Welcome back and Happy Resurrection Sunday.

We are going to continue our study of Romans in chapter one. I wanted to do a study that was relevant for this Easter, but I feel called to stay the course that has been set before me. It is only because of His death and Resurrection that I can share this word with you today. So as we go forward I pray that you and your family will be filled with the joy of knowing that He is risen! 

We pick up our study of Romans with verses, 

Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 

Paul was a gifted preacher; this was a spiritual gift bestowed upon him by the spirit of God.

Through this gift he was able to bestow spiritual light, knowledge, peace, and comfort to the Romans through the exercise of his ministerial gift. 

Every one of us has a spiritual gift that is to be used for the common good. They are not to be used for selfish gain. 

Not all of us are preachers like Paul. But we all have gifts whether it be teaching a Bible study, serving others, giving of your time and money, leading a ministry in your church, exhorting others to be all that God wants them to be, and a host of other gifts. 

1 Peter 4:10 says, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 

We are called to be good stewards or caretakers of the gifts that we have received through God’s unique Grace towards each of us.

Our spiritual gifts are not cookie cutter gifts. We are not clones, but we are uniquely different in our spiritual talents. Yet we are all made in the image of God. So with our spiritual gifts we are all working toward the will of the Father. In so doing we become a reflection of Christ in our lives. 

I’d like to encourage you if you don’t truly know what your spiritual gift is that you would take the time to reflect on it and bring it to the Lord in prayer. God has given you talents that you can use for His purpose and His glory. 

The next verse that we read is, 

Romans 1:12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 

Paul, the gifted preacher realized that he needed others to bolster his faith, and that they needed him as well.

As iron sharpens iron. This shows the humility of Paul. That the teacher was not above the pupil, but rather each was mutually encouraged in their faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

That is why we go to church, to be built up, encouraged, and edified.

We don’t go to church because we enjoy the praise team, or because we like a particular pastor. We go to church to hear the word of God and to be encouraged by fellow believers. We go to fill our spiritual gas tanks so that we can go out for the next 7 days and share those spiritual gifts. 

Let’s continue on with verse 13 

Romans 1:13 I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 

Paul’s inability to come to Rome at that time was all in God’s timing. Although Paul was eager to be with them, he would not step outside the will of God to accomplish his goals. 

Quite often Christians bring things to the Lord in prayer and wait for an answer. If that answer doesn’t come when they expect it to, they step out of the will of God and take matters into their own hands. As we all know, sometimes God says yes, sometimes He says no, and sometimes He says wait. When we run ahead of God our strength will fade if we try to do things under our own power. 

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Just remember God’s timing is perfect. 

Next we read in verse 13 

in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 

This is a metaphor that Paul is using to describe leading people to Christ.

Paul knew that seeds had already been planted in Rome, and he wanted to be there to reap the harvest. 

In John chapter 4 Jesus is talking to his disciples about this very subject. 

John 4:35 Do you not say, There are yet four months, then comes the harvest? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 

After Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman she brought back people from town to meet Jesus. I believe that these people heard the Samaritan woman’s account of what Jesus had told her and were eager to come to Christ.

How about you? When someone comes to you and is ready to hear about your faith, and what you believe, are you ready to reap the harvest?

Do you have the conviction of your faith to lead that person to Christ? If you’re not sure, then now is the time to fortify yourself with the word of God. Then when the opportunity presents itself the Holy Spirit will lead the conversation. Don’t ever waste an opportunity to bring in the harvest. 

The final verses in today’s lesson will be verses 14 and 15. 

Romans 1:14-15 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 

Paul was not only obligated to Jesus Christ he was obligated to bring the gospel to everyone without partiality. 

Paul didn’t distinguish between Greek and barbarian; in other words, those who were not Greek. He didn’t hesitate to share the word with anyone. Even those who were considered foolish. So, he was eager to bring that message to Rome as well. 

We have to ask ourselves do we feel obligated like Paul to bring the gospel to everyone without partiality, or do we cherry pick and share the word with the low hanging fruit.

In other words those that we feel might be receptive. Do we avoid those who appear to be confrontational or who are dressed poorly. Do we judge the book by the cover without even opening the first page? We need to get to know the barbarian and be eager to share the word, with the love of Christ. 

We’re going to stop for now. I wish you all a most blessed Easter and look forward to meeting with you again next week.