Religious versus Righteous

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

C.I.: The Marks of a Strong Church

During this series… - There are two types of strength: external (Samson had this), and internal (which Samson did not have!).
Today we are going to look at the marks of a church – that is characterized by an internal strength.

I. Five Marks of a Strong Church, (Romans 15:1-13)

A. #1. The Strong Help the Weak, (vs. 1-3)

1. ( vs. 1-3 ), “Now we who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
Let each one of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”
a. “Bear with” doesn't mean ‘to put up with,' – but to ‘support, carry – as a parent does a child.'
1) ( Matt. 27:32; Gal. 6:2 ), “…Simon of Cyrene, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.”
2) Christianity is NOT about us – but about others, ( Phil. 2:3-4 ), “Do nothing from selfishness….”
3) Contrasting this with a “Weak Church” – there, everyone wants to get their own way!

b. The example of Jesus, ( v. 3 ), “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of
those who reproached You fell upon Me.'”
1) Clearly, this is not ‘natural,' – rather, it is super-natural!
2) Nature = “Survival of fittest” – But as believers - we seek for the survival of the weakest!
3) As promised in the Old Testament, He accepted our weaknesses, ( Isa. 53:5 ), “He was pierced
through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the chastening for our well-being….”
4) No wonder we hear Him say, ( quote Lk 23:34 ) – Essentially, put Me to death so they can live

B. #2. Everyone Studies the Scriptures, (v. 4)

•  ( v. 4 ), “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, - that through perseverance and the
encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
a. Here we see the purpose of the Scriptures; instruction (learning) that believers can have full assurance!
1) Romans instructs us of man's unrighteousness, ( 3:10 ) , “…as it is written , ‘There is none….'”
2) God's plan , ( 4:3 ), “What does the scripture say, ‘Abraham believed God and it was reckoned….”

b . What is true for the church as a whole – would, of necessity, be true of all of us individually!
1) We will become stronger individually – if each of us studied God's word, ( Rom. 10:17 )!
2) This is why we are always encouraging each other; “Come to class, PM, LIFE Groups, etc.!”

C. #3. Everyone Works for Unity, (vs. 5-6)

•  ( vs. 5-6 ), “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one
another according to Christ Jesus; - that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ.”
a. Notice, it is GOD who through the scriptures gives “P. & E.” – so it is through the word we have unity!
1) Our “same mind” originates with Jesus – He is both the source & the reason for unity.
2) ( Jn. 17:20-21 ), “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for all those who believe on Me through
their word; that they may all be one; even as You Father are in Me and I in You, that they may be in….”
2) ( I Jn. 1:3 ), “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you may have fellowship….”
3) Thus, unity in Christ – is founded upon Jesus and the word He has given to us!!!

D. #4. There is No Favoritism/Prejudice, (vs. 7-12)

•  ( vs. 7-9a ), “– Wherefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. – For I say that Christ has
become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, -
and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy.”

•  “Favoritism” = a choice for one over another; “Prejudice” = a choice of one against another!!!
1) Notice: Jesus didn't accept us because we were “good,” or that we “deserved His acceptance.”
2) Jesus accepted us because we accepted Him on His terms (i.e., the gospel).
3) Therefore, we MUST accept each other – whom Christ as accepted – TO GOD'S GLORY!

•  This was a “big thing” for the Jews & Gentiles to accept (but they did). – So too must we in all areas!!!

•  ( vs. 9b-12 ) “…as it is written, ‘Therefore I will give praise among the Gentiles , and I will sing to Your name.' - .' And
again it says, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles , with His people.' And again, ‘Praise the Lord all you Gentiles , and
let all the peoples praise Him.' And again Isaiah says, ‘There shall come the root of Jesse, and He who
arises to rule over the Gentiles , in Him shall the Gentiles hope.'”
a. Notice once again, it is because of the O.T. scriptures – that we know this is part of God's eternal plan.
1) In each of these scriptures – God shows that Gentiles were to, at some time, give praise to God

•  Jesus and His bringing in the Gentiles (us) – was therefore, always part of God's plan.

•  So since God is willing to accept anyone who is willing to accept His terms of salvation – then who are we to ever play favorites or to hold prejudices – against a brother/sister??!

E. #5. Everyone is Filled with Hope, (v. 13)

1. ( v. 13 ), “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit.”
a. Notice all that God has given to us and made possible for us – just in these few 13 verses…
1) The “Christ” ( v. 3 ), “The Scriptures” ( v. 4 ), “Perseverance and encouragement” ( v. 5 ),
“Acceptance” ( v. 7 ), “Confirmation of His promises” ( v. 8 ), “Mercy” ( v. 9 ).
2) Now He is called, “The God of hope.” – Thus, since God has given to us all of these other
things – we can have the confident assurance that we may also have hope!
3) The Christian's “hope” = Salvation & eternal life; ( I Thess. 5:8 ), “…having put on… the hope of
salvation.” – ( Tit. 1:2 ), “…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages…

b. Because of this “hope” – believers are also granted “…all joy and peace.”
1) “Joy” = being in a right relationship with God.
2) “Peace” = the presence of God
3) all of these things are possible – only by “the power of the Holy Spirit.”
4) The Holy Spirit = the power source in the life of the believer!!!

CONCLUSIONS:

•  Since all of us contribute to the strength of this congregation – we need to ask ourselves, “Are these 5 things true of ME ?!”
a. As we have been looking at the fact that God has made us righteous, then these are qualities of righteous people.
b. These things do NOT make us righteous – but are characteristics of people whom o has made righteous.

•  If not, what do I need to be doing to “shore them up”? – Come talk with one of your elders & ask for their recommendations.

•  If you are wondering – whether or not you can correctly be considered as one whom God has made righteous, - we ask you to consider God's word on this subject: Rom. 1:16-17; 3:10, 23; 4:3; 6:1-4; 10:9-10; 12:1-2!