Great Reasons Why Jesus Came Down To Earth Series

Great Reasons Why Jesus Came Down to Earth

The Book of Romans

Romans 15:8-13

Sermon by Rick Crandall

(Prepared December 20, 2021)

BACKGROUND:

*Let me remind you that in Romans 1-11, the Holy Spirit led Paul to give us a full explanation of the gospel. There Paul spelled out the truth about our terrible sinfulness and our desperate need for God's salvation. Paul made it clear that salvation can only come by God's grace through faith in our crucified and risen Savior Jesus Christ.

*Here is the heart of the gospel or good news about Jesus: He died on the cross for all of our sins. Then 3 days later Jesus rose again from the dead! And now He will give eternal life to everyone who will receive Him as Lord and Savior.

*That's why in Romans 1:15-17 Paul said, "As much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'''

*The gospel is the central focus in Romans 1-11, but in chapter 12 Paul begin to write about the practical side of Christian life. And in chapter 14, he began to address one of God's greatest concerns: and that is harmony in His Church.

*We can see this truth in the new commandment the Lord gave His followers on the night before the cross. In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'' Then in John 17:11 Jesus prayed to our Heavenly Father and said, "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are."

*Our harmony as Christians is extremely important to the Lord, but it has always been a challenge in God's Church. One persistent source of conflict in the early church was between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. The Jews naturally wanted to cling to the old ceremonial ways, such as circumcision, strict dietary laws and observing the Jewish holy days. The Gentile believers weren't inclined to do that, and most important, it wasn't God's plan for His Church.

*Paul went into detail about this problem, and we can see his concern in vs. 5-6. Here Paul prayed, "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then in vs. 7, Paul pleaded for the Christians in Rome to "receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."

*In today's Scripture Paul again stressed the oneness and hope all Christians have in Jesus. But Paul also gave us some of the great reasons why Jesus came down to earth. Please think about this as we read Romans 15:8-13.

MESSAGE:

*I never thought of these verses as Christmas Scripture, but they surely help us see why Jesus came into our world, and aren't you glad? You may be going through some tough times right now, and I know for sure that some of us are. But Christian: on your worst day, aren't you still glad that Jesus Christ came down to earth? I know you are!

*Think of the angels and shepherds in Luke 2:7-14:

7. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.''

13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: