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Out to Lunch
Romans 15:7-13

Message by Dave Carlsen
July 24, 2005

Unmet expecations…

The Church:
“ in the past people came together in church on Sunday morning to celebrate the community that they had the rest of the week,” People now “come to church on Sunday morning to find the community that they don’t have the rest of the week.” (Louise Conant,Christ Church Cambridge, Mass)

“Something is radically wrong…” (Manning, 26)

“I have much more sympathy for the church’s failures now that I am contributing to them!”
~Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother?

The solution is as profound as it is simple…

Rom. 15:7-13
• essentially summarizes this section on the Christian’s behavior to one another (from 14:1)

THE PRINCIPLE: v.7

Romans 15:7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Accept those who _______________ (you fill in the blank)

Context is talking to Christians

He’s been talking about strong/weak…now opens it broader to All accepting All.

CAUTION: defining the parameters…the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
-Jesus responding to the question of who should I love…but really to one who wanted justification (was looking for it in the wrong place; Works instead of who was in front) (parameters!)

Christ the example: How did Christ accept you?
The way Jesus accepted was…

-controversial
TURN Luke 15:1-6
• indignant authorities: “He receives sinners and eats with them”
• flocking sinners: They were drawn to Him…what draws like that…Acceptance.
• Goes on to “the Lost Coin”; The Lost Son…all three of these conclude with great celebration!

-he accepted in spite of sin (Judas, sinners, me)


TURN: Eph. 4:29-5:2 (just as God in Christ forgiven you/ imitators of God/walk in love)

Remember every time you mistreat, reject, take advantage of, dismiss or abuse a Christian, you’re picking on God’s kids!

Jesus’ message for believers who ignore this instruction: (Matt. 18:6-millstone and drown…HARSH)

It is an affront to an accepting God to reject those he died for. To respond to His gift of life by distributing poison.

-undeserved
Rom. 5:8 (while we were still sinners) Don’t wait until they deserve it…initiate!

Thief on the Cross “Today you’ll be with me in paradise” (earlier hurling insults)
Those responsible for eventual death… “Forgive them; don’t know what they are doing”
People were confused by Grace and just who deserved it, who qualified, who were IN!
• Withered hands healed on Sabboth,
• “the forgiveness of sins”,
• the lack of fasting…

it seems that the more knowledge we acquire…
our hearts become either much SOFTER or much HARDER (rules over people)

“ Jesus sat down at table…” (Manning, 26)

New Lease on Life:
-Woman dragged in from her bedroom lifestyle of sin (neither do I condemn; go and sin no more)
-to children (permit them to come; don’t hinder them; the Kingdom belongs to them!)
-To a doubled over 18 yr veteran of sickness (Woman, you are freed from your sickness)
-to a close friend who lost the battle for his life on earth (Lazerus; come forth!)

“Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come.”
~Casting Crowns, If we are the body

-impartial
Jn. 6:37 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (after just saying he was the bread of Life…)
Rom. 2:11 11God does not show favoritism. (no partiality w/ God…this is Good and Bad!)
Act.s 10:34-35 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
(a light bulb moment for the great Peter…HARD LESSON…he was WITH God daily! He finally got it.)

TURN: James 2:1-4; 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (personal favoritism= sin)

Not just a God-quality…it MUST show up in his children.

1 John 2:9
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.11But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.

YOU are accepted by God simply through belief in Jesus Christ.
Relish this truth. Marvel at it. Live in daily wonder of YOUR acceptance by the ONE who matters most!

…in the daily light of that

An act of worship

Eph. 1:5-6 (adoption as sons…to the praise of the glory of His grace)

John 6:38 8 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

Not only is acceptance a pleasing sacrifice to God from you, but it also affects others who in turn give honor to God.

1 Peter 2:9 9But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2: 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

The next time you are struggling to accept someone, ask yourself “have I given up my right as God and then died for someone to purchase their freedom from sin” if yes, then go ahead and reject them.

Levels of Acceptance:

Will I…

…doing o.k. so far?

To dwell in love with saints above,
Why that will be glory.
To dwell below with saints I know-
Why that’s a different story.
~anonymous

“ To obey is better than sacrifice
I don’t need your money, I want your life
To obey is better than sacrifice
I want more than Sunday’s and Wednesday nights”
 -Keith Green

THE BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: vss. 8-12

The thrust here is to show to both Jews and Gentiles alike that Christ is the fulfillment of the anticipations found in the O.T.

For emphasis and effect, Paul quotes all three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures (Torah, Prophets, Writings).

Jesus: servant of the Jews (8)

8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs

this statement emitomizes the ministry of Jesus.

God didn’t make a promise to my fathers that he needed to fulfill, I’m an outsider, one grafted in. But the special people of God, the Jews, needed promises filled. God honored those.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

-His coming, His life, death and resurrection all play a crucial role in the story God is unfolding.
The O.T. promises are confirmed and completed in the person of Jesus Christ.

This is how Jews and Truth were served in Christ.

[however, once this point is established Paul addresses the Gentile contingent]

(9) “so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy,”

Gentiles only claim was mercy. And for that I give God praise.

Paul quotes the Scripture to illustrate (expand/enlarge) his instruction (a lesson in itself)

Note the Progresssion in the Passages quoted:

1. I (David; Jew) will praise God among the Gentiles; [Ps. 18:49]
2. Gentiles position elevated… “[Rejoicing…with his people.]” [Dt. 32:43]
3 & 4. Gentiles no longer seen in relation to Israel but seen in their own right. “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles (worship)” “the Gentiles will hope in him (rights of subjects)” [Ps. 117:1; Is. 11:10]

God’s intent, His plan all along was for all nations to be blessed by His chosen nation and in His son all come together to form ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

1 Peter 2:9 But you [talking about the church!] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

This is the Church!!!!!
Unity, harmony, one accord …these are hallmarks, the tell tale signs of Jesus followers.

Other side…
faction, sarcasm, pulling apart, cold isolation, rejection or perhaps worse …apathy.

What is at stake in the battle for peace? The pulling for unity?
The very glory of God. His name. His reputation is on the line.

Hence the title (the emphasis) of this part of our study Come: Unity (banner)

Pray this! every time you pull into the parking lot, every time you drive by

It it is ALWAYS on God’s heart that His family gets along, that they live TOGETHER; that they
Co-operate.

UNITY PASSAGES IN THE BIBLE:
Eph. 4:1-16 (completely humble, gentle…making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit)
Phil. 2:1-11 (consider others better than yourself; looking for needs/interests of others)
Col. 3:12-15 (clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience…b/c we are members on ONE BODY; called to peace)

What the Bible is illustrating is supernatural unity. Reveals that to be human is to be poor…we need help! Coming together in this way that screams “GOD IS IN OUR MIDST”.

(the theological implications of choosing paper plates)
2 schools of thought on eating (each having it’s own style of paper plate)

School 1: Segregation
School 2: Integration
Dad eating food; “it all ends up in the same place”

Panda food (overcoming the dividing lines of our culture; Rising above the differences!)


[Keep this in mind as we come together as we live in community...We are all ending up in the same place-FOREVER!!!!!]


THE BLESSING: v.13

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
THIS is what a study in the book of Romans should do to you or more accurately IN you.

These are hallmarks of the kingdom of God…Acceptance/ joy/ peace/ hope

Present in your life? Evidence of God in our midst.
Lacking? …need to ask why. None exempt b/c it isn’t their gift or calling.

***Paul’s pastoral prayer is not one of getting by…no settling!

Acceptance vs. Tolerance:
This means TOLERANCE isn’t good enough…it falls so short. It is MUTED PRAISE.

Tolerance

IN CHRIST THERE ARE NO ALIEN MEMBERS…
NONE THAT ONLY SORT OF BELONG!

God’s call is for warm reception not dutiful allowance.

ACTION: Going out to lunch may be the step needed
Write down the “Bottom Line” from this mornings text…what will convict you this week if you’re accused of being an accepter? (Look for the many examples of JESUS w/ PEOPLE)
corporate vs. Individual responsibility
“ Valley is a welcoming, accepting place” (what is our church but people)
“ Valley is a cold, unwelcoming place” (it’s people are cold and unwelcoming)
A Cry for Mercy (Nouwen, 75)

 

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