Making Sure We Serve with the Right Attitudes
Romans 12:12-21
Sept 22, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction (Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:9-21)
A. Romans chapter 12 is all about the attitudes we must have as Christians towards each other AS we serve one another
1. It sounds so foreign to us – so out of step with the way people live today
2. And it IS! Everything about us is out of step with the culture around us
a. Our salvation – is because Christ died for us – Jews and Gentiles
b. Our life now is a living sacrifice, in the will of God, not our own
c. We are not moved by news, media, popularity, persecution
d. We are moved by the words of Scripture
e. And we seek to please ONE Person – the Lord God Almighty by our lives
f. And we are ALL Gifted to be Christ-like:
1) To do something great in THIS life, here and now…
2) As servants of each another!
3) Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
B. Listen to HOW we should serve one another… (Romans 12:9-21)
1. Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation.
Without difference
2. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
With the right attitude towards sin and righteousness
3. Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
With brotherly kindness
4. Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; (NOT LAZY, HALF-HEARTED) fervent in spirit; (EXCITED, ENTHUSIASTIC) serving the Lord;
With passion and zeal
5. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
With joy
6. Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
With concern for people’s needs
7. And, With one goal – to be a blessing
a. Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
b. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
c. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
d. Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.
e. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
f. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
g. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
h. Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
i. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
C. These are New Testament commands just as valid as the Old Testament ones
D. These are non-negotiable
1. You cannot “weasel” out of doing these things if you are a Christian
2. We ALL have to work on our attitudes
3. The truth is, if you do these things, with the right attitudes, you will actually have fewer problems in your home, and in your life
4. And this church body of believers will be strong and healthy and better able to stand against all the wiles of the devil
E. We have already learned about the first four…
F. We pick up our study starting in Romans 12:12
II. Message
A. Focus on Hope, not on your current situation (Romans 12:12)
1. In other words, - get excited about the future
2. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope…
3. Who has hope?
a. Politicians offer so much hope, but rarely succeed in bringing it to pass
b. Science constantly offers a sense of hope – new medicines, new technologies, living on Mars, etc, but fail miserably
c. The reason why there are so many divorces, and so many destroyed lives, is because people lose hope
d. Suicide usually is because someone has lost all hope
4. Use God’s Gifts with a good future in mind (12:12)
5. Let me remind you, a Christian has troubles… but a Christian has hope!
a. And not only hope, but a SURE hope – an absolute future to look forward to
1) Confidence in God’s abilities, instead of my own!
2) Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
3) All the things you and I go through have not worked together for good YET, but it all WILL… why? Because GOD promised it!
b. Rejoice in THAT ladies and gentlemen!
1) Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
c. Rejoice… Our hymns are full of songs about hope!
1) My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
2) Ancient Words… Words of Life, words of Hope, Give us strength, help us cope
3) Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free; For He saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me.
d. So, Look beyond the obstacles, the struggles, tribulations and “rejoice in hope” as you serve God and each other
e. Stay excited in the dark valleys, because the Lord will not forsake His own!
f. Be patient - quit giving-up so quickly when things turn dark and hard
g. How does the hymn go? “It will be worth it all… when? When we see Jesus!”
B. Be Patient in Every Problem you are going through (Romans 12:12)
1. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
2. It sounds to me like Paul is trying to encourage some Christians who were having it rough
3. What is patience? We all THINK we know what it means…
a. Patience is, The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness.
b. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.
c. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.
d. If you and I are anxious and fearful and panicking about things, it is because we have lost control of things and don’t know how to trust God to still be in control
e. Solomon promises in Ecclesiastes 3:11, that God will make “everything beautiful… in His time”
4. So, Be patient when you are being hurt, persecuted, despised, troubled
5. Why? Because, Being patient helps you change – makes you hope instead of despair
a. Romans 5:3,4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh [PRODUCES] patience; And patience [PRODUCES], experience; and experience [PRODUCES], hope:
C. Be Always Praying (Romans 12:12)
1. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
2. PRAYING is what Christians do!
a. The world thinks we are weird when we don’t riot, or become full of anger
b. Instead of complaining, and murmuring, and trying to handle life on your own…
c. We pray.
1) We talk to God about everything we are going through!
2) We depend upon the Lord’s help
3) Like a drill, jack-hammer against every obstacle – no one can break a rock, but with a powerful hydraulic hammer, the strongest stones can be broken to bits!
d. We don’t use beads, or statues, or memorized prayers
e. We pour our hearts out, our frustrations, our anger, our sorrows, into the hand of God
3. Oh that we sought to fight our problems and our enemies in prayer instead of in person
a. If only we prayed instead of complained
b. Instead of getting angry, we got burdened about the bondage people are in
c. Instead of planning evil, if only we prayed for wisdom about what would be a good thing to do to them!
d. Oh if we would pray throughout a day! What a powerful day it would be!
4. Oh that we depended upon God for all our needs
5. So, talk to God all day and even all night long!
a. You don’t need a phone, a priest, a cathedral, to talk to God
b. Just focus your heart on heaven, and tell God how you feel. Ask for whatever you need. Cast all your cares, your problems, your troubles, AND your enemies upon the mighty shoulders of Jesus!
D. Meet the Needs of the Brethren - the saints (Romans 12:13)
1. Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; …
2. Once you have asked God to meet YOUR needs (praying always), then you should be able to turn around and meet the needs of the people around you – especially the brethren!
3. That means, give from what you have to the brethren around you as they have needs
a. Acts 2:44-47 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
4. So, When you find a believer (a saint) who needs something, and you CAN help him out, then, supply the need.
5. You need to know that when a giver is being a blessing to someone in need, God blesses that giver!
E. Be Addicted to Hospitality (Romans 12:13)
1. Romans 12:13 … given to hospitality.
2. “hospitable” means “open” and “kindness towards a guest”
a. Receiving and entertaining strangers or guests
b. Willing to take care of people in your home
c. Open to inviting people into your home, your schedule, and give them a meal, and take care of them overnight if needed
3. Is your home open to people to just come by and get refreshed and encouraged?
4. It should be!
a. Open your home to strangers – not total strangers, but to people in church you do not know well, but you know they need encouragement
b. Be a hospital – a place where people can heal, and get help
c. Make time to be a blessing to each other
d. BE family
e. EXAMPLE of Jack and Maureen Smith towards me
5. That word ‘given’ is a great word – it means ADDICTED to being hospitable
6. Be given to hospitality
7. Opening up our lives and homes is not a part-time job we do on an occasional Sunday…, it is the Christian life.
F. Treat People Better Than They Deserve (Romans 12:14)
1. Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
2. Bless them that persecute you for following Christ - do NOT curse them
3. A hard verse to practice, if you ever really try to practice it.
4. It's a good idea to get in the habit of saying, "Lord, bless them," every time you feel like hurting them!
5. To bless means do something nice, something good for them
6. Even when they don’t deserve it – especially when they don’t deserve it
7. Matthew 5:43,44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
G. Don't ever be Above the People you are Serving (Romans 12:15,16)
1. Romans 12:15,16 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
2. Humble yourself to the feelings and experiences of those around you
a. Don’t live above people
b. Come down from your self-centred life and lower yourself into the lives of others
c. Way too many conceited Christians – sitting in judgment of everyone else - sad
3. In other words, get in sync with the people around you
a. Have Empathy – learn how it feels to be someone else in need
b. Jesus stepped down from heaven’s throne, and walked in the same shoes you and I walk in
c. He experienced the same frustrations, sorrows, abuses we all experience
d. That was GOD in our flesh, and in our world!
4. So, Rejoice with people who are rejoicing – who are thankful, blessed
a. Maybe someone got a raise at work
b. Maybe got a perfect score in school
c. Maybe got engaged, or they get to go on a second holiday this year!
d. Rejoice with them! That’s what Christians do
e. Don’t get envious, or jealous – that is so easy, so don’t do it!
5. And weep with people when they are weeping
a. You do NOT always have to have something to say
b. Just take the time to listen to their burdens and sorrows
c. If they are weeping, weep with them
H. Lastly, Withhold Revenge and Retribution (Romans 12:17-21)
1. This is a big one! I wish I could take a month of Sundays and talk about this!
2. Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
3. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
4. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
5. Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
6. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
7. Listen to these simple yet direct instructions
a. Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil…
1) When someone hurts you, do not repay evil for someone’s evil towards you
2) We learned about this in our Wednesday evening Bible Study in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5
3) Our natural reaction to being hurt is to hurt back – to yell back, to strike back
4) Don’t! That’s an order!
5) Servants don’t fight with their fists – we are not in a war with people!
6) We fight with something much stronger! Which we will learn in a few moments
b. Romans 12:17 … Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
1) Be honest and upfront with whoever is hurting you – tell them they have done wrong to you
c. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
1) Try and live peaceably with everybody
2) Don't keep a history of what other people have done to you
3) There is way too much of that
4) Seek peace, not justice
5) Justice WILL come
d. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
1) Don’t play God – do not sit in judgment like God
2) You don’t know why they are hurting you – leave that to God!
3) Instead:
a) Give place – yield, step back from retaliating
b) Get out of the way, and let God take that place
c) Learn to wait on God’s timing for justice
d) Start believing that God’s way is to work things together so people get saved, not condemned
e) But in the end, God WILL make people who live as rebels pay – vengeance!
f) He IS the final Judge of all the earth!
e. So, Instead of seeking revenge, WE have to be busy doing the following…
1) We have to replace a vengeful attitude with a gentle attitude towards those that hurt you
2) Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
3) Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
a) Overcome evil with doing good towards those that hurt you – that means serving people
b) Be kind, serve your enemy
c) Don't let hurt conquer you and defeat you – defeat evil and hurts with good reactions
d) Your enemy has problems, and needs, and hurts, so feed him, take care of him
4) Remember, that when you were the enemy of God, He still took good care of you!
a) Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
b) Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
c) Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
5) Realise that by doing good, you are really hurting the other person! Disarming their anger, defeating their wrath, overcoming their evil!
a) This is an Old Testament commandment… Proverbs 25:21,22 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
b) Hey, if they reject your kindness, then they are digging their own grave - hell!
c) But if you win them to faith in Christ, you will be kicking the devil in his teeth!
III. Conclusion
A. Quite a list of commandments and instructions
1. Love each other without difference
2. Have the Right Attitude Towards Sin and Righteousness
3. Honour each other, preferring each other over the world
4. Work hard serving one another
5. Focus on hope, not your current situation
6. Pray about everything, and get excited about the future
7. Meet the needs of the brethren - the saints
8. Humble yourself to the needs of those around you
9. Replace revenge and retribution with kindness
10. Overcome evil by doing good towards those that hurt you
B. These are right attitudes and actions as servants, not soldiers - Our fight is in another realm
C. Don’t let this be just information – let it be a challenge
D. It is God’s will for every servant of Christ, to be more and more like Christ