Billlboards of Gospel Hope

Would you believe me if I told you that one the greatest ways we can put the gospel on display to a hostile and hopeless world is through how we receive, accept, and welcome one another in the faith?

We often think placing our stake on the ground on specific issues is the way the gospel will be most visible to the world.

The Apostle Paul challenges that today in our text.

He makes a very strong case using the grand narrative of scripture to show us that welcoming one another, is not only an option, but the greatest billboard sign for the gospel to be displayed.

(Example of Morgan and Morgan Signs everywhere and they are so catchy. The most catchy! Person holding big check. It’s all about Results)

Jesus said to His disciples on Maundy Thursday:

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What Jesus envisioned is what the Spirit wrote out for us here.

Just imagine: Christians, Churches, ever-where welcoming one another, working out there differences, sacrificing for each other, being patient with one another, standing on truth while hearing each other out. Correcting and being corrected in love.

There is no doubt that this type of receiving or “Christian Unity” would be the greatest billboard for gospel advancement.

It would be the check that we would be holding up on Morgan and Morgans sign. (The Check of Love and Christian Unity)

And this is how the apostle Paul ends this section on christian reception and gospel culture.

He does this by showing us that this welcoming one another thing is more that just arguments, disputes and opinions; this is a matter of the gospel, a matter of God’s redemptive plan, this is an issue of Christ and the hope he offers to the world. This is about the glory of God flooding this city and this earth.

We can miss this or mess this up. This is a crucial issue.

With that said, I have entitled my sermon:

Sermon Title: “Billboards of Gospel Hope”

Let’s look at our first billboard Paul puts up for us this morning:

Point One: A Billboard of Justification

Romans 15:7 ESV

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

Here in verse 7 Paul closes this section with summary statement.

Here, he is does not mention the weak and strong in faith.

The reason that is so is because His focus now is to take us from the micro theology of christian unity to the macro.

He pulls us back so that we can get a better understanding of the grand theme of Scripture, which is of course, is that the gospel breaks down the wall of hostility.

The gospel is for both the Jew and the greek.

The weak and the strong.

The rich and the poor.

The gospel is for all people from all walks of life.

Romans is all about the gospel.

To be more clear: Romans is all about fleshing out what the gospel is.

The two major gospel themes in Romans are: The righteousness of God (Rom. 1:16) and The gospel of Justification (Rom. 5:1-2)

Paul has been harping on the gospel for the last 14 chapters and he sure does not stop here.

Recall his words in Romans 5:1-2

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So now, Paul is closing the section by saying that Christian unity is based on our justification (declared not guilty/No longer condemned) in Christ.

The 1689 LBC defines justification this way:

Those God effectually calls he also freely justifies.1 He does this, not by infusing righteousness into them but by pardoning their sins and accounting and accepting them as righteous.2 He does this for Christ’s sake alone and not for anything produced in them or done by them.3 He does not impute faith itself, the act of believing, or any other gospel obedience to them as their righteousness. Instead, he imputes Christ’s active obedience to the whole law and passive obedience in his death as their whole and only righteousness by faith.4 This faith is not self-generated; it is the gift of God.5

We must understand that we are accepted by Christ and live in response to that acceptance, rather than striving to earn it.

Understanding this allows us to accept and welcome others as well.

Why is this so important to us today?

Because we are legalists at heart.

Each of us battle with the legalistic tendencies.

What do I mean by legalist?

A legalist believes they must earn or maintain God's favor through their own efforts—and they are constantly trying to justify themselves.

Legalists experience deep anxiety because they know that God demands perfection, which they cannot achieve.

And then in attempt to soothe their conscience, they compare themselves to others and criticize them, hoping this will make them feel favored by God.

What is the result of this?

Insecurity and a critical spirit that leads to conflicts.

Secondly, living as legalists makes us feel the need to impose our standards on others.

Legalists insist that others follow the same path we do.

I want You to see what the apostle Paul is getting at here at closing the section like this?

Without a true understanding of the gospel, differences in opinions and practices become significant and insurmountable.

However, when we grasp the concept of justification—that we are accepted despite our flaws—we become capable of welcoming others despite their shortcomings.

Exhortation to the Church:

The Spirit of God is calling for the Church to not just preach the gospel of justification but to be a billboard of justification through gospel unity-through welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed us.

Justified us.

Received us.

Accepted us.

Adopted us.

A great question to ask ourselves this morning to find out whether or not we understand this is this:

If God overlooks my sins through Christ, how can I fail to do so with another fellow believer?

Do I actually think I’m more righteous than God?

These questions will help us to receive others in the body.

Paul then adds this final phrase to verse 7:

Romans 15:7 (ESV)

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

In other words, when the billboard of justification is on display for all to see through our reception of one another, the glory of God is best advertised to our communities and to our world.

to our communities and to our world.

What makes for a great and effective billboard?

The best billboards are Clearly visible, Easily understood, and uniquely memorable.

Christian unity ought to be clearly visible(Obvious/it’s our culture/stands out).

Easily Understood (We welcome and accept one another)

Uniquely Memorable (A different kind of love, despite our differences. Christ’s love- John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, IF you have love for one another.””

Point: We obstruct the gospel when we fail to welcome/accept one another.

When we fail to welcome each-other in Christ, we obscure not only the gospel of justification, but the glory of God!

Christ centered unitu points to something much bigger- The glory of God: the radiance of God's worth, beauty, and greatness.

Habakkuk 2:14 ESV

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The goal of all human history is the glory of God.

Paul connects our receiving, and understanding, and the working out of the implications of the gospel of justification to the advancement and promotion of the glory of God.

It’s exactly what Jesus prayed in His high priestly prayer:

John 17:20–23 ESV

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Do we want our city to know, love, and follow Christ?

Do we want to flood our city with the glory of God?

If the answer is yes, which it is, then our reception of Christ’s dear loved and accepted ones must be our priority and plan.

Let’s make our reception of fellow believers clearly visible, easily understood, and uniquely memorable by our love for each other.

The second billboard Paul puts up for us is found in verses 8-12.

Point Two: A Billboard of Exaltation

Romans 15:8–12 ESV

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

Paul begins v9 with a declaration: “For I Tell You”

When someone uses “for I tell you” they are making a very strong and explicit statement.

What is Paul declaring strongly here?

His declaration is found in vv8-9a and supported by vv9b-12

Here is what Paul is declaring here in vv8-9a:

God has fulfilled the promise of the Abrahamic covenant by bringing Gentiles into the people of God through the gospel.

Paul reminds the Roman Christians of this truth in order to encourage them to “welcome one another.”

For the barrier between “strong” and “weak” is at root the barrier between Jew and Gentile, a barrier that Christ’s ministry dismantled.

So Paul makes this clear here by showing that Christ provided both for the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jews (v. 8) and for the inclusion of Gentiles by His mercy in glorifying God (v. 9a).

If you haven’t noticed already, Paul makes sure that we make no mistake that Christ is the central character in God’s redemptive plan.

Paul gives us two reasons here that Christ became a servant.

Romans 15:8 (ESV)

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

To show God’s truthfulness or in order to show God’s faithfulness!

This reminds me of the motif of Romans 9-11 which Paul says in Romans 9:4-6

Romans 9:4–6 (ESV)

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed.

Jesus’s coming, dying, and being raised is evidence that God has not forsaken His promises!

Not to Israel or the nations!

Jesus came to earth to bring blessings to Abraham’s descendants.

Jesus in the One in whom the Jews find access to heaven, in fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

Genesis 12:1–3 ESV

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

You can also read Genesis 28:13-14

Genesis 28:13–14 ESV

And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Jesus came to be a billboard of God’s faithfulness to His promises that He made to our forefathers in the faith.

The second reason Jesus became a servant was…

Romans 15:9 (ESV)

in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

Get this incredible picture Paul is painting for us:

In God keeping his promises to Israel through Christ, The gentiles are being compelled by God faithfulness and mercy to Israel, and they are joining in the song of the salvation of the Jews.

When a gentile reads Romans 9-11 and gets a crash course on God’s dealing with Israel, God’s mercy to a no people, God’s patience and kindness with them, and most important of all, GOD NOT GIVING UP ON THEM- (for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable v29) What happens to a gentile is that they realize that they too can receive God’s mercy.

They too can go from being a no people to a people of God’s own possession.

They too can taste the mercy of God that Israel has tasted time and time again throughout biblical history and even now in Christ.

(It’s like someone giving their testimony. You realize, That can be me!)

That’s the declaration here:

Christ came to show both Jew and Gentile Mercy.

No one is too far gone to receive the mercy Christ.

You’r not too poor or too rich, too good or bad to receive the mercy of God today.

To receive His mercy you have to acknowledge that you need it.

To receive God’s mercy is to acknowledge that you are not getting what you deserve.

What you and I deserve it God’s holy wrath because of our sin.

When you receive His mercy you humbly confess that your are a sinner deserving of condemnation, but that Jesus took your place on the cross, and took on your judgment and your condemnation on himself by His own blood. (Communion)

And God’s mercy didn't stop there.

He could have just forgiven you and not brought you into the family.

But God removes his wrath from you by placing it on Christ, forgives you of your sin, and then brings you into his family and calls you his own.

This is the riches of God’s grace Paul speaks of in Ephesians 2.

Christ’s mercy and acceptance off both Jew and Greek has…

Broken down the wall of hostility and made one new man in Christ.

Christ’s mercy has created one new man with one voice, to glorify Him.

This is a challenge to our Church.

Our Church must strive to be a Church that reflects the gospel. That reflects the mercies of God. This is why our mission statement is what it is. That is our aim.

We strive to restore all people from all walks of life to God through the gospel.

But please don’t miss this:

God’s purpose was always to have a people made up of all nations.

This is not an after thought, because somehow Israel has failed so now God has to go to the nations and find people to worship him.

No, no, no!

That is exactly why, Paul quotes 4 OT scriptures here in these 4 verses.

There is a whole lot I can unpack here in these OT quotations, but for the sake of time, I would like focus on the progression of the quotations.

1. God’s name is to be praised among the Gentiles by his people (v 9);

2. the Gentiles are to be invited in to praise “with his people” (v 10),

3. so that “all you peoples” (Jew and Gentile) will praise the Lord (extol him) (v 11);

4. and all this will be accomplished by “the Root of Jesse”—the great Ruler to come from the line of David, Jesse’s son—as the nations come under his rule and find “hope in him” (v 12).

Of course this King who the nations will come under and hope in, is Jesus.

God’s plan, beloved, from eternity past, has always been for Israel to proclaim to the nations that God is to be praised.

And not only that, God chose Israel to draw the nations INTO his people under the rule and hope of His chosen King, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Douglas Moo points out:

“Paul cites every part of the Old Testament—the writings (v 9b and 11), the law (v 10) and the prophets (v 12)—to show that inclusion of Gentiles with Jews in the praise of God has always been part of God’s purposes.” -Douglas Moo

Gospel unity across every divide and disagreement is what God has always been working toward.

When we meet together as a Church—Jew and Gentile, weak and strong, rich and poor, and so on—meet together to praise the Root of Jesse, Christ Jesus, we are expressing our “harmony with one another as [we] follow Christ Jesus” (v 5); and as a result we are embodying God’s plan, and bringing him glory (v 6).

But again, only God can give this kind of unity—so Paul closes this section praying that the Lord would do just that, through his Spirit (v 13).

Which leads to the final billboard Paul puts up:

Point Three: A Billboard of Anticipation

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

This section is filled with exhortations and instructions to the Church, to the strong and weak, but Paul knows very well, that it happens after prayer.

I can exhort, I can admonish, I can teach, I can preach, but if I do not pray earnestly, than I’m cutting myself short of the Spirits power and the hope that he alone brings.

We often do this.

We must have an unwavering commitment to the word and prayer.

Someone once asked a preacher which one was more important the Word or prayer to which he asked him “what is more important on plane, the left wing of the plane or the right wing of the plane?”

They are both vitally important.

Paul understood this, and it’s exactly what he does here- He prays the Word.

This is a wonderful discipline.

A wonderful and helpful way to hide God’s word in your heart is through prayer.

Pray scripture.

This is exactly what Paul does here.

This prayer is pact with a scriptural punch.

Paul combines many key elements and truths from this letter in this prayer.

This prayer is short but it is filled with gospel hope.

Despite the issues among strong and weak Paul has great hope in what the gospel can do in the life the Church.

Why?

Because the God of Scripture is the God who gives hope.

So he fixes the eyes of the Church at Rome to set their hope on Christ, “the root of Jesse” , the author and giver of Hope-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I used the word “Anticipation” instead of hope because, one, I’m baptist, two because I do think it more fitting to where paul is going here with hope.

Anticipation is about expectation.

It means that we look ahead to what is coming and believe with certainty it will happen.

Paul has a great anticipation, hope, expectation for the Church at Rome and The Church at Large.

But In praying that God might “fill [them] with all joy and peace in believing, Ro 15:13.,” Paul is undoubtedly thinking specifically of the “weak” and the “strong” in the Roman community.

This is all very reminiscent of what Paul taught in Romans 14.

The point is that, He does not want our differing conclusions that we draw from our “believing” in Christ (cf. 14:1–2, 22) to take away our “peace” and “joy” which we should be experiencing as joint participants in the kingdom of God (cf. 14:17).

It is only as the “God of hope” fills us with these qualities that we will be able to “abound in hope,” and join together as one new people with one unified voice exalting Christ to the glory of God (cf. 15:6, 7–12).

But it is clear, that none of this is possible apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot bear the fruits of the spirit with the power of the Spirit.

We will never have hope without the Spirit.

The third person of the trinity is the giver of life and hope.

Jesus, the second person of the trinity said in John 6:63

John 6:63 (ESV)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.

The Spirit regenerates and gives life to believers.

Romans 8:11 ESV

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

When you come alive in Jesus Christ, it is because of the omnipotent work of theHoly Spirit.

The Spirit doesn’t just give life but He is the cause of our abounding hope.

How does the Spirit give us hope?

The role of the Spirit in the trinity is to point us to Christ and His finished work.

JI Packer calls this the Holy Spirit’s "floodlight ministry."

Here’s what he says,

"When floodlighting is well done, the floodlights are so placed that you do not see them, you are not in fact supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are trained...This perfectly illustrates the Spirit’s new covenant role. He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior...The Spirit’s message to us is never, ‘Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me,’ but always, ‘Look at Him, and see His glory; listen to Him, and hear His word; go to Him, and have life; get to know Him, and taste of His gift of joy and peace.’

If focussing on the Holy Spirit distracts a Christian from Jesus then it is not the Spirit working at all. (charismatic movement)

When the Spirit works, He points to Jesus.

There are not Holy-Spirit-empowered Christians and Christ-centered Christians.

When the Holy Spirit gets hold of a Christian he makes him a Christ-centered Christian. The person who thinks most highly of Jesus, the one who adores Him and exalts Him and obeys Him the most, is the person who is most filled with the Holy Spirit.

And when the Holy Spirit is at work in a person’s life, then He will be drawing their attention to Christ and exalting Christ in their eyes and as a result hope will abound more and more.

How do you tell which movements and which churches have more of the Holy Spirit today?

It is those which exalt Christ the most.

The vast majority of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is imperceptible.

He doesn’t draw attention to Himself.

He points to Christ for the sake of our hope.

The more we will look to Christ, beloved, the more our hope will abound.

Jesus is with us.

We have real fellowship with Him.

As it says in 1 John 1:3

1 John 1:3 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

There is no difference between the Holy Spirit in you and Jesus in you.

Christ is present in us through the Holy Spirit.

In fact, it is better for us now than when Jesus walked on the earth.

This is what Jesus said in John 16:7

John 16:7 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

That’s how significant the coming of the Holy Spirit is!

How significant- It’s a matter of Hope and Hopelessness.

Conclusion:

If we want to be a church that makes an impact for the Kingdom here in Sanford and to the ends of the earth, then we must be committed to the billboards of gospel hope Paul puts in place for us here.

We must be billboards of Justification.

Billboards of Exaltation.

Billboards of Anticipation.

A short gospel invitation to set your hope on Jesus.

READ TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE (SITTING DOWN)

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

May the God of hope fill [US] with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit [WE] may abound in hope.