Romans 15:14–21 Sermon, Stop Waiting for God to Use You

Stop waiting for God to use you. He already put people around you. Romans 15:14–21 gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the ministry of Paul and shows what Gospel ministry actually looks like. It is not reserved for pastors, people on stages, or “professional Christians.” Every member is a minister. In this sermon from Life Church New Braunfels, Randy walks through three marks of a minister of Jesus: Trust what God has already put in the church and in you. Speak boldly because the Gospel is sacred. Carry a holy ambition to see Christ preached where He is not known. Paul says he will not speak about what he accomplished for Christ. He speaks about what Christ accomplished through him. That changes everything. Some of us are exhausted trying to fix our families, our marriages, our kids, our friends, our churches, and our cities. You cannot save anyone. You cannot change a heart. But Christ can work through a surrendered version of you. This message also deals directly with correction, offense, spiritual gifts, Christian obedience, living sacrifice, and the parts of our lives we keep crawling off the altar to protect. Correction is not rejection. Sometimes a bold reminder is grace. Sometimes the person warning you is being used by God to keep you from walking all the way into the pigpen. The question is, will you listen? Randy also gives a July 4th culture update on Christian patriotism, biblical citizenship, liberty, virtue, and why Christians should seek the welfare of the nation, city, and community where God has placed them. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and Romans 15:14–21 02:00 Men’s Conference Announcement 03:00 Culture Update, America at 250 06:00 Is Christian Patriotism Biblical? 10:00 Christian Nationalism and Biblical Conviction 14:00 Citizens of Heaven and Citizens on Earth 18:00 Liberty Cannot Survive Without Virtue 22:00 Seek the Welfare of Your City 26:00 God Placed You Here on Purpose 29:00 Previously on Romans 31:00 Romans 15:14, Trust What God Put in the Church 35:00 Correction Should Work Like Family 39:00 Stop Only Seeing What Is Wrong 42:00 Every Member Is a Minister 46:00 The Church Is Not a Spectator Event 50:00 Real Discipleship Happens Across Tables 54:00 Trust What God Has Put in You 58:00 Romans 15:15–17, Boldness and the Gospel 1:02:00 Grace Does Not Make You Passive 1:06:00 Sanctified by the Holy Spirit 1:10:00 How the Holy Spirit Warns You About Sin 1:14:00 Your Whole Life Is an Offering 1:18:00 The Problem With a Living Sacrifice 1:21:00 Boldness Is Not Being a Jerk 1:25:00 Look What Christ Has Done 1:28:00 Romans 15:18–21, Christ Accomplished It Through Me 1:32:00 Stop Trying to Fix Everybody 1:36:00 The Gospel Produces Obedience 1:40:00 Real Faith Changes Your Life 1:44:00 Holy Ambition, Make Jesus Known 1:48:00 Stop Waiting for God to Use You 1:51:00 Here Am I, Send Me 1:54:00 Correction Is Not Rejection 1:58:00 What Are You Keeping Off the Altar? 2:02:00 Make Your Life an Offering 2:05:00 Closing Prayer KEY SCRIPTURES Romans 15:14–21 Romans 12:1 Romans 12:4–8 Isaiah 6:8 John 16:33 Isaiah 52:15 Jeremiah 29:7 BIG IDEA The Gospel does not produce spectators. It produces living sacrifices who make themselves available for Christ to work through them. SERMON THEMES Every member is a minister Christian ministry Spiritual gifts Bold correction Correction is not rejection Living sacrifice Christian calling Holy ambition Gospel obedience Holy Spirit sanctification Available people Here am I send me Making Jesus known Christian patriotism Biblical citizenship Life Church New Braunfels ABOUT LIFE CHURCH NEW BRAUNFELS Life Church New Braunfels exists to help people know Jesus, live with biblical conviction, and follow Him in every area of life. Join us in person in New Braunfels, Texas, or watch more sermons online. CALL TO ACTION If this message challenged you, subscribe for more sermons from Life Church New Braunfels, share it with someone who keeps waiting to feel “ready,” and answer this question in the comments: What part of your life are you still keeping off the altar?