ROMANS: FINDING YOUR PURPOSE THROUGH BUILDING YOUR TEAM

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Paul brings his letter to the Romans to a close in these two chapters. He reiterates the purpose of the letter as a statement of doctrinal purity and Christian unity. 

1. The importance of “TEAM” 

Romans 15:1–7 (NKJV) We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

• We are commended to once again recognize and respect others within the body of Christ. This is a continuation of what we read last week.
• Verse 4 is an encouragement of the power of the Word of God
• Paul ends this section (Ch 14 and 15:1-7) with a call for unity

2. The importance of hope

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

• God is given a new title here, “the God of hope.” Hope is not found in any other place other than God.
• “joy and peace in believing”
• We have all been empowered through the gift of the Holy Spirit

3. The importance of purpose

Romans 15:14–15 (NKJV) Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,

Romans 15:14b (NLT) 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.

• Tony Evans said, “Every mature believer has a responsibility to be a counselor to his brother and sister. To do this, we need two things. First, we must be full of goodness. If you aren’t seeking to please the Lord, don’t try leading other folks to please him. You can only lead someone where you’re traveling yourself. Second, we must be filled with all knowledge. This refers to the knowledge of God, the knowledge of the Scriptures. Biblical counseling comes from the overflow of the Word of God in you—not from your own thoughts and opinions.”[1]
• Paul is speaking to the Romans that the purpose of the letter is so they could use what they already have for the benefit of the church. This is our calling as well.

4. The importance of perseverance 

Romans 15:30–33 (NKJV) Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

• Paul gives them a prayer request which is actually two-fold: 1) he actually needed prayers as he continued to face opposition; 2) to teach them to depend on one another spiritually
• Robert Mounce said, “This request reveals the true humility of the apostle. The reality of intense spiritual opposition moved him to request urgently that his friends in Christ join him in the struggle. It was pride that kept believers from sharing their need for spiritual help.”[2]

5. The importance of unity

Romans 16:17–20 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

• Be watchful for those who seek to tear down the body
• We are told to know His Word well enough to recognize the deceit found in others

Romans 16:17–20 (NLT) 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. 18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

1. The importance of confidence

Romans 16:25–27 (NKJV) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

• While God’s love and plan for the gentiles was not revealed before, through Christ we have a clear picture of God’s great love for all

[1] Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1142.

[2] Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 270.