Romans 15: 14-21 The gospel of God 21/07/2024

The apostle Paul is bringing his letter to the Roman church to an end. Have you noticed that the words “the gospel of God” form bookends to the whole epistle?
In Romans 1:1 Paul sets out that he is a servant of Christ Jesus, set apart for “the gospel of God.” In one sense the whole letter expands, draws out, and elaborates on this “gospel of God.”
Here in chapter 15:16 Paul is closing with the very same reminder, that he is called by the grace of God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the “the gospel of God”.
For the remainder of the epistle, (15:22- 16:27) we have personal travel plans and final greetings. Paul clearly opens and closes the letter with “the gospel of God.”
It’s worth remembering that we are in the service of this same gospel, the “good news”, and it’s God’s! We are engaged in the service of the king, He uses people like you and me to advance His kingdom.
God, of-course does not have to use us, but he does use us nonetheless! It’s a privilege and a great blessing to think of our service in this way, and what’s more, from our passage today (15:14-21) we can see that the strong emphasis on Father Son and Spirit is present in the advancement of the kingdom.
Firstly: Because our labors are in God’s gospel, (Rom 15:16a) it cannot fail! If it were man’s gospel and in man’s strength and wisdom, it would be a very different story, but because it is God’s very own story, we are assured of the ultimate success in our labors.
Secondly: Because our sanctification comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will grow! Paul’s whole ministry was to the Gentiles, and his great appeal is that they, (we) would be transformed by the renewal of our mind, walking in love, being set apart from this world and its values. Our offering to the Lord, (our very selves) is acceptable to God when we commit to following Jesus because it is the power of the Spirit that causes us to grow! ((Rom 15:16b)
Finally: Because the work is accomplished by Christ alone, we have reason to boast! (Rom 15:17) Paul was proud of his labors in the kingdom work because he knew everything that he had accomplished was in fact accomplished by Christ himself.
Gentiles turning away from sin and towards the God of holiness comes by the power of the Spirit, through the work of Christ, for the glory of God! Amen!