March 2, 2022
We Can All Benefit from Reminders
Romans 15
Suzanne Silva
Central Truth
As I trust Jesus, joy and peace follow; and through the power of the Holy Spirit, hope comes, not in my strength.
Key Verse | Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15
The Example of Christ
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, 1 15:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 30 that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, 2 15:28 Greek sealed to them this fruit I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing 3 15:29 Some manuscripts insert of the gospel of Christ.
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Romans 15
Romans 15:13 is a battle cry for me to keep fighting to trust God in my faith. This chapter is full of hope for all people. Christ's example demonstrated living for others, with endurance, to bring them to trust in His love and redeeming power and to desire eternal life with Him. As Christ followers, we are called to graciously bear with nonbelievers and those not mature in their faith. God wants us to endure and be encouraged by His Word and His example, leading us to unity as believers. (Romans 5:2-5, 15:4-6)
Throughout the Bible, Jesus is the hope for the Jews and the Gentiles. The Greek word for hope is ἐλπίς (elpis), meaning "expectation," which comes from confidence in God's promises and faithfulness (Hebrews 11:1). Paul refers to multiple Old Testament Scriptures, from Deuteronomy to Isaiah, to point to Gentiles being part of God's diverse family and able to claim His hope, joy, and peace.
Romans 15:13 (NIV) says, "May 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." Personally, I could use this prayer regardless of my situation, feelings, or pain. I'm not trying to convince God of my desires, but rather I am lifting my eyes up to Him and claiming what comes only in a relationship with Jesus. Through the loss of our oldest son, Austin, and continued heartache in our family, I desperately need the hope of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's power working in me and my family (see Philippians 1:6). In my brokenness, I remind myself of the armor of God on me (Ephesians 6:10-18). My battle currently is to trust God and not be overwhelmed in my grief, but rather to overflow with hope in the midst of sadness.
I'm thankful for friends who patiently support and pray for me just like Paul is asking the Roman church to pray as he enters difficult journeys. And I'm grateful to Paul for his willing spirit in going to unreached areas to share the gospel and hope!
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas are you getting tripped up, perhaps with politics or opinions, adversely affecting your relationship with other believers?
2. What Scripture reminds you of hope, joy, and peace?
3. What are you thankful to God for today?
4. Who are your people that remind you of truth and love and support you? If you don't have community, you can find opportunities to form a Watermark community group here.
5. Are you being faithful to pray for those around you? Who can you reach out to and keep encouraging them to persevere? Send a text, call, or write a note today.
6. I am hopeful also because my son, Austin, clearly knew he was a sinner saved by Jesus. I will be reunited with him again in heaven. You can hear his testimony here. Do you have any testimonies or sermons that you go back to in order to be encouraged in hope and truth in your battles?