Romans 12:9-13
Serving God with a Christ-like attitude
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Intro
√ "Christian" - first used of
the believers in
"ian" = the
Latin suffix meaning "belonging to
the
party of"
"Christ" = Hebrew name, or title.
Thus, "Christian"…
"Belonging to the party of Christ"
The point is that the pagans in Antioch recognized something about the believers which set them apart from the rest of Roman society.
In our modern lingo…
"Jesus freak"
…while I'm proud to be called a Jesus freak now - there was a time in my life when I used that term in a not so flattering way - heavy emphasis on the "freak"!
Obviously the term "Christian" has lost much of it's original meaning.
Ex. over 80% of Americans polled claim to be Christians!
We recognize that 8 out of 10 American's are not truly Christians - there is certainly little of no observable evidence in their lives to suggest that they "belong to the party of Christ"!
√ Therefore, they must have a wrong perception of what it means to be a Christian.
It might be helpful to begin our study this morning with a look at what the definition of a Christian is…
American Heritage Dictionary:
1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the
religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus' teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christ-like.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its
adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
6. One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or
follows the religion based on the life and teachings of
Jesus.
7. One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
…at it's core the definition of a Christian is one who is like Jesus in…
Action
Attitude
Speech
Ap. Last week our study focused on how it is that we live our Christianity - that "living sacrifice" by using our gifts to build up the Body Christ.
This week we look at the practical out-working that living sacrifice in our behavior toward…
Christians = vs. 9-13
Non-Christians = vs. 14-21
Remember this is instruction, not advise!
Think how different a place the USA would be today if those 80% who claim to be Christian actually behaved like Jesus!
Perfect love (vs. 9)
Rom. 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
√ The foundation of Christ-likeness
Isn't that interesting? The foundation of Christ-like behavior is love.
Not just any love, rather the word that Paul uses here is agape!
Agape = divine love (I love you anyway)
It is the highest form of love, revealing the very character and nature of God.
John defines it this way…
1John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Wow! The disciples of Jesus tell us in the scripture that true Christianity is made known by the love of God in our…
Behavior toward one another
Attitude toward each other
That is, we are to behave and think of one another as Jesus behaves and thinks of us!
√ Note the instruction concerning the expression of our love…
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Vs. 9
That is, don't fake it!
True Christian love is real - it's not phony. True Christ-like love is expressed to all people, not just people that are like us, or that we find much in common with.
Ex. Jesus was surrounded by people of all social status - He expressed His love to the leper with the same tenderness that He did to the rich young ruler!
Unfortunately, Jesus' disciples didn't always follow His example.
Ex. James correcting favoritism in the early Church
James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
James 2:2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
James 2:3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
James 2:4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Ex. Favoritism still in the Church today
We find in our own community where churches are often characterized by things other than agape…
Socioeconomic status - "the beautiful people"
Culture - Hispanic, African-American, Marshallese, "good ole boy", etc.
…I've even had people tell me that they couldn't come to church here because of "those people".
While I can't tell you what vision God has given to other pastors, my prayer is that this fellowship will be a reflection of our whole community - not just a part of our community!
Where everyone feels welcome and that they can be an active part of what Jesus is doing here - regardless of their outward appearance or social status.
Ap. Bottom line - when it comes to our attitude toward one another in the Body of Christ we must endeavor to love one another with the perfect agape-love of Christ.
Imperfect love (vs. 10)
Rom. 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
√ Imperfect love
Paul now gives us some specific examples of how we can express the love of Jesus toward other Christians (though of course there is broader application to all people!)
But note first that Paul changes his tune a bit…
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love" vs. 10
"brotherly love" = philadelphia
The highest form of human love!
Love on the emotional plane, the love we have for family, or close friends, characterized by kindness.
The point is that rather than use "agape", Paul uses the word " philadelphia"!
It's almost as if Paul recognizes that in our human condition we're not capable of fully expressing the true love of God (agape) toward one another!
Ex. Peter's restoration in John 21
Vs. 15 - "Peter do you agape Me?"
"Yes, Lord you know that I phileo you"
Vs. 16 - "Peter do you agape Me?"
"Yes, Lord you know that I phileo you"
Vs. 17 - "Peter do you phileo Me?"
"Yes, Lord you know that I phileo you"
Peter's restoration came through the breaking of his pride - in which he boasted a perfect love for Jesus, but when that love was tested it proved to be less than perfect.
Note however that Jesus doesn't reject Peter, rather, He meets Peter where he's at - a place of humility in which he recognized that his love for Jesus was still tainted by self.
I believe Paul's point here in Romans 12 is that we are called to have as our goal that perfect agape-love toward one another.
Yet, we recognize that we've not yet attained that perfect love.
So, we endeavor to reach the goal of agape love by putting phileo-love into action as best we can.
Ex. Pastor Skip - my bad attitude toward him - once I put love into action - God changed my heart!
Ap. You're not off the hook!
We're called to agape one another…
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another.”
…yet, God meets each of us where we're at and begins with what we can offer - that phileo love - transforming our hearts so that one day we really will have agape toward one another.
Listen, if Christians cannot get along with each other, how will we ever face their enemies!?
Practical demonstrations of love (vs. 10-13)
Rom. 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Rom. 12:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
Rom. 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Rom. 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
√ What's this love look like in action?
Paul gives us a list, though not complete, a good place to start!
He gives us a number of practical ways in which we can demonstrate our love for each other - take note!
√ Be kindly affectionate to one another
with brotherly love:
Treat one another like family! Make each person feel like they belong and that they're a part of this body.
Ex. Do your best to meet and hang out with new people each week. It's easy to gravitate toward those we already know and are comfortable with. But, make it your aim to get to know others in the fellowship. Invite them to sit with you and be a part of the conversation. Get to know them - everyone's got a testimony!
Ap. People are dying for lack of love! People want to belong to a family. Let's make sure that if they come through these doors they receive our love and know that they can be part of this family.
√ In honor giving preference to one
another:
Think of one another before you think of yourself. Honor your brother and sister by making sure their needs are met before yours.
Ex. Observe the topic of your conversation; are you and your problems always the focus of attention? Are you more concerned with your "rights" than you are with the needs of others?
Ap. Before you come to church ask God to lead you to someone that you can minister to! You may just listen to someone else's problems - then pray for them. You'll be amazed at how the Holy Spirit will bless you when you bless others!
√ Not lagging in diligence, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord:
Literally Paul is telling us Christians that we ought not to hesitate to serve one another, nor be lazy about our service.
Ex. This is a pet peeve of mine! Nothing worse than a Christian taking advantage of another Christian by providing poor service, or by doing less than their very best.
All too common I'm asked to facilitate between two Christians because one of them didn't provide the service that the other paid for.
Ap. In everything you do - do it as "unto the Lord". You should do your work in such a way (volunteer or paid) that no one has to redo, or finish what you didn't do because you gave less than your best.
If you've been taken advantage of - be gracious - take the loss and pray that God would work in their life.
√ Rejoicing in hope:
As members of the same Body we're called to rejoice with our brothers and sisters in hope.
Ex. The Lord blesses another - rejoice with them!
Ap. Human nature is to be envious of what God is doing in someone else's life (Peter - "what about him!"). When someone tells you about what great things the Lord is doing in their life - praise the Lord with them!!
√ Patient in tribulation:
The other side of the coin - Christians are called to be patient with one anther as they go through difficult times.
Ex. An extended illness, financial difficulty, or personal mess.
Ap. We can begin to loss patients with a person when week in, and week out, they're always dumping the same trail on us. Tempted to say…
"Get over it!"
However, we're called to see the trial through their eyes that we might have compassion for them and their long trial. Rather than avoid them - seek how you can pray for them.
√ Continuing steadfastly in prayer:
Christians are called to pray for one another - often, and without giving up!
Ex. This instruction applies to those in the midst of extended trials.
Ap. Don't blow them off - take time to pray for them. Don't say, "I'll pray for you". Do it right then and there!
There are so many things that we have no power to change, or to influence, with our own resources. Take it to the Throne - give God the opportunity to show Himself strong!
√ Distributing to the needs of the saints:
Christians are called by God to use their resources to help those in the Body of Christ who may be experiencing tough times.
Ex. God often chooses to meet our needs through the hands of another Christian.
Ap. If you see a brother or sister in need, and you have the means to meet that need - do it!
Balance - pray for discernment - not every "need" is legitimate.
√ Given to hospitality:
Believers lives are to be marked by an open home!
Ex. In the 1st century there weren't hotels in such abundance as today. Often travelers were forced to sleep in the open square. Christians made it a habit to bring people into their home and by so doing demonstrate the love of Christ.
Ap. Invite someone to your home for dinner or lunch. Pick a new family, or person, each month. Treat them like family, stuff them with good cooking, get to know them.
Close
√ A good Christian witness begins in the home, moves into the church, and then into the world.
Ap. Pick a place to begin - pray for His power - get after it!
"Just do it!"
Remember, being a Christian is more than just a name - it's a life that is lived in such a way that others can see Christ in us!