Romans 15:1-13 One Voice
Hi and welcome back. Today is our independence day. The freedom that we enjoy in this country should never be taken for granted. Our founding fathers laid the foundation for the Liberty that we so richly enjoy in this country. Precious blood was shed for the freedoms that we have today. Likewise, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shed his precious blood that we may be free from the bondage of sin. Let us not squander that freedom.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Today we are going to start chapter 15 of Romans.
As we have been discussing in our previous chapter the weak refers to those Christians who cling to their former religious beliefs and customs that are not sinful, but rather hold them back from total freedom in Christ. More specifically dietary laws and things like alcohol etc. Paul continues in chapter 15 to expound on this concept.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
The message, which is another version of the Bible describes this verse with a different tone. And it says,
Romans 15:1 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
I like the way the message says strength is for service, not status.
A little humility goes a long way.
Romans 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
This is a matter of sacrificing what I want in order to give to my neighbor what he needs for his good and continued growth in Christ.
After all, we should always build up, encourage, and edify those in the faith.
Romans 15:3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.
Christ was not one to indulge in self-satisfaction.
He did what was pleasing to His heavenly Father and did not seek to please Himself. When others insult or reproach God, it falls directly on Christ.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Paul has just taken a detour from his previous verse. Now he is emphasizing the importance of scripture written in former days.
More specifically the texts of the Old testament. Many individuals jump right into the New testament and set aside the valuable lessons from the old. But make no mistake there is value in the old testament. There is truth, wisdom, encouragement, and historical perspective within those 39 books. The Bible is a living breathing book that encourages us in our walk and gives us hope each and every day.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
In the next two verses Paul offers up a prayer to the God of endurance and encouragement.
Romans 15:5-6 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Christians, whether we are weak or strong in our faith we should with one voice glorify God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul says that we should do so in harmony. In other words no one is striving to be heard above another. Our voices should blend so that we sound as one. As there are many members in the body, all are necessary and none are more important than the other.
Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
In order to have that harmony, we should welcome all believers, irrespective of their social status, denomination, or spiritual maturity.
We need to be welcoming other believers just as Christ welcomed us into the fold for the glory of God to be shown through us.
In the next six verses Paul reminds his readers that the ministry of Jesus Christ was not only for the Jews, but for the gentiles as well.
Romans 15:8-9 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.
In sending Jesus to those that were of the circumcision, God was keeping his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God’s promises are unwavering from one generation to the next. Yet God’s mercy was not just for his chosen people, but for the gentiles as well. We are the gentiles. God’s mercy has been extended to all people. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. We are the whosoevers.
Romans 15:10 And again it is said, Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.
That we should rejoice that God would give us the same opportunity afforded to the Israelites.
Romans 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.
With this verse Paul is quoting almost directly from psalm 117 verses 1 and 2.
Psalms 117:1-2 Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! 2 For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!
Romans 15:12 And again Isaiah says, , The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.
Paul is referencing the prophetic message from Isaiah that the coming Messiah will be from the lineage of Jesse.
Not only is he coming for the Israelites but for the gentiles as well. It is through the inclusion of the gentiles that they can have hope. In Revelation Jesus speaks of himself as the root and offspring of David.
Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.
As to His deity, He is David’s Creator; as to His humanity, He is David’s descendant.
Paul closes this section with a benediction.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
This prayer is a powerful statement of what God can do in the hearts and minds of his followers.
This prayer may have been directed at the gentiles, but it is applicable to all that come to that saving Grace. It is my prayer that you may have that joy and peace that only He can give, through His Holy Spirit.
We are going to stop for today.
I’d like to thank you for listening and as always may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with someone that needs to hear it.