The Missionary Is Coming

“THE MISSIONARY IS COMING”

Romans 15.15-33

Christendom in the 21st century is a great deal more separated from the faith that was given and practiced in the first century than can be explained by time and geography alone. What passes for Christianity in the United States, especially, simply does not resemble what’s found in the Bible much of the time. Consider Ephesians 4.11, as just one example:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

In this verse are named four categories of spiritual leadership, gifted men they are often called. Few would argue after some Bible study that these four categories of gifted men are preachers involved in some way in the ministry of a Church congregation.[1] But so far have we departed from the Biblical prescription for evangelism and edification in this century that large numbers of professing Christians will look for spiritual leadership in their lives, and significant input into their growth as Christians, to individuals who cannot possibly be considered, by the greatest amount of hermeneutical stretching, to be described in this or any other New Testament passage which sets forth the qualifications or the ministries of spiritual leaders.

Not that some of these men are not in love with God. Not that some of these men have not had a positive impact in the lives of others. But we have departed so far from the Bible that most Christians never consider whether these men are remotely qualified, or if their activities have any resemblance to New Testament ministry. Think about this passage: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers. Think about other passages which refer to elders, who occupy the office of bishop in a congregation, and who perform the function of pastor or shepherd. Does Pat Robertson of the 700 Club fit in there anywhere? Did the late Charles Colson and his prison ministry resemble this at all? Did Bill Gothard with his parachurch ministry match the New Testament template? Did James Dobson, with Focus On The Family?

The men I have named would not be described by anyone as evil, wicked, mean, and nasty. But none of them occupied any of the recognizable descriptions of Christian leadership positions that are found in the Bible. I point this out because so removed from God’s Word is the thinking of most that few people have any idea whether or not what they do is pleasing to God, using the Bible as an indicator of God’s will, or whether the men whose leadership they follow seem to be doing God’s will, as His will is discovered in the Bible and not evaluated by some subjective or pragmatic evaluation.

Notice that I have not made mention of the religious charlatans, be they men who clearly pay little attention to God’s Word, or the prominent women who are decidedly unqualified for public spiritual leadership because they are women.[2] No. Most Christians nowadays decide who they will allow to influence them on the basis of pure pragmatism. “Does it seem to be effective?” Or unrefined subjectivity. “Do I like him?” “Do I like her?” Let me caution you about something. Should you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, someday the only criteria by which your life and ministry in service to Christ will be evaluated will be the infallible Word of God. And that’s good, because, you see, using pragmatic or subjective criteria the late Robert Schuler measures up, and he was a well-known religious charlatan. So does the late Billy Graham, he of the multiple ways to be saved. Neither of those men preached a clear and unadulterated Gospel message.

That’s why God’s men should strive to encourage each individual who comes under the sound of his voice to be not only a Bible believer but also a Bible doer; to not only say you think God’s Word is wonderful but also to strive earnestly to put Bible teaching into daily practice.

Consider how this is related to our text. Because we are a missionary Baptist Church, missionaries, which is to say Church planters (because that is the essence of Biblical missions) are profoundly important to us. Although the word “missionary” is not found in the New Testament, the missionaries our congregation looks for are 21st-century counterparts to first-century apostles. Not apostles of Jesus Christ, certainly, but apostles sent out by the Churches, as are referred to in Second Corinthians 8.23, with the word “apostle” translated “messenger” in that verse:

“Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.”

The missionaries we look for are few and far between these days. Is this is because most missionary’s so-called “ministries” these days are the products of men’s imaginations? I received a letter and a brochure from a so-called “missionary,” whose ministry was supplying blankets for the (his terminology) homeless and the drunks of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He wanted to come to this Church and show slides and try and persuade us to support him regularly, along with the mainline denominational churches and Catholic congregations that already support him.

Should we support the blanket man regularly, or should we support the Church planting Gospel preacher regularly? Do you think the Bible provides some guidance about the direction we should take? I do. You see, I am convinced that a “missionary” who meets the Scriptural qualifications as an apostle, as a messenger, of a Church will have a clearly defined relationship with those whose help he seeks to fulfill his calling.

So, let’s do this. Recognizing that there will be some obvious and expected differences between the ministry of an apostle of Jesus Christ and an apostle of the Churches, such as was referred to in Second Corinthians a minute ago, let’s try to discern what we should look for when the missionary comes to our Church.

Our text is Romans 15.15-33. We will examine three Ps in a pod that promise to greatly illuminate our understanding of Paul’s relationship with the Roman Christians, as well as giving us a yardstick with which to evaluate missionaries who seek our Church’s financial and prayer support.

AS TO HIS PEN

Verse 15:

“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God.”

Three references to Paul’s apostolic authority are mentioned in this remark about the letter he is writing to them:

First, the relationships with his authority. Let us remind ourselves that Paul did not know these people to whom he wrote. He had only heard of them, some of them, and perhaps met just a few. Most of his information, no doubt, came through his friends and co-workers, Priscilla and Aquila, who had previously lived in Rome. From verse 14, remember, his opinion of these people was quite high. He considered them to be neither slouches nor babes in Christ, but mature believers who he thought were quite capable of handling the profound truths he presented to them in chapters 1 through 8. Despite his estimation of them, it was needful that he inform them that he expected to conduct himself as a spiritual leader to them. He was, after all, the apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. With that on his mind, notice two words that he used: First, the word “nevertheless.” It’s almost as though Paul is writing to them, “I really think a great deal of you (verse 14), nevertheless ....” Then there’s the word “brethren.” Though he laid the theological groundwork in this letter, and though he fully expected to teach and not be taught by them, he reminded them that he and they were “brethren.” Paul and the Romans were brothers, but they were not twins. He was the brother older, and he expected them to recognize that fact.

Second, the reminders of his authority:

“I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind.”

In these two phrases, Paul reminded them of his authority in two different ways. First, he admitted that he had been very bold with them. He had not been timid at all to tell them how the cow eats the corn, theologically, and practically. But he also admitted that these lessons he taught were reminders of what they had been taught before. Far more powerful and concise than they had been taught before, no doubt, but essentially the same truths that others had taught them or that they had gleaned from their studies of the Old Testament.

Third, the reason for his authority. Though the man would never think of backing down from anyone in asserting his apostolic authority, Paul never passed up an opportunity to make mention of the fact that his authority was neither earned nor deserved but was his to exercise by God’s grace. Should we not also insist that though a visiting missionary, being an apostle sent by a Church and not an apostle sent directly by Jesus Christ, has no authority over us, he must demonstrate that he both has and shows that he wields God-given authority and that the authority he appropriately wields has been granted solely by the grace of God? All this from a letter. But what a letter is this inspired note from Paul. Though those missionaries we support are not inspired in the sense, Paul was, we certainly expect letters from our missionaries if they expect us to fulfill our commitment to support them as God enables us.

AS TO HIS PREACHING

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

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:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

I was once told by a veteran missionary that missionaries simply cannot preach. I’m not sure that’s true. Oftentimes preaching styles are geared to cultures and many missionaries have little concern for how their preaching style affects Americans because they have been called to preach to folks of a different culture, and in that culture, their preaching is well received. That said, Paul described four earmarks of his preaching:

First, the success of his preaching, verses 16-18:

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

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.

If the authority is by God’s grace, so also is the success that is enjoyed as the man of God preaches the Word of God. Paul was Christ’s man to the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel that God gave, so that he might give those Gentiles as an acceptable offering to God, sanctified, made holy if you will, by the Holy Spirit. That’s in verse 16. And it was all grace. But that’s not the kind of ministry the blanket man would come to us with. Amen? No. We will settle for nothing less than Gospel preaching missionaries. In verse 17, Paul boldly declared that he had bragging rights. God had tremendously blessed his ministry. But it’s not of Paul. It was all through Jesus Christ in those things that pertain to God. Shouldn’t we also expect a missionary to be able to come in with things to brag about? Surely. So long as his glorying is based on the grace of God through Jesus Christ. But notice what Paul did not brag about, what he did not speak about. He did not refer to things that occurred through the lives and ministries of other men. Why? Two reasons: First, what you know, what you know, is only that which you are directly involved in. So, comments about the ministries of others that he did not see at this point would have been hearsay. And second, his goal wasn’t to advance the ministry of someone else, but of himself. Selfish? Not at all. It’s just that Paul had enough to say grace over in his own life and ministry without worrying about the ministries of those not directly involved in his own. So, we expect our missionary to boast and glory in what God has done and is doing through him. If God has done nothing through him, he will likely spend his time talking about other men’s ministries. When a missionary does that, unless he’s referring to those God has raised up under him, we’ll pass.

Next, the signs with his preaching, verse 19a:

“Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.”

Since the signs and wonders referred to here were evangelistic tools given by the Holy Spirit to bring Jewish people to Christ before the nation of Israel was judicially set aside by God, any so-called modern missionary claiming to work signs and wonders these days is fraudulent and we will not support him.[3] Understand, however; Paul served the same God we do. And God is quite capable of doing the same feats He did in Paul’s day. He simply chooses to accomplish those feats in different ways than before Israel was blinded in her unbelief.

Third, the scope of his preaching, verses 19b-21:

19b ... 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:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Three surprising comments about the scope of Paul’s preaching can be seen here:

First, Paul indicated that from Jerusalem to Illyricum, he had “fully preached the Gospel of Christ.” This does not mean that he preached to every soul in that vast region between Jerusalem and Illyricum. If that were the case, he’d still be there trying to accomplish that. Paul meant that he had fully discharged his missionary responsibility when he had established Churches in those regions, it then being their responsibility to penetrate their home region with the Gospel more fully. It’s our job to reach our area, not some missionary coming through.

Second, Paul gives good evidence in verse 20 that he was primarily a pioneer missionary. His goal wasn’t just to plant Churches where there were none. His goal was to plant Churches where they had never even heard of Jesus Christ before. He was a groundbreaking missionary. There are fewer opportunities to be a real groundbreaker these days than there were in Paul’s day. But our friend Samuel Rai is just that kind of missionary.

Third, this pioneering ministry of Paul’s, according to his inspired use of prophecy in verse 21, was predicted. So we see that the scope of Paul’s ministry was limited. Although he ranged far and wide, he did not go where others had gone before, and he typically left as soon as he had gotten something started. If that be true, and assuming Paul was consistent, the Romans might have wondered why he was coming to Rome. Why would a missionary want to come to their Churches, especially if theirs were not his home Churches?

Fourth, the strain of it, verse 22:

“For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.”

I’ve often thought that this mention of being hindered was a reference to Satanic opposition in Paul’s life, the Devil preventing him from going where he wanted to go. And although I believe God can and does allow Satan to hinder our progress from time to time, such was not the case here, I think. Remember, Paul was talking about his ministry, his preaching, and the mind-boggling success he had enjoyed as a result of God’s gracious blessings in his life. For that reason, I think that what hindered Paul’s progress toward Rome was not Satan, but success. Things were going so well that he dared not leave until the time was right. Well, the time was now right ... almost. It’s nice to hear of a missionary who is stuck on the field because things are going so well he can’t think of leaving. That is why Pat Coleman takes such short furloughs. His ministry in Africa is very fruitful.

AS TO HIS PLANS

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

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.

Here Paul confides with the Romans, for the first time I might add, what his immediate plans were, what would lead up to and what would follow his arrival in Rome:

First, the reason for his plans, verse 23:

“But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you.”

Paul made plans to come to Rome for two reasons: First, he had finished what he set out to do in the eastern Mediterranean. And second, he had always wanted to come to Rome. The reason why he had always wanted to come to Rome he told them here. And notice how he told them.

Second, the route that he planned, verses 24-25:

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

Paul had always wanted to come to Rome because Rome was how he planned on getting to Spain. “Oh, fine. You mean you really only want to use us, Paul?” That’s correct. He wanted to use them to help him serve God. What’s wrong with that? That’s why missionaries come to Churches. Not that he wouldn’t greatly enjoy their company. But he never did anything for what it would accomplish for him, but for what it would accomplish for the cause of Christ. However, before he visited Rome on his way to Spain, he had to stop off in Jerusalem. So his planned route was to Jerusalem, then to Rome, and then to Spain.

Third, the realization of an opportunity verses 26-27:

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

Why did Paul go first to Jerusalem? To take a great deal of money collected from Gentile Churches for the believers suffering the famine in Judea. And why did those Gentiles want to give money to Jewish Christians they had never met and would never know this side of heaven? Because through the lives and ministries and the dedication and sacrifice of those Jewish Christians, the Gospel had reached them. You know what? Those Gentile believers who responded to Paul’s urgings in First Corinthians 16.1-4 and Second Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, giving even when they were very poor themselves, realized that you couldn’t do enough for someone God used to be a blessing to you. We should be so grateful. That’s yet another reason we should shoulder our burden and help our missionaries with money and prayers. Keep praying about that, won’t you?

Fourth, the reassurance of his intentions, verses 28-29:

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Look at verse 28. “Fruit” in this context refers not to people he has introduced to Christ, but to money, the money that was collected and on its way to Judea. So he is saying, in essence, “Once I deliver the money I will come to Rome on my way to Spain.” This is the second of only two references to Spain in the entire New Testament. At this point, some of you who have read the book of Acts realize that Paul arrived in Rome years later than he had planned, and as a Roman prisoner on his way to be judged by Caesar. You might ask, “How could Paul have actually arrived in Rome in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ” when he was, in fact, a prisoner on his way to trial?” Though I am sure when Paul wrote these words arriving in Rome in shackles was the last thing he would have imagined, this prediction in verse 29 was born out. Turn to Acts 28.30-31 and read with me what happened after Paul arrived in Rome:

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Add on top of that the fact that while awaiting trial, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, First Timothy, and Titus, as well as winning many of Caesar’s soldiers and servants to Christ. That done, the spread of the Gospel could not possibly be squelched, and you can confidently conclude that, no matter what appearances might have first seemed to be true, Paul did arrive “in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.” Our missionaries don’t usually come to us in chains. And we would be suspicious if we found out they’ve been arrested. But we can insist that when they arrive, like Paul, they are ready to minister to us and those who hear them, no matter what the circumstances. Amen? Why? Because, first and foremost, missionaries are soldiers of the cross.

Finally, the requests of his heart, verses 30-32:

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.

Do you get the impression Paul thinks prayer is important? Is Paul such a fatalist that he doesn’t think prayers change things? He’s using everything he has to encourage his readers to pray for him, for Christ’s sake, and the love of the Spirit. Why did he want prayer? Because he needed it, that’s why. And if the great Apostle Paul needed prayers, our missionaries need prayers, and you and I need prayers. Notice the three things he wanted them to pray about: First, safety. Those lost people in Judea hated him. Later on in Luke's account in Acts, we read that they tried to kill him several times. Second, he wasn’t so sure his gifts would be received by the Jewish Christians. After all, the money came from Gentile believers. And Paul knew that Christians can get proud and that the receptivity of those in Judea was not guaranteed. Finally, he wanted prayers that God would get him to Rome and that the Romans would refresh him. He did get there and they did refresh him, but not as anyone would have expected. Missionaries want and need prayers because they learn very quickly in their ministries that nothing, no time, nowhere, ever turns out the way it is planned or the way it is expected. So a missionary who does not ask for and earnestly covet your prayers is an ever-loving fool.

Paul concludes this first half of his final remarks of the Roman letter by writing, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Not just a perfunctory salutation, but a real concern.

Paul was a real missionary. Real missionaries care. They care about Christians, but not nearly as much as they care about non-Christians. They care about the Churches they visit, but not nearly as much as they care about the Churches they have visions of planting for Jesus’ sake.

Most of all, missionaries care about Jesus Christ and the Father, the Lord they want to preach about, and the Father they want to please and honor in their lives. Like Paul, they write letters to Churches. Like Paul, they preach and then brag on God for blessing their preaching. And like Paul, they plan to do great things for God, knowing even as they implement their plans that things will never, ever, turn out the way they had planned.

But through it, all souls end up being saved. Through it, all Churches end up being planted. If, that is, the missionary really is a missionary ... and not a blanket man.

Would you be a missionary? Could you be a missionary? You must first know Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus Christ? And then you must serve Jesus Christ. It seems Jesus Christ calls those who are already serving Him most of the time. Would you serve Him? And if you aren’t called as a missionary, will you be a Roman? Will you end up supporting the missionary?

Paul likely made it to Spain. It was only later that he was arrested again and wrote Second Timothy before he was martyred. How do I know? An ancient writer in Rome says that Paul made it to Spain. But I know for another reason.

Missionaries usually get to where they are going. Never in quite the manner, they had imagined. There are unimaginable bumps in their road of life. But they almost always make it. For you see, missionaries depend upon our dependable God, and He always sees them through.

___________

[1] See John S. Waldrip, The Church of Jesus Christ: 28 Truths Every Christian Ought To Learn, (Monrovia, CA: Classical Baptist Press, 2019), chapters 5 and 22, available at www.ClassicalBaptist.Press

[2] 1 Corinthians 11.10; 14.34-35; 1 Timothy 2.9-11; 3.1-2; Titus 1.5-7

[3] See my book, Appendix A, “The Gift of Tongues.”

Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Please contact him by clicking on the link below. Please do not change the subject within your email message. Thank you.

Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church

Calvary Road Baptist Church