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Sunday, April 8, 2007 pm

WARNINGS, GREETINGS AND BLESSINGS

Romans 16:17-27

Tonight, we bring our study of the book of Romans to its conclusion.  We have been studying this book systematically now for about six years.  It is my hope that we have gained a better appreciation of many of the lessons Paul presented in this letter calling for brethren, both Jew and Gentile alike to overcome their differences and respect one another in them.  In our last lesson we noted a number of greetings that Paul was sending – I believe – to the brethren in the city of Rome to whom he is writing this letter.  Tonight we find a strong warning, greetings from his fellow travelers and a benediction.

I.                    The Warning

a.       A time to mark

                                                   i.      This is a passage that is a part of those dealing with church discipline.   Along with Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, etc. 
But even beyond that it deals maintaining her purity.
That is why we have to withdraw from some brethren.   But is also why we have to take the time to WARN brethren of the dangers they may face, especially from false teachers.   Just as Paul continually warned Timothy to not tolerate false teaching and teachers.  And Titus was to find elders who could silence them (1:9)

                                                  ii.      It points out that we need to mark them.  The word mark means, “to look at” or “behold”.  The idea is that we take notice of these individuals.  We distinguish them from others.  They are to be CLEARLY identified.
The word is interesting and worthy of note in other passages:
Luke 11:35 “Take heed therefore that the light which is in you is not darkness.”
Galatians 6:1, “Considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”  NOTE how we also to distinguish the good.  How often are we critical of the bad and the wrong, but neglect to notice the good and the right?

                                                iii.      Those who are marked are also to be avoided.  The word means shunned or to get out of their way.  Don’t give them the chance to influence you.
2 John 10-11.

b.       Who is to be marked?

                                                   i.      He causes divisions – the implication is that he is falsely dividing brethren.  Consider many of the things we have discussed in Romans.  Romans 14 is a prime example with disputes and binding one’s own opinions or Jews with haughty better than you attitudes.  Paul told Timothy to withdraw from such people.   1 Timothy 6:3-5
Is everyone who causes a division wrong?  NO!  Sometimes you HAVE TO stand up for the truth.  When there are those who don’t want the truth, they will leave or make you leave.
 But that also begs the question – who really caused the division.  For example, in the 50s & 60s when churches were dividing over the institutional issues, many times conservative brethren left.  But while they left that church, it was the church that left God.  Who was really wrong there? 

                                                  ii.      He offends (causes on to stumble) – this is not the simple hurting of feelings that we hear so much about today.  It is one who by his actions leads a brother (who is weaker) to sin.  Paul dealt with it earlier in this book – Romans 14:14-15.

                                                iii.      He teaches “contrary to the doctrine which you learned” which would be the doctrine of Christ – when one is a false teacher he IS going to divide the church sooner or later.

                                                iv.      Other reasons include 2 Thessalonians 3:11 which speaks of those who walk disorderly.

c.        Their motives – they are self-serving.  Seeking to satisfy their personal cravings.  They go after the gullible (simple). 2 Peter 2:3 identifies both of these motives together.

d.       Yet with this warning Paul displays confidence in them (vs. 20).  He believes they can and will do what is right and best.

e.        How do they overcome these teachers? Being wise in what is good and simple (the actual word is innocent) in what is evil.  The point is we are living and exposing ourselves to what is good and avoiding that which is evil.  NOTE: We don’t have to participate in evil to know that it is evil.

f.        God will crush Satan shortly.  A reminder of Who is in control.

g.        May His grace be with you.  A part of his concluding blessings.  More on that in a moment.

II.                  Greetings (21-24)

a.       There are several who are either with Paul or have been with him as he is writing this letter who want to send their greetings to the church at Rome.

                                                   i.      Timothy – we know much about Timothy.  He was a young “son in the faith” of Paul. 

                                                  ii.      Lucias – while we are not certain, it COULD be the Lucias mentioned in Acts 13:1 (Lucias of Cyrene)

                                                iii.      Jason – possibly the one mentioned in Acts 17:5,6 with whom Paul and others evidently stayed with  while in Thessalonica.  His house was assaulted by envious Jews.  This resulted in Paul leaving.

                                                iv.      Sosipater – identified with Sopater of Brea in Acts 20:4 who accompanied Paul to Asia.

                                                 v.      NOTE: Whether or not these men knew the brethren in Rome they were concerned about their spiritual welfare

b.       Tertius who wrote this letter.  Evidently Paul dictated and he wrote down Paul’s words.  HE too sends greetings.

c.        More brethren send greetings

                                                   i.      Gaius – he was one personally baptized by Paul at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14).  It seems the church in Corinth met in his house.  He sent greetings.

                                                  ii.      Erastus – treasurer of the city also sent greetings.  Note the power of influence the gospel CAN have

                                                iii.      Quartus – nothing else is known except that he was a brother in Christ.

d.       Paul concludes this also with a part of his closing blessings – may the grace of Jesus Christ be with you all

III.               Paul’s Benediction (25-27)

a.       The word benediction means a concluding blessing.  It is usually somewhat of a prayer in scripture as here Paul has a desire that God bless each of them.  Much of what is said in these verses can be referenced back to various points Paul has made throughout this epistle.

b.       This benediction is filled with wonderful blessings

                                                   i.      He who is able to establish you – Jude 24-25 speaks of Him being able to keep us from stumbling.  Hebrews 7:25 notes that He is able to save to the utmost those who come to God through Him.

                                                  ii.      According to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus – it is His word that is the power of God unto salvation.  Romans 1:16 – this is how he began this book.

                                                iii.      According to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began – this mystery is best described in Ephesians 3:3-6 – that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs.  What a better place to bring this up than at the conclusion of this book that brings Jews and Gentiles together in the gospel of Christ.

                                                iv.      Having been revealed to all nations – not JUST the Jews.

                                                 v.      According to the commandment of the everlasting God – this is not a personal commentary from Paul, but the inspired word of God.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

                                                vi.      For obedience to the faith - again revert back to Romans 1:16 which speaks of the power of the gospel and what it can produce.

                                              vii.      To God, alone wise, be glory though Jesus Christ.  Paul concludes by praising God. Ultimately, He is the one to be glorified in what we teach and do for one another.

Amen – and thus we bring this study to its conclusion.  May we accept that no matter who we are, if we are to be blessed by God – we must accept the gospel with obedient faith.  Are you ashamed of His gospel?