1. Romans 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last

2. Romans to date 1-3Sin, Wrath & Judgement 3Justified by faith in Jesus’ death 4Abraham – father of faith for all 5Joy, peace & love; Adam & Jesus 6What about sin as Christians? 7Dead to law; struggling with sin 8Total security in Abba’s love 9-11God’s wisdom – salvation for all 12Living sacrifices – in relationship 13Living together in community

3. Romans 12 Relationships – living together in community – with Godv1-2 – with selfv3-8 – with others Fellow believersv9-13 Community at largev14-21

4. Romans 13 Relationships – living together in community – with civil authoritiesv1-7 – with our neighboursv8-10 – with this present agev11-14

5. Romans 14v1-15v13 Relationships – with those weak in faith – Positive principle- accept, welcome them 14v1 – Negative consequences Do not despise them 14v2-13a Do not offend or destroy them 14v13b-23 Do not please yourself 15v1-13

6. Romans 14 Who are the ‘weak in faith’?14v1 – Not weak in will or character – Jewish Christians- food laws & festivals – Sensitive conscience- ‘conservative’ minded – The ‘strong’ in faith 15v1 - ‘liberal’ minded (Gentiles?) Including Paul himself

7. Romans 14 The positive principle – The primacy of Love - c/f 12v9, 14, 17; 13v8 – Acceptance- but not unconditional – Welcome- fellowship & heart – Warmth, kindness- genuine love – Jesus welcomes us- John 14v3

8. Romans 14 The positive principle – Gospel truth v conscientious commitment – Doctrine, creed- core beliefs; non-negotiable – Secondary beliefs- room for variety – Examples…

9. Romans 14v2-13a Do not despise or condemn them Welcome them because… – God has welcomed them v2-3 – Jesus died & rose to be the Lord v4-9 – they are your brothers & sisters v10a – we will all stand before God’s judgment seat v10b - 13a

10. Romans 14v13b-23 Do not offend or destroy them Welcome them because… – brothers & sisters for whom Christ died v14-16 “Love limits its own liberty out of respect for them.” – Kingdom of God more important than food v17-21 Peace & edification Destroy work of God Right & wrong – Private conviction v Public behaviour v22-23

11. Romans 15v1-13 We who are strong… Do not please yourselves because… – Christ did not please himself v3-4 – Christ is the way to united worship v5-6 – Christ accepted you v7 – Christ has become a servant v8-13

12. Romans 14-15 In essentials unity In non-essentials liberty In all things charity