Christ: An Example to Replicate
Notes
Transcript
Read: Romans 15:1-13
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
REPLICATE the example of Christ. 15:1-13
Christ set us the pattern (1-4) - The obligations of the strong
As Paul draws the discussion to a close, he openly aligns himself with the strong.
The Strong:
are the ones who hold the key to the solution of the problem.
If they are interested simply in maintaining their own position, the gulf between the two groups will not be narrowed and the weak will continue to be critical and resentful.
But if the strong will reach out the hand of fellowship and support, this will be a bridge. So to the strong belongs the responsibility of taking the initiative.
"Ought" is not to be watered down as though it means the same thing as "should." It speaks not of something recommended but of obligation.
When the strong bear with the weak, they must do it in love--the key to fulfilling the law of Christ.
The temptation to be resisted by the strong is the inclination to please themselves, to minister to self-interest.
This is the very antithesis of love. For example, were a strong brother to indulge his liberty openly in the presence of a weak brother, this would be labeled self-pleasing, for it would do nothing for the other but grieve or irritate him.
The Strong are:
To bear with the failings of the weak (1a)
To not please ourselves (1b)
All Christians – both strong and weak are:
To desire to please our neighbor by building him up (2)
- The “Why” Because Christ pleased not himself (3-4)
As Hodge remarks, what is called for here is not "a weak compliance with the wishes of others" (in loc.). It is rather a determined adjustment to whatever will contribute to the spiritual good of the other person.
The goal to be achieved here is the good of the other person, his edification (cf. 14:19). This leaves no room for anything like mere ingratiation.
This is the danger with “Situational Ethic’s” The so called “love” used in that ethic is that which does not offend or hurt the other person in anyway even if that means telling a falsehood or being deceitful - it is out of love.
True love speaks only the truth - although tact and diplomacy should be used as much as possible
Christ was faced with the same problem that continues to confront his followers. Should they please themselves, go their own way, speak what people want to hear; or should they resolve to be guided by their commitment to do the will of God? Christ's own affirmation is recorded for us: "I always do what pleases him" (John 8:29).
Our Lord did not on this account discontinue his faithful ministrations that were designed to help those about him. Paul would have his readers realize that similarly they are to seek the good of others even if they are misunderstood or maligned in doing so.
(verse 4) The very phenomenon of quoting from the OT speaks loudly of the dependence of the church on the course of redemption history reflected there. Things both new and old enter into Christian faith. The example of Christ was bound to influence the church to revere and use the OT, and this was made easier because at the beginning its constituency was largely Jewish-Christian.
Christ is the way to united worship (5-6)
The way to unity among the brethren is for all to follow and focus on Christ Jesus (5)
This unity among the brethren brings glory to God (6)
[EBC] Endurance and encouragement are ultimately God's gift, though they are mediated through the Scriptures. They tend, however, to be individually appropriated, some realizing them to a greater degree than others. So Paul prays for a spirit of unity (like-mindedness) that will minimize individual differences as all fix their attention on Christ as the pattern for their own lives (cf. v. 3). This does not mean that believers are intended to see eye-to-eye on everything, but that the more Christ fills the spiritual vision, the greater will be the cohesiveness of the church. The centripetal magnetism of the Lord can effectively counter the centrifugal force of individual judgment and opinion. Though this unity will help the church in its witness to the world, Paul is more interested here in its effect on the worship of the people of God--"with one heart and mouth" glorifying the God and Father whom Jesus so beautifully glorified on earth.
Without this unity of mind about Christ, unity of heart and mouth in worship is impossible.
Christ has accepted you (7)
Since Christ has accepted both the weak and the strong, they ought to accept each other.
Christ’s acceptance of us was in order to bring praise to God.
[EBC] As he moves forward to the conclusion of his treatment of the strong and the weak, Paul, good teacher that he was, pauses to summarize what he has already stated. "Accept one another" picks up the emphasis of 14:1, where the same verb occurs, but here the charge is directed to both groups rather than to the strong alone. Then, in line with 15:3, 5, he brings in the example of Christ once more and states that bringing praise to God is the grand objective, in agreement with v. 6. It is not fully clear whether this final phrase relates grammatically to the command to receive one another or to the fact that Christ has received them. As far as the sense of the passage is concerned, it could apply to both.
Christ has become a servant to unify Jew and Gentile (8-13)
The Person on whom we must focus - “The God of hope”
He is a covenant keeping God (8)
He is a merciful God, not willing that any perish (9-12)
Gentiles gladdened by Christ (9b-11)
Gentiles governed by Christ (12)
The Perspective God wants us to have (13a) – “that ye may abound in hope”
The Promise God wants us to claim (13b) – “fill you with all joy and peace”
The Pathway God wants us to take (13c) – “in believing”
The Power God wants us to share (13d) – “through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
The Characteristics of Paul’s Ministry as a Model for Our Ministry
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Our MINISTRY is to be marked by grace (14-15)
An attitude of graciousness toward other (14)
An awareness of our receiving grace from God (15)
Our MESSAGE is to be centered in the Gospel (16)
We need a sense of calling - "to the Gentiles"
We need a spiritual concern - "that the offering ... might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."
Our MOTIVE is to glorify God (17)
The person - "in Christ"
The purpose - "to exalt Christ"
Our MEANS of achieving is to be through God's power (18-19)
Appreciative of the labors of others (18)
Aware of his dependency on God (19)
Our MANNER of ministry is to align with God's purposes
(20-33)
God had a special plan for Paul to follow (20-21
Paul caught a vision of what needed to be done (22-28)
Paul kept the fresh fullness of God's Spirit in his life (29)
Paul appreciated the power of other's prayers (30-31)
Paul was submissive to the will of God (32-33)