Romans - Chapter 15

Be of one mind

Romans – Chapter 15

Review

1. What was Chapter 1 about?

1. Gospel
2. Discusses how bad the Gentiles are (remember: “Greeks and barbarians”)?

2. What’s Chapter 2 about?
1. Judgment – God’s Judgment falls on all.
2. Jews aren’t much better than the Gentiles from Chapter 1
3. Chapter 3?
1. Justification
2. Faith through Salvation, not works
3. Works are THE FRUIT of Salvation through Faith (in Jesus Christ)
4. Chapter 4?
1. Faith
2. …Of their fathers (Abraham and David)
3. Shouldn’t be a new concept for them.
5. Chapter 5?
1. Result of Justification
2. We receive benefits.  Jesus is contrasted (mostly) with Adam
6. Chapter 6?
1. Life and Death – Believer’s Style
2. Alive in Christ, dead to sin.
7. Chapter 7?
1. Our Motivation – The Law motivates by Fear.  God-followers are motivated by Love.
8. Chapter 8?
1. Our Position with God in the Spirit.
9. Chapter 9?
1. This is God’s show.  He can, He does, He will…just because He wants to…just because He’s God.
2. Israel’s past
10. Chapter 10?
1. Salvation, how?
2. Israel’s present
11. Chapter 11?
1. God’s Grace – our ticket, Israel’s restoration
2. Israel’s future
12. Chapter 12?
1. Our Sacrifice – Our Response(s)
13. Chapter 13?
1. Love is the fulfillment of the Law
14. Chapter 14?
1. Individually Accountable to God

Introduction

1. What’s your opinion of Romans (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
2. How did you all do this week reading Romans?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. Very related to Ch 14.
2.  
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1. 1-5 deal with justification / conversion, ie “getting” saved
2. 6-8 deal with sanctification - “living” saved.
3. Chapters 1-3:20 deal primarily with God.
4. Chapters 3:21-7 deal primarily with Jesus Christ.
5. Chapter 8 - introduces the Holy Spirit
6. Chapter 9 – talks about God’s Authority and the history of Israel
7. Chapter 10 – talks about God’s Mercy and the present Israel
8. Chapter 11 - Israel’s future and God’s grace
9. Chapter 12 – Start the “sanctification” process.  How to live as a Christian.  Overview of all the relationships involved.
10. Chapter 13 – relationships of/to Government and “neighbors”
5. J. Vernon McGee says “Romans chapters 1-8 are doctrinal.  Romans chapters 9-11 are dispensational.  Romans chapters 12-16 are duty.  The first eight chapters of Romans emphasize faith.  Chapters 9-11 emphasize hope.  Chapters 12-16 emphasize love.  There is another way to view Romans: the first section deals with salvation; the second section with segregation; and the last section with service.” (Thru the Bible, vol. 4 pp 708).

Lesson

1. vv. 1-3 [READ – Rom 15:1-3]
1. What’s Paul saying here?

                                                               i.      This is a continuation of Ch 14.

                                                             ii.      Be considerate of those that are weaker (spiritually less mature) than you are.

2. What does “not to please ourselves” mean?

                                                               i.      Again, like Ch 14, this a lesson in deferring what we may enjoy for the benefit of another Christian.  (Don’t dance, drink, play cards, movies, playing certain types of music in certain settings,  etc if it might cause another to stumble, even if it “pleases [your]self.”

3. Why?  Yes, we discussed “why” in Ch. 14, but v 2 & 3 here explains:

                                                               i.      For the edification, the building up, of your neighbor.  For THEIR good.

                                                             ii.      Christ did.  He’s the ultimate in sacrificing Himself for those that we weaker (us).

2. vv. 4-6 [READ – Rom 15:4-6]
1. We are one body.  The OT (from v 4) is not just for the Jews.  We can all learn from it, true?  We should all know the scripture and be of like mind (v 5&6). 
2. What is v 5&6?

                                                               i.      A prayer.  Paul prays to God that He’d make the Jews and Gentiles of one mind, glorifying God the Father and Jesus Christ.

3. vv. 7-13 [READ – Rom 15:7-13]
1. Continuing on the “One mind” thought – we are to accept one another, strong and weak for a single purpose, to glorify God.  Christ accepted us.  Who are we to not accept one that Christ has accepted?
2. V 8.  What does “minister (or servant) of the circumcision” mean?  How was Christ this?

                                                               i.      He came to this world to fulfill prophesy and to reach the nation of Israel. (See Matt 15:24).

                                                             ii.      Christ came to Israel because of promises made to Israel.  This is part of their special relationship as God’s chosen people.  Gentiles don’t have this special relationship, but they/we receive God’s grace and through that, can accept Christ.

3. Evidences that Gentiles are part of this accepted family with God are the quotations that follow:

                                                               i.      V 9 – from Psalms 18:49

                                                             ii.      V 10 – from Deut 32:43

                                                            iii.      V 11 – from Psalms 117:1

                                                            iv.      V 12 – from Isaiah 11:10

4. “The God of Hope” – this phrase summarizes Romans.  None of us were worth.  None of us could DO anything to achieve righteousness.  Israel couldn’t.  Israel hadn’t.  But we’re given an opportunity to accept Christ through faith, love others, and ultimately be restored to God in Heaven – just like Israel will one day.  This IS Romans.
3. vv. 14-21 [READ – Rom 15:14-21]
1. This section begins the ending of Romans much like Paul started the Letter – very personal and intimately.
2. Knowing that the church in Rome was largely Gentile, it’s notable that Paul refers to them as “brethren” in v 14.  He states they’re full of goodness, with all knowledge, able to admonish one another.  This leads me to believe that the body of believers that Paul is writing to is fairly mature in their walk with Christ.
3. V 14-16 is another view of the “softer side” of Paul.  I don’t believe it’s an apology as some, but rather a justification.  He knows that this people can handle the message he has been given (from God).  He’s just reminding them of his position – (Apostle to the Gentiles, ordained by God, etc)
4. 17-21 – Paul was called to blaze new trails.  He wanted to go where no one else had been to witness.  Not for his own glory would he not build on the foundation of another man, but for God’s glory that the Word would be spread.
4. vv. 22-29 [READ – Rom 15:22-29]
1. This is Paul discussing his plans.  Are they God’s plans?  We don’t really know.  We know that Paul acknowledges that he has been MUCH hindered in his goal to get to Rome.

                                                               i.      Does that mean that Paul kept trying to go where God didn’t want him?  Was that God closing doors for Paul to get to Rome?  Don’t know.

                                                             ii.      Rome was not his end destination.  It was but a stop along the way.  His goal was Spain.  I think it’s important to know that Paul wanted to make the most of every moment.  Even thought he wanted to be on his way to Spain, he understood the importance of achieving other things along the way.

2. Paul says that he “has no more place in these parts”.  What does this mean?

                                                               i.      Some state that it means he’s so known that he’s always persecuted.

                                                             ii.      Some state that it means he and the other Christians of the time have told everyone. (McGee, pp751)

3. This relationship between Jerusalem, Macedonia and Achaia… what’s it about?

                                                               i.      Macedonia and Achaia were “starter churches” established by the church in Jerusalem.

4. What might be Paul’s reasons for going to Jerusalem?

                                                               i.      He persecuted the church in Jerusalem, so maybe it’s time now (then) to visit Jerusalem again to minister to them.

                                                             ii.      He’s Jewish.  It’s his homeland.

                                                            iii.      He’s heard about the fellowship (koinonia) that they had there when folks from Macedonia and Achaia came to Jerusalem.

5. What odd information is in here?

                                                               i.      That carnal repayment is a duty to one that has provided spiritual service. (v 27)

6. V 28 – what’s this?  Is Paul taking a fruit basket?

                                                               i.      No.  The fruit is a metaphor for whatever the gift is that he’s giving the church in Jerusalem

                                                             ii.      He wants to know (their seal) what they’ll be doing with it.  This is appropriate even today.

7. V 29 – is Paul’s trip to Rome in God’s will?  Yes.  How does Paul (and you) know that?

                                                               i.      The verse states that he’s “sure” (KJV) (‘cause God told him) that he’ll “come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ”.

6. vv. 30-33 [READ – Rom 15:30-33]
1. This is what’s on Paul’s heart.  He’s asking for his fellow believers to pray with him on these matters:

                                                               i.      “strive” is from Greek root where we get “agonize”.  Paul’s asking them to “agonize” with him in prayer.  Do we do that?

                                                             ii.      …for his deliverance from his enemy(ies).

                                                            iii.      …that the church in Jerusalem would accept his gift.  Why might they not accept his gift?

1.       He persecuted them

2.       other reasons???

                                                            iv.      …that he arrive in joy in the Holy Spirit

                                                             v.      …that he be refreshed while he’s with them.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 5
2. We, as more mature Christians, should be examples for others.  Live our lives to their scrutiny.  It’s a tough standard.  Just like we discussed in Ch. 14
3. What’s our usual opinion of the OT? What’s the world’s opinion of the OT (especially)?
1. World: just stories, out of date, etc.
2. Us: complex, long-winded (genealogies, etc), no “hope”, only condemnation/judgment, etc…
4. What kind of duty do we have, based on these Scriptures?
1. Payment of spiritual services with carnal payments
2. Know how your payments are being used (get a seal).
5. In our life, it’s important to be aware of our goals (from God), like Paul’s was to get to Spain.  However, it’s also important not to lose sight of the trip between here and the end goal (ie Rome).  Often, the journey is more important than the arrival.

Print | posted on Saturday, April 09, 2005 1:41 PM |