Lasting Greatness Series

Lasting Greatness

Romans 15:18-22

Intro: Have you ever been around someone who like to toot their own horn? All roads lead back to them and what they’ve done for the betterment of mankind. Most often, those who accomplish the greatest things in life don’t really need to toot their own horn. They do not need the accolades and recognition to feel secure in who they are. And yet we were created for greatness! Our Creator is known for His greatness, and He wants to do great things through us, the ones who have put our trust in Him.

-Let’s look at some great thoughts today from Rom. 15. The greatest thing we can do in life is to do life with God, letting Him do great things through us!

1. The Greatest Legacy

What Christ does through us (18)

Romans 15:18a I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…

-What do you want to be remembered for? I’ve been to a couple of funerals in the past few weeks and have found myself asking this question. What difference does my life really make? Could I be making a greater difference? It’s not my goal in life to get people to say nice things at my funeral. That may or may not really be my legacy. But I think most of us really do want to make a difference in this world.

-As we go through life, there are many different marks of success. When a young person graduates from high school, we cheer for them and hope they dream big dreams and follow those dreams. Finishing a college degree is another mark of success. Finding a good paying job is a mark of success. Getting married, having a baby, buying a house or car, getting elected to some level of leadership, earning a promotion, receiving various awards – these are all marks of success.

-You can read about Paul’s resume of accomplishments and successes in places like Philippians 3 and 2 Corinthians 11&12. But Paul isn’t taking credit for his successes. In Phil. 3, he says he considers all of his credentials and accomplishments as dung compared to knowing Jesus. And now in our text he says he only wants to talk about what Jesus has done through him.

-What has God accomplished through your life? Remember, God doesn’t always look at our ability, only our availability. He will equip us and help us accomplish what He calls us to do as we surrender to Him.

-Each one of us is unique with a particular set of gifts and abilities that God put in us for a reason. He wants us to give those gifts to Him and let Him use us to do what is in His heart to do. Some of you can speak, some can lead, some can work with their hands and build or restore or clean or be creative. Some can teach, others can earn money and give generously to those in need, and still others can encourage and motivate others to keep going. And some of you have been blessed with lots of mercy and compassion and are great listeners. You care deeply about people and you feel what they feel. God wants to accomplish great things in and through your life if you will let Him! When we invite God to work in us and through us, we will one day realize that we do have a lasting legacy that will outlive our time on this earth by far, because God sees us and knows us, and is using our lives to help others along the way. Philippians 2:13 it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

-The greatest legacy you can leave behind you is what Christ has accomplished in and through your life!

2. The Greatest Joy

Leading others into life with God (18)

Romans 15:18b … in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--

-Jesus gives 3 examples of lost things being found in Luke 15. The first was a lost sheep, the 2nd a lost coin, and the 3rd a lost son.

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

-So Jesus was giving us heaven’s perspective about the joy and celebration over one sinner coming to God through repentance. Being involved in helping someone turn the corner from not doing life with God to trusting Him and doing life with Him – we get a little taste of heaven’s joy when that happens! It’s not a pride thing or simply a “Yeah team” thing. It is genuine happiness and excitement because someone has just come alive in their spirit and are on their way to fulfilling their greatest purpose in life – which is to know God and enjoy Him forever!