G OD ’ S W ILL & T HE C HURCH Romans 15:1-6 (p. 1049) March 27, 2011

C HURCH 101  God’s creation – God calls each church leader and each member (Mt 16:18, Eph 4:11-13, 1 Cor 12:18)  The Body of Christ – many diverse members = one unified body (1 Cor 12:27, Rom 12:4ff)  Christ is the Head – the body does what the Head tells it to (Eph 1:22; 4:15-16)  All parts of the body are interdependent and need each other (1 Cor 12; Eph 4:11-16)  Church is on a mission with God (Mt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 5:17-20)

D ISCERNING & S ENSING G OD ’ S W ILL  The task of every church member is to seek God’s will for the church  Not about your opinion or desires; rather it’s about what God is saying to the church  Requires a deep intimate relationship with God  Probably connected to God’s will for your own life  God’s will serves the whole church, not just the individual  Rom 15:1 - “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”  v2 – “We should all please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.“  v3 - “For even Christ did not please himself…”

R ESPECTING G OD ’ S T IMING Rom 15:5-6 - “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify… God.”  Endurance: Wait on God  Encouragement: Go and do!  Don’t let prayer become an excuse for inaction or disobedience

U NITY FOR G LORY ! Rom 15:5-6 - “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify… God.”  God gives us both endurance and encouragement so that we can:  be unified  give glory to God!