Romans 15 and 16

"Am I following my calling?" might be the wrong question

Maybe it's more about pursuing people than any specific plan.

Matthew 4:18-20 NLT
[18] One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. [19] Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” [20] And they left their nets at once and followed him.
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.4.18-20.NLT

Jesus has a call for all of us. The call is to come and follow him.

We are not first and foremost called somewhere or to something, but to Someone."

The layers of your calling

1. Seek the good of the other

Romans 15:1-3 NLT
[1] We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. [2] We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. [3] For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.1-3.NLT

Paul was bringing Jews and Gentiles together in one church. In this case, Paul considers the gentiles as stronger. The Jews are weaker in that they are stuck clinging to the law. But Paul is calling the gentiles to put down their freedoms for the sake of the Jews, because it would cause sin and division in the church.

Romans 15:7-9 NLT
[7] Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. [8] Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. [9] He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.7-9.NLT

We are being called to lay down ourselves for others, in the same way Christ did.

2. Find our hope in the story of God

Romans 15:4 NLT
[4] Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.4.NLT

The Bible is God's story. Not just some manual to be a good boy or girl.

Paul highlights 2 benefits of staying in scripture:

  1. Endurance (hope)
  2. Encouragement

In God's story, we see a purposeful foundation that we (as humans) are not an accident. We were created on purpose. Despite our failures, there is hope for redemption. Scriptures points to pain being redeemed, not avoided.

The next sermon series we cover will be titled "The Story of God". We can often treat the Bible like it is just a verse of the day. But it's so much more. It's the story of everything, that we can see ourselves fitting into.

When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories but our stories in God's. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories find themselves."

3. Pursue Unity

Romans 15:5-6 NLT
[5] May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. [6] Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.5-6.NLT

"Unity" sounds cliché, but it is essential in the kingdom of God. Not cute unity, but true unity is essential.

It is easy for the enemy to show lies and divisions. We need to stand guard against that. Humans excel at finding things to create divisions about. We are naturally tribal: sports, religion, politics, etc.

Romans 16:17-18 NLT
[17] And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. [18] Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.16.17-18.NLT

^oof, this seems especially relevant in the social media era. Who are we listening to? The algorithms LOVE division. Division = engagement for them.

Duty

Romans 15:14-17 NLT
[14] I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. [15] Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, [16] I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. [17] So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.14-17.NLT

Paul's reason was that people who were far off (gentiles) would come to know God.

JFK asked a janitor at NASA what he was doing as he mopped the floor. The man said "I am helping out a man on the moon."

Just because their is pain, toil, and boredom, does not mean you are not called. It may actually be a sign that you are.

2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
[17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.17.NLT

Don't reject your call because it doesn't feel magical or fulfilling.

What is the service that Jesus has for you right now? Are you doing it as unto the Lord?

Power

Romans 15:18-19 NLT
[18] Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. [19] They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.18-19.NLT

We have to trust that his power is at work in whatever we're doing.

The spirit's power is the most clear when we're at the end of our rope.

God's office is at the end of our rope.

Ambition (Aim)

Romans 15:20-22 NLT
[20] My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. [21] I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” [22] In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.20-22.NLT

We need to have an ambition check:

Paul's aim was people. Specifically, gentiles in far away countries. Your aim is people too. Not necessarily in far away places, but could be.

Paul really want to see the church in Rome and then be sent to Spain. But because he followed his ambition to the gentiles, he never made it. He feels sorrow for this, but he knows he is following his aim. Following your ambition won't always feel good or magical.

When we think about callings, we think about Paul getting blinded on the road with a clear calling.

But Nathaniel's calling is also beautiful.
"Hey Nathaniel"
"What's up?"
"I saw you"
"How did you know it was me?"
"Let's go, follow me"
"Okay"

1 Peter 4:10 NLT
[10] God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.4.10.NLT

"The problem isn't that christians aren't where they should be, it's that they aren't what they should be where they are"

Don't wait until you have it all together to figure out what God's calling is for you.

Paul tells Timothy not to let people look down on him because he is young, but to set an example.

Don't wait. Bring what you have to Jesus, and let him work with it.

If you're older, resist the temptation to get frustrated and check out. We need you. We need your stories. We need your mentorship. We need your prayer.

If you're still alive, Jesus is still working through you.

In Romans 16, Paul writes about relationships and talks about all the Jews and Gentiles that made a difference in the church. Pay attention to how Paul talks about these people.

Romans 16:1-16 NLT
[1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. [2] Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. [3] Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. [4] In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. [5] Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. [6] Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. [8] Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. [10] Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. [11] Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. [12] Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. [13] Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. [14] Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. [15] Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. [16] Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.16.1-16.NLT

Whoa are you praying for? Who do you know who is early in their faith?

Romans 16:25-27 NLT
[25] Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. [26] But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. [27] All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.16.25-27.NLT