Sermon Series: Messy Faith – Developing a Culture of Love.
Sermon Title: Overflowing with Joy, Peace, and Hope
Date: 3-12-2023
Speaker: Andrew Scott
The importance of Unity
John 17 – A prayer from Jesus
John 17:11 (NASB95)
11 “I am no longer in the world; and [yet] they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, [the name] which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We [are.]
John 17:20-21 (NASB95)
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, [are] in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:22-23 (NASB95)
22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
1)
in the church is possible in Christ.
Review of our Romans Study
Romans 12: The nature of love is to serve.
Romans 13: The requirement of love is to submit (To God, leadership, and each other).
Romans 14: Love is firm in the essentials and gracious in the non-essentials.
Romans 14:21 (NASB95)
21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or [to do anything] by which your brother stumbles.
Instruction from Romans 14:
1) Determine to never be a stumbling block. (Intentional or accidental)
2) Live as citizens of heaven and focus on eternal things not external.
3) Actively pursue that which builds others up.
4) Do all with a clear conscience, follow your convictions.
Romans 15:1-13 (NASB95)
2) A
disciple seeks “good” for his neighbor. (V2)
Romans 15:1-6 (NASB95)
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even 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 earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How can we know what is “good” for our neighbor?
a. The example in Christ (V3)
b. Scripture (V4)
3) People in the church need to know that they are
. (V7)
Romans 15:7-12 (NIV)
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” 10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
4) Let Hope overflow here first and then to a lost world. (V13)
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Instruction:
1) Live at Peace with all people free from judging, condemnation, or being a stumbling block.
2) Seek “good” for the community.
3) Accept others as they are.
4) Let joy, peace and hope spill out of your life.
Life Group Questions:
1) Paul urges the strong to bear with the weak. What does this mean in practice, and how can we apply this principle in our relationships? (Rom 15:1)
2) How did Christ choose not to please himself? What are the implications for followers of Christ? (Rom 15:2,3)
3) What are some things that God might be asking you to surrender for the good of a brother or sister? When should we confront people for their good? (Rom 15:2)
4) Paul prays that his readers would abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. How does the Holy Spirit work to strengthen our faith and our hope in Christ? (Rom 15:13)