Roman 6

Intro- talk about division.....how it is the long term strategy of the enemy

-in the garden

-cain and abel

-the temptations of Christ

When we allow seperation we miss out on salvation and when we are divided, we are doomed.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

True worship is total devotion to Jesus.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Some of us want new life perks with old life habits.

The world is full of divison....the pattern of the world he is speaking of is division but he is saying be transformed....think differently. Think with the gospel in mind. Think with the influence of the spirit.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Humility is a clear sign that grace has transformed you.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

We are different but we are the same. But we are all give gifts to glorify Him.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Love is most real when we reject what is evil and embrace what is good even when it cost us.

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

We keep our spiritual fervor…or zeal when we serve and love others.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

This goes back to not falling into patterns of the world....this is holiness.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Empathy us the great equalizer…when we empathize we love our neighbors as ourselves.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

The world practices patterns of pain, Christ calls us to patterns of peace.

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” n says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” o

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Evil will not solve your problems but it will make you its slave.

Enemy love is a sure sign of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for an unbelieving world.

In today's culture, we divide by demonizing and creating enemies (both legitimate and illegitimate ones) and this strategy is super effective. However, for those of us seeking to follow Christ, we have to avoid this trap and remember that we are called to love our enemies and honestly I think enemy love is one of the clearest signs to unbelievers of the power of the Gospel.

The worlds ways will never accomplish The Kingdom’s objectives.

Humility is a clear sign that grace has transformed you.

Humility is essential to transformation.

If you fail to be humble you will fail to transform in the ways of Jesus.

True worship is total devotion to Jesus.

Jesus gave all for us, we should be willing to give all for Him!

In today's culture, we divide by demonizing and creating enemies (both legitimate and illegitimate ones) and this strategy is super effective. However, for those of us seeking to follow Christ, we have to avoid this trap and remember that we are called to love our enemies and honestly I think enemy love is one of the clearest signs to unbelievers of the power of the Gospel.