Reaching the unreached – what part should I play?

July 23, 2023

Preacher: William Brown

Series: Visiting Preachers

Passage: Romans 15:14-33

Service Type: Sunday Morning

Introduction

Example of William Carey - is the command to the apostles to teach all nations an obligation on all succeeding ministers to the ends of the world?
- Who became the father of modern missions
To go back in the history of missions
- To focus on the Apostle Paul
Title: Reaching the Unreached - what part should I play?
- Not everyone is engaged in reaching the unreached
  - My mission field is my neighbours
There is a marked change in Paul's writing
Previously having tackled great doctrinal matters
This is a personal letter written to the Church in Rome
- He writes in this chapter about his personal work and his plans
- To see his heart and his passion
- To see what we can learn from his example
We do not know much about the Church in Rome
- One thing was sure - there had been a real change in these people (v14)
We have an opportunity to interview Paul and ask three questions
- What is the priority in your ministry?
- What are your plans?
- How can we pray for you?

The short answer (in v20) - to preach the gospel where Jesus is not named/known
The scope of his work (v15-16)
- The passion / his ministry - is to the Gentiles
  - Example - Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts
- A minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (v16)
  - Using the analogy of a priest - making an offering to God
  - That the Gentiles would become an acceptable offering to God - sanctified by the Holy Spirit
The geography of his mission (v17)
- From Jerusalem to Illyricum
  - Jerusalem - the mother church
  - Illyricum - an ancient province on the Balkan peninsula
- His journey's cost him dearly
  - 2 Corinthians
The results of his mission
- The Gentiles were given grace (v15)
- The Gentiles were made obedient (v18)
- He gives glory to Jesus Christ (v17)
  - It was all of God's grace - done through Paul
  - It is good to remind ourselves it is not about self-promotion
    - Quote from song (In Christ Alone)
    - Quote - "We are God's ink"
His priority is to take the gospel (v20)
- We see his heart for unreached people
When we think of unreached people - what do we think about?
- There is huge gospel need all around us
- Is there a difference between the lost and the unreached?
  - Many have access to the Gospel
    - Example of M4 corridor
    - There are 7,385 unreached people groups
- It is not either/or but both
- Quote

There was no longer a place for Paul where he was (v23)
- Many people had been converted and churches had been established
He needed to go to unreached people
- In Spain (v24)
- Even though he wanted to go to Rome (v24)
- Though he is now going to Jerusalem (v25)
He wanted to keep on serving
- It is thought he wrote Romans before he completed his third missionary journey
- He was likely aware of the dangers
- Some might have thought he would hand over to the younger people
  - But there was still work to be done
  - In each chapter of our lives - God has work for us to do
    - Examples
Remember the Macedonian call (v26)
- They in turn want to help the poor in Jerusalem
- Mission has come full circle - from Jerusalem to Macedonia and back again
  - Personal example
- The Gentile believers wanted to help the fellow brothers and sisters
  - They could not preach like Paul - but they could give financially
- The majority world are now sending out many missionaries
  - God is calling out those from different tribes and nations

Three prayer requests:
- Safety ("to be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe")
  - Some might argue this was not answered
  - However, he was not killed as the Jews wanted
- Service ("that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints")
  - Perhaps he was afraid his motives might be misunderstood
  - Would the Jews accept a gift from the Gentiles
- For his visit to the church in Rome
He recognises his need for pray (v30)
- Example of William Carey
  - Example of Polly Carey - who prayed faithfully for 52 years for William Carey
- You may not be able to go - but you can pray

What part should I play? - the are three parts here - you can do one of them
- Pray that God will raise up people to take the gospel out
- A ministry to send help/support
- Prayer for ministry
There is a ministry for each of us
Quote
Closing Prayer