Romans 15:1

Message to the Mature #

Romans 15:1-7

Introduction

Paul makes an appeal to the mature believer. He has just discussed how christians should deal with the world, how they should get along with one another, and he continues just a little more on this theme. He continues to build on the instruction he has given previously.

"We then that are strong" - Strong christians, here is your instruction! This is something for you!

Even mature, and spiritually strong christians need instruction from the Word of God!

I. Bear with the weaker brother (1) #

A. Strong Christians (Romans 15:1) #

1. Learned the Bible! #

  • You have learned the Word of God, the Books of the Bible
  • You know the Bible stories. (Praise the Lord!)

2. Grown in faith #

  • When something happens, you trust in the Lord!

3. Learned faithfulness! #

  • You have learned the importance of faithfulness

    • reading the Word, attending church, serving the Lord!

  • Titus 2:1-3 establishes the role of mature christians

B. Weak Christians (Romans 14:1) #

1. Still learning the Bible! #

2. Still growing in their faith #

3. Still learning faithfulness! #

C. Bear their infirmities! #

  • Take them under your wing, and help them!

Gal. 6:1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

II. Bear with the neighbor (2-4) #

  • This idea of neighbor, is used throughout Scripture as someone who is nearby you.

    • It is not the strictest sense of the person that lives next door to you.

  • This would include lost people, people who maybe are saved, but not the same as us...

A. Edify! (2) #

edification - A building up, in a moral and religious sense; instruction; improvement and progress of the mind, in knowledge, in morals, or in faith and holiness.

1. When you edify people, you are helping them! #

2. When you help people, they are receptive to the Gospel! #

B. Example of the Saviour (3) #

1. Jesus is our greatest example in this! #

  • Did Jesus die good moral people that love him? NO
  • Jesus took their shame, their disgrace upon himself, for their edification!

2. We learn to edify those who don't deserve it! #

  • Jesus bore the weakness of the disciples, and yet edified them!

C. Education of the Scripture (4) #

Psa. 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

  • Selfless living is happy living!

III. Bear with each other in UNITY (6-7) #

  • Unity is such an important factor that he is driving at.
  • Remember the church consisted of Jews and Gentiles, with completely different backgrounds, and they were to work together, and worship together.

A. Likeminded in Work (5) #

1. Patience - it takes a lot to work together. #

2. God supplies it! - fruit of the Spirit - Longsuffering #

  • Ask God for help in this area!

B. Likeminded in Worship (6) #

1. When we come together in Worship, it is a sweet spirit! #

2. A group of people, singing together, worshipping the LORD! that is a little piece of heaven on earth! #

C. Likeminded in Reception (7) #

1. If you accept someone, and they accept you, great work can be accomplished. #

2. If you pit yourself against someone, and that person pits himself against you, nothing is accomplished! #

  • There is NO ROOM for strife, pride, or arrogance in the Work of the Lord!
Tags: Christian Living Romans Preaching Outlines Weak