Better Together When We Receive One Another

Romans 15:5-7

INTRODUCTION

Arouse interest: Everyone has preferences—hymnal vs. contemporary, traditional vs. modern. None wrong. But preferences become boundaries → walls that divide.

Define the subject: What does "receive" mean? (Gr. proslambano = take toward oneself, embrace fully, accept completely)

Articulate the fallen condition: The inward bent—fallen nature that makes us prefer our own kind, exclude those different from us, withhold from those who don't fit our mold.

Make it personal: Every one of us struggle with picking and choosing who we are going to accept into our lives. Most of the time we are choosing based on what we want or what we are comfortable with. We all need to hear what the Holy Spirit says through Paul.

Transition: Open to Romans 15:5-7.

BIG IDEA

BIG IDEA: We are better together when we receive one another as Christ received us—unconditionally, across all boundaries, and to God's glory.

TEXT: Romans 15:5-7 (Read)

Romans 15:5–7 KJV 1900

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Key point on v. 7: Like all the other “one another” statements in Scripture, this is a command, not a suggestion. "Receive one another as Christ also received us."

I find it interesting how a lot of the “one another” commands are directly related to Christ. There is a constant reminder that we are pattern our life and relationships around His life and relationships.

The formula given:

Christ received you and me (v. 7)

We belong to Him (implied throughout Romans)

Consequently, we are to receive one another (v. 7)

REMINDER: What does "receive" mean? (Gr. proslambano = take toward oneself, embrace fully, accept completely)

Receiving One Another Is Essential for Spiritual Growth

Question: What does this have to do with spiritual growth or maturity? Almost everything!

Without this principle: Spiritual tribalism happens within a local church—groups divided by preference, convinced their preference is faithfulness. (cf. Corinthian church; today's generational divides, worship-style wars)

These verses indicate FOUR THINGS that encourages spiritual growth.

We grow spiritually when...

We surrender preference in favor of fellowship

Inward bent whispers: "Stay with your own kind; stay comfortable"

Holy Spirit says: "Receive one another unconditionally"

This becomes the antidote to the poison of only picking, choosing, and accepting those people who make us happy or comfortable.

We grow spiritually when...

We participate in Christ's character

Christ's defining work: receiving us

We were unworthy (1 Corinthians 6:9–10 “9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” ) Yet, in our sinful and unworthy condition, Christ came and gave His life for us. He died for us even when we were yet sinners. He did it unconditionally as He crossed boundaries to receive us into His family.

To grow spiritually = is to grow in His likeness = means we must receive others

We are to extend the same boundary-crossing, unconditional reception of others even when they make us uncomfortable.

We grow spiritually when...

We understand what glorifies God

A congregation divided over preferences = only advertises pride (selfishness, self-centeredness)

A congregation united in receiving others across differences = declares God's greatness

Receiving others unconditionally demonstrates that God is at work in this church.

We grow spiritually when...

We experience the power of the gospel

Gospel is much deeper than "God loves you"

Gospel = His love is unconditional AND crosses boundaries [perhaps you are starting to see a theme]

Spiritually mature people demonstrate this to the watching world

The question for us this morning is this: Are we a spiritually mature church? Are we?

Receiving One Another Has Even Deeper Implications

Question: What else does Scripture teach us about receiving one another?

Receiving others ≠ agreeing with others

Roman church (Romans 14): "strong" vs. "weak" (meat sacrificed to idols, days observed) Weaker believer is not as grounded in their faith and does not always understand the depth of Christian liberty. Thus, the stronger, more mature believer should not cause them stumble simply because they do understand the depth of Christian liberty. Sometimes, those who are mature must do what is “expedient” (profitable to helping the weak); not what is lawful (permitted).

Holy Spirit resolves the disagreement by simply commanding (Romans 15), "Receive one another!"

Radical idea: Unity doesn't require uniformity; it does require obedience.

In doing so, we can enjoy genuine fellowship and unity across accepted differences

Receiving is judged by the measure of Christ

How did Christ receive us?

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(While sinners, without conditions, at great cost, knowing exactly who we were)

Therefore, we're called to receive as He did:

BEFORE (having established in our hearts before we meet others that we are going to follow the example of Christ) ,

WITHOUT WAITING (not waiting for the person to be who we want them to be),

at COST (willing to give up whatever it may cost me, i.e., my own comfort, my prejudices, my preferences, my pride, etc.),

WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE (receiving them even though I know their annoying habits, their preferences that are different from mine, the color of their skin, and any other challenge they might present)

Receiving one another is an act of worship

Romans 15:7 KJV 1900

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

V. 7 ends: "receive...to the glory of God"

The act itself = worship (declares: God's glory > my comfort; God's purposes > my preferences; God's character expressed through me)

Receiving one another helps the body function

Body of Christ metaphor (1 Cor. 12)

A body requires ALL its members; if members disobey (which is sin), the body becomes paralyzed

REMINDER: James 4:17

James 4:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Receiving others is NOT a romantic idea or a pie in the sky concept; it contributes to the overall health of the entire church.

Receiving ≠ accepting false doctrine or sin (CRUCIAL DISTINCTION)

Preferences: receive unconditionally (worship style, music, approach)

Doctrinal Non-negotiables: hold the line (deity of Christ, resurrection, gospel core)

Sin: confront in love (unrepentant immorality, false teaching)

SCRIPTURAL ILLUSTRATION: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

The father's unconditional reception: sees far off, runs/embraces without condition, clothes and celebrates with full restoration

The elder son refuses to receive: won't attend feast, refuses to call him "brother"

Father's teaching: "Your brother was dead, now is alive; was lost, is found"—receive one another as way of living in father's house

Application: We are all the elder son in some regard. We get the poochy lip disease because someone else who is sinful in our opinion is receiving honor they shouldn’t receive. Or, in the context of today’s message, we become judgmental and defensive simply because they other peron’s interests and preferences are not the same as mine. God is demanding of us that we receive those we'd naturally judge or exclude—as He received us, as Christ received us.

Application to Believers & Unbelievers

FOR BELIEVERS: Command is clear—receive one another with Biblical wisdom and discernment and in obedience to how Christ received you.

What it looks like: Receive across preference as long as those preferences aren’t sinful or violate doctrine; love while holding others accountable, but not with a judgmental spirit; create space for secondary disagreement while standing firm on essentials

APPLICATION PICTURE

If you are a young believer who finds the traditional worship “boring,” you receive the older saint – not to tolerate them, but to receive them as Christ has received you.

If you are an older believer who finds contemporary worship “worldly,” you receive the younger person who loves it – to welcome them into full fellowship, to learn from them, to let them change you.

If you are in a small group and someone begins promoting teaching that undermines the gospel, you receive them as a person, but you do not receive their false teaching; you mark it and address it.

Hard moments: These are the moments when you know that you cannot receive a person’s sin. You can still receive the person. "I love you, and I cannot receive this. But I'm committed to walking with you toward repentance and truth." = true reception

FOR UNBELIEVERS: Gospel beauty OR scandal on display? They are watching to see if we are going to receive them unconditionally and across differences that the world uses to divide. What does receiving across natural divisions say? Christ is real • Gospel is powerful • Belonging to Christ = belonging to one another

CONCLUSION

Summary of key thoughts: Christ received you unconditionally; we're called to receive likewise; receiving ≠ abandoning doctrine or tolerating sin; it's structural for body health; every reception across divisions = worship

Final application (questions): What will you do? Will you examine your heart? Will you ask Holy Spirit where you've been picking and choosing people you will receive based on what you desire and want? Will you commit to receive those who make you uncomfortable?

Climax & definitive ending: When you receive one another as Christ received you, you become a living demonstration of the gospel—proof that Christ is real, redemption is powerful, love transforms.

We are BETTER TOGETHER. We are better together THAN APART. We are better together when we PREFER one another. We are better together when we BEAR one another’s burdens. And, we are better together when when we RECEIVE one another. But more than that: we are the gospel together when we are together as Christ commanded.

ALTAR CALL

Before you leave today, I want to ask you something honest.

Is there someone in this congregation—someone who thinks differently than you, worships differently than you, approaches life differently than you—that you've been keeping at a distance?

Because here's what Jesus is saying to us: Receive them. Not because you have to agree with them. Not because they're easy to be around. But because I received you. Unconditionally. Across the boundary that separated us. And now you belong to me.

If the Holy Spirit is stirring your heart right now—if He's showing you where you've been picking and choosing instead of genuinely receiving—I want to invite you to respond.

You can come to the front, and pray here at the altar giving it to Him. Or you can simply bow your head and tell the Lord right now: 'I'm going to stop deciding who belongs. I'm going to receive the way you received me.'

Whatever that looks like for you, God is waiting for your yes.