Acting on the Good News
Marks of True Spiritual Service--Part 3
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved
(A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling
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Romans 1:13 -16a Tape
GC 45-7
Introduction
A. The Touch Up
It is said of the artist Hofmann that he would periodically visit the Royal Gallery of Dresden, where many of his greatest works were displayed. He would come with paints and brushes in hand and spend many days touching up his masterpieces to make them look their best. That is what the Master Artist--the Lord Jesus Christ--desires to do with His children. It isn't that the picture is not already painted; it's just that it needs a small touch-up now and then. As we go through life, it is very easy for some spots on the canvas to fade. By studying Romans 1:8-16a, the Lord may well touch up some of the faded areas in our lives.
B. The Testimony
In Romans 1:8-16a, the apostle Paul opened his heart and revealed the motivation for his ministry to the Roman church. There is a marvelous flow to Paul's writing in bearing his heart to them. There would be no better way for the Romans to get to know Paul since they had never met him than to hear of the man behind the message. He did not begin sharing his theology, doctrine, convictions, goals, or purposes. First he shared his heart.
I had the privilege of attending seminary to study for the ministry. I learned much from the books I read, the notes I took, the papers I wrote, but I learned far more from the lives of the men who taught me. Rather than focusing on what they said, I concentrated on why they said it. That is what Paul did with the Romans. He in effect said, "Before I give you my theology, let me give you myself. " Paul is a model for all who would serve Christ. Review
I. A THANKFUL SPIRIT (v. 8)
II. A CONCERNED SPIRIT (v. 9)
III. A WILLING SPIRIT (v. 10a)
IV. A SUBMISSIVE SPIRIT (v. 10b)
V. A LOVING SPIRIT (v. 11)
VI. A HUMBLE SPIRIT (v. 12)
Lesson
VII. A FRUITFUL SPIRIT (v. 13)
"Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but was prevented thus far,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. "
A. The Purpose of Ministry
Paul saw the ministry as a quest for spiritual fruit. He saw it not as an end in itself, but a means to an end. The purpose of ministry is not the ministry itself but the fruit that results in peoples's lives. The quest for spiritual fruit was the mainspring of all apostolic activity. Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16).
B. The Pressure of Ministry
A person who serves with his whole heart is content only with spiritual fruit. Some people are content only with prestige, acceptance, or money. The devil tries to put that thought into my mind sometimes. Sometimes thoughts like these pop into my mind: What do I care about people? I know I'm saved and going to heaven. I'm well paid. At the worst, I've got a good job with a lot of security. I can't lose. But that is Satan's lie. You can let him pressure you to settle for less than God's best. My reaction to Satan when he plants a thought like that is, I am not content to simply be taken care of or appreciated. The only thing that makes me happy in the ministry is bearing fruit. Second Timothy 2:6 says, "The farmer that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. "
1. The emphasis (v. 13a)
"I would not have you ignorant, brethren. "
Paul used that phrase many times for emphasis. It points to an essential truth that Paul wanted to get across to his readers. He used it when he talked about the doctrine of salvation (2 Cor. 1:8), Satan (2 Cor. 2:11), the second coming of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13), and spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1). Paul was saying here, "I desperately wanted to come to you that I might bear some fruit among you. You can measure your commitment to Christ by whether you are more concerned with what happens in others lives than you are with what happens in your own.
2. The Examination (v. 13b)
"I purposed to come unto you (but was prevented thus far,) that I might have some fruit among you. "
What kind of fruit was Paul speaking of? Three things are spoken of as fruit in Scripture:
a) Attitudes Galatians 5:22-23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. " Those are attitudes. Paul wanted to come to the Romans with the right attitude.
b) Action
Fruit is not only who you are but what you do.
(1) Romans 6:22--Paul said, "Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness. " Paul is saying that forgiveness should usher itself into holy living.
(2) Philippians 4:17--Paul said, "I desire fruit that may abound to your account. " Because he was such a model for the Roman believers, Paul wanted to bear fruit among them. But he also wanted to see them respond with the right attitudes, and actions.
c) Addition
Paul wanted to bear some fruit among the Gentiles, and in so doing wanted them also to share Christ with others.
(1) Romans 16:5--Paul referred to converts as fruit: "Greet my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Asia unto Christ. " The concept of fruit is applied to people who come to know Jesus Christ and are added to the Body of Christ. Paul desired for men to be saved.
(2) 1 Corinthians 9:22--Paul said, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. "
Paul's desire was to see believers display right attitudes and actions. He also wanted people added to the Kingdom. The latter is the thrust of verse 13. When Paul finally did arrive in Rome, his desire was fulfilled, for Philippians 4:22 says, "All the saints greet you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. " He had been used of God to win people in Caesar's household to Christ. His was the ministry of bearing fruit.
C. The Pleasure of Ministry
I could not survive a ministry of maintenance. To be satisfied with having a group of sanctified saints sitting around looking at each other is not real ministry. You must be bearing fruit in the life of those you touch. That is the joy of service. I become excited after hearing many testimonies of how God has changed people's lives from the teaching of His Word. That is what real ministry is all about.
The world is in a state of confusion and chaos from all the lies, wrong answers, and opinions. My wife and I walked into a store and overheard two of the employees talking about the book of Genesis. One man said, "Of course, anyone knows that Genesis is only a fairy tale. " The other man agreed. The first man continued, "Genesis is meant to teach us a mystical moral. " At that precise moment, my wife countered, "The book of Genesis is historical truth!" They were both shocked. My wife said to me, "I can't stand to hear people say things that aren't true!" Those kinds of people simply point to the folly of the world. Crashing into the world and bringing the truth is what real ministry is all about.
VIII. AN OBEDIENT SPIRIT (v. 14)
"I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise. "
A. The Obligation to God (v. 14a)
"I am debtor. "
For the apostle Paul, ministry was not an option; it was an obligation. He did not make the decision for ministry on a whim. He did not one day say, "Let's see, I could be a tent maker, or possibly an attorney, or even a politician. No, I think I'll become a preacher. " The apostle Paul owed a debt to God.
1. The compulsion
Paul said "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me" (1 Cor. 9:16-17). Paul didn't want anyone to name a city after him or erect a statue in his honor. He knew he owed a tremendous debt to God because he was killing Christians until God turned him around and called him into the ministry. Paul knew that had God not intervened, he would have continued to kill Christians. Paul was saying, "Don't commend me, I have a debt to pay. God brought this to pass. "
2. The commitment
A young man asked what motivates me to study week after week after week. I said that there are times when some passages are so exhilarating, I can't wait to get to Sunday to preach. But there are other times when I battle time problems and priorities that crowd out my study time. The ministry doesn't seem that exciting then. I really have to fight my way through those times because I know I have a debt to God. If you are involved in Christian service only when you feel like doing it, you haven't learned the kind of service that Paul described here. In the midst of a tough time in ministering to people, sometimes all you can rely on is your obligation to God.
B. The Obligation to Man (v. 14b)
"I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise. "
The implication of verse 14 is that the debt Paul spoke about is a debt to God toward the Greeks and barbarians. Because of the ministry God gave Paul, he was obligated to serve men. If I am walking down the street and pass a house on fire, and the family inside is unaware of the situation, I have an obligation to help them. I cannot stand on the curb and think, I wonder if they're worth saving. Because they are in a dire situation and because I have the information that can save their lives, I have an obligation to them.
If a man crosses my path who is in need of clothes or food, yet I say to him, "Be warmed and filled," in the spirit of James 2:16, I have not discharged my debt. Paul owed the Gentile world the truth because they were on their way to hell and he knew the way to heaven. Jesus said, "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12:48). The apostle Paul had an obligation--first to God and second to the Greeks and barbarians.
C. The Origin of the Terms
"Greeks and barbarians . . . wise and unwise" are parallel phrases. Paul was speaking of the educated and uneducated. The Greeks were very sophisticated and thought theirs were the most elite culture around. When a person spoke a language other than Greek, the Greeks thought their unintelligible chatter sounded like "bar-bar- bar-bar. " Thus, foreigners became known as barbarians. They were regarded as uncultured, uneducated, and unintelligent.
Paul knew he had the same responsibility to the educated Greeks as well as the uneducated barbarians. There is a subtle point here: You cannot pick and choose whom you want to preach the gospel to. Every so often I will hear someone say, "I'm trying to reach the elite. " I say, "Why? Are the elite better than the rest?"
1. Acts 10:34--Peter said, "God is no respecter of persons. " And Paul endeavored to reach all people for Christ, regardless of their race, background, or financial status.
2. John 4--The first person Jesus revealed His Messianic identity to was a half-breed Samaritan who had a handful of husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband (vv. 16-18). The gospel is the great equalizer because it does not differentiate between persons. She could be saved just as sure as anyone could. It is easy to be trapped in being a respecter of persons. Many tend to evangelize high-income people and pass by lower-income people. However, the poor are more open to the gospel than the rich because of their need.
IX. AN EAGER SPIRIT (v. 15)
"So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. "
This wonderfully balances fulfilling your obligation to the Lord. We are to be happy and eager to fulfill the responsibility God has committed to your care.
A. Paul's Eager Spirit
Paul was consumed with doing the work of the ministry.
1. Acts 20:22-24--"I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, except that the Holy Spirit witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. " Paul's self-preservation was not at the top of his priority list. His main concern was to fulfill the plan of God and the ministry God had given him.
2. Philippians 1:21--"To me to live is Christ, to die is gain. "
3. 2 Corinthians 5:8--"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. "
4. Colossians 1:23-24--"I, Paul, am made a minister. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you. "
5. Philippians 2:17--"If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. " Paul in effect, was saying, "If I lose my life reaching you for Christ, that would bring me great joy. "
Paul's own personal life was never the issue. Life had only one purpose for him and that was doing the will of God. He was always eager to preach.
B. Epaphroditus's Eager Spirit
In speaking of Epaphroditus, who had the same desire, Paul said, "He was sick near unto death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. . . . For the work of Christ, he was near unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me" (Phil. 2:27, 30). Paul explained that God was merciful in preserving Epaphroditus because both their hearts would have been broken had he not been involved in ministry.
Paul was so eager--like a racehorse in the gate or a sprinter in the blocks--waiting to gain the victory. Because Paul was like that, God had to hold him back once in a while because he was so ready to go. Are you as eager? Is that the kind of service you render, or does someone have to prod you along with all their might just to get you involved? If your service to Christ comes from your whole heart, then you will be eager.
X. A BOLD SPIRIT (v. 16a)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. "
A. The Antagonism
It is commendable that Paul was so eager to go to Rome because he knew what a volatile place Rome was. The citizens of Rome were heavily involved in emperor worship and overt paganism. It was likely they would despise the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. When Paul had the opportunity to preach, he preached to anyone.
When people are unashamed, they can do amazing things. Those who are ashamed might be eager first, but when the battle starts, they faint. They are what I call, "the sign-up specialists: they sign up for almost everything the church has to offer and then drop out because of their lack of commitment. Eagerness needs to be followed up with boldness.
B. The Attitude
The pagans in Rome had branded Christianity as atheism and cannibalism. In their lack of understanding about the Christian communion service, they assumed Christians ate one another. The Jews had branded Christianity as heresy, blasphemy, and lawlessness. The gospel has always a stumbling block and a rock of offense (1 Peter 2:8). However, Paul didn't care. He was not ashamed of the gospel and was bold enough to preach the gospel message to anyone. He proved that in Jerusalem, in Athens, and would prove it in Rome as well. He proved it in every city he visited because the servant of the Lord should always go into any situation with an unashamed, bold attitude.
Commentator Geoffrey Wilson wrote, "The unpopularity of a crucified Christ has prompted many to present a message which is more palatable to the unbeliever, but the removal of the offense of the cross always renders it ineffective [Gal 5:11]. An inoffensive gospel is also an inoperative gospel. Thus Christianity is wounded most in the house of its friends" (Romans: A Digest of Reformed Comment [Carlisle, Penn: Banner of Truth, 1976], p. 24). Many have emasculated the gospel so that it won't offend anyone.
I spoke at a youth rally on the need to be saved. After my message, the wife of the rally director said, "Your message offended me because you preached as if all of these young people were evil. " I said, "I'm glad you heard that message because that's exactly what I wanted to communicate. " She said, "But you turned them off. " Sadly, that is the predominate mentality of many people today: they don't want to offend anyone, so they compromise the message. However, those who stick to the real message of the gospel are unashamed in their boldness in speaking about Christ.
C. The Action
I am convinced that the church of Jesus Christ has not even begun to see what God can do in our world if we began to live out all ten marks of true spiritual service. The world would be forever touched if believers served out of thankful, concerned, willing, submissive, loving, humble, fruitful, obedient, eager, and bold spirits. However, the tendency is the opposite. Ask God not to allow you to become comfortable in your Christian life or spiritually lazy. Ask Him to make you a true spiritual servant.
Focusing on the Facts
1. Why would the Lord want to touch up the canvas of our spiritual lives (cf. Rom. 1:8-16a; see p. 1)?
2. In Romans 1:8-16a, the apostle Paul opened his heart and revealed the _________________ for his ministry to the Roman church (see p. 1).
3. True or False: Studying what a person says is always more important than what his life is like (see pp. 1-2).
4. How did Paul see the ministry (see p. 2)?
5. The purpose of ministry is not the ministry itself but the __________ that results in _________ _________ (see p. 2).
6. What was the mainspring of all apostolic activity (see p. 2)?
7. True or False: A person who serves with his whole heart is content only with spiritual fruit (see p. 2).
8. How can you measure your commitment to Christ (see p. 3)?
9. What three things are spoken of as fruit in Scripture (see pp. 3-4)?
10. List the nine attitudes described as fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22- 23; see p. 3).
11. Give scriptural examples of the fruit of addition (see pp. 3-4).
12. Which concept of fruit was Paul mainly dealing with in Romans 1:13 (see p. 4)?
13. Explain the eighth mark of true spiritual service (see p. 4).
14. What is meant by having an obligation for ministry (see pp. 4-5)?
15. What was the debt Paul owed to the Gentiles? What was his message to them (see p. 5)?
16. What was the difference between the Greeks and the barbarians (see p. 6)?
17. Explain the ninth mark of true spiritual service (see p. 6).
18. What was Paul's chief concern in life? What was low on his priority list (see p. 7)?
19. Why was it a commendable thing that Paul desired to go to Rome (see p. 8)?
20. Who are the "sign-up specialists" (see p. 8)?
21. The servant of the Lord should always go into any situation with an ______________, _______ _____________ (see p. 8).
22. What is a predominate mentality of many people today concerning the gospel and its presentation (see p. 8)?
23. What qualities could Christians adopt to change the world for Jesus Christ (see p. 9)?
Pondering the Principles
1. The apostle Paul longed to bear fruit among the believers in Rome He wanted to have the right attitude toward them, take the right course of action in furthering their spiritual growth, and desired the salvation of all those he came in contact with. Do you possess a fruitful spirit? Do you have a good attitude toward those you come in contact with? Are you endeavoring to bring others to Christ? Take the following passages and determine which could be classified as attitude, action, or addition fruit: John 4:35-36, 12:24; Colossians 1:3-6; and Philippians 1:9-11. Once you've determined which fruit is being talked about, ask God to allow you to have a fruitful spirit.
2. No matter what the costs, Paul was consumed with doing the work of the ministry. His own personal welfare was not his main priority. Life for Paul had only one focus and that was the souls of lost men and women. What is your preoccupation? Is your heart consumed with doing the work of the ministry? Study the following verses and ask God to cause you to have the same kind of attitude toward the work of the ministry: Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 9:37-38, and Acts 21:13. Memorize at least one of them.
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