Book of Romans - Ch. 15, Vs. 7-Ch. 16, Vs. 27 (06/04/2000)

Receiving One Another as Christ Received Us

Romans, chapter 15, verse 7. Wherefore, receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. David, how did Christ receive us? In what state were we? And he received us just as we are, just as we were.

Let me ask you all a question. Do you have certain friends that you don't mind being with, but you feel as though you must always be on your guard as to what you say? Well, that's not what he's talking about here.

He's talking about that we should receive each other as Christ received us. I think it's so good to have friends that you do not have to guard every word that you say. Because you love each other far beyond anything that could be said.

Christ the Minister to Jews and Gentiles

Romans 15, 8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Minister of the circumcision, he's talking about the Jew.

He was a minister to the Jew for the truth of God. Greg, it's trying to ring a little bit. To confirm the promises made unto the fathers in the Old Testament. This truth of God. That's fine. The truth of God was to show to the Gentiles.

Now listen. To show to us Gentiles that we are under the greatest obligation to these Jews. Why would that be? In fact, salvation comes through the Jew, doesn't it? Well, showing the salvation or showing the truth to the Jew, it was made clear that salvation was not exclusively designed for the Jew.

That it included us. Verse 9, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name. As the Jew was to glorify God for his truth, Greg, we as Gentiles are to glorify him for his mercy.

The Gentile really has no right in consequence of any promise or engagement made with any of their ancestors. Though they were originally, we were originally included in the covenant made to Abraham. Which goes way back before the law.

Verse 10, and again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud him, all ye people. And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust.

David, who is that twelfth verse referring to? Jesus himself. Now, from here through the rest of the chapter, Paul begins to close. And that's what we're going to do this morning. He mentions lots of people, calls them by name, and he starts off in the thirteenth verse.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. David, if we could have a belief that was believing this belief, we too would be filled with joy.

Help me a little bit, David, on this being filled with joy. How much room does that leave for other things? Isn't that a great verse? Now, the God of hope fill you with joy and peace. That's right. It has to.

All things that are of God are spiritual, and it has to come from him. We cannot increase our joy by buying things or acquiring things. At Christmas time, when there are so many packages around, especially for children, have you ever noticed how excited they are?

Well, the excitement is not over the gift or the present. It's over the anticipation of the present. Because they like to tear it open and see what it is. And when all are open, they still look for another one to open.

Well, that's the way it is with things in our life. We will receive no permanent joy or peace from things. All of the worldly joy is in anticipation of what you think it will be. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

And the Greek has to admonish others instead of one another. I want all of us to get to the place where in the fullness of the knowledge that we have, at whatever level, we're able to instruct, to help, to counsel and guide other people in the truth.

But you have to exercise it. You can't just hold it in. 15. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind because of the grace that is given to me of God.

Now, David, I guess I'll have to pick on you this morning. Paul says, I write more boldly to you because of what's been given to me. What's he mean? I think you're right. Now, Greg, does that statement in 15, the fact that Paul can speak boldly to them because he is, he has received the grace to be their teacher.

Can we apply that to our life in any fashion or to use them boldly? You have heard and I have heard so many people say, well, I don't have any talent. I can't do this and I can't do that. I guess I'm just supposed to sit on a pew.

Is that true? There are those that sit on a pew, all right. And there's nothing wrong with that. But it is my belief that everybody has the ability to do something. And I, it, it can be discovered only by you and the Holy Spirit.

No one else can, can cause you to understand it. 16, that I should. Yes, sir. Just as Paul, just as, as Paul said, this is my responsibility. And this is why I speak boldly to you. I think the very same thing applies to a pastor, to a teacher, that it is their charge to do that.

And the rest of us must listen. Now, I have made a statement many times and I will hold to it that the pastor asks one of us to do something. I don't think we should ever do it because he asked. I think we should do it because we're convinced that that's what we're supposed to do.

And him being in the Lord, guided by the same spirit that we are guided by, he wouldn't ask something that was not correct. But at the same time, just to do it because someone told you to is wrong. There's a lot of preachers I know of that would rebel at that.

If I tell you to do something, then you're supposed to do it. Well, that's not leading in love, that's dictatorial. I don't believe David would ever ask me or anyone else to do something that was not exactly right to the best of his ability.

But on the same hand, we must do it not because we believe in David, but because we believe in Christ. Am I making myself clear? Do nothing because someone else tells you to. The young people of today do so many things because somebody else does it.

Or because someone has made fun of them because they didn't do it. Well, we know from a study of the scripture that's not right.

Some of us are weaker vessels. It's particularly hard for the people who are trying to solicit some sort of aid from us.

Yes. Yes, that will always be. It's difficult, and it's a responsibility that a leader has. And he must lead and guide. But at the same time, he has to do it in prayer, in right fellowship. And if he has the right fellowship with our Lord, and we have the right fellowship with our Lord, then it'll all progress.

It might be that he wants to do something for the wrong reason. Or anybody else wants to do it for the wrong reason. Wants to get you to help them. Well, that causes a schism in the church, and that cannot be.

Brother David is our leader, and I look to him for leadership. He hasn't disappointed me yet. I don't think he ever will. But what I'm trying to get you to understand is that you do not react because someone told you to.

That gets you in trouble. If you need to pray about it, do it. More than likely, you'll be led to exactly what was announced in the first place. So the problem, Brother Fred, will always be there. Because we have people that are not in the Spirit.

We have people that are not saved in the church. Then we have some that are saved that are not studying. And we have it at all different levels. Well, the pastor has to be the catalyst that holds us all together.

You know the best type of government in the world is what? What'd you say? The best type is a Christian dictator. And that's what Christ is. Well, you're the only one I know of that has that problem. It is because the old self gets in the way.

So this thing of Christian life is a daily walk all of the time. That's exactly what I'm talking about. There are times when we have a leader that is not even a Christian. I've known of preachers that were not saved leading a church.

Well, there's no way they can lead them in the fellowship of the Lord and them not there. I think it's so good to have a pastor such as we have. A human being. One that loves the Lord and loves the people.

I had a pastor once that taught me a whole lot by demonstrating what was wrong. But if you as an individual, if we as individuals are following the leadership of the Lord, like Jesse said, we'll know and we'll recognize.

And there'll be something in us that says, no, that's not right. Well, that's the Holy Spirit. And don't ever ignore the Holy Spirit. If you disagree with the teacher or pastor or leader, talk to them.

If you can, if they'll allow it. Sounds like your former one wouldn't allow much. All right. We're in chapter 15, verse 16. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Minister of Jesus Christ.

To the Gentiles. Ministering the gospel of God. That the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable. Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. In other words, they are accredited. They are made compatible.

They are qualified by the Holy Ghost. And not by, Paul says, not by me. Not by anyone else but by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore, whereof I make glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

Not in anything that he has done or I have done or anything you've done. Always give the praise to God. Brag on God, not yourself. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me.

To make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed. Now there's a strange statement. I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me. Meaning that there were things that Christ did do for the Gentiles that did not come through Paul.

And they were to make the old Gentiles obedient. David, why would he dare not speak of anything except that that he knew?

May I ask you a question? Yes.

Let me ask you a question. When you go to witness to somebody, what do you talk about? When you're called as a witness in court, what do you talk about? What you have seen and heard. When you witness for Christ, that's all you can do.

If you're talking about personal witness, you cannot tell them about somebody else's conversion. It has to be yours. It has to be what you have learned. It has to be what he has shown you in the word.

So that you don't get the glory God does with the praise. The main point I want you to understand is you cannot witness for someone else. You cannot talk about the experience someone else has had. Oh, I remember so and so.

No, that's not witnessing. Well, you should always use in your teaching only what God has given you. That way you always state that this message is not from you, but from the words of God. Brother Barney always used to say some people will get a foot over the trace line and kick the dashboard all to pieces.

I doubt if there's very many here unless it's Fred that knows what that is. And I'm not right sure about him. What about a horse and buggy? Nineteen. Through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Eluricon, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation. Now, Greg, what's he speaking of in 20? He's not just going to repeat things that Christ said or did.

Can he tell that other information that was given to him to give up for the future? All right.

I think primarily he's talking about he'll go into virgin territory where Christ is new, where there is not a church, where there is a great need. But as it is written to whom he was not spoken of, they shall see, and they that have not heard shall understand.

I really believe, and I cannot prove this except in my spirit, there are certain Christians that the Lord will send to certain people, both here and here at home and throughout the world. This is how he gets his word to all of his people.

But on the end of that, I would remind you that he does the sending. Not the Baptist organization, not a church, and not an individual. He does. I really think that each and every one of us, in keeping with the consistency of the Lord, and that he never does anything in a shotgun style or in general terms, he is very specific that Greg has certain people that he will witness to, that will hear the word by him.

Now, he doesn't know who they are. That's why each of us have to speak to everybody as opportunity arises. 22, for which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now, having no more place in these parts, what's he mean, David?

And having a great desire these many years to come unto you. Now, who's he speaking to? Where was it he was wanting to go? This letter is written to who? To Rome. And he's wanting to go to Rome. And having a great desire these many years to come unto you in Rome.

Whensoever I take my journey to Spain, that's a strange statement. It's the first time we've seen it. I will come to you, for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way through the word by you, if first I find somewhat filled with your company, be somewhat filled with your company.

This journey to Spain, is there a record any place that he went, David? I don't think antiquity affords any proof that he ever went to Spain. Now, I think he spoke to people that had an influence in Spain, and we'll see that in our further studies.

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, for it hath pleased them in Macedonia and Acacia, to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Clarence, why are they in such poor straits?

That's right, and the government was trying to run them out. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are, for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

Now, we also... Well, let me ask first. Can we give spiritual things to other people? You sure? Are you sure? Yes, so we cannot give spiritual things to people. That's true. So the only thing we can do is to give carnal things, as the need arises.

And that's why carnal things are here, speaking of carnal here in the good sense. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. As you give your money, as you give your time, your effort, whatever it is, usually it's money to other organizations, just to give it with the right spirit in your heart is not enough.

What else, David, must we also understand? It's absolutely right. And then beyond that, we must know that they are getting the word out in a usable fashion that will educate people. Just to give it blindly to an organization is not right.

The Blessing of Joy, Peace, and Mutual Admonition

Twenty-nine. And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. It's very easy for us, perhaps not as much as it used to be, when things look dark, to say, well, I must be out of the will of God, or he must be out of the will of God.

Well, when you make this statement, you're actually saying there are things that are not under the control of God. God forbids such a statement. All things come from God, therefore they are good. It is Satan's duty and job and consignment to try to cause us to think that they are bad.

Go to Proverbs 23, 7, the first sentence, the first half of the first sentence, for the first seven words. Proverbs 23, 7. Greg, read it. There is in my book. All right. As you think in your heart, so is you.

Was my wife wrong? I must have said so. Thirty. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, not for mine, not for yours, not for anybody's, but because of what Jesus Christ has done, and for the love of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.

Joy, what's the word strive mean? Is there a difference between striving and working? Greg, what's the difference? To exert much effort or energy and endeavor, to struggle or fight forcibly in prayer together for Paul.

That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea, and that my service, which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints, that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Now he adds just a little bit more, and most of this chapter is taken up with names of various people. I'd ask you to come down to verse 16 of chapter 16. He's gone through naming all of the various people that are with him, and that have helped him, and that these people perhaps would know.

And he says in 16, Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Now the holy kiss, I really think a handshake would be good enough for me. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine, which you have learned, and avoid them.

Now Clarence, what's he talking about here? Marking those that are contrary. What's the word mark mean? Okay. It was a token that was given to Cain so Cain would know. Okay. That's what he's talking about here.

He says scrutinize those. Yes. No, so that you know. That you, and you, and you, and you, that they are known in the church. But offenses, the word offense, strange as it may seem, is a movable stick or trigger of a trap.

So he's talking about people that will entrap you here. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ. They serve their own belly. And by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple.

Simple. By the word simple here, it simply means this. And I think so many times of Bea's mother. She was an educated woman, but everything was either black or white. She didn't have any problems with the maybe.

It's either yes or no. And it was just simply that way. Serving their own belly, all they want is pleasures for themselves. Whether it's eating or whatever. For your obedience has come abroad unto all men.

I am glad therefore on your behalf. But yet I would have you wise unto that which is good and simple, concerning evil. I would have you wise, form the best plans, and use the best means for their execution.

The means we're talking about. Unto that which is good and simple, without mixture of evil, free of guile, innocence, concerning evil. Just because the world has renamed it, doesn't make it so. To God of peace, you'll bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucas, and others. The grace of our Lord Christ be with you all. Now to him that is of power to establish. There's that good old English term again.

Means to make stable, to set fixed, rigid, in one position, facing one way. May establish you according to my gospel. The gospel that he taught and preached, which was that of Christ. And the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which is kept secret since the world began, but now is revealed.

But now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. That's the reason it's made known.

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Amen. So comes the end of the wonderful book of Romans. Are there any questions that you've thought of now or statements? During this last part of this, he didn't go back and mention all of that, but he included that when he says, you be aware and mark those people so you will know who they are and what they are.

Don't just close your eyes. If you do, you're condoning what they're doing. Anything else? Don't be confused by fancy names. Sure. That's right. You do not have to know all that's wrong in order to do right.

You just have to know what's right.

No, that's true.

I think that any time that you give time to Satan, talking about how awful he is, is wrong. Talk about Christ. The church does not need to get involved in everything that's wrong.