The one thing Paul couldn’t do without
14 Now My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God 16 For to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit.
As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,
Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
25 At the moment I am travelling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, 26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are bound to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.
33 Now May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
Read Romans 15:1-13
Introduction
You know the Comrades Marathon. Ninety kilometres of pain. Ninety kilometres of hills. Bruce Fordyce won it nine times. A machine. A legend. He could conquer Polly Shortts when everyone else walked.
But even Bruce Fordyce could not run alone.
Runners need seconders. Men on bicycles. Handing water. Shouting encouragement when his legs burned and his lungs screamed. When he crossed the finish line in Pietermaritzburg, he crossed alone. But he did not get there alone. The victory belonged to him. And it belonged to them.
Behold the Apostle Paul. Spiritual giant. Apostolic force. He planted churches from Jerusalem to Illyricum. He wrought miraculous signs and wonders.
But even Paul could not run alone. Runners need seconders. He needed the Roman church. He needed their partnership. He needed their prayers. The God who gathered you plans to use you to gather them.
Two movements. First, what Paul could do. Romans 15:14-21. Second, what Paul could not do without. Romans 15:22-33.
Let us examine what this great apostle could accomplish by Christ’s power.
What Paul could do
Before Paul asks for help, he establishes who he is. And he establishes who they are. He does not come as a stranger. He comes as a priest with a completed work. Look at Romans 15:14.
14 Now, my brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
Paul affirms them. He is convinced. He names three things they persuade him of. They are full of goodness. That’s their character. They are filled with all knowledge. That’s their content. And they are able to instruct one another. That’s their competence. He establishes a foundation of mutual respect. He is not writing to strangers but to partners. He sees them as mature. He sees them as capable. This matters because what he will ask requires spiritual adults.
15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God. 16 For to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
He writes boldly. Why? Because of grace. Look at his office. He describes himself as a minister. It is a priestly word. He serves as a priest of the gospel. His work is liturgical. His sanctuary is the nations. His offering is people. The Gentiles themselves are the sacrifice. And they are made acceptable. Not by their works. Not by the law. But sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Paul is not merely teaching. He is officiating. He is presenting people to God. That is his calling.
17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19 by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit.
Paul boasts. But not in himself. He boasts in Christ Jesus. He will only say what Christ has done. Notice the grammar. Christ accomplished it. Through Paul. By word and deed. For the obedience of the Gentiles. And the power? Miraculous signs. Wonders. And the Spirit of God. The work is divine. The instrument is human. Paul is the tool. Christ is the hand that wields him. This keeps him humble. And this keeps him confident.
As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 20 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but, as it is written,
Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.
He has fully proclaimed the gospel. A vast region. From Jerusalem to Illyricum. But his ambition is not to settle. He is a pioneer. He goes where Christ is not named. He will not build on another man’s foundation. Why? Because in Isaiah 52:15, the suffering servant astonishes nations. Those not told will see. Those not heard will understand. Paul is not inventing a mission. He is fulfilling Scripture. Prophecy drives him. Spain is next because the Word requires it.
Think of a father who labours in secret. He works double shifts. He goes without sleep. He endures the cold morning and the late night. His children do not see him. They only see the food on the table and the roof over their heads. Then one day, they find his worn boots and his calloused hands. And they understand. He did it for them. The suffering servant laboured in anonymity. The nations did not see Him. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him. But now, His nail-pierced hands are raised. We see. And understand. He did it for us. Behold, God’s servant has sprinkled the nations.
Paul operates as a priest of the gospel. His work is to bring Gentiles to obedient faith. He does this as a pioneer. And he does this according to Scripture. The text shows us a man with a completed ministry. From Jerusalem to Illyricum. The gospel has gone forth. This point contributes to the larger argument. God’s plan for Gentile salvation, fulfilled in Paul’s ministry, does not end at Illyricum. There’s more gospel ministry work ahead.
If Paul could do all that, what could he not do without?
What Paul couldn’t do without
22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
The that is why in Romans 15:22 connects everything. Paul’s pioneering work from Jerusalem to Illyricum is complete. The gospel, proclaimed. Churches, planted. The pioneer, done. So now he turns westward. Toward Rome. Toward Spain. But notice. He does not blast through Rome like a conqueror. He wants to come as a guest. He desires their company. He hopes for their help. He wants to enjoy them. And he needs their support. The great apostle. The man who turned the world upside down. He cannot go to Spain alone.
25 At the moment I am travelling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, 26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are bound to minister to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
But first. Jerusalem. Paul carries a gift. Money. Collected from Gentile churches. For poor Jewish believers. This is not mere charity. This is partnership made visible. The Gentiles received spiritual wealth from Jerusalem. The gospel. The Scriptures. The Messiah Himself. Now they return material wealth. As an act of worship. An offering. Paul must deliver it safely. He will deliver it personally. The unity of Jew and Gentile depends on it. Then Spain. And on the way, Rome. With the fullness of Christ’s blessing. Paul is confident. But he is not careless.
30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.
And here is the hinge. The appeal. Paul does not command. He appeals. He does not demand. He requests. And notice the urgency. Strive together with me. The Greek word means agonising. Wrestling. Struggling. Together. Paul is walking into danger. Unbelievers in Judea want him dead. Suspicious saints in Jerusalem may reject him. The collection could be refused. The unity of the church could shatter. Paul knows his limits. He cannot control hearts in Jerusalem. He cannot disarm every enemy. But the church in Rome can strive in prayer. They can wrestle with God on his behalf. Three specific requests. Rescue from unbelievers. Acceptance by the saints. Joyful reunion with them.
33 Now May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
And then the benediction. The God of peace. Not the God of chaos. Not the God of panic. The God of peace. Paul walks toward danger. But he entrusts himself and them to the God of peace.
Great marathon runners don’t run alone. They need seconders. Wives on bicycles. Friends in cars. Water carries. Encouragers. When they cross that finish line, they might cross alone. But they don’t get there alone. The victory belongs to him. And it belongs to them. Paul is the forerunner. Called to Spain. Called to the nations. But he cannot run without seconders. He needs the Roman church. He needs their prayers. He needs their support. When the gospel advances in Spain, the victory will belong to Paul. And it will belong to them.
So here is Paul. The man who planted churches from Jerusalem to Illyricum. The man who wrought miraculous signs and wonders. The man who boasts only in Christ. That man cannot go to Spain without the prayers of the Roman church. He cannot deliver the collection without their striving. He cannot face the unbelievers in Judea without their agonising. God’s plan for Gentile salvation, fulfilled in Paul’s ministry, requires gospel partnerships and prayer. Runner needs seconders. Pioneers need partners. Preachers need prayers.
Paul could do the extraordinary. But he could not do without them. And neither can we.
Connect to the gospel
Behold the Suffering Servant. Despised. Rejected. Acquainted with grief. Smitten by God. Wounded for our transgressions. Crushed for our iniquities. The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
But wait. Read Isaiah 52:15. He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths. Those not told will see. Those not heard will understand.
Paul quotes this. He sees himself in that verse. Not as the Servant. As the servant’s instrument. Christ accomplished. Paul administered. The nations are seeing. The Gentiles are understanding.
This is the gospel. Not a Jewish Saviour for Jewish sinners. A suffering Saviour for rebellious nations. His blood sprinkled you. His death purchased you. His resurrection secured you. The Servant died. The Servant rose. The Servant now sprinkles. With His own blood. And the nations come.
Paul grasped this. So he planted. From Jerusalem to Illyricum. He preached where Christ was not named. Because the Servant’s victory demanded it. The nations must see. The nations must hear.
But notice. The risen Christ does not gather alone. Paul could turn the world upside down. Paul could not go to Spain without seconders. Without partners. Without prayers. Without you. God’s plan for Gentile salvation, fulfilled in Paul’s ministry, requires gospel partnerships and prayer.
Here is the wonder. The God who gathered you plans to use you to gather them. You are His instrument now.
And so we turn to how this works itself out. In Benoni. In Dunnottar. In your life. Today.
Application for believers
Here is the wonder. The God who gathered you plans to use you to gather them. You are His instrument now.
Runners need seconders. Choose your runner. Our church plant in Benoni. Our church restoration in Dunnottar. The Funnels. The Mollers. The Webbs. Paul Richardson. Write the mission down. Place it on your mirror. On your dashboard. By your bed. Pray for them each day. Treat their battles as your battles. Their victories as your victories.
And give. Sacrificially. Find one expense you can sacrificially reduce. One luxury you can forego. Redirect those funds to those who go. This is not meant to be a burden. It is an invitation. The God of peace invites you to join His work of gathering. Not from a distance. But as a partner. A seconder. A fellow labourer.
Benoni needs planting. Dunnottar needs restoring. The nations wait. The gospel advances. And you can have a joyful part in it.
Application for unbelievers
But you are not yet gathered. You hear the call. You feel the pull. But you still stand outside. Why?
Be gathered. Today. The God who is even now gathering a people from every nation calls to you. He calls through blood. The blood of His own Son. The Suffering Servant. Wounded for your transgressions. Crushed for your iniquities. His blood sprinkles. His blood purifies.
You cannot make yourself acceptable. Not by effort. Not by performance. Not by religious duty. Your hands are empty. Your works are filthy rags. So look away from yourself. Look to Christ. Trust Him completely. Cry out to Him with empty hands. Say, Lord, I have nothing to offer but my need. Save me for Your Son’s sake.
Will you say it? Will you cry out? Will you be gathered? Those who call upon Him will never be cast out. Never. No, not one. Come. Be gathered. Be washed. Be made whole. The nations are coming. Will you be among them?
After the service, come meet with me here at the pulpit. I, or someone from the evangelism team, would love to share the gospel with you. Or make an appointment to see me during the week. My contact details are in the bulletin or on our website.
Conclusion
Behold the Apostle Paul. Spiritual giant. Apostolic force. He planted churches from Jerusalem to Illyricum. He wrought miraculous signs and wonders.
But not even Paul could deliver the collection to Jerusalem without the church’s striving. Could face unbelievers without the church’s agonising. Could go to Spain without the church’s partnering. Runners need seconders. Pioneers need partners. Preachers need prayers. The runner crosses alone. But he did not get there alone. The victory belongs to him. And it belongs to them.
Here is the wonder. The God who gathered you plans to use you to gather them. You are His instrument. The same God who propelled Paul to Spain invites you to partnership in Benoni. The same God who opened the hearts of Gentiles invites you to prayer.
Will you pray? Will you give? Will you go? Benoni needs planting. Dunnottar needs restoring. The nations wait. The gospel advances. And you can have a part in it. Joyfully. Together.
Now may the God of peace. The God who gathered you. The God who will gather them. Be with you all.
Amen.