalem.
He took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we [Luke the author Acts and those with Paul] heard this, we and the people there urged him [Paul] not to go up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:11, ESV)
How did Paul respond? He said,
“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13, ESV).
Paul knew going to Jerusalem was risky. He might not make it to Rome or Spain. There were unbelievers in Judea seeking not only to hinder him but also to kill him.
He arrived in Jerusalem and connected with the church. They had him go to the temple to offer a sacrifice and make an offering. He did that. The church accepted him. But he was soon arrested and falsely accused of desecrating the temple. Authorities imprisoned Paul and moved him from prison to prison.
Eventually, he heard a rumor that men were fasting and hoping in the next transfer to ambush him and kill him.
He appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen. That pivoted his jurisdiction from Judea to Rome. He was going to get to Rome. What did he want there? We already read part of his desire in Chapter 1. Go to verse 32.
“So that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Romans 15:32, ESV).
Paul wanted to get to Rome with joy in his heart and enjoyment ahead. Did God give him that? Maybe.
God answered Paul’s prayer. He was delivered from the Judean opponents and found himself in Rome. He was under arrest, but the system was loosely monitored. Luke ends Acts with Paul in Rome.
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30–31, ESV)
In a few weeks, my family and I will head to Minnesota to visit family. I am excited. When we hit I-94 for our journey, we say a prayer for safe travels. We don’t want to hit a pot hole and have the entire back end of our car break, or be traveling and have the transmission go, both of which have happened. Maybe you can relate. Perhaps you are here visiting family, and you prayed for safety. That is good. Pray. I know it is vastly different from Paul praying that he would not get killed, but both requests are good.
Our missionaries have prayer requests. We recently finished Missions Month, where we talked about holding the rope. We support ministries like holding a climbing rope for a climber by praying. We can pray for them for the big things and the little things.
We have prayer requests in our bulletins; we can take them home and spend a few minutes each week praying for them. We can pray for them this morning in our hearts.
If you like groups to help you pray, the men have a group here at 7 AM on Tuesday. And there is a group that prays together here at 2 PM on Wednesdays. And at 8:30 AM downstairs, we pray for the service.
Maybe your own burden seems overwhelming. Praying for others is fine, but you need prayer right now. You want God’s peace and presence but need some help. Philippians 4:6–7 states,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)
And after the service, we have a couple of volunteers who would be happy to pray with you. Let’s keep praying.
Let’s share our burdens with God and each other. Let’s enjoy God’s blessings.
That brings us to our last point in the passage.
15:22–29 His Plans
15:30–32 His Petition
15:33 His Prayer (no. 3)
He concluded with his third blessing. Here is the first,
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5–6, ESV).
Here is the second.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”
(Romans 15:13, ESV).
And the final one we have already seen. Verse 33:
“May the God of peace be with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:33, ESV).
God of peace be with you all. May the God of shalom be with you. We need God’s peace. We want God’s peace. Paul began his letter,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7b, ESV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, ESV)
Where do you need God’s peace and presence in your life? Where do you think Paul needed it? Where do most of these Romans need it? We worry. We are anxious. We are stressed out, burned out, and worn out; we can be wiped out, maxed out, and down and out. Pray to God about those challenges. He wants to quiet our souls and give us his peace. Slow down. Turn your gaze from your predicaments and problems to him. Give him your burdens and receive his blessings.
PRESENCE
How? How do we receive his peace? It is in his presence. Paul says to set our mind on the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6). There is a way that the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, is with us when we trust in him. Yet, we can ignore him, grieve him, and oppose him. God wants us to draw near to him. He longs for us to turn to him. To offer our burdens and talk to him. To draw near to him. We can do that every day. We need his peace, and we need his loving presence. We can enjoy both through prayer.
AMEN
The passage ends with the word Amen. We use that in our prayers. Do you know what “Amen” means? It is a transliteration of the Greek. So the Greek letters spell out the word AMEN. It means so be it. May it be. Let it happen. Let the blessing be. We can’t manipulate God, but we can join him in his work.
APPLICATION
So, as we close, consider Paul’s life and words as an encouragement to you today.
If Paul sought to follow God’s will, don’t you think we should too?
If Paul needed prayer, don’t you think we would do well to ask for prayer?
If Paul prayed, don’t you think we should pray?
Let me encourage you to pray and seek God’s will, especially this week and next, for our team going to the Czech Republic.
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment