Sunday School Lesson 3: Empowered Servants, Romans 15:1-13. June 16, 2024.
Key Test: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15-6).
Paul’s teaching reminds us that as Christians, our sole purpose is to bring honor to the Lord (Romans 14:7-8). Roman Christians were criticized by fellow believers for observing special days, eating certain foods, and about fulfilling their own desires. Paul teaches that we honor the Lord through our faithful service, our worship to God, our godly actions, and our attitudes toward others. God is the One whose approval we must receive. As the prime example of one strong in the faith, living in light of those weak in the faith, the Apostle Paul proposes the Lord Himself. The Lord Jesus was willing to set aside His own desires and follow the Father’s directives (Romans 15:3). He did not exercise His perfect freedom in order that the ultimate task of salvation could be accomplished.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” v 4 is about the profitableness of Scripture. Paul teaches that the earnest study of the Word of God will not only make the weak strong but will enable us to bear the burdens and weaknesses of others. The Scriptures are also directed to patience, steadfastness, endurance, comfort, and encouragement or consolation culminating in hope that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Paul appeals to God to bring the strong and weak together and advises, “Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
As we have Christ as our example, the Jew must receive the Gentile and vice-versa, which speaks to the “minister of the circumcision,” the Lord’s ministry for the truth, “to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” v 8. The apostle now begins a series of quotations: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud him, all ye people. There shall be a root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust” vv 9-11. Paul is indicating that Gentiles as well as Jews will be included in the family of God if they put their trust in the Root of Jesse (the Lord Jesus) the same as believing Jews will. Again, the common bond is Faith in Christ. Paul concludes his discussion by pronouncing a gracious benediction upon his readers: “Now the God hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit” v 13. AMEN!
Leave a Reply