Our Loving Relationship to Our Community Romans 12:9-21

Intro

A. (Recap)

1. Last week as we dived into chapter 12 of Romans we discussed what it means to transformed by the Gospel and specifically looked at two key relationships

1. Last week as we dived into chapter 12 of Romans we discussed what it means to transformed by the

a. A relationship to God which is marked by Sacrificial worship (12:1-2)

b. While also our relationship to the Church which is marked by humble unity & service (12:3-8)

b. While also our relationship to the Church is marked by humble unity & service (12:3-8)

b. While also our relationship to the Church which is marked by humble unity & service (12:3-8)

c. Both relationships are seen through a life transformed through the Gospel

This week we will be pick

c. Both relationships are seen through a life transformed through the Gospel

B.

This week as we study the rest of chapter 12 we will evaluate what it looks like to be transformed by the gospel in our everyday community and live in a sacrificial true love that seeks the good of others before ourselves.

This week as we study the rest of chapter 12 we will evaluate what it looks like to be transformed by the gospel in our everyday community and live in a sacrificial love

This week as we study the rest of chapter 12 we will evaluate what it looks like to be transformed by the gospel in our everyday community and live in a sacrificial true love that seeks the good of others before ourselves.

C. Read scripture

So if you have a copy of God’s Holy Word then please open up if you have not already to …

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.

So if you have a copy of God’s Holy Word then please open up if you have not already to …

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.

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.

D. Pray

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.

D. Pray

Exposition of the Text

A. A Sacrificial Life is One of True Love to Others ()

Exposition of the Text

This passage begins with diving into a concept of calling us to genuine or “True Love”

1. What is “True Love” According to the World

A. However, what is “True Love” According to the Current coulter We Live In?

a. Now days if we answer this question we might hear…

A. However, what is “True Love” According to the Current coulter We Live In?

1. Now days if we answer this question we might hear…

1) Something you share with your soulmate

1. Now days if we answer this question we might hear…

a. Something like your true love is something you share with your soulmate

2) Something that is based on emotions that feel good

b. Or true love is something that is based on emotions that you feel in a generally good way towards your significant other

b. Or true love is something that is based on emotions that you feel in a generally good way towards your significate other

b. People are constantly interested in “love”

b. Or true love is something that is based on emotions that you feel in a generally good way towards your significant other

c. Or true love is … fill in the blank but no matter what in our current culture true love seems to be always viewed towards something you share with your significant other.

1) Romantic Comedies

2. People are constantly interested in “love & true love”

2) Love stories

a. Whether its Romantic Comedies such as I dream a Jeannie, Bewitched, That Girl, Friends, and New Girl

a. Whether its Romantic Comedies such as I dream a Jeannie, Bewitched, Friends, or How I meet your mother

a. Whether its Romantic Comedies such as I dream a Jeannie, Bewitched, That Girl, Friends, and New Girl

3) It seems like if a story is to be successful at all it must have a love story some even a love triangle

a. Whether its Romantic Comedies such as I dream a Jeannie, Bewitched, That Girl, Friends, and New Girl

b. or even powerful Love stories like Romeo & Juliet, Cleopatra & Mark Antony, Lancelot & Guinevere, or even one of my favorites Tarzan & Jane

c. This is not the case of the true love we see Paul reference

c. It seems like if a story desires to be successful at all it must have a love story, or even some must even have a love triangle or even a love betrayal even action movies and stories desire to display this idea of love

2. Genuine Love That Seeks Good 12:9

3. However, moving into today’s study of the text of Romans this is not the case of the true and genuine love we see Paul reference instead we see him connecting love to the sacrificial life referenced last week by displaying that…

a. Genuine Love is A Sincere Love

3. However, moving into today’s study of the text of Romans this is not the case of the true and genuine love we see Paul reference instead we see him connecting love to the sacrificial life referenced last week by displaying that…

A. A Sacrificial Life is One of True Love to Others this is what Paul is desiring to display in ()

1) We can’t be false in our walk with others

A. A Sacrificial Life is One of True Love to Others this is what Paul is desiring to display in ()

1. As we look we see Genuine Love Seeks to be Sincere & also seeks Good 12:9

2) This should be an echo to

a. See Genuine Love is A Sincere Love

b. Genuine Love Avoids Evil & Cling to What is Good

1) We can’t be false in our walk with others or even in our display of love. I don’t know about you but I struggle with this. Until I really get to know someone I generally put this front or mask up I only let them see so much of who I really am. Sometimes we wear these different mask so to speak depending on where we are. Some might have a mask they wear at work, school, church, and even a mask for watching sports games. Paul is speaking out against this idea if we display love it has to be a true and sincere love that isn’t coming from a false anything.

1) This in many ways references last week’s sermon and the transformation the believers under go to were we no longer live a life that’s ours and seeks our will but that of God a pure and good will of our Creator & Savior

2) This should be an echo to another letter of Paul’s where he is describing that if we do anything and it does not have love then it’s useless and then he goes on to describe so of the characteristics of love.

2) Its through this sacrificial life that we carry out the will of God through love which as we will see is seen through action

3) Our love must be seeking to be something real and personal!

3. Brotherly Affectionate Love 12:10-13

b. Genuine Love Avoids Evil & Seeks to hold to What is Good

a. This Is a love that serves and honors others

b. Genuine Love Avoids Evil & Seeks to hold to What is Good

1) This in many ways references last week’s text, and the transformation the believers undergoes in which we no longer live a life that’s ours and seeks our will but seeks and discerns that of a pure and good will of our Holy Creator & Savior our God’s will.

1) This love is not one that is done to receive but to give (v10)

1) This in many ways references last week’s text, and the transformation the believers undergoes in which we no longer live a life that’s ours and seeks our will but seeks and discerns that of a pure and good will of our Holy Creator & Savior our God’s will.

2) It’s through this sacrificial life that we carry out the will of God through love which as we continue to read in the text we see is seen through action in our relationship towards our God and others in our daily life.

2) This Love is done in serves and obedience to God (v11-12)

2) It’s through this sacrificial life that we carry out the will of God through love which as we continue to read in the text we see is seen through action in our relationship towards our God and others in our daily life.

2. W are called to Brotherly Affectionate Love 12:10-13

3) This love is displayed in (v11-13)

2. W are called to Brotherly Affectionate Love 12:10-13

a. This true and sincere love must be shown and displayed in such a way that it’s tender, warm, and affectionate. For this is the love that binds a family together. This is the love that you see a parent display to their child or the love that siblings display to one another. See this is the love we now have on display this is the love we share following the life altering effects of being a living sacrifice to God.

i. Rejoicing in Hope

b. If we read the second “one another” phrase of our text. We will see that the sacrificial love we share seeks to serves and honors others.

ii. Patients in Tribulation

1) We don’t display this love so that we might receive but to give out in seeking the good once again lining with God’s will and not our own. (v10)

iii. Constant in prayer

2) We don’t act out in “love” for something we want but in humble obedience and service displaying love for those the Lord loves His creation (v11-12)

iv. Contributing to the needs of the body

3) This love is displayed in (v11-13) these acts are displayed all throughout our daily walk they are a measure of our love not only to others but to our Lord.

v.

i. What does it say if we don’t Rejoice in Hope of the gospel and the coming eternal kingdom of God?

B. A Sacrificial Life Extends Love to Even Those Who We See as Enemies ()

i. What does it say if we don’t Rejoice in Hope of the gospel and the coming eternal kingdom of God?

ii. What does it say of our love to God if we are not Patients in Tribulation and that we feel He is at our beckon call?

1.

ii. What does it say of our love to God if we are not Patients in Tribulation and that we feel He is at our beckon call?

iii. What does it say for our love to God and others if we are not Constant in prayer for the work of God in the life of the others we are tied to?

iv. What does it say of our love to the church if we do not Contribute to the needs of the body

v. What does it say of our love for the lost or anyone really if we are not willing to Show hospitality?

c. These actions go hand and hand with love. Yet these actions are simple compare to what Paul ask next!

B. He Calls us to a Sacrificial Life That Extends Love to Even Those Who We Seldom Desire to Love ()

Now this is where the real challenge begins

1. That is love pushes us to have compassion to those we have no desire to do so. 14-15

a. Paul tells us to seek God’s blessing upon those who seek to harm us and the ones we care for. This directly goes against our natural inclination however God desires His people to love in a greater way where we have compassion over all of humanity who share in the image of God and not just those who are like minded and seek our good (v14)

b. we should also seek to be understanding and empathetic of all. We should seek a compassionate love for humanity that should come from a place that we seek to rejoice for their good and weep for their sorrows we should not grow hollowed. For at one time we were an enemy of God until we were saved (v15)

c. This challenging love demands us to see people not as an enemy like we tend to do, but as one people who God saved from a curse we all share. This is challenging for us because it makes us rethink as the body of Christ how we view gunman, terrorist, immigrants, murders, drug dealers, outlaws, that one family member we just can’t stand. See it makes us see them as lost souls who are Lord died for just as he died for us and not just those who may oppose us. (14-15)

2. As we have been transformed by the gospel are love demands us to seek peace with all of humanity

a. This transformed state of mind makes us reevaluate what it means to love one’s community. This love demands us to be humble and not wise in our own thought for if we as believers did not have the aid of the Holy Spirit we would still be seeking our own will and not that of our heavenly Father (16)

b. we read in v17 that we are to seek to honor others and keep in mind where this is written. Its written following repay no evil for evil. Paul knows that one day we will be harmed by someone and that we would want to take things into our own hands and carry out our own vengeances and our will, yet this is not the honorable way we are called to be towards humanity.

c. This whole passage Paul is in a direct parallel thought of that of the sermon on the mount one of Christ greatest sermons where He teaches us how to live in the kingdom of God. See it’s the peace makers who are called the sons of God why because we seek peace because we know that those who oppose us still are sons of Adam and they should still have displayed for them the love our savior displayed for us on the cross. (17)

3. See this love for the lost convicts to the point of conversion.

a. why do we love to such an extreme? Why do we care so much for others even to the point that we risk our own life for them, where we seek even to a point their good over our own?

b. Well if we were to ask Paul these very same question he would reply because of the gospel!

1) our life has been given over to God all we do is an act of sacrifice to Him

2) yet while are life is a sacrifice we have peace in heart for we know that we have eternal salvation in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we live life this way we love to such an extent because our life is in the sustaining hand of our Creator.

c. See we should have such a love for the lost that they are overcome by the truth of the gospel. That they stay awake wonder why we as believer are so special. This is what love is all about. It’s completely and utterly for the other not our significant other that the world thinks but everyone other than ourselves.

C. In Closing

See the Bible has a love story too. In the Bible we read that there is a God and He created the world we know He created the light, the earth, and the beings who inhabited the world and all that He created was all good. However, creation specifically man (those beings God created in His image) rebelled against their creator (God). This would lead to the fall of man and from this point on humanity and the earth would be plagued with the cost of their disobedience to their Creator. This cost would be death and mortality and humanity would long suffer with sin, and a separation from God their Creator. However, even though man has acted in direct rebellion and opposition to God, the Creator still loves His creation! God loves His creation so much that He would physically lay down His life as the sacrifice to pay for the sins of the rebellious creation that He loves so dearly. Yet the grave could not hold the Creator, and we His creation knows He is risen and that He seeks His creation to have an eternal relationship with Him their Creator.

· As we go out and carry on this week let us go in love not the love the world see the love Paul calls us to. And maybe this week it starts by displaying love in a deeper relationship to God

· Now maybe you are setting there and your thinking I’ve never given my life over to Christ I’ve never willing sought a sacrificial relationship with God if that’s you Russel and I would be more than happy to talk following the serve

· However, many of you might be thinking I know I’m saved but I’m not living a life this way Paul calls us to. I’m not living as a sacrificial loving follower of Christ but I want to and maybe your think you want to rededicate your life this point forward as a sacrifice to God. If this is, you I also want to encourage you following the end of the service to come talk to us.

Pray in closing