Romans 15:8-13 | Hope-filled, Christ-exalting Lives
Notes
Transcript
SERMON TITLE: Hope-filled, Christ-exalting Lives
SCRIPTURE: Romans 15:8-13 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 10-12-25
TURN MIC ON / WELCOME
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.
SERIES INTRO
We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul is now in the “so what” section of his letter. Meaning he’s now addressing how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. Or at least how it should influence the way we live.
And we just finished a three part mini-series — within our series in Romans — as Paul just concluded a lengthy section on how Christians are to disagree with one another regarding secondary issues or — what are sometimes called — non-essentials.
For over a chapter Paul has been stressing how — the essentials that we believe — about God, salvation, sin, the Bible, and so on — are to unite us together as the people of God. For our goal should be to love one another — and love will create an atmosphere of unity even in our disagreements. And this kind of unity is a signal to the unbelieving world of how our beliefs affect and shape the way we live.
For we live in a world where division is the norm. Where even the smallest and most minor of disagreements is reason for judgment, name calling, questioning of character, and so on. God dishonoring behaviors that have found their way into the church and among God’s people. And any behaviors that dishonor God bring joy and delight to our Enemy and foe — the devil. And he would much rather we fight against our fellow Christians than unite together to fight him.
The question that Paul’s put before us is: Who will we fight against? One another or our real enemy?
Now — though the mini-series on how to disagree was only a three parter — today’s sermon does show us a result of us disagreeing biblically with one another. What result is that? That as a faith family we will come together and unite our hearts, minds, and voices in hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship becomes a marker of God’s people when they are unified together on the essentials of the faith and disagree — biblically — in regards to non-essentials of the faith.
This is what we find in our text for today — which is Romans chapter fifteen — verses eight through thirteen. If you have your Bible — please turn with me there — to Romans chapter fifteen — we’ll begin in verse eight. There Paul writes…
8 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, 9 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.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 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.
Hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship — that’s our focus for today. For hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship is a result of our commitment to being unified on the essentials of the faith. Hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship birthed from knowing that…
One — Christ came to reveal God’s truth.
Two — Christ came to confirm God’s promises.
Three — Christ came to show God’s mercy.
Which leads to Christ being our hope.
That’s where we’re headed today — today is all about Jesus. For he came to reveal God’s truth, to confirm God’s promises, to show God’s mercy, resulting in him being our hope and the One whom we gather to worship as a faith family.
CHRIST CAME TO REVEAL GOD’S TRUTH
Let’s begin by seeing how Christ came to reveal God’s truth. We’re back in verse eight. There Paul writes…
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness…
Here Paul tells us that Jesus came to earth to be a servant to the circumcised — that’s the Jews — and he became their servant to show them God’s truthfulness. Before we get to how Jesus did this — remember that — part of the reason there was disagreement and conflict in the church in Rome is because there were Christians coming from a Jewish background along with Christians coming from a Gentile — or non-Jewish — background. The examples of what they were disagreeing over — the Paul used in the previous chapter — shows us how their differing backgrounds — even differing religious backgrounds — was cause for their division and disunity.
I bring this up — as a reminder — because here Paul reminds us that Jesus came to earth as a Jewish man to show the Jewish people God’s truthfulness. The Jews had drifted from God’s truth — there are all kinds of reasons for this. But they’d drifted so far that — when Jesus came to earth — the Jewish people — especially the Jewish religious leaders and experts in the law — or Old Testament — thought Jesus was a rebellious law breaker when all he was doing was revealing to them how far they’d drifted from God’s truth.
In fact — John — in his gospel — in his account of the life of Jesus — emphasizes the connection between Jesus and God’s truth.
For example, in some of the first words in his gospel — John describes Jesus this way.
14 And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
A few verses later — John adds…
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John is the only gospel author to record Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman who he met at a well. In his conversation with her — the topic of worship came up — to which Jesus replied…
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
And pay close attention to what we read in a lengthy encounter that Jesus has with a crowd of people. Some — in the crowd — believed him — and others didn’t.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Here Jesus tells the crowd — and us — that the words he speaks are words of truth. And that — in believing his words of truth — one will find freedom. But freedom from what? Freedom from being enslaved to sin. Freedom from being ensnared by the lies of the devil. Freedom from self-salvation and all false forms of salvation — for there is only way of salvation: faith in Jesus Christ.
We’re not saved by our opinions about Jesus.
We’re not saved by our political affiliations.
We’re not saved because we attend church.
We’re not saved because we the popular vote happens to agree with Scripture.
We’re not saved because they — the other side of whatever division we find ourselves in — welcomes worse sinners than our side.
No — we’re saved when we repent of our sins — the big ones and the small ones — and turn to Jesus Christ in faith for our salvation — for he is the only way of salvation.
This is exactly what he said to his disciples when they were troubled. Jesus said these comforting words to them.
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Jesus is the only way of salvation. He is the revelation of God’s truth. And he is where life — the abundant and overflowing with joy for all eternity — life is found.
And — in his tenderness towards us — who follow him today — Jesus says…
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
In love — Jesus who reveals to us God’s truth — has sent — with the Father — the Spirit of truth to live in his people — to lead, guide, and direct us according to truth.
And he’s still not done — for Jesus also prayed this prayer for us…
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Sanctify means “to make holy.” The word can also mean to “set apart.” Set apart from falsehoods and lies and set in the truth. And where is this truth found? According to Jesus — now that he’s in Heaven — truth is found in God’s Word to us — the Bible.
CHRIST CAME TO CONFIRM GOD’S PROMISES
Which leads us to another reason why Jesus came — to confirm God’s promises to his people. This is what Paul tells us in verse eight when he writes…
8 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,
Here Paul echoes back to something he wrote earlier way back in chapter nine…
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Both here — and in our chapter — Paul is wanting to remind the Christians with Jewish backgrounds that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises that God made to their people — the Israelites. Promises from God to his people are often called covenant promises. In fact, one definition of the word covenant is a “relationship God establishes with people on the basis of his promises.” (Lexham Survey of Theology)
Examples of covenant promises would include the covenant God made with Abraham — when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. A covenant is what God made with the Israelites after he rescued them out of their slavery in Egypt. God made a covenant with David — for God made a promise that — from David’s line — will come a King who’s reign and rule will never come to an end. Paul even alludes to this covenant with David in some of his first words in the letter when he writes…
Romans 1:1–4 (NLT)
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
And what may be the most familiar covenant of all — is what is called the new covenant.
31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. 33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
CHRIST CAME TO SHOW GOD’S MERCY
Which leads us to another reason why Christ came — to show God’s mercy. Back to verse eight one last time.
8 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, 9 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.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
In these verses Paul quotes from the Old Testament a lot! For example, “I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name” — in verse nine — is a quote of…
50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.
And…
49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.
David sang these words in praise to his God who had rescued him from the hands of his enemies. Though the “waves of death” nearly overwhelmed him — and the “torrents of destruction” terrified him — David called upon his God for his rescue — for his salvation — and trusted that his God would deliver him. It’s in response to being saved that David praises God — and sings songs of praise to God’s glorious and mercifully saving name among all peoples of all nations.
Paul also quotes…
1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!
And…
10 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.
The nations, the nations, the nations. People from all nations praising the Lord who saves. One who is a descendant of Jesse — King David’s father — the One who fulfills the promise that God made to David — of a descendant who will sit on the throne as King of kings forever and ever — is the One whom people all of nations will turn to in praise.
And — in this church in Rome — the nations were represented. For many in the church were believers in Jesus who came from Gentile backgrounds. Paul acknowledges this in some of the opening words in his letter — when he writes…
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The gospel — the Good News that God saves sinners who put their faith in his Son — the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes — people of Jewish background as well as people from all nations.
This is why — around here at Gateway — you’ll here that one of our goals — for those who follow Jesus — is that we will all be Kingdom-minded. Where our desire is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to not only change our community, our state, or our country but be news that changes the world. For that is what God intends his news to do. And the gospel — the Good News — is news of God’s mercy towards sinners who turn to his Son in faith.
Mercy for all who turn to Jesus in faith. No matter you race, gender, nationality, socio-economic background, and all of the other ways the world tries to divide us. Christ came to show all people the mercy of God.
CONCLUSION: CHRIST IS OUR HOPE
And where does all of this lead? Where do the truths — that Christ came to reveal God’s truth, to confirm God’s promises, and to show God’s mercy — lead us? What destination have we arrived at? That Christ is our only hope.
In verse twelve Paul writes…
12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 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 root of Jesse — the descendant of King David — Jesus Christ — is the hope of all who believe in him. Jews who believe — he is their hope. Gentiles who believe — he’s their hope as well. And — in being their hope — they are filled with joy and peace — echoing back to what Paul said earlier are characteristics of living according to the kingdom of God — with is words…
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For the Holy Spirit — who lives in the people of God — fills us with joy, peace, and hope — a hope that abounds or overflows in our lives. And — by hope — Paul doesn’t mean wanting something to be true while being uncertain if it will come to pass. No — hope — according to Paul — and the other authors of Scripture — is a confidence in God’s faithfulness to his people. A confidence that his words are true and trustworthy. A confidence that every promise he’s made will be fulfilled. A confidence that merciful to all who believe in his Son. A confidence that overflows in a person’s life — changing how they live and how they view the world. Leading to a life that exalts Christ by worshiping him.
The way we describe this kind of hope-filled, Christ-exalting life — here at Gateway — is a life that worships, connects, serves, and goes.
Though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of worship is much more than gathering on Sundays with God’s people — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize weekly worship with God’s people who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting worship in the rest of his or her life.
And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of connecting to others — or fellowship, as it’s sometimes called — is much more than gathering with God’s people in small groups — what we call Life Groups at Gateway — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize regularly gathering with God’s people to apply God’s Word to life and practice care for one another who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting fellowship in the rest of his or her life.
And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of service is much more than serving God’s people in a local church — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize serving God’s people in a local church who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting service in the rest of his or her life.
And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of going is much more than a local church’s missions program — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize going with God’s people to proclaim the gospel who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting gospel proclaiming to the ends of the earth in the rest of his or her life.
And though a hope-filled, Christ-exalting life of giving generously is much more than financially supporting God’s people in a local church — it’s no less than that. Meaning — rare is the individual who doesn’t prioritize generous giving to a local church who still prioritizes hope-filled, Christ-exalting generous giving in the rest of his or her life.
And — like Paul — for in just a few verses he’s about to start name dropping in his letter. Naming people who model the hope-filled, Christ-exalting lives of worship, connecting, serving, going, and giving in this church in Rome — it’s tempting to want to get ahead of Paul and start name dropping the many of you who are examples of what it means to live hope-filled, Christ-honoring lives. To praise the good works you are doing to make your Savior look glorious to the world. To tell others of your commitment to God’s truth as revealed to us in his Word and Son. To share stories of your trust in his promises to his people even in the midst of sorrows and tragedies of life. To thank you for displaying God’s mercy to those suffering and in need of tenderness in life’s most sensitive moments.
But — like Paul — I’ll resist name dropping for now. That will come when get to chapter sixteen. Instead — a general thank you to the faithful ones of this Gateway Church faith family.
Thank you for worshiping, connect, serving, going, and giving. Thank you for your commitment to the truth which is God’s Word. Thank you for your trust in his promises. Thank you for displaying his mercy to one another. And thank you for living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. You are making your Savior look glorious to the world. Let’s pray.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for always and only speaking words of truth. For this makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. Thank you for guaranteeing that every promise that you’ve made to your people will be fulfilled. This also makes you absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy. And thank you for being merciful towards us — your people. Mercy is not what we deserve — but mercy is what you’ve chosen to give — making your absolutely and unwaveringly trustworthy.
Holy Spirit, for the truthfulness of God’s Word to be seen and believed — we first need you to open our eyes and give us hearts to receive. For without you doing so — we are spiritually blind and cannot see — and have spiritually dead hearts that cannot respond. This act of mercy — you giving us eyes to see and hearts to respond — is the fulfillment of a promise given to your people. Open more eyes — give life to more hearts — we ask — so that more might respond and experience your mercy.
And — Jesus — we can confidently and expectantly pray such a prayer because of all that you’ve done for us. You came to seek and save those who were lost. To reveal truth to those who had fallen for the lies of our enemy. To fulfill promises that would cost you your life — so that — we might live. For the life we live is because of the mercy we’ve received which came at the cost of your death on the cross.
But not even the grave could keep its hold on you — for there was another promise to be fulfilled. The resurrection. The defeat of death. The defeat of sin. The defeat of the devil. And the defeat of hopelessness. For the resurrection is our reason for living hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — thank you for truth. Thank you for fulfilled promises. Thank you for mercy. And “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.” Amen.
BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / How to Grow booklet)
As you go — may you live hope-filled and Christ-exalting lives. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
