Romans 15
Coming to some last words
ESV used unless otherwise noted
• Matters of conscience
• Matters of indifference
• Having a proper focus
Roman 14:13
Therefore let us not pass
judgment on one another
any longer, but rather
decide never to put a
stumbling block or
hindrance in the way of a
brother.
Roman 14:19
So then let us pursue what
makes for peace and for
mutual upbuilding.
Roman 14:17
For the kingdom of God is
not a matter of eating and
drinking but of
righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
• Closes the discussion
on proper focus and
continues in a spirit
of unity and serving
others.
• Why do this?
3 Reasons to Put Others First
Romans 15:3
For Christ did not please
himself, but as it is
written, “The reproaches
of those who reproached
you fell on me.”
Because Christ did this!
Philippians 2:3-8, NASV
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with
humility of mind regard one another as more
important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal
interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also
in Christ Jesus,
6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:3-8, NASV
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with
humility of mind regard one another as more
important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal
interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also
in Christ Jesus,
6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself by becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross.
3 Reasons to Put Others First
1. Because Christ did
2. Because God is a
God of perseverance
and encouragement
Romans 15:4-6
For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, that through endurance and through the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the
God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in
such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ
Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God desires US
to persevere
and give
encouragement
to unity so that
we might
glorify God in
one voice.
It’s like…
Matthew 6:12
• …forgive us our debts,
as we also have
forgiven our debtors.
1 John 4:11
• Beloved, if God so
loved us, we also
ought to love one
another.
Matthew 7:2
• For with the
judgment you
pronounce you will
be judged, and with
the measure you use
it will be measured
to you.
3 Reasons to Put Others First
Romans 15:7-9a
1. Because Christ did
Therefore welcome one
2. Because God is a
another as Christ has
God of perseverance welcomed you, for the glory of
God. 8 For I tell you that
and encouragement
3. We should accept Christ became a servant to the
circumcised to show God's
others because
truthfulness, in order to
we’ve been
confirm the promises given to
accepted
the patriarchs, 9 and in order
that the Gentiles might glorify
God for his mercy.
3 Last Admonishments to the Romans
• Allow your belief to
produce joy and peace
A good attitude
comes from faith,
defeating fear of
every kind.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy
and peace in
believing, so that by
the power of the Holy
Spirit you may
abound in hope.
REJOICE…
• In acceptance, Rom. 15:10
• In hope, Romans 12:12
• In the truth, 1 Cor. 13:6
• In preaching Christ, Phil 1:18
• In your faith, 1 Pet. 1:8
• In sharing the sufferings of
Christ, 1 Pet. 4:13
The Spirit’s power
works in a good
attitude… to hope
3 Last Admonishments to the Romans
• Allow your belief to
produce joy and peace
• Good people,
knowledgeable and
able to teach, need
reminding also
Romans 15:14-15
I myself am satisfied about
you, my brothers, that you
yourselves are full of
goodness, filled with all
knowledge and able to
instruct one
another. 15 But on some
points I have written to
you very boldly by way of
reminder, because of the
grace given me by God
2 Peter 1:12-13
Faith
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly kindness
Love
Therefore I intend
always to remind you
of these qualities,
though you know them
and are established in
the truth that you
have. 13 I think it
right, as long as I am in
this body, to stir you
up by way of reminder,
3 Last Admonishments to the Romans
• Allow your belief
to produce joy and
peace
• Good people,
knowledgeable and
able to teach, need
reminding also
• There is a debt
upon us
Romans 15:25-27
At present, however, I am going to
Jerusalem bringing aid to the
saints. 26 For Macedonia and
Achaia have been pleased to make
some contribution for the poor
among the saints at
Jerusalem. 27 For they were
pleased to do it, and indeed they
owe it to them. For if the Gentiles
have come to share in their spiritual
blessings, they ought also to be of
service to them in material
blessings.
If Gentiles owed Jews, Macedonia
owed Jerusalem…
• How much more do
we owe…
Parents
Grandparents
Bible teachers
Elders
And others
Salvation is
God’s riches
blessing.
Those who
help us
possess it are
our friends.
Romans is a letter about being
justified by faith
•
•
•
•
It is a noble book
A jewel of gospel teaching
A relevant treatise on unity
Written to a Jews/Gentile
church
• To focus them on fellowship
• And acceptance in Christ
WHERE ARE WE ON
THESE ISSUES?