Wrapping Up Romans

Wrapping Up Romans

10/04/2020 - Dave Riddle

Key Passage: Romans 16:25-27

Now to him... be the glory forever! Amen.

• Romans 16:25, 27

• Glory = doxa (δόξα)
  

 Him who is able to strengthen you...

• Romans 16:25

• dynamos (δύναμαι)= able. to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

• stērizō (στηρίζω) = strengthen. To set fast. To turn resolutely in a certain direction. 
  

Good News

• Romans 16:25

• euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) = a good message. Good news!
  

Divine Revelation 

• Romans 16:25-26

• A secret or mystery revealed. Something that had been kept hidden.

• Ours eyes have been opened to the truth of Jesus.
  

Divine Mandate

• Romans 16:26

• epitagē (ἐπιταγὴν) - an injunction , decree, command or mandate. By implication, authoritativeness.
  

...to the only wise God

• Romans 16:27

• We have no shortage of access to facts and opinions.

  • God is the only one who is wise.

• sophos (σοφῷ) - Wise. To have skill or expertise. To best form plans and use the best means for their actual execution. 
  

How do we walk more deeply in this truth?

• Understand his word better

• Live empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Walk together in community and unity. 

Just a Couple More Things...

Just a Couple More Things...

Dave Riddle - 3/08/20

Key Passage: Romans 16:17-23

Caution

• Romans 16:17 - “Now I urge you brothers and sisters to watch out...”

  • “Urge”: parakaleō (παρακαλέω) - to admonish, exhort, entreat, beseech, or beg.

  • “Watch out”: skopeō (σκοπέω) - to take aim at (spy), to consider, take heed, mark.

• Romans 16:17 - watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles...

  • Divisions, disunity...

  • Obstacles: skandalon (σκάνδαλον) - a trap, snare, any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall.

• Romans 16:18 - ...such people do not serve our Lord but their own appetites.

  • Serve: douleuō (δουλεύω) - to be a slave, serve, do service

    • Slaves to their own desires

• Romans 16:18 - ...they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

  • Avoid: ekklinō (ἐκκλίνω) - to deviate; to shun or turn away from, to go out of the way, avoid. 

    • Separate yourselves from such people. 

Encouragement

• Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan.

  • Not just caution, but encouragement!

    • Victory is on the way!

  • Psalm 8:16 - everything is beneath God’s feet.

• Romans 16:21-23 - greetings from Paul, and his entourage.

  • Timothy: Paul’s protege

  • Tertius: Paul’s administrative assistant.

  • Gaius: Paul’s host

  • A reminder that they are all in this together.

The Apostle's Loving Salute

The Apostle’s Loving Salute

Dave Riddle - 3/01/20

Key Passage: Romans 16:1-16

The Wonderful Messenger - Phoebe 

• Romans 16:1 - I commend to you our sister Phoebe...

• Romans 16:2 - welcome her and assist her as she did the same for me.

• “Servant”: diakonos (Greek: διάκονος) - servant, deacon, helper.

• An important partner in Paul’s ministry entrusted to deliver this important message.

The Gutsy Couple - Priscilla & Aquila 

• Romans 16:3-4a - my coworkers who risked their own lives for mine...

  • They discipled and invested in Paul early in his ministry 

  • Read more about them in Acts 18

• Romans 16:4b - not just significant to Paul, but to all the gentile churches.

The Dedicated Friends - Many people!

• Romans 16:5-15 - a long list of names.

A Few Takeaways from this list of people

• Diversity / Unity

  • Diverse: Both Jews and gentiles.

  • Diverse: Significant class diversity

    • This list includes names that were popularly used for slaves.

    • Also included are people of influence and power, including possibly people in Caesar’s own household.

  • Diverse: among the men there are also 9 women mentioned (4 women singled out for their hard work).

  • United: Brothers and sisters in Christ 

  • United: one church united despite their differences.

• Depth of Relationship

  • These are people who Paul has spent time and served with.

  • Not shallow acquaintances.

• Strength of Character 

  • Romans 16:7 - “noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles...”

    • Apostle: two ways to interpret this word:

      • Strict: the 12 core disciples of Jesus (minus Judas plus Matthias). Paul is often included in this group as well.

      • General: all those sent out by Jesus.

  • A better translation would probably be: “outstanding among the apostles”

    • Missionaries sent out by Jesus, included among the more general definition of the word “apostle”.

What do we take away from this list of names?

• An incredibly diverse list like this reminds us of how the gospel unites us despite our differences.

  • It cuts through our differences and brings us together.