Unity follows the example of the Lord Jesus Christ

Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
By imitating the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, the church will do three things: bear with the weak, glorify God, and accept one another
Romans 15:1-13
Romans 15:1-13
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 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.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 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 9 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.”
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”
12 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.”
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 Goes back to the ideas he has discussed earlier, when talking about food and Holy Days. The Strong have the responsibility. Not to subjugate but to Take actions so that the week don’t fall into temptation.
The strong are to bear with the weaknesses of their fellow believers—not just tolerate, or condescend to, but participate by showing understanding for the conviction they hold.
1962 Amazing Fantasy #15"With great power comes great responsibility" - 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 Stan Lee
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Carrying another person’s weakness in the spiritual sense is the same as carrying their burden in the physical sense—we help them get where they are going with what they have in their hand or heart.
Instead of criticizing them, we encourage them in their desire to glorify and thank God for his provision and blessing (Rom. 14:6).
Instead of tearing them down with theological explanations for why they are wrong, we build [them] up in the Lord.
By definition, we cannot please ourselves while we are tending to the needs of another. If the strong Christian, one like Paul (We who are strong), turns from his own needs to the needs of another, the end result is the building up of that one who is weak in faith.
So that they may one day be Strong.
Jesus Our Example
Jesus Our Example
The example we are to follow in all things, and especially in serving one another, is Christ.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
He did not come to serve himself but to serve those who were in need (Mark 10:45).
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Though he was rich, he became poor that through his poverty we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9).
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.
He willingly divested himself of his rights and prerogatives as God and took upon himself the very nature of a servant (Phil. 2:5–8).
Paul followed the example of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) as he sought not his own good, “but the good of many, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:33).
Isn’t that even what we pray for Not Mine but thine will be done in Heaven and on Earth.
We do struggle with that. As we don't like to think Gods will may not be about me. And the good of the many may out way my concerns.
Unity
Unity
In that There is unity. Cause when we focus on just our own needs we neglect the needs of others and the will of God for all his creation. That is when we divide.
Christ set the example. He was led as a “lamb to the slaughter” (Isa. 53:7) He was a servant. He put the good of many above his own.
Paul could be saying to the Jews in the Roman church, “Be like Christ who, as a servant, completed the purposes of God for his life so that mercy might be extended to the Gentiles. You need to do the same thing toward the Gentiles in the church. Do not worry if they eat meat from the marketplace. Realize they have been brought into the same spiritual union with God that you have through the servanthood of Christ.”
While Paul had been speaking t o the “strong” in verses 1–6, he seems to broaden his appeal to the whole church beginning in verse 7 (Accept one another, then), suggesting That all would be best served if they would act like Christ in serving one another.
Paul will cite four OT passages illustrating that it is and always has been God’s intention to bring the Gentiles into the fold of God’s Mercy and Love.
and it became possible when Christ came as the Jewish Messiah. Serving the Jews and died not only for the sins of Israel but the whole world (1Jon 2:2)
Thus Christ’s servanthood provided the means whereby both Jews and Gentiles were unified in one body—Paul’s goal for the church in Rome
In light of God’s plan from the beginning to bring Jews and Gentiles together to share in his blessings (Gen. 12:3), disunity and contention among believers in a given assembly is unacceptable.
By not living together in unity, they become an affront to God’s purpose and plan for sending his Son as the Jewish Messiah.
Next steps
Next steps
Can we follow suit can we through the supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit exhibit Joy and peace towards others.
Paul’s final benediction to them is a gentle one. What he is asking them to do is not easy—certainly not something to be accomplished in the power of human ability. Joy and peace are supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22) learning to love those of a different racial and ethnic background
Hope for the present—“Can I truly accept my brother or sister in Christ?”—and hope for the future—“Are my efforts going to be consummated in God’s final deliverance from all of life’s stresses and troubles?”—will only overflow in the believer as the believer overflows with the Spirit.
MAIN IDEA REVIEW: Unity in the body of Christ encompasses liberty, evidences love, and follows the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bibliography
Bibliography
W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.
Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Chip, Ingram. R12 Living on the Edge Study Guide: Dare to Experience True Spirituality . New York: Howard Books, 2009.
Bruce, F. F. Romans: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.
For notes
Paul cites four Old Testament passages illustrating that it was always God’s intent for the Gentiles to be brought into the fold of God’s love and mercy. This became possible when Christ came as the Jewish Messiah (came as a servant of the Jews) and died for the sins not only of Israel but of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Thus Christ’s servanthood provided the means whereby both Jews and Gentiles were unified in one body—Paul’s goal for the church in Rome: as the Jewish Messiah (came as a servant of the Jews) and died for the sins not only of Israel but of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Thus Christ’s servanthood provided the means whereby both Jews and Gentiles were unified in one body—Paul’s goal for the church in Rome:
1. 2 Samuel 22:50: This song of praise by David is also included in the Psalms as Psalm 18, and is typical of the Old Testament perspective on “gospelizing” the nations of the world (the Gentiles). As a result of God’s favor to Israel (in this case, his deliverance of David from them militarily; 2 Sam. 22:48–49), Israel would praise God among the Gentiles, and they would hear of his power and might.
2. Deuteronomy 32:43: In the Song of Moses, Israel’s first national leader issues an invitation in the last verse of his song: “Rejoice, O nations [Gentiles], with his people.” The rest of the verse, not quoted by Paul, issues a warning to the Gentiles as well: “[God] will take vengeance on his enemies.” The Gentiles will meet God at the fellowship table or the bar of justice, and they are invited to come willingly in peace before being forced to come submissively in subjection.
3. Psalm 117:1: These verses call on the nations to praise the God of Israel for “his love toward us” and “the faithfulness of the LORD.”
4. Isaiah 11:10: This messianic passage follows verse 1 of Isaiah 11 which predicts a branch rising from the “stump of Jesse” (Jesse being the father of King David) which would rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him. That branch was obviously Jesus Christ.
Paul uses all of these verses to demonstrate that the Gentiles were not an after thought in God’s plan, but were destined to inherit salvation through the instrumentality of Israel and her Messiah (see other references to the Gentiles in Pss. 47:1; 67:3–5; 96:7; 98:4; 100:1)
Questions for Further Discussion
Questions for Further Discussion
According to the sermon text, what are the three things the church will do by imitating the example of the Lord Jesus Christ?
In what ways are the strong Christians encouraged to help the weak believers according to the sermon text?
How does the sermon describe the example Christ set for believers in serving one another?
What is the main idea emphasized in the sermon regarding unity in the body of Christ?
How does Paul use Old Testament passages to illustrate God's plan to bring Jews and Gentiles together in the church?
How does the sermon explain the concept of servanthood as exemplified by Jesus Christ and Paul?
Why is disunity and contention among believers considered unacceptable according to the sermon text?
How does the sermon argue for the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ based on Christ's servanthood?
How can believers apply the principle of serving one another, as exemplified by Christ, in their daily lives?
What supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the sermon as essential for believers to exhibit towards others?
In what practical ways can believers strive to live in unity with other Christians, as highlighted in the sermon?
How can believers overcome personal preferences and focus on the needs of others as advocated in the sermon?
How can believers apply the principle of bearing with the weaknesses of fellow believers in their interactions within the church community?
What steps can believers take to imitate Christ's example of serving others, especially in situations of disagreement or contention?
How can believers seek to promote unity and peace within the church, considering the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of its members?
What practical ways can believers demonstrate acceptance and love towards those who may have different beliefs or convictions, as suggested in the sermon?
What does the sermon say about imitating the example of the Lord Jesus Christ?
How does the sermon describe the responsibility of strong Christians towards the weak believers?
Why is unity in the body of Christ important according to the sermon text?
How does the sermon explain the role of Christ's servanthood in unifying Jews and Gentiles in the church?
How can teenagers apply the concept of serving one another, as exemplified by Christ, in their relationships with peers?