We’re
All In This Together
Steve W. Reeves
INTRODUCTION:
A. Each
of us struggles with the tension that exists between our rights and our responsibility.
1. On one hand I like for others to agree with me. I like for others to talk like I talk,
think like I think, act and do the things I like to do. At church I like it when we sing
songs that I like. I like it when people are doing things with which I am
comfortable. If only everyone would do what I want to do life would be amazing.
2. However, there are some knuckleheads who do not agree with me. I call them
“weaker brothers” because I am the “strong brother.” They use a different version
of the Bible than I use. They are obviously Biblically illiterate. They do not sing the
songs I like. They have poor taste. They do not dress the way I dress. They have
no fashion sense. I wish they would change and be like me.
3. Though I intended for these words to be facetious the fact is that there is more
reality in them than I want to admit. I hope you see how destructive this type of
thinking is to the body of Christ.
B. This is not a new struggle. It was taking place between Christians in the first century
when Paul was writing to the church in Rome. There were Jewish believers who saw
themselves as the “heir-apparent” to God’s promises. There were non-Jewish
believers who had been trained in human wisdom and philosophy and thought their
wisdom was superior to the Jews. All of them had come to believe in Christ but that
did not stop them from considering themselves to be superior to others.
1. Does this help you understand why the New Testament contains so many
admonitions like these?
a. In Corinth, where there were so many disagreements concerning marriage, the
eating of meat sacrificed to idols, spiritual gifts and the resurrection, Paul said, “I
show you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). What was this more
excellent way?” Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
b. In Philippi, where two women, Euodia and Synteche, were embroiled in a
dispute, Paul wrote, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind,
maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing
from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another
as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own
personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in
yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:2-5).
c. What was the “mind of Christ?” From the Sermon on the Mount, ““In everything,
therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the
Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
2. Paul’s instruction to the church in Rome was completely consistent with the
teaching of Jesus.
C. Romans 15:1-7 emphasizes a reality we must all recognize. “We’re In This
Together.”
I. FORBEARANCE (Romans 12: 1).
A. In Romans 15:1 Paul wrote, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the
weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”
1. Here is the test for being a “stronger brother.” Are you willing to bear the
weakness of another person without forcing your will upon them?
2. The “stronger brother” is not the one who uses manipulation, threats, and force
to get their way.
3. Notice that Paul included himself in “we who are strong.” How did Paul treat
others?
a. 1 Corinthians 9:19-21 – “For though I am free from all men, I have made
myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a
Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the
Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are
under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not
being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win
those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the
weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save
some.”
b. Paul was saying, “It is not about me. It is not about my wants. It is not about
having my needs met. It is not about me- it is about others.”
II. EDIFICATION (Romans 12:2).
A. In verse 2 Paul wrote, “Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his
edification.”
B. The word edify means to “build up.” This theme is repeated throughout the New
Testament.
1. 1 Corinthians 12- the purpose of spiritual gifts was not for personal boasting but
for building up the church.
2. Romans 14:19 – “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the
building up of one another.”
3. Hebrews 10:23-25 – “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love
and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of
some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day
drawing near.”
C. Do you remember Jesus’ definition of “neighbor” in Luke 10:30-37?
1. The “second commandment” is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew
22:38; Luke 10:27).
2. It is not always easy to edify your neighbor. You may be like the person who
wrote, “To live above with those we love, Oh, how that will be glory. To live
below with those we know, now that’s another story.”
D. How do you treat your neighbor within the body of Christ?
1. Ignore. They are so caught up with themselves they ignore others. They choose
to ignore others like the priest and Levite in Jesus’ parable.
2. Incite. Have you ever known a church member who was always trying to pick a
fight and stir up trouble? Paul said, “But avoid foolish controversy” (Titus 3:9).
3. Inspire. We should seek to build others up instead of tearing them down.
III. ACCEPT (Romans 12:7).
A. Why should you accept a brother who doesn’t agree with you?
1. Thirty seven years ago I was in my first year of preaching. I preached for a small
town congregation in Arkansas with less than 100 members. There were two
elders and one deacon. One of the elders and the deacon had a different
opinion about whether or not there should be a kitchen in the church building.
They would not speak to each other. If one exited the building out the back door
the other would go out the side door.”
2. In Nashville, Tennessee, a young boy attended church one morning and
witnessed an argument among church members that became so heated a
sheriff’s deputy was called to the scene. Over fifty years later he still
remembered the scene. He was my father.
B. Romans 15:7 states the matter clearly, “Therefore, accept one another, just as
Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”
CONCLUSION:
A. When Sir Edmond Hillery embarked on his expedition to become the first man to
climb Mount Everest, he hired a Nepali guide named Tenzing Norgay. During their
expedition Norgay and Hillery were attached to one another by a rope. If one slipped
the other would serve as an anchor. In one perilous passageway Hillery lost his
footing and began to slide toward a precipice. Norgay held firm, the rope held and
Hillery was saved. Afterwards at a press conference people were calling Norgay a
hero. He humbly said, “I’m no hero. Climbers naturally help one another.”
B. Our goal as Christians should be two-fold. First, we should want to make the summit.
Second, we should seek to encourage and admonish as many people as we can to
stand with us. May we assist you in obeying the Gospal of Jesus Christ today through
faith, repentance and baptism?
