Since You Aspire to Preach the Gospel

“Since You Aspire to Preach the Gospel”
Romans 15:20-21
September 13, 2026

W&N, I don’t remember the first time you mentioned your interest in missions to me.  But I do remember that it has been a repeated conversation between us.  You have always been interested in missions and taking the gospel to those who do not know Christ.  You have prayed.  You have planned.  You have already sacrificed (job, resources, house, training at Radius, etc.).  You have already experienced some of the troubles of missions and ministry (three significant health issues while at Radius among them).  And you have experienced some of the blessings that come from entrusting yourself to the Lord.

And tomorrow you leave for SE Asia. 

What shall we say on this day?  You already know what we believe about the gospel and ministry — you’ve heard hundreds of sermons here.  You’ve heard thousands of sermons in your lives, you’ve read hundreds of books, you have attended Bible school, and you have been discipled by many, starting with the excellent job done by your parents for the first two decades of your lives.  We aren’t going to tell you anything new today.  But I do want to remind you of three essentials to pack as you leave.  They won’t take much room in your luggage, but they will fill your heart to overflowing.  These are truths that are familiar to you, but as you get on that airplane and land in SE Asia, we want these truths sounding in your ears and resonating in your hearts.

To guide us, I want to take us back to one of the first great missionary documents — the book of Romans.  At the end of that great letter, Paul reveals that he is going to Spain and he wants the Roman church to serve as his “sending church” and base of operations.  The majority of the book reveals his theology and demonstrates why Paul is a worthy candidate to be sent as a missionary.  Starting in 15:14, Paul unfolds his ministry and missions philosophy.  From that section I want to focus on vv. 20-21 and think with you about three essentials as you go.  You know and are committed to them.  Don’t forget them.  Since you, like the apostle Paul, aspire to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known, remember these three priorities…

1. Remember the Gospel
2. Remember the Lost
3. Remember Christ

Download the rest of this sermon on Romans 15:20-21.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

A Map of the World, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.