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"I have made it my aim to preach the Gospel..."

Text: Romans 15:20

A GREAT ASPIRATION

What would you consider as your great aim (aspiration) in life? Put that question to the apostle Paul and this would have been his answer.

“And so I have made it my aim to preach the Gospel,
not where Christ was named, lest I should build on
another’s man foundation.”
Romans 15:20

1. And so I have made it my aim to preach the Gospel

a) The word “aim” may be translated as “aspiration” (philotimoumenon).

b) The aspiration that Paul had was one borne out of love.

c) Preaching the Gospel was one great passion for the apostle Paul.

2. To preach not where Christ was named

a) There was a significant nuance added to the aspiration of preaching the Gospel.

b) Paul was concerned about proclaiming the Gospel where Christ was not named.

c) Evangelism was certainly top priority where Paul was concerned.

3. “Lest I should build on another man’s foundation”.

a) What this statement does not mean

i) It does not mean that Paul would not work with other fellow servants of God.

ii) It does not mean that he is selfishly thinking of his own personal ministry.

b) What this statement means

i) It means that Paul was most conscious of how others felt about their ministry.

ii) He would not want others to feel that he was encroaching on their areas of ministry (to prevent possible misunderstanding).

iii) Paul was committed to doing work that he felt God had uniquely equipped him to do.