PASTOR'S SERMONS

Radio Programs     Confession     Sermons     Riverside Baptist Report     Links

Pastor Brant Seacrist

January 27, 2019

"UNITY IN GLORIFYING GOD"

TEXT: ROMANS 15: 5-15
READING:  PSALMS 23 & 24

YouTube Sermon Video

If you would like to download the Audio File
Right Click your mouse Here and choose
"Save Target As"

If you would like to listen to the Sermon
Push the Play Button below


SUBJ: Final thoughts begun with an emphasis on unity with the glory of God as the common aim, with Christ as the pattern.

AIM: That we might unite in seeking to glorify God with the aim of loving as He loved.

INTR: Paul here begins to look to the end of the epistle is that much here is in the form of a conclusion to precepts taught and reasonings given.
1. He has obvious refence to things that have been previously addressed but with the added desire (his prayer) that they receive of the grace given them in Christ to accomplish the end.
2. The evident plea here is for unity and he makes the case for Jew and Gentile alike by showing the purpose of God revealed in Scripture.
3. The focal point for unity is the glory of God and the pattern is that found in Christ and His relationship to His own.

THESIS: All that is given us, by His grace in Christ Jesus our Lord, looks to the glory of God and the aim of God to share that glory with those redeemed by the blood of Christ.

I. Now – a special Name of God and its use (vv. 5-7)
1. Here He is called the God of patience and consolation and we are reminded of 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Romans 5:3-4. And we would see this implied in But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10.
2. The reason of this revelation about God is that Paul would address Him as such in view of the need of these to whom he wrote, and we do well to identify with them.
1) They are resources lacking in human nature and to be found only in Him.
2) They are His to give and so, we acknowledge the need of mercy to act
3. The aim is like-mindedness and patience with each other as well as waiting upon the Lord.
1) It is to be after the pattern of Christ – we learn that it exists and is demonstrated.
2) Even as we would claim the mind of Christ: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16.
4. AS we mind the things of Christ, we mind the things of God and His glory and identify with His aim: 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:4-5. –glory accomplished!!
5. The divine purpose in salvation is from eternity, entails reconciliation, and is for His glory and His joy: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.

II. Now – all included in unity (vv. 8-12)
1. Jesus “came unto His own” the Jews and ministered to them:
1) To show them who He was: “The way, The Truth, and the Life.”
2) To confirm all that the Scripture had said concerning Him – the promises: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20.
2. He came that the Gentiles, who received the promise in Abraham, would know their purpose:
1) That they may glorify God for His mercy: Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalms 18:49.
2) That they, the Gentiles, may sing: All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Psalms 66:4 AND From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous… Isaiah 24:16a
3) It is repeated three times that there be no doubt.
3. The manner of the Gentiles coming unto Christ is no different in that it was said of them of old: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10. Paul adds the explanation that in Him shall they trust.

III. Now – Paul’s prayer for them (v. 13)
1. The things desired and to which they were directed is for all without exception – to be held as the “common salvation.”
2. There was a defined result to be seen and experienced in them: Joy and peace in believing – the fruit of the Spirit.
3. The writer of Proverbs both experienced and foresaw a vibrant expression of a work accomplished: The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4. And so, we notice:
1) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.
2) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38.
3) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3.
4. May it ever be that we in unity so partake of Him and rejoice in that God in Christ is glorified as was His aim in going to the cross.