Our scripture reading for today, to which I invite you to turn with me at this time, is found in the New Testament book of Romans, the epistle of the Apostle Paul to the church at Rome, Romans chapter 15, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans. And in the New Pew Bibles, this can be found, I believe, on page 1125, page 1125. If you have been with us these past few Lord's Days, You may recall that we are studying together a sermon series entitled, The Character of Christ. And we have been looking at several portions of Scripture which give the exhortation concerning one another, one another, ways in which believers are to relate with one another as we seek to model the character of Christ. Thus far, we have considered the Bible's teaching or exhortations to be devoted to one another, to be found honoring one another, to be encouraging one another. In last Lord's Day evening, we looked at the biblical exhortation to be found serving one another. And now today in Romans 15, we look at the exhortation to be accepting one another. Accepting one another. And to do that, we will focus in especially on verse 7 of Romans 15. Verse 7 constitutes our text for today. But at this time, we will read the first 13 verses of Romans 15, beginning in verse 1. Romans 15, beginning in verse 1. Hear then the word of the Lord. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself, But as it is written, the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy, as it is written. Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing hymns to your name. Again it says, Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples. And again, Isaiah says, The root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations. The Gentiles will hope in Him. 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. Thus far, the reading of God's Holy Word. And as always, brothers and sisters, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as we look to God's Word together on this Lord's Day. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, I'm sure that many of us are already well aware that the 2007 Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America was held on the campus of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. And we thank God for His blessing on that deliberative assembly. We thank God that our delegates have returned safely home. And we thank them for their faithful labors and service on our and our Lord's behalf. But friends, needless to say, the 2007 synod of the U.R.C.N.A. was not the first deliberative assembly in the history of the Church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, that distinction belongs to what was known as the Council of Jerusalem. The Council of Jerusalem recorded for us in Acts, chapter 15. I would ask you to please turn there with me, if you would please. Back to the left several pages. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Acts, chapter 15. In Acts 15, verses 1 and 2, for example, the setting is as follows. Here we read, Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. And then if you skim over the next several verses of that chapter, you find that this very riveting chapter goes on to recount for us the various positions put forth, a sense of the way in which the debate was handled, and ultimately the bit of a compromise which was reached concerning the question. How were the Gentiles to be received into what was at that time primarily a Jewish New Testament church? For example, if you would look at verse five of Acts chapter 15, we read when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders to whom They reported everything God had done through them. Verse 4, now verse 5. And some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, the Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses. That was one of the positions which was being set forth at that time. There were certain requirements that the Gentile believers had to meet in order to be welcomed into this primarily Jewish body of New Testament believers. And on the other hand, again, if you'll keep skimming along with me, the apostle Peter stood up. And he said, for example, in verses 8 and following, God accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, that is, the Gentiles, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No, we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved just as they are. The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. And then it goes on to say that they decided to draft a letter. They were going to send four delegates, Paul and Barnabas among them, to bring their resolution of this matter to the Gentile churches and Gentile believers. And so, for example, in Acts 15, verses 28 through 31, we read finally as follows. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements. You are to abstain from food, sacrifice to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it. And we're glad for its encouraging message. Now, brothers and sisters, think about this. You see, as the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ today, we can learn a great deal, can we not, by the way in which this council at Jerusalem addressed and resolved various differences in faith and practice among believers of goodwill. In fact, as we bring this biblical information to bear on the words of our text for today, it's recorded for us in Romans chapter 15, verse 7, We find ourselves being challenged by the fact that just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has accepted us by grace alone, through faith in His name alone, so too each and every true believer is also commanded and called and commissioned by God to accept one another, all to the praise and glory of His most holy name. thereby more faithfully and effectively reflecting the character of Christ. The character of Christ. Now, we might well ask ourselves the question, personally and practically speaking, how am I to do that? How are we to do that individually and corporately? How could it be such that we are so graciously accepting of one another without compromising God's Word, without sanctioning any sin, to the extent that we are more faithfully and effectively reflecting the character of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself? How could this be? As we work our way through Romans 15, verse 7, we find that first of all, brothers and sisters, we must respond to a very simple rule. We must respond to a very simple rule. Verse 7, look with me once again in Romans 15. Here we read, "...except one another then." The Greek word is proslambano, and it means literally from the Greek lexicon, listen carefully, to receive. or take in as one's companion, to welcome into one's home, to grant access into one's heart." End of quote. And because that verb is in the present imperative in the Greek text, that means it has a sense of continuous action. It has a sense of ongoingness. In other words, brothers and sisters, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul is commanding you, he is commanding me, he is commanding us to continually be welcoming, to continually be accepting, to continually be receiving one another. Think about that. Accept. one another then. Receive one another then. Welcome one another then. Think about that. You know, I can recall many years ago when I was a student at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a very dear and dearly loved professor by the name of Dr. Rich DeRitter once said this to our class. He said, gentlemen, When you get out into the pastorate among God's people, always remember this. And then he said, to live with the saints above, that will be grace and glory. But to live with the saints below, now that is another story. And I remember that statement down through these many years. Now, why did he say that? Why did Professor De Ritter make that statement? Was it because of the fact that in 1 Peter 2 verse 9 in the Old Testament, in the old King James translation, it says that Christians are a peculiar people? Is that what he was referring to? No, no, not at all. What he was saying was that, brothers, as you prepare to pastor, to under-shepherd God's people, please be forewarned. Please be prepared. Please understand that when you get among God's people, you are going to find that God's people do not always deal with one another. They do not always welcome one another. They do not always accept one another. They do not always receive one another as graciously or lovingly as they should. And brothers and sisters, because it says in James 5 v. 16, therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Let's together confess at this time. Let's admit that this is true. And I'm including myself in this very same sentiment. Please understand that. Is it not true that you and I do not always, as the people of God, accept, receive, welcome one another as lovingly and graciously as we should. Isn't that true? In fact, one commentator has so wisely put it this way, and I quote, he writes, a chief part of our modern difficulties consists in the proper treatment of others, especially of our fellow Christians. More anxiety, embarrassment, sin is displayed here than in any other direction. The ancient matters of controversy do not perhaps trouble us, Those signs are not lacking on the horizon of clouds no bigger than a man's hand, which may at any time overspread the sky and disturb the harmony of the churches. We still need guidance, lest trivial differences in thought and behavior should estrange us from one another." End of quote. And my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, that is true. That is oh so true. And because that is true, that is why in order for you and for me to be found sincerely accepting one another, and thereby more faithfully and effectively reflecting the character of Christ, by the grace and mercy of God, we must not simply be responding to this very simple rule, but secondly, we must also recognize a very special reason. We must recognize a very special reason. Romans 15, verse 7, once again. Accept one another then. There's the rule. Now comes the reason. Just as Christ accepted you. Just as Christ accepted you. Wow. Well, that begs the question, does it not? If we are to accept one another as Christ has accepted us, how has Christ accepted us? That's a fair question. Well, what saith the Scriptures? That's what we must always ask ourselves. What saith the Scriptures? Well, for example, while frequently unmasking without mercy the hypocrites He met along the way while walking through this world in His earthly ministry, by way of contrast, Jesus said to the lying, cheating, deceiving tax collector named Zacchaeus, boys and girls, whom you may recall He addressed while He was perched up in a sycamore tree, In Luke 19, verse 5, Jesus said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. And when speaking with a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery and was waiting to be literally stoned to death by the Pharisaical religious leaders who had dragged her before Jesus, Jesus said to her in John 8, verse 11, neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave. your life of sin, you see. And in Luke chapter 15, I would invite you to turn back several pages to the left with me. Matthew, Mark, Luke chapter 15. There's a commentary here by Dr. Luke on what apparently was a very common occurrence in the daily life of our Lord Jesus. In Luke chapter 15, verses 1 and 2, we read, now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, this man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders, by the Pharisees and the teachers of the law for those with whom He held company. You see, the tax collectors and the sinners. Why did He do that? Well, friends, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, which Isaiah made under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit some 800 years before Jesus was even born, it is said of Christ in Matthew 12, verse 20, a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. Think of the power of that passage. Mark 12, 20, quoting Isaiah, a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out the compassion of Christ. In fact, turn over with me please to Matthew 11, verses 28-30. Matthew 11, verses 28-30. Our Lord Jesus is speaking and He says, all you who are weary and burdened." And he's speaking, friends, probably about those upon whom a great deal of legalistic burdens and ceremonies of the law have been traditions of men, have been placed by the Pharisees, no doubt. But he's also speaking about those who are simply buffeted and bruised by life. Those who are suffering in some way. Those who are careworn. Those who are strife-torn. Those whose lives are hard. Difficulty in the heart. Difficulty in the home. Fractures in family relationships and all the rest. Physical pain. He says, come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. The invitation of Christ to all. Finally on this score, turn a few pages to the right with me, please, to Mark 10. Mark 10. Verses 13-16. Mark 10. Verses 13-16. Here we read, people were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them." Think of it. Think of it. Boys and girls, the Bible says that that our Lord Jesus welcomed and accepted and received little children, boys and girls your age, and even put His hands on them and blessed them. In fact, He was angry with His disciples for trying to keep the children away from Him. Jesus wanted them and He wants you, my young friends, to come to Him. Ah, but then, boys and girls, let me ask you this question. like our Lord Jesus? Do you welcome? Do you accept? Do you receive? Other boys and girls as well? Do you befriend those who others are mocking, ridiculing, won't play with, want nothing to do with? My young friends, are you Like the Lord Jesus, a friend to the friendless. And it starts at home, you know. It starts with being kind to, loving, respecting, treating well your brothers and sisters, if God has blessed you with those. And then carrying that out into the course of everyday life. Young people, question. Do you know what a clique is? C-L-I-Q-U-E, click. Webster's Dictionary defines click, at least in part, as a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons. A narrow exclusive circle or group of persons, end of quote. Now, young people, I know, I'm fully well aware of, and we've already covered, in fact, I think in this series, the biblical cautions, the biblical warnings, if you will, against not being unequally yoked and watching out who your friends are. Bad company corrupts good character. And all that being discerning and friendships, I know that. Remember that, please. But still, my young friends, I ask you this question. Do you ever exclude? Shun. Close out of your social circle. Some other young people, simply because of the way they look, or dress, or act, or because of the color of their skin, because of the kind of car they drive, or because of the kind of clothes they wear, because of the kind of house they live in, or the town they live in, and all the rest. Do you, my young friends, exclude people whom our Lord Jesus would warmly welcome into His circle? Brothers and sisters, question. Have you and I ever shunned or spurned someone? Anyone? Because we thought that they were too much of a sinner for us. And we didn't want to get our spiritual hands dirty. So we had nothing to do with that. Have we ever not befriended someone? in the life of our own congregation, in this portion of the family of God, because they were either stronger or weaker than we in some area of Christian liberty. Or because they held a different view in an area which theologians refer to as the adiaphora. The adiaphora. Things which are indifferent. Defined in one evangelical dictionary as that which is not regarded as essential to faith, which might therefore be allowed in the church. If you or I ever stop socializing with someone, listen, simply because in the plan and providence of God, their spouse passed away. When there are two, that's okay. But now that they're one, it's just not that way. If you and I ever find ourselves speaking on a Sunday with or during the week socializing with only those with whom we are related by blood. Rather than speaking with and encouraging and praying for and warmly receiving those who are related to us by the shed blood of Christ on Calvary. You see. Think about that. Think about that. Friends, you and I would do well to read and to heed this powerful portrayal of the body of Christ as the Apostle Paul sets forth in 1 Corinthians 12. Turn with me, please, after Acts Romans. 1 Corinthians 12, verses 21 and following. 1 Corinthians 12, verses 21 and following. Here the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares, the eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you. And the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you. 1 Corinthians 12.22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. And the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty. While our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Concerning our accepting of one another in the words of our text, the great Reformer John Calvin comments, and I quote, only thus then shall we confirm our calling. That is, if we separate not ourselves from those whom the Lord has bound together. It's true. In fact, friends, many years prior to Calvin, St. Augustine once said, and again I quote, nothing proves the spiritual character of a man as well as the way in which he deals with the sin of his fellow man. when he lays the stress on his redemption rather than on his reproach, on his welfare rather than on his reproof. And again, says Augustine, one of my favorite quotes from him, nothing is ours but sin. Nothing is ours but sin. And that is why another commentator has added, if we wait till our brethren are faultless, we shall have little communion this side of heaven. And that's true. If we wait until our brethren are faultless, we shall have little communion this side of heaven. And brothers and sisters, that is why if you and I truly desire to be found by the grace and mercy of God, accepting one another and thereby reflecting more faithfully and effectively the character of Christ, we must not simply respond to this simple rule. We must not simply recognize this very special reason. But thirdly and finally, we must rejoice in a very significant result. We must rejoice and a very significant result. Romans 15, verse 7, one last time. Turn with me, please. Accept one another then. There's the rule. Just as Christ has accepted you, there's the reason. And now the result. In order to bring praise. The Greek says, in order to bring doxa. It's where we get our word doxology from. Glory. In order to bring praise or glory to God. Now, grammatically, the praise that's being brought to God could be understood to mean that by Christ accepting us as Jew and Gentile, one in Himself, praise is brought to God. It could be grammatically interpreted to mean that as we then accept each other just as Christ accepted us, great glory is brought to God. But indeed, both are true. And I would suspect Paul had both in mind. Both of those things in mind. In fact, if you'll look at verses 5 and 6 just prior to our text, Once again, the Apostle Paul declares, may the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And again, in verses 8 and following, for I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing hymns to your name. Again, it says, Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people. And again, praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples. My friends, finally on this score, in his great high priestly prayer of John 17, and just turn back several pages to the left with me, please. John 17. First four verses, it says, Our Lord Jesus, look toward heaven. And shortly before He went to the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of His people, He prayed, John 17, verse 1, Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work you gave Me to do. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave Me to do." Writes the great Reformer Martin Luther, to the glory of God means that God might be glorified by His, that is, Christ's good work. And this indeed is a wonderful glorification of God, that He is glorified when we receive the sinners and the weak. He is glorified when we receive the sinners and the weak." It's true. It is oh so true. You know, friends, the story is told that many years ago, the great Methodist preacher, John Wesley, supposedly had a dream. And in his dream, he was standing literally before the gates of hell. And he knocked on the gates called out, are there any Baptists in there? And came the reply, yes, there are many. Are there any Roman Catholics in there? Again came the reply, yes, there are many. Any Presbyterians and Reformed? Yes, there are many. Are there any Wesleyans in there? Yes, there are many. Wesley was greatly disturbed and distraught and he turned and he set his path upward and soon he found that he had come to the very gates of heaven. And he called out asking the very same questions, are there any Baptists in there? No, not any. Are there any Roman Catholics in there? No, not any. Are there any Reformed or Presbyterians in there? No. Not any. Are there any Wesleyans in there? No. Not any. And Wesley was greatly exasperated by what he had heard, especially the last response. And so, he cried out with great passion and fervency of heart, well then, who do you have in there? And came the reply, We have in here only those who are known by the name Christian. Only those who have had their sins washed away at Calvary through the shed blood of the Lamb. Brothers and sisters, as you and I go forth from this place and seek to live our lives each day before His face, By the grace and mercy and spirit and strength of the Lord our God, let's you and I seek, let's you and I strive, let's you and I try to bring a little bit more of heaven to earth. Simply and sincerely by accepting one another. Thereby, more faithfully and effectively reflecting the character of Christ. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts together before Him. O, Almighty God and Most Merciful Heavenly Father, in His great high priestly prayer, our Lord Jesus prayed for all those who would believe in His name, saying, that all of them may be one Father, just as You are in me and I am in You. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me. O Lord God, may You increasingly enable and empower each and every one of us, we pray, today and every day, to simply and sincerely accept one another just as Christ has accepted us, to the honor and praise of Thy great and glorious name. Hear us, Lord, for Jesus' sake. Amen.