Romans 15_1-6

Secular:

Anyone know… Master Cpl. Paul Franklin
A Canadian Soldier, a medic, stationed in Afghanistan
There was car-bomb attack on a Canadian convoy in Afghanistan
Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry was killed
Cpl. Jeffrey Bailey and Pte. William Salikin are in critical condition in "medically induced unconsciousness," while Franklin, who lost part of a leg,
Franklin applied his own tourniquet in the field and not only saved his own life… but he crawled to his wounded comrades and gave them first-aid that may have saved their lives
Beautifully Selfless even in the midst of his pain, confusion, suffering….

Biblical:

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbour for his good, to his edification. 3 For even 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 earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Personal:

Selfless vs Selfish…
Can you tell the difference?
Steal the parking spot…
Let that door smack the lady entering behind you… cuz you’re in a hurry
… we know

Bridge:

Beautifully Selfless…
Christ is beautifully selfless

In His Love for us
In His Love for the Father

Something to Revel in…
Beautifully Selfless

Body:

Because of Our Neighbour

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbour for his good, to his edification.

Ought… opheilo… obligation

1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Bear… bastazo… carry like water… shoulder the weight…. Not just tolerance… activity
The Full OBLIGATION to CARRY
Weakness and Immaturity…
Obliged to grow them… obligation to voluntarily and lovingly refrain from liberty…
Remember it is not license to SIN
Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favour of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
About relinquishing liberties, preferences and advantages for fellow believers…
Even for unbelievers if doing so would be instrumental in leading them to Christ!
Please his neighbour….
For his good… Love like Christ

To build (edify)

How many ‘gave you chills’ in regards to Christ
How many warm you to Christ
Beautifully Selfless…
Because of our neighbour
Because of our relationship to Christ…

Ever done that… give leeway to someone because of someone else?...
Your dad intercedes with a neighbour…
A friend lets you away with a goofy even hurtful mistake

We appreciate it…
We appreciate Beautiful Selflessness
2nd reason Because of our relationship to Christ…

Because of Christ

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

even Christ did not please Himself… Luke 22:42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."
Jesus bore a burden that wasn’t his… even asking to have that burden removed!
God’s answer to Jesus… it is my will that you bear their burden
God’s answer to US … it is my will that you bear their burden
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
He was heard and God’s answer to Jesus… it is my will that you bear their burden
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.
It is His Prayer… Father’s Business
Meaning of Life (The Call)
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.
Bear the burdens…. Be the solution
John 10:17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
Give it….
Not for Himself… The Will of The Father… For us…
God’s answer to Jesus… it is my will that you bear their burden
Beautifully Selfless… because of Christ

Because of Scripture

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Unreserved submission to scripture
Remember it isn’t about food laws… it isn’t about “WHAT WE GET OUT OF DEAL”… but the most important principles of Scripture

Matthew 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Scripture says give it away…

First to God…
Then to others

Jesus poured himself out for us…
Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

Our Mandate… related to Scripture… 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven… we need to be beautifully selfless because of the call of Scripture on our life…. WORD of God…

Keeping it before God
Psalm 119:49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.
You have purposed me… You give me hope.
Scripture foundation… direction… link to our current status… timeless truth
Perseverance ongoing – encouragement – hope – spurs us on!
Beautiful Selfless… Because of Scripture

Depending on God

5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God of Perseverance… the one who keeps us
God of encouragement… the one who sustains us
Please Lord make us once

You can keep us and sustain us

Why? Why did Christ… Why do we?
Selfish reasons?
No!
Glory to God!
Unifying Factor… Bringing Glory to God
Purpose to our LIFE
Jesus prayer… (Value in His words… lessons… Lord’s Prayer)
John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Beautifully Selfless
Depending on God

Conclusion:

Beautifully Selfless

Because of Our Neighbour

The Full OBLIGATION to CARRY

Because of Christ

Imitators of Christ

Because of Scripture

Word of the Living God

Depending on God

For the Glory of God