Week 6: Living Out the Gospel

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Main Theme: Gospel Living

Big Idea: The gospel isn’t just something we believe — it’s something we live every day.

Roman Fact:

Communal BBQs:

Romans had communal BBQs too! The word convivium referred to a feast with friends where food was shared and relationships were deepened. It was about community, just like tonight!

Introduction:

Have you ever been to a party where someone brought the vibe down — complaining, gossiping, making it about them?

Now flip it — have you been around someone who made everyone feel welcome, loved, and seen?

That’s the difference the gospel makes. It changes how we live with people.

Tension:

Most people think Christianity is about rules or beliefs. But if our faith doesn’t show up in how we treat people — what’s the point?

Paul says if the gospel is real in your life, it will absolutely show up in how you love, forgive, and live with others.

Big Idea:

The gospel isn’t just something we believe — it’s something we live every day.

Truth:

Before we read this last section of Romans, let’s take a quick look back:

Week 1 — The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:1–17): The gospel isn’t just a message; it’s the power of God that transforms our everyday lives.

Week 2 — The Problem of Sin (Romans 1:18–3:20): We can’t understand the good news until we understand the bad news — all of us are lost without Jesus.

Week 3 — Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21–5:21): God’s grace meets us where we are — we are justified not by what we do, but by what Jesus has done.

Week 4 — New Life in Christ (Romans 6–8): The gospel doesn’t just forgive your past; it empowers your present and secures your future.

Week 5 — God’s Mercy and Plan (Romans 9–11): God’s mercy is wider than we imagine — His plan is unfolding even when we can’t see it.

Now we reach the final section — where Paul shows us what it looks like to actually live this gospel out.

Romans 12:9–13 — Gospel Love in Community

Read Romans 12:9–13

Romans 12:9–13 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Key Points:

Love Must Be Real (v9)

Not fake. Not performative. Gospel love hates what is evil and clings to what is good.

Ask yourself: Would someone say your love is real or just polite?

Outdo One Another in Honor (v10)

Gospel people don’t compete for attention — they compete to lift each other up.

Application: Say something encouraging to someone here tonight. Celebrate someone else.

Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning (v11)

Don’t be lazy in your faith. Keep your passion for God alive.

Application: Stay close to Jesus — especially in your ordinary days.

Practice Joy, Patience, and Prayer (v12)

Three things to carry with you: joy in hope, patience in hard times, and faithfulness in prayer.

Application: Don’t just react — respond with the habits of the gospel.

Be Generous and Hospitable (v13)

The gospel turns us outward. It makes us open-handed, not self-centered.

Application: Who could you include or invite that usually gets overlooked?

Romans 12:14–21 — Gospel Love in a Broken World

Read Romans 12:14–21

Romans 12:14–21 ESV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Key Points:

Bless, Don’t Curse (v14)

When people hurt you, don’t hurt them back. Speak blessing instead.

Application: Is there someone you need to forgive — or stop tearing down?

Empathy Over Ego (v15)

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.

Application: Be the kind of friend who truly shows up in both joy and pain.

Choose Humility (v16)

Don’t be proud or cliquish. Be willing to hang out with anyone.

Application: Start a conversation with someone new tonight.

Let Go of Retaliation (v17–19)

Don’t repay wrong for wrong. Trust God with justice.

Application: Lay down the need to get even. God sees it all.

Overcome Evil with Good (v20–21)

Kindness is a powerful weapon. Let good win.

Application: Do something unexpectedly kind — even toward someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Application:

So tonight, how do we live out the gospel?

Be Real With Your Love

Say kind things.

Don’t fake it.

Encourage someone here before you leave.

Be Peaceful People

If someone’s hard to get along with, choose peace.

Not gossip.

Not drama.

Be the First to Forgive

Gospel people are quick to forgive because we’ve been forgiven so much.

Landing:

The gospel changes how we live every single day — not just what we believe but how we treat each other.

You have the Spirit of God in you — so you can be a person of peace, love, and kindness… even at a BBQ.

Big Idea (again):

The gospel isn’t just something we believe — it’s something we live every day.

Pray:

Pray: Ask God to help students…

See others as people made in the image of God.

Trust that God is a just judge who loves them.

Have endurance as they seek to follow Jesus.

Rely on the Spirit who makes changes in them and others and give time for those changes.