Romans # 26 Rom 15-1 thru 15-13

     We’re going to pick up where we left off last time. We ended Romans chapter 14, so we’re going to get right into Romans chapter 15.

     I. In the 1st ½ of (Romans chapter 14) Paul told us that we should not despise or condemn others, in the last ½ of chapter 14 he wrote to us about not putting a stumbling block in the way of other Christians. (Something that could make them fall).

              A. In (Romans chapter 15) he gives us a 3rd principle to live by.

                        1. When a believer is dealing with fellow Christians: he is to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus ministered on behalf of others, not for Himself, therefore, those that follow after Him should imitate Him.

                                  a. (Ephesians 5:1) Says, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.”

              B. ROM 15:1-4

                        1. In (V 1) Paul sums up what he is saying in these 1st 4 Vs.

                                  a. The 1st part of (V 1) says, “We then that are strong.”

                                           i. He’s talking about those that are strong in the Lord.

                        2. He goes on to say in (V 1) “The strong OUGHT to bear the infirmities of the weak.”

                                  a. The word “Ought” means more then just “We should” but according to the Strong’s Concordance it means “A debt.”

                                  b. The strong have a debt to bear the weaknesses and infirmities of those that are not strong.

                                  c. In this same V when he says that we should “BEAR the weaknesses and infirmities of the weak.

                                           i. The word “Bear” means “To carry them, to hold them up.” But it doesn’t have to be just for the Weak.

                                           ii. We should hold each other up in prayer, and help carry our brothers and sisters through the storms by standing in faith for them.

                                           iii. If we do that for those that are strong, how much more should we do that for those that are weak?

                        3. The last part of (V 1) he says, “And not to please ourselves”.

                                  a. He’s not saying that we should not do things that are pleasing, He’s saying don’t be SELF-CENTERED.

                                           i. He’s saying don’t put yourself 1st, let Jesus be your example.

              C. In (V 2) Paul says that we should “please our neighbor by edification.”

                        1. We should be building one another up and not tearing down.

                                  a. And why should we be doing this?

                        2. In (V 3) it tells us that Jesus is our example.

                                  a. He did not please Himself. He came “to do the will” of the Father who sent Him (John 4:34) and to please Him (John 8:29). ALSO he came for our good.

                                           i. (Titus 2:14) Says, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

                        3. In (ROM 15:4) Paul talks about the things written in the past, in the Scriptures are written for our learning.

                                  a. (Romans 15:4 NIV) Says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

                                  b. The Word of God will bring Encouragement and Hope, but it will also teach us.

                                  c. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

                                           i. He says, “All scripture.”

                                           ii. Old and new testament alike can bring us instruction.

     II. ROM 15:5-6

              A. “Patience and consolation” or as the NIV puts it “Endurance and encouragement” ultimately comes from God.

                        1. Paul then prays that they would be “Like-minded” or posses a “Spirit of Unity.”

                        2. In (Romans 15:6) He says, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                                  a. He says, “With 1 MIND,” that is inwardly, in the thought life.

                                           i. “With 1 MOUTH” is outwardly.

                                  b. We should bring glory to God inwardly and in our outward expression.

              B. ROM 15:7

                        1. When Paul says, “Wherefore receive ye one another,” the Greek literally says, “Keep on accepting or receiving one another.”

                                  a. Just as Jesus receives us and we’re not perfect, we need to receive others. WHY?

                                  b. So they too can bring glory to God.

                        2. ROM 15:8-12

                                  a. According to these Vs God had two objectives to accomplish through Jesus’ ministry.

                                  b. The first was to confirm the promises made to the Jews.

                                  c. The 2nd was to bring the Gentiles into the Blessings of Abraham.

                                           i. By Jesus doing that we now have victory the Enemy.

                        3. ROM 15:13

                                  a. In this V Paul sounds like he’s closing his letter, and actually he is, even though he goes on through another chapter.

                                  b. Paul again prays, this time that God would fill them with JOY and PEACE, but he adds “In believing.”

                                           i. As you put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will fill you with JOY and PEACE.

                                           ii. Why? So that we may abound in HOPE, the expectation of eternal salvation and Ruling and reigning with Him for ever.

                                  c. How does this HOPE come?

                                           i. Through the POWER (or DUNAMIS, the miracle working power of God.) by the Holy Ghost.

                                           ii. People that don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ can’t have this hope, it only come from God to those that know Him.

                                           iii. You and I have this hope.

WOLCC Thursday 1/25/96