Start with Love and end with Good
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, [a] 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. [b] 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 [c] to the wrath ofGod, 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.
Prayer: Father God thank you for this day, because your word declares that this is the day that you have made so let us rejoice and be glad in it... God allow the next few minutes scripture to transform our hearts and make us whole again in Christ Jesus name amen.
Last week we ended the sermon with a concise list of 7 gifts that Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome to challenge their duty to serve.
I want to challenge you to serve with your gifts to, knowing it is your duty, as you serve Christ our Lord.
Verse 7-8
(if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; )
if service, in our serving;
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see or hear one of your gifts because there are more...
1- Gift of Prophecy
To challenge others by declaring God’s truth and calling for action.
2- Gift of Service or Ministry
To serve others and meet their needs.
3- Gift of Teaching
To explain the truth so that others can understand and apply it.
4- Gift of Exhortation
To encourage, strengthen, and inspire others to be their best.
5- Gift of Giving
To generously share what God has given.
6- Gift of Leadership
To govern and oversee others so that the group moves forward.
7- Gift of Mercy
To empathize with cheer and show compassion to those who hurt.
All of these gifts mean nothing and will come to naught without your acceptance of Christ and how he sacrificed His life for you.
*First doctrine then duty*
So, today let’s start with love... as the scripture speaks to our first
Action group #1 Love -Hate -Hold -Devote -Honor
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Romans 12:9-10 ESV
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
“Love from the center of who you are; do not fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.”
Action group #2 Serve -Rejoice -Patient -Prayerful -Hospitable
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Romans 12:11-13 ESV
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”
Action group #3 Bless -Weep -Live -Associate -Humble
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Romans 12:14-16 ESV
“Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they are down. Get along with each other; do not be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; do not be the great somebody.”
Action group #4 Don’t repay -Be Careful -Live Peaceable -Leave it to God
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.””
Romans 12:17-19 ESV
“Do not hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you have it in you, have a good relationship with everybody. Do not insist on getting even; that is not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Action group #5 Feed -Give -Prevail -Good
“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.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21 ESV
“Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he is thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Do not let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”
How did Christ display these actions on the cross?
John 3:16-17 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Galatians.6:7-10
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Benediction
Galatians.6:14-18 ESV
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which [b] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.