Paul did not glory in what he had done, but in what God had done through him. He was not proud, but he was enthusiastic. This caused him to glory in his service because of what Christ was accomplishing through him. We should reevaluate our attitudes in service and ministry. How often do we view our efforts as giving glory to God?
Being proud of God’s work is not a sin—it is worship. Paul knew that all the glory for his ministry went to Christ alone, for it was Christ who was accomplishing the work of bringing the Gentiles to God. But Paul well understood that he was the vessel through whom God was working because the mission to the Gentiles was being accomplished by what Paul had said and done. Paul had, by the power of God’s Spirit, done miracles and signs to verify the authority of his words. Because of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, Paul had taken the Good News from Jerusalem to Illyricum. Also known as Dalmatia.
The reason for the extent of Paul’s ministry was the driving ambition to share Christ in territories where the name of Christ has never been heard. Paul saw his mission as moving into the centers of population, starting a church, being sure it had a good foundation, then allowing it to continue the work of evangelization in its area while Paul moved on to areas uncharted by the gospel.
Other preachers would have brought the gospel to some areas that Paul had not gone to; they would be involved in the follow-up and spiritual growth of the believers there. Paul did not want to move into those areas when it was more important for him to preach where people had not yet heard the Good News.
Paul quoted from part of Isaiah 52:15 to show that those who had been ignorant of God’s word would respond positively to the Messiah. Isaiah predicted how surprised the Gentile nations would be when they saw the humiliation and exaltation of God’s Servant, the Messiah. Paul uses this prophetic word to affirm the need for his missionary efforts to the Gentiles.
Because of his driving force to bring the gospel to people who had not yet heard, Paul had been delayed from going to Rome. He had much territory to cover in Asia Minor and around Greece, so it seems likely that he postponed his trip to Rome because there was already a strong church
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
I read these verses today and I am humbled by Paul's drive and desire to share the Good News with those who had not heard it. I think to myself - do I treat the Good News as it shoul? Do I really see it as Good News? Or do I sometimes see it as bad news? Am I sometimes unwilling to share it?
Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Lord, give me, give our people an unabashed desire and hunger to share the Good News with others. Some ask -"Pastor - what exactly is the Good News?" Read below.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (NIV)
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
The Good News is that Jesus was born for us. He died for our sins. He was raised on the third day. I love you guys. Who do you need to share the Good News with today?
Stay faithful. Stay the course. ENDURE!
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