Romans 12:9-13

 

Romans 12:9-13

True Religion Part 1

 

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rom 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Rom 12:13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 

·   True religion is love in action

·         James 4:17 

1. Love Sincerely – vs. 9a
1. Love gives to others even when it does not benefit you anything

                                                              i.      Matthew 6:1-4 

2. Love is a mark of a true believer

                                                              i.      John 13:35 

3. True love is an action. Talk is cheap

                                                              i.      1 John 3:16-18 

4. Love is what spiritual gifts are all about

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 13:1-2 

2. Hate Evil; Love Good – vs. 9b
1. Psalm 45:7 
3. Care for Each Other with Brotherly Love – vs. 10a
1. John 13:34-35 
4. Put Others First – vs. 10b
1. Philippians 2:3 
2. Ephesians 5:21 

 

5. Do Not Be Lazy in Your Work – vs. 11a
1. Proverbs 13:4 
6. Be Fervent in Spirit or Enthusiastic – vs. 11b
1. Revelation 3:15-16 
7. Serve the Lord vs. 11c
1. 1 Corinthians 7:22 
2. We serve God by serving others

                                                              i.      Matthew 25:40 

8. Rejoicing in our Hope in Christ – vs. 12a
1. Philippians 4:4 
9. Patient in Tribulation – vs. 12b
1. Romans 5:3-4 
10. Pray Continually vs. 12c
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 
11. Give to the Needs of Other Believers – vs. 13a
1. Psalm 41:1
12. Be Hospitable – vs. 13b
1. Titus 1:8 
2. Hebrews 13:2 
3. 1 Peter 4:9 

Romans 12:7-8

 

Romans 12:7-8

Spiritual Gifts

 

Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 

Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth

        1.      Prophecy – Francis Schaeffer

2. Ministry or service – David Livingstone and other missionary doctors
1. Greek word is διακονία diakonia dee-ak-on-ee'-ah – this can be a gift or an office, but both have the same practical application, which is to serve the church of Christ.

                                                              i.      The office

1.      Acts 6:1-7 

                                                            ii.      The gifting

1.      Galatians 5:13 

2.      2 Timothy 4:11 

3. Teaching – Dr Martin Lloyd Jones
1. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 
2. 1 Timothy 4:14-16 
4. Exhortation – Richard Sibbs and his book “The Bruised Reed”
1. Hebrews 3:13 
2. Hebrews 10:25 

5. Giving – William Borden
1. Matthew 10:8 
2. Luke 6:38 
3. Romans 12:13 
6. Ruling or Organization – Hudson Taylor
1. The office

                                                              i.      1 Timothy 5:17 

                                                            ii.      1 Timothy 3:4-5 

                                                          iii.      1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 

2. The gifting

                                                              i.      Proverb 16:32 

7. Mercy – Florence Nightingale - the lady with the lamp
1. Matthew 5:7 
2. Galatians 6:2 
3. Colossians 3:12 

Romans 12:6

 

Romans 12:6

The Gift of Prophesy

 

Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 

        1.      What is the Gift of Prophesy?

a.       Prophesy can be foretelling – the office of a prophet is for special times and places

                                                              i.      Prophets speak on behalf of God – divine inspiration of God’s word

1.      2 Timothy 3:16 

2.      2 Peter 1:20-21 

                                                            ii.      Prophets are given divine insight into the future

1.      Acts 21:10-13 

                                                          iii.      Prophets reveal the will of God

1.      Jeremiah 11:11 

b.      Prophesy can be forthtelling – the people of God being used to proclaim His revealed word

                                                              i.      Prophets declare the revealed word of God – this is preaching and can only be done by men

1.      1 Timothy 2:12 

2.      1 Corinthians 14:1-4 

                                                            ii.      Prophets can speak a spontaneous word of encouragement

1.      This can be done by both men and women

a.       Acts 21:9 

b.      1 Corinthians 11:5 

                                                          iii.      Prophets are used for the edification of the church

1.      Proverbs 29:18 

c.       Prophesy can be false

                                                              i.      Prophesy must always be kept in the bounds of God’s word

1.      1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 

2.      1 Corinthians 12:3 

3.      Galatians 1:8 

                                                            ii.      Prophesy must never add to God’s cannon

1.      Revelation 22:18-21 

                                                          iii.      Prophesy must be rigorously tested

1.      1 Corinthians 14:29-33 

2.      1 John 4:1 

3.      1 John 2:20-22 

                                                          iv.      Prophesy, like all the gifts, must be used only in love and not for self-glorification

1.       1 Corinthians 13:1-4 

Romans 12:3-5

 

Romans 12:3-5

You are One Body in Christ

 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 

Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 

 

          1.      The Strength of the Church of Christ is Her Equality – vs. 3

a.       The gift of grace given to Paul is of no greater importance than the gifts of grace given to all the members of the Church

                                                              i.      What is the Church?

1.      The Church was founded by her head who is Christ

a.       Matthew 16:18 

b.      Ephesians 4:15-16 

2.      The Church is made up of a people that are born again

a.       John 3:3 

3.      The Church is made up a people committed to a regular gathering to worship their Savior

a.       Hebrews 10:25 

4.      The Church is a people committed to submitting to godly leadership

a.       Hebrews 13:7 

5.      The Church is a people committed to carrying out the great commission

a.       Matthew 28:18-20 

6.      The Church is a people committed to right doctrine

a.       Acts 2:42 

b.      The gift of grace given to you is of equal importance to the gifts of grace given to all the members of the Church

                                                              i.      What is the Gift that Paul is referring to?

1.      Paul is referring to the unique gifts of the Spirit given to all the members of the Body of Christ.

a.       1 Corinthians 12:4-8 

c.       Every member should remember the seriousness of neglecting their duty to use their gift of grace for the benefit of the Church

                                                              i.      How do I fit in?

1.      1 Corinthians 12:12-14 

2.      1 Corinthians 12:23-27

d.      Every member should consider the uniqueness of their gift of grace

                                                              i.      What am I to do?

1.      Do not fall into the trap of comparison which reveals spiritual immaturity

a.       1 Corinthians 3:1-4 

           2.      The Strength of the Church of Christ is Her Unity – vs. 4-5

a.       There are many members of the Church of Christ and each of them have a unique function. – vs. 4

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 3:9-11 

b.      All the members of the Body of Christ are: - vs. 5

                                                              i.      Great in number

1.      Acts 2:47 

                                                            ii.      United in Christ

1.      John 17:9-10 

                                                          iii.      Dependent on each other

1.      Colossians 2:19