Built for the Glory of God

Introduction

➟ ➟ ➟ As we begin this morning, let’s take a brief moment to think of how God has blessed the spiritual family at Cornerstone. Think congregationally.

The blessing of children and young families, which reminds us we have a strong future, we are full of life, excitement, and optimism.

Think of how we’ve been blessed with such a large number of experienced and more mature Christians who do such a great job in being an example by coming along side those younger in the faith.

Think of our visionary leadership, great Bible class teachers. All of this work and commitment has led to a congregation that is spiritually vibrant and growing.

We could talk about how God has blessed our missionary work over the last 35 years in Colombia. Through your work and financial contributions we have literally reached thousands and thousands with the gospel.

We are a congregation of hospitality … homes are constantly open to one another. The lives of our families are constantly intertwined.

This is a congregation of empathy, love, and grace. When we say this is a place to belong, we mean it … and it shows.

This is a place of sacrificial service and sacrifice … and no doubt we have all experienced the loving touch and care of another brother / sister here in the Cornerstone family.

Everything I have just mentioned goes back to God and:

His providence.

His involvement and action.

His desire for His church.

It’s all about Him. He is in us, working among us, and helping us.

➟ ➟ ➟ As Paul has said, (Ephesians 3.21):

Ephesians 3:21 CSB

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

➟ ➟ ➟ During the month of August, we’ll be looking at how God has blessed us and giving thanks for His marvelous and abundant blessings.

We’ll also be talking about our mission as a local church. Our spiritual family finds itself at the dawn of a new chapter in its history.

➟ ➟ ➟ One month ago, we talked about the incredible six decade spiritual legacy we’ve brought with us from Kettering.

➟ ➟ ➟ As we move forward with a new name, new location, and new start, our commitment to God, the authority of His word, and the need for sharing Jesus remains the same.

It’s the mission we focus on as we move ahead … and later this month we’ll clarify it in succinct terms.

➟ ➟ ➟ As we wrap up the month of August we’ll be talking about how love for God and one another binds all of this together … along with moving with gratitude for God’s continual blessings.

Today, we’ll be in Romans 15, where Paul focuses on the unity of His people.

Think of what His salvation has accomplished: spiritual oneness among His people. A commonness based on the same eternal life.

The reality of our own personal conversion should move each of us individually to where inside our heart is the overriding desire for unity.

Psalm 133:1 CSB

1 How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!

God, speaking through Jeremiah shared His vision for the redeemed, those in His church. One day:

Jeremiah 32:38–39 CSB

38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them integrity of heart and action so that they will fear me always, for their good and for the good of their descendants after them.

In Acts 4.32, 34-35 - we see this in reality inside the Jerusalem church:

Acts 4:32 CSB

32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.

Acts 4:34–35 CSB

34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need.

I want you to think for a moment how this passage sets the standard for the spiritual unity and selflessness of every believer in this church.

This is the pattern for us.

This is the vision for congregational unity God has laid out for us in the Scriptures.

It was Paul who said:

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 CSB

12 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

➟ ➟ ➟ As we examine Romans 15 today, it is important to remember Paul’s overall objective in the section that began in the previous chapter, where he is dealing with certain attitudes and behavior that can cripple the work, influence, and unity of a local congregation.

These problems are over personal preferences and the carrying on of traditions, which, when imposed on others, can cause confusion, strife, ill will, and disharmony.

Every church has considerable differences in age, education, maturity, personalities, and cultural and religious backgrounds.

Some have been raised in the strictest of settings … with the stressing of correct forms and procedures …

Others have been raised where there was a spirit of openness and freedom.

Some have heard the gospel and been exposed to Biblical teaching for decades.

Others may have only heard the gospel recently and only understand the bare essentials.

The listing of our differences in perspectives / spiritual maturity levels can go on and on.

And how we handle ourselves can go on and on.

Some have yet to grasp their freedom in Christ. They are afraid of committing some religious offense and surround themselves with self-imposed restrictions.

Others have the desire to push their freedom as far as they can. They look at others as being too rigid and restrictive to be useful in the Lord.

While the more strict brother feels the liberated brother is undisciplined and headed for error and digression.

This is the root of disunity.

And so in Romans 14-15 Paul speaks to both types of believers and both types of attitudes. Today we’ll focus on what he says in the opening verses of chapter 15.

First we’ll see how differences in preference can’t be wiped away.

Then we’ll learn three keys to living with them and discover how these are the keys to an inward unity that binds us all together.

Finally, at the end of the lesson we’ll talk about how all of this leads to authentic worship to the glory of God.

Truly, it is the aim and intention of this church family to build everything around the glory of God.

Differences in Preference Can’t Be Wiped Away

15.1 - Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

First, I want us to see the two groups of people Paul identifies.

➟ ➟ ➟ Those who are strong.

➟ ➟ ➟ Those who are without strength.

The immediate context identifies who each group is:

14.2 - those who were strong understood the liberty they had to eat anything. Those without strength restricted themselves to vegetarianism out of religious conviction.

14.5 - those who were strong had grown to the point to where they could in all good conscience regard certain days above others, while those without strength were under religious compunction to regard every day as the same.

Note here that the differences in preference cannot simply be wiped away.

➟ ➟ ➟ 14.1b - don’t argue about disputed matters.

The reasoning behind this is simple.

In the church, some elements of faith and practice will always be under discussion.

We will never eliminate all differing points of view … and one person’s conviction does not necessarily dictate a corporate one.

Not every matter that comes up for discussion in the church is a matter of salvation.

And, may we all realize there are some matters that simply cannot be and do not need to be agreed upon.

As you read the overall context here in Romans 15, I want you to see Paul’s intention is not to remove the differences in preference, but to teach Christians how to live with them.

➟ ➟ ➟ Note the end of 15.1. ➟ ➟ ➟ We are in this not to please ourselves.

This is the guideline for our behavior concerning non-essential things.

Those who are strong bear the weaknesses of those without strength for the purpose of building the other person up in his/her faith.

See that the ultimate aim is for their advancement toward spiritual maturity and the embracing of the freedom they have in Christ.

It was never intended that those without strength continually remain in that condition. The expectation is for their spiritual growth and their embracing of the liberties they’ve been given in Christ.

And also note Paul’s instruction to those who bear with these weaknesses:

It should be done with a spirit of joy & pleasure … because it’s done with the intention of helping lead a beloved brother/sister to spiritual maturity.

So again, let us understand that Paul’s intention here is not to remove the differences among us — but to teach us how to live with them.

How To Live with Differences in Preference

➟ ➟ ➟ Romans 15.2: each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, ➟ ➟ ➟ to build him up.

The first principle we need to embrace as we learn to live with differences in preference is edification.

We seek to please others so they can be built up. Here are some questions we can ask ourself:

What will build the faith of my brother?

What will help them live more by faith?

How can I help the person without strength develop strength?

If I regard myself as strong, how I guard my attitude from being presumptuous?

May we all be reminded of the following passages:

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is dealing with problems in the Corinthian worship service. The principle undergirding everything Paul envisions is edification:

➟ ➟ ➟ 1 Corinthians 14.26b - everything is to be done for building up.

➟ ➟ ➟ 1 Corinthians 14.31b - everything is to be done for the purpose that everyone may lean and everyone may be encouraged.

➟ ➟ ➟ 1 Corinthians 14.33 - God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Now lets look at a more general passage.

➟ ➟ ➟ 1 Thessalonians 5.11 - encourage one another and build each other up...

These admonitions are for every brother and sister in the church family … not just for those who are spiritually mature. Everyone moves with these purposes in mind.

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.1b - self-denial.

The priority for every Christian is not to please yourself.

This concept goes completely against everything we have been raised with in American culture.

We live in a time right now … where every person lives to please himself.

Our age is characterized by every person getting to express:

every opinion

every complaint

every position

e v e r y t h i n g is posted with reckless abandon through social media. Because our position is best. We’ve come to our own conclusions. Our experience is what matters.

How much are we getting caught up in this? Do we understand not everything we think or opinion we hold has to be voiced?

The priority is not to please yourself. Our goal is to please others for their good and spiritual development.

15.3 - Jesus serves as the example and source of our personal example in following through.

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.3 - For even Christ did not please himself.

He took on the reproaches of others so that good would come.

Again, the emphasis here is that we focus on others .. not so that we can please them in their human preferences or judgments … but for the purpose of their spiritual growth and development.

This what Jesus did.

This is the example we follow.

As we become more like Christ we grow in the aspects of becoming self-denying servants of love.

15.3b is a quote from Psalm 69.9 … and this is the basis for what Paul says in 15.4.

what facilitates our becoming more like Christ?

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.4 - For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through and endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

The picture of Christ that he just gave us came from the Scriptures.

The gospels and the portraits of Christ we have are powerful to change us — if we will only give ourselves to the Scriptures.

Scripture has the power to transform our hearts. Scripture is what produces our endurance and encouragement.

God has designed it that way. And if Scripture’s effect on you is not endurance and encouragement then you are not reading it in the way you should.

Why were the things written in the past?

➟ ➟ ➟ That we may have hope.

Hope that all will work together for our good and that we’ll be in heaven one day.

Again, think of Jesus? How did He endure?

Hebrews 12.2 - who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross.

That is the only way we will endure in love.

➟ ➟ ➟ Paul said it this way in Colossians:

Colossians 1:4–5 CSB

4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints 5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel

Christ-exalting hope is the great power to endure in self-denying, sacrificial love that pleases others for their good.

The third principle we use as we learn to live together with differing preferences is prayer. This is where Paul shifts from teaching/exhorting to prayer.

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.5 - harmony

Romans 15:5 CSB

5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,

He is still speaking to the Roman brethren … but he also understands his personal longings for their unity goes beyond human ability. He prays for the action of God.

God will answer our prayer.

When is the last time you have prayed for congregational unity? Togetherness? The mind to work together?

If you’re praying about it. … its in your mind and in your heart.

The prayer here for having the same mind does not mean that He give us the same preferences about matters of judgment and opinion, but that He give us the same spiritual values we’ve just mentioned.

Endurance

Encouragement

At the end of 15.5 when Paul says, according to Christ, it is the same as Christ being given as a model back in 15.3.

The value of doing all for the edification of others.... for the building up of their faith.

The value of self-denial in that ministry.

The value of exalting God in everything we do.

The Aim is Authentic Worship

➟ ➟ ➟ Note what is said in 15.6: glorify

Romans 15:6 CSB

6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.

When we live together with the shared values of building others up and self-denial we will worship as we ought.

i.e., we will bring glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And that...

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.6b - we will do so with one mind.

One mind in the shared values … not shared preferences.

This is an inner spirit. An attitude of the heart. A commitment to agree in what we say, that there be no divisions among us, and that we be united in the same understanding and the same convictions.

Unity is not uniformity. It is agreement on the same larger principles that direct our attitudes and behaviors.

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.6c - we work together with one voice.

This is the outer form of unity where, despite our differences in preferences, we learn to work together and focus on the same mission.

That is the work of Christ in impacting the world with the gospel of Christ; the work of building up and leading each other to spiritual maturity.

The aim is overcome the non-essential things that divide us and work toward experiencing and expressing unity in the spiritual values we hold dear.

➟ ➟ ➟ Read 15.6 again … all of this is for the glorification of the Father. Authentic worship. Authentic praise. Authentic / heart felt / devotion devoid of self.

Conclusion

➟ ➟ ➟ 15.7 - therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcome you, to the glory of God.

This church, the Cornerstone church, is built for the glory of God.

We are in this together.

We, from many different backgrounds, spiritual maturity levels, are committed to working together.

➟ ➟ ➟ We embrace the values of

Edification and building each other up.

Self-Denial and living for the purpose of helping others reach spiritual maturity.

Prayer for the involvement of God.

And it’s all for the purpose and aim of glorifying God. It’s all about Him.

Have you given yourself to Him? How can we help you?