We should not ask, “What is wrong with the world?” for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?” (John R. W. Stott).
Paul asked that prayer for unity in Christ and hope in the Holy Spirit empowered the proclamation of the gospel so people were transformed in their character, knowledge and ministry. His plan considered spiritual, emotional and financial resources, ministry relationships and wise counsel required to disciple people so they believed and obeyed God’s word in the context of community. These are the ingredients for a powerful discipleship ministry through the local church.
Pray for Endurance and Unity in Christ
Please your neighbor for his good by building him up. The insults you face have fallen on Christ. The Scriptures teach and provide endurance and encouragement so we have hope. Let’s pray that God who provides endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity as you follow Christ for His glory (Rom. 15:1-6). Pray that God provides endurance, encouragement and unity in Christ as revealed in the Bible.
Pray for Joy, Peace and Hope in Holy Spirit
Accept one another as Christ has accepted you. Christ became a servant of the Jews to confirm the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so the Gentiles would glorify God like David and Moses. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would rule over the nations so the Gentiles would hope in Him. Let’s pray the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:7-13). Pray that God fills you with joy and peace as you trust in Him so you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proclaim Gospel to Develop People Completely
You are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Paul was a minister of Christ Jesus in proclaiming the gospel of God so Gentiles could be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. He spoke of nothing except what Christ accomplished through him in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what he said and did through the power of the Holy Spirit in miracles. From Jerusalem to Illyricum, Paul fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ where He was not known to not build upon someone else’s foundation (Rom. 15:14-21). Proclaim fully the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit so people are transformed in their character, knowledge and ministry.
Plan Every Aspect of Your Ministry
Paul planned to spend time and have the Romans assist him on his way to Spain. His short-term goal was to take a contribution from Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Jerusalem. He wanted the Gentiles to share materially with the Jews since they had shared in their spiritual blessings. Paul asked them to join in his struggle by praying that he be rescued from Judean unbelievers and the Jerusalem saints would find his service acceptable. He desired to come to Rome with joy and to be refreshed with them (Rom. 15:22-33). Plan for the spiritual, emotional and financial resources to carry out your ministry.
Develop Close Ministry Relationships
Paul commended Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, to receive help since she ministered to many people. He asked them to greet Priscilla and Aquila, Paul’s fellow workers in Christ, who risked their lives for him and the Gentile churches. Paul asked that they greet the church that met in their home, the first convert to Christ in Asia, relatives in prison with him who were outstanding among the apostles and others who worked hard in the Lord (Rom. 16:1-16). Develop close relationships with ministry team members.
Pursue Wisdom in Fulfilling Your Ministry
Watch and keep away from those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way contrary to the teaching you learned. They deceive the minds of naive people through smooth talk and flattery. Be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet since the grace of Jesus is with you (Rom. 16:17-20). Pursue wisdom, stay away from division and deception, and trust God to crush Satan under your feet.
Disciple People in God’s Word Through Community
Paul mentioned that Timothy and his relatives, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, sent their greetings. Tertius wrote the letter and greeted them in the Lord. Gaius and the whole church he enjoyed sent their greetings. Erasus, the city’s public works director, and Paul’s brother Quartus sent their greetings. He prayed that God would establish them in his proclamation of the gospel through the prophetic writings so all nations would believe and obey God to the glory of Christ (Rom. 16:21-27). Disciple people to believe and obey God’s word in the context of community.
Here are seven ingredients for a powerful discipleship ministry through the local church from Rom. 15-16:
1. Pray that God provides endurance, encouragement and unity in Christ as revealed in the Bible
2. Pray that God fills you with joy and peace as you trust in Him so you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
3. Proclaim fully the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit so people are transformed in their character, knowledge and ministry
4. Plan for the spiritual, emotional and financial resources to carry out your ministry
5. Develop close relationships with ministry team members
6. Pursue wisdom, stay away from division and deception, and trust God to crush Satan under your feet
7. Disciple people to believe and obey God’s word in the context of community
