Romans

The Theology of Doxology

Everyone has a theology or an understanding of God, but a Biblical one is the only one that is trustworthy and true. The goal of good theology is doxology. Doxology means "praise saying." Paul uses a praise saying or a doxology to bring his great epistle to a conclusion. The goal of sound doctrine is a heart that overflows with praise to God because that is the reality of things. Paul reminds us that the goal of the gospel is not only our happiness. Certainly, we should be forever happy that God has rescued us from judgment and showered on us every blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Yet, the ultimate goal of the gospel is God's eternal glory. The goal of the gospel is that we would glorify God through Jesus Christ as we live in obedient faith and proclaim Him to everyone we can. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." To glorify God is to make God look as good as He truly is to the extent we are able. This is profoundly different thinking from the commonly held notion that the gospel is all about us. It even affects our view of suffering. If the gospel is all about us and our happiness, then how do you deal with suffering and death? But if the gospel is not ultimately about our happiness, but rather about God's glory, then you can even face martyrdom as Paul did, with the goal that "Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." As John Piper observes, our happiness and God's glory are not at odds, because "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Watch Out

Ever since the church of Jesus Christ was first established, she has been plagued by troublemakers. These are people who have desired to either see the church destroyed, or to see it shaped to their own will. This should come as no shock. After all, Jesus Himself predicted the rise of troublemakers in the church, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." After 2,000 years the troublemakers are still inside the church! That's right, there are still those within and without the church who work against the mission of God and seek to mold the church to their liking! Now, lest you become concerned, this message is designed as preventative maintenance. As far as I know, there are no troublemakers here. However, the best offense is a good defense! Therefore, it will be good to hear what the Bible says about how to handle troublemakers in the church. So that when trouble arises, we will be able to identify it and deal it a death blow before serious damage is done to the church of God! J. C. Ryle was a champion for the truth in the Church of England during the 19th century. In Warnings to the Churches, he wrote about how difficult yet necessary controversy in the church is. He explains, "But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine tolerated, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation." He wisely points out, "Three things there are which men never ought to trifle with—a little poison, a little false doctrine, and a little sin."

Paul's Missionary Heart, Pt 2

The apostle Paul was a caring man who loved people. He was not a mere academic nor a male chauvinist. His heart was on fire for the gospel, and he treasured his relationships. Relationships are a gift from God which should be treasured and nurtured. Paul's heart overflowed. If the long list of names and greetings in these verses teaches us anything, it is that Paul had a great love for people. The passage features 33 people, 24 of which were in Rome. What makes this list of those he knew in the church of Rome so amazing is the fact that he had never been there! Think of the energy and effort "keeping in touch" involved in such an ancient culture with no modern technology! There was no postal service for civilians, no cell phones, emails, texts or social media. Names were very important to Paul. Our own names are music to our ears. Certainly, Paul knew this. But it is also true that you learn the names of those for whom you really care. Some suggest that the reason Paul could so readily recite all these names in dictation was because of their frequent mention in his personal prayer list. Love people by learning their names and their stories. Put their names on your prayer list. Love your church. Be people persons. What a difference authentic Christian affection can make in a cold, indifferent world! "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." The church of Jesus Christ is meant to be one large and very caring family to help you onto heaven! And if you hurt your church, you hurt yourself.

Paul's Missionary Heart

The apostle Paul. His life is cause for amazement and reflection. On one side was Rome, the superpower of the world. On the other side was this little Jew, scarred and feeble and armed only with the "good news." Yet he changed the history of Rome, Western civilization, and indeed our own lives. Paul had a missionary's heart. You may think this message doesn't apply to you because you are not in ministry. But as a Christian, God has given you spiritual gifts that you are to use in ministering for Him. There are no useless or inactive parts in the body of Christ. Every believer is a priest with a ministry to fulfill. You may think that you're not "in the ministry" because you're not financially supported. You work in a secular job. But so did Paul—he made tents to support his ministry. The only way you can rightly say that this message doesn't apply to you is if you are not saved. Since all of us who have trusted in Christ will give an account to God for how well we served Him with the gifts that He gave us, we need to know some biblical principles for how to conduct our ministries. We are all in full-time ministry. It is common knowledge today that how we perceive ourselves greatly determines how we live our lives. Everything Paul did was to please God. All of his life was a liturgy. If only we could see our service as such, our lives would be transformed. Preach the gospel to the saved and the unsaved!

Why We Are Here

What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Ask ten people, get ten different answers. Most answers would probably fail to see life from God's perspective. There is more to life than meets the eye, more than the here and now. We are here "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." But how do I glorify God? When I was a young Christian, I didn't know what that meant. You can save a lot of grief in your life if you use a telescope rather than a microscope! Magnify and glorify are very similar in their meaning biblically. Paul says, "My aim is to magnify Jesus Christ." That's the same as glorify Jesus Christ. Does it mean magnify God like a microscope magnifies or like a telescope magnifies? A microscope makes tiny things look bigger than they are, and a telescope makes gigantic things that to the naked eye look little, look more like what they really are. Now, which way are you called upon to magnify God? The answer is like a telescope, not like a microscope. It is blasphemy to magnify God like a microscope! "You are on planet Earth to put a telescope to the eye of the world." That's why you exist. By your behavior, your parenting, the way you do your job, the way you worship, and the way you handle your things in life, everyone should read off of your life, "God is great." That's why you exist. To glorify God is to advertise him. He is life's most significant reality, radically worthy of receiving glory, honor and power. We glorify God when we make it our goal to please him in all things. The beautiful irony is that in glorifying God we actually find true happiness.