Greetings Love and Grace

"Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them, 18 for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.
19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21 Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.²⁵ Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all nations— ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to Him be the glory forever! Amen. 
Romans 16:17-27  

Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship, we're so grateful you're here.
Thank you for joining us.

As we come to the closing chapter of this rich and magnificent doctrinal epistle, from the apostle Paul, we find that he continues to open up his heart, so that the Roman readers may be able to share in his personal attitudes, as well as his inspired theology, the theology of the Spirit of God through him by the inspired Word.

The intent was that they not only trust his teaching because of the genuineness of his heart, but that they might get to know him a little as he wants to come to Rome. Paul also wants them to assist him in a great dream that he has, to reach Spain with the gospel. So, in order to establish a meaningful relationship with them, he unbares his heart. In the previous chapter, chapter 15 he explained something of that dream to go to Spain, and of his commitment to do the will of God, he lets them see just how committed he is to his apostleship and that which God has placed upon his heart.

Furthermore, Romans was a letter that Paul found very particularly difficult to end. Because, there is always something more that needs to be said. So before Paul ends his letter, he makes a final appeal. In the final appeal he portrays a couple of the chief characteristics of people who damage churches. His apostolic authority is revealed as he warns the believers in Rome about the menace of divisive people causing dissension and those teaching ideas and doctrines contrary the Word of God. After this final appeal to obedience he sends greeting from those who are with him in Corinth. He also blesses his readers with God’s amazing grace, asking them to keep away from evil. 

First let's bow our heads in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

We humbly thank You for this incredible love, epistle from the apostle Paul, who's life has demonstrated to us, how we too should labor in Your kingdom alongside others in faithfulness, and productivity, in perseverance for the ministry, in the fullness of joy, expressing and sharing love for one another.

Thank You for the graciousness of Your Holy Spirit, the wonder and majesty of Your precious Word, and I thank You for the goodness of these people, those You have called me to shepherd, who allow me the honor and great privilege of teaching Your Word. Thank You Lord, for the openness and eagerness of their hearts, for the joyous reception that Your Word receives, thank You for their commitment and faithfulness.   

Father, I pray that You will reward their faithful, diligent study, their openness to Your truth. Because we live in such a fast paced world, that sometimes to break free for an hour and hear the Word, seems a task beyond our grasp and capability. Thank You for helping us to make it possible.

Lord, help us. Help those of us who are distracted hour upon hour to know what it is to give wholehearted attention and commitment of obedience to what we learn today in this study.   

Father, thank You, that through all of theses years, You have preserved Your truths, and blessed us, in giving us people with the kind of dedication and commitment to Your praise we aspire to reach. 

We praise You in the name of Christ.  
Amen.

Today's Message: 

Open with me your Bibles, to the 16th chapter in the book of Romans, for our study today, we'll be looking at the end of this chapter, verses 17 through 27. Follow along with me as I read from today's text, in Romans 16:17-27.

"Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them, for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites.They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.
The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you. I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all nations— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to Him be the glory forever! Amen." 

The transition to closure begins with a final word of warning in verse 17. "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."
Paul has urged kind reception of faithful ministers and Christians. Now he urges us to have nothing to do with those whose cause divisions, hostilities, and hindrance to the Word. The pressed warning is that they watch out for spiritual enemies. He defines these enemies as those who are divisive and seek to hinder the Lord’s work [who put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned]. "Keep your eye on" skopeo carries the idea of looking at or observing with intensity. The Greek word in it’s noun form is where we get our term scope as in telescope and microscope. It means more than simply to look at, but to examine and scrutinize carefully.

Believers are to keep away (pres. imper., "keep on turning away") from or avoid those who cause dissensions, dichostasias, "standings apart", in the fellowship and hindrances, skandala, "traps, snares" to the teaching of the Word. Don’t engage false teachers in discussions. Don’t spend time arguing with them. Mark them and avoid them.

Why? Here are two reasons.
The first reason is protection. Satan is extremely clever. Many a believer who thought he was strong in theology has succumbed to those who are inspired satanically. The second reason is prioritization. Invest your energy in the fields that are already white and ready for harvest, in the lives of those who are already open to the gospel.

God builds and protects His body the church through the teaching of the Word. Those who will not listen to it and teach something other than the sound doctrine of the inerrant Word will hinder the work of God in and through the church. We must separate our selves, our fellowship or our participation, from those who will not hold to the apostolic teaching, such as we have here in Romans.

Verse 18 reveals to us why people in the fellowship cause divisions and contentions. "For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words."

These people were not serving, "douleuousin," Christ as Lord. Instead of doing the Lord’s work, they are disuniting those whom Jesus has united. Instead of serving the Lord, they serving their own selfish desires and motives. They were slaves to their own appetites, or "bellies".

Philippians 3:19-20 says, "Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Appetites suggests unbridles impulses such as anger, pride and jealousy. Their uncontrolled gluttony drove them to devour the fellowship.
How did they go about devouring the fellowship? The stated problem or tool was by smooth talk and flattery they deceived the minds, "hearts," of naive people, "akakn," innocent or unsuspecting. They use plausible and flattering conversation by which they were trying to secure influence over the unsuspecting. The word "akakos," or simple, signifies not merely innocent, but unwary, he who is liable to deception.

Proverbs 14:15, "The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves, and a good man, what his deeds deserve."

When we read books or listen to sermons, we need to check the content of what is written or said as not to be fooled by smooth style. Christians who study God’s Word will not be fooled, even though superficial listeners may easily be taken in. Take the Berean believers as an example, they carefully checked God’s Word to see if the teacher matched up with it.

Acts 17:10-12, "As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea. On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men."

No matter how seemingly sincere and caring false teachers or preachers may appear to be, they are not genuinely concerned for the cause of Christ or for His true church. They are driven by self-interest and self-gratification—sometimes for prominence, sometimes for power over their followers, sometimes for financial gain, and frequently for all of those reasons. Many of them enjoy pretentious and luxurious lifestyles, and sexual immorality is the rule more than the exception. Such people "are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things"

I don't know if any of you have ever attempted to catch a mouse, they are attracted by the food. If so, you'll know that if you set out some traps, a mouse will not touch an exposed trap. You must disguise it with food. Cover it well with peanut butter or cheese so it is completely hidden." And you'll have yourself a mouse.

This reminds me that the Satan, because he knows this trick too! He carefully disguises his trap with truth. Nowhere is it better seen than in the numerous false cults and religions in the world today. All set their traps of error in a pan of meal. Many quote the Bible and preach a certain amount of gospel truth. They talk about prayer and Jesus and the Bible. But under the layer of truth is the trap of error. For Satan often disguises error with a veneer of truth.

Beloved, this is the age of deception. The Bible therefore warns us in I John 4:1 to "test the spirits" and beware of deceivers in II Timothy 3:13; II John 7. The only antidote against the clever deceptions that come in the name of Christ, is to know your Bible. Be rooted and grounded in the truth. "Test all things; hold fast what is good" as in I Thessalonians 5:21. The message is clear, beware of Satan’s traps!

Mark 13:5-6 teaches us to know our Bible. "Then Jesus began by telling them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many."

Verse 19 commends the Roman Christians for their faithful obedience. "The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil."

Paul did not consider these believers to be naive, but he did asked them to be innocent. Their obedience to Christ was well known and Paul was glad for them. But he was concerned that they be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil, "kakon" in the Greek text.

I believe the current focus of many in ministry today, is to stay culturally current and socially relevant, which is contrary to this Word of warning. There are many who are in the ministry today, who are breeding heresy, they have abandoned the truths of the Bible. They are more about numbers and budgets than they are about souls and eternity. They have abandoned the Gospel teaching of Christ, in order to please man.

The word used for "innocent" is "akeraious," meaning unmixed, simple, pure. In Greek it was used of wine that was not diluted and of metal that was not weakened in any way. The word is used in the New Testament in only two other places: Matthew 10:16 "innocent" and Philippians 2:15 "pure." Christians should be innocent about evil, not following the ways of the world.

Romans 12:2 clearly teaches, "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

What a challenge, to becomes experts in doing right moral and ethical action in the midst of a society committed to all forms of indiscretion and immoral behavior! Ridicule is sure to come! Therefore, we must diligently pray that God will give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to do it. But remember, the best protection against falsehood is adhering to God’s truths.

To conclude this warning Paul added the promise in verse 20. "The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet God is the God of peace, because He it is that is the author of all the peace that His people enjoy. Were it not for the overruling power of the Lord, His people would have no rest at any time in this world.

Genesis 3:15 says, "I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."

Beloved, we remain innocent concerning evil and watch how God will pour His peace into us. We will have peace in our heart, peace will flows from our lips, and peace will be seen on our face. God is able to give us peace in the presence of all the adversaries we face. The false teachers who caused dissension were under Satan’s influence, but God establishes peace.

These divisive people who are committed to their own appetites instead of the ministry of the Word were regarded as agents of Satan, but believers should not be afraid of them. Though they are to be watched and avoided, they cannot prevail ultimately As was promised in the Garden, the enemy of souls will eventually be crushed, and we are promised victory as "the God of Peace will crush Satan under [our] feet shortly."

In Revelation 20:1-6, "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years."

Paul strikes a fine balance as he warns Christians not to ignore Satan however, at the same time not to be paranoid about him. Though he is real and still dangerous, he has been defeated and his days are numbered. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, but he is on a short leash and the hand that holds it is the hand of God. Careless ignoring of satanic infiltration is foolish, but chronic oppression by satanic influence does no justice to the victory which is ours in Christ.

Then Paul gave another benediction about God’s grace. You need God’s continuing grace to direct and strengthen you. You need His wisdom to give you wisdom to recognize false teachers. You need His grace to give you comfort and patience when you are attacked by Satan’s emissaries while he is still in power over the world.

There is a constant supply of grace offered from Christ to His people. We who have been bought by the blood of Christ will be supplied by Him with grace continually so that we might stand in the truth and perseverance in virtue. Bless Jesus for the grace of God in our lives. 

Romans 15:13 teaches, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

And in verse 33 it says, "The God of peace be with all of you. Amen."

In Romans 16:21-24, Paul sends greetings to the church at Rome in behalf of his companions, presumably men who were known by some of the believers in that city. Starting in verse 21 we find these personal greetings from some of Paul’s associates. "Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you."

Again these men were not members of Paul’s family, but fellow his countrymen. These may be the men of the same names mentioned elsewhere like Acts 13:1; 17:5-9; 20:4; II Corinthians 9:4. Timothy was a key person in the growth of the early church, traveling with Paul on his second missionary journey. Later Paul wrote two letters 1 and 2 Timothy, to him as he worked to strengthen the churches in Ephesus.

Lucius may be the native of Cyrene, who was one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch who, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, first commissioned Paul and Barnabas we read Acts 13:1-3, as missionaries.

Then Tertius, who was Paul’s secretary or stenographer for this epistle, sent his greetings in verse 22. "I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord." The pastor Gaius, sends his greetings in verse 23. "Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you." Gaius, Paul’s host in Corinth, who apparently had a church meeting in his home. This Gaius was probably not the same Gaius who was from Macedonia and traveled with Paul nor the Gaius who was from Derbe. The Gaius mentioned here in Romans was probably Paul’s convert whom he baptized.

Erastus sent greetings. He was the city’s director of public works (lit., "the city’s steward," a high position) of Corinth and therefore a man of prominence and high political office.
Paul called Quartus our brother, undoubtedly meaning a spiritual brother, not a physical one. The name of Paul’s secretary was Tertius which means "Third." The name Quartus, means "Fourth." These guys were slaves. In those days, slaves were referred to only by number. Consequently, it’s interesting that these two, who were considered unworthy of names, became historically and eternally significant because they were brought into the kingdom.

You too, might feel like a number, like no one cares about you, like no one takes notice of you. But the Lord has a plan for you. He’s got your number. And as you give yourself to Him and walk with Him, you’ll find significance. Ask Tertius and Quartus! Paul gives his usual closing as he writes verse 24. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Romans 16:24 which repeats the benediction of verse 20, it is not found in a number of the major Greek manuscripts and is not considered by some to be genuine. Paul used "Grace be with you" with slight variations in his correspondence. This was a distinctive feature of his letters. This was more than casual well-wishing. It was a prayer of profound significance. Apart from grace, which is the undeserved, freely given loving kindness of God, no part of the Christian experience is possible. Beloved, I believe this is just coming out of his emotion, Paul's heart is so filled with love. He had a heart of compassion for these people. What a loving  man the apostle Paul was.

In Closing.....

One of the intriguing characters in literature and opera is Dr. Faust. The character of Faust was based on a German legend about a man who made a pact with the devil, surrendering his soul in exchange for youth, knowledge, and magical powers.

No language in all of holy Scripture comes close to the judgment language God pronounces on false teachers. And just remember this: They may appear on the surface to be well meaning. They are not concerned at all with anything except their own gratification. They serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own body. They're not worthy of your attention.

One artist put the legend onto canvas, depicting the story of Faust as a grim chess game. On one side of the table sits Faust, a symbol of men and women in the world, with only three or four pieces on the board in front of him. His face is contorted in despair. On the other side of the table the devil sits back in his chair gloating over his apparent victory. The artist titled his painting, "Checkmate." A chess master came to the art gallery, stood before the picture, and studied it for a long time. Then he exclaimed, "It’s not over! It’s not checkmate The king and the knight still have another move!

Many times throughout history, it has often appeared that Satan is winning the game. Remember the Cross? The prince of this world seems to control the board. However, we must bear in mind, that, Jesus Christ has the final move! Paul could boldly assert, "The God of Peace will crush, Satan under your feet shortly." The evil one cannot and will not win.

As Christians, we can live in the confidence that the contest isn’t over till its over. There are no losers with Christ and no winners with the devil.

May the peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all and always.

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen

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