Romans 16:21-27

                                                                             Romans 16:21-27

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.


As Paul closes this book, he brings final greetings to the church from his coworkers and a final blessing from God.  Paul did not do the ministry alone, he was accompanied by other ministers and he was hosted by the body of Christ wherever he went.  The church was not alone in the fight for the faith.  They were blessed and empowered by God to be able to stand firm for His glory.  None of us are ever alone.  We always have the body of Christ and the Spirit of God.

 

FINAL GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS: The work of the mission is advanced by “goers,” “senders” and “receivers.”  Paul, Timothy, and others are going from place to place advancing the Gospel.  This work is fundamental to the task.  It is important to note that Paul did not go alone, there were people around him all the time.  Paul was constantly training and reproducing other ministers who would carry on the task.  There were other believers who made all these travels possible by their financial contributions.  They sent Paul and his traveling companions on their way with food and finances to accomplish the task at hand.  Finally, there were people in the places where the missionaries served who hosted Paul and his group while they were in the area.  Hospitality is a fundamental ministry within the body of Christ.  It is important that we all be willing to play each of these roles whenever called upon.  We may play different roles at different stages of our lives.  Paul and Jesus recognize the importance of each and he want the church in Rome as well as the church today to be aware of these needs.

 

FINAL BLESSINGS FROM THE FATHER: This final blessing is all about two things: strength from God and glory for God.  The strength that we need is made available to us through the Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.  There is no strength that is greater than the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to transform through the Gospel and the power of the Spirit who dwells in us.  This glorious message has been progressively revealed to man throughout the history of the world and the revelation has been growing stronger and brighter throughout the history of the church.  The message of prophecy and the constant study of God’s Word has been shining a brighter and brighter light on the Gospel.  The objective of all this strength is that all the nations might know the Gospel and be brought to the place of obeying the Gospel by placing their faith in Christ.  God is strengthening believers from all over the globe so that the Gospel may be revealed and people might come to faith and obedience in every nation.  The ultimate purpose for all of this is God’s glory.  He is the source of wisdom and strength.


APPLICATION: Be faithful to fulfill the role God has provided for you in this moment of your life.  Be active in fulfilling the mission of God in the world.  Depend on His strength to accomplish the task.  Study the Scriptures and believe the Gospel of Jesus to tap into that strength.  Make Jesus known to others so that God might be glorified and worshiped in all nations.

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