Untitled Sermon (2)
If love is the sum of virtue and hypocrisy the epitome of vice, what a contradiction to bring these together! Dissembling affection!
This pattern of Paul’s ethical preaching and teaching lays particular emphasis on (1) the ethical implications that are inherent in the Christian proclamation of the gospel and (2) the religious teachings and ethical example of the historical Jesus.
how “the love [of the people of God]” is to express itself with respect to “those who are God’s people” (in 12:9–13) and then to “those who oppose God’s people” (in 12:14–21).
Love is the rubric for the whole of the Christian life
The whole of the believer’s conduct, in fact, should be bathed in love
vv. 9–13 tend to deal with the relationship to fellow Christians, whereas vv. 14–21 tend to deal with the Christian’s stance toward those who are outside the faith
Even in church life some people are tempted to enjoy the office rather than use it as an avenue for service
to stand before” others
Leadership
with singleness of heart, free of mixed motives, without regret (over having given so much)
Contributing to the needs of others” has to do with spontaneous private benevolence
the aim in teaching was to give help in the area of Christian living rather than formal instruction in doctrine,
teaching is paired with knowledge, whereas prophecy is coupled with revelation
the nature of the gift is not primarily prediction but the communication of revealed truth that will both convict and build up the hearers
Prophets are not to be governed by their emotions (1 Co 14:32) or by their love of speaking (1 Co 14:30) but by total dependence on the Spirit of God.
the primary purpose in getting the attention of each one in this way is to drive home the necessity of appropriating and using one’s gift for the sake of others with the utmost humility
they must “test” what is in accord with the will of God, refusing the norms of conduct employed by the sinful world
The stress provided by the present tenses in this verse points to the necessity of continual vigilance, lest the original decision be vitiated or weakened
Service is always the proper accompaniment to worship.
biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy already experienced provides the basis for sacrifice as the fitting response
Only an intelligent commitment of life in the light of God’s gift of salvation will suffice.
The one expression covers what God has done in terms of the gospel; it deals with divine provision. The other deals with what Christians are expected to do by way of working out the salvation that has been given them
indicative” and the “imperative
because those who are made right with their Maker need to know what difference this makes in their relationships with their fellow human beings
firstfruits” is understood to refer to dough
