[Transcript may not match broadcasted sermon word for word, and contains extra material that was cut from the broadcast due to time constraints]

       Turn in your Bibles, or tap in your Bible apps on your mobile devices, to Romans chapter 15. We are continuing our discussion today from last time where Paul was talking about the strong Christian versus the weak Christian, and how they are to relate to each other as pertains to their understanding of their freedom in Christ. Truly, there are strong believers, those who have great faith, and there are weak believers, those who are lacking in faith. And, we learned, that the Christians live a different levels, then, of personal freedom, and that we are to watch how we use our freedom, how we display that freedom before others. We don’t want to be flaunting our freedom before others who may not have that freedom if we are strong, and we don’t wish to be judging and trying to find fault with others if we are weak. We have to keep things in perspective to our own level of personal growth, and that includes being honest about where we currently are in our Christian walks.

       Nevertheless, in coming to chapter 15 today, Paul is providing us a few more comments on this section of the believer’s faith level. He’s going to wrap that up and then jump into a new section explaining that Christ brings the hope of salvation to both Jewish and Gentile people. Indeed, it’s an encouraging section here of the Book of Romans, one that lets us focus on the basics of why Christ came to the earth in the first place. Yes, Jesus is our hope. Finally, today Paul is going to discuss how he is the Apostle to the Gentiles, and how he ministers to them. And he will also talk about how he is planning to make his trip to Rome to see the Roman believers. Way back from chapter 1 we learned that Paul had never met the Roman believers. He had never been to this church at the time he was writing this epistle. Yet, it is surely his heart's desire and intent to go and meet the church face to face.

       Romans chapter 15, starting in verse 1. We read: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

       In our text today, the discussion of the strong versus the weak Christian is taken one-step further. Paul says that we who are strong in faith, that perhaps to our dismay, we have to deal with the doubtful mind of the weaker Christian, in that we put up with his or her weakness. We don’t just do what we know is better because we are strong, exercising our freedom first to the hurt of the one with the weaker conscience. On the contrary, we in fact do what is best for the weaker person by pleasing his or her desire, and that also builds that person up. Certainly, this probably isn’t what the faith-filled person wants to hear. The faith-filled person aspires to do what they sense is right, for they have the greater faith. Nonetheless, the second greatest commandment comes into play here.

       What are some examples for us to apply, for us to see a picture of how this looks in real life. Well, for example, there may be a few people in your group at a Bible study or some other meeting in church who believe in a post-Tribulation Rapture instead of a pre-Tribulation Rapture. And, there may still yet be a few who don’t believe in the Rapture at all. So, let’s say we believe in the pre-Tribulation Rapture. We are not be condescending toward those who do not believe in that viewpoint, even if most of our brothers and sisters are on our side in our view. On the contrary, we are not only to allow the person to be in our group and have that differing view, but we are also to listening carefully and caringly to their side, and how they have present their view point-by-point. We are to give the person credit for his or her view, and not try to persuade or argue the person over to our side. The Rapture is a second or even third level issue, and individuals very well may differ on their beliefs in that area.

       Another example could be that a lady-believer may believe she should wear a head covering to church and other church-related functions. Whereas, stronger lady-believer may think she doesn’t have to wear a head-covering. Well, the woman who doesn’t wear the head-covering shouldn’t judge and condemn the woman who does, but in fact be encouraging in this regard, still yet listening carefully and considerately to her side. Again, this is a minor issue in the body of Christ, and one that, at the end of the day, has no real bearing on anything compared to what really matters, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and believers being helped and growing in their walks with God. That’s what really matters. So, the stronger believers must deal with and be kind to those who are weaker.

       Jesus is our example as the human who paid the ultimate price in enduring ridicule, reproaches, and then ultimately going to the cross on our behalf. Jesus stated, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:11, ESV). Of course, here Jesus was referring to what we can expect from unbelievers at times. And what he says here is pretty severe. If it’s the case that we are bear up under these things from unbelievers, for he said, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12, ESV), if it’s the case we bear up under those things, then how much more are we to bear up under the failings of the weak within the body of Christ. In comparison to dealing with persecution from unbelievers, dealing with weak things in the body looks very easy. And actually, it is. People have made it harder than it needs to be.

       Verse 4: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

       Yes, the Old Testament is still relevant; that’s what the text just said in the most basic sense. For us today, as Christians, really now the New Testament is old to us as far as the setting of when it took place. None of us would say the New Testament is not relevant; I don’t even think that thought would cross our minds. Nonetheless, the Old Testament and God’s dealings with the people in those books gives us both endurance and encouragement. Man, those are great things. I believe for a lot of us Hebrews chapter 11 is popping in our heads. That chapter in fact is a testimony to the truth behind this verse here from Paul. But, the things that happened in the Old Testament, many of which are summarized for us in Hebrews 11, those things give the body of Christ the endurance and encouragement to live in harmony, for Paul is now closing this section, to live in harmony with each other. We see how the saints achieved back then, and we can see by their testimonies, whether it was good times or bad, that we too will make it with God by our side. For sure. God is on our side, and we really have nothing to worry about.

       We are not only to live in harmony with one another because of this, but we are to do that in accord with Christ Jesus. We are to do that in agreement with him, in agreement with one another. Remember, Jesus has told us, and we went over this in Romans chapter 7: ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:1-4, ESV). The Apostle John has also told us, and I think this fits right in line here, “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous” (1 John 3:11, 12, ESV). Therefore, all this being said, our unity, our oneness in Christ, as a church, makes it so that with one voice we glorify our Father who is in Heaven.

       Continuing on. Verse 8: “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

       So, God demonstrates his faithfulness to the Israelites by sending Christ to the earth, for he fulfilled his promises in the Old Testament by doing so, but he also shows is mercy to the Gentiles in doing so, for they too get to participate in his marvelous plan of salvation. But this is nothing new. In fact, God promised this to Abraham in Genesis chapter 12, when he said, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3, ESV). From the very beginning then, God had planned to save not only his chosen people, the Israelites, but also human beings from the whole world, Gentiles. Paul actually quotes four different Old Testament Scripture references here just to make clear that God had prophesied that the Gentiles would be part of his salvation. Paul leaves no doubt for us here.

       This brief discussion is concluded with a focus on the hope for both the Jews and Gentiles with the statement: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

       This truly is a great verse from the Apostle Paul. Yes, God is a God of hope. God himself hopes, and he asks us surely to have, maintain, and practice hope in our lives—no matter who we are. We know that Paul said elsewhere that hope was part of the tripod for the three main things in our lives—the three main attitudes we are to have. Hope is in there. So, hope is pretty important then. Without hope, we cannot look forward to what the future has to offer, whether we are considering things here on the earth or whether we are thinking about things in Heaven. We realize too that without hope, we cannot move past a trial, a life difficulty. Truly, people get stuck in life because they don’t have hope. They give into the false belief that things won't get better for them. And, as a result, we can waste years of our lives by not exercising hope and moving on. As Jesus spoke, and warned us, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62, ESV).

       The writer of Hebrews told us that hope is our anchor. We drop that anchor from our ship through the water to the bottom of the sea. And that anchor fastens itself onto the rocky sea-floor. Life can be unstable just like water can be unstable. There are times where the water is smooth, like a pond outside a mill, with no wind in sight. And then disaster comes, and the waters pick up and can be roaring like in a hurricane. Huge waves. Chaos. We don’t know what is going to become of us. That is, if we have not fasted our anchor to Christ. Jesus represents the sea-floor, which is always stable. The water doesn’t affect it. We fasten our anchor to Jesus, and no matter what life is doing, good times or bad, no matter what is happening, even if the waters get turbulent, it’s no problem for us. Just like Jesus did, we can walk down in our ship, lay down, put our head on the pillow, and go right to sleep, even in the midst of a storm.

       God fills us with joy and peace as we believe in him. As I was talking a moment ago about with the anchor, joy is our underlying trust in God regardless of our circumstances. Whatever life brings to us, we are to trust in God that we will get us through it and that everyone will be okay in the end of the trial. It’s like the time the disciples set out to sea, and the strong wind came against them. They were trying to make it to the other side of the land. And, recall they were ways off in the sea, and a strong wind came up against them. Jesus came to them, and what does the Scripture tell us? It says the boat teleported immediately to where they were going (see John 6). The disciples made it to the other side with Jesus’ help. That’s our joy—our trust in God—that he will get us to the other side of our trial, by his power, and then everything will be okay. But we have to believe. Paul said he is our “joy… in believing.”

       And, God is not only our joy, but also he is our peace. Again, no matter what the time, we can have the peace of God inside our minds. Remember? Paul told the Colossians, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” (Colossians 3:15, ESV). Notice we have to let the peace of Christ actually rule. What’s the other thing, the thing that we are probably more familiar with, that can rule in us? Well, fear right? Yes, we can let fear rule in us which will manifest itself in worry. How do we conquer fear and thereby let peace rule in our hearts? By abiding in Jesus; by depending on his power. We can try and try and try, and say, “I’m not going to think this or that.” But, we understand that simply will not work for us. Trying hard to not worry certainly isn’t going to work. That will merely cause us to worry more. So, we let God’s peace rule in us by fellowshipping with him, praising and thanking him, and simply put, thinking about other things—good things—and that will allow the peace of Christ to rule in us. We have to ask God for his power so he can fill us, as Paul said. We have to believe.

       At the moment we do all of this, what happens? When we believe, it permits the power of the Holy Spirit to flow in us to make us abound in hope. It’s that simple. If we don’t believe, we won’t receive. We have to believe that God is on our side, that he wants to help us, and that he will help us. We have to believe that God is help us through our problem whatever it is. We have to utilize that faith.

       Next Paul says, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.”

       See here that Paul points out that the congregation was, “full of goodness.” Man, what a positive perspective. It seems to me that all we usually hear is how the congregation is full of badness—full sin, full of whatever—but it’s not good. But Paul says we are full of goodness, if we are following God. That’s such an encouraging thing for us. Life isn’t this grim and gloomy picture, one where we have to just get by and work our way through the mud. No, life is a good thing. God created our lives. He created them good. The world was created good. We were created good. We are full of goodness. We have goodness in us. We treat others with goodness. We are to have and maintain this positive perspective Paul has laid out before us here.

       I believe at the heart of every Bible teacher or minister of a church is the desire to be satisfied with his or her congregation. That person desires to see God working in the hearts of the individuals in the church, the body of believers. We are filled with goodness at the moment we are full of faith, believing what God has taught us through different individuals. We are filled with the teachings of God, and applying those teachings so that we can live better lives, so that our lives will be more enjoyable. And as we become mature in the faith, we are able even to help those around us with whatever it is. A good congregation is one where just about anyone can instruction anyone. People don’t have to go find a minister since the members themselves are so full of the Word of God and faith that they can actually help each other out. If you’re a minister wondering why people never seem to come to you for questions, this could be the reason. Perhaps you’ve taught your people so well they’re helping each other out.

       We’ve considered how Paul was the head minister to the Gentile side, as Peter was the head of the whole entire church collectively. Really, the Catholics got that right. Individuals may try to fault that Catholics for saying Peter was the first Pope but the Bible in fact does say that Peter was the first head of the church. In fact, he’s the foundation of the church. Regardless, we’ve also already discussed how God gives each minister grace to be that head, and to teach. It is through God’s ability, God’s enablement, that the person is head. That person shouldn’t do it by their own efforts—though many do. And Paul stated he was a priest of God. Notice the significance and honor this brings. It’s like I talked about last week, where are those robes for the ministers? I know; that’s my opinion.

       I stated some time ago that the teacher isn’t simply responsible for knowledge, but he is also responsible to provide ways to apply that knowledge, to be able to live out what is taught. Otherwise, what’s the point? We don’t want a whole bunch of Bible scholars walking around who don’t know how to live what they know. I’d rather have less intellectual knowledge and yet be able to live things out, than to have all the Bible facts in the world and yet not know how to live it out. The more knowledge-filled churches can frequently scoff at what is perceived as the less-knowledge filled churches, and yet, often the less-knowledge filled understand how to live while the knowledge-filled just look nice, but can’t walk the life for nothing. Paul wanted the church to be built up by what he was teaching them—he wished for them to be growing to become more and more like Jesus.

       Paul said, “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” Yes, the Bible teacher or minister should be proud of his or her work. That person should be able to step back and say, “Wow. Yes, that is good.” If the person can’t, then there is something wrong. God did this; he gives us this model. It is written, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31, ESV). Well, we are supposed to be like God; we are supposed to be imitators of God. So, no, it’s not wrong for the teacher to take pride in the work that he or she has accomplished.

       Verse 18: “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

       Let us point out the two differing areas that God works through Paul: they are by what he said and what he did (his travels and his actions), and by the power of God displayed in signs and wonders. A second ago we discussed the first area basically, and if you remember way back at the beginning of our study here of the Book of Romans, I discussed the power of signs and wonders and how God used them through Paul and how he still uses them today. Recall, they were the healing of the sick, the casting out of demons, and even raising dead people back to life. Now, at times we see these things—perhaps not the rising of the dead (at least, I haven’t seen it)—but we see physical health healings and mental health healings (which is often the casting out of demons). We do see people escape a scare from death at times. I think God still does bring dead people back to life, it’s just not something we see too often. But all these signs and wonders serve to bring individuals to God.

       Notice that at the beginning of this passage Paul pointed out that he didn’t consider what God was doing through others like him, but only what God was doing through him. It would be good for us all to model Paul in this line of thought. And Paul said it was not his desire to go, to bring the Good News of Jesus, where someone else had already brought it. He wasn’t trying to rack up his own, personal score. Nor was he trying to build a perfect resume. It wasn’t about him—it was about the people who needed Jesus. The Prophet Isaiah had prophesied that new individuals would hear the Good News, and that they would actually understand it by believing what was said. So, Paul was taking up Isaiah on that, and since he believed what the Scripture said, he knew people would believe and be helped. So, if you are an evangelist or teacher of God’s Word today, take encouragement by that. It’s like Jesus stated, “If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20, ESV).

       Verse 22: “This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.”

       Paul had become satisfied with the work he had accomplished through God’s power from Jerusalem to Illyricum. Now, Paul wanted to expand his ministry. He had a big goal—he wanted to go all the way to Spain, which was the most western point of Europe at that time. He dreamed big. And we don’t know for sure if he ever got there. It isn’t recorded in Scripture, and the people of Spain seem to debate it. Regardless, this should go to show us that God is for big dreams. He desires for us to have our eyes set on a big prize. That’s not foreign to Christianity. And Paul still had high expectations that the church in Rome, where he was now hoping to visit on his way to Spain, would in fact help him along the way, that is, with finances and supplies. But, he wasn’t simply coming for the money; he really longed to see them.

       And here is brought to our attention the gift that had been raised by the Gentile churches—those in the areas of Macedonia and Achaia—for the giving of the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, the Christian church there. And this only made good sense that they would help these fellow believers in their time of struggle. It was by the Jews that all of God’s promises came. Not to mention, but remember this also that anytime anyone blesses a Jewish person, that person brings blessing on themselves. This goes all the way back to Abraham. God said to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3, ESV). That still holds true to this day. It is a sure as gravity; it is a law that automatically goes into effect each time it is practiced. It doesn’t matter who’s doing the blessing—believer or unbeliever—the law goes into effect. And Paul basically even said this, for he mentioned that when he comes, he will come with a blessing for them from Christ.

       Finishing up chapter 15. Verse 30: “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

       Prayer is important for us, as believers. At least, you should believe that. And understand that Paul wanted the Romans believers to strive with him in prayer—as if the prayer could make a difference. Yes, the prayer could and did make a difference. Sometimes I don’t believe we value prayer as we should. It can become easy to just assume that what is going to happen is going to happen, rather than realize that by our prayers we can actually change what could happen—what perhaps Satan has planned against it. Our prayers can change things so that good things can happen instead. Paul’s prayer here was that he would be rescued from that unbelievers around the Jerusalem area who were against him. Paul had been pretty well-established in Jerusalem, and had been a Pharisee even. And I think it’s safe to guess that all of people were not happy when he left that and became a Christian, and not only that, but one greatly used by God. One that had an impact. One that caused trouble for the Jews way of doing things.

       He also wanted to make sure that believers in Jerusalem who were to receive his gift would in fact receive it with a good attitude. Whatever Paul’s concern was—we don’t know for sure—he could have been afraid they wouldn’t be too stuck-up to receive a gift from Gentiles, or that they would for another reason reject the gift. I think all of us have been in these shoes before. We have a gift we desire to give to someone and we aren’t sure how they’re going to receive it, whether they will accept our gift or not. At times we have to take a gamble and hope for the best, especially at the time we feel God wants us to do it.

       Nevertheless, Paul needed some joy, he says, and he wished to be refreshed by the saints. After we’ve worked hard, really that’s all we want, isn’t it? Even Paul needed a vacation. Vacations are good. And in Paul’s case, he was going to get to do something he had always wanted to do. His goal was about to be achieved. He was planning to go to Rome, and to see the brothers and sisters there. I believe a lot of us would like to go to Rome. I hear there’s a lot to see there, and even some good cruises there. Anyway, on a serious note, God loves to fulfill our hearts desires, as he was doing here for Paul. God cares about what we care about, and he desires to give us good things, and do good things for us.

       God is our peace, as Christians, and he can be peace for anyone today. Perhaps you’re a person who is filled with turmoil inside your life. Maybe you wished you could simply rest and have peace. You want a vacation from all the bad things going on around you. Well, I’m here today to tell you that the God of peace will give peace to anyone who comes to him today through Jesus Christ. By trusting in the same Jesus that Paul preached, by trusting in his sacrifice on the cross for your sins, and his rising from death to life, anyone can have new life today. Yes, you can enter God’s peace today. Tell God in prayer right now that you want that.

-Daniel Litton