Not An “Ask”…..An Invitation!

Not An “Ask”…..An Invitation!
Pastor Steve Anderson | 02.19.25

Romans 15 

19 I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. 20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.    21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, (Quoting Isaiah 52:15) “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” 

22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

An Invitation to Generosity

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 

28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 

We were created for and readied to do good deeds. 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has (spiritually) created us anew (anew; something we weren’t before) in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

(NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

KJV adds:”…  that we should walk in them.”

“Prepared” God both makes ready the opportunities for the works, and makes us ready for their performance.

KJV adds “…good deeds which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

About Good Deeds:
– Your good deeds are a part of God’s plan
– We USUALLY HAVE TO LEARN to do good works
– Good deeds include living our lives to honor Christ and to bring glory of God. 

Matthew 5:16….let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
– The good deeds God invites us to do is often about Nurturing/caring for others
– Good works are an expression of the Christian COMMUNITY, and we should do them together. 

An Invitation To Pray 

Romans 15: 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me.  Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. 

Paul didn’t invite them to struggle…..he invites them to participate in HIS struggle by PRAYING for him!

31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. 

Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. 

32 Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.

God has not left us alone in this: 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) For we are co-workers in God’s service…..

God’s invitation to us is to take part in His work…..and through generosity and prayer, we invite Him to work through us!

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