The Goal of Our Ministry | Expository Sermon | Romans 12:9-21

Scripture

• Romans 12:9–21

About this sermon

Introduction: The last section of Romans 12 does not seem to tie DIRECTLY to the previous subject matter. Verses 9-21 are a collection of exhortations, given in a rapid-fire fashion, all having to do with how God’s people are to relate to other people. How to relate to the church and how to relate to the world. But though the subject matter does not seem to connect directly, there is a connection. Spiritual gifts operate in the realm of human relationships. Spiritual gifts require the Spirt of God of Himself for their empowerment and effectiveness. Spiritual gifts require the right disposition. Spiritual gifts manifest the Spirit of God’s work in God’s people. The fruit of the Spirit will be present where the gifts of the Spirit are in proper operation. It is not surprising then, that the apostle’s mind would now turn to the believer’s character, beliefs, mindset, and behavior in the realm of human relationships. That is what we have in verses 9-21. 1 Timothy 1:5 states the goal of Christian instruction. ESV 1 Timothy 1:5 The aim (telos) of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1Ti 1:5 ESV) The goal, the outcome, the end of all preaching is love, but not just any kind of love. It is a love that God produces and therefore it is a love with identifiable qualities. It is a love that men are not capable of apart from salvation. It is a love that issues from a pure heart, but men don’t have pure hearts, you see? Only God can purify a heart. It is a love that issues from a good conscience. Only God can give a good conscience. It is a love that issues from a sincere faith. Only God can grant that kind of faith. 2 When you come to Romans 12 you have finished 11 chapters of doctrine. That doctrine is the gospel. It is the gospel stated, it is the gospel explained, it is the gospel contrasted with what is not the gospel, it is the gospel defended against doubts leveled at the gospel, it is the gospel worked out in terms of its immediate implications and its eschatological implications. And after those 11 chapters there is then a call for wholehearted commitment, a wholehearted consecration (12:1-2). That consecration to God is then applied by an explanation of how His people are related to each other and how they are meant to function together. That consecration to God is lived out in ministry to each other (12:3-8). And that ministry is of a supernatural quality. It is the expression of a supernatural affection and a supernatural devotion. In a word, God’s people are called and equipped to live lives of LOVE. The goal of all our instruction is a life of love. We are called to live that out and we are gifted to live that out. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE GIFTS OPERATE IN THE REALM OF LOVE? ESV Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. So that, after a call to consecration, and an explanation of spiritual gifts, what follows is a series of rapid-fire responsibilities that have been given to the people of God. And those responsibilities add up to a life of love. We see a list of qualities and characteristics that will be present when a genuine Christian life is being lived. We are not just talking about real love we are at the same time talking about real Christianity. I have organized this into 14 statements of responsibility given to the people of God. We will simply walk through them one at a time until we finish them.

Topics

• Service & Ministry