Romans 15.13-16.27: Gospel People

Let’s once more remind ourselves of the purpose and layout of Romans. Paul is writing the letter to

• Clarify the gospel,

• Prove God’s righteousness, and

• Unify the church.

  • To this end we’ve broken down his letter into four parts:

    • 1-4: Explaining the Gospel

      • 5-8: Exploring Salvation

      • 9-11: Engaging a Problem

      • 12-16: Encouraging the Church

Under this last heading we saw that Pau’s basic plan for transformation is pretty simple:

• Basis: mercies

• Goal: wisdom / love

• Process: Body. Mind. Church.

And under “church” we’ve examined some “church killers” that Paul urges us to avoid:

• We compare and compete (12-3-8)

• We only love some people (12-13)

• We let opinions and preferences drive us (14.1-15.13)

• We try to go it alone (15.14-33)

And to this list I want to add a fifth and final, easily forgettable, danger: We de-value the actual people (16.1-27)

We live in a time when people are simultaneously idolized and de-valued. Now I don’t have time to unpack that statement, so let me just get to my point. Romans, like the rest of Scripture, knows what matters.

• God matters most.

• People matter to God.

We’ve studied Romans. Some of it anyway. Where do we go from here? In short, start or continue being gospel people.

• Understand the gospel.

• Live out the gospel.

• Fight for the gospel.

• Share the gospel.