Pastor Mike : THE FINAL COUNTDOWN : A Ministry of CHRIST-LIVES MINISTRIES

Romans 16:24-27

THE VOCABULARY OF PRAISE

Today we conclude our series from the Book of Romans. It has been a long and enjoyable study and it is no wonder one of my seminary professors Dr. Hayes said that Romans is on of the most important books of the Bible. There is certainly a lot there as you peel back the onion.

The most common Greek words for "praise" in the New Testament are αἶνος (ainos), meaning praise or hymn; ἔπαινος (epainos), a good word for praise or commendation; αἴνεσις (ainesis), the act of praising or a thank-offering; εὐλογέω (eulogeo), to speak well of or praise; and δοξάζω (doxazo), to glorify or give honor.

Lets read from Gods Word!@

Romans 16:24-27

King James Version

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Intro: As Paul concludes his letter to Rome, he becomes so filled up with praise to the Lord for His blessings that he bursts forth in a "doxology." Now some churches sing what is known as "The Doxology." It goes like this:

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Romans 16:3-5

A HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

Intro: A person cannot read through the Bible without encountering several wonderful families mentioned in its pages. There is that little family in Bethany made up of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. They were a great blessing to the Lord Jesus. There is Timothy's mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois and the great impact they made on young Timothy. There is the family of Mary and Joseph where the Lord Jesus grew up and lived out His early years. What a family that must have been!

In this passage we are invited to inspect another great family. So far as we know, this family was made up of just a husband and a wife. There names were Aquila and Priscilla. This couple is one of the greatest families recorded in the Word of God. The folks are mentioned 6 times in 4 books of the Bible. Each time, they are mentioned by Paul himself and this indicates that they were special to his life and ministry.

Lets Read From Gods Word

Romans 16:3-5

King James Version

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

If we will but take the time to investigate the passages dedicated to this special household of faith, we will see the attributes that make them stand out among the families of their time.

Romans 16:1-2

A GODLY CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Intro: The pages of the Bible are filled with the names of many great women. For instance, there is Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus. There is Eunice and Lois who taught young Timothy the way of God 's salvation. There is Lydia, the merchant from Thyatira, who was converted under Paul's ministry and was greatly used of the Lord. The book of Acts speaks of a woman called Dorcas. She was a talented woman who ministered to the needs of the church and was raised from the dead by Peter. Then, in this chapter, we are introduced to a woman named Phebe. She is a special woman, who demonstrates the attributes of holiness, servanthood and dedication that should mark all true women of the Lord.

Lets read from Gods Word!

Romans 16:1-2

16 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Romans 15:30-33

WILL YOU PRAY FOR ME?

Intro: Paul was without a doubt one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Christian who has ever lived. He was a man of power who was used of God in some very magnificent ways. He saw the Lord work more miracles and save more souls that you and I would probably see in several lifetimes. You would think a man of his stature would have needed no one or nothing. However, such is not the case. Several times in the writing of Paul, 1 Thes. 5:25; 2 Thes. 3:1; Heb. 13:18, he is found asking the people of God to pray for him. Here is a man who is on top of the heap spiritually speaking, yet he feels the need to have God's children battling for him in prayer. Yet, here is a man who is keenly aware of the benefit of having the saints of God lift you up in prayer.

Romans 15:30-33

King James Version

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 15:18-21

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A MISSIONARY

Intro: We have already seen from this Romans Chapter 15 that Paul was a soul winner. He had a heart for the lost and did all he could to reach them for Jesus. In this passage, Paul portrays himself as a missionary. There is a sense in which these words are interchangeable. However, there is another sense in which they are not. In this second sense, a soul winner is someone who reaches out to the lost where he lives, in his community, in his family, at his place of work. A missionary, on the other hand, is someone who has been sent by the Lord to another place or another country to share the Gospel message.

Lets read from God’s Word.

Romans 15:18-20

King James Version

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Now, for a church to be considered a real, New Testament church, that church must be engaged in the business of carrying out the Great Commission. This involves our witnessing where we are and from there, reaching out into the whole world. We are to have a program of evangelism where we are, and we are to have a plan that encompasses the entire world in its scope. This is the mandate of the Lord Jesus, Acts 1:8.

So, whether we are at home, at work, or on the foreign field, we are to be soul winner/missionaries all the time. This was Paul's heart and it is the heart that should be within each of our bosoms this evening. I want to take a few minutes to look at this passage and tell you How To Recognize A Missionary. Paul tells us the traits by which a genuine New Testament missionary is recognized. May we all examine our hearts and see if these traits are true of us as well.

A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

On July 11, I found myself in the Emergency Room, once again. However, this time, in addition to the pulmonary embolism I was already working through, I discovered that one of the antibiotics that was being run through a PICC line in one of my larger veins had caused a problem. I was having an allergic reaction, which was putting me on death’s door. Physically, I was a wreck, and my body had done all it could. My wife and I had one of those talks that couples don’t like to have. They wanted to put me on a ventilator and life support to allow my body time to repair itself. If not, I would very likely die. I could die if I did, but would most certainly die if I didn’t.

With the kind blessings of a watchful God and a loving wife, He brought me through that. I am days out of the hospital bringing this message, still on oxygen, but as a dear friend and mentor says, “Preaching the word of God and giving the devil heck.”

Mark 12:28-34

King James Version

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Romans 16:17-20

HOW TO HANDLE TROUBLEMAKERS IN THE CHURCH

Romans 16:17-20

King James Version

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Intro: Ever since the church was formed, it has been plagued by troublemakers. These people have desired to either see the church destroyed, or to see it shaped to their own will. This should not have been a surprise. After all, Jesus Himself predicted the rise of troublemakers in the church, Matt. 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Even in the early days of the fledgling church, the Apostle Paul said this, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.", Acts 20:29-30.

Discharging your duties as a Christian and a life that is pleasing to the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

King James Version

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

WHEN JESUS COMES

Intro: We have just come out a season where we celebrated the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world. Thank God He came that first time! I praise God for every truth surrounding His first advent.

• I praise God for the virgin birth.
• I praise God for His sinless life.
• I praise God for His teachings, His miracles and His ministry.
• I praise God for His substitutionary death.
• I praise God for His victorious resurrection.
• I praise God for His glorious ascension.

The first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into this world was a time of amazing power, wonderful miracles, and astounding love and grace. In sending Jesus into the world, God accomplished salvation for all who will believe. In sending Jesus into the world, God demonstrated His love for a lost and dying world. In sending Jesus into the world, God completed His perfect and profound plan of salvation and redemption.

Thank God for all Jesus accomplished when He came the first time, but He went away! Acts 1:9-10 tells us about how the Lord Jesus ascended back into Heaven, leaving His church here to preach the Gospel to the lost. When He left His people here, He did not leave them without hope. He left them with the promise that He would come again, Acts 1:11.

Be tolerant of other people, not complacent with their sin.