Romans, Part 42
Romans 15:1-13
Introduction
- Last weekend Paul clearly demonstrated living for Christ in everything that we do
- It is imperative that we live daily for Jesus; clinging tightly to the cross
- We also discussed the spiritual act of placing stumbling blocks
-- In this, what we demonstrated was how to not live in judgment of one another
-- But, to live victoriously through a risen Savior who gave it all for you and I
- Tonight, we continue on the weak and the strong; gaining insight on living
-- It is imperative that we learn who we are living for, and tonight we will see it
- However, the exploration this evening is deeper: How do we live in this world?
- Stand and read Romans 15:1-13 / Pray
Point 1 – Living for Others (1-6)
- While addressing the spiritually mature, Paul continues to encourage us on life
- Paul directs us, through the Spirit’s leading; that we are to bear one another’s life
- APP: We are to live in a way that brings complete unity to the Body of Christ
- Honestly, wished I could have preached this on Sunday morning; so critical now
-- The focus here for the church is that we would live a life of unity; constantly
-- The teachings of the prophets were to reveal to us who Jesus is, not will be …
-- His life gives us the ultimate roadmap to follow in peaceful living
- Some will say that the OT has one purpose: To give us the Law to follow
- But the OT is actually written about Jesus, from one end to the other
- Everything that the scripture reveals shows us who Jesus is; and He is the Word
-- John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning”
-- Rev 19:11-13, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” (KJV, NKJV, NIV same)
- APP: When we know who Jesus is, our desire to live totally for Him is very clear
Paul gives us some very clear instructions on living from today forward:
1. Endurance to finish the race; at the end of Paul’s life he writes in 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2. Encouragement to complete what God has placed before you; Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
- If we have these things, we have unity in Christ to live together in harmony
- It is not a matter of IF, but a matter of WILL – that is, will we obey God’s will
- The certainty of the righteousness of God is without question; He is the Holy One
- For example, God is one who will constantly judge; because He is righteous
-- This is why it is imperative that we realize we live in FULL view of Him always
- God has given us one heart to live for Him forever … to welcome Him inside
- He has given us one mouth to sing praises to Him … to express to all who He is
-- And 2 ears that we would hear more that we say … to have the ability to hear
- TRANS: With the understanding of all Jesus did; we must look upon one another with the same amount of love that He sees us with … it brings humility and honesty!
Point 2 – Division is never the way to success (7-13)
- Living without boundaries is one of the hardest things anyone can do
- Consider for a moment the self-taught/induced prejudices; why do we have them?
- God gives us clear and without blemish instructions for living with one another
- Jesus became a servant to show us how it can be done; so we would grow
-- Changing water to wine
-- The healings of perfect strangers
-- Jesus feeding the 5,000
-- Raising of Lazarus
-- Foot washing
-- The ultimate service: The cross of Calvary
- But there is an ultimate application for us to grasp here: Luke 14:33, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
- Sometimes it will cost you the dearest things to follow Christ …
-- But, what is it truly worth to you? What would you give for Jesus today?
- Rom 8:18 Paul teaches, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
-- Revealed when? On the day that we stand face to face with Christ!
- The purpose of our lives is that we would learn to give praise and honor
-- That we would strive to be more like Christ every day; focused on Him alone
- However, this is not something that we just decide to do; b/c we cannot do it
- It is a matter of surrender; a matter of leaving the indulgences behind
- When Christ calls us into a life for Him, there ought to be a change in obedience
Conclusion
- A perfect example of the revelation in the OT about Jesus is in Isaiah 11
-- Isaiah’s teachings of the root of David (Isaiah 11:1-3, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD - and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears.”)
- Jesse was the father of David and from the lineage of David Jesus is born
-- Remember Jesus comes from Mary’s side of the family (not Joseph)
-- This is why Jesus is perfectly sinless, for there was no sin in Him
-- Not even the conception of His life was entangled with sin
- It is in this that we must strive to live like Him; as our perfect example
- Can we do it alone? Absolutely not … but in Jesus everything is possible!
- Pray
