FHCC
20250727 Worship

                • Luke 1:68ESV

                • Isaiah 48:20ESV

              • The Way
              • The Table
                              • His Mercy Is More
                              • O Come to The Altar

                                      • Romans 15:1–13ESV

                                    • Society has a lot to do with our understanding of self and community. The Independence of our Country represented in the slogan “Don’t Tread on Me” speaks to individuality over community. In other cultures, family (or clan) is more important than individual. In India your family belongs to one of 5 castes, and you cannot elevate from one to another. In many Asian countries your family name is listed first on a passport, and your “first name” is secondary.
                                      In Sports there are frequently tensions between personal statistics and team results. The open portal and NIL contracts of College sports has drastically changed the landscape for fans.
                                      There is something offensive about a person who only (or primarily) lives for self. But it is to be fully expected when one considers if a person is saved or not. A person who is not “in Christ” should be expected to focus on self-preservation, it goes all the way back to Eve’s choice in the Garden of Eden.
                                      I’ve noticed a lot of social media attempts to define what is and what is not “Christian”. A Christian will not vote for… A true Christian will not judge others’ sexuality. A Christian would have compassion on all immigrants. A Christian would have my ideas about gun control. These black and white declarations are especially interesting when one realizes that democratic elections and firearms did not even exist until centuries AFTER Christ returned to the Father.
                                      In a climate where influencers want to define how to become Christian, the Word of God tells us how to live as Christ Followers. Becoming a Christ-one, identifying as “in Christ” (a Biblical phrase used repeatedly where “ask Christ into your heart” never appears) is not dependent upon the things mentioned in the last paragraph. Being “in Christ” is a simple bi-direction act of faith—I trust that my sin is transferred to Jesus, and I accept that His righteousness is imputed to me. That is the simple Gospel that sets us free and transforms into Christlikeness!
                                      However, AFTER that exchange is made in our minds and inner being, our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors should be transformed.
                                      Today’s text highlights 2 of those transformations that are biblical evidence of being in Christ. If you are “in Christ” these should be true of you.

                                      An Obligation to Serve Others (Ro 15.1-6)

                                      Romans 15:1–6 ESV:2016
                                      We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 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. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                      If you are traveling on an airplane with a child and the oxygen masks drop, what are you supposed to do?
                                      If I wrote this sermon for the most biblically literate person in the room, where does that leave the one who has just begun exploring this thing we call Christianity?

                                      The strong are obligated to help the weak. (Ro 15.1)

                                      Last week we identified that strong/weak are not marks of better or lesser, of good versus bad. In this moment in Paul’s mind and the inspiration of God’s Spirit he is addressing the bold and the prudent.
                                      Modern Psychology has drawn from ancient Greek Philosophers to identify personality types. The interplay of one’s phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric and melancholic tendencies has given rise to other measures of personality such as the TJTA that measure 9 traits or the 9 Enneagram types. One approach toward this type of inventory is to conclude “that’s the way I am and others just need to accept it.”
                                      Because I believe in growth and transformation, I prefer the approach in Tim LaHaye’s 1993 book The Spirit-Controlled Temperament or a perspective I learned while going through training in spiritual coaching as taught by Robert Logan. Both of these resources admit that we have innate tendencies, BUT also believe that when God’s Spirit controls us, the strengths of our personality are magnified, and the weaknesses of our personality are mediated.
                                      The command of Ro 15.2 and the example of Ro 15.3 are reason enough for me to refuse arrogant demands of self and consider how others might benefit from my contributions into their lives.
                                      As an introvert, I am much more comfortable being alone and being with others drains my energy level, but my preferences must be aligned with the will of God and my energy must draw on His strength.
                                      Part of being a disciple, of following Christ, means that I take serious Jesus’ words in Mark 8:34 “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
                                      I would propose to you that there is some dimension where you are stronger (Ro 15.1) than I am. If we both choose to let the other person’s strength, service and voice to be amplified (Ro 15.6) we will experience the harmony of Ro 15.5 and Jesus will be glorified in Chase County!
                                      TRANSITION: It is one thing to serve others in the family by allowing them to shine, but Paul goes on to challenge that the example of Christ and the truth of God’s Word reminds us that not all in the family are like you.

                                      A Challenge to Welcome Others (Ro 15.7-13)

                                      Romans 15:7–13 ESV:2016
                                      Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 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, 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.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 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.
                                      The standard for welcoming (Ro 15.7) is set by Christ Himself. If the perfectly holy Christ could welcome sinful Dave into His family, I can welcome others who are just as different from me as I am from Christ.
                                      Paul details 2 of the differences that Christ welcomed in Ro 15.8-9.

                                      Christ served both those like Him (Jews) and those who were different (Gentiles) (Romans 15:7-9)

                                      The glory of God (Ro 15.7) is FAR more important than my comfort zone!
                                      I had never thought of the difference between farming and ranching until coming to the Flinthills. Watching old westerns I found the animosity between those who preferred open range for long livestock drives and the “clod busters” who put up fences to protect their row crops.
                                      As I prepare to begin my 8th year as your pastor, I recall how my first conversation with Frank Hinkson revealed how little I knew about this community. Even though I was raised mostly in the cities, I tried to communicate that I understood rural by referencing wheat and milo (which were my Western rural Kansas frame of reference). Only after moving here did I learn how much “America’s Bread Basket” is a world apart from pastures and feed crops here.
                                      You have fully accepted a suburbanite like me into this family, and I have richly benefited from your differences. I have learned that eggs from free range hens are not always white like in the stores. I have learned the confidence of leather suspenders and the shade of a straw hat. I found the beauty of rodeo and 8-man football, and I’m learning the value of wrestling.
                                      If a trucker, a biker and a cowboy can find common conversation in a cafe, and if a “city mouse” and a “country mouse” can enrich each other in a church family, just maybe Paul is on to something when he commands us to welcome each other.
                                      TRANSITION: It is an error to unnecessarily separate the Old and New Testaments.

                                      All sections of the Old Testament hint at Gentile evangelism (vv.9b-12)

                                      In our English Bibles it is common to teach that our Old Testament consists of 5 sections—Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets [these categories are NOT because of importance, but only length]. In the Bible that Paul used the Hebrew Scriptures did not separate all the first and second books, and others were combined like Ezra & Nehemiah so that 3 sections were made up of 24 Scrolls. Those 3 sections were Law [Torah], Prophets [Nevi’im] & Writings [Ketuvim]. When we look at the verses that Paul quotes, would you like to guess how many of the sections he uses?
                                      Yes, Gentiles are mentioned in all 3 sections of the Hebrew Scriptures just to prove that the Day of Pentecost was not God’s plan B or adjustments since Christ was rejected and crucified. Deuteronomy 32:43 comes from Torah; 2 Sam 22:50 and Isaiah 11:10 are from Prophets; and Psalm 18:49 and 117:1 are from the Writings.

                                      Conclusion:

                                      Simple is not always easy. The simple commands of serving the weak and welcoming those who are different are concepts that even a child can understand. But obeying these simple commands goes against the grain of all that our society has built into our value system.
                                      The Bible does not call us to live out the values of the American way of life, The Bible teaches that if we are in Christ, we live differently.

                                      Light & Lamp Application:

                                      Being “in Christ” means living for others.

                                      Lamps for my Steps

                                      Think of one person and one act (phone call or coffee together) you will do this week for someone else.
                                      Identify one person who is different from you (age, socio-economic, background, interests, etc.) with whom you could share a meal.
                                      As we move to the Lord’s Table, we remember that our Savior was neither Democrat, nor Republican. He was neither urban, nor rural, He was heavenly. He didn’t fit the expectations of the religious leaders. He didn’t meet the expectations of His disciples. He came on a different mission that opens eternity to any who will receive the Good news through simple repentance and faith. This we do in remembrance of Him.
                                              • The Family Of God
                                                  FHCC
                                                  flinthillschurch@gmail.com
                                                  (620)273-6777
                                                  http://flinthillschurch.net
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