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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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PAUL’S
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (Romans
15:14-15) 4/5/09 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor 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 - plêróō).
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). |
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