Romans 16:17-27 Sermon Notes

Romans 16:16 (ESV) Personal Greetings

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:17–20 (ESV) Final Instructions and Greetings

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Brothers – Watch out for those who cause divisions.
Division is usually the devil’s game.
Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV) 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
Acts 20:17–38 (ESV) 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
These people will be divisive.
Christ warned us about this.
Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV) 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. … 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Matthew 16:5–12 (ESV) 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” …. 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Watch out for those who are divisive.
Watch out for those who are deceptive.
Watch out for those who create obstacles.
Matthew 23:1–4 (ESV) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Matthew 23:13–15 (ESV) 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
Matthew 23:1-4 TSV (Texas Standard Version) Then Jesus said to the crowds and his disciples, (2)"The scholars and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. (3) So then, do and keep whatever they teach y’all, but don’t do what they do. Because they don’t do what they teach. (4) They lay heavy loads on other men’s shoulders, but they won’t lift a finger themselves.
Matthew 23:13-15 TSV “Damn you scholars and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because y’all shut men out of Heaven’s Empire! Y’all won’t go in yourselves, and you won’t let anyone else in, either! (14) “Damn you scholars and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because y’all eat up widows’ houses, and make long prayers as a show. Because of this, you’ll be damned even more! (15) “Damn you scholars and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you’ll travel over sea and land to convert one person. And when you do convert him, y’all make him twice as much the son of Hell as you are!
Romans 16:17–20 (ESV) 17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Counter intuitive approach.
2 John 10 (ESV) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV)But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Apologia.
Always being ready to give an answer. But you don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to.
Paul himself confronted Peter to his face, because of his prominence was even effecting Barnabas.
Such persons serve (are slave to their own appetites)
Another way to word this, is they are just following their flesh.
2 Peter 2:3 (ESV) 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
People are sneaky, cliques, in crowd, appeal to hidden knowledge, run into error.
Titus 3:8–10 (ESV) 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
Timothy don’t doom scroll these conspiracy laden teachers, lest you waste your time, or worse get deceived.

2 Timothy 2:14–18 (ESV) 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
These people to avoid are very smooth talking and use flattery – But they are deceptive.
Mark 13:22–23 (ESV) 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Wise to the Good, Innocent to the evil.
Know the Word. Have discernment. There is a value in “knowing your enemy” etc, but here Paul is aiming them the other way.
Matthew 10:16 (ESV) 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
1 Corinthians 14:20 (ESV) 20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
Watch out for divisive people – have nothing to do with them. Avoid them.
LESS engagement is the correct protocol for that type of person. Don’t give them the platform.
We live on truth street. Wise to the good.
He will soon crush Satan under his feet.
The fight against evil will not last forever. The King is coming!

Romans 16:21–23 (ESV) Final Instructions and Greetings

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

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.

Timothy! – Such a rich history of life and ministry together.
Lucius – This might be the familiar physician Luke. But it’s unresolved. Don’t know for sure.
Jason – Seen his house. Paul’s host to Paul in Thessalonica. Saved there. Acts 17:5 (ESV) 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
Sosipater – Kinsman. Berea. Acts 20:4
Tertius!
Did you know that? His secretary, penman.
Gaius – Host to me and the church. Acts 18:7 – Noble freeman in Corinth. 1 Cor 1:14 – Baptized by Paul.
Erastus – the city treasurer
Of course, the treasurer has a brother named after a quarter. Actually it just says “Our brother”
Paul is surrounded by others. He was not isolated.

Romans 16:25–27 (ESV) Doxology 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the

revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Romans 16:25–27 (ESV) Doxology

Psalm 72:18–19, (ESV) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41:13, (ESV)18 Blessed be the Lord , the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever ; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
Psalm 89:52, (ESV) Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.
Psalm 106:48, (ESV) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6, (ESV) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Luke 2:13–14, (ESV) 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen
Hebrews 13:20–21, (ESV) 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 11:33–36, (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Jude 24–25, (ESV) 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Romans 16:25–27 (ESV) Doxology 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the

Able to strengthen, According to Paul’s gospel, Preaching of Christ, Mystery kept secret – but now disclosed,
Able to stand, nothing else offers this hope to mankind. We are sinful, and sin affected.
This was spoken of and predicted, but now revealed. Folks this was hidden, it was a secret, but now revealed.
This has walked though the creation, the promise to Abraham, the state of mankind, and all of the things Christ accomplished, He is the pinnacle of man. He perfected and finished the work to redeem the whole world and all its history, in less time than I have been your pastor here. Jesus, should amaze you, and continue to do so forever.
Prophetic writings – the Word, All nations according to the command, The eternal God, Obedience of faith
The only wise God, Glory forevermore
Only God could do this.
He didn’t do it so that we could serve him half heartedly.
– through Christ. AMEN!