Lesson 9
Six Rules for Practical Christian Living
Rule 2: Live a Life of Service! (Romans 12:3-8)
There is a lot of similarity between Rule #1 and Rule #2…
According to Rule #1, to be transformed, we need a mind of a servant.
Rule #2 is about carrying out that mentality and living the life of a servant.
Question: Why are you a member of this church?
If we were honest with ourselves, most of us are a member of a particular church for one of a couple of reasons:
1. We have always gone to the church, our family goes to the church, we essentially call it home.
2. We have evaluated the church and have made an assessment that this church best suits our needs.
We should be members of a church for one and only one reason: Because we believe God wants us at that church serving others.
One of the most difficult lessons that Jesus’ disciples had to learn was that it was not about them. In fact, the last lesson they learned from Jesus was that to serve God, we must be willing to serve each other. Reference foot-washing during Last Supper and Read Luke 22:24-27.
Read Romans 12:3-8
I. Service requires a proper perspective of Self (vs 3)
A. Have a healthy (but not proud) self image
· Do not think too highly of yourself
· Have sober judgment of oneself
Some may feel that certain tasks are “below” them.
Others may feel that certain tasks are “above” them or they feel they may never be good enough to accomplish what God would have them accomplish in their lives.
Both views are wrong. God will enable us to do the tasks he has called us to do.
B. Have a healthy measure of Faith (vs 3)
Our ability to serve depends upon how much faith we have in Christ
Question: What happens when we try to serve in our own strength?
Answer: We burn out
We must rely on God to give us the strength we need to serve. This requires faith.
II. Service requires a proper understanding of the Body (vs 4-5)
A. The body is made up of diverse members
B. The body requires a diversity of functions
C. God has provided his body with the diversity of capabilities necessary to function properly
III. Service requires a proper application of one’s Spiritual Gifts
Three primary passages listing the Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12:6-8
1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30
Ephesians 4:11
Classification of Spiritual Gifts
There are numerous ways to classify the gifts… this is just a suggested breakdown
1. Activities (leadership, administration, miracles, healings, etc.)
2. Manifestations (Wisdom, knowledge, Discernment, etc.)
3. Inspired Utterances (teaching, tongues, prophecy, etc.)
4. Service (see below)
Some gifts may fall in more than one category.
Paul is focusing here on the gifts of service.
Service-oriented Gifts
1. Prophesy
2. Serving
3. Teaching
4. Encouraging
5. Giving
6. Leadership
7. Mercy
Conclusion: The only way the body of Christ will function correctly is when each of us are performing the tasks that God has specifically called and gifted us to perform.
Rule 3: Live a Life Characterized by Love! (Romans 12:9-21, 13:8-14)
Romans 13:8-11 tells us that all our interactions with others should be characterized by love
We are indebted or obligated to show love to each other because it is the fulfillment of the law.
Love for others is the 2nd Greatest Commandment Mt 22:39
Love for others is the Golden Rule. Mt 7:12
Love for others is the epitome of the law and the commandments Romans 13:9
We don’t live under the law; we live under grace. However, the truths of the Old Testament have not changed just because they were fulfilled in Jesus.
Love is the heart of practical Christianity!
What does it mean to have a life characterized by love?
In the 60s and 70s, we had the “love” movement. “Make love, not war” – is that what we mean?
Love is the most over used and misunderstood word in the language.
“I love my wife”
“I love my father” – is that the same thing?
“I love you” – is that the same as either of those?
“I love my dog” – That’s different again, isn’t it
“I love my job” (no, we never say that) – “I love riding my motorcycle” – shows I enjoy it
“I love my car” – you take pride
“I love pizza” - you like the taste of it
“I love that picture” – you think it is pretty
Each of these statements convey a completely different message, but they all use the same word. For most of them, we really don’t mean “love”. When the bible tells us that we should have a life characteristic of love, how can we possibly know what it means?
Four Ancient Greek words for “Love”
Agape – Unconditional love – agape love is a choice; a deliberate commitment regardless of the actions or affections of the other person; God’s love is agape love; it is entirely one sided - if I agape you, I give to you
Philia – Brotherly (i.e. Friendship) love – Philia love is based upon affection and emotion; it represents the love between two people who truly like each other and enjoy each other’s company; it is mutual – if we Philia each other, we give to each other. It is this word that the city Philidelphia was named for.
In John 21, Jesus used agape for the first 2 times, Peter used Philia ; Jesus conceded and used Philia the third time.
Eros – Sexual love; eros is completely selfish; it is pure desire to have, control, and enjoy. Obviously, this is where we get the word erotic.
Storge – Familial affection ; is significantly used in scripture; it represents the bond between family members
In the passage we are talking about here, Paul speaks of Agape Love. Rule #3 is that we are to live a life characteristic of AGAPE Love. Most of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, but Paul gives us another, perhaps even more complete picture of Agape love here.
I. A Life Characterized by Agape Love is…
1. Sincere (Romans 12:9)
Sincerity is motivated for good
2. Devoted (Romans 12:10)
The ESV and KJV says to show brotherly affection
The word “love” in verse 10 is actually a combination of both phileo and storge, so essentially one characteristic of Agape love is that it incorporates the aspects of affection and familial bonds.
3. Zealous, But only for God (Romans 12:11)
Question: Why is zeal towards God important for showing love to others?
Answer: Because God is the true example of what it means to love.
4. Steadfast (Romans 12:12)
a. Joyful in hope
b. Patient in affliction
c. Faithful in prayer
Eros love walks away during difficult times
Philia love can become strained during difficult times
Agape love becomes a stronghold during difficult times
5. Generous (Romans 12:13)
a. Shares with others in need
b. Practices hospitality
6. Forgiving (Romans 12:14)
Forgiveness is one of the greatest hallmarks of Christianity. God forgave us, so we should forgive others. But too often, we would rather be vengeful.
Romans 12:17-21
7. Sympathetic (Romans 12:15)
8. Humble (Romans 12:16)
Summary. A life characterized by love is a life whereby we work for the benefit of others.
Read Romans 13:11-13
By contrast, remove acts of indecency from our lives, for they are not characteristics of love because they are all about pleasing self.
II. A Life Characterized by Love Puts Aside…
1. Orgies
2. Drunkenness
3. Sexual Immorality
4. Debauchery (gluttony)
5. Dissention (trouble makers)
6. Jealousy (always wanting what is not yours)
Conclusion: Read Romans 13:14
Living a life characterized by love is how we clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment