A Strong Fellowship

Romans 15:1-13  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  (2)  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.  (3)  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.  (4)  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  (5)  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:  (6)  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (7)  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.  (8)  Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:  (9)  And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.  (10)  And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.  (11)  And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.  (12)  And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.  (13)  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

INTRODUCTION:           If we would read Chapter 14 we would see Paul outlines for au those who are weak in Christ, weak believers.  Those who judge, grumble, complain and criticize.  Also those who believe works for salvation is required.

              So in these verses Paul uses a word “bear” to talk of what strong Christians need to do.  It is not “bearing” by just putting up with them, begrudging them, and their faults.   It is to support them in doctrine, with love and tenderness.

I.            THE STRONG BEARS THE WEAK                                 (vv 1-3)

              A.           We Are To Do Our Best To Please Our Neighbor

                             1.           Simply, them before us

Galatians 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

i.                We must be careful

a.               Not to become a

              stumblingblock

1 Corinthians 8:9  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

ii.               Our liberty to walk undefiled

a.               Some may not understand

              B.           We Are To Walk As Christ Walked

                             1.           Talk as Christ talked

ILLUSTRATION:            They may laugh at your off-color joke, or only slightly recoil at your occasional curse word, or your judgment of other brethren.  They will judge us on these stumblingblocks.  Jesus the Christ never walked in this way.

                             2.           Jesus didn’t work to please Himself

                                           i.            His prayer was always

                                                          a.           Father your will be done

II.           A STRONG CHURCH STUDIES GOD’S WORD                 (v 4)

A.              God’s Word Is Our Understanding

1.               Without study, where is our understanding

i.           A Bible as decoration gives no

           understanding

ii.          It doesn’t just jump out

a.               As a person walks by

b.               It must be read

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2.               From where do you get the faith to believe

              i.            Then to grow in the Lord

              ii.           If the Bible is not read

2 Timothy 2:15-16  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

3.               Through study we rid ourselves of shame

              i.            We learn to divide the Word

              ii.           We learn to shun vain (Worthless)

a.               Babblings

b.               They just increase to more ungodliness

B.              God’s Word Was Given To Stir Our Hearts

1.               Three things we see

Romans 12:11-12  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  (12)  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

                                           i.            Patience stirs

                                                          a.           Trials

                                                          b.           Experience

                                                          c.            Hope

                                           ii.           Encouragement

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

a.               Help

b.               Comfort

c.               All that is needed

iii.             Hope

1 John 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

              a.           To know

              b.           To anticipate what you know

              c.            Desire what you know

III.         WE WORK FOR HARMONY                                            (vv 5-6)

A.              An Hard Task

1.               With so many diverse personalities

Ephesians 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.                                      

                                                      i.            Endeavouring to work in unity

           a.           Trying to work together

           b.           Compromising (Not on

                         doctrine)

B.              Being In Harmony

1.               With God

2.               With man and brethren

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

3.               Speak the same

4.               With no divisions

5.               The same judgment

IV.         NO DISCRIMINATION WHATSOEVER  (vv 7-12)

A.              Our Pattern Is Jesus The Christ

1.               Christ received the Jews first

              i.            As God’s first chosen

2.           Jesus chose the Gentiles

              i.            Second choice

                             a.           As a “type” of Jew

Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

B.              We Are To Receive Each Other

1.               To Glorify God

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Conclusion:         (v 13)     We as Christians need to live with the hope (Knowledge) of the future.

              Know where our home is located.  With that knowing hope, fill yourself with the joy and peace God has given you in your Faith.

              Abound in what God has given.  Live within the Hope of your Faith.  Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you.

1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: