Dock Resource Kit
Sunday sermon, 13 April 2025
This week Michael spoke to us about what it means to live out our faith in community, drawing from Romans 15:1–13. He explored how Scripture gives us hope, how we are called to accept one another as Christ accepted us, and how true Christian strength is shown by bearing one another’s burdens. Grounded in Christ and modelled by Christ, this call to unity challenges us to move beyond personal preference or spiritual pride and step into mutual encouragement, endurance, and empathy—so that with one voice we may glorify God.
Dock Discussion Questions
What does it mean for all Scripture to point to Jesus—and how does that change the way we read the Bible?
(Bonus: Share a verse or passage that has personally given you hope.)
Michael spoke about the difference between tolerating someone and truly accepting them. Can you think of a time when someone accepted you like that—or when you’ve struggled to do the same for others?
Paul calls the ‘strong’ to bear with the ‘weak.’ In what areas of life or faith do you currently feel strong—and how might you use that strength to build others up?
When you’re feeling weak in faith, what helps you stay connected to community rather than pulling away? How can the group support each other better in those moments?
Long-form, editted transcript
Romans Series – Pt. 10:
Living Together
Welcome, everyone. We are finishing our Romans series today. It’s been a mammoth journey—ten weeks, I think—and today, we wrap it all up.
Let’s begin by praying together.
Opening Prayer
God, thank you so much for how you’ve been speaking to us through this series, through your letter to the Romans. We pray that as your Word is preached this morning, our eyes, our ears, and our hearts would be open to all that you want to say. Fill us with your Spirit so that we may hear your words. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Introduction
It’s my great pleasure to share with you the final instalment of our Romans series. I’m really excited. It’s been such a great series. If you’ve missed any of the previous weeks, they’re all available on YouTube and podcast—just search for SPS Church and catch up.
Throughout this series, we’ve explored the theology of salvation, life in the Spirit, and what it means to live together as the Church. Today, we land with a message about how we live together—how this teaching actually meets real life. We’ll be focusing specifically on Romans 15:1–13.
Let’s read the passage together now.
Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1–13
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them 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 the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice 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, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says:
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
And again:
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says:
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
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.
This is the Word of God.
Where We’re Going
Here’s where we’re going this morning:
Hope and Scripture
Accept One Another
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Now, there’s an overarching context that we’re not going to unpack in full today—but we need to keep it in mind. Everything in Romans has been pointing to this: that we are in Christ, and everything we’re called to do is modelled by Christ. We see that in this passage too.
So everything we’re about to look at—whether it’s accepting one another, bearing with one another, finding strength and hope—it’s all grounded in Jesus. It’s not just a moral checklist. It’s participation in the life of Christ. So hold that truth close as we go.
Who Are the Strong and the Weak?
Let’s start with verses 1–2:
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.”
Paul begins with a contrast: strong and weak. It’s very human to wonder—am I strong or am I weak? And honestly, most of us probably feel like both, depending on the week.
Romans 14 (the chapter before) gives us more detail on what Paul means. It’s all about how early Christians were wrestling with questions like: Should we eat meat? Which days should be considered holy? Should we drink wine? These questions often reflected deeper concerns: was someone really “clean” or “righteous” before God?
Paul makes it clear: those who feel free in Christ—not bound to rituals or laws to earn righteousness—are the strong. And those whose faith still clings to rules or external observances are the weak. But importantly, Paul isn’t condemning the weak—he’s calling the strong to bear with them lovingly.
As a Christian who’s also vegan, I’ve had this verse in Romans sent to me so many times. You know the one: “The one whose faith is weak eats only vegetables.” Every Christian comedian with a phone thinks they’re the first to send it. But of course, this isn’t a critique of veganism—it’s about how we relate to one another in matters of freedom and faith.
1. Hope and Scripture
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”
—Romans 15:4
This is one of the most beautiful lines in the passage—and one of the richest. Paul is reminding us that the Scriptures are not just historical or moral or theological—they are designed to bring endurance, encouragement, and hope.
And to make that point, Paul quotes Psalm 69—a messianic psalm. That psalm says, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” In other words, Jesus takes the weight, the burden, the pain of others onto himself.
And Paul’s showing us that even the Psalms—written centuries before Jesus—point to Christ. It’s exactly what Jesus himself said in Matthew 5:17: “I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfil them.” All of Scripture, from the Law to the Prophets to the Writings, leads us to Jesus.
This is vital because, as Gentiles, we can sometimes feel like outsiders to the story. There are moments in the Gospels where Jesus himself says things like, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” And you pause and wonder—wait, does that include me?
But the point Paul is making here is that yes, it absolutely does.
He proves this by quoting from all three major divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures:
The Law (Deuteronomy): “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.”
The Writings (Psalms): “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.”
The Prophets (Isaiah): “The Root of Jesse will rise… in Him the Gentiles will hope.”
Paul isn’t just stringing together nice verses. He’s making a theological point: all of Scripture has always pointed to the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan.
So if you’ve ever felt like you’re on the edge of this story, or like the promises of God might not apply to you—Paul says, you are not an afterthought. You never have been. You never will be.
Scripture gives us endurance. It gives us encouragement. It gives us hope. And hope gives us strength.
[Pause for reflection]
Take a couple of minutes to turn to someone near you—not the person beside you—and share a Scripture that’s brought you hope or encouragement. If nothing comes to mind, that’s okay—you’ve got a whole Bible full of promises ahead.
2. Accept One Another
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
—Romans 15:7
The word “accept” here is so much deeper than simply “tolerate.” This is not British politeness. This is about deep, Christlike inclusion—embracing people who are different from us, and doing it for the sake of God’s glory.
Paul isn’t saying, “Strong people, just put up with the weak because they’re annoying.” He’s saying, “You who are strong—imitate Christ. Take on His mind. Have His attitude. Create unity through radical acceptance.”
Back in Romans 14:1, Paul said, “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters.” That’s the foundation here. He’s saying: don’t let non-essential things divide you. Whether it’s food, drink, religious observances—if it’s not fundamental to the Gospel, let it go. Instead, focus on unity.
He prays for it directly in verses 5–6:
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
That’s the goal: one mind and one voice, glorifying God.
Have you encouraged someone recently? Have you been encouraged? One of the best ways we build unity is through small, consistent encouragement.
And if you feel like you haven’t been especially encouraging this week—that’s okay. This is your nudge. A reminder. These little acts of acceptance and encouragement are what build the Church.
3. Bear One Another’s Burdens
Paul opens this chapter by saying:
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
That phrase “bear with” is stronger than it sounds in English. We say, “Oh, bear with me,” as in “please be patient.” But in Greek, the word is bastazō, and it means to carry, to lift, to shoulder the weight of another person’s burden.
It’s the same word used in Galatians 6:2:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”
So Paul isn’t saying: “Put up with each other’s annoying habits.” He’s saying: step into each other’s pain. Empathise. Enter in. Carry it with them.
He models this himself in 1 Corinthians 9:19–22:
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone… To the Jews, I became like a Jew… To those under the law, I became like one under the law… To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all possible means I might save some.”
That is what bearing burdens looks like.
And Paul isn’t just talking to the strong. He’s talking to the weak too. There’s a mutuality here. The strong bear with the weak, yes—but the weak also bear with the strong. Everyone leans into unity. No one gets to opt out.
So if you’re feeling strong today—confident in Christ, secure in your identity—praise God. Use that strength to lift others up. Not to preach at them or correct them, but to walk with them, listen to them, love them.
And if you’re feeling weak today—and honestly, we all feel that way at times—don’t retreat. Don’t withdraw. Don’t isolate. Reach out. Let others help carry the load.
This community—this church—is already so good at this. I know stories of people who’ve prayed together every week for decades. Long-standing friendships. Deep faithfulness. You are already doing this, and it’s beautiful. But we all need reminding.
Conclusion
We are called to be strong in Christ, and our strength is not for ourselves. It’s for the sake of unity. It’s so we can endure with one another, accept one another, and bear one another’s burdens. It’s so the world might see something different in the Church. Something holy. Something whole.
So take a moment. Is there someone you need to reach out to? Someone you’ve not messaged in a while? A friend you used to pray with, but haven’t for months?
Let’s pray.
Closing Prayer
Father, we ask that you would bring to mind someone we need to reach out to. Someone to encourage. Someone to endure with. Thank you that in Jesus we have strength, hope, and unity. Thank you that all of Scripture points to Him and to the inclusion of all people in your promise.
Fill us with your Spirit now. Help us live this out—not in theory, but in action.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.