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This summer many of you will travel on extended vacations or local trips.

• Our family to TN, along with local, and church youth to OH.

One of the things we know about vacations is that the return happens too soon, and it seems we need a vacation after our vacation because of tiring travel schedules. I know these are 1^st world challenges… but my point is that God provides us blessings and good experiences that have an earthly end.

Today, we’re concluding this Romans series. Hopefully, God has strengthened your faith, encouraged your walk, challenged you with some theological depth, and overall been a blessing. For me, I’ve heard some real positive and tangible feedback – beyond “good sermon.” So, my prayer is that God’s word continues to bear fruit in our life and ministry together.

Last, before we look into the final chapters of this letter, allow me to say that we cannot exhaust Romans. As I shared previously, many preachers have spent months upon months, and some even multiple years in this book. So, today we will just touch on these final chapters to discern “good news on the bottom shelf” with principles for helping families to grow in their Christian faith.

EXAMINE       Romans 13-16 Family On Mission

Christianity is counter-cultural but civil; prophetic not partisan.

Rom13 “¹ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

Paul letter of Romans explains how Christianity is distinct from other religions, and counter-cultural.

• It’s a grace-based relationship vs finding acceptance through religious works. In other words, our identity and acceptance is based upon something God has done/does rather than something we’re striving to earn.
• But it’s not a flawed grace that doesn’t change people. God’s grace forgives sin AND fuels you to integrity and good deeds.
  • Paul exhorts Christian life to be (Ro 12) “genuine and unfeigned; abhor evil and hold fast to good… outdo one another showing honor… / Bless those who persecute you… Repay no one evil for evil – never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God”
    
• Paul’s exhortation to Roman Christians continues in Rom13 about relating not just inside the church or to neighbors, but to the government. Paul’s aim was to reach Rome with the gospel and expected to reach the ears of Caesar. He sought to show that Christianity was different among religions without having to domineer or dictate.
  • Subsets of Jews were highly political: Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Zealots. But Jesus never took pledge to these groups as He remained prophetic but not partisan. God doesn’t take sides; He takes over without term limits.
  • Jesus made it abundantly clear that His kingdom was not of this world.
    • Pharisees wanted Jesus to not pay taxes to Caesar, but Jesus said pay rightful portion to govt and to God.
    • Peter took a sword to fight Jesus’ enemies, but Jesus rebuked him.
  • The govt leaders during the NT were not worthy of honor but their position was as an authority under God to honor (cf. 1 Pt 2:13-17). If we think our national leaders are unfit, consider the Roman empire’s leaders’ bloodthirst to murder spouses and family members, even their children to make sure they didn’t challenge their right to the throne. Or when they openly committed incest, or raided villages who didn’t pay taxes, or beheaded temple deity statues to be replaced with their own bust (Imagine if POTUS did this in churches today); or the gladiator games using Christians to be chased and devoured by wild animals, and using their bodies to be doused in pitch tar and then set on fire for evening festivities.

These are the types of leaders where NT Christians suffered severely, but they also multiplied remarkably because of the way they humbly honored authorities and cared for the weak.

Indeed, we also see the early church resisting tyrannical authority that opposes God’s authority (cf. Ac 4:19-20; Isa 5:20 “woe to them that call evil good and good evil”; Pr 29:2 unrighteous rulers cause groans). So – yes, there are circumstances when Christians should radically rebel against a society that is blatant evil and hostile to God’s principles; but realize that often comes at the cost to the heads of Christians not govt. The Christian’s weapons are not pandemonium and violence but prayer (1Tim 2:2) and worship. If you think that’s just rhetoric, excavate the walls of Jericho and you’ll find worship is quite powerful.[1]

Expanding God’s kingdom is not about physical power or political positions. God can use the smallest of persons or modest of circumstances to accomplish the impossible. God isn’t looking for accomplished individuals but available vessels

The Christian witness will be counter-cultural, but its strategies and weapons are not the same as the world’s. Expanding God’s kingdom is not about physical power or political positions. God can use the smallest of persons or modest of circumstances to accomplish the impossible. God isn’t looking for accomplished individuals but available vessels He can fill with His Spirit to do His kingdom work.

• Whatever happens in Nov 2024, may the people of God remember that earthly politics will be a mere footnote among eternal priorities; let’s labor for testimonies that will endure the fiery test of judgment (2Pet 3:11).[2]

I love what was said about Jesus
Mt 22:16 “We know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks, nor do you show partiality.”
Col 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Christians are free to serve; we create stepping stones not stumbling blocks.  

Rom 14 ¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother…
¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. ²⁰ Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.

Paul explains another principle of Christian family on mission together. We are not slaves to sin but servants of God with compassionate and gracious hearts to love others in the name of Jesus. In so many ways, we are free!

• Jesus has set you free from religion and rules, to a living faith relationship with God.
• By grace through faith, Jesus has set you free from sin never to allow the past condemn you,  haunt you, or take away your salvation. You are sealed permanently by the blood of Jesus.
• You are free with options and preferences in the riches of Christ.
• Daughter of Eve, you are free to work from home or choose a career of your talents and passions.
• Son of Adam, you are free to work blue collar or white collar jobs.
• Parents, you are free to choose public, private or home schooling (or combo) for your children; each child is unique in learning; each family has its own context and conviction.
• Christians are free to remain single or marry.
• We are free to drink in moderation or abstain entirely.
• You are free to eat salad, while I enjoy meat.
  (If you’re saving the animals why are you eating their food? Besides, animals can defend themselves, plants can’t… Save the plants and savor the sirloin!)
• We are free to celebrate a holiday like Christmas, even though Christ was likely not born in December.
• We are free to talk about Easter, though the holiday is not about a chocolate bunny but a bloody, buried, and resurrected Lamb.
• You are free to eat from any tree in God’s generous garden, but don’t eat the fruit leading to folly.
• Christian, you are free to be a bible-believing, gospel-centered, Spirit-filled, church-member of any choice (I prefer baptistic and partial to spbc)… but… you are not free to be a bible-selectivist, gospel-universalist, Spirit-quenching, church-consumer, and culture-isolationist.
• Christian, you are free but you are a bondservant to God and called to wash the feet of others in the example of your Lord & Savior.

In Rom 14-15, Paul explains there are some Christians that are using their freedom to enslave others. They exercise their liberty to __, whether it’s eating (food or beverage, like alcohol), entertainment (playing cards, sports, dancing, or certain books/movies), or educational experiences (learning about other religions or cultural ideologies; or experiencing styles of worship musically or denominationally) – and/but – to do so in front of others or expecting others to follow your conscience. This becomes what Paul calls “a stumbling block.”

A stumbling block is a mindset or behavior that handicaps or hinders someone’s spiritual growth. It’s when someone observes you exercising what you believe is liberty but for them it’s an enslaving sin. They become confused by your actions, and it could cause them to stumble and follow the same practice. Now, the slippery slope is that some behaviors may or not actually be sinful.
Paul’s principle is two-fold:

1. Don’t unfairly judge others. If we assume the best of our Christian brothers/sisters, then we will allow them the experience the full freedom and abundant life for which Jesus provides. Certainly, Christians judge and hold each other accountable for practices that are unmistakably sinful. But, in gray areas, we should practice charity. Judge doctrine not preferences.
   
   
2. Pursue peace and mutual upbuilding. Create stepping-stones for growth in Christ rather than stumbling blocks. In this case, if we know our liberty will potentially cause someone else to stumble against their conscience, then we should refrain. Commit to God that your life and actions will attract and not repel people to Jesus; and that if you do something that causes one to stumble, commit to apologizing and communicating with persons to draw them toward Jesus.

3 simple questions aid this application[3]:

• Will my choice worship God?
• Will my choice weaken others?
• Will my choice widen faith?

Christianity is a missionary faith not a maintenance religion.

As Paul is about to finish this letter, we see not just his theological mind at work but his heart. The last chapter is a greeting to 35 individuals and several groups recognized; more greetings than all of Paul’s letters combined![4] People are on the mind of Paul because people are the heart of God.

In Rom 15, Paul explains the motivation for his letter by communicating his ambition.
²⁰and 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, ²¹but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.[Isa 52:15]

Paul’s ambition was to be a like an elementary teacher with a PhD. He taught basic Christianity with an emphasis on the gospel, but in a way that was profoundly theological and deeply practical.

• If I were to ask most of you about your favorite teacher, many people go all the way back to elementary school. Probably because this was where you began a love for a specific subject/topic, or the contrast was when you stopped liking school but you remember the teachers prior who become default favorite.

Paul grounds his ambition in Scripture by quoting Isa 52:15. This is the last of 64 OT quotations in Romans; which is more quotations than any other NT book [next is Matthew, which has 61].^[5] Regardless, Paul’s grounding his ambition in Scripture is important because it’s something we still have today. – You see, Paul could have grounded his ambition in his salvation story.
No one can argue with a testimony because it’s their  experience. And Paul had a fantastic experience with a blinding light and booming voice from heaven! – But, if Paul grounded this missionary ambition in his personal testimony, then we could potentially be left off the hook for similar obedience.[6] We could say, “I didn’t have the fantastic experience like Paul, so no one would listen to me and being a missionary isn’t for me.” So, Paul reminds us God’s word compels each of us to evangelize. Every Christian is sent… to neighbors, classmates, co-workers, friends, family members [your home is #1 mission field],
and even has an obligation to support the gospel witness cross-culturally and internationally
(Mt 28:19-20; Ac 1:8; Rev 5:9).  

²⁴I 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. ²⁵At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. ²⁶For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. ²⁷For 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. ²⁸When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. ²⁹I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul’s letter to the Romans has been to show he’s a credible missionary worthy of support. Paul was the recipient of generosity from many Christians and churches. And he returned the favor many times over by facilitating offerings and investing his own resources for the poor, the weak, and needy to experience the love of Jesus and hear the good news.

Ultimately, Paul would get to Rome not by the church as a missionary but a prisoner to the government. God has a sense of humor that sometimes we don’t always understand the punchline. Yet, God works all things together for good for those who love God and called according to His purpose (Ro 8:28).

You see, if we look at the end of Paul’s life, we could think he had a good run but ended in failure. The last we see Paul is in prison and Scripture doesn’t give us more details, though history does report Paul was released from prison and does preach the gospel in Spain, with an eventual return to a Roman Mamertine prison, a special prison for political prisoners.[7] This final and more fierce imprisonment would be where he writes the pastoral letters. Some of his last words were: “as for you, be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For my life is being poured out and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but to all who loved Christ’s appearing” (2Tim 4:5-8).

Every other religion is maintaining life on earth. Live your best life now. Make your bucket-list and do as much you can before you die. Christianity shows us that our only bucket-list is people coming to know Jesus. Nothing else matters because people are the only thing we can take to heaven with us. Our crowns in heaven are the smiles of faces from those we shared the gospel and trusted in Jesus (cf Php 4:1).

• Will people smile in heaven or frown in hell because of you? Commit today to be sober-minded and do the work of an evangelist.

Christianity shows us that our only bucket-list is people coming to know Jesus. Nothing else matters because people are the only thing we can take to heaven with us.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY Illus[8]

This past week, June 6, marked the 80^th anniversary of D-Day – the day that U.S.A. soldiers and the Allied forces rallied sea, air, and land power to Normandy, France. Historians says, when D-Day was successful, the Allies won the war – in principle. But the war would last another 11 months until VE-Day (Victory in Europe), May 8, 1945. In between these days there were the fiercest battles and greatest bloodshed the world has known.

Likewise, Christians are living between Christ’s D-Day of the cross and God’s VE-Day of Christ’s return.

• The cross declared, “It is finished” – victory accomplished of our sin debt being paid.  
• The resurrection declared
  “death is defeated” – hope is alive.
• But, we are living between the times; already but not yet. We are citizens of God’s kingdom and its blessings, but we don’t see the fullness of glory. Like the Nazis,
  Satan isn’t going to surrender easily or without a fight.
• So, we need to remember that Satan is a defeated enemy and fight with faith, hope, and love.
  Rom 16 ²⁰The God of peace will soon crush Satan
  under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
  be with you.

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[1] https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/05/25/biblical-sites-three-discoveries-at-jericho/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C27CmsSGx5Y

[2] Our next sermon series will be studying 1-2 Kings “House Divided.” Pray for kingdom fruit.

[3] https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/05/05/questions-for-convictions-romans-14/

[4] For my sermon specifically on Romans 16 see https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2023/02/20/gospel-dashboard-legacy-romans-16/

^[5] Leon Morris, The Epistle to the Romans, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988).

[6] This insight adapted from J.D. Greear sermon on Romans 15.

[7] https://www.bibleplaces.com/mamertine-prison/

[8] Inspired from https://realdealmanhood.blogspot.com/2024/05/d-day-and-devil.html