Sep. 17, 2023

“DOING THE RIGHT THING”

“AVOID TROUBLE MAKERS”

ROMANS 16:16-27

Acts 20:29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Galatians 2:4-5 “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

To prepare the Roman believers, Paul taught them how to detect the presence of trouble makers. Paul starts with a formal greeting:

Romans 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

This is all about connection.

1.   How To Detect Trouble Makers- Romans 16:17-18 

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

These people instead of preaching the truth, were spreading their own propaganda, using deceit and clever speeches. 

The term is “slopeo,” as in microscope, or telescope. One uses these instruments to observe details.

Romans 16:18 “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

*Characteristics of a Trouble Maker:

*They are slaves to their own appetites, “their own belly,” their teachings, along with every other activity, benefits them personally.

*They speak with smooth words, “…by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

We need to heed Paul’s warnings, watch out for these trouble makers.

2.   Paul’s Affirmation To The Strong- Romans 16:19-20

Romans 16:19 “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”

1 Timothy 1:20 “Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

1 Timothy 5:20 “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”

Titus 3:10-11 “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”

The primary responsibility of any congregation is obedience to the truths of Scripture. And in this regard, the Romans had earned an exemplary reputation among the other churches.

vs.19 “…but I want you to be wise in what is good…”- meaning that knowledge and behavior were to be identical in form.

vs.19 “…and simple concerning evil.”

Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

It is the “God of peace,” who will put down Satan shortly. In the meantime we are to resist the Devil, be sober, and vigilant.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Everything we hear should pass through filters:

*Does what I hearing agree with Scripture?

*Does what I am hearing honor the Lord Jesus Christ?

*Does what I am hearing help me be more godly?

*Does what I am hearing cause me to think more highly of my fellow believers?

3.   Lifting Up Friends- Romans 16:21-24

Paul now mentions some of his top aides and closest friends:

Romans 16:21 “Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.”

*Timothy- Paul first meet Timothy when visiting the towns of Lystra and Derby, about one hundred miles from his hometown of Tarsus:

Acts 16:1-2 “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.”

*Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater- Paul now names three other men who had joined the growing band of ministers.

Acts 13:1 “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”

Paul first meet Jason in Thessalonica, where he witnessed the man’s bravery first hand:

Acts 17:5-9

And Sosipater joined the group when Paul ministered in Berea:

Acts 20:4 “And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.”

He called them his “countrymen, meaning kinsmen a term he reserved for Jews.

Romans 16:22 “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.”

*Tertius

Romans 16:23 “Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.”

*Gaius

1 Corinthians 1:14 “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius.”

*Erastus- was “the treasurer of the city” most likely of Corinth.

*Quartus- means “fourth,” he was probably a slave.

Romans 16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Paul now extends grace from the Lord Jesus Christ to all his friends.

4.   Benediction- Praising The Majesty Of God- Romans 16:25-27

Romans 16:25 “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.”

“The mystery”

Romans 16:26 “But now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.”

“But now made manifest…”- Paul counted it his privilege to proclaim this mystery unveiled.

“…and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God…”- The gospel has always been a part of God’s plan and can be traced through the Scriptures all the way back to the writings of Moses.

“…for obedience to the faith.”

Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 16:27 “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

The Lord created the world, filled it, organized it, and gave everything purpose.

So here are some ways on how we can give “glory to God alone”

*Bring your best to each task, do everything with excellence.

*Seek to improve through constructive feedback and formal training.

*Acknowledge your dependence upon the Lord for success.

*Share credit with the people who have helped and supported you.

*Be honest about you abilities and limitations.

*Seek ways to benefit others through your activities and achievements.

*If you receive compensation, share generously with those who have less.

*Express gratitude to God often, both in prayer and in conversation with others.