We Cannot Please Ourselves Anymore
Romans 15
Nov 10, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction
A. Romans 14 describes “weak brethren”
1. Romans 14:1,2 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
2. Not physically weak, but spiritually weak, unsure of a lot of things in the Christian life
3. They are baby Christians – newly saved
4. Those that don’t know any better – have only a basic understanding of the Gospel
5. They only enjoy the milk of the Bible – the easy parts
6. They often hold on to their culture or old religious traditions and teachings
7. They are easily confused – afraid to eat meats, so they only herbs and salads
8. They are selfish, self-centred, grabbing for attention
9. Just like babies do
B. And the Apostle Paul explains what to do with weaker brethren in a church
1. Romans 14:1,2 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
2. A Bible believing church does the following:
3. Accept them
a. But not arguments and endless debates
b. There are Biblical absolutes that need to be learned and believed
c. And there are things that are not worth fighting about
4. And Edify them
a. Does not constantly argue with them
b. And does not leave them as babies, immature – that would be coddling, and it would be wrong to just keep spoon-feeding, and catering to every whim of baby Christians
c. Instead, we build them up – answer questions – teach them – disciple them - equip them to become strong in faith and life
d. Help them become strong in their faith and confidence in the words of Scripture
e. We help weak Christians become strong Christians – like a gym
5. If we would do that, we will always grow
6. But, if we don’t, we will die!
C. Paul writes to the strong believers in Chapter 15 to get along with the weak believers
1. To the mature believers, especially the strong Jewish believers in Rome
2. The Christians in Rome were made up of many different nationalities
3. But especially it had many “completed Jews” who believed Jesus is their Messiah and were following Jesus now instead of Moses
4. Paul tells them to be strong FOR the weak, not for themselves
5. Why?
6. Because two groups of people were co-existing now in every church in Rome…
a. Well taught, strong in faith, Jewish believers in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Messiah. They knew the entire Old Testament front to back, and now understood it
b. And then there were brand new, Gentiles believers in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, ignorant, just beginning to learn all the Old Testament and the way to live by faith, full of questions and confusions
c. What the Gentile believers WERE:
1) Ephesians 2:11,12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
2) Without Christ as Saviour
3) Aliens, foreigners from the wealth of Jewish promises and covenants
4) Having no hope – no matter what religion or beliefs
5) Without God – far away from God
6) That is what a Gentile is
d. But NOW, because of salvation – the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the cross…
1) Ephesians 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
2) They were brought near to God
3) At peace with God – no longer enemies
4) One with the Jewish believers – no wall separating Jews and Gentiles anymore
5) A new creation has been made – a CHRISTIAN (neither Jew nor Gentile anymore)
6) Having direct access to God, just like Jewish believers do now by the Spirit of God
7. These two groups needed to get along
a. They needed to respect each other, and be patient with each other
b. Paul needed to know they would NOT split and divide over stupid issues, petty arguments that seem to become big and destructive in churches even today
II. Message
A. Carry the Weak (Romans 15:1-3) Literally!
1. Romans 15:1-3 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
2. There is so much in those three Scriptures…
3. We need Strong Christians in this church
a. Who are… Strong in faith
1) Absolutely believing the words of Christ, knowing the truths of Scripture and believing every one of them – trusting God when it seems impossible
2) Believing God even though it is hard, and obeying God, even though it is hard
b. Strong in life
1) Who make time to read through their Bible, chapter by chapter, page by page
2) Living holy, godly, consistent, dependable, committed to the Christian life
c. Strong in battle (Ephesians 6:10-12)
1) Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2) Not battling people – immature people do that
3) But wrestling the demonic powers behind people – like puppeteers
4) Resisting the pull to quit, or to get angry at each other
5) But instead stay strong to help the weak
d. Strong Like Abraham - an Example of Strong in Faith
1) Romans 4:17-21 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
2) THAT is strong faith that we need, especially today!
4. Supporting the infirmities of the weak
a. Infirmities – infirm, weakness, unable to stand under pressure or attack
b. Weak Christians are a reality in every church
1) They are Baby Christians – immature believers – ignorant of so much of the Bible
2) Often bullied by the world (Ephesians 4:14,15) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
3) Easily discouraged and defeated
c. Strong Christians need to:
1) Protect the weak from all the immature arguments that break young Christians
a) Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
b) Foolish questions
c) Endless Genealogies – like the Mormons, and the Jewish Kabbalah
d) Political affairs of this world
e) Holy days, clean and unclean diets in the Old Testament Law
f) Conspiracy theories
g) The devil wants to get baby Christians drowning in constant controversies
2) Work hard to enable the weak to grow – get them into their Bible, in church every meeting, in a church ministry
3) Carry the weak forward when they can’t go on – literally
a) Praying FOR them (believing God for them) when they give up on praying
b) Spending time with them, just listening, and laughing, loving them
c) Encouraging them – not criticizing much at all
4) Be there when weak Christians fall (Galatians 6:1-3) 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. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
5) In war, the motto is, “No man left behind!”
5. Edifying each other
a. Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
b. There is that word again – edify
c. It means to improve someone spiritually, and emotionally, and mentally
d. Mentor them – disciple them – make them strong in their faith and confidence in God
e. That is the job of every Christian who has been saved for a few years…
f. To no longer please themselves, and make time just for themselves, but for new Christians, for baby Christians, for weak believers!
B. The Messiah did not please Himself but took on the reproaches of the world towards God (Romans 15:3) – remember, Paul was speaking to Jewish believers!
1. Romans 15:3 For even Christ [THE MESSIAH] pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
2. Wow! The Son of God… the Lord Jesus Christ did not please Himself, or seek His own happiness or pleasures
3. But came into this world and helped US! (2Corinthians 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. [NOT RICH IN MONEY, BUT IN LIFE]
4. Reproaches are insults, blame, and emotional attacks
a. Weak people attack those around them – blame them, and sometimes even hate them
b. Strong people take it, and love them back
5. So when people mock your excitement about heaven, salvation, and the Bible, take it
6. Because Jesus took upon Himself all the mockery and hatred of God, and forgave anyways. (Luke 23:33-37) And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
7. THAT is our mighty Saviour!
C. This is the underlying truth throughout scripture (Romans 15:4)
1. Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2. Why was the Bible written?
a. Not just for learning the facts and the history in the Bible - plenty
b. But learning about the LIVES of believers, and the patience of believers, and the wonderful results of living by faith
c. To give US hope, in our day. Every page of the Bible gives us hope - if only you read it and believed it
d. God doesn't want just the strong saved.
e. Nor just the intelligent, or the wealthy, or the healthy…
f. He wants to save and even USE those who are weak in faith
1) “God be merciful to me a sinner” was prayed by a broken, immature publican – and Jesus saved Him right then and there!
2) “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” was prayed by a broken, weak, dying thief on a cross next to Jesus, and Jesus said to him, “Today thou shalt be with ME in paradise!”
3) You do NOT need great faith to get saved – just use the faith you have got
3. In every page and in every chapter and in every book of the Bible, the weak are used by God, and made strong...
a. Not coddled, not left behind, not catered to
b. But helped and built up and made strong themselves
1) David was a young shepherd boy with only a sling, and a few sheep
2) Moses was an 80 year old man, a failure in politics, and all he had was a stick/rod
3) Peter was a fisherman, who constantly got things wrong
4) And yet, isn’t it amazing what God did with them all?
c. That gives us all hope
1) Because, we all start off weak and at zero in the sight of God
2) And look what He has done with US so far!
3) He is building us into an army – a spiritual army of believers, strong and fully persuaded in the abilities of God, and not in ourselves anymore!
4. So, make sure you allow into our church “zeros” who have nothing to offer except faith. That was Paul’s reason for writing all this.
D. Glorify God, Not Your Ego (Romans 15:5-7)
1. Romans 15:5-7 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
2. Be like-minded one toward each other in the same way as Christ is toward you
a. He loved me when I was broken, messed up, sinful, ungodly
b. He loves me now even more, even though I have my good days and bad days
c. He received me simply because of His gracious kindness
d. And He has decided to never reject me or throw me away
e. And if you are saved, He thinks the same of YOU, no matter how weak or strong
f. Therefore, we should have that same attitude towards weaker brethren
g. To help THEM glorify God by their life
3. Glorifying God
a. That is what the Christian life is all about! Giving HIM all the glory, the attention, the honour, the praise, the worship
b. We all need to be, Like-minded and Like-mouthed – like a family, a team, a church
1) Having one mind and one mouth, glorifying God
2) NOT tearing each other down – finding all the things to argue about
c. But receiving one another in the same way that Christ received us to the glory of God
d. There is plenty of time to discuss and debate and test and question and learn
e. But in a way that shows people who are unsure of things, that they are in a good place
f. And that all we want is for everyone to glorify God
g. Not our own egos!
4. Christ received US! This about it…
a. Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
b. God was very patient with you and me right both before and after salvation
c. God consoled, comforted, encouraged you and me when we repented and believed
d. He didn’t tear into us, and remind us of all our failures and sins
e. Instead, He forgave us – forgot all of them and cast them away as far as the east is from the west
f. All to the glory and honour of Almighty God
g. That may not mean much to YOU, but it means everything to those of us who realise where we came from, and what salvation really is!
E. Why was all this important to say? (Romans 15:8-12)
1. Romans 15:8-12 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: 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. 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, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
2. Paul is writing to the believing Jews who were having a hard time accepting believing Gentiles as equals and brethren – they couldn’t believe dumb, pagan, idolatrous Gentiles were actually saved, and right with God like THEY were!
3. Yes, Christ was the minister of the Jews to confirm / fulfil the promises made unto their fathers in the past
a. Jesus is the fulfilment of about 50 promises that God made to Abraham
b. And another 50 promises that God made to David
c. As well as to Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Joseph, Solomon, and a dozen more!
d. Jesus came to the nation of Israel – the circumcised people who knew the Bible, but did not know God
e. And He died to save them first! “To the Jew first…”
4. But Christ also was a minister of the Jews so that the GENTILES might receive God's mercy as well
a. The Jews ignored this fact
b. They thought all the promises were just for THEM – which they weren’t
5. Proven by many scriptures that pointed to the gentiles becoming believers
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Romans 15:9 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. |
Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. |
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Romans 15:10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. |
Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. |
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Romans 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. |
Psalm 117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. Psalm 65:5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea |
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Romans 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust |
Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. |
a. There are about 100 more Scriptures in the Old Testament inviting all Gentile nations to trust in the God of Israel!
F. How does this apply to us today? (Romans 15:13-15)
1. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
2. What a great prayer!
3. The Bible was not just written for people a long time ago
4. It is for NOW!
a. We usually only please ourselves, and expect weaker brethren to just figure things out on their own “like WE all had to” – which we didn’t – there were people who took time to invest in us
b. And we need to change that!
5. The Bible can fill your heart with JOY and PEACE as we believe it and live it
a. And it will help us abound in hope
b. All by the same power that helped all God’s people in the past
c. By the same power of the same Holy Spirit of God
6. The power of the Holy Ghost will enable helping the weaker brethren
a. The Holy Spirit IN us ENABLES us to love one another – those that are hard to love
b. Enables us to forgive one another – those who are hard to forgive
c. To overlook and forbear one another – put up with
d. You will never be able to forgive and love like Christ, until you are filled with the Spirit of Christ in your heart!
e. Oh, what power we miss, simply because we proudly live our own ways, and don’t seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God EVERY day!
7. Paul was admonishing all the Christians in Rome, but declared they were able to admonish one another, encourage one another, and push each other to do the right thing
a. Romans 15:14,15 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. 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,
b. Paul knows that he has to be bold and put them in the right frame of mind
c. Because he could not be there at that time
d. They needed to be mature enough to edify each other on their own
e. You need preachers, and pastors to give you these things in your mind…, but you need to admonish each other, encourage each other, help each other, protect each other when you are NOT at church! When you are at home, at work, at school!
8. So, Get involved in a Gospel ministry here that helps people grow strong in their faith and walk with God – it will help you as much as it helps others!
III. Conclusion
A. Are you weak in faith?
1. Good. You are in a good place.
2. All of us were at some time.
3. And, that is okay at the beginning. But, you should not stay that way!
4. As you read your Bible, and learn it, and absorb it, and study it, and believe it, you need to start obeying it, and living by it
5. Become fully persuaded that whatever God has promised in the Bible, He is able to do!
6. It will make your faith stronger, and your life more stable, and your heart more like Christ’s, not like the world
7. THAT is strong faith that we need, especially today!
8. How long are you a Bible believing, born again Christian?
a. You should be winning souls early on
b. Helping disciple new believers after just a few years
B. Are you strong in faith?
1. Good. Don’t let it go to your head
2. Start carrying a load – do your bit for other people’s benefit!
3. Live for others. Sacrifice your own time and pleasures for the benefit of baby Christians
4. Spend your time on helping baby Christians grow in their prayer life, and win souls
5. Get involved in a ministry that helps people grow strong in their faith and walk with God
C. Are you saved yet? YOU are the reason Christ Jesus came into this world! To save you!