S237-083108 Ro 15a
Alêtheia Christian Fellowship ~ 083108 ~ Romans 15a
How Do We Glorify God?
There is a way to genuinely worship, praise and glorify God and it is not as simple as singing a song or praying a prayer.
There are three motivations for this kind of exaltation and in them we find the basis of Christianity.
Romans 15:1-3 ~ 1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
It’s not about you or me and it’s not about having fun – it’s about building Christ’s bride.
The well-being of the church should take precedence over your own interests.
Ought is ojfei>lw, a duty, i.e. a moral obligation and in this case to bear a burden of forgoing what is pleasurable for what is helpful to another.
The burden you bear is not to “put up” with another person or to carry their load for them.
It is to carry the portion of their load they can’t handle (Filipino buddy).
Please, good, edification – do what makes them happy and feel good about their life?
1) Please (ajre>skw) means to do something in a way that is acceptable to another – it is to make it possible.
2) Good (ajgaqo>v) means Godly good, not ones desire and certainly not what makes one happy.
3) Edification (oijkadomh>) is literally to build.
The entire idea is to build up a person in Godly goodness in an acceptable way!
Pedestrian in a crosswalk – I had the right-of-way
Psalm 69, David cries out, “Zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me (Messianic).
David took a hit; Jesus took a hit; can’t we?
Motivation #1 ~ Emulate Christ
Romans 15:4-6 ~ 4For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul explains why Psalm 69 is applicable and in so doing demonstrates the authority of Scripture.
Not just the validity and authority of Scripture, but the perseverance and encouragement it teaches to give us hope.
The same God who enables us to be saved must enable us to be Christians and that means getting along!
The most beautiful thing in creation is corporate worship
Motivation #2 ~ The Scripture
«««««The Basis of true worship, praise, exultation; the genuine glorification of God is corporate. «««««
Any fool can praise God alone, but to actually set self aside and do it shoulder-to-shoulder with others is the true measure of the Holy Spirit among us.
Promise Keepers, Women of Faith and Tres Dias may be flawed, but they have in common genuine glorification of God.
Romans 15:7-9 ~ 7Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name.”
Why? Because of God was and is glorified by Jesus accepting us and is further glorified by our acceptance of others.
We are saved and must do likewise out of gratitude and fairness.
Did Jesus accept you because you were perfect?
For the mature Christian - we are Christians and therefore must be Christians!
We see the same in forgiveness, sharing the Gospel and charity to others, but to be complete we must also accept others where they are.
Some will object, but trust God to fix everyone else and if you must get involved start by prayer and move on to pure and positive encouragement then tell me.
Christ’s purpose was to reconcile the Jews in order to vindicate God’s Word – out of grace for His glory He also rescued you and me.
Why? We of all people should realize the benevolence of God as a people saved purely by mercy and should then be overflowing with mercy to others
Motivation #3 ~ We were rescued for that purpose
Romans 15:10-13 ~ 10Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” 11And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him.” 12Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope.” 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Vs 4 it is Scripture teaching perseverance and encouragement to give us hope.
In Vs5 it is God who gives perseverance and encouragement – Here we see it is to give us hope.
It is the God of hope that causes you to abound in hope and how does He do that?
Faith – faith – faith; it is always faith. Scott I don’t see faith here; well in believing we are assured of our peace with God and can therefore be filled with joy because we know it is going to be alright.
It’s all about faith and how do we gain faith? When all is smooth sailing? No, it is in times of qli~yiv.
Perseverance and encouragement leads to hope.
Derek Get Ready
How Do We Glorify God? Corporately, i.e. as a community
Motivation #1 ~ Emulate Christ
Motivation #2 ~ The Scripture
Motivation #3 ~ We were rescued for that purpose
He is Exalted together – Glorify God Elders – I Saw…