June 13, 2012
GOD'S WORD IS FOR US!
Romans 15
Meredith Hall
Central Truth
Rules at the Hall House:
H: Have patience
A: Assume the best in others
L: Love the Lord with all your heart
L: Love others
HOW? By writing God's Word on your heart and spending time talking with Him.
WHY? Because this is what God tells us to do, and He has our best in mind!
Key Verse | Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Romans 15
The Example of Christ
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 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. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
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.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, 1 15:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 30 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 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 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. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, 2 15:28 Greek sealed to them this fruit I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing 3 15:29 Some manuscripts insert of the gospel of Christ.
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Dive Deeper | Romans 15
As a wife and mom, I have found that my biggest challenge is to love my family as Christ loves me. As I read this passage, I was challenged by the first four verses that focus on loving others. Verses 1-2 challenge the strong in faith to encourage the weak. To do this, they must have the mind of Christ (verse 3).
How do I have the mind of Christ? This sin-seeking girl wants to know. And the answer is right there in verse 4: By understanding the Scriptures, those that were "WRITTEN BEFORE." I am so thankful that God has written me a love letter, His Word, which is my road map and compass to loving John and the three fun, crazy, balls of energy He gave me. My husband calls Scripture, God's Instruction Manual. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
In the Central Truth, I spelled out the main rules we have established for raising our children. Here is a quote from my youngest as we reiterated our family rules after he hauled off and clocked his brother, "There are so many RULES! I hate rules." In his mind, and often my own, rules are hard, confining, and go against what we want to do.
This can be my attitude toward God and His Word. However, really knowing God's Word brings two things to the believing heart:
1. PATIENCE, which involves endurance and perseverance and means to remain steadfast under the intensity of life (this was not George's first reaction to whatever his brother did to deserve a take down).
2. COMFORT or encouragement, which builds up and sustains us (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In George's mind, it's just rules; one day, I hope that the freeing love of God will guide him in all of life's ups and downs. Ultimately, though, knowing God's Word results in HOPE. "I write these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13, NIV) (emphasis added).
Discussion Questions
1. What part does the Bible play in your life?
2. Are you getting to know Your Savior by spending time in His Word?
3. At what times in your life has the Bible given you patience and comfort?
4 What gives you HOPE? (Refer to 1 John 5:13)
H: He
O: Offers
P: Peace
E: Everyday/Eternal
5. Is your HOPE in Christ, in someone else, or in the things of this world? Read John 20:31 and John 10:10.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
Romans 13-1 Corinthians 1 (June 11-15)
Read Romans 13:8-10.
• What is a debt?
• What does verse 8 say we should do with our debts?
• Why do you think we have a debt to love others?
• Who paid our debt by dying on the cross?
We can show how thankful we are for what Jesus has done for us by following His command to love our neighbors.
• Who is your neighbor (not just your "neighbors" who live near you)?
• What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself?"
Activity: Make a list of the ways that you take care of yourself. Think about everything from eating healthy foods, to wanting to be listened to, to memorizing Scripture to combat the enemy. Be exhaustive. Pick five of your "neighbors" and choose something for each of them from your list of how you love yourself and love them specifically in that way this week.