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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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THE PRAYERFUL HEART OF PAUL (Rom 1:8-13) Pastor I.
PAUL’S PRAYERS FOR THE ROMANS A. Concerning Their Testimony (8) 1.
In Paul’s first order of
business, he writes that he gives thanks to God through (dia - agency) Christ. Even in Paul’s introductory remarks, he is
theologically in-depth and correct. Paul knows that man does not come to the
Father on his own basis, but on the merits of Christ’s death and resurrection
(Jn 14:6). 2.
The believers in 3.
The “whole world” (euphemism
for the Roman Empire) had heard of the witness of the Christians in B. Concerning His Unceasing Prayers (9) 1.
Paul wanted the believers in 2.
God did not just witness Paul
praying, but that Paul was praying unceasingly (adialeiptos - incessantly, without intermission) for the
believers in 3.
Another note of sincerity is
added as Paul assures these believers that he is not ritualistically serving
God, but that he serves (latreuo -
religious service) God from the heart (“in my spirit”). 4.
Paul’s particular calling and
service was “preaching the gospel of his Son,” affirming that the gospel
revolves around the person and work of Christ. C. Concerning The Will Of God (10) 1.
Paul’s prayer was that he would
be able to visit 2.
However, he realized that God
was sovereignly in control of everything going on around him, even his lack
of opportunity to visit the believers in 3.
Paul prayed something to the
effect, “if it goes well (euodothesomai
- lit. lead along a good path or success) and the opportunity is afforded by
God, he will visit.” II. PAUL’S INTENTIONS TO VISIT A. To Establish The Believers (11) 1.
Even though Paul had not been
to 2.
His longing was due in part to
his desire to “impart some spiritual gift” i.e. to have a ministry of
spiritual blessing among them (cp. 1Th 2:8). Here “gift” (charisma - singular) is probably not
the same as spiritual “gifts” (charismata
- plural) spoken of in Rom 12:6. Paul’s visit and ministry would produce
spiritual growth and thus impart a spiritual blessing to the believers in 3.
Clarifying the meaning of
“spiritual gift,” Paul states that his purpose was to “establish” (sterizo - to set up something so that
it remains immovable, stabilized) the believers in B. To Encourage Mutually (12) 1.
Even though Paul was an
apostle, his ministry was one of encouragement. There is little doubt that
Paul encouraged his churches through the ministry of the word (Tit 1:9). 2.
However, Paul himself was
mutually encouraged (sumparakaleo)
at the faith and growth of his listeners. 3.
Paul was not pompous or
audacious, but humble (cp. 1Pe 5:3). He was just as sincere in his own faith,
walk, and growth as he was in the faith, walk, and growth of those he
ministered. C. To Extract Fruit (13) 1.
It was important that the
believers in 2.
Paul’s desire to visit stems
from his great aspiration to see fruit in the lives of the believers in 3.
This is the same aspiration
that Paul has in his ministry among all the Gentiles. III. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS: INSTRUCTIONS ON PRAYER THROUGH THE LIFE
OF PAUL A. Pray obediently in response to God’s command to pray (1Th 5:17 -
imperative [command] mood). B. Pray unceasingly in a moment-by-moment mindset of prayer (1Th
5:17 - present tense [continually]). C. Pray remembering to give thanks for other believers. This is a
remedy for a bitter and complaining spirit (Eph 1:16; 1Th 1:2; 2Ti 1:3). D. Pray for a strong and godly testimony for yourself and others
(Tit 2:8). E. Pray for God’s will in opportunities to edify one another ( 1.
Established faith 2.
Mutual growth 3.
Production of fruit |
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