Day 1 - Lord's Day - (Sunday) - Daily Devotions - The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023-2024 - Logos

 June 16

Lesson 3 (KJV)

Empowered Servants

Devotional Reading: Philippians 2:1–13

Background Scripture: Romans 15:1–13

Romans 15:1–13

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.

Key Text

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Romans 15:5–6

Hope in the Lord

Unit I: Experiencing Hope

Lessons 1–5

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify who set the ultimate example of acceptance.

2. Contrast the Christian concept of empowerment with secular concepts of that term.

3. Suggest a way to react to a common failing of new Christians (“the weak”).

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Diversity? Unity?

B. Lesson Context: The Big Picture

C. Lesson Context: The Letter Itself

I. What to Do, Part 1 (Romans 15:1–4)

A. Bear Burdens (v. 1)

Reciprocal Weakness—and Strength

B. Please Neighbors (v. 2)

C. Follow Example (v. 3)

D. Have Hope (v. 4)

II. What to Do, Part 2 (Romans 15:5–12)

A. Be Unified in Mind (vv. 5–7)

Unity in Volume

B. Embrace Diversity for God (vv. 8–12)

III. How God Can Help (Romans 5:13)

A. Nature of the Kingdom (v. 13a)

B. Power of the Spirit (v. 13b)

Conclusion

A. Doctrinal? Practical?

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

circumcision	sur-kuhm-si-zhn.
Esaias	E-zay-us.
Gentiles	Jen-tiles.

What Do You Think? How should Christians respond to being insulted? Digging Deeper What biblical examples inform your answer?

 

What Do You Think? To what degree do you consider Christian unity to be a reality versus an ideal? Digging Deeper What role does the Spirit play in unifying Christians? What responsibiilty does that leave us?

What Do You Think? Which biblical teachings inform what it means to accept one another? Digging Deeper Which biblical teachings offer guidance about unacceptable behaviors or attitudes and how to react in such situations?

What Do You Think? What other passages give you confidence in God’s faithfulness and power to accomplish what He promises? Digging Deeper How can you align your own commitments with God’s purposes?

What Do You Think? Where do you see the Spirit at work to shape your perspectives and actions? Digging Deeper In what specific ways can you cultivate an attitude that encourages you to follow the Spirit’s guidance?

Conclusion

A. Doctrinal? Practical?

A teacher of an adult Bible study class announced that when their current study of the book of Mark was concluded, the class would study a certain doctrine. This announcement resulted immediately in an objection from a participant who said that every church she had been part of had had divisions over doctrine. Her objection was along the lines of “Give us something practical, not doctrinal!”

This statement, like the “Unity? Diversity?” question we posed at the very beginning of this lesson, is a false choice. Doctrine (what we believe) is the basis of practice (how we behave; compare 1 Timothy 1:3–10; 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:3–5; Titus 1:9; 2:1–14).

The doctrine of the church’s global, multinational, multiethnic, inclusive, and diverse membership is grounded in the even more foundational doctrines of creation and redemption. God created all people of every nation, and Christ died and rose for all people of every nation. Those doctrinal foundations leave us with a practical question: Are we willing to surrender our privilege and defer to those unlike us to express our faith in and submit to the Creator God and the crucified Christ?

B. Prayer

Dear God, we celebrate Your love that made us one body of Christ composed of many tribes and nations. Empower us to live according to Your plan for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

Christ creates one church united in Him.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 Palafox Omar, Summ Chad, Taylor Mark, et al., “Empowered Servants,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2024), 367–368.