Admonishments from Romans (3)

In one paragraph

Ray picked up Romans 15 at the point where Paul shifts from doctrine back to personal remarks, and he stayed close to that text for the whole message. The through line was Paul's confidence in the church at Rome, what that confidence rested on, and what it asked of them in return. Romans is a long doctrinal letter, but it opens and closes with something personal. Ray pointed out that the prescript...

Read together

1. Romans 15:13 read aloud during the Advent candle lighting as the verse of hope for the first Sunday of Advent
2. Romans 1:8 cited as the opening thanksgiving of Romans where Paul says the faith of the Romans is proclaimed throughout the whole world
3. Romans 3 referenced for the declaration that no one is righteous, no not one, and none does good or seeks after God
4. Romans 12:3 quoted to show Paul urging believers not to think more highly of themselves than they ought, but to have sound judgment according to the measure of faith God has given
5. Romans 15:14 the main text of the sermon, Paul telling the Romans he is convinced they are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another
6. Romans 15:15 Paul says he has written boldly on some points so as to remind them again, because of the grace given to him by God
7. Romans 1:1-7 the prescript of Romans quoted at length, identifying Paul as bondservant and apostle set apart for the gospel of God, and the recipients as beloved of God in Rome called as saints
8. Romans 12:1 quoted calling believers to present their bodies as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is their spiritual service of worship
9. Romans 12:2 referenced alongside 12:1, urging not conforming to the world but being transformed by the renewing of the mind to prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
10. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 quoted as a succinct gospel summary: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised the third day, all according to the scriptures
11. Galatians 4:4 referenced briefly to say that at just the right time Christ was born
12. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 read as the benediction: may the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort and strengthen hearts in every good work and word

Talk about it

1. Ray talked about the tension between Romans 3, where Paul says no one is righteous and no one does good, and Romans 15, where Paul tells the same people they are full of goodness. How do you hold those two things together in the way you see yourself and the people around you?
2. Ray described how God used everything Andrew had been through, his upbringing, his education, his exposure to different seminaries, to place him exactly where he could do the most good. Where do you see God using something from your own past, including hard things, in a similar way?
3. Paul said he had written very boldly to the Romans on some points, particularly about not judging those weaker in faith and not holding in contempt those stronger in faith. Ray asked the room to think honestly about who they are judging or holding in contempt right now. Who comes to mind for you, and what is driving that?
4. Ray described the word translated 'admonish' as placing someone's mind in a proper frame of mind, not as a sword or wedge but as an act of care. What makes it hard to do that for someone you are close to, and what would make it easier?
5. Paul told the Romans they were able to admonish one another, yet he still wrote them the letter because, Ray said, we still need to be reminded even of what we already know. What truth from this series in Romans do you find yourself needing to hear again and again, and why do you think that is?