Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches about Romans 15:14-21 "Paul's Declaration of His Ministry" on 5/11/2026 for our Monday Upper Room Bible Study.
Romans 15:14-21
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient - 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,
21 but as it is written:
"To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand."
In this Bible study on Romans 15:14-21, Pastor Lowell explores the Apostle Paul’s declaration of his ministry, examining the primary spiritual pillars of a mature church and the guiding purposes behind gospel-centered shepherding.
The Three Pillars of a Mature Church
Believers must grow into maturity by displaying outward actions and righteous conduct that reflect Christ. A mature church stands on being full of moral goodness, filled with spiritual knowledge that brings humility, and equipped with the ability to gently caution and teach one another. Practically, these traits ensure that the church operates out of genuine integrity and mutual accountability rather than fleshly pride.
The Ongoing Need for Shepherding
Maturity does not cancel a believer's need for spiritual oversight, guidance, and reminders. Spiritual leaders are called by God's grace to boldly reinforce foundational truths, bringing essential principles back to the forefront of our minds when daily life causes them to fade. This reminder system serves as a protective safeguard to keep our hearts consistently aligned with God's word.
The Spirit vs. The Flesh in Ministry
True ministry must be initiated and empowered entirely by the Holy Spirit rather than human effort or fleshly ambition. While believers handle the external actions of preaching and serving, the Holy Spirit is the true carpenter who works internally to transform hearts and bring about obedience. Walking in the Spirit requires absolute humility, ensuring we only step where God leads and give Him all the glory for the fruit.
Final Summary
The heart of this message centers on transitioning from internal church unity to an outward passion for reaching the lost. Believers are called to step out of the comfort zone of established circles and actively labor in the harvest fields where Christ is not yet known. The ultimate call to action is to surrender our personal agendas to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to use us as sanctified vessels to bring the light of the gospel to a dying world.
