Sermon Tone Analysis

Background on

Good evening church

Please turn your Bibles to

As we continue our study of the Epistle to the believers in Rome

This chapter begins with a focus on continuing the dialogue started in regarding the relationship between those of strong and weak faith

Then, this chapter also discusses the hope for the gentiles and Paul’s ministry to the gentiles

not judging other believers regardless if they are strong or weak in faithPaul reminds us that God alone is the judge and we have to be careful how we treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Paul here reminds us that the diversity of the church displays Christ’s power to bring together dissimilar people in genuine unityHowever, Satan often works on man’s unredeemed flesh to create division and threaten that unityAs you may recall in our study of Paul discusses our struggle between our redeemed mind and our flesh that is still ruled by sinSatan’s plan is to threaten unity and Paul addresses in this passage what will arise when mature (strong) believers—both Jews and Gentiles—conflict with immature (weak) believersPaul, knowing that the mature Jews and Gentiles would be able to understand these struggles...Addresses most of his comments to them

Finally, this chapter closes with Paul’s plan and desire to visit the believers he is writing to in Rome

Opening Prayer

Before we dive into the text...Please join me one more time in prayer before we start

Reading:

Verse 1: Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

As we discussed last week with ...

We need, as those strong in faith, to bear the burden for those who are of weak faith

“To bear” means “to pick up and carry a weight”

It is used of carrying a pitcher of water, of carrying a man, and figuratively of bearing an obligation

The strong are not to simply tolerate the weaknesses of their weaker brothers and sisters

They are to help the weak shoulder their burdens by showing loving and practical consideration for them

This is not about pleasing ourselves

So, this may be uncomfortable or a sacrifice but as those who are strong in faith...

We are commanded to bear this

Verse 2: Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

Our focus...

Our main driving force...

We interacting with those of weaker faith...

Is to please our brothers and sisters in Christ

Our main driving force...

Is to be concerned with their edification...

Their own spiritual benefit

Why should we be doing this?

Verse 3 answers our question

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

Hear, Paul quotes from , one of the most frequently quoted psalms in the New Testament

“Reproaches” refers to slander, false accusations, and insults...

Men hate God, and they manifested that same hate toward the One He sent to reveal Himself

And the truth of the matter is that even Jesus did not please Himself...

His ultimate purpose was to please God and accomplish His will

Remember Jesus did not want to go to the cross

He prayed passionately that the Father would remove this from Him

But thank God Jesus was more concerned with pleasing the Father than pleasing Himself

Jesus was more concerned with saving us, His followers, than saving Himself

If our master did not seek to please Himself...

Then we shouldn’t try to please ourselves but instead please those who need our support

In other words...

The willingness of the Messiah to deny Himself and suffer for the benefit of others should serve as an example to the Christians in Rome

Verse 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.

How this should be written on our hearts at all times

All that was written in the Scriptures

Are the perfect instructions for our life today

Scripture reveals who the true God of the universe is

Scripture reveals how we fell out of fellowship with God through the fall of man...

But Scripture also reveals to us God’s rescue mission for His Sheep through the perfect work of Jesus...

And how we, with the leading of the Holy Spirit can come into a saving knowledge of God

Scripture covers the most essential truth we need not only to live our lives on this earth...

But how to spend an eternity with God in heaven

Without the clear and certain promises of the Word of God, the believer has no basis for hope

This is why as His followers we have hope that can never be taken away from us

Verse 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,

Do not be intimidated by the command to sacrifice your pleasures to serve others

God provides the perseverance and the encouragement to accomplish this task...

And by being obedient and following those commands...

We will, as a Christian community, be united and be of the same mind

This will show others a clear picture of who Jesus is

When we are united...

We function as a well oiled machine

We function as a health body

For we must remember...

We are His hands and feet...

We are His arms and legs...

For we are the Body of Christ

Verse 6: So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is so essential to be one body...

And this unity bring glory and honor to God

So unity with other believers is not just a suggestion...

But it is part of our main existence on this earth...

To glorify God!

Questions or Comments?

Reading:

Verse 7: Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

We must remember...

To accept others in the same way...

God accepted us

We did not deserve to be saved

We where not worthy of a relationship with Him

And He had to sacrifice His life in our place

Surely we can sacrifice our Christian liberties to lift up those who are weaker in faith

Remember this fact

Just like it is our right to live free from the law it was also Jesus right to not be punished for He was innocent

But Jesus took up the cross and we need to take up our burdens all for the sake of others

So just as Christ was a servant, we must also be servants

Verse 8: For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

By looking at the example of Christ...

Hi example of becoming a servant in humility in oder to reach the lost sheep in Israel...

We need to also follow that perfect example...

And be a servant to those around us for the sake of the Kingdom of God

Verse 9: And for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”

“THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,

Jesus’ actions of faithfully reaching the remnant, the lost sheep among the Israelite people...

AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”