Elevate
“Romans 16:25-27”

Doxology
Doxa = praise
Logos = word, to speak

Doxology
To express praise to God

Giving praise to God will “elevate” our relationship to God

Romans 16:25-27

What God does …

1.	God strengthens us 
“Now to him who is able to strengthen you …” – v. 25 

Seems like the Bible advocates for weakness – Matthew 5:3; 2 Corinthians 11:30;          2 Corinthians 12:9

Which takes more strength?
•	Worry or Prayer?
•	One leads to Panic; the other Peace

“For by you [God] I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” – Psalm 18:29

Strength through…
•	Weakness - realization that self-reliance never works  
•	Perspective - that God establishes our “sure-footing”
•	Courage – to depend on God

2.	God brings about obedience  
“… to bring about the obedience of faith …” – v. 27

Gospel						Religion
God loves us – 1 John 4:19			Obedience
We love him – 1 John 5:2-3			Dependence on God 
Dependence on God – 1 John 2:3-6		We love Him
Obedience – James 1:22-25			God loves us 

Obedience …
•	Results from our faith
•	God’s way of shaping us to who we aren’t 
•	Pathway to joy, no shame, and confidence in God	

Who God is…
The only wise God
“… to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!” – Romans 16:27

He always knows the goal of every situation and the perfect way to achieve it!

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. – Romans 16:25-27