Accepted by Christ, Accepting One Another

Romans 15:7-13
[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.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What major Christmas themes do we find in this passage?
2.   How do these verses serve as a conclusion to Paul’s topic? In what ways do they look back over the entire epistle?
3.   How does Paul unify and motivate his readers?
4.   What do we learn about Christ from this text? Why did he come?
5.   What happens to unnecessary divisions when we are preoccupied with praising God for his mercy?
6.   How does Paul bring together the two themes of unity and hope? Why does neglect of one necessarily affect the other?
7.   How does Romans 15:13 give fresh direction to your prayer life?

References: Romans 1:16; Matthew 15:24; Luke 1:68-79; Genesis 12:3; Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10.