Serving in the Family of God

Intro:

Service can be viewed in many different perspective. One can view the worth of something by the service we receive. We will go to a restaurant based upon the service we receive or not go if it is bad. We will stop a job if the service or benefits are not as good as another. We are a culture that is driven by the best service. Or we will move onto something else.

So what happens when the church does not serve well? How do we serve in a way that not only welcomes people into our community but honors Christ in it? We are going to see this morning 4 truths that are important to being a church that serves the family of God.

Big idea: We serve the family of God best when we reflect Christ.

When it comes to service, we all have different ideas and what classifies as excellent. When it comes to service in God’s family what does it mean and look like?

1. We are welcomed by Christ v. 7

Romans 15:7 “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

It’s important to note v. 7 that Paul speaks about the hospitality of each Christian. We are to be a welcoming people because Christ welcomed us.

“welcome” is a strong word used by Paul, which carries the weight of receiving something or someone with special concern.

For example Mark 8:32 “And he (Jesus) said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”

Acts 18:26 “He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

There should be no room for unreasonable unacceptance of believers according to Paul. But the caveat is this phrase to the glory of God. Some hear what we are talking about and say that no one should judge another believer but that is not the context to what Paul is teaching. In fact, Paul would be contradicting the NT, his own teaching and Jesus’ teaching if that were the case. We are to welcome or accept one another as Christ does, and to help each other progress in our walk with Him.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus calls us to Himself, men and women of all kinds of backgrounds. Sinners in need of a Savior. But Jesus does not allow us to remain as we are and that is why the body of Christ is so important. We serve because we’ve been welcomed. We are welcomed because of Christ’s sacrifice.

Which means sometimes that means hard conversations. Sometimes that means exhorting one another. Sometimes that means we confront one another. Why you may ask? For the glory of God and the betterment of the church universal.

Paul’s major emphasis leading up to v. 7 is that the Gentiles were included into the promises of God. If Christ can welcome each one of us who have surrendered our lives to Him for salvation, then we are to extend that same response to each other.

The second truth we are going to see...

2. We are to bridge relationships vs. 8-9

Romans 15:8–9 “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.””

Christ has fulfilled the anticipation of the OT.

Matthew 15:24 “He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”” Reminds us why Christ came initially to Israel. The disciples were restricted to the nation of Israel at the beginning Matthew 10:5–6 “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Christ served for two reasons to fulfill the OT truth and demonstrate how God keeps His promises Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” 2nd because the Gentiles were to be drawn to Him.

Even from OT times, there was always a call for Gentiles to come and David prophetically spoke about this as God had given him deliverance from his enemies 2 Sam. 22:50; Ps. 18:49 speak to the nations (Gentiles) coming to praise God. It wasn’t until Christ’s atoning work that we come to fully realize it.

As Gentiles, we can praise God for His mercy to us in what He accomplished through Christ.

We must remember that Paul was writing during a time where prejudice could be high among Jewish and Gentiles Christian. But Paul wanted to make it abundantly clear that as Christ followers we are to bridge divides, but it is only possible because we were given the great example through Christ.

Which brings us to the third truth...

3. We are to build unity vs. 10-12

Romans 15:10–12 “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.””

Isaiah 11:10 is in mind for Paul as he writes about the shoot of David’s line ruling the nations and on Christ does the Gentiles rest their hopes. “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.”

Paul is highlighting for us the unity that has been brought through Jesus. What was once a great divide of the chosen people and the pagan people. What once was a point of great disdain for each other, Christ broke down the wall of separation. Ephesians 2:14–16 “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

I love the way John MacArthur puts it in his commentary on Romans “Jews can have no grudge against Gentiles, because their calling, their very purpose for existing, was to reach Gentiles for the glory of the Lord. The Gentiles can have no grudge against Jews, because it was through the Jews that God brought them salvation.”

The fourth truth we will see...

4. We are to live in hope v. 13

Romans 15:13 “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.”

“‘The God of hope’ means the God who inspires hope and imparts it to His children” Everett Harrison

We are called to live life demonstrating hope. But how does that play out in our lives? We maintain a trust in the plan of God. He never fails, everything is in His hands. We work through the power of the Holy Spirit to demonstrate it to a lost and dying world.

So how do you handle conflict at work? How do you handle conflict within your family? How do you handle conflict among friends?

I look to people who can handle conflict with patience and a level headedness as a clear demonstration of this. I cannot help but think of various men we have seen walk with us with this thought.

V. 13 serves as a benediction, reminding us that unity leads to such abundant hope.

It is to have total spiritual satisfaction in Jesus.

As Paul states in Colossians 1:27b “...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

So how are you doing in feeding your soul on the hope of Christ? Do you take time each day to meditate on the gospel? We would be a people immersed more deeply in the hope of Christ if we would remind ourselves of our hope.

Can I recommend the “Gospel Primer” great little book on truth for your soul...

Review the four truths...

Next Steps:

I want you to think of someone in our church that you find difficult to connect with or understand. This week, choose to interact with them and connect, ask about their life, and listen to them.

By doing so, you're not only reflecting Christ's love but also tearing down barriers that might exist within our church family.

I’d encourage you to find a connect group and be a part of it or “enter danger zone” connect to a different group for a change.

So again, this week, choose to interact with someone from our church family and connect, ask about their life, and listen to them. Share something that God has been teaching you!