2024 0303 Romans 12 Bless not Curse

Romans 12:12–13 NIV

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

Practical Things so Far

1. have sincere love

2. hate evil, hold onto good

3. be devoted with brotherly affection

4. honour others above you

5. keep your zeal, your enthusiasm

6. joyful, faithful and patient

7. hospitality

our love for Jesus must translate into godly actions

we are given many short bits of advice

we have gone through them over the last month or so

we now come to what could be the most important advice

Romans 12:14 NIV

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

Bless not Curse

this is the essential quality of a Christian

our response when things go wrong

we can

Example of Jesus

1 Peter 2:23 NIV

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus is our greatest example and inspiration

what he spoke and did when he walked on this earth

even more so hanging on the cross

Peter draws our attention to the response of Jesus

no retaliation, no threats

he had a divine attitude of grace

Forgiveness the Greatest Blessing

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

often said that the most important things are said on your deathbed

here is Jesus the man about to die in th enatural

here is faith extreme yet the miracle of the resurrection is still coming

Jesus had a focus on others not self

his words were about forgiveness

forgiveness is the greatest act of blessing

forgiveness removes that hurt from its influence over you

Blessed Response

1 Corinthians 4:12 NIV

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

when we are cursed

there is no revenge or getting even

there is no pity party or unfairness

when we are cursed we bless

when the negative happens we do the positive

we must take a step not in our flesh

we say, we do what Jesus did

we forgive in all its variations

Words of Jesus

Matthew 5:43–45 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

comes straight from the mouth of Jesus

love your enemies - this is shown by forgiveness

pray for those who persecute you

this is forgiveness outworking in your life

that you may be children of your Father

forgiveness is the divine nature

on the cross

in your life

Matthew 6:14 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.