Sunday Morning Service

Romans 12:9-21 (Click scripture reference for audio access)

"What Does A Real Christian Look Like?"  •  7.15.12  •  Sunday Morning Service, Calvary Christian Fellowship

Intro.

- "What does a real Christian look like?" This question defies any answer that we can give, given the fact that every Christian is at a different place on the road of their journey.

- If one could capture the essence of where we are all going and what it would look like if we could get a glimpse into what I hope, is the very near future, this section would contain it!

- A real Christian begins with a deep understanding of truth, that God through His mercy, has shown His mercy to an infinitely ill-deserving people, simply because He is merciful!

- Upon reaching that conclusion, the logical move is to devote oneself entirely to God. This will be the result within and toward the Church, as well as within and toward the World.

- There are four marks of a believer that Paul lays out before us in this section.

I. Genuine (v.9)

II. Generous (v.10-13)

III. Gracious (v.14-18)

IV. Good (v.19-21)

Text

I. Genuine (v.9)

• Romans 12:9 : "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." : The church is a place where true love grows greatly because the God of love is what is found at the core.

- "Love," the word "agape" in Greek, is ascribed to God. It's a love which has it's source in God. It's legitimately God's love which flows through Christian human beings.

- When you think about God's love, it is a love that is self-sacrificing. It's a love that is committed to the object, despite it's unlovability!

- Paul's contention is that we have it and must release it! Without this type of love, one has no claim to Christ. This is an essential characteristic.

- "Let God's love flow through you without hypocrisy." The audience is the church. It is said to the one's who are fully committed, gifted, living sacrifices!

- Surely, there are no people who would be guilty of hypocrisy here? It's a litle different than you might think.

- Hypocrisy, in the simplest of terms, is to pretend, to play a part that is not genuine. In ancient Rome, hypocrites were actors who wore large painted masks, denoting their mood or character.

- What Paul is saying here might be considered this way: "Don't let your love be a character that you play!" How is this possible?

- It's possible when we only seek to love those who we know or are like us. That is a love that is hypocritical because it seeks only it's own.

- It's possible when we only seek to love in good circumstances, but not in bad. This is a love that is hypocritical because it is superficial.

- It's possible to love with hypocrisy when we only show the positive aspects of love without the negative emotions that love can require. True love confronts and tells the truth.

- Much of the time, it is much easier to love with hypocrisy, but God will not have it! His church is to be filled with those who love in the same way that He does!  

- We're to love genuinely and hate what is evil! The force of this phrase is that we are to keep hating it. Sometimes, we want to ask in our society, what evil is?

- The best way to approach this is to look at the scripture and find what God hates and find ourselves hating that! An example passage is found in Proverbs 6:16-19.

•  Proverbs 6:16-19 : "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."

- What is your attitude toward them? God's Spirit calls us to hate these things! Too often, we are guilty of being tolerant of evil. That is not to be the case. We are to hate evil, not people!

- Hate evil when you see evil in yourselves and love your brother or sister enough to lovingly tell them when you see evil in their lives!

- Hate evil and cling, cleave, join yourself to what is good! The NLT has it like this: "Hang on tightly to what is good!" It takes great commitment to love this way.

- Sometimes, especially in the early stages of someone's walk, it takes a loving grip on the good that is seen in their life, and refusing with all our might to let it go!

II. Generous (v.10-13)

• Romans 12:10-13 : "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" : The body of Christ is to act with the love of a family. That's the word translated "kindly affectionate." One might say that we are to "lovingly love one another in love!"

- The body of Christ is to love in a way that can only be described as "family love."

- If you are the same age, treat each other like brothers and if one is older treat them like older siblings or parents. The church is a place where eternal family ties grow.

- Sadly, today so many natural families are permanently dysfunctional. In the time of the Romans, it was even worse.

- If you were Jewish and you embraced Christ, you were considered dead in your parent's homes! Evidently, non-believers just up and left spouses that converted to Christ!

- In our day and age, add the proliferation of church abuse and scandal which has led to great skepticism regarding the possibility that this could actually take place.

- On the one hand there is the disenfranchised person who has been hurt with their guard up and the insensitive Christian who doesn't know how to truly love without agreement!

- In both instances, a GREAT amount of patience and hope is required for the love that Paul speaks of to exist. We are to believe that it's possible and give our all to make it the case!

- How does this flesh out? How do we answer skepticism? How can we love each other? By giving preference to one another!

- "In honor" refers to the place of value. We are to value love. We are to value it's expression. If we don't value each other, we'll never do anything but prefer ourselves!

- But if we value each other, we'll prefer one another! That word refers to leading, to being out in front of. Love can only happen when someone takes the lead to exemplify it!

- I can't be the one who waits for another to fulfill this command. I've got to get out in front and seek to see this command held in obedience!

- Every one of us needs to make it our first priority! At this point, Paul gives us several characteristics that define the love that God envisions for His body.

- The first is to not lag in diligence. The word "not lag" means to not be slothful or sluggish. We are not to be slow in showing our concern for others. We are not be to lazy about love!

- Quite the opposite, we are to be fervent, lterally boiling in the Spirit toward one another! We are to be stirred up toward one another and the things that concern each other!

- This word speaks of an enthusiasm which should mark our service to each other. This is the purpose of our meeting together, that we might look forward to how we can join with one another.

- How can I be an encouragement to that person? How can I help them this week?

- When we are excited to serve each other, we are serving and obeying the Lord! His will finds it's expression through our mouths, arms, hands and backs! Paul continues

• Romans 12:12,13 : "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." :

- Part of being family is the expectation of good. We are to rejoice always in hope!

- Christian people keep their joy fixed despite all, knowing that something good will take place.

- When something is on the horizon, we need to hear each other's voices speaking the truth that God is good and His plan is perfect!

- And when things go in a difficult way, we need to stay still with one another, waiting for God to bring about His perfect will. That is being patient in tribulation!

- The word "patient" has this definition attached to it: "to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments."

- The church must be filled with people who are committed to stand in Jesus and stand together in Jesus. Encourage one another. Stand beside each other and hold each other up!

- How do we do that? We're to be people devoted to prayer! Continuing steadfastly despite present circumstances or discouraging reports.

- There are many who know how to pray. There are however, not many who know how to continue steadfastly in prayer!

- This is a person who is in a constant state of readiness, who when called upon, will not faint in the strenuous exercise of prayer!

- The body needs to be filled with people that are conditioned to petition heaven first before acting, but equally ready to act when called upon.

- Paul sees that when he says, "distributing to the needs of the saints!" That is physical, material help. The word "distributing" comes from the word "koinoneo."

- This word is often translated "fellowship" which has become a byword for donuts and coffee! Fellowship to the Greek speaker was a partnership or sharing in goals and resources!

- Essentialy, we are to partner with each other in times of necessity. When a need presents itself, we need to present ourselves! "Can you use an extra set of hands?"

- Ultimately, we are to pursue, to run after hospitality, literally, the brotherly love of strangers!

- There is never a person too strange that he or she does not find a willing home in a believer!

- In the early church, if you were a brother or a sister in Christ, you did not want to go to one of the inns in town. What was left after unsafe was unsavory!

- Today, things are different but the principle remains the same. My house is your house, but my life is open for you to see and my life is a resource for you!

III. Gracious (v.14-18)

• Romans 12:14,15 : "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." :

- In the days of the early church, persecution was not limited to name calling and harassment!

- The people of God were often driven from cities, beaten physically. Some having been tortured, were savagely killed. Paul tells us to bless the ones that were responsible for that!

- The Spirit of God through Paul is commanding them and us to bless, meaning to consistently seek the good of those who persecuted them!

- Our natural response would be to curse them, but God's response through us must be to bless! It will never be your response until you look at life through the lens of God's mercy to you!

- God demonstrated love to sinners that had spent an entire life rejecting Him! We bless because He blessed!

- By the way, there may also be an acknowledgement by Paul that this would take place in the church in this statement! It should theoretically never be, but experience says that it is.

- The hardest thing to take is persecution that comes from within or family fire! Whether it comes from evil people or well intentioned, but foolish friends, bless and do not curse!

- Paul says next, "Celebrate with those who celebrate!" Take joy in what causes another person joy! Well of course! Who doesn't want to celebrate with those who celebrate?

- Tell that to the single person whose 35th friend has just gotten married. Tell that to the barren couple who are being asked to attend another dedication of a child!

- Tell that to a person who is asked to the promotion dinner of a person who has quickly risen to a rank in a much quicker fashion!

- Being gracious is to honestly celebrate another's success as if it was your own!

- At the same time, lament with those who are lamenting! Don't be that person who is so emotionally afraid of negativity, that you seek to draw someone out of their sadness quickly.

- Sit there and cry with them. Sit there and weep. Sit there and be still, acknowledging the fact that that which has brought sadness is not a good thing, even if a good thing comes of it!

- Paul's point is that we are to be with one another in each and every season.

- When times are good, we're to be right there, enjoying that moment together, praising God for His goodness. When times are bad, we're to be right there as well, waiting on God together.

- We don't get to check out when things aren't right. We're not to be fair weather family!

• Romans 12:16-18 : "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Half of the translations have translate verse 16 like this: "Live in harmony with one another!"

- Cherish the same views. Seek each other's advantage. Wish for the members of the body the same things that you would wish for yourself from God!

- Keep your mind from exalted things. Be willing to do the smallest most insignificant things with one another. Don't look at yourself and think that you are that wise.

- Paul is saying, "Keep yourself accessible to all." Don't be aloof. Don't be that person that is above everything and everyone! Keep yourself in a place where people can relate to you!

- But what about those in the body of Christ who are not very sanctified? They are coming out of the world or are at a different place in their walk with the Lord?

- Paul assumes what we have come to understand. Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian will always act like one! How are we to act in the more extreme cases?

- Paul says, "Don't repay anyone evil if they have hoisted evil upon you!" Instead, look for the good things that God is doing in each person. If it depends on you, live peaceably with all people!

- Is it possible to get along and be at peace with everyone? It is not. This is not what Paul is saying. He is saying, "While it is not possible, be sure that it's not your fault!"

- In the end, we can only do what we can do. Paul is reminding us that we are to keep up our end of the bargain regardless of what comes our way.

- What's interesting is that we often believe that we have to respond in kind when we are treated in a way that is dishonorable. We do not!

- Here, we are taught that a true application of the mercy of God is to be merciful when challenged! We know that we have received His grace if when we are cut, we bleed grace!

IV. Good (v.19-21)

• Romans 12:19-21 : "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." : Beloved ones, don't seek to defend yourselves. Don't waste time trying to put out every fire that is coming your direction.

- Give God the space to deal with those who are troubling you. Give place to wrath! Give God the opportunity to act on your behalf! Give Him the chance to be good!

- God is not passive when it comes to the way that His people are treated in the world. All that has been said has been predicated on being people of mercy, but also people of trust!

- Do we trust the Lord to deal with those who have purposely hurt us? God says of Himself that vengeance belongs to Him and that He will repay!

- Paul is quoting from Deuteronomy 32:35. The context is when Israel would run after other gods in idolatry and treat people poorly, then God would take vengeance upon them!

- We think of vengeance as a full venting of our capricious wrath, which is always far greater than the crime that has been committed against us! That is not God's vengeance!

- God's vengeance is justice, meted out perfectly and in perfect proportion with the crime. Ultimately, God's vengeance was poured out on your sin when He poured it out on Jesus!

- Do you want God's vengeance to be poured out on those who are accosting you? Pray that they would come to Jesus and you'll have your greatest vengeance!

- Therefore, because God can be trusted with our cases. Therefore, because He knows how to defend His people, do good to those who harm you! You can't until you know this is true!

- Paul quotes from Proverbs 25:21,22. If you see your enemy and he's hungry feed him. If he's thirsty, give him a drink. The result is that you are acting like your Father!

- You are being obedient and pleasing God, by acknowledging that you know His mercy and that you trust His justice! Additionally, you burn the enemy up with your actions!

- The heaping is to overwhelm someone with a load. "This is too much! How can we accept this from you?" But the word "hot coals" is interesting, as it's the Greek word for "anthrax!"

- It's not the actual disease, or band for that matter, but the affect of the disease! It would be a burning in their liver! In modern vernacular, we would say, "That'll stick in their craw!"

- In this way, you prevail or are victorious over evil by being good! If you prevail with evil, what have you done that is special? You've merely acted like anyone can act!

- You've just outlasted your enemy, but you've not given God His place in your life or in this situation! Overcome evil with good and you'll be just like your Father in heaven!

Conclusion

- In the church, a true expression of a gifted, sacrificed believer will be that they are genuine in their love, hating what is evil and clinging to what is good!

- They will be generous in serving each other, not being lazy, but being enthusiastic, leading the way in acts of brotherly kindness!

- Toward the church and the world, they will be gracious, blessing when persecuted, celebrating or weeping, but being there when the time and occasion demand it.

- Toward those who are in the world who are enemies, God's people will be good, seeking to overcome evil employing the same methods that their Father did to overcome evil in their life.

- Did you see yourself here? Are you challenged? Let it be so and then let it be!