SERMON OUTLINE:
• Christian fellowship should be marked by consideration (vs 1-3)
• Christian fellowship should be marked by the study of scripture (vs 4)
• Christian fellowship should be marked by unity (vs 5-6)
• Christian fellowship should take its example, its inspiration and its dynamic from Jesus Christ (vs 7-9a)
• Christian fellowship should be marked by praise (vs 13)
SERMON BODY
Ill:
• An anthropologist was living with a tribe of people in Zimbabwe, South Africa.
• He watched the children playing and decided to play a game with them.
• He put a basket full of fruit near a tree,
• And told the kids that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits.
• When he told them to run, to his surprise,
• They all took each-others hands and ran together,
• Then sat together enjoying their treats.
• When he asked them why they had run together like that;
• When one of them could have had all the fruits for themselves they said: ''UBUNTU,
• They said; 'UBUNTU' (pronounced: UbUntA)
• “How can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?''
• 'UBUNTU' in the Xhosa (pronounced: Chorsa) culture;
• It means: "I am because we are"
• TRANSITION: Those children realised the importance of togetherness,
• The importance of supporting and looking out for each other.
• No Christian should ever be standing alone!
• God has placed us together in community, in family, in Church.
• We are together to encourage, support and look out for each other.
• Satan is the great divider and destroyer;
• But Christ is the great uniter and builder.
• This chapter is a continuation of the theme found in the previous chapter,
• In the first four verses the apostle Paul continues the theme of;
• The stronger to the weaker believer.
• And this section gives us a great summary of what we can call;
• ‘The signs that should characterize Christian fellowship.’
(1). Christian Fellowship Should be Marked by Consideration (vs 1-3).
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’“
• You and I as followers of Jesus are called to look out for each other.
• That should be a responsibility and not an optional extra.
• Commentator Robert Mounce says that the term, ‘bear’
• Goes beyond mere tolerance or just putting up with others.
• It requires us to care enough to personally shoulder their burdens;
• As if they were our own.
• Question: Why should we do that?
• Answer: Because they are family! And that is what family does!
Now having made the guidelines clear:
• The apostle Paul gives us an example to follow.
• “For even Christ did not please himself” (vs 3)
• The apostle Paul then quotes from the Old Testament, from Psalm 69.
• “As it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”
Psalm 69 is one of the great messianic Psalms:
• Seven of its thirty-six verses are cited in the New Testament.
• You will probably recognise those seven quotations as you read them.
• Note: The key verse of the Psalm is not so well known and it is verse 4:
• “I am forced to restore what I did not steal”
• These words perfectly describe the unfair situation;
• That David the Psalmist was experiencing at the time of writing;
• But these words also describe the unfair situation Jesus experienced;
• When he went to the cross.
• When, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree”
Ill:
• In the book ‘Miracle on The River Kwai’.
• Ernest Gordon's Tells the true story of some Scottish soldiers,
• Who were forced by their Japanese captors to work on a jungle railroad.
• Under the strain of imprisonment they had degenerated to cruel behaviour,
• But one afternoon something happened.
• "A shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged.
• He demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or else.
• When nobody in the squadron budged,
• The officer got his gun and threatened to kill them all on the spot!
• It was obvious the officer meant what he had said.
• Then, finally, one man stepped forward.
• The officer put away his gun, picked up a shovel, and beat the man to death.
• When it was over, the survivors picked up the bloody corpse;
• And carried it with them to the second tool check.
• This time, no shovel was missing.
• Which meant that there had been a miscount at the first check point.
• The word spread like wildfire through the whole camp.
• An innocent man had been willing to die to save the others!
• The incident had a profound effect on all the prisoners;
• From that moment on they began to treat each other like brothers”
• TRANSITION: An innocent man sacrificed his life on behalf of others;
• Sadly in that case it was all in vain!
Question: What is the example of Jesus?
Answer: “Christ did not please himself”
• Jesus Christ considered us and our needs;
• So, he became our sin bearer and substitute.
• He considered our needs above his own!
• And in these three verses the apostle Paul says;
• “Go and do likewise!”
(2). Christian Fellowship Should be Marked by the study of scripture (vs 4).
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Quote:
• Phillip Brooks the American clergyman the lyricist of the Christmas carol,
• "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Who said:
• “The Bible is like a telescope.
• If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond;
• But if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but that.
• The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond;
• But most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.”
True Christian fellowship should be marked by the study of scripture;
• In verse 4 we are told three benefits for those who study the Bible,
• (In this context the Old Testament as the New had not yet been written or gathered together)
• FIRST: It teaches us (vs 4a).
• “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us”
• e.g. Just as the apostle Paul quoted from Psalm 69 to make his point,
• So, we too can also learn from reading and studying the Old Testament.
• SECOND: It encourages us (vs 4b).
• “So that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
• e.g. We should be encouraged when we read about God’s attributes and character,
• A reminder in whom are hope is based!
• e.g. We should be encouraged when we read about the life stories of O.T. saints,
• Such as Abraham, David, Ruth, Job, Elijah, Deborah…
• Who overcame great obstacles, and show us what can be done with God’s help.
• e.g. We should be encouraged when we study the O.T. scriptures and discover,
• These words are a “a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119 verse 105)
Ill:
• Psalm 119 is of course the longest Psalm (176 verses),
• And also the longest chapter in the Bible.
• All but five verses mention the Word of God in one way or another.
• (the verses that do not are: 84, 90, 121, 122, and 132)
• TRANSITION: So, if you read the Psalm you will discover 169 reasons;
• Why the Word of God (Old Testament) is encouraging!
• THIRD: It gives us hope (vs 4c).
• “…we might have hope.”
• The Old Testament, especially the prophets;
• Have promised a wonderful future for the believer.
• These scriptures bring hope, confidence and expectation for the believer.
Ill:
• Alexander Whyte (Minister, Bible commentator and author),
• During his pastoral visits to his parishioners,
• Would quote to them a verse of the Bible and then say;
• "Put that under your tongue and suck it like a sweetie."
• TRANSITION: These promises are the promises of a God who never breaks his word.
• So, the O.T. scripture gives to the person who studies them,
• Comfort in his sorrow and encouragement in his struggle.
(3). Christian Fellowship Should be Marked by Unity (vs 5-6).
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
• The apostle Paul seems to return back to his main point;
• Concerning the stronger to the weaker believer.
• He inserts a prayer into his teaching that “one mind and one voice.”
• The apostle Paul makes a clear connection between unity and union in Christ,
• With the unity and union of believers.
• In other words, if we belong to Christ, then we also belong to each other.
• Our friendship should show itself in unity & harmony.
• This is not an optional extra - it is an essential that we must all strive for!
Ill:
• Preacher & author Juan Carlos Ortiz came up with an interesting illustration.
• I like it up to a point but I think he took it too far.
• The illustration is this.
• "You go out to the potato patch & dig up all the potatoes & put them in one big bag.
• Now, all the potatoes are in the same big bag, but they’re still individual potatoes."
• "Next, they go to the packing shed where they are cleaned & put into smaller bags,
• And sent to grocery stores.
• But even though they are in smaller bags, they are still individual potatoes."
• "Then a customer buys 5 lbs. of potatoes,
• Takes them home & peels them & puts them in the cooking pot.
• Now they’re closer together.
• Their skin no longer separates them. But they’re still individual potatoes."
• If it were my illustration I would stop it there;
• But Juan Carlos Ortiz takes it on even further.
• He says; "It is not until they’re boiled & mashed & mixed all together;
• That they really become one and that is what God wants for us!”
• TRANSITION: Now as I said, I stop agreeing with Juan Carlos Ortiz.
• Three-quarters of the way through his illustration.
• Because when the potatoes are mashed, they loose their individuality!
• And God wants unity not uniformity!
• Uniformity is what you find in the cults, e.g. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses etc.
• They dress the same, they sound the same, everything is prescribed for them.
• They are mashed potatoes no room for individuality.
• Unity is different, it means we can disagree,
• We can be different and yet still be one!
The apostle Paul’s prayer and desire that the Romans,
• “The same attitude of mind toward each other”
• Does not mean that they should all come to the same conclusion.
• That is obvious from his discussion of the weak and the strong,
• Where he says the conscience of each is to guide the conduct of the person.
• It is unity of perspective that is desired.
• And the perspective is that of Christ Jesus. Our example and model.
• So, to put is simple, act like Jesus.
Ill:
• In God’s orchestra, each believer plays a different instrument.
• If we all played the violin it would not be much of an orchestra!
• A good orchestra should have five sections;
• Woodwind, section brass section, percussion section and a strings section.
• If they do their own thing then chaos,
• But, if they follow the conductor and play in harmony with each other,
• Then the end result should be a work of creative beauty.
• TRANSITION: read again verse 6 because the body of Christ is no different:
• “So that with one mind and one voice;
• You may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(4). Christian Fellowship takes its example, its inspiration and its dynamic from Jesus Christ (vs 7-9a).
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy”
Ill:
• In 1522 the great reformer Martin Luther was asked to give a eulogy at funeral,
• The funeral was for Nicholas Haussmann.
• He was pastor of a Church at Zwickau, (a town in Saxony, Germany).
• Luther did not waste any words, he simply said:
• "What we preach, he lived,"
• TRANSITION: Nicholas Haussmann like the one he followed;
• Practiced what he preached.
• The apostle Paul asks us to do the same with Jesus.
Note: The apostle Paul tells us how to copy Jesus.
• FIRST: Accept people as they are (vs 7).
• “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.”
• He did not say, “Put up with people” he said, “Accept them!”
• It is an act of the will not the heart!
• Don’t reject people and discriminate against them,
• Just so you can stay in your comfort zone of favourite friends.
• True faith consciously makes the effort to reach out.
• It is the will that makes the decision to act like Jesus,
• And as we accept people for who they are,
• We will then in time get to like them and even love them.
Ill:
• The example given here is Jew and Gentiles (non-Jews).
• God has brought these two very different people groups together in one body.
• God is in the business of doing that!
• We divide but God unites.
• The inclusion of Gentiles (non-Jews) into God’s plan of salvation,
• Would have upset and even offended Jewish people.
• Yahweh was their God and the Gentiles could find their own deities to worship.
So, the apostle Paul reminds any Jewish Christian,
• Who might still hold those type of prejudices that they are wrong!
• God’s plan has always been both Jew and Gentiles (non-Jews).
• Note: The end of verse 12,
• Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah and says: "The Gentiles will hope in HIM."
• The context of these verses is the Apostle Paul talking about God’s plan of salvation.
• Which is all centred in Jesus Christ.
• God does not accept us because of our race but because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
• Salvation came from the Jews but is not exclusive to the Jews,
• Through the Jewish people God’s plan has always been to bless all peoples!
To prove this the apostle Paul quotes four verses from the Old Testament:
• FIRST: quote verse 9 Paul quotes Psalm 18 verse 49.
• To show the Jews glorifying God AMONG the Gentiles.
• SECOND: quote verse 10 Paul quotes Deuteronomy chapter 34 verse 43.
• To show the Gentiles rejoicing WITH the Jews.
• THIRD: quote verse 11 Paul quotes Psalm 117 verse 1;
• To show all Jews and Gentiles TOGETHER praising God.
• FOURTH: quote verse 12 Paul quotes Isaiah chapter 11 verse 10.
• To show that Christ shall reign over BOTH Jews and Gentiles.
The key to knowing these truths:
• The end of verse 12,
• That quotes from the prophet Isaiah: "The Gentiles will hope in HIM."
• Everything is centred in Jesus Christ!
(5). Christian Fellowship Should be Marked by Praise (vs 13).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
• True Christian fellowship should be marked by praise.
• But too many Churches are marked by grumbling and discontentment.
• As Christian’s we should enjoy life because we enjoy God.
• Those who do not know the Lord should be moaners and grumblers,
• For this world is all they have got.
• But as believers who know the Lord;
• Then as verse 13 says;
• We have “Hope,” We have “Joy,” “Peace,” “Power,” & We have the Holy Spirit!
• And remember that YOU did not pay a single penny for any of those blessings,
• They were given to you by the God of grace and mercy!
• So next time you are about t moan, stop!
• And as the old hymn says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one”
Quote:
• Charles Spurgeon the great Baptist Preacher,
• Called this verse (Romans chapter 15 verse 13):
• “One of the richest passages in the word of God”
(1). THE SIGHT OF THIS HOPE
• "In Him shall the gentiles hope."
• Our Hope looks to Jesus as is constant focus.
(2). THE SOURCE OF THIS HOPE
• He is "the God of (the) Hope"
• God himself and non-other is the source of our Hope.
(3). THE SERENITY OF THIS HOPE
• "All joy and peace in believing"
• Joy – “Happy are those whose sins are forgiven”
• Peace – “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(4). THE SUFFICIENCY OF THIS HOPE
• "That you may abound"
• Our Hope is one of superabundance.
• He has saved us! (Penalty of sin)
• He is saving us! (Power of sin)
• And he shall save us! (Presence of sin)
(5). THE SUPPLY OF THIS HOPE
• "By the power of the Holy Spirit"
• We receive this abundant Hope by the Spirit’s power at work in our lives.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=4vzfHV9tCfLKzqPpQMRxJmjpJXelPm3a
