This is the sixty-fifth and final message in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of November 9, 2014. This message deals with the purpose of the revealing of the mystery of Christ. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Romans 16:25-27
v.25:
This draws attention to God, who is the one who can establish you.
Peter echoes the same thought.
1 Peter 5:10
This literally means to support or strengthen.
This is important, because we are weak, but God can strengthen us.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But it’s more than just a physical strengthening, it is a strengthening of faith, which establishes our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
A steadfast believer with a strong heart, is a person of great faith.
Paul goes on to say specifically that this establishing/strengthening is by his gospel (the preaching of Jesus Christ).
The preaching of the Word of God is a necessary prerequisite to faith, because we know that faith cannot come except by hearing the Word of God.
Romans 10:17
There is no other testimony, no other word, which will lead one to faith.
Only the Word of God, as He has given us in the Bible, is sufficient for the task.
Luke 16:27-31
Moses and the prophets brought the Word of God, and Abraham made it clear, that that’s what the rich man’s brothers needed to hear.
The rich man thought that the testimony of Lazarus could lead them to faith, but Abraham said that it could not.
Only the Word of God can lead someone to faith, and if they won’t hear God’s word, they won’t hear any other word.
The Gospel that Paul preached was the revelation of Jesus Christ (who was Himself the mystery).
Colossians 1:26-27
v.26:
The mystery was manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, who was made known by His fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.
He’s called a mystery, because although the Old Testament prophets wrote of Christ, they did not fully understand the message they were given.
1 Peter 1:10-12
In this way, it was kept secret. They knew salvation and Grace would come, but they didn’t fully understand it.
However, when Christ descended to earth, He was revealed.
The prophecy, the revelation, and the redemptive work of Christ, was all according to God’s command.
All of this because He is not willing that any should perish.
2 Peter 3:9
So unwilling is God that anyone should perish, the redemptive work (and sacrifice) of Christ pleased Him. So according to His command, all of this was done.
Isaiah 53:7-10
God’s desire in this, is that all nations (people) would be obedient to the faith.
Is there any other appropriate response to such a sacrifice of love?
How can the believer do anything but be obedient to the faith?
v.27:
This obedience of the faithful, brings glory to God, through Jesus Christ.
God, only wise: This statement brings to mind Him whose infinite wisdom foresaw the fall of man, provided for it before the foundation of the world.
It draws our thoughts also to the Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In His wisdom, the death and resurrection of Christ became our pathway to faith.
Because of this, God the Father receives glory through the son.
Having drawn our minds and our hearts to Christ, Paul puts down his pen.
The question now becomes, will we glorify Him?
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we bring glory to God.
When we share the Gospel with others, we bring glory to God.
When we live obediently, we bring glory to God.
And it can only happen through Jesus Christ.
How will you bring glory to God this week?
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on November 15, 2014
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