Building Up, Not Tearing Down
Journey's Road Map • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Text: Romans 15:1–13 (ESV)
Text: Romans 15:1–13 (ESV)
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Theme: Mature believers use their strength to serve others, following the example of Christ, who welcomed us for God's glory.
Theme: Mature believers use their strength to serve others, following the example of Christ, who welcomed us for God's glory.
Introduction – The Difference Between a Critic and a Builder
Introduction – The Difference Between a Critic and a Builder
Funny Story with a Point
Funny Story with a Point
A man was watching a football game from his recliner and loudly criticizing every play.
A man was watching a football game from his recliner and loudly criticizing every play.
"Terrible pass!"
"Terrible pass!"
"Wrong formation!"
"Wrong formation!"
"What was that coach thinking?"
"What was that coach thinking?"
His wife finally asked,
His wife finally asked,
"Have you ever coached football?"
"Have you ever coached football?"
"No."
"No."
"Have you ever played football?"
"Have you ever played football?"
"No."
"No."
"Have you ever even been on a football field?"
"Have you ever even been on a football field?"
"No."
"No."
She replied,
She replied,
"It's amazing how you've become an expert from twenty feet away."
"It's amazing how you've become an expert from twenty feet away."
Isn't it funny how easy it is to criticize something we're not carrying?
Isn't it funny how easy it is to criticize something we're not carrying?
It's easy to point out flaws.
It's easy to point out flaws.
Easy to identify problems.
Easy to identify problems.
Easy to tell everyone what they're doing wrong.
Easy to tell everyone what they're doing wrong.
But building something takes effort.
But building something takes effort.
And Paul says mature Christians are builders.
And Paul says mature Christians are builders.
The Christian life is not about winning arguments.
The Christian life is not about winning arguments.
It's about helping people grow.
It's about helping people grow.
Point 1 — Strong Believers Carry the Weak (vv. 1–4)
Point 1 — Strong Believers Carry the Weak (vv. 1–4)
"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak..."
"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak..."
Explanation
Explanation
Paul continues the conversation from Romans 14.
Paul continues the conversation from Romans 14.
The "strong" are believers who understand their freedom in Christ.
The "strong" are believers who understand their freedom in Christ.
The "weak" are believers whose consciences are still developing.
The "weak" are believers whose consciences are still developing.
Notice what Paul does NOT say.
Notice what Paul does NOT say.
He doesn't say:
He doesn't say:
Mock them
Mock them
Ignore them
Ignore them
Leave them behind
Leave them behind
He says:
He says:
"Bear with them."
"Bear with them."
The word literally means to carry a burden.
The word literally means to carry a burden.
Maturity is not measured by how much freedom you enjoy.
Maturity is not measured by how much freedom you enjoy.
It is measured by how much weight you're willing to carry for others.
It is measured by how much weight you're willing to carry for others.
Cross References
Cross References
Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another's burdens
Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another's burdens
Philippians 2:4 — Look to the interests of others
Philippians 2:4 — Look to the interests of others
Illustration – Helping a Child Learn
Illustration – Helping a Child Learn
When a child learns to ride a bicycle, a parent doesn't scream:
When a child learns to ride a bicycle, a parent doesn't scream:
"Come back when you're better at this!"
"Come back when you're better at this!"
The parent runs beside them.
The parent runs beside them.
Supports them.
Supports them.
Encourages them.
Encourages them.
That's what mature believers do.
That's what mature believers do.
Quote — Charles Spurgeon
Quote — Charles Spurgeon
"The strong are not to crush the weak but to support them."
"The strong are not to crush the weak but to support them."
Application
Application
Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
Who am I helping grow?
Who am I helping grow?
Who am I encouraging?
Who am I encouraging?
Who am I carrying instead of criticizing?
Who am I carrying instead of criticizing?
Point 2 — Christ Is Our Example of Selfless Love (vv. 5–7)
Point 2 — Christ Is Our Example of Selfless Love (vv. 5–7)
"For Christ did not please Himself..."
"For Christ did not please Himself..."
Explanation
Explanation
Paul points us directly to Jesus.
Paul points us directly to Jesus.
Jesus had every right to:
Jesus had every right to:
demand comfort
demand comfort
demand honor
demand honor
avoid suffering
avoid suffering
Yet He chose sacrifice.
Yet He chose sacrifice.
He carried our burden.
He carried our burden.
He bore our reproach.
He bore our reproach.
He welcomed sinners.
He welcomed sinners.
And then Paul gives one of the most challenging commands in Romans:
And then Paul gives one of the most challenging commands in Romans:
"Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you."
"Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you."
Think about that.
Think about that.
How did Christ welcome us?
How did Christ welcome us?
Not when we had everything together.
Not when we had everything together.
Not when we deserved it.
Not when we deserved it.
Not when we cleaned ourselves up.
Not when we cleaned ourselves up.
He welcomed us while we were sinners.
He welcomed us while we were sinners.
Cross References
Cross References
Romans 5:8
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 4:32
Ephesians 4:32
Illustration – The Family Table
Illustration – The Family Table
Every family gathering has that relative.
Every family gathering has that relative.
You know the one.
You know the one.
The awkward one.
The awkward one.
The loud one.
The loud one.
The one who tells the same stories every year.
The one who tells the same stories every year.
And yet somehow they still get a seat at the table.
And yet somehow they still get a seat at the table.
Family makes room.
Family makes room.
Paul says the church should do the same.
Paul says the church should do the same.
Quote — C.S. Lewis
Quote — C.S. Lewis
"To love at all is to be vulnerable."
"To love at all is to be vulnerable."
Application
Application
The church should be the easiest place in the world to find grace.
The church should be the easiest place in the world to find grace.
Not because we ignore sin.
Not because we ignore sin.
But because we remember how much grace we've received.
But because we remember how much grace we've received.
Point 3 — God's Plan Has Always Been Bigger Than One Group (vv. 8–13)
Point 3 — God's Plan Has Always Been Bigger Than One Group (vv. 8–13)
"That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy."
"That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy."
Explanation
Explanation
Paul quotes multiple Old Testament passages to prove something important:
Paul quotes multiple Old Testament passages to prove something important:
God's plan was always global.
God's plan was always global.
The gospel was never only for:
The gospel was never only for:
Jews
Jews
Romans
Romans
Americans
Americans
one race
one race
one culture
one culture
God's heart has always been for the nations.
God's heart has always been for the nations.
The climax comes in verse 13:
The climax comes in verse 13:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing..."
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing..."
Notice the progression:
Notice the progression:
Faith produces peace.
Faith produces peace.
Peace produces joy.
Peace produces joy.
Joy produces hope.
Joy produces hope.
And hope overflows through the Holy Spirit.
And hope overflows through the Holy Spirit.
Cross References
Cross References
Genesis 12:3
Genesis 12:3
Revelation 7:9
Revelation 7:9
Illustration – The Choir
Illustration – The Choir
A choir sounds best when different voices sing together.
A choir sounds best when different voices sing together.
If everyone sang the same note, there would be no harmony.
If everyone sang the same note, there would be no harmony.
The beauty comes from diversity united around one song.
The beauty comes from diversity united around one song.
The church is God's choir.
The church is God's choir.
Different people.
Different people.
One Savior.
One Savior.
Quote — John Stott
Quote — John Stott
"The church should be a living demonstration of God's reconciling power."
"The church should be a living demonstration of God's reconciling power."
Application
Application
Our unity is not based on:
Our unity is not based on:
politics
politics
personality
personality
preferences
preferences
Our unity is based on Christ.
Our unity is based on Christ.
Conclusion — Be a Builder
Conclusion — Be a Builder
Romans 15:1–13 teaches us:
Romans 15:1–13 teaches us:
Strong believers carry the weak.
Strong believers carry the weak.
Christ is our example of selfless love.
Christ is our example of selfless love.
God's family is bigger than we think.
God's family is bigger than we think.
The world has enough critics.
The world has enough critics.
The church needs builders.
The church needs builders.
People who:
People who:
encourage
encourage
strengthen
strengthen
welcome
welcome
restore
restore
Final Reflection
Final Reflection
Jesus did not come to be served.
Jesus did not come to be served.
He came to serve.
He came to serve.
And if we are following Him, we will do the same.
And if we are following Him, we will do the same.
Closing Line
Closing Line
"The measure of spiritual maturity is not how many people serve you, but how many people you help become more like Christ."
"The measure of spiritual maturity is not how many people serve you, but how many people you help become more like Christ."
Amen.
Amen.
