Genuine Love Romans 12:9-21

-Genuine Love is Demonstrated in Action

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Love of Christ

Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world looking for the distinguished Pharisee, Paul, encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.”

“Did you not guess?” replied Timothy. “Paul is in love.” The merchant looked bewildered. “In love?”

“Yes,” the missionary answered, “Paul is in love with Jesus Christ.”

The merchant looked even more bewildered. “Is that all?” Smiling, Timothy replied, “That is everything.”

I. Towards God

The first relationship Paul describes here is our relationship with God

What are the attitudes that prove a genuine love for God?

We hate what is evil and love what is good v. 9

We serve the Lord with zeal and a fervent spirit, not half-heartedly v. 11

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer v. 12

All of this points to a trust in God and understanding of His care

Hope doesn’t come from self, I rejoice in Him

Tribulation is not final or fatal, I wait for Him

He is a loving Father, I will seek Him

Trust His justice; place the responsibility for your care in His hands

300 Illustrations for Preachers “In Dog We Trust”

The $500 rug in the lobby of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida was supposed to say, “In God We Trust,” but the rug manufacturer mistyped the word “God,” rearranging the letters so that the rug said, “In Dog We Trust.” It took a couple of months for someone to discover the typo, but then the rug was quickly removed and later auctioned off; the proceeds went to a nonprofit that serves abandoned and injured dogs.

Having made my share of typos, I understand how mistakes are made. Misspelling a slogan is one thing, but misplacing one’s trust is another. Yet every day many people place their trust in money instead of God, even though the currency itself declares “In God We Trust.”

II. Towards Those Who Love Us

Love one another, demonstrated by showing honor to each other v. 10

This is an expression of value

Love is not love if it does not include action!

Generosity, expressed as acts of mercy and hospitality v. 13

Sympathy, rejoicing and weeping with those who rejoice and weep v. 15

Harmony, getting along and going along with others v. 16

Humbly, not having an inflated sense of self-worth and associating with the lowly v. 16

May those who love us, love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we'll know them by their limping.

III. Towards Those Who Don’t Love Us

Bless them, do not curse them; this is a profound attitude of love v. 14

Treat them in a way that is honorable, not repaying their evil v. 17

Seek a peaceable coexistence v. 18

Bless them and “kill them with kindness” v. 20

Overcome evil with good v. 21

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Persecution

On one occasion, following unspeakable sufferings in a filthy prison, missionary Adoniram Judson appeared before the king of Burma and asked permission to go to a certain city to preach.

“I am willing for a dozen preachers to go, but not you,” was the king’s answer. “Not with those hands! My people are not such fools as to take notice of your preaching, but they will take notice of those scarred hands.”