The true mark of a Christian is a life transformed by the power of the gospel, not by personal effort or moral achievement. The Romans were once filled with unrighteousness, but now, through Christ, they are full of goodness, knowledge, and able to instruct one another. This transformation is not something they accomplished on their own; it is the result of Christ’s work on their behalf. If you are searching for meaning or struggling with your past, remember that it is only through repentance and faith in Jesus that true change and new life are possible. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is the foundation for everything else in the Christian life. [12:43]
Romans 15:14-16 (ESV)
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you see the transforming power of the gospel at work, and how can you share that story with someone who needs hope today?
God’s heart has always been for all peoples to know and worship Him, and Paul’s calling to the Gentiles is a reflection of this grand mission. Paul’s ambition was not to build on someone else’s foundation, but to go where Christ had not been named, so that those who have never heard will understand. This is rooted in God’s eternal plan for the nations to praise Him, and it is a calling that extends to every believer in some way. Whether you are called to go to distant lands or to reach out in your own community, you are invited to participate in God’s mission to make disciples of all nations. [18:50]
Romans 15:20-21 (ESV)
And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
Reflection: Who in your life or community has never truly heard the good news of Jesus, and what is one step you can take this week to share it with them?
It is easy to plan for comfort, security, or personal goals, but Paul challenges us to intentionally plan our lives around the mission of God. Just as Paul made detailed plans to reach the unreached and William Wilberforce kept a list of people to share his faith with, we are called to consider how our time, resources, and relationships can be leveraged for the sake of the gospel. Ask God to help you evaluate your calendar, your budget, and your daily routines so that you can say “yes” to His mission and “no” to distractions that keep you from it. [29:26]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Reflection: What is one practical change you can make in your weekly schedule to create space for intentional gospel conversations or acts of service?
Generosity is not just about meeting needs; it is a joyful response to God’s grace and a tangible way to participate in His mission. The early churches gave beyond their means to support the work of the gospel, and Paul assumes that believers will joyfully contribute to the needs of the saints. Giving is not about earning God’s favor, but about declaring that our trust is in Him, not in our possessions. When we give cheerfully, we experience the joy of seeing God use our resources to advance His unshakable kingdom. [34:34]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Reflection: How can you take a step of faith in generosity this week—whether financially or with your time—to support someone or something advancing the gospel?
Prayer is not a passive activity but a powerful way to join in God’s work around the world. Paul urges the Romans to strive together with him in prayer for protection, provision, and the advancement of the gospel. When we pray for missionaries, church planters, and the spread of the gospel, our hearts are aligned with God’s heart for the world. Even if you struggle to care deeply about missions, start by praying regularly—God will use your prayers to change your heart and to move mountains for His kingdom. [42:17]
Romans 15:30-33 (ESV)
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. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Reflection: Set an alarm or reminder today to pray specifically for a missionary, church plant, or unreached people group—who will you commit to pray for this week?
In Romans 15:14-33, Paul’s heart is laid bare as a man utterly captivated by the mission of God. His life, like that of C.T. Studd, is a testimony to the truth that only what is done for Christ will last. Paul’s purpose is rooted in the gospel’s power to transform lives, and he is driven by a holy ambition to see the good news proclaimed where Christ is not yet known. He loves the church in Rome, celebrates their transformation, and reminds them that their new life is not the result of their own strength or wisdom, but the work of Christ alone. This same gospel compels Paul to look beyond the familiar, to the Gentiles and especially to the unreached, longing to see the nations brought into the family of God.
Paul’s plans are shaped by this purpose. He is not content to remain where the gospel is already established; his eyes are set on Spain, the next frontier. Yet, his journey is not solitary—he expects the joyful partnership of the saints, both in prayer and in generous support. Paul assumes that those who have been spiritually blessed will naturally desire to invest materially in the advance of the gospel. He challenges all believers to examine their own priorities and planning: are our lives oriented around comfort and self-preservation, or are we intentionally seeking ways to participate in God’s mission, both locally and globally?
Prayer is the final and essential piece. Paul pleads with the Romans to strive together with him in prayer, recognizing that the mission’s success depends not on human effort alone, but on the power of God. He invites the church to pray for protection, for fruitful ministry, and for the joy of gospel partnership. This call to prayer is not just for Paul’s sake, but for the ongoing work of God in every generation. As a church, we are invited to join in this mission—through sacrificial living, generous giving, and fervent prayer—trusting that God will do far more than we can ask or imagine.
Romans 15:14-33 (ESV) —
> 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 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, 19 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; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,
>
> “Those who have never been told of him will see,
> and those who have never heard will understand.”
>
> 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 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, 24 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. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 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. 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. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
>
> 30 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, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 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.
``The only way you can find a full life is not by pursuing the temporary things of the world, but it's found only in the living of life as a living sacrifice to our Lord and to our Savior. [00:08:01] (16 seconds) #LivingSacrificeFulfillment
They are full of goodness, not wickedness, filled with knowledge, not unrighteousness, able to instruct one another in the ways of the Lord, not approving of what is evil. So how did this happen? Is it just that the Romans figured it out that these guys are the ones that, hey, they got it all put together? No, it wasn't because they were smart enough. It wasn't because they happened to be strong enough. It was because of the reality of the gospel that it is the power of God for salvation of all who believe. That the gospel is what transforms us. That the gospel is what transformed them. [00:12:03] (41 seconds) #SalvationStartsHere
So if you're not a Christian here this morning, this is where you must start. That there is a holy God who created everyone and everything and that mankind has rebelled against this God. That we stand condemned apart from Christ for the wages of our sin is death. That's only in Christ who bore the penalty on the cross, the penalty for our sin that we and all who come and repent and believe in him can be saved. It's by that response by choosing to repent and believe in him that you can have life. [00:13:01] (34 seconds) #TreasuredGospelLetter
It's almost tempted to see a little bit of pride almost in Paul, a little bit of boasting, but he quickly says, it's not about my work. It's not what I've done. It's about Christ. It's in Christ. Then I have a reason to be proud of my work for I will venture to speak of nothing except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience. It wasn't about Paul. It was about the mission of God that he was accomplishing through Paul. [00:16:34] (30 seconds) #GreatCommissionCalling
But for many of us, it may not look exactly like Paul. It may not look like going to the unreached people, but it may look like a life dedicated to the mission of God where you live, work, shop, eat, play. To proclaim the gospel to those who are apart from Christ or under the condemnation of their sin. And the just punishment of sin is hell. Eternal separation from God. We too are called to be on mission here. Our lives should be about the mission of God here, now, because the consequences are both great and eternal. [00:21:58] (44 seconds) #PlanToShareGospel
The gospel should produce in us a desire to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light, wherever we are. Whatever you do, this is the primary purpose of our lives. And while it may not look like Paul, it should very much have the same intention of Paul. Our lives should be about the magnitude of the mission of God, a life motivated by the mission of God. [00:23:16] (27 seconds) #PrioritizeGodsMission
I plan much of my life. I plan how I spend my money. I have a budget. I plan my schedule. I have a calendar. I have short-term plans. I have long-term plans. I have plans for my personal life, plans for work, but church, I am convicted by the fact that I spend very little time planning how and with who I will share the gospel. So I ask you that same question. What do you spend your time planning? [00:27:20] (31 seconds) #HeartForGodsWork
All of those things can be important. Some of those things need to be re-evaluated and put to the throne of Christ and say, Lord, what do you want me to do? Lord, what do you want my week to look like? What are things in my schedule that I need to say no to so that I can say yes to you, say yes to your mission, both in my life and in the lives of those around me? I encourage you to plan for the mission of God, to take this seriously, to spend intentional time sharing the gospel with those around you. This is the only thing that will last. Your 401k is not going to last. Your house is not going to last. The souls of the people around you will last for eternity. [00:30:02] (58 seconds) #ContributeWithJoy
God does not need our money. God owns everything. He tells us in Psalms, I would not ask you if I needed anything. I own all things. We are not coming to God. It's like, oh, God, you were this close to getting it done, but here, here's this little extra cabbage for you to make sure we can get over the finish line. Not how God works. He invites us to join him on his mission for our good. [00:31:39] (31 seconds) #PrayForMissionAdvance
Paul believes deeply in the power of prayer paul regularly is praying or sharing how he prays in his letters he believes that prayer is powerful because he knows who god is and that the work of the god of who he is praying to that god is powerful [00:38:41] (20 seconds)
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