“Watch Out and Stay Away!” (Romans 16:17–20)

“Watch Out and Stay Away!” (Romans 16:17–20)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, March 24, 2019

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
(Romans 16:17–20, NIV)

Paul’s exhortation to the Christians in Rome is threefold:

1. Don’t let false teachers destroy the work of the gospel in your church.

a. There are 3 ingredients to accomplish this defense of the gospel:

i. Vigilance
ii. Separation
iii. Discernment

2. In your vigilance for the gospel, take hope in the promise that God will ultimately crush Satan.

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
(Genesis 3:15, NIV)

3. Remember that we can ask for and receive the grace of Jesus Christ.