BOOK OF ROMANS CHAPTER 15

Lesson No. 33 SHALL WE BE CHRIST-LIKE IN OUR ATTITUDES TOWARD ONE ANOTHER?

We see here in this chapter the prominence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Twelve (12) times the words, “Christ” and “Lord Jesus Christ” were mentioned in the whole chapter. This indicates that the apostle Paul lived and spoke according to how the Lord Jesus wanted him to. The attitudes therefore of a believer of the Lord must be like that of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that is what would please God the most.

MESSAGE

1. Spiritually strong believers should please the weak in order to build them up (vv. 1-2).

2. The example of Christ when being reproached, did not please himself (v.3).

3. Learn from the example in the Old Testament (v.4).

4. When the whole Ekklesia is like-minded as Christ would want us all to be, then we, as ONE can glorify God (vv. 5, 6).

5. “Wherefore received ye one another,” as salvation was given first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (vv.7-16). There were always controversy and conflict between the Jewish and Gentile believers because of the seeming irreconcilable differences:

5.1. Apostle Paul emphasized to the Jews that as Christ had received the Gentiles and so therefore they should also receive them as brethren (vv.9- 12).
5.2. The God of hope as He is the God of patience and consolation (v.5). “Fill you with all joy and peace” that you will be “able to admonish one another” (vv. 13-14).
5.3. The apostle Paul has written “boldly” to the Jewish believers in Rome that, “I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” (vv. 14, 16).

6. “By the power of the Spirit of God” (v. 19). Apostle Paul has made the Gentile believers obedient— “by word and by deed.” And he has “fully preached the Gospel of Christ” (vv. 17-19). Is this not the work of every pastor and preacher tasked to take care of God’s ministry?

7. Apostle Paul in preaching the Gospel was careful to “build upon another’s man foundation” (vv. 20-21) which should clarify once and for all what PASTORAL ETHICS should be (v.22)

8. As there are no more “unbroken ground where Christ has not been preached,” Apostle Paul intended to pass through Rome en route to Jerusalem “…to minister to the saints” for the purposes of edification and testimony (vv. 23, 25, 28-29).

9. The generosity of the Gentile believers towards the Jewish believers in need in Jerusalem was a great example of “paying it forward” (vv. 26-27).

10. The request of the Apostle Paul to pray for him –

10.1. For protection from the unsaved Judea;
10.2. For acceptance among the brethren in Jerusalem; and
10.3. That his coming to Rome be filled with joy and refreshing to him. I am sure Paul had said this because he was tired in this journey and that he might be refreshed as he journeys on (vv. 28-32).

CONCLUSION

Apostle Paul gave his benediction and spoke of the God of peace (v. 33):

1. The peace we have been reconciled to God.

2. That there should be peace among the brethren as a testimony of being in Christ.

3. The “peace that passeth all understanding,” keeping our hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

I remember the song, “O, the peace that Jesus gives, never dies it always lives, like the music of the Psalm…”

—BP’s Messages, 10.09.16