Introduction to Hebrews

Messianic Miracles
• There were three messianic miracles
1. Healing a Jewish Leper (none recorded since Miriam; Commander Elijah healed was Jewish)
2. Healing a man who had been born blind (Pharisees rejected that miracle because it was done on the Sabbath and therefore in disobedience to the law)
3. Casting out a dumb demon (actually Jesus casts a demon out of a dumb and blind man).  Pharisees could cast out demons but only if the demon spoke his name
• Pharisees were required to perform a two-stage investigation
1. First stage was observation.  A delegation is sent to observe what was taking place and report back to Jerusalem.  It would determine if the event was significant or insignificant
2. Second stage was interrogation.  A delegation was sent to confront the messianic person through questions and accusations.  The delegation would report back to Jerusalem where the claims would be rejected or accepted


Jewish Background
Matt 8:2-4 (ESV) And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him,  "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them."


• This is one of the key events in all of scripture
• Why does Jesus command him to tell no one, but to go to the priest? Lev 14 gives instructions for the healing of a Leper. It teaches that the Leper shall be brought to the priest
• Jews believed this would be a sign of the Messiah, since they had not seen it done
• The next passage is the event that immediately follows the healing of the Leper (Robertson A.T.; Also, Mark and Luke correctly record the chronology. Matthew is organized thematically)


Luke 5:17-26 (ESV) On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.  18  And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."  21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts?  23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?  24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the man who was paralyzed—"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home."  25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today."


• I used Luke 5 instead of Matt 9:1-8 because Matthew ignores the over-crowding
• Why is his Capernaum home so crowded?
• Because of the previous incident
• Jesus has identified himself as the Messiah
• We are in the observation stage


Matt 12:22-27 (ESV) Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23  And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." 25  Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.  26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?  27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.


• The term "Son of David" is another term for the Messiah
• The people had seen many miracles before, and had not asked the question in verse 23, why this time?
• This is a messianic signal
• Who do the people turn to?
• The leadership
• This is still true today.  Many Jews will respond today that the reason they don't believe is  that the Rabbis say that Yeshua is not the Messiah
• What is the leadership' answer?
• This is the prince of demons
• His power is evil and demonic
• Rather, being the very person and nature of God in their midst, they have the very person and nature of evil in their midst (what a contrast!)
• What is Jesus' response?
• How do the Pharisees cast out demons … how can you say one does it by the spirit of God and the other by Satan


Matt 12:28-32 (ESV) But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.  30  Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  31  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.


• The Holy Spirit is the power by which the miracles are accomplished
• What is the blasphemy against the Spirit (the unpardonable sin)?
• My opinion:  this sin was specific to this point in time.  It is a rejection of God in the flesh and the signs of the Messiah shown through the power of the Holy Spirit by the leadership of Israel.  It is irrevocable by this generation (only)
• From this point on, Jesus' ministry changes
1. The offer of the kingdom to Israel is withdrawn (it will be re-offered in the tribulation)
2. Jesus still works to save individual Jews but not the nation
3. Miracles now require faith
4. Jesus speaks in parables from this point forward
5. Jesus refers to "this generation" repeatedly
6. Jesus spends more time alone with the disciples and less time publicly


Matt 12:38-42 (ESV) Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  41  The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.  42  The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.


• The amazing thing is that they now have the gall to ask for a sign, where have they been … ?
• Jesus says the he will give the nation only one sign (actually 3 times, Lazarus, Jesus, then the two witnesses at the end times), what is the sign?
• Sign of Jonah, 3 days and nights in the heart of the earth
• Why 3 days?
• Needed 3 days to not be a resuscitation
• Did you ever wonder why Jesus waits a couple of days after hearing Lazarus is dead?
• Three days and nights is a common Jewish way of saying all or part of 3 days
• We want to mathematically parse it, but that is not what they meant when they talked in those days
• Who does Jesus tell the Pharisees will judge them?
• Men of Nineveh
• Queen of the south
• What does Jesus call the leaders and the people?
• This generation
• What is Jesus saying?
• You blew it.  You failed to recognize the signs


Hebrews
• Date  AD 64-66
• Timothy - writer knows Timothy and is writing from Italy
Heb 13:2-24 (ESV) You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.
• Sacrifices are in the present tense - 7:8; 8:4
Heb 8:4 (ESV) Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.
• Turbulence
• Audience
• Believers 3:1, 12, 14; 6:9
Heb 3:1 (ESV) Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
Heb 3:12-14 (ESV) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
• They are 2nd generation believers: 2:3; 5:12
Heb 2:3 (ESV) … how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, …
Heb 5:12 (ESV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, …
• (Fruchtenbaum) Best suggestion is Jewish believers residing outside of Jerusalem, but near (Judea)
• Author
• He was not an eye witness. He is also a 2nd generation believer (2:3-4)
• Book possibly written in Hebrew or Aramaic, translated to Greek (covers up grammatical style)
• Some commentators have good argument why that would not be true
• Majority of commentators lean to Paul. He was an apostle to the Gentiles, but also to the Jews (Acts 9:16)
• Theme:  The Superiority of the Son
• Warning against going back to Judaism
• Danger of irrevocable decisions (Esau; Kadesh Barnea)
• Physical judgment (you can't go back and then turn around later) -- as a result of the "national" (not individual) sin of Israel
• Key words:
• Perfection (maturity as opposed to immaturity);
• Eternal (in contrast to temporary) also uses forever;
• Heavenly (in contrast to earthly); and
• Better (in contrast to good)
• Outline:
• Pre-eminence of the Son in His person and work (1:1-10:18)
• Jesus is better than the 3 pillars of Judaism: angels, Moses, and Levitical priesthood
• Jesus is better in all ways
• Practical application in the walk of the believer (10:19-13:25)
• Rules:
• Jewish usage of "save" or "salvation" is not always spiritual. Oftentimes it is physical


Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem (first question):  Only Luke 21:20-24
Luke 21:20-24 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.


• What is the sign?
• Sign:  Jerusalem surrounded by Armies
• Jerusalem trodden down until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled
• AD 66: First Jewish Revolt
• Roman General Cestus Gallus marched on Jerusalem and surrounded the city
• Could not escape
• Gallus inexplicably withdraws
• Christians escape to Pella in the Transjordan
• AD 68-70:
• Roman General Vespasian and son Titus besiege city
• AD 70: City destroyed.  1.1 to 1.4 M people died
• No Jewish believers died (according to Josephus)


Luke 21:5-7 (ESV) And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."  7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"


• This is the background for the destruction of Jerusalem and the setting for the book of Hebrews

Matt 8, The Authority of the King

Overview:

	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Author	Disciple; tax collector	Follower; close friend of Peter	Historian; traveled with Paul	Disciple; inner circle
Theme	King	Servant	Man	God
Audience	Jews		Greek (Gentile)
Peculiarities	OT references	"immediately"	Healing; woman	Teaching
Genealogy	Joseph's	None	Mary's	God (3 statements)
	Goes through all Kings		Immediately splits after David
Reference	Abraham		Adam	Word
Time	40-60	40-60	40-60	70-90
Intro	Genealogy from Abraham	The beginning of the good news	An orderly account	A cosmic view (similar to Genesis)



Characterization of Matthew's Chronology (Theme-based, not time-based)

#. Event	Burton and Godspeed © 1917	A.T. Robertson © 1923
Matt 5-7 Sermon on the mount	24	54
Matt 8:1 Comes down from a mountain	27	54
3. Matt 8:2-4 Healing of a Leper	27	45
Matt 8:5-13 Centurion's Servant	45	55
Matt 8:14-17 A Day in Capernaum (Healing of Peter's Mother in law)	25	43
Matt 8:18 Cross the Lake, still the tempest	66	65
Matt 8:19-22 Answers to 3 Disciples	100	93
Matt 18:23-27 Cross the Lake, still the tempest	66	65
Matt 8:28-34 The Gerasene Demoniac	67	66
Matt 9:1-8 Healing of the Paralytic	28	46




Burton & Godspeed	1 - 5 - 2 - 3 - 10 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 9 - 7
A.T. Robertson	5 - 3 - 10 - 1 - 2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 9 - 7



Outline

Matt 1	Genealogy of the King
Matt 2	Reception of King: Worship, Hostility; Apathy
Matt 3	Preparation for King; Authority Declared
Matt 4	Interaction with the King: Satan; People; Disciples; Sick
Matt 5-7	Message of the King
Matt 8	Authority of the King



Matt 8:1-4 (ESV) When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2  And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him,  "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them."


• Note: This is one the three Messianic miracles
1. Healing of a Leper
2. Casting a demon out of a mute
3. Healing of a man born blind
• This is a key passage in Matthew because it establishes Jesus' Messianic claim
• Why does Jesus tell the person to go to the priest?
• Lev 13-14 are the key chapters on Leprosy
• Lev 14:1-2 (ESV) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, …
• There is a lot of important imagery between the leper and Jesus. What do you see?
• The leper kneels before Jesus. This would be a recognition of his kingship or possible worship of his deity
• The touches the man, which probably produced a "gasp" in the crowd
• Leprosy is a picture of sin at its worst where it destroys everything good. It smells, it's ugly, it's painful, it separates us from community, it's gross
• Just as Jesus reached out to touch the leper, so he reaches out to touch us, no matter how ugly, stinky, grotesque our sin is
• This event (#3) establishes a "Messiah" sighting and initiates a process
• Observation (Matt 9:1 -- pay very close attention to the story of the paralytic and the audience)
• Interrogation
• Decision (Matt 12:22-32) and consequences (offer of the kingdom is removed)
• APPLICATION: Jesus has begun to identify his authority to the religious leaders. And we have the whole story, so we have no excuse. Choosing not to believe is an excuse, except if the story is true


Matt 8:5-13 (ESV) When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.  11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,  12  while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.


• What is the Jewish concern that is raised here?
• Ritual uncleanness by entering a Gentile home--a lesson Peter has to learn later
• We know Jesus would have gone, why?
• The response, although some commentators think the translation should be "Shall I [emphatic] come and heal him?"
• Jesus previous action by touching the leper show his unconcern for ritual uncleanness (potentially replacing law, Deut 18;18)
• What is the centurion's argument?
• He has authority
• Jesus clearly has authority
• Presence is immaterial--God's will is what is important
• We still do this today. We will treat a Pastor who visits our house differently than we will treat a neighbor because we have bought into the religiosity of the event
• The Centurion's argument is that you either have power or you don't
• Additionally, the Centurion shows sensitivity to Jewish customs (throughout scripture, the commissioned officers seem to behave differently)
• APPLICATION: Jesus has authority even where his physical presence is not. Also, we have a picture of Jesus reaching out to the Gentiles (second)


Matt 8:14-17 (ESV) And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."


• Continuing our theme of authority, what do we see?
• Authority over sickness, such as a fever
• Authority over the demons
• Fulfillment of an authoritative passage of scripture:
• Isa 53:4 (ESV) Surely he has borne our griefs // and carried our sorrows; // yet we esteemed him stricken, //  smitten by God, and afflicted.
• This passage was interpreted at the time as two Messiahs by the Jewish community
• Today, it is interpreted as the Jewish nation (which doesn't make sense)
• APPLICATION: He has performed one of the Messianic miracles. He is reaching out to the Gentiles, as was also prophesied, and he is fulfilling specific prophecy


Matt 8:18-22 (ESV) Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19  And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."  21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."


• The author specifically brings up two disciples, one is a scribe and the other is not specified. So, they are responding to Jesus' claim and to Jesus' authority. They want to follow Jesus, but what is the problem?
• In the first case, we have to assume that Jesus understands the issue with the scribe since we are not given any information, what is it?
• He wants to follow Jesus, but he wants it to be comfortable
• There is no promise of comfortableness despite what the health and wealth gospel preachers might say
• That is not to say you can't experience it, but if that is your motivation then you are following for the wrong reason
• Jesus authority demands that he be on the throne, not our possessions, not our desire for the comfortable life
• In the second case, the request seems legitimate, but what is happening here?
• It is not clear if the father has died or has yet to die (if his Father was dead (and stinking), why is he out following Jesus?)
• If his father is dead the point is that commitment to Jesus overrides the command to honor your parents, why?
• Because Jesus is greater (in a Jewish understanding, the only one greater is a King or God)
• If the father is not dead, then this is another question of comfort. The son wants to go home, wait until his father dies, get his inheritance, and then with the money, come and follow Jesus.
• Jesus' response is to follow me now and trust God to meet your needs
• APPLICATION: What or who truly has authority in our life? Jesus' authority extends over our comfort


Matt 8:23-27 (ESV) And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"


• We've discussed the authority of the Messiah, the authority in the lives of Gentiles, the authority over disease, the authority over the lives of his disciples, and now the author presents his authority over ____________?
• Nature
• This is another of those key passages, partly because it is a story that is present in all three gospels (which give some more insight), but because it is a key passage in understanding what faith is.
• Jesus rebukes them for the lack of faith
• The question then, is what did they do?
• It could be fear
• But I think the key is found, not in the cacophony of statements thrown at Jesus, but in one statement that truly captures what faith is not
• Matt 8:25 says “Save, Lord; we are perishing”
• Luke 8:22 says  “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
• But Mark 4:38, someone says “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”
• APPLICATION: I think the issue of faith for Israel during the Exodus was never God's existence or God's power, but it always God's care. Does God really care for me as an individual, not as some piece in a larger plan, but as me? That is what upset Jesus


Matt 8:28-34 (ESV) And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.


• And we add one more issue of authority -- Jesus has power over the demons
• There is a lot we could discuss about these verses
• This is the region of the 2 1/2 tribes
• It is Jewish but just like in historical Israel, it seems to move away from orthodox teaching
• It was part of the Northern kingdom that was destroyed first
• They are raising pigs in a culture that doesn't eat pigs
• They have given an opening for evil by cultural choices, and they see it in the surroundings of their society (this is also our country today)
• APPLICATION: Jesus has authority even when we allow evil to run amok

Rom 14:1-16:27, Balancing freedom with love for the weaker brother

Rom 14:1-12 (ESV) As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.


5  One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.


10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,


 "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God."


12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.


• What are the issues mentioned here and where do they come from?
• Vegetarian
• Possibly to avoid meat sacrificed to idols, which would be an OT Law stipulation
• Pre-law commandment to Adam and Eve.  Therefore some who believe that the OT is abrogated might still believe pre-law rules are not
• Special days, i.e., Sabbath, feasts, and new moon celebrations.  These are clearly OT law. The new moon is important because it determines the start of a new month, which then determines when holidays occurs
• Who is the person with the weak faith?
• The individual who believes he is still under these rules
• This does not mean if you are a vegetarian you are weak in faith. The weak person is the one who thinks he must eat vegetables because of an OT law or rule
• How are we to treat the person?
• Not to judge for convictions (or even convictions based on weak faith)
• It is a matter of conscience, between the person and God
• When is it okay to judge other believers?
• In matters on sin (1 Cor is very clear)
• Raises a particularly difficult point. If we think something is sin, then we will judge others on that point
• Clearly OT laws are not issues upon which we can be judged
• We can judge (or rather raise the issue to the person, not gossip about them) on sins that a clearly taught in the NT to avoid (eg. sexual immorality)
• Additionally we are not to judge unbelievers


Rom 14:13-23 (ESV) Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16  So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.


20  Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.  22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.


• So four key principles
1. Don't judge others
2. Don't be a stumbling block
3. Everything is clean (foodwise) but it may not be helpful
4. We are to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding
• So even though we can't judge others by our convictions or force our convictions upon others, we are still affected by their convictions but for a different reason.  What are we told to do?
• Don't make an issue of a conviction
• Don't cause another to stumble because of your knowledge
• We made need to sacrifice for others. That may seem unfair but that is the definition of sacrificial love (Jesus' death was not fair either but thankfully he did do it for us!)
• (And even more clearly) while we are not under OT law, we are under NT principles where "love for your neighbor" is the overriding principle


Rom 15:1-4 (ESV) 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.


• This passage makes it clear that the reason we adjust our behavior is not because we are under the law, but because?
We are concerned about the weaker brother
• Someone may respond: then what is the purpose of the law if we are not under it?  What is Paul's response? 
• The OT law teaches us
• Specifically it teaches us endurance (by watching OT saints suffer and remain true)
• and encouragement (by watching God deliver his people)
• and it teaches us hope (because we have a future)


Rom 15:5-13 (ESV) 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.


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.


• God gives endurance and encouragement (he uses the OT), but Paul is praying for unity, why?
• That will bring praise to God
• It is a fulfillment of all that God began in the Jews, that Gentiles are now experiencing
• What do the next four passages emphasize and why?
• The next four passages are exhortation to the Gentiles to praise God
• Disunity affects our worship, it hurts our praise, it hurts our witness, and it shows a lack of understanding of all that went into our salvation
• APPLICATION: Disunity happens when we put emphasis on convictions (rules) over love


Rom 15:14-21 (ESV) I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, 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 has never visited the church at Rome.  He has met various members of the church from Rome.  He has heard of their witness.  What is his conclusion?
• They are full of goodness (they want to do right)
• They have the knowledge and are competent to teach (I think many feel that they need to know more before they can teach.  A funny thing about teaching, you never really are ready when you start, but you learn so much from the discipline of being forced to be ready to teach)
• Paul felt the maturity was strong enough that he could challenge them on some points


Rom 15:22-33 (ESV) 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 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, 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 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.


• Where is he heading? Jerusalem
• Why is he going to Jerusalem? To carry a gift to the poor
• What is his concern as he goes to Jerusalem?
• Deliverance from unbelievers
• That the gift will be acceptable (he probably has not received it all yet and hopes to get the rest on the way back)
• What is his plan?
• To visit Rome on his way to Spain
• Did things go the way Paul hoped?
• No.  Although whether he visited Spain is not really known
• He spent some time in Rome under house arrest
• Some unverified stories suggest he was released and went to Spain
• Whatever was the case, he was recaptured and later killed by Caesar
• APPLICATION: Even when you are perfectly in the will of God things do not always go well


Rom 16:1-27 (ESV) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.


3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16  Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.


17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


21  Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.


22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.


23  Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.


25  Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.


• Observations:
• Phoebe will be visiting
• Priscilla and Aquila, former members of the church at Rome, will be visiting
• Apparently, Epenetus, his first convert, is a member of the church
• Mary, not clear the relation, but sounds like a member
• Paul has a number of people he knows in the church as well as relatives who live in Rome
• His last warning:
• Watch out for those who cause division
• Teach contrary teachings
• Serve their own appetites
• Deceive with smooth talk and flattery
• More observations:
• Timothy is with Paul (and others)
• Tertius wrote the letter down
• The church meets at Gaius' house and Paul is probably spending the winter there