Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Vital Signs of a Healthy Ministry”
Romans 15:13-33
We can approach this passage in any number of ways. A straight logical outline of the passage may reveal its flow.
This morning however I would like to glean some insight from the passage related to some clear vital signs of a healthy ministry. Paul was the “master builder” as far as ministry is concerned and so it would benefit us to take some time to observe some characteristics of how he “did” ministry. What things did Paul focus on or observe or practice? What was import for him to do or caused him to comment on? I found at least six signs of a healthy ministry mentioned here in this passage which I want to focus on in our time together today.
? Convincing evidence of spiritual maturity
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also have been convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14
“Convinced” (perfect passive) be convinced by someone to believe and to act on that belief, to be persuaded. Paul had become convinced and was still persuaded by testimony of what God was doing through the Roman believers in regard to goodness. In 1:8 Paul drew attention to the fact that evidence of their faith had been proclaimed throughout the whole world. Later in 16:19 he recalls how the report of their obedience had reached to all. The believers in Rome had acquired quite a reputation. So much so, that it convinced Paul of the genuineness of their faith and the level of their spiritual maturity. Just what was the tell tale evidence of their maturity in Christ?
“full”= presently stuffed, filled beyond expectations, completely or very full.
Full of what? “goodness” = generosity, the act of generous giving with the implication of relational goodness, kindness, benefit, uprightness of heart and life
Goodness is an essential aspect of God’s character -- God is good! Goodness is one of the seven essential manifestations of a Spirit led walk. (The fruit of the Spirit)
…Goodness in the Bible is God himself. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are good, do good and create good. God’s people are not good in themselves but become capable of doing good through the empowerment of God’s Spirit and the presence of God in their lives through Jesus Christ.
The Psalmist said…
1I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the agoodness of the LORD in the bland of the living. Psa 27:13
Webster = “the quality or state of being morally excellent, that eternal goodness that burns away evil.” We witnessed extraordinary “goodness” in the wake of the evil of 9/11. Stories of goodness and kindness and widespread generosity flooded the airwaves and we were deeply touched. Even though not all people exhibit such goodness nearly everyone recognizes it as a thing to be honored and appreciated. What does it mean to be full of goodness? What does such a life look like? It is a life that responds to need with action.
It is a life that makes room for others. It is a life that gives generously. A while back we studied the example of the “good” Samaritan. (Romans Series #42)
A person filled with goodness A.C.T.S.
? Awareness of the needs of others.
? Compassion for others.
? Willingness to extend a healing Touch
? Personal Sacrifice
Goodness seeks ways to touch people and pursue meaningful community and connection. It is a strong sign of spiritual maturity. Jesus said they will know you are my followers by your love for one another. Such kindness and generosity demonstrates us to be children of a heavenly father who is kind even to ungrateful evil men. Luke 6:35 How do we develop such maturity that results in such a life of demonstrated goodness? By carefully observing the particular verb tense Paul employed here, a grand clue as to the source and foundation of the Roman believer’s spiritual maturity or goodness-filled lives emerges. Paul acknowledged that the Roman believer’s lives were filled with goodness having been first filled with a thorough knowledge of the truth and then by their continual mutual encouragement. Two dynamics resulted in those whose lives were “filled with goodness.”
First!
They were well taught “Having been filled with all knowledge”
The verb action is perfect passive. The Perfect tense indicates an action at a point in time that has continuing results. Footprints in the sand action.
The Passive voice indicates it is an action done to them. They had been filled at some point along the way and they were still filled.
“filled” = to be filled, satiated, filled full of, to be completed, filled to the brim. What were they filled with?
“knowledge” = understanding, wisdom, information, realization, insight, knowledge
These believers had been well taught. Someone filled them with truth. Their minds had been renewed resulting in transformation of the life.
Remember, renewed thinking leads to transformed living.
(Rom 12:1-2)
Not only had they been filled with the knowledge of the truth, a divine perspective an eternal outlook; but they were continually enabled to encourage one another.
Second!
“…being able also to admonish one another.”
“admonish” = Literally to put in the mind, warn, advise, instruct, rebuke for wrong doing, exhort. Paul used a present tense verb to indicate an on-going action. He used the passive voice indicating that someone enabled them to do so. The first key sign of an effective ministry is convincing evidence of spiritual maturity manifested by how we respond to people. Such maturity of living comes about by good teaching and continual application of the truth to life through admonition among believers. Hebrews is clear about the need for such regular admonishment.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
How are we doing in this regard?
Characterized by goodness toward one another?
Well taught?
Enabled to continually admonish one another?
A related element of a healthy ministry then is continual courageous reminders of essential truths.
? Courageous reminders of essential truths
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again…Romans 15:15
Paul contributed to the continual spiritual growth and development of the Romans by reinforcing Biblical truths in his letter and boldly addressing some important issues head on. “Bold” = bold, daring, audacious, very boldly.
Even though they were well taught, Paul saw fit to offer continual reminder of essential truth with conviction and courage. Paul reminded the Ephesians that growth comes about by a balance between boldly speaking the truth and fervently loving from the heart. “reminding again” = cause to recall or think about again, cause to remember. This is not just to remind but remind again.
We are such forgetful people that we need continual reminders of God’s ways of doing things. Are we continually reminding one another of essential truth?
Such compulsion to remind them of essential truth flowed from an even deeper sense of ministry and obligation.
? Compelling sense of God’s calling and anointing
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:15-16
Paul took his ministry to the Gentiles seriously. It was a compelling call. He considered himself a priest, the Gentiles representative to God. Every ministry, in order to continue, must flow from a compelling sense of God’s calling. Paul loved the Jews but ministry to Gentiles was his very life calling.
I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:14-15
As individuals and as a church we must become aware of God’s call. Who has God called us to minister to? You can’t have a ministry without a people or a group to minister to. Who would you say God has called this body to minister to? It is time we got clear on our mission. It is time this mission becomes a driving, compelling call and a sense of anointing to become priests and representatives before God. It is time we realized that we are in this part of the county for a reason. There is a group of people God has called us to reach and teach. There are people God has called us to present before Him as and offering acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit!
? Clear life purpose
A healthy ministry has a clear life focus. Paul was clear about the central purpose of his ministry and who was the driving force behind it.
1. Sharing the works of God operating through us
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Paul had many things to boast about but chose to focus on the things that God was doing through him. The word used here conveys the idea of a successful operation, an accomplishment, or achievement, something brought about to completion, something done thoroughly. Paul made it clear that the only important things in his ministry had to do with what God was doing through him. It wasn’t Paul’s ministry. It was God working through him and that was the only thing he determined to talk about. God was the driving force.
What was God doing thought Him? Paul identifies the core of what God was accomplishing through him that he wanted to talk about; mainly the obedience of the Gentiles. Ultimately Paul’s objective was not greater knowledge or insight or ability to recite Bible verses or great music and worship or programs although each of these plays a part. The ultimate purpose was obedience. This has been true from the beginning.
A passage n Amos expressed God true desire.
For I delight in loyalty (goodness, kindness) rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6
Obedience applies to many different areas of life. Paul clarifies some specific areas where God had brought about responsiveness to Him.
In words In works In power of signs and wonders In the power of the Spirit
Perhaps this is a more detailed picture of the spiritual maturity mentioned earlier. Perhaps this list further defines the “full of goodness” brought about renewed thinking. Paul got excited when he witnessed God working through him. That became the subject of his conversations and focus of his excitement. Paul took pleasure whenever God used him to encourage others to obey God…
Whenever he saw people speak the words of Christ and truth.
Whenever he saw people work the works of Christ.
Whenever he observed miraculous signs of God’s presence among them.
Whenever he observed the fruit of the Spirit’s power working to change lives.
How discouraging when the only thing we see are people talking about useless things, doing fruitless activity, holding only to a form of godliness but denying the real supernatural power of God.
I long to see God speak through us to one another. I long to see God work through us. I long to shout to others examples of greater and greater obedience among us. I yearn to see the power of God manifested among us mightily in changed lives. This is our purpose for being here. This is our life purpose. How are we doing in this obedience in word, works, wonders, power?
But Paul also had another passion and purpose that drove his ministry besides obedience.
2. Reaching the unreached is the heart of our passion.
And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation; but as it is written,
"They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand." Romans 15:17-21
Paul wanted to take the gospel to those who had not yet heard. Paul didn’t want to swap fish between fishbowls. Paul wanted to see new believers. A vital sign of a healthy ministry is the continual reaching out to those who have not heard the good news of salvation in Christ. How are we doing? This is not that difficult to measure. How many people are coming to Christ through us?
? Caring personal involvement
Paul demonstrated a deep love and willingness to become personally involved in the lives of others. There are some ministries today that seek to minister without becoming personally involved on a daily basis. We can observe at least three ways where Paul demonstrated his heart.
1. Expressed his long standing desire to meaningfully connect with them
Paul began his letter by expressing his longing to visit them in Rome and also finished his letter by reminding them of this earnest desire.
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. Romans 1:11-13
Paul felt like he first needed to share with them just why he had not yet personally visited them. Due to his passion to reach the lost he had been prevented from visiting them.
For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 15:22-23
“longing” = long for, deeply desire, to long for something with the sense of a great need for it, a craving, often translated “lust”. Why did Paul have such a strong desire to visit the Roman believers? As we saw earlier he had a desire to “impart some spiritual gift” that they “might be established” and share mutual encouragement in the faith. He also wanted to see further fruit in his ministry to the Gentiles. Here Paul adds two other reasons for his deep desire to visit them.
? Desire for their assistance
for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you 15:24a
? Desire to enjoy their company and find refreshing rest
when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— Romans 15:24b
and find refreshing rest in your company 32
Sometimes there is no great agenda when getting together. There is no monumental accomplishment we are trying to bring about. Sometimes we need to come together simply to enjoy one another’s company and rest. The word translated “enjoyed your company” is a word actually meaning “to be filled or satisfied” It had to do with plenty to eat and drink, filled with good things, filled with courage, enjoyment. Paul looked forward to being filled by his time with them before moving on to Spain. Even though God fill us with His Holy Spirit, there is a place where we become God’s ambassadors of good will and fill up each other.
Later in verse 32 Paul not only anticipates being filled up while among them but hoped to find some rest as well. “rest together” = “To rest together with someone, experience restorative rest with someone, find rest in someone’s company, to give and get refreshment by mutual connection. The emphasis here is on the restorative nature of rest.
This is body life in action. Each part of the body restores and fills the other parts of the body. Each part of the body plays a vital role in the functioning of the whole. This takes personal investment of each part.
There is refreshment in Christ as the ultimate rest.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19
Jesus encouraged the disciples to come apart and rest.
And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) Mark 6:31
The famous Psalm that most people quote as “Be still and know that I am God” actually should be translated “cease striving and know that I am God.” Quit trying to do work for God and learn to rest in Him so that you can watch Him do work for you.”
You might say that you have never found such refreshment in God. Well, you just may have never recognized it because God often uses people to refresh us. I was fascinated by the number of times Paul talks about such refreshment by others.
I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Cor. 16:17-18
… we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 2 Cor. 7:13
For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Phile 1:7, 20
The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 2 Tim. 1:16
Paul also talked about time in ministry where he found no rest.
Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia. 2 Cor. 2:12-13
For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 2 Cor. 7:5-7
Notice the mutual refreshment shared among the body passed on through sharing. We find rest in this life but most of all we find rest at our death.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." Rev. 14:13
Rest in the Lord. Rest with each other. Refresh each other. How are we doing?
2. Contributed to the physical needs of the saints
Paul took personal initiative to put people together and provide opportunities to serve each other.
but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. Romans 15:25-27
3. Conferred the blessings of Christ
Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 15:28-29
We allow Satan to convince us we are worthless so often and have nothing to contribute to the lives of others. In reality we are guardians of a great storehouse of blessings. In God’s economy we can’t take blessing for ourselves but we can enter the storehouse to grab blessings to confer on each other. So much of the time we are so busing seeking blessing for ourselves that we fail to pass on the blessing to others. Blessings come both in words and works. We are called to inherit a blessing and BE a blessing. God blesses us so that we might bless others. Pass on the blessing. Paul had a sense of the supernatural work of Christ through him and anticipated coming in that blessing in order to be a blessing. You have been abundantly blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph 1) Bring it along when you meet with others. You do have something to offer. How are we doing with the personal touch among each other and among those God brings our way? Are we reluctant to get personally involved? Have we become too self-focused to see the needs of others? Are we organized to meet the needs of those in other parts of the world? A healthy ministry includes personal interaction and connection.
Finally, Paul’s ministry relied heavily on intercessory prayer. He both prayed asked for specific prayer in much of his correspondence.
? Continual reliance on intercessory prayer
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me
Here Paul asked for two specific things.
1. Prayer for protection
that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea
2. Prayer for acceptance
that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;
so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God
and find refreshing rest in your company. Romans 15:30-32
How are we doing in the prayer department? There is no healthy in ministry without continual prayer and intercession. By observing God’s work through Paul we discover some vital signs of a healthy ministry.
? Convincing evidence of spiritual maturity
A group of believers obedient and full of goodness having been well taught and continually enabled to admonish one another
? Courageous reminders of essential truths
? Compelling sense of God’s calling and anointing
? Clear life purpose
Thrilling examples of what God is accomplishing in regard to encouraging obedience
A passion to reach the unreached with the good news of the Gospel
? Caring personal involvement
A group of people not afraid to be personally involved in one another’s lives.
Verbal expression of a desire to visit and be around each other.
Not afraid to admit need.
Efforts to meet needs in the body of Christ both near and far
Able and desirous to find filling and refreshment in one another’s company.
A desire to share the blessing of Christ.
? Continual reliance on intercessory prayer
