However, when we give into this temptation, we often miss some amazing truths about God that He has for us. And that is exactly the case when it comes to how Paul ends his letter to this first century church that was located in Rome. Because, in this final section of this letter, we see Paul reveal for us another timeless practice that is necessary to embrace if we are to practice a lifestyle that advances God’s kingdom mission and enhances His reputation. And that timeless practice is this: Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that is committed to community. In Romans 15:22-16:27, we will discover five different ways that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that demonstrates that they are committed to community. We see Paul reveal the first way that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that demonstrates that they are committed to community, beginning in Romans 15:22. Let’s look at it together:
For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you whenever I go to Spain-- for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while-- but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Paul begins this final section of his letter to the members of the church at Rome by explaining his future travel plans. As Paul looked at his itinerary, he saw an opportunity to fulfill the desire that he had to visit Rome. Long term, Paul recognized that Spain and Western Europe would be the next area that the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel would need to be proclaimed. In verse 25, however, Paul explains that he had a pressing short-term commitment to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Paul here is referring to a special offering that was being taken for the church at Jerusalem, whose members were suffering as a result of a famine in the region, by churches that were located in Macedonia. These were churches that Paul had previously planted in the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica, which were located in the northern region of Greece. In our Bibles today, the books of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and the book of Philippians are letters that were written to these churches. These churches had become involved in a famine relief fund to help their fellow followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. These non-Jewish churches in Greece recognized that they shared in the spiritual blessings that flowed to them from the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people through Jesus. And as a result of the spiritual blessings that these churches had received, they felt a moral and social obligation to meet the pressing and practical needs of the members of the church at Rome.
And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us the first way that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that demonstrates that they are committed to community. And that first way is this: Followers of Jesus are committed to community that is committed to serving one another. These followers of Jesus that lived in Greece were committed to serving one another, whether next door or around the world, in a way that met the physical, emotional, or spiritual needs of one another. And with the money for the famine relief fund now collected, that money needed to be delivered to Jerusalem. When Paul uses the phrase “put my seal on this fruit of theirs”, this phrase, in the language that this letter was originally written in, literally means “when I have placed the sum that was collected safely in their hands”.
Paul was to accompany a team that represented each of the churches that participated in the fund to Jerusalem in order to demonstrate their unity in this effort and to ensure that the accounting and delivery of the money was above reproach. After participating as part of this team, Paul knew that he could then begin his long term objective and goal to bring the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel to Spain and Western Europe. Now the road to Spain from Jerusalem would lead through Rome. And as part of his journey, Paul had plans to spend some time in Rome with the hope of receiving spiritual and financial support from the members of the church at Rome as he experienced the community and connection that the members of the church at Rome had for one another. Paul had heard of the commitment that the members of the church at Rome had for serving one another and he wanted to see that commitment first hand.
And in the same way today, followers of Jesus are committed to community that is committed to serving one another. That is why, at the church I serve, we are committed to the goal that every regular attender is investing their spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities serving God by serving one another in a ministry. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to be a part of a community of believers that is committed to serving God by serving one another.
So here is a question to consider: Are you committed to community here in a way that serves one another? Are you committed to community here in a way that invests your talents serving God by serving others?
Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal for us a second way that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that demonstrates that they are committed to community...
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