15:1-13
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Verses 1-7. Be united with the believers in your life (verse 5).
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Verses 1-2. To do this, receive believers warmly, be patient with their weaknesses, and serve them first.
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Verses 3-4. Learn from Scripture and from Jesus' example. This will comfort you, teach you how to comfort others, and help you to be patient.
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Verses 8-13. Jesus served us and accepted us into His kingdom. We are joyful about that!
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So be joyful about the salvation of other believers, no matter who they are!
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15:14-21
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Verses 16-19. Our communities and the people we serve are an offering we will present to God one day.
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Verse 16. Help your people to be in the best condition possible, so that they will be a good offering to God!
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Verse 19. Do this by helping others be obedient to the Word.
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Verse 18. Obey the Word for yourself, and more power will be in your life. This will make you more effective at helping others become obedient.
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Verses 20-21. Focus on your own people. Be responsible for your own community.
15:22-29
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Support other believers financially, especially those who have helped you spiritually.
15:30-33
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Verses 30-31. Walk in love by praying for and with other believers. Praying is loving others through the Holy Spirit.
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Verse 32. It will be refreshing for you to be with other like-minded believers. Don't neglect fellowship!
16:1-16, 21-23
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Verses 1-2. Recognize helpful people, and be helpful to them as a way of honoring them.
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Verses 3-16, 21-23. Let people know that you're thinking of them, especially when you're not seeing them often. This shows love.
16:17-20
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Focus on having the right relationships in the church, keeping them strong, and focus on obedience to God. Do these things, and Satan won't be a problem.
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Verses 17-18. Avoid people that are spreading false doctrine and causing believers to sin or divide.
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Verses 19-20. Staying obedient to God and being innocent of sin will beat Satan every time.
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16:25-27
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The Gospel is for everyone, and to make everyone obedient. Focus on encouraging yourself and others to be obedient to the Word.
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Verse 26. Side note: Old Testament prophecies are important for supporting the gospel.
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