2nd December 2023

2nd December 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 15v22-24)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Paul had long desired to visit the church in Rome but had been hindered from doing so (v22). What had put his plans on the shelf? His ongoing ministry to the Gentiles which had taken him from Jerusalem to Illyricum (v19). Paul's approach was not to swoop in and build on another's work, instead he knew and understood that his call was to take the Gospel to where it had not already been.


Even so, by the final chapters of Romans, Paul is able to admit that his work in the aforementioned regions was now complete (v23) and therefore it was his hope to visit Rome and spend time amongst the Roman Christians (v23b). He desired their fellowship (v24b) and help as Paul's road took him to another virgin land (v24a).


Where was Paul going to? The Apostle had set his sights on Spain. During Paul's lifetime the Roman empire stretched around the entire Mediterranean. If Paul had started in what is now modern day Morroco it would have been possible for him to travel through the entirety of North Africa, Israel, Turkey, the Balkans, Italy, France, Spain and even England without ever leaving the rule of Rome and so it was the Apostle's goal to preach Christ crucified in the land that many of us have visited on holiday.


Did Paul ever reach Spain? There is no Biblical evidence to say that he did but some Christian writers did assert that Paul reached sunny Spain. Clement of Rome wrote that Paul reached Spain calling that land "the farthest limits of the west", the Muratorian Canon speaks of Paul's journey to Spain, Cyril of Jerusalem seemed certain that Paul preached in Spain and Chrysostom mentioned Paul's return to Spain.


It isn't an issue to fight over and God did not intend for us to know but nevertheless I'm struck by Paul's passion for the lost and his confidence in the Gospel. Many of us struggle to cross the street to share our faith and even more believe that the church needs something more than the Word read and especially preached. Paul laboured in untouched territories with a simple aim to make Christ known. He preached Christ and Him crucified.


Did Paul see Spanish converts? Only God knows but eternity will tell the tale. In response may we seek to help and encourage the bold among us who seek to take the Gospel where we would never dream of going. I thank God for these men and women and from Spain to the ends of the earth, may God give the increase.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q5 Are there more Gods than one? There is but one only, the living and true God.
​