Romans 15

Themes: Weakness and Hope

Outline ov vs 1-13

Final Call to the Strong 1-4

Prayer for Unity 5-6

Last plea to weak and strong 7-12

Concluding prayer 13

Strong do more than tolerate they help

Paul puts himself in the category of the strong in the area of selfishness. True Christian love isn't selfish but sharing and has a desire to make others happy. Seems so basic. We don’t endure younger christians we encourage them.

Paul quotes Psalm 69:9 talking about Jesus example in this in the price he was willing to pay to minister to us. Does the strong christian think that sacrificing their preference by restraining themselves for the sake of another christian is a great sacrifice. Before they go there put it in contrast to Jesus sacrifice. No sacrifice will ever exceed Calvary.

Culture is definitely do what is best for you. Forget everyone else!

The spiritually mature give up their rights so others can be helped. This is not a burden to the mature but a blessing. Like a parent with a kid making sacrifices.

2 sources of spiritual power to live this way:

Word of God v 4

Prayer v 5-6

Scripture teaches endurance and encouragement

Paul prays for this for the believers as well. Were not good at asking for stuff like this.

Local church must camp out on Gods word and prayer this maintains unity. Were all reading off the same page and relying on the same source so that even when were led differently we have unity.

Glory is brought to God in a unified church. We become disunited when we are trying to glorify ourselves. When we are bringing weight to our opinions instead of recognizing the weight of the majesty of God.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: Man on the Move (Romans 15:8–16:27)

• There is a beautiful progression in the promises that Paul quoted in Romans 15:9–12.

• The Jews glorify God among the Gentiles (Rom. 15:9, quoting Ps. 18:49)

• The Gentiles rejoice with the Jews (Rom. 15:10, quoting Deut. 32:43)

• All the Jews and Gentiles together praise God (Rom. 15:11, quoting Ps. 117:1)

• Christ shall reign over Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 15:12, quoting Isa. 11:10)

Hope, Joy, Peace, power are available to all believers.

Paul demonstrates this by example:

vs 14-15 Pauls call to the gentiles was grace. (pull a bit from Mark Clark here)

Its all about the gospel vs 16 Paul sees this as a priestly duty and those who respond are the sacrifice that Glorifies God.

HS sanctifies his ministry. He’s all about making a name for Jesus not for himself. Has a higher purpose in mind

Paul recognizes that he is simply being used by God

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: Man on the Move (Romans 15:8–16:27)

To begin with, it was an expression of love on the part of the Gentiles toward their Jewish brethren. Second, it meant practical relief at a time when the poor Jewish believers needed it the most. Third, it helped to unite Jews and Gentiles in the church. It was a bond that brought them closer together.

The Kingdom requires:

Sacrifice of preference

Sacrifice of Credit

Sacrifice of resources