Strengthened

In the final sermon of the Loved and Called series through Romans, “Strengthened” (Romans 16:25–27), Paul’s closing doxology reminds believers that God is the one who strengthens His people through the gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ, and the revelation of His Word. The gospel gives weary and discouraged Christians the good news of God’s grace and Christ’s victory over sin, death, and darkness; preaching proclaims that victory and brings God’s strengthening power to His people; and Scripture, though not physically holy in its paper or binding, is God’s inspired and powerful Word through which the Holy Spirit works to strengthen His saints. This strengthening is ultimately intended to produce the “obedience of faith”—a growing faith that leads to greater obedience and maturity. As the church has been strengthened through Romans throughout history, Paul’s final emphasis is that God continues His work in His people so that, through Jesus Christ, all glory belongs to the only wise God forever.