Following Christ's Example
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today, we are continuing our study in the book of Romans.
Last week, our passage encouraged us to not do anything that might hurt the conscience of a brother or sister in Christ. And Paul closed the section by telling us we need to be careful that our beliefs do not condemn us.
This morning, we come to Romans 15, where Paul continues to encourage our care for others.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Romans 15, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Caring for the Weak
Caring for the Weak
Booker T. Washington once said:
I have learned that assistance given to the weak makes the one who gives it strong; and that oppression of the unfortunate makes one weak.
Booker T. Washington
Perhaps, he had learned the truth of these first two verses in Romans 15.
In this passage Paul presents an idea that is counter cultural. It was counter-cultural in his day and it is counter-cultural in our day.
Those who are strong
— Ought to (Gk. are obligated to, have to pay, account for)
— Bear with (Gk. pick up, carry, to lift up)
— The failings (Gk. mistakes) of the weak (v. 1a).
Paul echos this idea in Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Next Paul reminds us that it is not about us—or not about “me!”
Those who are strong should not be living to please ourselves! (v. 1b).
Look with me at Philippians 2:3-4.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
T his verse in Philippians 2 sounds a lot like Romans 15:2:
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Instead, each of us should please (ESV translates this as “should help”) our neighbor (v. 2a).
We should do what is good (Gk. helpful, useful) to our neighbor (v. 2b).
We should build up (Gk. strengthening, encouraging) our neighbor (v. 2c).
Follow Christ’s Example
Follow Christ’s Example
For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Jesus gave us an example to follow. Now Paul points this out to us. Jesus didn’t die on the cross to please Himself, rather He died on the cross to make a way for people to move from being an enemy of God to being a child of God!
In verse 3 he quotes from Psalm 69:9
for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
The author of Hebrews presents Jesus and tells us to fix our eyes on Him because He is the pioneer (author) and perfecter of our faith!
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
At this point I can almost hear some of you say, “Wait a minute! I didn’t sign up to have suffering in my life! I’m not sure I want to follow Jesus that far!” Honestly, I can’t blame you.
But look at verse 4. Paul is going to show us that in the midst of our struggles God can develop a couple of characteristics.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Paul tells us that everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us (v. 4a)!
And these writings (the Scriptures) teach us to endure (v. 4b). You see the idea of endurance is taught throughout the Scriptures.
Endurance—Gk. perseverance, steadfastness, stand firm, patience).
The Scriptures give us encouragement (Gk. comfort, consolation) (v. 4c).
Through endurance and encouragement we have hope (Gk. the basis of expectation) (v. 4d).
Honestly, what Paul seems to be saying sounds strange to us. You see, if I’m honest the progression that he presents here is counter-intuitive. He says that suffering, produces endurance. Endurance produces encouragement. And then the two—endurance with encouragement produces hope—the basis my expecting Jesus to work in my life!
Same Attitude as Jesus
Same Attitude as Jesus
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
Now Paul notes:that it is God who ultimately gives us:
—That it is God who ultimately gives us endurance (v. 5a).
—It is God who ultimately gives us encouragement (v. 5b).
Now he asks this God to give each one of us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had for us (v. 5c).
If you want to know what it means to have the mind and attitude of Christ, we must go to another writing of Paul. In Philippians 2:5-8 we read:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
The unity we experience by each one of us having the mind of Jesus allows us to do that for which we were created. Look at verse 6.
so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So that in unity (with one mind and one voice) we may glorify God the Father (v. 6). Psalm 34 3 gives us a glimpse of what glorifying God looks like.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
To glorify God is to lift His name up or exalt His name, it’s to make His name known among the nations!
Accept One Another
Accept One Another
When we come to verse 7, Paul returns to his original idea with which he opened chapter 15. Look at verse 7.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Paul continues to tell us to accept (Gk. take aside, welcome in, bring along, share or partake) one another.
We are to accept each other right were we are, not where we want others to be (v. 7a).
We do this because Jesus accepted us so that God would be praised! (v. 7b)
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed
Paul now moves to his second point in the outline: Follow Christ’s Example!
Jesus became a servant of the Jews, so that the promises of the Patriarchs might be confirmed (v. 8).
and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Jesus also became a servant of the Jews so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy (v. 9a)
To emphasize these two points: (1) That Jesus came to confirm the teachings of the Old Testament to the Jews; (2) So that the Gentiles might glorify God. To emphasize these two points Paul quotes from four passages from the Old Testament:
2 Samuel 22:50 & Psalm 18:49—God is to be praised by the Jews among the Gentiles (‘Nations’).
And the Jews were to sing the praises of God’s name (v. 9b).
Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
Quotes Deuteronomy 32:43—calls Gentiles (‘Nations’) to rejoice with God’s people (v. 10).
And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
Quotes Psalm 117:1—Gentiles are to praise the Lord and all people are to “exalt” or lift up in praise the Lord (v. 11).
And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
Now he quotes Isaiah 11:10—A descendent will come from Jesse who will rise up and rule over all the nations, and in Him the Gentiles will hope (v. 12).
Experience God’s Peace
Experience God’s Peace
These four Old Testament passages ought to fill us with hope and peace, and that is exactly what Paul asks God to give his readers. Look at verse 13.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul identifies God as the one who gives hope.
Paul calls him, “the God of hope.”
Paul asks the God of hope (Gk. basis of expectation) to provide the reader of the letter with two things:
—Fill us with all joy (Gk. gladness, delight)
—Fill us with peace (Gk. harmony, order)
These qualities: joy, and peace; only manifest themselves when we trust in (Gk. believe in, put your faith in) God for all your daily situations.
The more we put our trust in the Lord the more we will overflow with hope (we’ll have a greater basis of expectation).
This overflow of hope comes by the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives!
So What
So What
This passage is filled with how we should live. As followers of Jesus we should be following the example that Christ set for us.
So let me ask you are question:
Are you caring for those who are spiritually weaker than you are? Or do you look down your nose as though you are far superior than those around you?
Are you following Christ’s example—living your life the way Jesus lived His life? Perhaps you need to change what you are doing so you can say as Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
Do you find endurance and encouragement in the Scriptures? Paul reminds us that they were written to give you and me hope!
Do you have the same attitude or mind that Jesus had?
Do you accept those around you? We need to accept those who know Jesus as our brothers and sisters—accepting them and extending to them grace, mercy, and love!
Are you experiencing God’s peace? My prayer is that no matter what you are going through today you will know God’s peace in an experiential way!
So how would you answer these six questions? Because our answer to each one of theses questions speaks volumes about our relationship with Jesus!