The Book of Romans: Harmony In The House

 

The Book of Romans

Welcome:

Well, good morning, friends. Welcome to Eastern Shore Baptist Church. My name is Stuart Davidson, and I am the pastor here. It is great to see all of you.

If you are visiting with us today, thank you for being here. There are so many churches across the Eastern Shore where you could worship, and the fact that you chose to be here with us today is an honor. We don’t take that lightly. We are grateful that you are spending your morning with us.

If you are joining us online, welcome. We are glad you have tuned in and are worshiping with us this morning. Folks, we have homebound members, friends in nursing homes, brothers and sisters in rehabs watching online. We also have families who have just had their first babies and it is too soon to bring that child to church watching online. We have friends that are on vacation and working remote who are watching online. 

Let me tell you something wild. Just last week, I ended the service greeting people at the “Kid’s Check” desk. I met a couple who had been attending our church through the broadcast ministry for about a year. They were living in Washington state! Washington state people! Isn’t that amazing. That is quite a reach. Now they have moved to Daphne and are not attending in person. I’m so proud of our broadcast ministry. They do a great job. 

If you are a long time member, a first time guest, or if you are watching online, let me remind you of our prayer line. If you have a prayer request and would like someone to pray for you right now, you can text that request to 251-222-8977. A member of our prayer team will receive it and begin praying for you immediately.

Introduction to Today’s Message:

Let me introduce where we are headed this morning.

Not long ago, I came across a video of a musician named Jacob Collier. What makes him so unique is not just his talent, it is how he hears music. He has what is called perfect pitch, or absolute pitch. That means he can hear a note and identify it instantly without any reference. He also has a remarkable sense of relative pitch, which means he understands how notes fit together, how they move, how they build into chords and harmonies.

So when he stands in front of an orchestra, he is not guessing. He is hearing the finished piece in his mind before anyone else can hear it.

In this particular video, he is standing in front of a massive orchestra with thousands of people watching. He begins walking from section to section. 

He gives the strings their part, violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. 

He moves to the woodwinds, flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. 

Then he turns to the brass, trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas. 

After that, he cues the percussion, timpani, snare, cymbals, and more. Each section receives a small, specific part.

If you are sitting there listening, it does not make much sense. Each section sounds fine on its own, but it feels disconnected. It feels incomplete. The audience is watching, trying to figure out what he is building.

After a while, he steps in and begins to bring it all together. One section comes in, then another, then another. Suddenly, what once sounded scattered becomes unified. Every part finds its place. What he creates is a beautiful arrangement. I have always loved the band Coldplay which is why this particular video spoke to me. Jacob Collier brought this entire symphony together to play Coldplay’s song Yellow. He did this without the symphony knowing what was going on. Suddenly, in a blink of an eye, it all makes sense. 

Harmony! 

The room changes. 

People begin to smile. 

Some start singing. 

Others lift their hands. 

What felt confusing in pieces becomes powerful in harmony.

In that moment I couldn’t help think of Paul’s words captured in I Corinthians 12:12-27. 

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… So the body is not one member but many.”

That is a picture of the church.

Each of us has a part to play. 

Each of us is different. 

Different gifts, different roles, different callings. 

At times, if you look at the church piece by piece, it can feel disjointed.

God never intended for it to stay that way.

He is the One who hears what we cannot yet hear. 

He sees how every life, every gift, every role fits together. 

He brings it all together in the right time, in the right way, for His glory.

Friends, hopefully this illustration points to the title of my message this morning. You can see it there on your outline. 

Today’s message is called, “Harmony In The House.”

Today’s Message:

“Harmony In The House”

Introduction To Today’s Thought:

Friends, on your outline you can see our thought for the day. If you want to, go ahead and fill in the blanks. “God’s goals for His church are to strengthen one another, to shepherd the weak, and to stay united.”

Today’s Thought:

God’s Goals For His Church: Strengthen One Another, Shepherd The Weak, and Stay United!

That statement really captures the heart of what we are talking about this morning. Do me a favor and turn in your Bibles to Romans 15:1–6. While you are doing that, Paul is calling mature believers to come alongside others, putting aside their own desires with the hope to build up the body. 

Strength is not something we use for our own comfort, it is something we use for someone else’s good. The weak are not to be ignored, they are to be cared for and guided. Unity is not optional, it is essential, because when the church lives with one mind and one voice, it reflects Christ to our larger community and brings glory to God.

Introduction To Today’s Quote:

Friends, look there at your outline. You can see the quote for today from John Stott’s The Message of Romans. It is a commentary on Romans, especially chapters 14 and 15, that I spent some time working through this week as I prepared.

That resource was very helpful in shaping this message. As I was reading, this particular line stood out to me, and I thought it was worth putting right in front of us this morning because it captures the heart of what Paul is saying in this passage.

Today’s Quote:

“We need to distinguish between fundamental truths of the gospel, which we must never compromise, and secondary issues, on which we may allow liberty. But in all things we must be governed by love, for love seeks not its own but the good of others.”

-John Stott’s “The Message of Romans, Commentary on Romans 14 and 15”

Introduction of Today’s Scripture:

Friends, if you remember last week, we finished up Romans 14, where Paul dealt with disagreements in the church over secondary issues. Remember we talked about Christmas trees in the sanctuary. Disagreements over pew colors, lighting, air conditioning. That sort of stuff. Stuff that is not practically addressed in Scripture but God leaves up to the condition and the conviction of the believer. He addressed things like food, personal convictions, and how believers were judging one another. His main emphasis was this, love must govern our liberty. Believers are free in Christ, but that freedom should never cause a brother or sister to stumble.

Moving now into Romans 15:1–6, Paul doesn’t change subjects.  He shifts from warning about what not to do to calling us into what we should do. Instead of simply avoiding harm, we are now called to actively help. The strong are to bear with the weak. The focus moves from personal conviction to corporate responsibility. This is where Paul begins to show us what a healthy, unified church really looks like.

Again, we are reading this morning from Romans 15:1-6. As you find that place in your Bible, I want to remind you that…

Statement of Belief:

“We are opening the living and powerful Word of God…truth without error, breathed out by Him, and fully sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. It is our authority, our guide, and our hope. In honor of the God who gave us His perfect Word, I invite you to stand with me as we read it together.”

Today’s Scripture:

Romans 15:1-6 CSB

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. [2] Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. [3] For even Christ did not please himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. [4] For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. [5] Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, [6] so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord. 

Congregation: Praise His name. Praise His holy name. 

According To Paul, Mature Believers…

I. Deny Themselves vs. 1-2

Friends, we have made it now to the heart of today’s message. You can see there on your outline, according to Paul, mature believers, and you can fill in this first blank, Roman numeral one, mature believers deny themselves. We see this in verses 1 and 2 of Romans 15.

“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:1–2, CSB)

“Mature believers set aside their preferences in order to build up the body of Christ.”

I am a big football fan. I have followed football since I was a child. I love going to games. I love watching football on TV. When I was a kid, Saturdays in the fall felt like sacred events. A right of passage for all southern boys. Some of the best memories I have as a kid were watching football with my Dad and my brother. Even my Mom loves football. In my entire family, my mother may just be the loudest when it comes to cheering for her Crimson clad club. 

When most people think about football, they think about the quarterback, the wide receivers, the running backs, the linebackers. Those are the names people know. Those are the jerseys kids are wearing when they leave the stadium.

Most people are not walking out of the stadium wearing the name of an offensive lineman on their back. 

Those guys do not get the spotlight. 

They do not get the attention. 

They are rarely the ones getting interviewed after the game. In fact, you could probably count on one hand the number of times an offensive lineman’s jersey is anywhere near the top of the sales charts.

Yet every single play depends on them.

Those linemen step up to the line and do the hard, often unnoticed work. 

They sacrifice their comfort, their recognition, even their bodies, so that someone else can succeed. 

They block so the quarterback has time. 

They create space so the running back can move. 

They make it possible for someone else to shine.

An offensive line is a really great picture of what it means to be a mature believer in Christ. That is exactly what Paul is calling us to do a similar work. 

Mature believers are not focused on getting their way. They are focused on making a way for someone else to grow.

So what does that actually look like?

Well, mature believers invest their time. They make room in their schedule for someone else. They meet, they listen, they open the Word, they walk with people through real life.

Mature believers limit their liberty. There are things they could do, preferences they could insist on, freedoms they could exercise, but they choose not to if it might confuse or discourage a younger believer.

Third, mature believers share their lives. They invite people in. They create space for discipleship to happen in real time, not just in a classroom, but around a table, in a home, in everyday moments.

I think about my own life, and one of the men God used to shape me was a guy named John Hibbard. John was a media executive, an advertising guy, high capacity, driven, successful. He had a full life, a busy schedule, a young family. 

He was married to a beautiful lady named Nina Jo. She was a nurse. Nina Jo was this gorgeous brown haired, curly headed, blue eyed woman. Gosh, come to think of it, John may have influenced me in more ways than I remember. 

He and Nina Jo had every reason to stay focused on their own world. Jobs. Careers. Their own kids. Sports. Activities. Busy lifestyles. 

Yet week after week, they opened their home and hosted a junior high boys Bible study. John went on youth trips. He spent time teaching Scripture, answering questions, pouring into us. He could have been working. He could have been advancing his career. He could have been doing a hundred other things.

Instead, he chose to invest in me and my idiot friends. 

John and Nina Jo live right here in our area now. They attend First Fairhope. I can tell you this, if it were not for their willingness to deny themselves and pour into a young kid, there is a good chance I would not be standing here today.

That is what mature believers do.

They give up comfort so someone else can grow. They give up time so someone else can be taught. They give up preference so someone else can be built up.

And Paul says it this way:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, ESV)

According To Paul, Mature Believers…

I. Deny Themselves vs. 1-2

II. Display The Savior vs. 3-4

Well, friends, we have now made it to our second point. Again, according to Paul, mature believers, one, deny themselves, and now number two, mature believers display the Savior.

We see this illustrated for us in verses three and four. 

“For even Christ did not please himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.”

There on your outline is an explanation of the second point. 

“Jesus is the ultimate example of selflessness. We should aim to follow His model of servant leadership.”

There is a story often told about Leonardo da Vinci while he was painting The Last Supper. The story says that during the process, he became angry with someone and held onto that frustration. When he returned to his work and tried to paint the face of Jesus, he could not get it right. Something was off. No matter how skilled he was, he could not capture the expression he was aiming for. 

According to the story, he realized that the bitterness in his heart was affecting his ability to portray Christ. He went and made things right, and only then was he able to return and complete the face of Jesus as he had envisioned.

When I heard that illustration several years ago, I realized that it is hard to display Jesus when our hearts are full of self.

Church I have a confession to make. I am a sinner. I am so wicked, so bent towards darkness. I think things I shouldn’t think. Sadly, sometimes the things that I think reverberate from my mouth. I have hurt people. I have lied. Told stories. Damaged relationships. I have dishonored my parents. Ive been disobedient. I have put things, material possessions, people, idols in the place of where God should be in my life. I have worried more about what people thought about me than what God knows about me. I have worshipped temporal things, turning my eyes to the world, time and time again. I have wasted my time chasing after fancies and fads. 

This is your preacher and pastor just being real with you this morning. I am no one to be admired or put on a pedestal. Im no better than any of you. If you the church knew the depth of my dark heart you’d never want me to stand behind this pulpit. 

The only saving grace that I have is that really no man is worthy to stand behind this pulpit. Some pastors will portray themselves as heroes and folks…your’e looking at a sure fire zero. 

I know what you are thinking. Holy smokes Stuart, youre being way too hard on yourself. No friend. I am being way too easy on myself. You need to remember that my sin cost another man His life. My sin nailed Jesus to the cross. My sin beat Jesus half to death. My sin put Jesus in a borrowed grave. Im not being easy on myself. Im just being real with you. 

Let’s be honest this morning. 

Our problem is not a lack of knowledge. 

Our problem is not a lack of opportunity. 

Our problem is our sin. 

At the core of who we are, apart from Christ, we are selfish. 

We want what we want, when we want it, how we want it. 

We want recognition. 

We want comfort. 

We want control.

We say we want to look like Jesus, yet we fight to get our way in conversations. We say we want to reflect Christ, yet we hold grudges, harbor bitterness, and keep score. We say we want to serve, yet we constantly ask, “What about me?”

Every thought tends to bend inward. 

Every desire pulls toward self. 

The flesh does not drift toward holiness, it drifts toward pride. It drifts toward comparison. It drifts toward criticism. It drifts toward division.

That is why this is so difficult.

Paul lays it out plainly in Romans 7:18-19 when he says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh… For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” That is not a man on the outside looking in. That is a believer describing the war within his own heart.

So if you find yourself struggling to display Jesus, you are not alone. You are human. Im right there with you. The flesh is real, and it is strong.

But friends, I have hope. You have have hope. H

You are not called to manufacture Christlikeness on your own. The Holy Spirit lives within you. Thank God the Holy Spirit lives in me. He convicts me. He corrects me. He empowers me. As you yield to Him, He begins to reshape your desires. He gives you strength to say no to the flesh and yes to righteousness.

As you open God’s Word, it shines light into the dark places of your heart. It exposes sin you have ignored. It reveals attitudes you have justified. It calls you to repent and realign your life with Christ.

Displaying the Savior is not about trying harder. It is about surrendering deeper.

And Peter reminds us of the calling:

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, NIV)

According To Paul, Mature Believers…

I. Deny Themselves vs. 1-2

II. Display The Savior vs. 3-4

III. Develop Unity vs. 5-6

Well, friends, we have finally made it to the end of this sermon. Let’s fill in this last blank. According to Paul, mature believers deny themselves, display the Savior, and lastly, Roman numeral three, mature believers develop unity.

Again, we see this illustrated in verses 5 and 6:

“Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.” (Romans 15:5–6, CSB)

There on your outline, you can see that last explanation. 

“God wants unity in His church. He commands believers to have one mind, one voice, all for His glory.”

Several years ago, there was a well-known ad campaign from Coca-Cola built around the song “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke”. The commercial showed people from all over the world, different nations, different backgrounds, standing together, holding hands, singing about sharing a Coke. The message was simple, that somehow a common love for a product could bring people together, could bridge differences, could create unity.

That is a nice sentiment, but it falls far short of what God is calling us to.

Unity built around something temporary will always be temporary. A drink cannot hold people together. A brand cannot transform hearts. Those things fade. They pass away. They cannot sustain real, lasting unity.

The unity we are called to is far deeper. It is rooted in our shared love for Jesus Christ. It is grounded in the gospel. It is empowered by the Spirit of God. It is not surface level, it is spiritual.

So how do we develop that kind of unity?

We pray together. We seek the Lord side by side, lifting one another up, asking God to shape us and guide us.

We worship together. We gather and lift one voice, reminding ourselves that He alone is worthy.

We fellowship together. We share life, encourage one another, walk through both joy and hardship as one body.

We serve together. We use our different gifts and abilities, not to build our own name, but to build His kingdom.

The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. This is not an individual sport. The Christian life is a team sport. Different people, different roles, different gifts, all working together for one purpose.

We are not here to build our kingdom. We are here to build His.

Paul reminds us of the responsibility:

“Being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3, NASB)

Folks I want to close with the parting statement. Something for all of us to think about as we leave this place. Paul sort of boils down the purpose of the church in Romans 15:1-6. Look there at the bottom of your outline. 

Church…Pursue Unity While Proclaiming The Gospel!

Closing Prayer:

Folks, let’s bow our heads and we’ll close today’s sermon.

Father God, it has been wonderful to be in the presence of your people. It has been wonderful to worship you today. Lord, I thank you for the church. I thank you for the unity that we have here at Eastern Shore Baptist. Lord, we are not perfect, not by a long way, but your Spirit covers so much of our failures and so much of our flaws.

Lord, there is still so much work to be done. I pray that we will pursue unity while proclaiming the gospel. I pray that we would be a people who build one another up, who deny ourselves, who display Christ, and who live in harmony for your glory.

Lord, perhaps there is someone here today who needs the gospel. The good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sin, was buried, and rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death. If there is anyone here who has never received Christ, never experienced salvation, I pray that you would move in their heart even now. Give them the courage to step out and come forward.

Lord, I pray for anyone who is looking for a church family. Maybe they have been trying to live the Christian life on their own, disconnected from the body. I pray that you would lead them here, that they would come today and make Eastern Shore Baptist their home. We would be better with them.

Father, I also pray for those who have never followed through in baptism, who have never taken that first step of obedience in their walk with you. I pray that today would be the day they step forward in faith.

Lord, as we close, we thank you for the truth of Romans 15:1 through 6. I pray that as individuals and as a church, we would do everything we can to pursue unity. Make us peacemakers. Send us out, not only to the ends of the earth, but also to our neighbors, faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We love you, and we thank you. We pray all of this in Jesus’ name, Amen.