The Apostle Paul, a man of prayer.

The ungodly consider prayer a waste of time. Christians are considered weak since they seek deliverance outside of themselves. We who are Christians know that prayer is not a matter of weakness but faith. We have transferred trust from ourselves to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we come to the conclusion of the study of Romans, I am refreshed by Paul’s commitment to prayer. Romans 15:22-33 pictures Paul as a man on his knees who encourages others to do the same. This is the same Paul who described himself in Romans 1:1, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, and in 1 Corinthians 9:1, Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? Also, consider his comments in 2 Corinthians 11:25, Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

Paul was a strong man who depended on prayer not on his accomplishments. He was an apostle but he coveted the prayers of others that he might have success in ministry. He is probably the greatest evangelist of all time but he asked others to pray for him as he proclaimed the Gospel, Colossians 4:3-4, At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Paul knew that living and proclaiming the Christian life is not just difficult but impossible without God working on his behalf through the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Prayer was not an afterthought but was at the forefront of his ministry. Warren Wiersbe catches Paul’s prayer focus, . . . our praying must not be a casual experience that has no heart or earnestness. We should put as much fervor into our praying as a wrestler does into his wrestling! Hear John Calvin, (Paul) shows how the godly ought to pray for their brethren, that they are to assume their person, as though they were placed in the same difficulties.

Paul knew that his ministry was greater than himself. Any of us who have ministered in the name of Jesus Christ would agree that ministry is a cooperative effort, not a one man show. John Witmer gets it, A Christian’s intercession is a means of sharing in the ministry of others. Not everyone can travel the world sharing the Gospel but every Christian can get on his or her knees and become a missionary through prayer.

We are near the end of our study of Romans but at the beginning of applying what we have learned. Join me in the study of Romans under Books of the Bible tab. Let’s commit to more prayer for ourselves and others in this New Year.

The Apostle Paul, a worthy role model.

It seems like finding a role model has become harder and harder in recent days. Whether it be an educator, a pastor or a politician, many of those we have trusted have headed to failure. Life is tough, even for Christians who have placed faith in Jesus Christ alone. At times, it would be good to watch and learn from a human who fully lives what he believes.

I encourage you to join me in the study of Romans 15:14-21. It is a wonderful description of the Apostle Paul’s principles of ministry. I believe his principles, tied to our faith in Jesus Christ, will encourage each of us in the walk of faith.

First, Paul used tact in his ministry. He did not assume the worst but the best of those who profess faith in Christ. Consider William Barclay’s assessment, Paul was much more interested in what people could be than in what they were. He saw faults with utter clarity, and dealt with them with utter fidelity; but all the time he was thinking not of the wretched creatures that men and women were, but of the splendid creatures that they might be. What a benefit to our ministries if we were more tactful and less judgmental.

Paul was prone to repetition. He would remind brothers and sisters in Christ of what he had previously taught. This is wise advice from Alexander Pope (1688–1744), Men must be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown proposed as things forgot. One of my favorite instructional statements has been, repetition is the key to learning. We shouldn’t expect everyone to understand everything the first time. I have benefitted greatly from those who were patient with me as I struggled with understanding important truths.

Paul majored on majors. Chapter 14 was his instruction not to turn preferences into priorities. In chapter 15, Paul’s heart for majors of the faith is evident. His focus was on evangelism and discipleship. John Stott got it right, Every conversion is a power encounter, in which the Spirit through the gospel rescues and regenerates sinners. We can’t go wrong if those are priorities of our ministries.

Paul was humble. He was an apostle. He wrote more books of the Bible than anyone else. He was arguably the greatest evangelist ever. But all thought of glory was deflected from himself to his Savior who empowered him by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Warren Wiersbe notes his humility, The apostle did not serve and suffer as he did just to make a name for himself, for he had a much higher purpose in mind. He wanted to bring glory to Jesus Christ. What would our ministries be like if we were seeking to bring glory to Christ instead of to ourselves?

Lastly, he was faithful. He knew his calling and wanted a ministry with no regrets. It is good to be reminded that we are vessels who desire to be used by God. William Barclay wrote, It is when we stop thinking of what we can do and begin to think of what God can do with us that things begin to happen. Do I know God’s calling on my life? Do I know how I can be successful? Paul was on target. He was looking to the time when God would say to him, face to face, Well done, good and faithful servant.

There is nothing wrong with having a role model. Please consider the Apostle Paul. His principles of ministry have stood the test of time.

Be a light in the darkness!

In the darkness of our world with a pandemic that seems to keep a step ahead of us and scenes from Washington D.C. where democracy is being attacked, Christians should be lights of hope. Paul addresses the importance of proper relations within the body of Christ in Romans 15:1-13 which the world needs to see.

Paul was concerned that unity in Christ was being sacrificed by those who were self-serving. Strong Christians wanted to flaunt their freedom by eating meat in front of weaker Christians who did not eat meat for conscience’ sake. Chrysostom, a 4th century theologian and church leader, rightly declared concerning Jesus, He had power not to have been reproached, power not to have suffered what He did suffer, had He been minded to look to His own things. And consider the words of Warren Wiersbe, Does a strong Christian think he is making a great sacrifice by giving up some food or drink? Then let him measure his sacrifice by the sacrifice of Christ. No sacrifice we could ever make could match Calvary.

Today, the church continues to have issues which divide. They need not be noted for any Christian who associates or disassociates with other believers knows them well. Romans 15 is as fresh today as it was in the 1st Century. The issue in the church that keeps us from being light in the darkness is our focus on preferences instead of a focus on Christ. Douglas Moo wrote, Divisions in the church over nonessentials diverts precious time and energy from its basic mission: the proclamation of the gospel and the glorifying of God. Also, hear Frederic Godet, a 19th c. pastor and theologian, Mutual love ought to reign supremely in a church wholly composed of the Lord’s well-beloved.

I encourage each of us to examine our hearts with the desire to major on the person and work of Christ by pursuing unity not personal privilege. Join the study of Romans 15:1-13 under the Books of the Bible tab. We can make a difference as we choose to be servants.