The Weak and the Strong Part V Unity in the Living, Breathing, Local Church Romans 15:8-13 Romans Series #51 Grace Baptist Church 8/23/15

A Danger and an Opportunity (A Hazard and a Hallelujah) There is a danger of division in the church because of the differences between the weak and the strong, but there is also an opportunity for unity.

The Early Church Jerusalem – Some were not being taken care of (began the ministry of deacons); Jews were not accepting Gentiles’ loose religious practices. (Jerusalem Counsel) The Corinthian Church –divided over who was a better human leader; lawsuits The Galatian Churches – biting and devouring one another The Ephesian and Colossian Churches – were reminded of the importance of unity. The Philippian Church – two ladies almost split the church, etc. The Roman Church – disagreement over diet and days Today, we know some areas are wrong because the Bible condemns them, some areas are right because the Bible commands and commends them. But there are areas not clearly defined in Scripture, and we are given principles to guide us. Believers can disagree on non-essentials and still maintain healthy unity in the local church.

There can be unity between Strong + Weak Christians. In 14:1-15:13 there are four main instructions. (3 review) Receive One Another With Understanding 14:1-12 Edify One another Without Offending 14:13-23 Please One Another With Christlikeness 15:1-7 6 spiritual traits that lead us to please one another. Regard for Others - 1a Humility of Self - 1b,2 Conformity to Christ – 3 Submission to Scripture – 4 Reliance on God’s Power – 5 Praise to God – 6 Worship With One Another In God’s Redemption 15:8-13

Romans 15: ¶ 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." 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.

Worship With One Another In God’s Redemption 15:7-13 The Picture vs. 7 – As Christ accepts us … Joyously – Luke 15 In spite of who we were – I Tim. 1:15; Matt. 9:10-13; Lk 5:30,31 Impartially – Jn 6:37; Acts 10:34,35 To the glory of God – Eph. 1:5,6; 3:20,21 The Plan – vs. 8 – Redemption as a Jew, to the Jew, through the Jew, beyond the Jew The Purposes – vs. 8 – to fulfill the God’s promises and promote His glory. The Proof – vs – the witness of the Scripture – 4 passages. Among the Gentiles, with the Gentiles, by the Gentiles, within (faith) the Gentiles. The Prayer – vs. 13 – the source of blessing, the character of blessing, the measure of blessing, the purpose of blessing, the sphere of blessing, the channel of blessing. Pray this in the context of unity among the Strong and the Weak.

“If God Himself, who separated Israel from all other nations, has in the Gospel cancelled this distinction as a dividing force, surely His children may follow His example and refuse to allow differences to become divisions.” W.H. Griffith Thomas p.386

A Danger and an Opportunity (A Hazard and a Hallelujah) There is a danger of division in the church because of the differences between the weak and the strong, but there is also an opportunity for unity.

Amen.