The Heart Behind The Ministry, Part 2

Romans 1:13-15
[13] I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. [14] I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. [15] So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it mean to say that Paul situates his laser beam ministry within his larger ministry?
2.  Why is Paul so intent on reassuring his readers? What does this imply for us as we relate to one another?3.  What hindered Paul from going to Rome? How should we respond to good desires that go unmet over a long period of time?
4.  How would Paul’s delay have humbled the Roman Christians? How do we avoid becoming self-important or self-absorbed as a church?
5.  Why does Paul describe his ministry in agricultural terms? What does it look like for us to pursue fruit while leaving the results to God?
6.  Why does Paul describe himself as a debtor? How does this encourage us towards evangelism?
7.  To use John MacArthur’s language, how does this text show us that “the gospel is the great equalizer”?

References: Romans 15:19-24; 1 Corinthians 2:2; John 15:16; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17.