Emory Baptist Church

Hope for the Hopeless...

Introduction

This morning, I want to share a message with you entitled, “Hope for the Hopeless.”  Many folks in our world today and maybe even in our church this morning feel like their situation is hopeless.  Your situation may be health related or loved-ones related or job related.  Regardless, you feel hopeless.

 

Where do we look for hope?  Some look to family, but family will disappoint.  Some look to finances, but finances will discourage.  Some look to favor.  Our hope today is often tied up in likes and retweets and followers.  However, favor will disappear. 

 

As we continue in our study of Ruth, I want to show you a picture of hope for the hopeless.  In Ruth 1, Naomi and Ruth could be seen as hopeless.  Evil was dominating because there was no king in Israel.  Nature was destroying in the form of a 10-year famine, and loved ones were dying.  Naomi lost her husband and her two sons of which one was married to Ruth.  Therefore, Ruth lost her husband too. 

 

At the end of chapter 1, God brought Naomi back to Bethlehem, and Ruth went with her, and it was the beginning of barley harvest.  That lets us know that good is coming.  There is hope for the hopeless.

 

In chapter 2, Ruth met Boaz, and hope for hopeless begins to materialize.  The grace and favor that Boaz gave to Ruth and Naomi foreshadowed and was symbolic of the grace and favor that God gives to anyone who receives His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. 

 

 

1. A Certain Plan: Ruth 3:1-4

 

In these first two verses, we see that Naomi recognized a need that Ruth had.  Ruth had the need of a husband.  Ruth had the need to be cared for and loved.  Naomi described this need as “security.” 

 

Related to this need of a husband is Ruth’s deceased husband’s need.  Mahlon had a need for someone to carry on his legacy since he and Ruth didn’t have a son.  He had a need for a relative to father a son with Ruth to carry on his name and family history.

 

Another need we see from the text is Ruth’s need for happiness or sense of wellness.  Most certainly this would come with a new husband and parenting an heir to her family name. 

 

Beginning in verse three, Naomi outlined a certain plan that would bring hope to the hopeless so Ruth and Boaz’s relationship could continue to progress.  She was to take a bath, anoint herself, put on her best clothes and go find Boaz.  She was to wait for him to finish eating and drinking and after he goes to sleep, lay down beside him. 

 

Naomi outlined a certain plan to bring hope to the hopeless, and God has outlined a certain plan for you to bring hope to the hopeless, and it is called the Bible. 

 

Yes, the Bible can give hope to your hopeless family situation.  The Bible can give hope to your hopeless financial situation.  The Bible can give hope to your hopeless favor situation.

 

And hope for the hopeless begins with a certain plan.

 

 

1. A Submissive Posture, Ruth 3:5-8

 

Beginning in verse 5, Ruth’s response is worth noting.  Remember that Ruth had every reason to feel hopeless, but with Naomi’s plan, she began to have hope for her situation. 

 

Consequently, notice Ruth’s posture started with obedience.  In verse 5, she told Naomi that she would do all of her certain plan, and in verse 6, we see that Ruth did all of her certain plan.  Ruth was obedient. 

 

Brothers and sisters, make sure that in the midst of your hopelessness that you don’t walk away from God’s plan but remain committed to obeying God and His Word.  Obedience and bearing fruit as a follower of Christ must be at the top of our priority list if we are going to find hope for the hopeless.

 

Notice also that Ruth’s posture included making herself vulnerable to Boaz in verse 7.  In this text, according to what goes on in our world in the 21^st century, this may all sound somewhat suspect, but bear with me.  Ruth waited for Boaz to go to sleep and then went to lie down at his feet.  This verse says she came softly.  She didn’t come demanding or announcing her entitlement.  She came vulnerable because she trusted Naomi’s plan.

 

Thirdly, as a part of her submissive posture, Ruth not only was obedient and vulnerable, but she was surrendered.  Verses 7-8 tell us that Ruth lay down at Boaz’s feet.  She wasn’t standing, but she got low.  She had surrendered to Boaz and whatever he might do to her and for her.

 

Even though all of this interaction might sound strange to our 21^st century ears, you can’t point to any place in this text and find immorality.  However, Ruth’s submissive posture was one of obedience, vulnerability, and surrender as she sought to follow Naomi’s certain plan.

 

 

• A Specific Provider, Ruth 3:9-17

 

In verse 9, Ruth indirectly proposed marriage to Boaz, and Boaz agreed so that he was willing to become her kinsman-redeemer or her special provider. 

 

“Kinsman” meant relative or family member.  “Redeemer” meant to buy or purchase or pay for or provide.  Boaz would be Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer or her special provider which brings us to the topic of levirate marriage. 

 

In the Old Testament, levirate marriage took place when a man died with no male children like Mahlon and Chilion did.  As a result, his brother or another relative was to marry his widow and father a son for the deceased brother.  In short, it was the practice of raising up a son for a deceased relative.  This is exactly the context when Jesus was questioned in Matthew 22:23-28.

 

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

 

The kinsman-redeemer had specific responsibilities.  He was to redeem property: the kinsman acted on behalf of an impoverished relative to purchase and return the land the poor man or woman was forced to sell. 

 

He was to redeem persons: the kinsman redeemed a relative who was forced to sell herself into slavery.

 

He was to redeem blood or justice: the kinsman acted as an avenger.  When a relative of his was murdered, as the kinsman-redeemer, he was to avenge the death.  It was his duty to protect the honor of the family and exact vengeance.

 

The kinsman-redeemer also needed specific qualifications.    He must be related by blood.  He must be able to pay the price.  He must be willing to redeem.  Boaz would become Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. 

 

Brothers and sisters, we have a kinsman-redeemer today, and his name is Jesus Christ.  His is related to us by blood because he was not only the Son of God but also the Son of man.  He is able to pay the price because of His sinless life.  He was willing to redeem as evidenced by His voluntary death on the cross.

 

 

Conclusion

If the hopeless is going to find hope, and we have a certain plan and a submissive posture and a specific provider, what else do we need?

 

We need a special patience.  After the arrangement of levirate marriage was set in motion, Boaz gave Ruth a large quantity of barley for her and her mother-in-law to last them some time, and Ruth returned to Naomi in verses 14-17.

 

Verse 18 shows us the need for special patience.  Naomi told Ruth to sit still or wait or be patient.

 

Brothers and sisters, when we are hopeless, it is not in our nature to sit still or wait or be patient, but we must and as we wait, trust God to provide through His Son, our specific provider. 

 

Where are looking for hope this morning?  My invitation is for you to look to Jesus Christ, who is the hope for whatever is your hopelessness this morning. 

 

What Does That Church Believe: Catholics?

Where did they come from?

• Roman Catholics believe in an unbroken continuity from the early New Testament church to modern Catholicism.  Peter is believed to be the first Pope of Rome (Matthew 16:18).  However, there is no historical evidence to this assertion as well as no evidence of Peter ever having been to Rome.
• Roman Catholic belief about the unbroken continuity is very similar to historic and traditional Churches of Christ and Landmark Baptists. 

 

Where did the Pope come from?

• In its beginnings, individual churches were led by elders.  Bishops were in authority over a particular city and all of the elders in that city.  A bishop became prominent when his city became prominent such as Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, and Carthage. 
• Leo the Great (440-461) perfected the theory of papal power over other churches.
• Gregory the Great (590-604) may be considered the first of the absolute popes.
• The Roman Catholic hierarchy includes: pope, members of the college of cardinals (70), archbishops presiding over one or more dioceses, bishops, and priests.
• As successor to the apostle Peter, the pope exercises authority over the 3200+ bishops in the church.  When he speaks ex cathedra on issues pertaining to faith and morals, he is believed to be infallible (Romans 3:23) and considered as the third source of authority with the Bible and tradition (teachings of the apostles apart from the Bible).

 

What are their significant historical events?

• 4^th century: authority of the bishop of Rome increased.
• 5^th century: Pope Leo I (Leo the Great as mentioned above) claimed authority over all other churches.
• 1054: Eastern and Western churches split.
• 1517: Martin Luther calls for reform regarding power of the pope, the sale of indulgences, and the doctrine of purgatory. 
• 1545-1563: The Council of Trent defined many Roman Catholic doctrines for the first time.
• 1565: First Catholic parish began in what is now St. Augustine, FL. 
• 1869: The Vatican Council I met in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and formulated the supremacy and infallibility of the pope.
• 1962-1965: The Vatican Council II met in Rome and decided that all who are named “Christian” are a part of God’s family regardless of membership in the Catholic Church.

 

What do they believe?

1. Word of God: includes the Bible and oral tradition; the Roman Catholic Bible includes the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation plus the apocryphal books including 7 complete books and 4 partial books that were written in the inter-testamental period.  However, the Jews of Palestine never accepted the inspiration of these books, and Jesus never quoted from them.  The Apocrypha teaches that salvation depends on deeds of virtue.  See Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19.
2. Salvation: all humans are born with original sin of Adam and Eve; salvation comes through sanctifying grace; God reaches out to individuals and gives them the grace to seek him; individuals must respond to this grace that is given by performing certain acts that prepare his/her soul for baptism and justification; salvation is further realized through the administration of the 7 sacraments (see below).
3. Sin: Catholics distinguish between two types of sin. The two types of sin are mortal and venial, CCC #1854. Mortal sin destroys the sanctifying grace of God within the individual and necessitates forgiveness through a sacrament of reconciliation, CCC #1856. It causes exclusion from heaven and results in "the eternal death of hell," CCC #1861. Catholics classify a sin as mortal when it meets the following conditions: the sin is serious or "grave" (murder, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.), is committed with "full knowledge and complete consent," CCC #1857-59. A venial sin is a sin that either is not serious or grave, or does not involve full knowledge or complete consent, CCC #1862. Unlike mortal sin, venial sin does not destroy the saving grace of God in the individual. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness," CCC #1863.
4. Veneration of Mary: viewed as “immaculately conceived” and therefore sinless; is a co-redeemer and mediatrix of grace (Luke 1:46-47).  She is also considered to have remained a virgin throughout her life (Matthew 12:46, Matthew 13:55).  However, she is not considered to be part of the Trinity. 
5. Purgatory: exists for those who die in God’s friendship but are still imperfectly purified, so that, following a time of purging, they can finally enter the joys of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8).
6. Baptism: removes original sin and infuses sanctifying grace; performed on infants as well as adults and the person baptized experiences “initial justification”; immersion was practiced until the twelfth century.
7. Church: up until the Vatican Council II, believed that salvation was not available outside of the Catholic Church.
8. Eucharist/Mass: it is believed that during the Mass, the bread and wine miraculously turn into the actual body and blood of Christ called transubstantiation (John 6:52-58). By receiving the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are receiving Christ.
9. Sacraments: a visible sign instituted by Christ, by which grace is conveyed or dispensed to souls; the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, New York: Doubleday, 1994) page 249.
   1. Baptism: all sins are forgiven, original sin and personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin, CCC #1263.
   2. Confirmation: completes baptismal grace by increasing the gifts and strengths of the Holy Spirit in the recipient, CCC #1303.
   3. Eucharist/Mass: see above.
   4. Penance: confession of sin and sorrow for failure; assigned acts of penance for all mortal sins and instructed to say an Act of Contrition; the priest then extends his right hand toward the parishioner and absolves him of his sins (Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:9).
   5. Holy Orders: Catholics believe this sacrament confers sacred power of service, CCC #1592.
   6. Anointing the Sick: may be given when a Catholic is in danger of death because of illness or old age, CCC #1592.
   7. Marriage: remarriage by a divorced Catholic while the lawful spouse is alive is not allowed, CCC #1665.

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Roman Catholic Church	1st century	More than 62,000,000	More than 19,000	www.vatican.va
Eastern Rite Catholic Church	1500-1700	500,000	Unknown	Unknown
Old Catholic Church	1871	More than 600,000	Unknown	www.oldcatholic.org
Polish National Catholic Church of America	1897	270,000	More than 150	www.PNCC.org

What Does That Church Believe: Episcopalians?

Where did they come from (Church of England/Anglican)?

• King Henry VIII of England wanted a son, and when Pope Clement VII denied his divorce from Catherine, he took matters into his own hands and influenced the English Parliament in such away that they denied the pope any authority or jurisdiction over the Church of England; the COE declared its independence from the RCC, and Henry VIII declared himself to be the chief authority.
• Henry forced the selection of Thomas Cranmer as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cranmer granted Henry an annulment.
• Edward VII took the throne after the death of his father; however, being only 9 years of age, his uncle Edward Seymour guided the decisions of Edward’s throne taking the COE in a very Protestant direction; Bloody Mary returned the COE back to the RCC as she oversaw the burning at the stake of at least 300 Protestants, including Thomas Cranmer; Elizabeth I tried to find a “middle way” between the RCC and Protestantism.

 

Where did they come from (Episcopal Church)?

• Anglican Churches were seen in the 13 colonies as earlier as 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia; by 1775, there were over 400 Anglican Churches in the colonies.
• The Revolutionary War caused a split between those clergy who supported England and those who supported freedom for the American colonies.
• In 1789, two clergy, William White and Samuel Provost, sailed to England and were consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury; earlier, the English Parliament had met and rescinded the requirement that all bishops must swear allegiance to the British crown; this previous requirement no longer applied to bishops who resided in “foreign parts” (like America); the Protestant Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church in America was officially started in 1789; they were separate from the RCC and ruled by bishops.

 

Where can their doctrines be found?

• The Apostles’ Creed
• The Nicene Creed
• The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
• The Book of Common Prayer

 

What are their unique beliefs?

• Reject RC doctrines of the pope’s authority over the church, the infallibility of the pope on Christian doctrine and moral truth, the doctrine of purgatory, and the doctrine of transubstantiation (Lord’s Supper).
• Baptism is necessary for salvation (baptismal regeneration).
• Church government is Episcopal in nature; the local parish is the basic unit of worship; a diocese is composed of not less than six parishes in a specific geographical region and is overseen by a bishop; each bishop is elected by a diocesan convention; the diocesan convention meets annually and is composed of all clergy and lay representatives of the local parishes; every three years, the General Convention meets to make broad decisions about policy and worship; the House of Bishops is composed of all diocesan bishops; the House of Deputies is composed of four priests and four laymen from each diocese. 

 

 

 

Major Points of Contention

1. Physical baptism does not remove or forgive sins: a better understanding of Acts 2:38; John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 11:25-26; Acts 10:43; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22.  George W. Truett, “Immersion only does not constitute scriptural baptism.  One must be immersed because he is already saved, and not, in any sense to secure salvation.”
2. Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori in June 2006 in Columbus, Ohio to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is contrary to 1 Timothy 2:12.

1. Is a marine biologist with a doctorate specializing in squids and oysters.
2. Preached at the convention’s closing Eucharist, “Colossians calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead. That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained labor of the cross bears new life.  Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation—and you and I are His children.”

1. Homosexuality is sin regardless.

1. ECUSA confirmed Bishop V. Gene Robinson in 2003, openly homosexual bishop.
2. ECUSA leaders have viewed the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as having nothing to do with sex, but rather with their lack of hospitality; have said that Paul condemns temple prostitution in Romans 1:18-32, not loving, committed same-sex relationships.
3. Interpreted properly, Scripture presents no impediment to the inclusion and celebration of homosexuality.

 

Who have they been?

• Two-thirds of signers of DOI were Episcopalians.
• At least 9 presidents including Washington and Jefferson.

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Episcopal Church USA	1789	1,877,271	7364	www.ecusa.anglican.org
Reformed Episcopal Church in America	1873	6400	125	www.recus.org
Episcopal Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America	1963	6000	200	Eoc.orthodoxanglican.net
Anglican Catholic Church	1977	12,000	200	www.anglicancatholic.org

 

 

 

What Does That Church Believe: Mennonites?

Where did they come from?

They emerged out of the radical reformer movement of the 1520s, which involved a number of individuals who went far beyond the teachings of Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli.  For example, Zwingli allowed infant baptism, but the radical reformers argued staunchly for believer’s baptism.  Because of their emphasis on rebaptism, these individuals came to be known as Anabaptists, which means “to rebaptize.”  Since they weren’t Roman Catholics, the RCC was against them.  Since they took a stand against Zwingli, the Protestants were against them.  Since they advocated a separation of church and state, the state was against them.  Enter Menno Simmons.  He was an influential Dutch leader of radical reformation born in 1496 in the Netherlands.  He was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood and ordained in 1524, but he converted to the Anabaptist movement in 1536.  Persecution and harassment caused the Anabaptists to flee to America, specifically Pennsylvania where many of them settled in Germantown, PA in 1683.  Distinctive among the Mennonites were the followers of seventeenth-century Swiss Mennonite bishop named Jakob Amman.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Mennonites)?

• Believer’s Baptism; Symbolic Lord’s Supper, Separation of Church and State
• Foot washing: see John 13:1-17.
• A Cappella worship
• Major emphasis on leading quiet lives, uninvolved in secular society, and godly living.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Amish)?

• See above.
• Men ought to wear untrimmed beards and modest attire, including broad-brimmed hats.  Women ought also to wear modest clothing, including bonnets and aprons.
• They are to refrain from using electricity, alarm clocks, motorized vehicles, telephones, mirrors, and the like.

 

Pacifism

Mennonite Confession of Faith; Article 22: Peace, Justice and Nonresistance

We believe that peace is the will of God. God created the world in peace, and God's peace is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is our peace and the peace of the whole world. Led by the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the way of peace, doing justice, bringing reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance even in the face of violence and warfare.

Although God created a peaceable world, humanity chose the way of unrighteousness and violence. 1 The spirit of revenge increased, and violence multiplied, yet the original vision of peace and justice did not die. 2 Prophets and other messengers of God continued to point the people of Israel toward trust in God rather than in weapons and military force. 3

The peace God intends for humanity and creation was revealed most fully in Jesus Christ. A joyous song of peace announced Jesus' birth. 4 Jesus taught love of enemies, forgave wrongdoers, and called for right relationships. 5 When threatened, he chose not to resist, but gave his life freely. 6 By his death and resurrection, he has removed the dominion of death and given us peace with God. 7 Thus he has reconciled us to God and has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. 8

As followers of Jesus, we participate in his ministry of peace and justice. He has called us to find our blessing in making peace and seeking justice. We do so in a spirit of gentleness, willing to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. 9 As disciples of Christ, we do not prepare for war, or participate in war or military service. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus also empowers us to love enemies, to forgive rather than to seek revenge, to practice right relationships, to rely on the community of faith to settle disputes, and to resist evil without violence. 10

Led by the Spirit, and beginning in the church, we witness to all people that violence is not the will of God. We witness against all forms of violence, including war among nations, hostility among races and classes, abuse of children and women, violence between men and women, abortion, and capital punishment.

We give our ultimate loyalty to the God of grace and peace, who guides the church daily in overcoming evil with good, who empowers us to do justice, and who sustains us in the glorious hope of the peaceable reign of God. 11

Commentary

1. The biblical concept of peace embraces personal peace with God, peace in human relations, peace among nations, and peace with God's creation. The Old Testament word for peace (shalom) includes healing, reconciliation, and well-being. Peace is more than the absence of war; it includes the restoration of right relationship.

Justice and peace belong together, since right relationship involves both. According to Greek and Roman ideas of justice, people should get what they deserve. According to the Bible, justice involves healing and restoring relationships. That is a reason for the special concern for the poor and the oppressed evident in the Bible (Deut. 24:10-22; Matt. 20:1-16; James 2:5).

Nonresistance means "not resisting." Our example is Jesus, who endured accusation and abuse without retaliating. Jesus did sometimes confront wrongdoers (Matt. 23:1-36; John 2:13-22), but he did so in a nonviolent way that shows us how to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21; see 1 Pet. 2:21-24).

2. Peace and justice are not optional teachings, counsel that Christians can take or leave. They belong to the heart of gospel message. Sometimes the Mennonite peace position has been based only on the teachings of Jesus. A biblical understanding of peace is also based on the atoning sacrifice of Christ: the atonement is the foundation for our peace with God (Rom. 5:10) and with one another (Eph. 2:13-16). Similarly, justice is based not only on Jesus' teachings (Luke 4:18-19), but also on his atoning death. Jesus' death on the cross accomplished justice. His crucifixion brought forgiveness and thus restored sinners to right relationship with God. On the cross Jesus cried out to God on behalf of a world mired in sinful, unjust relationships. This cry was amplified by the shedding of his blood, which creates a just, forgiving community of the new covenant (Heb. 5:7-10).
3. In continuity with previous Mennonite confessions of faith, we affirm that nonparticipation in warfare involves conscientious objection to military service and a nonresistant response to violence. Our peace witness also includes peacemaking and working for justice. Peace witness is needed even when the nations in which we live are not at war. Ministries of mediation, conciliation, and nonviolent resolution of everyday conflict can express our commitment to Christ's way of peace.
4. There is no simple explanation for the practice of war in the Old Testament. The Old Testament repeatedly points toward peace (Exod. 14:13-14; Judg. 7:2; Ps. 37; Isa. 31; Hos. 2:18). Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the vision of a coming peaceable kingdom (Isa. 9:1-7), preached and revealed by Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36).

The Widow's Might...

When Life Stinks...

Introduction

This morning and for the month of December, Bro. Ronnie and I will be teaching through the Old Testament book of Ruth.  It has four (4) chapters, and there are five (5) Sundays in December so we will look at each chapter plus the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas.

 

If you look across the room this evening, you will find 250 or so different and unique individuals.  Some of you are very different compared to the rest of us. 

 

However, even in our diversity, we have multiple commonalities.  We are all currently at EBC.  We are all alive.  For the moment, we are all awake.  We are all clothed.  We are all human. 

 

And for our purposes this morning, we all will experience tragedy in this life sooner or later.  The reality is that in this life on earth, we have either just experienced a tragedy, we are currently experiencing a tragedy or we will experience a tragedy in the very near future.  This is true for every person in the room, both young and old, male and female.

 

When we think of “life stinking” in the Bible, we often think about Job. Have you ever found yourself in a situation like Job?  The Scriptures tell us that Job was a righteous man but also a man who lost house and home, family and health.  And when tragedy strikes, how many of us have said or thought, “Life stinks?” 

 

In our text this morning, I want to show three scenes to you and ask three (3) questions regarding “When Life Stinks…” 

 

 

1. When Life Stinks, where is God?

 

In verse one (1), this phrase “when the judges ruled” serves as a chronological marker letting us know that the date of this story is approximately 1,000-1,300 years before Christ.

 

And judges judged or governed or ruled when there was no king in Israel.  They functioned as military leaders and local rulers administering political and legal justice.

 

And the very last verse in the book of Judges tells us that when there was no king in Israel, evil dominated.  See Judges 21:25.

 

Judges 21:25, 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 

May I remind you of how much evil dominated during this time?  We get a very graphic picture of this culture and society from the last five (5) chapters of the book of Judges.

 

In Judges 17-18, we find grave idolatry.  Chapter 17 tells the story of Micah, a man involved in idolatry.

 

Judges 17:4-5, 4 Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah.  5 The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

God’s people had turned their backs on Yahweh and turned to grave idolatry.

 

However, in chapters 19-21, there is more.  In these three chapters, we see gross immorality. 

 

In Judges 19, we see a Levite married who married a prostitute.

 

And in Judges 19:22-25, we find an incredibly horrific scene involving this Levite, his daughter, his wife or concubine and a neighborly old man.

 

Judges 19:22-30, 22 As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!”  23 But the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! Seeing this man has come into my house, do not commit this outrage. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine; let me bring them out now. Humble them, and do with them as you please; but to this man do not do such a vile thing!” 25 But the men would not heed him. So the man took his concubine and brought her out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until morning; and when the day began to break, they let her go. 

 

Can you believe what we just read?  Accounts of militant homosexuality, gang rape and murder?  But the story doesn’t end there.

 

Judges 19:26-30, 26 Then the woman came as the day was dawning, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, till it was light.  27 When her master arose in the morning, and opened the doors of the house and went out to go his way, there was his concubine, fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 And he said to her, “Get up and let us be going.” But there was no answer. So the man lifted her onto the donkey; and the man got up and went to his place.  29 When he entered his house he took a knife, laid hold of his concubine, and divided her into twelve pieces, limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 And so it was that all who saw it said, “No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, confer, and speak up!” The Levite took his concubine and dismembered her body and sent the members to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

 

I don’t think I need to go any further, but chapters 20-21 tell of the evils specifically of the tribe of Benjamin.

 

If you watch any television news or read the newspaper, you know that our world still witnesses evil dominating every single day. 

 

Where is God when evil dominates?

 

In the rest of verse one (1) we not only see that evil is dominating, but we also see that nature destroys. 

 

There was famine in Bethlehem.  It is interesting that in the city that means “house of bread,” there was no bread.

 

So Elimelech and his family headed out of town east to Moab.  What is even more interesting and also sad is that Elimelech and his wife and his sons, who were faithful Jews, headed to Moab. 

 

Do you know about Moab?  Moab is seen throughout the OT as the archenemy of Israel.  This country originated when Lot fathered Moab by an incestuous union with his oldest daughter, and it was the Moabite women in Numbers 25:1-5 that led the Israelite men into idolatry. 

 

Numbers 25:1-5, 1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.  4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”  5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.”

 

Moab should have been the last place any Jew would go, but isn’t that how sometimes it works?  When life stinks, good religious people often do that which hurts them instead of helping them. 

 

Was there a reason for this famine?  Did it happen “just because” or was there actually a message within the famine?  In light of what we just read in Judges 17-21, it is certainly a possibility that God was sending judgment upon His people.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-17, 13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 16 “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

 

Do you see that it is very likely that Israel was suffering during the time of this famine because of their own spiritual rebellion?

 

Life stinks when evil dominates and when nature destroys, and when loved ones die. 

 

In verse three (3), we see Naomi lose her husband and her two sons.  She outlived her three (3) closest male relatives.  She virtually had no chance of survival in this Jewish, patriarchal society. 

 

When life stinks, where is God?  For the follower of Christ, He is right by your side.

 

John 14:16-17, 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

 

If you are Believer this morning, the answer to our first question is that God is right by your side. 

 

Jesus promised us another helper, not another of a different kind but another of the same kind.  Once the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost, believers from that point forward received Him upon conversion.  So when you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, at that very moment, God began to dwell within you.

 

The picture of the Holy Spirit as a helper is one who walks along side you lifting you up like a medical trainer or coach or teammate would help an injured athlete off of the field or court.  The Holy Spirit comes along side us and helps us along.  And Jesus says He is with us forever. 

 

 

2. When life stinks, can anything good come?

 

Yes, God can bring good from your situation that stinks.  First, see that Naomi had adoration of God in verse six (6).  While in Moab, she heard that the Lord had visited His people, and He had delivered them from famine and drought.  God had given them bread again.

 

When life stinks, God often reminds us that He is still at work, and life could always be worse…especially if we consider others and keep matters in perspective.

 

Second, notice that Naomi had appreciation for others.  Naomi’s daughters-in-law had dealt with her kindly.  They could have kicked her to the curb, but they didn’t. 

 

When life stinks, we often begin to appreciate others for how they treat us, how they help us, how they minister to us. 

 

Third, notice that when life stinks, God can bring alteration of our behavior.  Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth, who the books is named after, didn’t leave her.  As a matter of fact, in verses 16-17, we see the most famous verses of this book.

 

Naomi tried on three occasions to convince Ruth to go back to her parents and start a new life with a new husband, but Ruth wouldn’t go.  And in 1:16-17, we find those remarkable words.

 

At the end of 1:16, we see Ruth’s salvation experience or alteration to her behavior.  Remember, she was a Moabite, a Gentile pagan.  But in 1:16, she said to Naomi that your people will be my people and your God, my God.  She surrendered her life to Yahweh. 

 

There is no question in my mind that Ruth had observed how Naomi responded to tragedy.  She saw Naomi depend on God in the midst of losing a husband and two sons, and that caused Ruth to want what Naomi had.  She was saved.  Her life and her behavior changed. 

 

A little side note needs to be said about Ruth’s conversion.  When Ruth recognized who the true God was, Yahweh and not Chemosh, she turned her back on everything she knew to answer God’s calling for salvation, including family.  She had the opportunity to choose her family and as a result her family’s god, Chemosh.  But she chose Naomi, and Naomi’s God, Yahweh. 

 

When we answer the calling of God on our lives for salvation, it often times can mean turning our back on our family and on our family’s religion.  It means giving up everything for Him. 

 

When life stinks, God can bring good.

 

 

3. When life stinks, what does God ultimately want from us?

 

In a word, He wants us to turn to Him or return to Him.  You may not have caught this, but there is word dominates verses 6-22, and it is the word, “return.”  In these last verses of Ruth 1, you find it six times in one form or another. 

 

Return is once in 6, 7, and 8.  It is then in verse 15 and twice in verse 22.  When Naomi returned to Bethlehem from Moab, she was returning to the God of Bethlehem from the God of Moab.

 

When life stinks, we are prone to wonder.  We wonder from the Lord, and we wonder to that which is not of the Lord.  If your life stinks today, God wants you to return.

 

In the language of the New Testament, the idea of return is captured in the word repent.  This morning, I want to close with the first few verses of Luke 13.

 

Luke 13:1-5, 1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

 

Because life stinks, does that mean God is punishing you?  Not necessarily, but regardless, He wants you to return to Him.

 

 

Conclusion

Regardless of where you are this morning or how your life stinks, my invitation for you is to turn to God for the very first time or return to Him again.  I am not saying that He will solve all of your problems, but I am saying that He will help you get through whatever problem concerns you the most. 

Finally, Hello!

God's Mission for Emory Baptist Church...

We have now come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and we will finish this study on the last Sunday of this month.  Remember that chapters 1-8 were more theological.  Chapters 12-16 are more practical. 

 

Today begins Paul conclusion, and last Sunday, I shared with you “My Vision for Emory.”  Today, we are going to look at “God’s Vision for Emory Baptist Church.”

 

1. God’s Vision, Romans 15:20-21

20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

 

We could not see a clearly picture of God’s heart expressed in His Word through Paul than in verses 20 and 21.  Simply put, it is to take the Gospel to those who haven’t heard.

 

Paul had no interest in going were the others have gone.  His desire and God’s desire is to take the Gospel to the unreached peoples of the world.  That was true for Paul.  It is true for God, and it is His desire and mission for us.

 

Emory Baptist Church, God wants us to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  We have been attempting that in recent months by going to Maricopa, Arizona.  Our formal partnerships with them and with the Point Hispanic Mission ends at the end of 2019.

 

Today, I am letting you know that I believe that God is opening up an opportunity to go further than Point and further than Maricopa in potentially in 2019 and 2020 and beyond.  Are you ready? 

 

On Sunday evening, December 16, Adam Hailes, IMB Missionary, will be us in our evening worship to tell us about opportunities in the years to come in Madagascar.  Adam is the former pastor of Ridgecrest BC in Commerce and the son of Johnny Hailes, pastor of Park Street BC in Greenville. 

 

I don’t have all the answers this morning, but I do believe that God wants us to go to those who are unreached and unengaged, and Adam seems like a great partner for our future.  As for now, understand clearly that God wants us to go, and make plans to be here on Sunday night, December 16 to hear about future possibilities.

 

How do we accomplish God’s Mission?  By preaching, giving, and praying, and everyone can do something.

 

 

1. Preaching, Romans 15:14-22

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”  22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

 

Paul began by assuring the Roman Christians that he was very aware of their spiritual maturity.  Even though he did not plant this particular church, he did know many of the members personally as we will see in the coming weeks.  He knew of their moral goodness and of their spiritual knowledge in verse 14. 

 

He also was aware that they were very capable of admonishing, encouraging, warn, advising, and counseling each other in verse 15.

 

However, he wrote to them to remind them of those foundational doctrines that we studied in Romans 1-8.  Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  Paul knew that repetition is a most effective way of learning so he repeated what they already knew. 

 

But not only did Paul write to remind them of the doctrines of the faith, he wrote them in order to recruit them for God’s mission.  Paul’s mission was to minister to the Gentiles, and he took it seriously. 

 

We know from Galatians 2 that Peter was the apostle to the Jews, but Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.  He was a minister, and that word for minister in verse 16 is the word from which we take our English word “liturgy.” 

 

Paul was a minister or priest, and the Gentiles converted under his ministry were given to the Lord as an offering, made acceptable by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Paul’s mission was to minister to the Gentiles, and that was God’s mission as well, and Paul wanted that to be mission of this Roman Church, and God wants that to be the mission of the Emory Church.

 

What is Paul preaching?  See 15:19-20.  He wasn’t preaching his own agenda.  It is not about a particular pastor or particular church or particular denomination.  It is about the gospel, the one and only gospel. 

 

What is the gospel?  The gospel means that there is a holy God, and there is unholy man.  Our sin separates us from the holy God.  However, Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross in our place that made a personal relationship with God possible, but we must repent of our sins and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.  We must call on Him to be saved.  That is the gospel, and that is what Paul preached.

 

And what happened when Paul preached?  Gentiles obeyed and were saved.  Signs and wonders authenticated this ministry, and the power of Holy Spirit was made known in the preaching and in the conversations. 

 

Where did Paul preach?  He preached from Jerusalem to Illyricum.  That phrase literally reads from Jerusalem and in a circle.  He preached all over.  Jerusalem to Illyricum, which is the former Yugoslavia, is about 1400 miles, and in the first century, that was by foot.  He took the gospel everywhere.

 

Why did he preach the gospel?  He preached because there were those who hadn’t heard.  Look at 15:20-22.  He wanted to go to the unreached people.  He didn’t want to go where the gospel had already been.  He quoted Isaiah 52 regarding the unreached.  They had no news and they had not heard so Paul went.

 

How did Paul go and preach?  He went in humility.  Look back at 15:17. He recognized that his entire ministry was by the grace of God.  It wasn’t his preaching skills or his creativity or his boldness, but God’s grace manifest in his life.

 

Now God’s mission that was evident in Paul approximately 2000 years ago is still God’s mission today.  God’s mission is for His followers to preach the gospel. 

 

Don’t stumble over the verb preach.  Use share if that is better for you.  God’s mission is for you to share the message.  His mission is for you to share the message wherever He has sovereignly placed you. It may be in a particular neighborhood or at a particular job or with a particular customer or merchant.  God’s mission is for you to share the gospel with those who aren’t saved, and be sure not to equate church attendance or church membership with salvation. 

 

And like Paul, we must be bold in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The people of Madagascar are unreached and unengaged for a reason.  It is far away.  There are physical, spiritual, and financial obstacles that will stand in our way, but we must be bold to go and preach or share.  We must preach the message to those who aren’t saved and those who haven’t heard. 

 

 

1. Giving, Romans 15:22-29

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 

 

In verses 22-25, Paul told the Roman Christians of his future plans to visit with them on his way to Spain.  He had wanted to visit them previously, but God prevented him with multiple opportunities to preach the message.  When he does come to Rome, Paul anticipated them helping him get to Spain.

 

In the meantime, he had been collecting an offering in the Gentile churches that would go toward helping the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  He applauded the Macedonia and Achaia churches for doing their job in helping out their Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ.  See his original commendation in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

 

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

 

Notice that their financial giving gave them joy even though they didn’t have hardly anything to give.  They gave according to their ability and beyond.  They sacrificed.  They gave themselves to the Lord and the Lord provided for them to give to the saints in Jerusalem.

 

EBC has a long history of being a giving church, and that is still true today.  We give to multiple ministries throughout the year, but we put a lot of emphasis on our World Missions Fund which is 25 families giving $25 a week for 52 weeks a year.  50% of that goes to the International Mission Board.  In 2020, I hope our annual budget will include the partnership with Madagascar and Adam Hailes that introduced previously.

 

Keep giving because financially providing for ministries is part of God’s mission whether it is to the IMB, NAMB, Reach Texas, Military Bible Sticks, Raffa Clinic, Gideons International, Mission Dignity, Pure Water Pure Love, Operation Christmas Child, or something else.

 

You can be a part of God’s mission by giving financially to for practical ministries.

 

 

1. Praying, Romans 15:30-33

30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

The final four verses of this chapter include Paul’s request for the Roman Christians to pray for him.  See verse 30. 

 

He asked that they pray for his protection in verse 31.  He also asked for them to pray for his profitability in verse 31. 

 

He finally asked for them to pray for providence, for God’s will to be done.  And he leaves them with peace.

 

Are you praying for missionaries today?  Again, don’t stumble over that word.  Use other Christians if it fits better.  Are you praying for God to use you to share the gospel?  Are you praying for God to use me and Ronnie to lead our church?  Are you praying for your Sunday School teacher?  And yes, you can pray for vocational missionaries like Luke and Emily Panter, Bro. Adolpho, and Adam Hailes.  I need your prayers.  We need your prayers.  They need your prayers.

 

 

Conclusion

I close with one question.  Will you make God’s mission your mission?  Will you preach?  Will you give?  Will you pray? 

What Does That Church Believe: Churches of Christ?

Where did they come from?

• Early leaders were Thomas Campbell (1763-1854) and his son Alexander (1788-1866); originally Presbyterians; criticized by Presbyterians for not making Presbyterian creeds and confessions the basis of fellowship and communion; served communion to non-Presbyterians; ultimate goal was to move Christianity back to its first-century roots; church membership should be based solely on the beliefs and practices of New Testament Christianity; motto of Christian Association of Washington County was “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”; originally called Campbellites or Disciples of Christ.
• Barton Stone (1772-1844) also broke away from the Presbyterian church and founded his group of followers simply known as “Christians;” didn’t want to be bound by human creeds; thought the Bible alone should be the rule of faith and practice.
• In 1832, the Campbells’ 12,000 followers and Stone’s 10,000 followers joined together in Lexington, KY; retained the name, “Disciples of Christ;” experienced heavy growth early on in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee.

 

What are their significant historical events?

• In the latter part of the 19^th century, a conflict developed between conservatives and progressives; the conservatives withdrew in protest against the development of missionary societies and the use of instrumental music (organ) in church services; while the “Disciples of Christ” stayed and advocated mission societies and instrumental music, the conservatives withdrew and formed the “Churches of Christ” in 1906.
• In 1968, the “Disciples of Christ” strengthened their national presence regarding coordinated missions and evangelism and reorganized as the Christian Church.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Disciples of Christ: progressive)?

• Do not believe in original sin, but each person is sinful and responsible for his/her sinfulness following the age of accountability.
• The salvation process includes: hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, live a Christian life.
• Baptism is necessary for the remission or forgiveness of sins; although they don’t practice other forms, they accept other forms of baptism including infant baptism.
• The Eucharist is served every Sunday as a memorial feast and is open to all who believe in Jesus.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Churches of Christ: conservative)?

• See above except accepting other forms of baptism.
• Believes the Church of Christ began with the ministry of Jesus in 30 AD.
• Missionaries are supported by local church
• Hymns are sung a capella.
• Premillennialism is often viewed as heresy and must be eradicated from the church.

 

Major points of contention

• Is original sin biblical? Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-21
• Can a genuine believer lose his or her salvation?  Romans 8:26-39; 1 John 2:19
• Does physical baptism remove or forgive sins?
  • A better understanding of Acts 2:38; John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 11:25-26; Acts 10:43; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22
  • George W. Truett, “Immersion only does not constitute scriptural baptism.  One must be immersed because he is already saved, and not, in any sense to secure salvation.”

 

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)	1832	518,434	3717	www.disciples.org
Christian Congregation	1887	119,391	1439	www.netministries.org/see/churches/exe/ch10619
Churches of Christ	1906	1,500,000	15,000	www.churchesofchrist.com www.church-of-christ.org
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	1927	1,071,616	5579	Unknown

 

My 2 Favorite Christian Churches/Churches of Christ

• Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY              www.southeastchristian.org
• Oak Hill Church, San Antonio, TX                            www.oakhillschurchsa.org

 

 

My Vision for Emory Baptist Church...

As the pastor of Emory Baptist Church, I am sometimes asked, “What is your vision for the church?”  I’m usually very hesitant to answer that question because my answer isn’t very creative nor is it complex.

 

I am totally fine with, “My vision for Emory Baptist Church is to love God, love people, and make disciples.”  That is the vision of Jesus in Matthew 22 and Matthew 28.

 

However, Romans 14-15 has given me a wonderful picture of what I hope for Emory Baptist Church, and we’re going to see that this morning.

 

Today is our last Sunday looking at doubtful things or gray areas that Paul was addressing in these chapters.  These are issues of which the Bible does not speak clearly.  For them, it included eating meat sacrificed to idols, observing the Sabbath, and drinking wine.  For us, it includes issues like alcohol use, appropriate dress, gambling, piercings, tattoos, and styles of music.

 

In the recent weeks, we have seen two sides.  There was the weak in faith Jewish Christians who are didn’t eat meat and they observed the Sabbath and they probably didn’t drink wine.  The other group was the strong in faith Gentile Christians who did eat meat even that which was sacrificed to idols and they didn’t observe Sabbath and they did drink wine.  The Jewish Christians celebrated holiness.  The Gentile Christians celebrated freedom.  Both groups were guilty of judging and condemning each other.

 

In week one, we looked at Romans 14:1-12.  Paul’s first piece of advice when speaking of doubtful issues was to receive one another.  Don’t judge or condemn or try to change each other.  Receive one another and a brother or sister’s different opinion or preference or conviction.

 

In week two, we looked at Romans 14:13-23.  Paul’s second piece of advice was resolve or decide not to be a stumbling block to your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Instead, live according to the law of love that seeks pace and don’t participate in activities that cause brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble even if you don’t think it is sin.

 

We now come to week three and the last message in this series, and we are looking at Romans 15:1-13.  Paul has one last piece of advice and that is simply to please the other person first before you please your self. 

 

However, today, I want to begin with the end in mind.   Therefore, let’s start with the goal.

 

 

1. The Goal: Unity, Romans 15:4-6

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [c]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In verse 4, Paul made a follow up statement regarding an OT quote that he applied to Jesus.  He then pointed out that the OT was for the Roman Church’s learning and could help them in being patient and hopeful for the future.

 

That is also true for us.  Paul’s letter to the Roman Church was from a very specific author to a very specific group of Christians at a very specific time.  However, through the act of inspiration and preservation, Paul’s letter to the Roman Church also has truth and application for every Christian Church to come after them including the Emory Church.

 

Verses 5-6 speak to the goal of unity.  Perhaps even in a prayer, Paul asked God to help them be like-minded toward one another and of one mind and one mouth. 

 

Does that mean that Paul was praying for them to all be vegetarians or to all eat meat?  No, it means he was praying for them to all operate out of love for one another and accept one another and please one another.  Again, he didn’t desire unity of opinion or unity of preference but unity of mind in how they treated those who were different.

 

Is unity a big deal to God?  See Psalm 133:1 and John 17:11, 20-23.

 

Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

John 17:11, 20-23, 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep[a] through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

 

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [a]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

 

What is my vision for Emory Baptist Church?  To be a unified picture of heaven on earth as a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-socio-economic, multi-political affiliation, and multi-preference Body of Christ.

 

How do we do that?

 

2. Our Means: Please one another first, Romans 15:1-2.

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the [a]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [b]edification.

 

 

We see here in verse 1 that Paul clearly identified himself with the strong in faith, Gentile Christians, and he called on them to bear the scruples or weaknesses or failings or infirmities or preferences of the weak in faith.  This idea of bearing their preferences literally means to pick up a weight and carry it, and according to the tense of these verbs, we are to do that now and continue doing just that indefinitely.

 

We bear one another’s preferences or convictions when we understand that Paul instructed all of the Roman Believers, Jew or Gentile, to please his neighbor for his good.  In this context, neighbor isn’t just any Tom, Dick or Harry, but a fellow church member.  We are to please our neighbors.

 

Before I engage in any doubtful practice or gray area, I need to think about the other person and decide to please him or her first.  Paul gave these instructions to the Roman Christians and to the Philippian Christians.  See Philippians 2:3-4.

 

Philippians 2:3-4, 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Therefore, the goal is unity.  The means is pleasing others before self.  What is the rationale or the why?

 

 3. The Rationale: That is how Jesus treated us, Romans 15:3, 7-12.

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

 

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received [d]us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a [e]servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”  10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”  11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!  Laud Him, all you peoples!”  12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”  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.

 

In short, we are to please other before self because that is how Jesus treated us.  Look at verse 3.  Jesus Christ was the sinless, perfect Son of God, and yet, He took the sins of every single, solitary, human being upon Himself without exception. 

 

Furthermore, not only did He die for the sins of the entire world, He offered salvation to both Jew and Gentile alike without reservation or hesitation.  That is what Romans 15:7-13 says.

 

The rest of the NT affirms what Jesus would do and did do.

 

Mark 10:45, 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

Philippians 2:5-11, 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

Conclusion

So let’s end today with verse 13.

 

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.

 

So here is what that means for me.

 

Because I want to receive those whose preferences are differing than mine and I don’t want to be a stumbling block and I want to please others first, I will never drink alcohol.  I will wear a coat and tie most Sunday mornings of the year.  I will also be clean shaving on Sunday’s.  I will never buy a lottery ticket or play a slot machine.  I will never wear a piercing or get a tattoo, and I will lead attempt to lead our church to worship with music and songs that are more traditional and with music and songs that are more contemporary. 

 

What does that mean for you?

 

I pray that EBC will be a unified Body of Christ that includes those that are old and young, those that are white and black and Hispanic and Asian, those that make $20,000 per year and those that make $100,000 per year, those that have their GED and those have earned their doctorate, and those that are Republican and those that are Democrats, those that dress formally and those that dress informally, those that ok with moderate gambling and those that are not, those that have piercings and those that don’t, those that have tattoos and those that don’t, and those that can worship with any song that is biblical and singing whether it is old or new.

 

So let’s receive one another, decide not to make others stumble, and please one another before self for the glory and honor of Christ in our world today!