Romans 15:1-13 – CHRISTIAN COMPASSION

INTRODUCTION:

In Romans 14:1-12 - we talked about the strength of faith and the need for full assurance in our salvation and walk with God. We talked about weak faith, doubtful arguments, how different people cope with right and wrong for them. We concluded that every knee will bow unto the Lord so we should not judge our brother unworthy of heaven even if we don’t agree with their lifestyle as that is God’s decision.

Then in Romans 14:13-23 we talked about Christian Liberty our responsibility as Christians to voluntarily be willing to restrain ourselves to keep our brother from falling into sin by our actions.

This week we are going to study Romans 15:1-13 and talk about Christian Compassion. In the KJV of the Bible the word Compassion appears 41 times. 20 Times in the OT and 21 Times in the NT. It kind of speaks of the word balance. We as Christians should be a compassionate and loving people.

Websters Dictionary: COMPASSION

Means to suffer or suffer with another; hence, sympathy; sorrow for the distress or misfortunes of another, with the desire to help or have pity. It also means kindness, tenderness, and inclination to show mercy.

What better trait could a Christian set forth inside and outside the church than compassion? Let’s look at six things in these verses that will help us understand a practical way to implement compassion as a Christian.

V1 – BEAR THE INFIRMITIES OF THE WEAK

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

A – Some Christians are strong –

Strong - (dunatos - doo-nat-os) - powerful or capable, possible, able, mighty (man),  power, strong.

B – Strong Christians should bear the infirmities of the weak

Infirmities – (asthenema - as-then'-ay-mah) - a scruple(doubt,hesitation,regret) of conscience:--infirmity.

Weak – (adunatos, ad-oo'-nat-os) unable, could not do, impossible, impotent, not possible, weak.

C – Strong Christians are not supposed to please themselves.

Please – (aresko, ar-es'-ko) - through the idea of exciting emotion, to be agreeable or seek to be so. To understand better we are referred to a Greek root word (airo, ah'ee-ro) - to keep in suspense (the mind); to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); to expiate (compensate) for sin: make to doubt.

1-seek to be charismatic or emotional just for self gratification

            2 – seek to not deal with sin as though it is not our problem

V2 – LIVE TO EDIFY THE CHURCH

Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

A – Let every Christian please his neighbour

Please – (aresko, ar-es'-ko) through the idea of exciting emotion; to be agreeable or to seek to be so

Neighbour – (plesion, play-see'-on) close by; a neighbor, fellowman, countryman, or friend):--near

B – for his good edification

Edification – (oikodome, oy-kod-om-ay) - architecture, a structure, confirmation, building, edification.

V3-4 – TEACH HOPE FROM THE SCRIPTURES

Rom 15:3-4  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

A – Christ is the example of not pleasing himself  - but seeking others good

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

B – Christ suffered the reproaches of others –

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

2 Cor 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Pet 2:24-25  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

C – These Things was written for our learning

Learning – (didaskalia, did-as-kal-ee'-ah) instruction (the function or the information) doctrine, teaching.

Luke 24:44-45  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

2 Tim 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

D – Through Patience and Comfort the Scriptures give us hope

1 Cor 15:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Cor 15:3-7  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

1 Cor 15:8-10  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

V5-7 – RECEIVE OTHERS AS CHRIST RECEIVED YOU

Rom 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.

1 – Be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus

2 – Have one mind and one mouth when we honor or worship God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

3 – Receive one another with the same way Christ received us to the glory of God.

V8-12 – CONFIRM THE PROMISES TO ALL

Rom 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.

Paul is using these verses to refer back to Old Testament prophecies that Jesus would be the Savior to all people and to give hope and salvation to the Gentiles (Non-Jews). Jesus did this by fulfilling the law and the circumcision of the Old Testament and confirmed the promises of God to all people.

V13 – REMEMBER GOD IS YOUR SOURCE

Rom 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.

We must always remember God is our source of joy, peace, hope, and it is through the power of the Holy Ghost.

CONCLUSION:

My Influence:

My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;

Leave countless marks of good or ill, E’er sets the evening sun

This, the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray;

Lord, may my life help other lives, it touches by the way – Selected

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1 – Who do I know whom I consider to be a strong Christian? Are you a strong Christian? (V1)

2 – Who do I know at this present time that I can help bear their infirmities? (V1)

3 – What one thing in my life could my neighbor to build upon if they practiced it themselves? (V2)

4 – What is one of your favorite Scriptures and how could your improve your study habits? (V3-4)

5 – How easy is it for you to tell others about Christ? (V5-7)

6 – How did you find out Christ fulfilled the law for you? (V8-12)

7 – How do you remind yourself God loves you? (V13)