The Heart Behind the Ministry, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:13-15

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

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The Heart Behind the Ministry, Part 2— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:13-15
Sermon Series: Romans (9th sermon)
May 10, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it mean to say that Paul situates his laser beam ministry within his larger ministry?
2.  Why is Paul so intent on reassuring his readers? What does this imply for us as we relate to one another?3.  What hindered Paul from going to Rome? How should we respond to good desires that go unmet over a long period of time?
4.  How would Paul’s delay have humbled the Roman Christians? How do we avoid becoming self-important or self-absorbed as a church?
5.  Why does Paul describe his ministry in agricultural terms? What does it look like for us to pursue fruit while leaving the results to God?
6.  Why does Paul describe himself as a debtor? How does this encourage us towards evangelism?
7.  To use John MacArthur’s language, how does this text show us that “the gospel is the great equalizer”?

References: Romans 15:19-24; 1 Corinthians 2:2; John 15:16; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17.

The Heart Behind the Ministry, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:8-12

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Click HERE for video of sermon

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Heart Behind the Ministry, Part 1— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:8-12
Sermon Series: Romans (8th sermon)
May 3, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Paul begin his letter by revealing his heart towards his readers? What does this tell us about the relationship between love and doctrine?
2.   How would Paul’s gratitude towards God have encouraged his readers? How does this apply to us as we minister to fellow Christians?
3.   How does gratitude protect against envy?
4.   Why does Paul bring God forward as a witness? What effect would this have had on the Roman Christians?
5.   How does Paul describe his prayers in this passage? What would this kind of praying look like in our lives?
6.   Discuss how Paul’s words encourage “longing with patience” as we work through this COVID-19 situation as a church.
7.   What does the clarification in v. 12 imply about all Christians?

References: Ephesians 4:12; 5:20; Colossians 3:17; Romans 11:33-36; Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 15:23; 2 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Peter 2:2.