Romans chapter 15 verse 1 down
through verse 4 will be our study today. And Paul continues where
he left off in chapter 14. Paul continues to exhort the
family of God to patiently bear with one another. To patiently
bear with one another. To be long-suffering, to be of
a mind of understanding one another, I know my frailty to some extent,
and I know you're just like I am." So we understand one another
that we are frail, sinful creatures. We are to be long-suffering to
one another. We're to be kind one to another.
were to be forgiving out of love for Christ's sake, for the fervence
of the gospel, and for the good and unity of God's people, his
body, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is imperative
for our unity in the Lord. He says this, that you walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness
and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love,
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace." So we are to endeavor to keep this unity, to keep it,
to nourish it, to appreciate it, and to pray for it. When
Paul says here, we then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves, we know
that Paul is not promoting the idea of compromising the gospel
to get along with those who hate God or hate the gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ. We're never to compromise to
get along. Our Lord is long-suffering and
kind to His people, the vilest of sinners, who are seeking mercy
in Him. Every example we read of in Scripture,
that every sinner who called out for mercy, healing, for pity,
for love, for forgiveness. The Lord forgave them. He is
long-suffering toward his people, but he strongly condemned the
self-righteous, didn't he? We had the sharpest word for
those who are going about to establish their own Righteousness. He did ruffle their feathers,
didn't he? You see, he would not compromise
the truth in order to satisfy the Pharisees, and we can't do
that either. We can't compromise the gospel
to satisfy or to keep from offending someone. There's a good article
in the inner page, the second page of the bulletin from Brother
Mahan about the offense of the gospel. We can't remove the offense
of the gospel. It is offensive to the natural
man. But we cannot remove the offense to keep people pacified. We must tell the truth. And God will bless the truth.
He said, the truth will set you free. Paul would not compromise
the gospel either, would he? He gave his life in defense of
the gospel. A good example of that would
be Galatians chapter 1. Or he said, though we or an angel
from heaven preach any other gospel, oh, it'll be okay. No, he said, though we or an
angel from heaven preach any other gospel, let him be damned.
That's the word that's used there in the original. Let him be accursed.
Let him be damned. Now, we earnestly desire to see
God save sinners. But we cannot compromise his
truth or his gospel in order to pacify folks and try to keep
from offending them. The gospel is offensive to the
flesh. It's not to the believer because
he knows what this flesh is. Salvation is totally, totally
accomplished by Christ. We then that are strong. He's
talking about those who are mature and strong in the faith. ought
to bear the infirmities of those who are weak, that is, weak in
the faith. Now, those who are weak in the
faith and those who are strong in the faith, they both have
the same object of faith, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ. How
many times did the Lord say to the apostles, O ye of little
faith, boy, I can come in there. I wouldn't be the first to say
that I'm strong in faith. I'm growing. but I'm not there,
I've not yet arrived. We then that are strong, Paul
and the apostles and others, ought to bear the infirmities
of those who are weak to those bathed in Christ and not to live
in such a way as to please ourselves. There are some things where we
can compromise and to help and to edify those who are in need. Now in bearing one another's
burdens, The strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak."
I think of that illustration often times when two brothers,
one who is older and stronger, and then he has a little brother
who is weak and frail. What does that older brother
do? He doesn't criticize his little boy, his little brother.
Well, you dummy, aren't you big enough to walk? strawling up
the climax tree. No, he carries the burdens of
that little brother, doesn't he? He understands the frailties
of that little brother, and he encourages him, doesn't he? He
doesn't tear him down and beat up on him. He encourages that
little brother. And that's what we're to do in
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. You remember in chapter
14, verse 1, him that is weak in the faith, receive you. But
don't judge his doubtful thought, don't stand in judgment on him,
but receive him. Receive him as a brother, as
a brother in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, I had the opportunity to
quote this verse to a man who I had a conversation with on
Friday, Galatians chapter 6 verse 1, If a man, if a brother be
overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a
one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest you
also be tempted." So, let's be about edifying and restoring
instead of cutting them off and kicking them out. I got quite
amused about this pastor down in Kentucky who made the national
news about kicking people out of, taking them off the church
roll. You know, it's amazing how much authority men think
they have. I mean, the body is the body
of Christ. We don't have a church role here. I don't want anything
to do with the church role. We don't put them in the church.
We don't take them out of the church. That's the Lord's business,
not ours. But it's quite amazing what men
think they have wisdom to do. Those who are called strong in
the text here are not those physically strong. Not talking about physical
strength, Paul is talking about those who are spiritually strong
in Christ. Those who are growing in grace
and in the knowledge of the truth. You see, we're not strong in
ourselves. And our faith is only as strong
as it looks to Christ who is our strength. Now let me give
you two scriptures. David said this, the Lord is
my light and my salvation. He is the strength of my life,
and whom shall I fear? And then again in Psalm 46, God
is our refuge and strength, very present help in trouble. He's our strength. He is our
strength. And saving faith looks to Christ
who is our strength. Those who are strong in the faith
are those who rest their total confidence upon the Lord Jesus
Christ for all of their salvation, knowing that their flesh profits
nothing, having all confidence in Christ, and having no confidence
in the flesh whatsoever. The scriptures we studied in
Romans chapter 8, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. So we're not going about in the
energy and strength of the flesh to please God, because that's
impossible. That's impossible. For the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14, 17. Those who are weak in the faith
are those who have not full assurance of faith in Christ, or they have
faith in Christ but not full assurance of faith in Christ
as their all and in all. Maybe they still entertain ideas
of pleasing God in the flesh by eating, drinking, and observing
days, or following the traditions of men to either remove God's
wrath or to gain God's favor. That would be a fit description,
I believe, of those who are weak in the faith. They're believers,
but they are growing up to be matures. Mature believers. The scriptures talk about young
men, fathers, and elders. So there is a maturity. There's
a growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
But think about this. Those who are strong in Christ
are those who know themselves to be nothing in the flesh. Isn't that so? We can say with
the apostle, I know that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. And we can say with Paul again,
oh wretched man that I am. I am the chief of sinners. We all can identify with that. Those who are strong in the faith,
strong in Christ, are those who are weak in the flesh. having
no confidence in the flesh. Now, think about this. Those
who are weak in faith are those who think themselves to be strong
in the flesh. They would say something like,
well, I'd never do that. Or they would say something like
the Pharisee, Lord, I thank you, I'm not this, I'm not that, I'm
not this, I'm not an adulterer, I'm not a sorcerer, I'm certainly
not like that fellow over there. Yeah, I'm somewhat better. But
here's a good scripture to help us understand what he's saying
here. If you find 2 Corinthians, 2
Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 12. You remember the apostle says in
verse 7, this is 2 Corinthians 12, 7. And lest I should be exalted
above measure to the abundance of the revelation, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh. A thorn in the flesh. Now the
flesh wants to be puffed up. The flesh wants to think, ah,
I'm an apostle. Ah, I've been taken up to the third heaven.
The flesh would want to boast a little bit. But a thorn was
given to me in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet
me, to beat up on me. lest I should be exalted above
measure. Now a man who thinks himself
to be something is really nothing at all. For this thing I have
assaulted the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
Now, if it would have been the will of the Lord, it would have
departed, but it wasn't the will of the Lord. But the Lord did
say this, my grace, verse nine, my grace is sufficient for thee,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness, that is your weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will
I rather glory in my infirmity that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in
infirmities in reproaches, in necessity, in persecution, in
distresses for Christ's sake. For when I'm weak, that's when
I'm strong. When I know this flesh is absolutely
nothing and beaten to a pulp and put in the dust as a vile,
wretched, guilty sinner, where would he find his strength? Not
in the flesh. but in Christ himself alone. Now, and we ought not, look at
verse 1, Romans 15, 1, ought not to please ourselves. Look
at verse 2, the last part of verse 1 and verse 2, and not
to please ourselves. We ought to bear the infirmities
of those who are in need and not to please ourselves. Let
every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification,
edification. Have compassion on the weak,
lift up the fallen, forgive the offense of those that sin against
you. How many times? Well, just as
many times as he sins against you. Seek the good of your brother
in Christ. Be a help stone, not a stumbling
stone. Be a building block, not a wrecking
ball." That's just good sense, good Bible sense. Look right
across the page, Romans 14, 13, "...let us not therefore judge
one another any more, But judge it rather that no man put a stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Look down
at verse 19. Let us therefore follow after
the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith we may
edify one another, build up one another, encourage one another
in the faith. Let us edify one another for
the good. Let us always seek to be a helper,
a helper or helpmate of one another. Now, I've got this reference
jotted down, if you'll turn back a few pages to Romans 12. Romans
12 verse 14. Romans 12 verse 14,
Bless them which persecute you, and curse not. Rejoice with them
that do rejoice. Weep with them that weep. Be
of the same mind one toward another. Mind not the high thing, but
condescend to men of low estate. Don't be wise in your own conceits.
Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide the things honest in
the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as
lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Now, always seek the
good of your neighbor, not to please yourself. Now, he's not
talking here about OK, well, my neighbor needs his lawn mowed.
I'm going to mow his lawn. That's OK. There's nothing wrong
with that, being a good neighbor. I have one of the best neighbors
that I've ever had. He's always willing to help. But let every one of us please
his neighbor for his good. Now, when my neighbor comes over
and we have conversation, we always, in a way, I always have
an object when he comes over to talk to me. Somehow I want
to steer the conversation and talk about the gospel. And I
want to do that for his good. the edification of his good. That's what he's talking about.
Not, that would be much more, as far as the flesh would concern,
to talk about his old trucks, or talk about guns, or talk about
different things, rather than talking about the gospel. You
see, but when you talk about things that are offensive with
your neighbor, it's for his good. It'd be for his edification if
he would learn the gospel, if you give him the gospel. Now,
there might be a little bit of friction there because of the
offense of the gospel, but rather than pleasing ourselves, let's
tell him the truth. You see what I'm saying? Let's
give him the truth. You say, well, I'll just leave
that part off. Don't leave it off. Put the stick right in there,
stick him in the eye. Don't be mean and cruel. The apostle said, preaching the
truth in love. Let's do it out of love, not
out of spite, but out of love. Now, I've rebuked and tried to
help my neighbor with the gospel over the years I've known him,
six or seven years, and it's like talking to a brick wall.
It just doesn't register. Now, I'm not gonna stop. The
Lord may one day use that truth to bless him with the gospel
and give him revelation of the gospel. But let's just don't
live to please ourselves, let us live to please the Lord. Now, and it gives us this prime
example, verse 3, even Christ pleased not himself. Now what
would have been more pleasing to his flesh? To take all that
brow beating and persecution and everything that happened
to the Lord, He didn't please himself. He didn't bypass those
things. He didn't please himself that
way. Even Christ pleased not himself. But as it is written,
the reproaches of them that reproach thee fell upon me. That's substitution, is it not?
Now that is from Psalm 69. We have those two, I think all
150 Psalms are Messianic Psalms, but Psalm 22 and Psalm 69 are
the two Psalms that deal with the cross specifically, these
two Psalms. And that's what it's taken from. Let me read it to you in Psalm
69. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up, and the reproaches
of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me." That's quoted
again in John chapter 2. We're going to look at the portion
of John chapter 2 this morning. The Lord Jesus Christ, He came
to completely give His life for ransom, and a sacrifice for sin,
our sin was made to be His own, that with such a heavy, heavy
load upon His body, that His body poured oozed out blood."
That wasn't pleasing to the flesh, was it? He suffered like no man
ever suffered. in agony as our substitute, as
he was made sin for us. Don't turn, let me just get this
for you. We had this recently in our study in 1 John, where
it says, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid
down his life for us, we ought to lay our lives down for the
brethren. He is the example. He's held
forth in scripture as the prime example of love and forgiveness
for us to follow. Now, I'll have you turn to this
one, and we had this in our Bible study not too long ago, 1 Peter
chapter 2. That's one of the good things
about going through all the Word of God, you're familiar with
all these scriptures. 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter
2. Verse 20, For what glory is it,
if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?
But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently,
this is acceptable with God, this is right. For even her and
two were Christ were ye called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.
who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, who, when
he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened
not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
He prayed, Lord, not my will, thy will be done, who bear, who
his own, who his own self, verse 24, bear our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live under
righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. For we were
a sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd
and bishop of our soul. Christ suffered for us, the just
for the unjust, that he might bring us unto God. The Lord Jesus
Christ came not to please himself, did he, but rather to please
the Father, to please the Heavenly Father and to do the will and
work of the Father. And he did so perfectly. and
in doing so accomplished our salvation and satisfied the law
of God. The Father speaks not once but
twice from heaven at his baptism and on the Mount of Transfiguration
and the message was the same. Remember, this is my beloved
Son in whom I am well pleased. And the blessedness of that Is
that which God speaks of Christ and is true of Him is also true
of us in Him. That's what God says to every
son of God, made so by His marvelous electing love and His grace.
This is my beloved son. I am well pleased with him. He
were accepted in the beloved. What's true of the head is true
of the body. God made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin,
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. And then this
verse, 2 Corinthians 8-9, don't turn, let me see if I can quote
it. For ye know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though
He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through
His poverty might be made rich. You see, those things were not
pleasing to the flesh. All that sorrow and agony, that's
not pleasing to the flesh. But he looked beyond that to
pleasing of the Father rather than pleasing himself and satisfying
the law of God, as we often say, God's law and justice for us. Satisfying God's law and justice
for us, both in precept and in penalty. Do you get tired of
me saying that? I don't know how else to say
it. But that he honored the law of God for us. It's so, so, so
important. So important. God's not going
to save us apart from His law and His holy law and His holy
justice being satisfied. That's why Christ had to die.
To satisfy both. Now, look at verse 4. For whatsoever
things were written aforetime were written for our learning
that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope. Now, on Wednesday night, I've been doing this for
I don't know how many years, 20 years or more. Most of the
time on Wednesday night we go through an Old Testament book. Recently we went through the
Psalms, two or three years with the Psalms. We went through 1
Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings. Went through Nehemiah, Ezra,
Esther. Now we're back up, went back
to the book of Joshua. But we've been through Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, all the way through all these books, multiple
times. And I often refer to this verse, don't I? What things were
written aforetime were written for our learning. Genesis, what's
the book of Genesis about? About Christ. He is the beginning,
he's the end. What's the book of Exodus about? How did they escape the bondage
from the Egyptians by the power of God? Stand still and see the
salvation of the Lord. The book of Leviticus. Our Lord
said, beginning at Moses and all the scriptures he expounded
in them in all things concerning himself. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus. He is that atonement. He is that
Passover Lamb. He is the atonement. He is the
atoning sacrifice upon the mercy seat. All the way through. All the way through. All Old
Testament Scriptures teach us one Valuable, truthful lesson,
and that one lesson is Christ and Him crucified. He is all
the Scripture. To Him give all the prophets
witness. Remember? This is a teaching
of the Word of God, whether it's Old Testament or New. It's all
about Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ. The Old
Testament is Christ in type and picture. Type and picture. The New Testament is Christ in
person fulfilling that which was pictured in Christ. The Old Testament says someone's
coming. The New Testament said He's here. And the epistles remind
us that He's coming back. All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God. That's why we make much of the
Word of God. It is the only rule of faith
and practice. We make much of the Word of God
because it's given to us by inspiration. Holy men of old moved as they
were Driven by the Holy Spirit to speak the message of God's
will and testimony unto us. Now, our Lord said in John chapter
5 to those Pharisees, He said, You are they which search the
Scriptures, but in them you think you have eternal life. They are
they which testify of Me. They testify of Christ. All the
prophets point to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now this is how we grow
stronger in the faith. This is how we nourish and feed
the new man in Christ. That new nature, having been
partakers of a divine nature. That's how we feed this new man. with the word of truth, the bread
of life, and the water of life. Peter put it this way, desire
the sincere milk of the word that you might grow thereby.
And that's how we grow. And this is how we seek to help
others, to edify others, to instruct others, to encourage others by
studying the word of God. There has never been one service
ever held in this building. And we've been holding services
in this building for over 30, I'm going to mess up on the math
here, since 1986. Let me put it that way. Since
1986. There's never been a service
in this building where the word of God has not been read and
preached and expounded and testified upon. We read this, For this
cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when you received
the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as
the word of man, but as it is in truth the word of God that
effectually worketh in you that believe. The more we study and
meditate upon the word, the more we see in thy book revealed the
Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope grows brighter, We have
a good hope through grace. Our love grows stronger. Faith, hope, and love, the greatest
of these is love. Our commitment grows deeper. I know whom I have believed,
and I'm persuaded He's able to keep that which I've committed
unto Him. And our faith grows wider, broader, deeper in Christ,
all through the Word. through the word. It's a lamp
and a light unto our soul. May God help us to cherish the
word because it tells us about Christ.