God's Glory Is Our Hope Joy and Peace

Romans 15:7–9 NKJV

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”

Last time we were in Romans together we looked at verses 1-6.

Romans 15:1–6 NKJV

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to 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 things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We saw that the strong should help carry the burden of the weak. Not putting a stumbling block before them which he told us in ch 14 would be to destroy the work of God. But rather, edify, which is to build up. We to be co-labourers with God in the building up of His people His church. We are in fact our brother’s keeper. It is our job to encourage their growth in the Lord, to pray for them and edify them.

We also saw that the scriptures were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Hope is so critical. To have no hope is the most dark and depressing place we can be. We need to have hope, people need hope. But the hope that we have is not temporal. It is not in what we see, not in material things, not in governments. Our hope is not based on worldly things but on those things which are above. This is so important for us as Christians. If we hope in worldly things then our hope will fail. What should our hope be in?

Romans 8:18–25 NKJV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Receive One Another

Romans 15:7 NKJV

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

This brings us full circle on this section which began in chapter 14:1 with..

Romans 14:1–3 NKJV

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

First we are told to receive brothers and sisters who are weak in the faith with the supporting argument that God has received them.

Acts 11:1–10 NKJV

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” 4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

God taught this lesson to Peter through this vision. What God has cleansed we must never call unclean. This lesson for Peter was in relation to the Gentile believers who had received the Holy Spirit. God had received them, God had cleansed them so they too must receive them into fellowship. Share the Lord’s Table with them. Be united together as one people of God glorifying God together with one voice.

This issues that Paul is dealing with in Romans 14 and 15 is essentially this same Jewish Gentile issue which was such a prominent issue in the early church.

Now in

Romans 15:7 NKJV

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

So here the reason given us to receive one another is because we were received by Christ.

What a powerful argument! This thought will always stop us in our tracks. Considering totally depraved and sinful state that Christ finds us in. And yet He was willing to receive us while we were yet sinner He die for us. This also give us a hint to what Paul means by receive. It literally mean to take to one’s self. It means to receive into close intimate fellowship. There are Christians that we may feel that “it’s better if they keep to themselves and I’ll keep to myself. Maybe they annoy me a little, maybe they just aren’t my type of people. Remember, to Christ we were the most vile creatures, sinners, unclean, unacceptable, and yet He died for you and He received you into close intimate fellowship.

Welcome and receive one another because Christ also received us to the glory of God

It’s All About the Glory of God

Romans 15:7 NKJV

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

The primary reason given in Scripture for Christ receiving us is God’s glory. We are so self-centred that we always think that everything is about us. Jesus loves me yes! But not because I’m loveable but in order to make manifest the great love of God for the glory of God. You and I are beneficiaries of the Gospel richly blessed and partakers of the divine glory but the story is not primarily about us, we are not the lead characters.

Romans 8:28–30 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 11:36 NKJV

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

When we get this all important truth is changes everything about our life. It changes our prayer life.

It will change how you pray

Psalm 25:11 NKJV

11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Oh what powerful prayers we would have if we would be focused on the glory of God instead of what I want. Then we make our request to God by by pleading for His glory.

What confidence we could pray with.

Psalm 31:3 NKJV

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me.

It gives us assurance

Ezekiel 20:44 NKJV

44 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel,” says the Lord God.’ ”

It’s the secrete to serving God with joy and peace

1 Peter 4:11 NKJV

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

It’s the purpose of our unity

Romans 15:5–6 NKJV

5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.