The Burden Bearer

ROMANS 15:1-3

SUBJECT: BUILDING UNITY & FELLOWSHIP

THEME: we are encouraged by the example of our Lord Jesus’ and his servant the Apostle Paul to bear one another's burdens. This kind of consideration for each other and ministry towards one another will forge unity in the church even though it may be ethnically diverse. 

INTRODUCTION:

Sometimes Believers from differing backgrounds find it difficult to respect/relate to each other. This challenge is amplified when their church is comprised of believers from different cultures. The first thirteen verses of Romans 15 continue the subject of the previous chapter—matters of moral indifference–questionable issues. Tensions had arisen between the converts from Judaism and those from paganism, so Paul here pleads for harmonious relations between these Jewish and Gentile Christians, saying, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1).

Those who are strong (that is, they have full liberty regarding things that are morally indifferent) are not to please themselves by selfishly asserting their rights and freedom. Rather, they should treat their weak brothers with kindness and consideration, making full allowance for their excessive scruples—weak conscious. Paul wisely goes on to say in Romans 15:2, “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” This type of selflessness will certainly bridge the cultural divides!  

The principle is this: don’t live to please yourself. Live to please your neighbor, to do him good, to build him up in the walk of faith. This is the Christian approach; we should seek to help, build-up, comfort, and strengthen each other. If we do this, we will forge unity and cooperation in the church regardless of our ethnic backgrounds and cultural moorings. Kindness and consideration will begat the like; other believers in the church will reciprocate!

LESSON:

CONSIDER THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST, THE BURDEN BEARER  

When we catch the heartbeat of Christ and Paul for bearing the burdens of others it will not be long before their example must be translated into our own actions. Our Lord Jesus Christ “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). His whole life was characterized by helping others and by bearing their burdens. Paul was perhaps the greatest of the apostles. He was so because he had learned to follow Christ, especially in sharing the weaknesses, pains and personal sorrows of others. May the examples left by our Lord and His apostle teach us what it means to truly bear one another’s burdens.

CHRIST FOCUSED ON OTHERS, NOT HIMSELF (Rom. 15:1-3).

Romans 15:3, For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Christ’s attitude of humility was constantly and consistently expressed in his willingness to forfeit his pleasures or advantages. Our Lord suffered because of his loyalty and commitment to the Father. So much so that those who resented the Father lashed out at Christ who was loyal to Him. Jesus did not live for Himself, but to please His Father. Instead of securing his own advantages or declaring his rights, He bore the reproaches of another. Ultimately our Savior took our complete sin burden on Himself at the cross of Calvary. Note these references to this very matter:

Matt. 8:17, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

1 Pet. 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

2 Cor. 8:9, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Jesus is the Burden Bearer like no other! It is Christ who took upon himself the sicknesses and physical infirmities of Israel, He bore the sins of the entire world at Calvary, Jesus sacrifice all and every advantage he had to secure a wealthy redemption for you and me! Aren’t you glad he willingly focused on our needs instead of his personal interests? Let us now consider and ponder astutely these simple observations. As a Burden Bearer, Jesus is…

The Supreme Example  

Paul points us to Christ's example in verse 3, “For even Christ pleased not Himself . . .”   And in Verse 5 says’ “be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.”  Again, in verse 7, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us….”

Christ has given us the highest example. He lived to please His Father, not Himself. He said, “The reproaches [Criticism] of them that reproached Thee fell on Me” (Ps. 69:9).

This means that He was so completely taken up with God's honor that when men insulted God He took it as a personal insult to Himself.  Christ loved the Father so much that when people cursed God, Jesus felt the pain! Jesus paid a tremendous price to minister to sinful humanity and to satisfy His Father’s will.  It would have been much easier to adopt His own will!  But, he didn’t; He went to Calvary any way! (W. MacDonald)

Paul is appealing to the stronger or mature saints to sacrifice their liberties for the benefit of their weaker brother in Christ. The stronger saint may feel like God is requiring too much and that the sacrifice he is being asked to make is too great.  But here Paul reminds us all that no sacrifice is great in comparison to Calvary where the Son of Glory died for a sinful undeserving world!  The next time you curtail your lifestyle because your actions could be offensive to a weaker Christian, remember the Example of our Lord and sacrifice your liberty to save your brother or sister from a fall.

The Sound Exhortation 

Paul instructs us now to follow our Lord’s Example of unselfishness in Verse 1. When he tells us “to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves,” we began to see how Jesus’ model can shape our behaviors and motives. While anyone can be self-absorbed, consumed with personal interests, and too busy to be bothered with others, Christians are called upon to weave ourselves into the lives of others. The stronger believers are to sense discipleship and mentoring opportunities and seize them unto a fellow believer’s edification. Yes, like a mother must put up with some things to raise her infant properly, so the mentor must put up with the weaknesses of the younger believer to aid his growth. Those who consider themselves strong in faith are to help weaker Christians with their burdens.

True Christian Love Is Not Selfish; Rather it Seeks to Share with Others, and it Seeks the Happiness of Others. It is even willing to carry the younger believer, to help them along with their spiritual development. We should not be merely enduring or tolerating them, we should be encouraging them! Remember anybody can criticize the new convert because they are novice indeed. What are you doing to help them grow and become stronger?  

A Christian’s Spiritual Maturity is Revealed by His Ability to Discern God’s Will, and the Sacrifices He is Willing to Makes for the Benefit of Others. Is he or she willing to temporarily give up his Christian Liberties and Spiritual Rights that others might be helped? Does he/she do this as a blessing and not a burden? Does he/she give up or quit and become cross and impatient with the younger believer?  If we answered these questions honestly, then we know if we are mature or if we are more like babies in the Lord.

    

Think about it…. Just as loving parents make sacrifices for their children, so must the mature believer sacrifice their liberties to help younger Christians grow in the faith. A good father will never tell his hungry young child to go out and earn some money so that he can have bread to eat.  He doesn’t say, “I have a right to eat because I worked for what I have.”  No, he gladly provides for his children the things they need even at his own expense. Often parents will forfeit their higher education, so their children can go to college. They may even be convinced a degree or a higher degree what help them professionally, but instead they opt for their children's future. Good parents may even wear simple inexpensive clothing to ensure their children are properly clothed. Some parents work two jobs to meet their children’s most basic needs. In addition, the children may not even appreciate it until they grow-up themselves, but a good parent will deny themselves certain privileges and rights to help their children. Beloved, the same is true regarding the way mature saint’s treat younger believers. They understand the younger believer needs time and opportunity to grow. 

The Serious Emergency 

There is not a person on earth today who is not hurting or needy in some way. Everyone you and I know has a burden—a heartfelt need. Behind every plastic smile there is a world of burdens that we are struggling and straining to cover up. We don’t want anyone to know our pain…we want to appear strong so that we don’t cause others to stumble. Remember, every set of eyes you will ever gaze into have shed hundreds of tears in secret when no one else but God was watching. That lady who is always smiling at church will one day need a shoulder to cry on. That guy who loves to laugh, cut up, and tell jokes will need encouraging one day.  Our world is in a state of emergency and the disease is “an overdose of hurts and burdens,” and the medicine they need is someone unselfish enough to help when they hurt. Someone to love them and reassure them of God’s great love for them!

Trials and Temptations are the Universal Lot of Us All, and Only Christ Can Give That Measure of Strength Necessary to Overcome Them. (See 1 Cor. 10:13)

1 Cor. 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Look to the Lord for that way of escape and the power to endure until the temptation pass. Be assured He will never lead you into a scenario that is more than you can deal with. His grace is sufficient for you and me.

Christians Desperately Need to be Sensitive to the Needs of Others and to Help Bear Another’s Burdens (Rom. 15:1). This is a repeated instruction in the Word.

Gal 6:2, Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1Thes 5:14, Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Gal 5:13-14, For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14, For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Because We All Face Similar Trials We May Be Used of God to Help Another overcome a Challenge We Have Previously Experienced Ourselves. That is one reason why God allows us to suffer hardships. We learn to accept His help, strength, and comfort and as a result we can be of aid to someone else. (See 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.)

2 Cor. 1:3-4, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

God Himself comforts us when life hurts, and He provides fellow comforters among the brethren as we receive His comfort through our personal trials. All of this says that God cares about what hurts you. Many of you know exactly what I mean when I say, “The pain can overwhelm us at times….” We can become confused, perplexed, and our souls ache beyond our ability to express…. We can become lost in our sorrows were it not for the sweet Savior, the Lord Jesus.

So, what is your burden today?

What are some weighty challenges you must bear? Does anyone really care about your burdens? What can we do for each other to assist one another with our various burdens? Does God really care about our problems? 

Consider a bit of encouragement from Mr. Max Lucado,

 “When it comes to the major-league difficulties like death, disease, sin and disaster—you already know that God deeply cares.But what about the smaller things? What about grouchy bosses or flat tires or lost dogs? What about broken dishes, late flights, toothaches, or a crashed hard drive? Do these matter to God? John [the Apostle] added this phrase for you (1Jn. 3:2).
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God,” We really are His children!
As a result, if something is important to you, it's important to God.…  God wants to share your burden . . . .  He wants to Lift Your Burden . . . .
    
Heb. 4:15, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Heb. 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

 So, go ahead. Tell God what hurts. Talk to him. He won’t turn you away. He won’t think it’s silly. For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but He did not sin. Let us, then, with full assurance come before God’s throne where we can secure grace to help in our time of need . . . when the burden is too heavy to bare alone. . .  When no one else will understand . . . . when your secret is a dark one . . .  Take it to Him who cares and understands.
Does God care about the burdens and little things in our lives? You better believe it.If it matters to you, it matters to him.” (From He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado)

I have had times when I could not help myself much less anybody else, but in those instances God Himself was faithful to comfort and encourage me when I needed it most. He has used His Word, afforded grace, imparted peace, provided relief, and met the needs! As my Pastor, Dr. Baldwin, says of Jesus, “He is a burden Bearer, and he is a heavy-load Sharer!” Like you, I have also been comforted by precious believers whom God had touched with His encouraging hands. I praise God for my precious wife, Patrice, God has used her repeatedly to comfort and encourage this preacher! Nothing knits people together like enduring painful times together. So, why not become a burden bearer like our Lord for the benefit of the brethren?

Scandalous Behavior in High Places

1 Samuel 2:11-21

Our recent US Presidents have certainly generated a good deal of negative press. The mere mentioning of their names revives memories of continuing investigations for unconstitutional, immoral and unethical behaviors. This is a pervasive theme throughout our federal and state governments. Whether it is Hillary Clinton’s Benghazi investigation or police brutality, everyone is justifiably more skeptical of public officials! The business world is another sector where scandals have made international news. Names like Martha Stewart, WorldCom, British Petroleum, Enron, Xerox, Volkswagen and too many others have been charged with illegal and unethical business practices. Though we are accustom to scandals related to the lives of entertainers still we find ourselves dumbfounded by the behaviors of ‘superstars’ like Bill Cosby, and NBC’s former anchorman Brian Williams. Such negative developments create unholy ripple effects in society!    

Unfortunately this kind of behavior is not limited to politics, business, and entertainment. It has also permeated the “religious” world. Catholic priests have been publicly charged with the horrible crime of sexually abusing children. The Anglican Church has a homosexual priest serving as the head bishop. Prominent television evangelists and other well-known religious leaders have been charged with double lives indulging in pornography, adultery, and homosexuality.

Never before in the history of our own culture have we experienced so much “wickedness in high places.” Surprisingly in contrast, the Bible indicates this is not new; throughout Israel’s colorful history God exposed sinful leaders for the whole world to see.

Lesson:

I.  The Scandalous Behavior of Eli’s Sons.   1Sam. 2:11-17

A.  THEY WERE WICKED SONS OF BELIAL.

   1.  Sons of The Priest and Judge.

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were extremely wicked men. Eli served both as a judge and as high priest in Israel.

   2.  They Were Priests Also.   (2:12)

We first meet these men in the opening verses of the book of 1 Samuel, where they are also identified as "priests of the Lord" (1:3). Sadly, these two men did not measure up to the spiritual qualifications that God had established for spiritual leaders (Lev. 21:1-15). Rather than living righteous and holy lives, they were very wicked the “Sons of Belial.”(1 Sam. 2:12a).

   3.  They Knew Not the Lord.   (2:12)      

This phrase, “they knew not the LORD” is very revealing regarding their spiritual status.  Even though Eli’s sons had not turned from God to worship the false gods of Canaan, they did not know God personally. Even though they were involved in a religious profession as priests in the Tabernacle at Shiloh, they were not true followers of the Lord. (Getz)

   4.  Not All Jews Were Saved.

When Paul addressed the Jews in his epistle to the Romans, he made it clear that there are Jews who are Believers and those who are not. More specifically, Paul said: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: [29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Rom. 2:28-29).

 

Eli’s sons were not true Jews by God’s definition. They were no doubt circumcised according to the Law of Moses, but they had cold and calloused hearts. Their wickedness is almost incomprehensible.

B. THEY WERE DISRESPECTFUL OF GOD’S OFFERINGS.    1 Samuel 2:15-16

   1.  They Ignored Bible Guidance. Vs. 16

They Treating the Lord’s Offering with violent Contempt!  Moses had clearly outlined God's plan for the priests (Lev. 7:30-34). They were not to take the fat portions of the meat that was being offered. They were legally allowed to have the "breast" and the "right shoulder," but only after the fat portions of the sacrifice had been burned upon the altar.

  2.  They Established Personal Preferences.   Vs. 15

Instead, Eli's sons had set up their own rules in order to get the best meat while the sacrifice was being boiled (1 Sam. 2:13-14).

  3.  They Asserted Their Will.

But they took another step out of the will of God. We read that “Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.” (2:15). In addition, if anyone resisted, the servants would “take it by force” (2:16).

 

C.  THEY WERE LITERALLY ROBBING THE LORD.

   1.  Their Actions Were Robbery.

God was very displeased with Eli’s sons. God viewed their actions as taking for themselves what belonged to Him. As Keil & Delitzsch state: "To take the flesh of the sacrificial animal and roast it before the offering had been made, was a crime which was equivalent to a robbery of God."

   2.  Their Actions Were Frustrating Worship.  Vs. 17

But more so, these men were stealing the LORD’S offerings with zero appreciation for the worship of Jehovah. Not only were they taking from God what belonged to Him, but they were keeping people from offering sacrifices to atone for their sins. Consequently, what they did affected all Israel. They were treating with contempt what God had established as a means of having fellowship with His people and a way in which His people could have fellowship with Him. (Getz)

 “Just Suppose!” Though I cannot think of any contemporary illustration to describe the gravity of the sin Eli's sons committed, let me share one idea that may help. The church I serve has seventeen paid pastors. Suppose we ordered our secretaries to meet our people at the door on Sunday mornings and demand they give directly to the pastors the money they had planned to give to the Lord. Though what a person gives to the Lord financially has nothing to do with the forgiveness of sins, we would certainly be taking from God what belongs to Him and hindering our people from worshiping God. Though the Lord has given us biblical guidelines specifying that pastors should be paid from the offerings of the people (1 Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6:6), those salaries should be paid from a portion of the offerings after the money has been first and foremost given to God.—Gene Getz

This illustration, multiplied many times, describes the seriousness of the sin committed by Hophni and Phinehas. Such behavior grieved God. Sadly, modern so called servants of God are taking money people believe they are giving to God for themselves. This too is scandalously disrespectful of the God’s offering!  

To be sure God still uses imperfect Christians, but sin in our lives leads to serious consequences. God used Eli even though he at times disobeyed the Word of the Lord, and today God may even use us when we deliberately disobey Him. He honors His Word. But ultimately we’ll pay a serious price for our sins. We will eventually reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7).  Galatians 6:7, unmistakably says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

I know a number of former pastors who had built very prominent churches. Thousands of people professed faith in Christ under their preaching and ministries. At the same time, they were living scandalously immoral double lives. They got involved with pornography, their secretaries, and young ladies in their Christian schools, social media outlets, ladies they were counseling, and in some instances multiple affairs through dating services. But eventually their worlds came crashing down because sin had caught up with them. It always does! Unfortunately, too many of their confessions of sin and repentance were superficial, dishonest, and manipulative. Eventually, they lost their pastorates, some of them lost their marriages, and their families.   

Please do not misunderstand me. Not all crises of this nature are the result of sin. But in Eli’s case—the cause-effect relationship seems quite clear. These men violated God’s will again and again over lengthy periods of time. It did not all happen at once or suddenly…gradually their unrepentant sinfulness led to greater and deeper sin. Beloved, this should not surprise us. Really bad things do happen because God promises He will discipline His children who habitually practice sin (Heb. 12). In Corinth, some church members’ sins were so flagrant that God allowed them to become terribly ill and some of them actually died. In other words, God took them home to heaven prematurely. First Corinthians 11:30, clearly warns, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

II. The Spiritual Development of Hannah’s Son.  1Sam. 2:18-21

A.  SAMUEL WAS GROWING PHYSICALLY. (2:18-19).

In stark contrast, little Samuel was growing up and ministering before the Lord in truth. In spite of the terrible wickedness and outright hypocrisy that existed in the tabernacle at Shiloh, Samuel continued his spiritual journey. Eli served as his mentor, even though his own sons were woefully wicked. As a young boy, he actually performed spiritual tasks alongside Hophni and Phinehas—“ministered before the LORD” (1 Sam. 2:18). Once a year when his parents traveled to Shiloh to worship, Hannah brought him a “little coat” she had made—obviously a bit larger each year to fit his growing body. (Getz)

B.  ELKANAH’S FAMILY WAS GROWING NUMERICALLY. (2:20-21)

And each year, Eli pronounced a blessing on Elkanah and Hannah, asking the Lord to give them more children to replace Samuel. God graciously responded to Eli’s prayers and blessed Hannah with “three sons and two daughters.” That is a five hundred percent increase on the initial investment of little Samuel. I love God’s math!

C.  SAMUEL WAS GROWING SPIRITUALLY. VS. 21

Meanwhile, we read, “The child Samuel grew before the LORD” (2:21). Again in spite of his immediate climate, circumstances, and culture this little servant was thriving in the Lord his God!

    1.  God Protected His Heart.

In some miraculous way, God protected young Samuel from being negatively influenced by the corruption that existed in the house of the Lord.

   2.  Hannah’s Prayers Shielded Him.

I have no problem believing that Hannah’s faithful prayers afforded him a measure of protection and grace. A godly mother’s and father’s prayers can still avail protection for our children in this evil permeated culture we must traverse. If we must send them off into the public school system and secular colleges, then please shield and guard them with your prayers!  

It is possible for children to grow up to be godly men and women, even though they have lived in an environment that is permeated with evil. This is one of the most encouraging principles that grow out of this unique story. In spite of his evil environment, Samuel continued to mature to become a man of God. If this could happen to this young man in his environment, it certainly can happen to our own children.  However, this does not happen automatically. We must adhere to God’s strategies, plans, and ways. Most importantly, we must live consistent Christian lives in front of our children from the very time they are born. We must dedicate them to the Lord early and pray for them consistently. It is also incumbent upon us to do all we can to protect them from evil influences without attempting to remove them completely from the broader society. This, of course, is one of the greatest challenges we face as parents in the world today. But, when we join together as Christian parents and encourage and pray for one another,  I am confident God will help us to bring up our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). If this was possible in the first-century world, it is certainly possible in our deteriorating twenty-first century world.