Priest, Preacher, Pioneer
Introduction
- The Apostle Paul had a tremendous heart for others
- He had a great burden to preach to the Gentiles and beyond
- He went to Illyricum
- He wanted to go to Spain
- He did not want to build on another mans foundation
- In the New Testament we are encouraged to spread the word
- Parable of the Sower
- The Great Commission
- Parable of the mustard seed
- Acts 1:18 - the Holy Spirit would empower their preaching first to Jerusalem and then the ends of the world
- Ecc 11:1,6 - God has promised there will be a return
- Paul's desire to share the Gospel
- Particularly to those who have never heard - v20
- Paul walked 1400 miles
- Paul had a certainity in the blessing of God
- A challenge for us to preach the word of God
- Overview:
- Priest
- Preacher
- Pioneer
Priest (v16)
- Ministry - not just deaconoss but latagos
- In the sense that the people saved would be an offering to God
- A priest in this sense
- Sometimes churches today have a focus on numbers and conversions
- Paul's view was vertical
- Paul wanted to see people saved for the glory of God
- As believers, we are called priests
- A royal priesthood - Peter
- Kings and priests to God - Revelation
- We are to pray for others and seek to bear fruit in our lives
- Example of Pastor and his personal work
- We lack boldness
- God has chosen us to bear fruit - to be an instrument in the salvation of others (John 15:16)
Preacher (v20)
- Do you believe that by the foolishness of the message that people are saved?
- Do you believe that faith comes from the word of God?
- Personal preaching
- Public preaching
- The Holy Spirit takes this word and applies to the human heart
- Do you believe the gospel of God brings salvation to all who believe?
- He always gave the glory to God
- v17-18
- We should not take credit or boast in salvation
- Gal 6:14 - boast only in Jesus Christ
- Acts 21:19 - Paul gave the glory to God
- Example of John McArthur
- 2 Cor 10:13 - Paul will not boast beyond what God has done
- His message: (v18)
- Coming in word and deed ...
- ... to make the Gentiles obedient
- Of Faith, to the Gospel (Rom 1:5)
- What it the work of the Church and the message we are called to bring?
- God has called all men to repent
- An imperative
Pioneer (v20-21)
- He had a special calling
- It is not wrong to build on anothers' foundation (unless done in a carnal way)
- Paul's ministry was to only lay a foundation stone and move on
- He was a trailblazer and pioneer
- His was the missionary/evangelist role
- His focus and joy was to preach to others
- He never lost this vision
- We must not lose this vision
- He wanted to go to new territory
- Paul was hindered in coming to Rome (he was writing from Corinth)
- His desire was to go to Spain
- We must always be looking outwards
- v21 - God has purposes for the Gentiles
- Isa 52:15
- Isa 65:1
- Think of the nations that still need to hear the Gospel
- Examples
- Our call is to pray, give and witness where we are
- We should have a burden to mission
- Examples - inc Dr Livingstone
Closing Remarks