Hope

Unexpected conversations. Organizational silos.

God is still in the saving business. We can expect Him to save people when we present the gospel.

Romans 15 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 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. 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

When we look out for the well being of others we are modeling after Christ Himself. “For He did not please Himself but.." Please in verses 1-3 each time means to give delight. Not Satisfactory, but Exceptional!

One more time with the welcoming of one another. Do you remember when your kids were young enough to run to you when you went to pick them up or when you got home? Did you welcome that enthusiasm? Did you scoop them up and squeeze them tight? Of course you did. Welcome one another.

When we look out for the well being of others we are modeling after Christ Himself. “For He did not please Himself but.." Please in verses 1-3 each time means to give delight. Not Satisfactory, but Exceptional!

My interaction with you should be a delight to you! Your interaction with me should be a delight to me!

Our text today should give us three things we can strive for

Our focus today will be on 8-13.

Became a servant. Christ became a servant, not just to His own, but to those the Jews saw as the enemy. He became obedient to death itself, even death on the cross.

He became a servant, showing us how to serve one another.

He showed us how to love those who share our beliefs. The sheer volume of time spent with His closest followers is our example of how He loved them. The discussions and meals shared and even time away together show us… Some of the best times I’ve had with you have been one on one, talking about God’s plan for our church or hashing out our understanding of scripture. They have been in a small group piled in the church bus going to this or that event. They have been sitting across from you eating in the fellowship hall soaking in the hum of people eating and laughing and enjoying each other.

By becoming a servant He showed us how to reach out to those who dont. Again, the sheer volume of time spent ministering to those who were hurting but not yet believing is our example of how He reached them. Days like Thursday at the food pantry, NNO, VBS, 5th Quarters. You may be one who stops on the side of the road to help change a tire. Or volunteers with Hope Station, at the schools or with CASA. Ministering to those who are struggling, whether they are believers or not, is following His example.

Jesus became a servant and that proved His willingness to obey the Father.

God’s faithfulness is seen between these two!

… And to confirm the promises

And what were those promises?

The covenants of God were pointing to Jesus. He fulfilled them.

He made them with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David.

In them He committed to

curse the earth, putting enmity between Eve’s offspring and satan, pointing us to Jesus

Never again destroy the earth by water, giving the rainbow as a sign

Give the land to make home for the great nation Abraham would father; God Himself passing thru the halves of the offering to signify the responsibility was His

Be God of this obedient people. A conditional covenant.

Promised the messiah thru the line of David.

Forgive sin and restore fellowship to hearts that are turned to Him.

When we live, act and speak with a heart turned toward the Father we confirm the promises.

Confirming the promises of God brings HOPE to a lost world! It brings hope because we testify to forgiven sin and restored fellowship! Watching my friends in Malawi, Africa this week reminds me: when we offer the gospel we offer hope. Knowing we have a message of hope emboldens us to share it. Sharing the gospel always bears fruit!

Paul asked (pled) that they strive with him in prayer. Effort. Energy. Focus.

This is the third thing we should do from today’s text.

Pray for one another.