The Ministry of Encouragement

Bible Text: Romans 1:10-15 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2002, Romans

July 21, 2002                                                                                          Northwest Bible Church

Romans 1:10-15

The Ministry of Encouragement

 

INTRO

 

 

I.  PAUL’S REASONS FOR VISITING THE CHURCH AT ROME.

 

A. Paul wanted to give them a spiritual gift –   “to impart some spiritual gift to you that you may be established” (Romans 1:11).  charisma pneumatikon = “spiritual gift”.   What does this refer to?

 

1) Gifts like the gift of teaching, mercy, etc?  1 Tim. 4:14, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”   2Tim. 1:6  “And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

 

2) a deeper and more exact understanding of God’s truth through teaching.  “Sanctify them in truth, Thy word is truth.”

 

The goal of these gifts were to “establish” them, make them strong and firm in their faith so there is no sinking sands in their souls, but rather a rock hard faith that could withstand the assaults of the devil and the world.  A faith that perseveres, a faith that lives.

 

 

 

B. Paul wanted to fellowship with them –  “ that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith” (Romans 1:12).   Includes an enjoyment of their company (15:24), refreshing rest in their company (15:32).

 

Paul felt that he could be encouraged and ministered to by these relatively inexperienced believers.  Pride prevents us from being ministered to by others.  Paul could be blessed by a young believer as well as by an old saint.

 

 

C. Paul wanted them to bear fruit for Christ –  “to obtain some fruit among you” (Romans 1:13).

 

1) financial fruit.  See 15:23-24 for more information of the kind of fruit he wants from then, specifically, he desires their help on his way to Spain.  In 15:28 he speaks of the fruit of Macedonian churches as being financial contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

 

2) spiritual fruit.  The winning of more converts to Christ or spiritual growth in believers.   Phil. 1:22 “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.”

 

 

D. Paul wanted to increase the gospel witness among them –  “to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome” (Romans 1:14-15).  Paul was under a divinely wrought compulsion to preach the gospel (Acts 9:15). 1Cor. 9:16 “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

 

Why preach the gospel to them if they are already believers?

 

1) It can refer to preaching the gospel to the unconverted in Rome.                                     2) The “gospel” means more than the message of salvation. Phil. 1:27

 

 

 

II.  PRINCIPLES OF FELLOWSHIP

 

A. Always seek to impart a blessing (Romans 1:11).

1Pet. 3:8-9  To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

 

 

B. Encourage others by the manifestation of your faith (Romans 1:12).  Mutual sharing of one’s faith is how encouragement takes place.

 

Faith is an aroma of Christ.   2 Cor. 2:14-16

 

1) By works of faith.   Jas. 2:14-18.

 

2) By words of faith.  2 Cor. 4:13;  Romans 10:9;  Matt. 10:32; 12:37.

 

 

 

CONCLUSION