In this message, Kenny emphasizes the practical aspects of Christian living as outlined in Romans 15:1-17, focusing on the importance of receiving one another as Christ has received us. He highlights three key principles: endurance, encouragement, and hope, which are essential for healthy church fellowship. Kenny stresses that believers, especially those strong in faith, have a divine obligation not to please themselves but to bear the infirmities of weaker brothers, building them up in love. This requires a selfless, other-oriented attitude modeled by Christ, who endured suffering and rejection for our sake. The scriptures serve as a divine source of encouragement, providing hope and strength to persevere through trials. Kenny underscores that God Himself is the ultimate source of endurance and encouragement, and He has given Himself to believers so they can live in unity and glorify God together. The command to receive one another reflects Christ’s acceptance of us, regardless of differences, and is fundamental to fulfilling God's perfect will. Furthermore, Kenny discusses the hope of the nations, emphasizing that Christ’s ministry was twofold: first to the Jews, confirming God's promises, and second to the Gentiles, showing mercy and uniting all nations under His rule. He concludes that our boast should be solely in Christ, who is the source of all goodness, knowledge, and hope, urging believers to deeply embrace these truths for a testimony that glorifies God.
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.