Power in Living in God's Will

Passage: Romans 15:30-32

"30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; 32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

1. Paul lived a single minded life for the spreading of the gospel.

• 1 Cor 9:22-27 – To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2. Paul urges them to be committed to prayer.

• Rom 12:12 – rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

• Col 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer

• 1 Thess 5:17 – pray without ceasing

• Eph 6:18-19 – 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

• Luke 22:44 – And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

• Col 2:1 – For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

• 1 Peter 4:7 – The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

• 1 Peter 3:7 – You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

3. Paul appeals to the Lordship of Jesus for urgent prayer.

• John 14:13-14 – "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

• John 15:16 – "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

• James 4:2-3 – You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

• 1 John 3:22 – and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

• 1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

• Jer 29:13-14 – 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

• Heb 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Diligently or with great effort—seek Him)

Ps 119:2 – How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.

• Ps 119:10 – With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

• Ps 119:58 – I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word.

• Ps 119:145 – I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!

• Jer 24:7 – 'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.