Relationship of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Romans 15:1-13
We have been looking at the Christian’s relationships as we have studied the last few chapters.
We talked about the Believers relationship to God in 12.1-2
Believers Relationship with Himself 12:3-8
Believers Relationship with Other Believers 12:9-13
Believers Relationship with Unbelievers 12:14-21
Believers Relationship with the Government 13:1-7
Believers Relationship with Fellow Citizens 13-8-10
Believers Relationship with Time 13:11-14
Believers Relationship between the Strong and Weak believers in chapter 14.
Today we start Romans Chapter 15, with what I believe will be the last sermon on the Believers relationships…this is a plural relationship - It is the church’s relationship with each other.
In this I want to look at five Marks of a Strong Fellowship within the church.
Every believer has a part in building and making the church strong, and here it is very clearly laid out for us.
Let’s begin with Mark #1,
I. The Strong Helps the Weak
I. The Strong Helps the Weak
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.
If a church is going to be a strong church, then the strong believers are going to have to help the weak believers.
We understand this as a continuation from Chapter 14.
They are they who Judge others, who grumble and complain who murmur and criticize.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
The Weak believers are those who still trust in rules to keep them holy - a do’s and don’ts behavior
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
The word bear - bastazo - doesn’t just mean to put up with, but rather it has the idea of helping the along - like a mother or father would help a toddler in love and compassion, to grow in life.
We all are responsible to do this!
A. In Obedience to God’s Word
A. In Obedience to God’s Word
The next verse tells us directly
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Our focus is to be on our neighbor, not our own desires.
This word please carries the idea of being deference.
It means to to accommodate oneself to another.
When we are with someone we defer our desires, our preferences, our standards so that we do not offend the weaker brother.
Why does this verse say we are to do this?
“for his good to edification.”
When we edify we are building up into each other.
We defer to others for the purpose of edifying them.
Not only because the Bible tells us too, but also...
B. In Following Christ’s Example
B. In Following Christ’s Example
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
If there was anyone who had every right to do what he wanted to do it was Christ.
But he didn’t please himself, he deferred to others.
He bore the reproach himself, so that the reproach would not fall on God the Father.
He didn’t pray, “Father, remove this cup of sacrifice and denial from me...” He prayed “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
He bore the reproach so that others could know the Father.
He was willing to be inconvenienced, even scorned, so that others could be saved.
We need to have this spirit…we will never face what He faced.
But even if it meant being inconvenienced, we ought to be willing to defer so that the weaker brother might grow.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
This is truly life changing!
Instead of asking if questionable behavior is right or moral, instead ask yourself, “Is this good for my brother?”
Will this edify and build up my brother?
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Second Mark of strong fellowship in a church is...
II. Everyone Studies the Scripture
II. Everyone Studies the Scripture
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
In a strong church, everyone studies the Word of God.
this is the purpose of the Word of God.
We study the Scripture for...
A. Our Learning
A. Our Learning
Our instruction, direction and guidance.
The Word of God is our instruction manual.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Oh that our church’s testimony was like these Christians.
Known for searching the scripture.
Don’t just take for granted that any speaker speaks the truth.
Search Scripture to verify!
Even the old testament’s saints lives were written for our benefit.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
So we need to study the Scriptures for our own learning!
B. For Our Stirring
B. For Our Stirring
Reading the Word of God stirs our hearts and stirs up the things within us given by the Holy Spirit to help us grow.
It stirs up - Patience - the bearing of evils and suffering with a tranquil mind.
It stirs up - Comfort - (paraklesis) encouragement, consolation, help, exhortation - whatever is needed to comfort the believer.
It stirs up - Hope - The expectation of obtaining what you desire for - the hope of his coming especially.
Look at these great verses...
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
In a strong church the strong help the weak
in a strong church everyone studies the Scriptures.
In a strong church...
III. Everyone Works for Harmony
III. Everyone Works for Harmony
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.
There are many differences among people, different ideas, different beliefs, different histories, different opinions, the strong church is one where everyone works for harmony!
Paul has just said that by studying the Word of God we can have patience and comfort with one another…now he prays to the God of patience and consolation (comfort) will make us likeminded - harmonious - unified.
We secure our patience and comfort from both God and Scripture.
We can ask God to give us the strength to deal with one another in love, and in harmony.
That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is our example as we saw in the first couple of verses.
God the Father is the source of our patience and comfort.
The Word of God stirs Patience, comfort and hope within us.
This brings harmony, both with God and man.
Notice the purpose of believers having harmony with one another...
that we might glorify God with one mind and mouth!
A church that is divided cannot truly worship God.
The focus will always be on our own desires, our own ways, rather than the focus being where it ought to be…The Lord Jesus Christ!
Everyone in the church must work for harmony!
One mind and one spirit in Christ - All yielded to and through the Holy Spirit of God!
In a Strong Fellowship, we see the Strong helping the Weak
In a strong fellowship we see everyone studying the Scriptures.
In a strong Fellowship we see everyone working for harmony.
Mark #4, in a strong church
IV. Everyone Accepts One Another
IV. Everyone Accepts One Another
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.
There is no discrimination in a strong church.
Rich or poor
Black or white
Gentile or Jew
Male or female
Young or old
All are received.
The word means to take to oneself. to receive a person as a friend.
All believers are to receive one another, even as Christ also received us to the glory of God!
This our greatest example - Jesus Christ!
Christ received the Jews and ministered to them so that he could confirm and fulfill the promises that were made to them.
But Christ received the Gentiles and ministered to them too.
He came to bring salvation to all
He came and brought the Mercy of God to all!
This was foretold - the gospel would be preached to the gentiles!
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, And sing praises unto thy name.
It was foretold - the Gentiles would rejoice with God’s people
43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
It was foretold - The gentiles would praise God and trust in Christ as their savior.
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, Which shall stand for an ensign of the people; To it shall the Gentiles seek: And his rest shall be glorious.
We are to receive one another just like Jesus received us all!
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
If we have a strong church we will show these marks!
The Mark of the strong helping the weak
The Mark of Studying the Scriptures.
Teh Mark that everyone works for Harmony
The Mark that Everyone accepts one another.
And then the fifth mark: A strong church is one where
V. Everyone Is Filled with the Spirit
V. Everyone Is Filled with the Spirit
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.
Again, Paul is praying here.
The things that Paul is praying for here can not be obtained apart from God and His Holy Spirit.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we have
A. Joy
A. Joy
- an inner gladness.
It is a assurance and confidence that brings a cheerful heart.
And that is seen through cheerful behavior.
Jesus came to give us joy
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Even though we have not seen Jesus face to face… because we believe..he gives us joy
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
But he doesn’t stop at joy…he also fills us with ...
B. Peace
B. Peace
This is a peace that passes all understanding!
A peace that can only be given by God.
Notice the peace comes in believing.
When we rest in our faith, the storms of doubt and trouble fade into peace.
Jesus told his disciples
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We may have tribulation, but we will have peace in the midst!
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
This comes through faith and believing and keeping our mind on the Lord.
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.
and then thirdly when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will have...
C. Hope
C. Hope
Paul says, “That ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
This hope is an expected good.
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
God cannot lie, and He told us He is coming again, when we are living filled with the Holy Spirit this hope becomes our anchor, the winds may blow, the waves may crash…but we will not be moved!
These three can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit as we yield to Him!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Five marks of a strong church.
The Strong Help the Weak
Everyone studies the scriptures
Everyone works for Harmony
Everyone Accepts One Another
Every One is Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Are you helping us become a Strong Church?