July 23, 2023

Reaching the unreached – what part should I play?

Preacher:
Passage: Romans 15:14-33
Service Type:

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?

What is the priority in your ministry? (v15-20)

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

What are your plans? (v23-29)

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

How can we pray for you? (v30-33)

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

Closing Remarks

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