Recipe for Revival

Introduction

Paul the apostle writing to the church at Rome, whom he had been praying for “…make mention of you always in my prayers;” Rom 1:9. He wanted to come and visit them on one of his journeys, to strengthen them, encourage them, be comforted in them, and to preach the Gospel to them. This is the theme of Romans.

In Romans 12 Paul reveals the effectual transformative power and nature of God in the life of the Christian. The first half of the chapter focuses on the how of that transformation, and the personal gifting. The second half of the chapter teaches the commands to every single believer of what to do and not to do as a faithful spirit filled Christian.

for each

>testimony

>teaching

>historical explanation

>real application

Some pictures

Romans 12:9–21 KJV 1900

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Love Like This

1. Let Love Be Without Dissimulation

DISSIMULATION, noun [Latin , to make like; like.] The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false appearance; a feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. dissimulation may be simply concealment of the opinions, sentiments or purpose; but it includes also the assuming of a false or counterfeit appearance which conceals the real opinions or purpose. dissimulation among statesmen is sometimes regarded as a necessary vice, or as no vice at all.

Let love be without dissimulation Romans 12:9. ~Websters 1828 dictionary

Today we would see this more commonly > Dissimulation - concealment of one’s thoughts, feelings, or character; pretense ~Oxford Languages

What Paul is Saying > Let Love be without any falseness, deception, manipulation, corruption, hypocrisy.

Let love be FULLY PURE.

Which is the great commandment?

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.1

1 The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Mt 22:35–40.

Exodus 20:1-26, Deuteronomy 5:1-33, Deu 6:1-9

Deu 6:4-6 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:1

1 The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Dt 6:4–6.

2. Abhor That Which Is Evil

How do we know what is evil? It’s what God says is evil

3. Cleave To That Which Is Good

How do we know what is good? It’s what God says is good.

We as humans will mix these up, rationalize and excuse evil while avoiding good if we allow ourselves. The perfect, 100% accurate discernment is only possible consistently with God’s filling of His Holy Spirit daily.

how do we abhor evil?

ABHOR', verb transitive [L abhorreo, of ab and horreo, to set up bristles, shiver or shake; to look terrible.]

1. To hate extremely, or with contempt; to lothe, detest or abominate.

2. To despise or neglect. Psalms 22:24. Amos 6:8.

3. To cast off or reject. Psalm 89:38.

Cleave

1. To stick; to adhere; to hold to.

2. To unite aptly; to fit; to sit well on.

3. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment.

4. be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love,

kindly affectioned - KINDLY, adverb With good will; with a disposition to make others happy or to oblige; benevolently; favorably. Let the poor be treated kindly ~1828

Brotherly Love = Brotherly kindness - protective, benevolent, good natured, kind, patient, generous, good willed love

Brotherly love - talking about phileo, love that is familial, good hearted

5. In honor preferring one another.

HON'OR, noun on'or. [Latin honor honos.]

1. The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation.

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country. Matthew 13:1.

2. A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions; as the honors of war; military honors; funeral honors; civil honors.

3. Dignity; exalted rank or place; distinction.

I have given thee riches and honor 1 Kings 3:1.

>>In esteem or estimation, expression of respect or exalted rank and dignity we are to prefer others first before ourselves.

6. Not slothful in business

Proverbs 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Pro 18:9 “He also that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.”

Pro 20:11 “Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

Have you worked with lazy people before? Where they the best working partners? How much did they multiply your workload, with what they didn’t do?

7. Fervent in spirit

Pro 11:18 “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”

Deu 28:12 “The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”

>>This is one of many mentions where God says He will bless the work of peoples hands. God loves to bless and multiply our work when we commit the work and the results unto Him.

8. Serving the Lord

When was the last time that you told someone, that Jesus loves them and wants a relationship with them?

9. Rejoicing in hope

We can rejoice in the Return of Jesus Christ

The Rapture

Being with our Lord for all eternity

Loved ones being saved and living eternally with us

Are you rejoicing that you have another chance today to do something great with God?

Are you rejoicing in the God of your salvation?

10. Patient in tribulation

Because we are rejoicing in the hope God has given us, and keeping our eyes on Him. We can be patient, long suffering in times of trial and trouble. Waiting on the Lord.

11. Continuing instant in prayer

We can be patient in tribulation by being instant in prayer.

This needs to be our first step for any problem.

12. Distributing to the necessity of the saints

Acts

13. Given to hospitality

Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Hospitality isn’t always easy, but if it were it probably wouldn’t have to be a command.

Whites in Houston

Leslies for Thanksgiving

Johnstons in McAllen

Willoughby’s in Oklohoma

Websters in Ennis

14. Bless them with persecute you,

This one is hard. How do we bless those who are actively intent and trying to harm us?

15. bless, and curse not

16. Rejoice with them that do rejoice

As christians sometimes we aren’t great at this. we fake humility or sobriety by refusing to rejoice and celebrate one another. We need to celebrate each others victories, and rejoice with them that do rejoice

17. Weep with them that weep

Sometimes it seems we are better at this, because misery loves company. But being real, sometimes the only person who can understand what you are going through, is someone who has been through it themself.

Sharon and I, and miscarriage

18. Be of the same mind one toward another

This is accomplished by spending time with each other, and ironing out differences through compromise that is based on Biblical principles.

Blessed are the peacemakers Mat 5:9

19. Mind not high things

Don’t look to the things of this world for satisfaction and contentment

Career and position

Power and Wealth

Stuff, Houses, Cars, Property, etc.

20. But condescend to men of low estate

Meet with people where they are at, include and involve others where you can. Try to make opportunities to bring in more people .

21. Be not wise in your own conceits

Proverbs 6:16–19 KJV 1900

These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 21:24 KJV 1900

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, Who dealeth in proud wrath.

Luke 18:11–14 KJV 1900

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

James 4:10 KJV 1900

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

22. Recompense to no man evil for evil

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 5:43–44 KJV 1900

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

23. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Matthew 5:37 KJV 1900

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

1 Peter 2:12 KJV 1900

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

24. Live peaceably with all men

Sometimes this is as easy or as hard as just holding our tongue.

The if it be possible conditional is necessary.

We need to protect our families if an evil situation sometimes comes to us. But the majority of the time we can avoid evil situations, and live peaceably with others just by making wise decisions.

25. Avenge not yourselves

Evil will happen to us. When it does. God is tasking us with trusting vengeance, justice to Him.

He owns it.

26. Give place unto wrath

Vengeance belongs to God, He has promised to repay

Sometimes this may mean flee from wrath. Flee from temptation

27. Feed your enemy

28. Give drink to your enemy

Have you ever had a coworker or someone you just can’t seem to stand… They are your antagonizer.

Have you ever tried to bring them a sandwich, a coffee, or something as a peace offering?

29. Be not overcome with evil

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

30. Overcome evil with good

Matthew 10:16 KJV 1900

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

1 John 4:4 KJV 1900

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Matthew 5:44–45 KJV 1900

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

A good testimony

A good heart

A good faithful persistence with patience is what can turn someones heart from cold and stone into warm clay that can be molded by the potter