December 31, 2023
Evening Service

Rom 14 Review:

·      Judge not; Verse 4. “Who are we to judge another’s servant?”  We all serve the Lord and must answer for ourselves to Him.

·      Every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Verse 11

·      Each of us will give account for himself to God, so let us not judge our brother anymore. Verse 12-13.

·      Do not hurt a weaker brother’s faith by eating something they consider unclean in front of them, even though you know you have the liberty to eat it.

·      Whatever you do, let it be done in faith, for whatever is not of faith is sin. Verse 23.

·      The first 13 verse of chapter 15 continue this subject of dealing in personal convictions on what is acceptable to do and eat and what is not.  This conflict came from believers coming from different backgrounds of Judaism and even paganism trying to merge together into a body of believers.

Rom 15:1-3 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."

·      “Those who are strong” or the ones who had walked with Jesus for a longer time, would have achieved a level of liberty knowing they were not judged by the law but by grace.  These who have the stronger faith are not to please themselves and display their liberty to those of weaker and newer faith, but be mindful of that brother and show grace and kindness to them restraining their own actions to be mindful of other believers.

·      Even in our liberty achieved by greater faith, we still are to be mindful of others and seek to do right before them rather than do something just because we can, not thinking of others.

·      Jesus is our example in this, as always, as He took the reproach meant for us onto Himself.

 

Rom 15:4-7 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.  (7)  Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

·      These things written were the OT scriptures.  They were written for us to learn from the many stories of tribulation, conflicts and troubles others endured and the faithfulness of God to them.  Those stories should inspire us to have hope that we too can live in that manner with God as our Protector and Guide.

·      These stories also should encourage us as we are living out our story with Jesus, to display patience and comfort in our lives towards others as well being examples to them.

·      Our goal is to be to live a life as unified believers praising God with one united voice bringing glory to or Father through how we treat one another.  We are most like God, when we are loving our brother as ourselves.

 

Rom 15:8-14 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."  (10)  And again he says: "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE!"  (11)  And again: "PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YOU GENTILES! LAUD HIM, ALL YOU PEOPLES!"  (12)  And again, Isaiah says: "THERE SHALL BE A ROOT OF JESSE; AND HE WHO SHALL RISE TO REIGN OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM THE GENTILES SHALL HOPE."  (13)  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (14)  Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

·      Paul cries out to them through scripture that the church was designed by God to be built with a diversity of people including Jews and Gentiles who are united in their faith in Jesus. 

·      He encourages them to take this as a good thing and take joy and peace in believing that all have hope now in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are to rejoice in our differences and stand united in our faith which both makes us better together!

·      Paul now moves on from that subject to giving us the purpose for this letter.

 

Romans 15:15-16 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, (16) that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

·      Paul here reveals his calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles.  He a devout Jew, was called to minister to the Gentile Christians and be sure they are accepted within the church as they too are sanctified by the same Spirit.

·      He now begins the next verse with “therefore” building upon this statement.

 

Romans 15:17-21 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.  (18)  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— (19) in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.  (20)  And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, (21) but as it is written: "TO WHOM HE WAS NOT ANNOUNCED, THEY SHALL SEE; AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND."

·      Paul humbly refuses to boast of all that Christ has done through him to be able to minister to the Gentiles.  He was simply a tool used to build the new founded church.

·      God supported his preaching the gospel with many signs and wonders along the way to give a power to the message of the gospel.  God’s workings in him gave his preaching an added power.

·      This was needed as many of those he ministered to were virgins to the gospel message and even to spirituality at all.  He was the first to bring this new doctrine of love and forgiveness to ears that had never heard of such a thing.  What a privilege, but what a challenge!

 

 

·      We must be like Paul as we minister to those around us and understand the different backgrounds each one comes from.  You can must talk to a non-churched person in a different manner than how you would talk to someone who has grown up in the church.  Paul on Mars Hill is a great example of that.

·      Paul now shares his plans to come and visit them soon.

 

Romans 15:22-27 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.  (23)  But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, (24) whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.  (25)  But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.  (26)  For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.  (27)  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

·      Paul plans to come to them after going to Jerusalem and giving to them the gift given to the poor saints there by their Gentile brothers in Macedonia and Achaia.  This was a big step for the Gentiles to show unity with their Jewish brothers by deed and not word only.

·      It shows the Gentiles had a desire to give, not only receive.  In society today we need more of this mentality.  We now tend to be always holding our hand out and asking “what is in it for us?”  God help us to be more like these brothers.

 

Romans 15:28-33 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.  (29)  But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  (30)  Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, (31) that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, (32) that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.  (33)  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

·      His plan was to leave Jerusalem and travel to Spain and then on to Rome.  He however was arrested in Jerusalem but did eventually make it to Rome, but as a prisoner not a minister.  He even asks for their prayers that he may move past this trial and visit them.

·      Even Paul’s plans were subject to be changed by what God had planned for him.  We too have to able to adapt to such changes.