Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 1 God’s Glory Personified Rom 15:4 NASB “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” –earlier times and for our instruction? II Tim 3:16, 17 ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work’ –‘It’s all for us - but not necessarily about us’ –perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures What does this look like? Provide some personal examples –we might have hope

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 2 God’s Glory Personified Present active subjunctive – that we might keep on having hope –In context relates to Christ’s sufferings »Identification – James 5:7-11 Rom 15:5,6 - NASB “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –II Cor 1:3 ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,’ –The call is to the same mind according to Christ Jesus Jew, Gentile, meats, no meats, … Eph 1:17 ‘that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,’

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 3 God’s Glory Personified Phil 2:5 ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,’ –Our only and perfect metric »It’s not simply being like-minded with one another, but one with Him I Pet 4:11 – ‘If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.’ –The result - God is glorified »How do you think we at Holly Hills are doing here? Rom 15:7 - NKJV “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” –What is the ‘therefore’ there for? receive – proslambanō, take to oneself Includes ‘all’ – the strong, weak, rich, poor, Jew, Gentile

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 4 God’s Glory Personified Rom 15:8,9 – NKJV “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, 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."” –servant (minister) to the circumcision (Matt 15:24) – only scriptural use of this phrase –Christ is all to all! Rom 9:4,5 ‘who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.’ Rom 4:16 ‘Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all’ –The OT quotation in verse 9 - Ps 18:49, is the 1 st of 4 OT references that also call the Gentile nations to praise God confess to = glorify

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 5 God’s Glory Personified –The sequence of events - Acts 13:46 ‘Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’ See Eph 2:12-3:8 Rom 15:10,11 – NKJV “And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"” –Deut 32:43 and Ps 117:1 – God’s call to the OT nations to rejoice with Israel Deut 32:43 – concludes the song of Moses –Prophetic recitation of the history of Israel with a view of the Millennium

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 6 God’s Glory Personified Ps 117:1 – the shortest Psalm – 2 verses –Notice that ‘all’ is used twice here Rom 15:12 – NKJV “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.” –Isaiah 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.“ Relates to several passages in the book of Revelation and Daniel –Rev 5:5 ‘But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” –Rev 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 7 God’s Glory Personified –Dan 7:14 ‘Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.’ –All based on His resurrection – I Pet 1:21 and II Tim 2:8 II Tim 2:8 is particularly nice in context because it mentions the seed of David –‘Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,’ Rom 15:13 - NKJV “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.” –This is the ‘benediction’ that closes the doctrinal section of Romans (McGee) –The God of hope – reflect back on verses 4,5, and 12 Filled with joy and peace – is there any better alternative?

Romans 15:4-13 Aug 26, 2007 Bob Eckel 8 God’s Glory Personified –‘believing’ and ‘may abound’ – present, active, infinitive abound – think abundance! –Rom 5:5 ‘Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ –hope – elpis, expectation that is typically with pleasure –Notice the necessity of the Holy Spirit here –Try doing it in your old man and in his strength and power! –How is this accomplished? –Newell claims that this verse is the ‘highest development of Christian experience’ Do you agree? Christian growth: saved from the penalty of sins, power over sin, service, and then believing and abounding in hope.