Living in Community when Loving isn’t easy
Romans 12:14-18
Message by Kurt Jones
June 5, 2005
Community is defined as a: a unified body of individuals. b.: the people with common interests living in a particular area; c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
Sincere love – anypokritos = with hypocrisy.
This love builds on the living sacrifice, built on what Christ has done, built on God’s great love for us, built on God’s character and sovereignty.
“The mindset of love will always result in actions that are in full accord with God’s good and perfect will.”
“Great Race”, “Survivor”, etc - Reality shows with people learning how to get along with each other… We can be a tough group to get along with!!! Sometimes I’m the ONE that’s the problem!
EX: lady who went to the dentist. As she looks at him, she thought she recognized him as a classmate from High School. The only thing was he looked so OLD… losing hair, wrinkles, etc. Finally she asked him if he went to such a school. “Yes I did” he said. She said, “ I think you were in my class”. He said, “What class did you teach?”
At least three communities
The church – the body of Christ. – 12:4-13
Circles of personal interaction – Christian and non Christian. Rom 12:14-21
Church - EX: Battlefield Baptist Church – “at least they admit it…”
Family – EX: on the way to church in the morning…. Or extended families -
Friends -
Work associates -
Contacts - People on Hwy 85
The World we live in – government, civil authorities, etc. Romans 13.
There is not a strict logical order to Paul’s commands here… they come out rapid fire machine gun… the structure here is loose…
Here is the Transition from last week
Just “not doing evil” is not enough….
Just loving those who love you back is not enough…
Matt. 5: 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This stuff is really “in your face” Glen said I was going to go easy on you today… He lied.
Theology you can hold at arms length, rationalize, sermonize, etc. This you can’t - you are either obeying or not…
Biblical love is not an emotion. It is an attitude, a commitment, a mindset, a command to be obeyed, a choice.
But not JUST a force of the will – personal determination – but the response of a heart that has personally experienced God’s love. To experience and express the love of God.
We like to define love in our own terms – what makes us feel good or what makes you feel good.
But these are clear cut tests of just how “sacrificed” you really are…. 5 Tests… Now we are really talking about YOUR LIFE>>>
1. Living and Loving through persecution. V. 14
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Lit – “to pursue”
Paul assumes it is a part of the lives of his readers. We are shocked when it comes.
Romans under Nero – Reading a biography titled “The most Evil Rulers who ever lived”.
It is NATURAL to want to strike back toward those who hurt us. Protection, strike back, strike hard, take no prisoners…
What could be at stake? Advancement, security, pride, dignity, property, lives,
Why does persecution come?
Christians do not belong to the world
Christians are identified with Christ.
John 15:18-2 " If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 "Remember the word that I said to you, ' A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
If Christianity is lukewarm we will not have much of this… In the USA Christianity is pretty much accepted, but less and less so…
Matt 5:38-48 " You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' 39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 "Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 " Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 " You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Cc: Luke 6:27,28, 1 Thess. 5:15
EX: Stephen in Acts 7:60 “ Lord – Don’t hold it against them…”
Non-retaliation = we are not to avenge ourselves, but to respond to evil with kindness and love.
International Day of Prayer – 200 million Christians suffering for their faith worldwide.
Believers are to cultivate an attitude of love that puts the focus on the good of the other person and on the defense of our rights, our position, our stuff… even perhaps our dignity or our very lives…
Personal resentment, violation of rights, undeserved wrong…
2. Living and Loving in sorrow. V. 15
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Focus here may be back on Christian community… but not necessarily. People without God weep too!
First part of verse is easier to obey!
Ecclesiastes 3:4 – There is a time to weep and a time to laugh…”
1 Cor 12:26 - And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Death, discouragement, depression,
Sacrifice of emotion, time, energy – facing some of our own fears.
EX: Story of mother who went over to a neighbor man who had just lost his wife. She didn’t really know what to stay and after a few awkward moments, left in a hurry. When she came home, her little boy asked her where she’d been and she told him. He asked if he could go over and the mother said yes. 15 minutes went by then half an hour, then an hour. Finally the little boy came home and the mother said, what did you say to him for the past hour… The boy said, I didn’t say anything Mommy, I just sat on his lap while he cried…
Seven ways to help someone grieve.
Have a mindset of helping someone THROUGH grief… not just “get over it”.
Be considerate
Listen – Even to the same story over and over again.
Don’t give suggestions.
Ask what they want.
Remember dates – Birthdays, anniversaries, Holidays… passing date
Don’t say “call me” – people just won’t… Call them.
What is the “sacrifice”? Our time, our fears, the expense of emotion.
3. Living and Loving with the lowly. V. 16
16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
“Lowly” those who are disadvantaged economically - the poor. Those who are needy emotionally, spiritually, economically or spiritually.
Matt 11:29 I am meek and humble
1 Cor. 7:6 God comforts the “depressed”
Jesus accused of dining with “sinners”…
EX: Nouwen
Sacrifice of pride, reputation, position, image…
EX: Henri Nouwen
4. Living and Loving in response to evil. V. 17
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Evil natural – we all like to have our own way, keep our comforts, protect ourselves, etc.
New York Times author Benedict Carey writes, "Most psychiatrists . . . avoid the word evil, contending that its use would precipitate a dangerous slide from clinical to moral judgment that could put people on death row unnecessarily and obscure the understanding of violent criminals. Still," he writes, "many career forensic examiners say their work forces them to reflect on the concept of evil, and some acknowledge they can find no other term for certain individuals they have evaluated." Quoted by Charles Colson in Breakpoint June 3, 2005
1 Peter 2:18-24 " Servants, be submissive to your masters with
all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are
unreasonable.
19 For this finds
favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows
when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly
treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer
for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
21 For you have been
called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example
for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN,
NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile
in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself
to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the
cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds
you were healed.
Sacrifice of personal “rights”
Evil words, actions, attitudes…
“Eye for an eye” is natural! Vengeance is expected – but never condoned by God!
Supernatural love says to respond differently! Respect what is right….
Kalos – good, right, proper, fitting, honorable, honest, fine, beautiful, or precious. In classical Greek it was used to describe the goal of sound thinking… It was described as the right pursuit of rational beings… There are things that are understood to be good and right and honorable… Less and less so… but still…
Is this saying Christians need to conform their behavior to the expectations and standards of the world? Of Non-Christians? NO!
Do what is right wherever you are, whatever people you are around…
Col 4:5 - Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
Everywhere at all times respect what is right! Live life on such a high plane that even the heathen recognize the “goodness” of your actions.
Phil 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
EX: Rosa Parks
5. Living and Loving in conflict. V. 18
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Disagreements, hurts, strife, dissention…
Sometimes divisions are based on important matters of theology and practice. But MOST are self-righteous, antagonistic, prideful, fighting spirits that lie behind unnecessary divisions.
Strife and dissention can come in the flash of an instant or the slow burn of decades….
Anger and resentment can be powerful motivators. They can wake you up and get you out of bed in the morning and you can go to bed dreaming about them at night…
Sacrifice of all the above… you may have to give these things up in order to be at peace.
“If possible”
within the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Sometimes good and evil collide and there will not be peace.
As far as YOU are able… You cannot control the behavior of other people. YOU be the one to initiate resolution, reconnection.
EX: Supermarket test – what happens when you see someone at the opposite end of the aisle at the supermarket? If you are tempted to suddenly head to another aisle, you have a problem!
Overcoming evil with good.
APPLICATON
Stop thinking the way the world thinks!
You either ARE or AREN’T obeying these commands – Hold on… You aren’t obeying these commands – I know – no, I haven’t been listening in to your conversations in the kitchen, reading your email or tapping your phones…
How do I know? Because there is still division, dissention, and strife among you… In personal relationships, in marriages, between parents and kids. I know because I personally deal with these things myself and fail on a regular basis.
What isn’t sacrificed?
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