Romans 15:1-7 - Call Out the Good

Introduction

We live in a pretty interesting time to study how humans relate to one another

Connectivity is easier now than it has ever been

Thanks to social media, you can connect with people you have never been in the room with before.

The connectivity and relationships does not require a lot of depth

You can let people know the most useless information about your life if you desire.

Take a picture of your food to make your friends jealous.

Here’s what sociologists are finding during their studies of human relationships

Although we are more connected than we have ever been with more people than we have ever been, despite the fact that it is easier to find people with shared common interest than it has ever been, we feel more alone and more unknown than at any time that it has been measured in human history.

So something has gone awry with how we define community and how we define and function in relationships.

Now at the simplest level, the problem with our relationships, the reason why so few of them are satisfying and long-lasting is because they are built on commonalities that change, and as those commonalities change, so does the relationship.

Even in the church we try to build relationships on commonalities that simply aren’t there

Small groups based on interests

Not everyone has the same interests, nor the same testimony

I have friends that grew up in the church and never knew a day where they weren’t involved with the local church

Then I have friends that were saved straight out of the thug life.

My story does not contain a part where I woke up in the back of an El Camino on my way to Mexico with a new tattoo.

Just not my story.

I celebrate God’s grace in it, it’s just not my story

We are all across the board in terms of stories, interests, and how we follow Jesus

Regardless of how He called you, He called you—Or is calling you

Jesus is the commonality that draws us together, and He will not change!

Therefore, the relationship will not change!

We are not isolated individuals, but we were created for community

Through the gospel, not commonalities we are brought into a community that does not ebb and flow

And the beautiful part about community is that the stories are different and the colors blend together.

And Paul gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to encourage one another or, “Call Out the Good” in gospel-centered community.

Encourage One Another

Romans 15:1–2 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Paul is tightening up his argument to walk in true love from 14:13-23

We are not isolated individuals, but we were created for community

This is a theme that we find throughout the Bible

We live in community

We live among other Christians within the Church

That means that some are going to be more mature in the faith than others

Some will hold more faith than others

Some will hold more Scripture knowledge than others

Some will hold more devotion than others

The call of the Christian life is not selfishness, but selflessness.

A patient Christian is not an oxymoron

A patient church person maybe

But patience is one of the 9 fruits of the Spirit

Those who are more mature in the faith are called to “bear with” the failings of the weak

To “bear with” means to “endure something unpleasant or difficult whether on your own behalf or for someone else.”

We are called to encourage or to “please” one another for the good

This is not to say that we feed into sinful patters or affirm anything that points away from Jesus

Rather, we are to encourage one another toward Christ.

This is not the first time Paul has used this constructive language

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

People bring this passage to mean that we can’t use swear words

Paul’s actual meaning here is construction, not destruction

Do your words build people up?

I’m not saying make them feel good

Is it gossip?

Is it true?

Is it slander?

Is it anger?

If your words were a hammer, does it break things or build houses?

We are instructed through the Word to encourage one another toward godliness in Christ.

Which leads us to point number two

Encourage with the Word

Romans 15:3–4 ESV

3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 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.

At our last worship gathering, we discussed how we at Graceland want to be a People of the Word

We’re Bible people

Paul reminds his readers of what was written in the Scriptures

Giving us an example of both Jesus and the Psalmist in Psalm 69

Those in the church who require more grace than others have already had their reproach taken from them!

Jesus took their reproach

Paul uses Scripture as an encouragement here!

Be patient with others because Jesus was patient with you!

Our lives must line up with the Scriptures

The Bible is the living and active Word of God

It’s our final authority

It’s how God communicates His character, His heart, His will

Paul points us to the very heart of Jesus

Colossians 1:28 ESV

28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Paul reveals that what was written in the Scriptures was given to us that:

We might have endurance

Which means to bear with

Not always pleasant

We might be encouraged by the Scriptures

This leads us to hope in Christ!

Encourage with Prayer

Romans 15:5–6 ESV

5 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.

Paul then models prayer for endurance and encouragement

Paul waters his preaching with prayer

Paul can give some good life applications

But only God can transform a life

What do you think about when you think of praying?

Some thing it’s something reverent/quiet

Like in the library… “Shhhh”

Praying on the inside

The word “pray” is often translated “to beg”

I’ve never heard of someone begging quietly

In Luke 9, there is a father whose son is possessed by a demon

It’s wrecking the boys life

No one can cast out the demon

So the man goes to Jesus

How does he ask?

He begs!

He gets loud!

He needs the attention of God!

Lord, help my son!

Prayer pulls the rope below, and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for the pray so languidly; others give but an occasional pluck at the rope; but he who wins in heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might.

Charles Spurgeon

Note the title Paul gives God

“The God of endurance and encouragement”

He is praying that we would receive the very heart of God!

He’s pleading for the Lord to grant it to us to live in such harmony.. in accord with Jesus Christ.

This is a supernatural gift from God

No method can create this

No team-building exercises can create this

The same harmony as Jesus has with the Father

This is eternal unity

We need God to move us to this.

What would it look like if we prayed for one another like Paul was praying for the Romans?

What would it look like if we prayed for Dearborn County that way?

In desperation

I don’t have the resources to fix it myself

I need God to move in _____ life!

I need God to save my neighbors, friends, and family!

I need God to transform the lives around me!

“Prayer is powerful” Not true

The One to Whom we pray is powerful.

We can go to the Father with expectation, knowing that He alone can do it!

John 16:23–24 ESV

23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Today we’re going to get to practice this

We’re going on a prayer walk immediately following service

We’re going to get to pray with and for people.

Let’s pray boldly and expectedly, like we actually expect God to move in this area.

We want a gospel transformation to sweep this area.

It wont happen without the power of God.

Encourage with Joy

Romans 15:7 ESV

7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

How has Jesus welcomed you?

He’s endured you.

He’s been patient with you.

Jesus has prayed for.

Jesus at this moment is praying for you.

Let’s pray for God to let us see the world like Jesus see’s us.

Wow.

Let’s pray that Jesus helps us to welcome people to Graceland as He has welcomed us into the Kingdom.

No one is beyond grace

No one is beyond forgiveness

No one is incapable of change.

We want to be a people who celebrate next steps toward Jesus.

When you become a Christian

We’re going to celebrate

When you get baptized

We’re going to celebrate

When you get victory over sin.

We’re going to celebrate

Conclusion

In this moment, Jesus welcomes you to Himself.

His cross is sufficient

To cover your guilt, your shame, your past

To change the trajectory of your life.

It is not as rare for someone to change as we might think

Jesus has the power to raise the dead

He is not limited.

He is sovereign.

If you’re here and you’re not a Christian

I want to say I’m glad you’re here.

You can believe in Jesus right now, and your life will be changed forever.

That’s a good we’ll celebrate today.