Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”

RomansPaul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 19a VIII. God’s Righteousness: DEMANDING RIGHTEOUS LIVES Romans 12:1 - 15:13 Today’s Lesson: 15:1-13, Page 167

Today’s lesson... • In chapter 15, Paul continues his discussion about relationships between the strong and the weak - • Remember: • Those who are stronger should “bear with” the scruples (issues of opinion or indifference, not matters of sin) of those who are weaker • Truth must never be sacrificed or compromised regardless of the circumstances

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • The strong should help the weak to become stronger (1,2) • Paul, and other strong Christians, must “bear with” the weaker brother • We are not to be selfish in seeking to please ourselves at the expense of a weak brother • Love requires us to be patient with our brother for his good and to his edification (in building him up)

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • Christ is the example of sacrifice for others’ good (3) • Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9, “The reproaches of them that reproached You fell on Me.” (NKJV) • Jesus had declared that those who hated God also hated Him because of His claims to Sonship (John 15:24) • Christ did what He did not to please Himself but to please God - again, our perfect example

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • The Scriptures promote forbearance and harmony (4-6) • After quoting David about his suffering for being faithful to God, Paul tells us to use the O. T. scriptures for our learning (instruction) (4) • Patience and comfort by the strong was essential for the spiritual survival of the weak so we can have hope of reward from God (4) • God gives patience and consolation to His people (5)

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • The Scriptures promote forbearance and harmony (4-6) • With “one mind” and “one mouth” both strong and weak could strive to maintain the unity of brotherhood (v5,6) • On matters of conscience as studied earlier, we must agree to disagree with love to be unified • Harmony (with one accord) with God means we will be in harmony with each other • This is how we glorify the Father and the Son

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • Christ’s mission sought the oneness of Jews and Gentiles (7-9a) • Just as Christ accepted us, we must accept one another (7) • Paul appears now to move on to address some of the friction that existed not so much between weak and strong Christians as between Jewish and Gentile disciples in this congregation in Rome (8,9)

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • Christ’s mission sought the oneness of Jews and Gentiles (7-9a) • To confirm God’s purpose for unity, Christ’s activity was as a servant whose goal was to satisfy the needs of others rather than to pursue His own pleasure (8) • The needs He sought as a servant to fill were: (1) The salvation of the Jews (2) The salvation of the Gentiles

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 4.a. O. T. Scriptures foretold this goal (9b-12) • “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.” [Ps. 18:49] • “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” [Deut. 32:43] • “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!Laud Him, all you peoples!” [Ps. 117:1] • “There shall be a root of Jesse;And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,In Him the Gentiles shall hope.” [Isa. 11:1]

D. Christian Behavior Reflects the Example of ChristRomans 15:1-13 • Salvation depends on mutual acceptance (13) • There is joy and peace in believing (13) • “The God of hope” is where the Christian gets his hope (13) • “By the power of the Holy Spirit” means hope cannot be conjured up by man’s effort - it is the gift of God by His Spirit (13)

End of Lesson 19a

RomansPaul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 19b VIII. God’s Righteousness: ENHANCING RELATIONSHIPS Romans 15:14 - 15:13 Today’s Lesson: 15:14-33, Page 169

Now we begin the next section..... IX. GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS: ENHANCING RELATIONSHIPS Romans 15:14-16:27

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Acknowledgement of their spirituality (14) • Paul was convinced that the Roman brethren were: • full of goodness, • filled with all knowledge, • able also to admonish one another • At this point, he needed to compliment them on those things that were good that he had probably heard about

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Reminder of the importance of his word and work (15-21) • After commending them on some points, he had to speak boldly on some other points (15) • He had to correct some things because that was his responsibility as given to him by God • He was “a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” (16) • His writing was in keeping with that function

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Reminder of the importance of his word and work (15-21) • Paul offered up the Gentiles to God because they were sanctified unto God’s service through the Holy Spirit’s teachings (16) • Paul did not glory in anything except what God did through him “to make the Gentiles obedient” (18) • He accomplished this by word and deeds, and by signs and wonders (18,19)

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Reminder of the importance of his word and work (15-21) • Everywhere Paul went he “fully preached the gospel of Christ” (19) • Paul felt that he was to preach in areas where Christ had not been named (20) • He quoted from Isaiah 52:15 in which God’s servant would preach where the gospel had not been heard • Paul believed he was helping to fulfill that prophecy

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Expression of his desire to be with them (22-24) • Paul wanted to visit Rome on the way to Spain (22-24) • He had finished his work “in these parts” and was ready for some new work (23) • For many years he had a great desire to make this trip (23) • He wanted to give them spiritual gifts (1:13)

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Emphasis of the priorities set by Christ (25-29) • But, before he goes to Rome, he must go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints (25) • He had collected gifts from the brethren in Macedonia and Achaia and wanted to make sure the contributions got to the poor saints in Jerusalem (26) • These churches were made up primarily of Gentiles (27)

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Emphasis of the priorities set by Christ (25-29) • The Gentiles were indebted to the Jews for it was through the Jews that they heard the gospel (27) • It was fitting that they now help the poor Jews in Jerusalem (27) • Paul felt confident that, after he made this trip to Jerusalem, he would then go to Rome (28,29)

A. Relationships of an Apostle to Church Members Romans 15:14-33 • Solicitation of their prayers and interest in his work (30-33) • Paul wanted their prayers: (1) That God would deliver the apostle from enemies in Jerusalem; (2) That the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem would accept and appreciate the gift that he was taking for their relief; (3) That he might come with a joy that sprang out of the successful completion of a job well done in Jerusalem; (4) That his visit with the church in Rome would prove to be a season of great spiritual refreshing

End of Lesson 19b

Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”