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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

 

 

 

PAUL’S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

(Romans 15:14-15)    4/5/09

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.        APOSTOLIC COMMENDATION BY PAUL (14-15)

II.      PAUL DESCRIBES THE MATURITY OF BELIEVERS IN ROME (14-15)

 

A.      Maturity is Full of Good (14a)

 

1.       Immediately after Paul’s benediction in Ro 15:13, he becomes more personal. In fact, in vss. 14-15, He begins to commend the believers that are in Rome on a personal basis. He calls them “brethren” (adelphoí) which is an indication that they were believers. Furthermore, he was “convinced” (peíthō – lit. persuaded, or to have confidence) that not only were they believers, but they had certain marks of maturity.

2.       The first mark of maturity in the believers at Rome was that they were “full of goodness.” Goodness (agathōsúnê) means a quality of moral excellence, or someone who is good or upright as in the opposite of being morally bad. It is the characteristic of the children of light who exhibit “fruit of the light in all goodness” (Ro 13:12-14; Ep 5:9). It is also the fruit of the Spirit (Ga 5:22). So the believers at Rome had this mark of maturity where they walked in the light of God’s truth, which is found in His Word. In addition, their lives were yielded to the Holy Spirit’s enablement to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

 

B.      Maturity is Full of the Knowledge of Christ (14b)

 

1.       The next mark of maturity that the believers in Rome exhibited was that they were “full of knowledge.” This was not some esoteric knowledge but knowledge of the Scriptures.

2.       These believers were being taught the Word and they were sound in doctrine. Literally, they have been complete in sound doctrine and continue to be complete (perfect passive participle - plróêêróō). They had learned sound doctrine as young Christians and they became grounded in it.

3.       The believer is to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18). It is this knowledge that is predominantly spoken of in the New Testament (Ep 4:13; Co 1:10; 2:2-3; 2Pe 1:2-3).It is through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus that a believer becomes mature. In order to have this knowledge, it is an absolute necessity that a believer have a knowledge of the Word, because that is where we get a knowledge of Christ (Jn 5:39; Lu 24:27, 44).

 

C.      Maturity is Full of Admonishment (14c)

 

1.       Another mark of maturity exhibited was that the believers at Rome were “able to admonish one another.” What does it mean to admonish? Admonish is the Greek word nouthetéō and means giving instruction, teaching, or warning in regard to belief or behavior. It is the idea of encouragement from the Scriptures (1Co 4:14; Co  1:28; 3:16) but is often times given in the form of a gentle reproof or a strong warning (1Th 5:12, 14; 2Th 3:15). There are proponents today of strong Biblically Counseling known as Nouthetic Counselors.

2.       The believers at Rome where “able” (dúnamai – Eng. “dynamite” - capable) to of giving such instruction to one another. They had knowledge of Christ and the Scriptures and therefore were capable of giving biblical instruction. However, they were also mature in that they were able to give such counseling in a loving and mature attitude (Ga 6:1b).

 

D.      Maturity is Full of Humility (15a)

 

1.       A prime example of admonishment is right here in Paul’s letter to the Romans. He states that he has written to them “very boldly” on some points. As apostle, Paul was not apologizing but carrying out his apostolic authority (Ro 15:15b-19). With the idea that they needed admonishment in some areas, Paul may have spoken to them very boldly on the areas of:

a)       Dedication (Ro 12:1-2)

b)       Love & Hospitality (Ro 12:9-16; Ro 13:8-10)

c)       Not Overcome by Evil (Ro 12:17-21)

d)       Subjection to Authorities (Ro 13:1-7)

e)       Christian Liberty

2.       However, the point could be made that the believers at Rome where mature because they were able to receive admonishment with humility. Therefore, humility in this sense becomes another mark of maturity. The Bible often makes a parallel with the ability to take correction from the Scripture of the Bible and being wise (Pr 1:7; 5:12-13; 6:23; 9:8; 12:1; 13:18; 15:33; Ec 12:13).

 

III.   OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

A.      Are we morally good?

 

1.       Most Christians would acknowledge that there has been a dramatic change in their lives after coming to Christ. They have become morally good and have a disdain for what is morally bad.

2.       However, most Christians would also admit that it is easy at times for things that are morally bad to creep subtly into their thoughts and actions. For instance, this is tax time; and I wonder how many Christians are one hundred percent morally good and honest. Being morally good is a mark of maturity.

 

B.      Are we interested in the knowledge of Christ?

 

1.       A real mark of maturity is having not just the knowledge of Christ and the Scriptures, but having the interest in those things.

2.       A believer who has no or little interest in the teaching of the Scriptures or hearing the Word has a real dilemma. Either they are immature and carnal or worse. It could be the speaker. But even if the speaker is monotone, but is till giving the Word, the mature believer will come away fed and satisfied.

 

 

C.      Are we able to receive admonishment?

 

1.       Are we able to take admonishment from the Scriptures? Do we say that a particular passage is surely directed at us? Or better yet, are we able to take admonishment from other believers in spiritual matters.

2.       Not only is a believer mature when he is able to receive admonishment, but he is promised the filling of the Spirit and understanding of the Word (Pr 1:23).