Friend and Enemy
Series: MADE NEW
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 14th August 2022
Passage: Romans 12:9-21
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 Well, good morning, everyone. Great to be in church with you this morning. I am going
00:00:04 --> 00:00:08 to be preaching and hopefully running the PowerPoint at the same time. It's called
00:00:08 --> 00:00:19 multitasking. And if you practice multitasking, your IQ drops by 10%. So we'll see if this
00:00:19 --> 00:00:27 works. I may not have the brainpower to pull it off. So Romans 12, if you get up in front
00:00:27 --> 00:00:36 of you, let's pray and then we'll launch straight into it. Gracious God, we thank you for what
00:00:36 --> 00:00:46 we have engaged with in the first 11 chapters of Romans, that you are a God of sovereign
00:00:46 --> 00:00:56 grace. You have a mercy and a grace towards us that we do not deserve. Your plans to do
00:00:56 --> 00:01:07 good to rescue sinners is one that has transpired throughout history. We thank you for the Lord
00:01:07 --> 00:01:18 Jesus. And despite all of our frailty and failure and sin, your love for us is constant. We pray
00:01:18 --> 00:01:28 that you would transform us as a body of believers so that we live out this life of love. And we ask
00:01:28 --> 00:01:42 it for your glory. Amen. There you go. I failed on the first one. There we go. A utopia typically
00:01:42 --> 00:01:51 describes an imaginary society that possesses nearly perfect qualities for the members of that society.
00:01:51 --> 00:02:01 The idea was first coined by Sir Thomas More in his book, which he wrote in 1560, called Utopia,
00:02:01 --> 00:02:14 Utopia, describing a perfect fictional society in an island. It's a dream. It's the hope of a perfect
00:02:14 --> 00:02:21 place, which is what Utopia has come to mean for us nowadays. A place where I can leave all of my
00:02:21 --> 00:02:30 troubles behind and life is as idealistic as it possibly can be. In some modern contexts, however,
00:02:30 --> 00:02:37 the word Utopia means an impossibility. That is such a place is a fiction. It doesn't exist.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:46 There's no ever hope. It's far-fetched. It's the loot. It's the dream. No ever hope of having such a
00:02:46 --> 00:02:57 place. The American academic Lyman Sargent argues that the very nature of a Utopia is inherently
00:02:57 --> 00:03:07 contradictory because societies are not homogenous. That is, societies by their nature are made up with
00:03:07 --> 00:03:14 a whole range of diverse people with different desires, and those different desires will always
00:03:14 --> 00:03:21 be in conflict with others, and therefore, such a place of harmony, perfection, love cannot possibly
00:03:21 --> 00:03:32 ever exist because of diversity. In other words, the roadblock to any sort of Utopia of a perfect,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:40 good human society is the fact that we're all different. The differences will always fracture
00:03:40 --> 00:03:48 the community, and yet, what we have seen as we have journeyed through Romans, that that's exactly
00:03:48 --> 00:03:56 what God is building. A new society. A new society that's built on diversity.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:07 Romans 12, as we saw it last week, it begins with, in view of God's mercy.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:18 James took us there. Verses 1 and 2 of Romans 12 look back to the first 11 chapters of Romans,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:28 and it looks forward to the final 5-6 chapters of Romans. And in the first 8 verses of Romans 12,
00:04:28 --> 00:04:36 last week we looked at this, Paul addresses the Christian as an individual. Now he addresses
00:04:36 --> 00:04:45 us as a community of believers. In the next 5 chapters, what Paul wants to do is he wants to show us
00:04:45 --> 00:04:59 how life is transformed now in view of God's mercy in the past. He defines what relationships look like
00:04:59 --> 00:05:05 for God's new society. And so I've got three points on the St. Paul's app. If you've got the St. Paul's app,
00:05:05 --> 00:05:12 open that up, little QR codes behind you on the seats, hopefully as well. New society, new love for a new society,
00:05:12 --> 00:05:22 and new power for a new love. So I want to start, first of all, by taking us back to where we have
00:05:22 --> 00:05:28 previously been, because it really sets the scene for us, for the verses that are in front of us now,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:37 and the ones that are in the coming chapters. Weeks ago now, it was weeks ago, we looked at Romans chapter 5.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:44 And I mentioned there that there was a very important concept that we need to get our minds around
00:05:44 --> 00:05:51 in order to understand what the rest of Romans was going to look like for us.
00:05:51 --> 00:06:02 Chapter 5 introduces us to the idea that all of humanity lives in one of two realms.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:11 All of humanity is split into two realms. There is the realm of sin and death, inaugurated by Adam,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 right at the beginning of the beginning of the beginning of the Bible, Genesis chapter 3,
00:06:16 --> 00:06:26 or the realm of grace and life inaugurated by Jesus Christ. All of humanity either has ultimate
00:06:26 --> 00:06:36 solidarity with Adam or ultimately solidarity with Jesus Christ in salvation. Sin or salvation.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:44 And Romans wants us to see the cosmic significance of what God has done for us in Jesus.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:56 The whole of history, the whole history of humanity has been radically changed by the death and resurrection
00:06:56 --> 00:07:05 of Jesus Christ. God has established a totally new realm of existence.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:17 In which it is possible for anyone who exists to be declared right, righteous, and to be given
00:07:17 --> 00:07:27 eternal life. And so everyone who has ever lived is either in or out of that new realm in Jesus.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:43 Romans 1 to 11 has been all about God's cosmic plan of salvation in Jesus for people, both to the Jew and the Gentile.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:57 It's unfortunate, I think, in Western society in particular, that we have the inclination to think that
00:07:57 --> 00:08:07 my relationship with Jesus is a personal thing for me. It's about Jesus being my personal Lord and Savior,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 a concept which the Bible does not know.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:18 We tend to think that our conversion to the Christian faith is a small thing.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 It's part of my life.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:30 Maybe a change that brings certain modest reforms in my life to some areas of life.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:40 According to the Apostle Paul in Romans, the difference between the two realms is infinitely great.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:53 The transfer from the realm of Adam to the realm of Christ impacts every single aspect of life.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:59 There is not a category of life it does not touch.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:05 There's not a category of life that it does not renew my thinking in.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 Everything is impacted.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:15 And that is what Romans 12 to 16 are all about.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:20 The Christian has been taken by Jesus from one realm to another.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:31 The new realm of Jesus is radically opposite to the realm in conflict with God and under his judgment.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:39 The Christian has been saved for a new life, new relationships, new home.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:47 This new realm will finally reach its goal when we are in the presence of God forever.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:56 And until that time, the Christian takes on the character and the priorities of the new realm.
00:09:58 --> 00:10:03 And these verses are all about what we are becoming together.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:14 Jew and Gentile becoming together, reconciled together as one people in Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 As James pointed out last week.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:24 12 verses 1 and 2 commands us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:28 The realm that is under sin, the old realm.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:33 But be transformed for the new realm.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:41 The pattern of relationships of the old realm that Jesus has rescued us from is in chapter 1.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:47 And there's an incredible descriptive list in chapter 1.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 Heartless.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 Heartless.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 Approving of evildoers.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 God-haters.
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 Arrogant and boastful.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 Causing strife.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 Malice.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 Inventors of evil.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 And the first thing we notice as we turn to chapter 12.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:14 We see the opposite of those things are characterized in the new realm.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 Loving.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 Hate evil.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:19 Serving God.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 Not to be proud and conceited.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 Live in harmony and peace.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 Repaying no one for evil.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 Overcoming evil.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 Verses 90 to 21.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 Hopefully got in front of you at the moment.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:44 Is a catalog of over 20 brief instructions.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:48 Regarding the way God's people should relate to each other.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 And to the rest of the world.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:56 Verses 9 to 16.
00:11:56 --> 00:12:01 Seem to have an emphasis on relationships with other Christians.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:04 Because of the vocabulary that's in there.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 Is one of one another.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 But when you go to 17 to 21.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:13 Our relationships are on view here with the wider world.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:18 Because of the vocabulary shifts from one another to everybody and everyone.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 One.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 So.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 And verses 14 to 16.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 Is.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 They're kind of like transitional verses.
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 Between the two sections.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 And the reality is verses 14 and 16.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 Could be applied to.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 Second section.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 And so.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 I've kind of broken it up into those two groups.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 First of all.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 Love must be.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 New love for friends.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 In verses 9 to 16.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 Paul outlines what relationships of love look like among Christians.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 Amongst God's diverse church.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 And he makes the point.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 In verse 9.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 He gives three commands.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 There's three commands in this verse.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 To be sincere.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 To hate evil.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 And to cling to good.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 Three commands.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:15 And all three tell us what it means to live a life of love.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:19 And all three are connected to truth.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 Firstly.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 Sincere means to be unhypocritical.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 Not to be a phony.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 In your love.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 We are not to be polite.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 Helpful.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 And warm.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 On the outside.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 But cold.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 Despising.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 And disconnected.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 On the inside.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:43 This is so important.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 Because.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 Churches.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 Have a tendency.
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 Of creating cultures.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 Of niceness.
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 We have a tendency.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 Of creating cultures.
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 Of niceness.
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 Where there is a.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 Veneer.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 Of being pleasant.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:10 And it covers up a culture.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 Of.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 Backbiting.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 Gossiping.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 Prejudice.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 A veneer of niceness.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 Often results.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 In the absence.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 Of tough love.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 Where people.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 Tough love is where people.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 Love each other enough.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:33 To confront problems and sins.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 That they find in themselves.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 And in their.
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 Friends.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 A culture.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 Of niceness.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 Never.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 Addresses.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 The old realm.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 Unless it.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 Absolutely.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 Has to.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 Second.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 We are commanded.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 Here.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 Negatively.
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 To hate.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 But positively.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 To cling.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 We must be horrified.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 By what God.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 Calls sin.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 And never.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 Attempt.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 To justify.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 Sin in ourselves.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 And we are to.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 Glue.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 Ourselves.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 To what God.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 Calls.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 Righteous.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 Good.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 This is so crucial.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 Because love.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 For one another.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 Can in fact.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 Distort.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 Our view.
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 Of right.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 And wrong.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:30 There is often.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 A temptation.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 To give the loved one.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 What creates.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 In them.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 Emotional joy.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 Rather than.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 What is best.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 For them.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 This is.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 A consistent.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 Failure.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 Of parents.
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 Well.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 At least.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 This one.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 One.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 Because.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 So many of us.
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 Cannot.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 Bear.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 The tears.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 And the tantrums.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 Of our children.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 And so.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 We give in.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 And there is not tough love.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 And yet.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 It's also.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 Pretty common knowledge.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 That a childhood.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 Without discipline.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 Nearly.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 Always.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 Ends in disaster.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 If not.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 For them personally.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 For everyone.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 Who knows them.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 It seems.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 Strange.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 To say it.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 But we cannot.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 Love properly.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 Without.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 Hating properly.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 You cannot.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 Love properly.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 Without.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 Hating properly.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:46 Any love.
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 That is afraid.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 To confront.
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 A loved one.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 Is not.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 Actually.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 Love.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 Any love.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 That is afraid.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 To confront.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 A loved one.
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 Is not.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 Actually.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 Love.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 But more likely.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 A selfish desire.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 To be.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 Loved.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Selfish love.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 Is afraid.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 Is afraid.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 Is afraid.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 To do.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 What is right.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 If it.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 Risks.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 Losing.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 Losing.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 The affection.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 Of another person.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 My reputation.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 Becomes.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 More important.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 Than the other person's.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 Love.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 Love.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 And so.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 The loved one.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 Becomes.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 An idol.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 You love.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 The love.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 You get.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 From the loved one.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 Not.
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 Actually loving.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 The loved person.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 Themselves.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 Now.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 That's just a brief.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 Few words.
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 Around verse nine.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:50 In verses 10 to 16.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 We get a list.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 Of what love.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 Actually is.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 They.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 They pretty much.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 Fit into four categories.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 At least.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 I'm going to fit them.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 Into four categories.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 Which together.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 They form a picture.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 Of what relationships.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 In God's new society.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 Look like.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 Firstly.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 Real.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 Real love.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 Is committed to others.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 Verse 10.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 Be devoted.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 Brotherly love.
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 This is.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 Revolutionary.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 Because the words.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 Devoted.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 And brotherly love.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 Are applying.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 The normal.
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 Relational.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 Expectations.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 Of family.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 Nuclear family.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 To the Christian community.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 Brotherly love.
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 And devoted.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 Were first century.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 Family terms.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 Nuclear family terms.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 And now.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 They're being applied.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 To the Christian community.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 In other words.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 What Paul's saying here.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 You love.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 Your fellow believers.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 As if.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 You are related.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 To them.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 By blood.
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 Because you are.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 By Jesus blood.
00:18:57 --> 00:18:59 Even if our family members.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 Have radically different values.
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 And lifestyles from us.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 They are still.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 Family.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 Even when we find them.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 Particularly challenging.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:15 We still say things like.
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 Well.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:16 You know.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:16 He's.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 He's still my brother.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 Still my parents.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 Still my kids.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 You know.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 Like.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 You still.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 You know.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 You still get to that point.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 Where you go.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 What are you going to do?
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 I'm.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 I'm.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 Intimately connected to this person.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 The word devoted here.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 Is a very.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 Very challenging description.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 Of Christian love.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 For those of us.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 Who have been.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 Marinating.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 All of our lives.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 In individualistic cultures.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 The word devoted.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 Is incredibly challenging.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 For us.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 I wonder if.
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 Devoted to one another.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 Is how.
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 You would describe.
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 Your relationship.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 To the members.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 Of your community group.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 Or to this church.
00:20:05 --> 00:20:11 Because if you don't.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 There really.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 This is a gentle challenge.
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 To you.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 You need to.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 Grasp the gospel.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 You need to realize.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 What you've been saved from.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 And what you've been saved for.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 Secondly.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 Real love.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 Puts others first.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 Look at the second half.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 Verse 10.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 Honor one another.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 Above yourselves.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:35 It's pretty much what.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 Paul says in.
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 Philippians 2 verse 3.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 In humility.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 Consider others.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 Better than yourselves.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 To honor someone.
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 Is to treat them.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 As valuable.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 They are valuable.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 Because they are made.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 In the image of God.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 And because they have.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 The spirit of God.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 Dwelling.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 Within them.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 Each person.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 Is precious.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 Precious.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 And important.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 In and of themselves.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 Because they made.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 The image of God.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 But if they're Christian.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 And have the spirit of God.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Dwelling in them.
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 Even more so.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 Precious and important.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 To honor someone.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 Here.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 Is to listen to them.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 To know of their hopes.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 And their joys.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 And their needs.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 And their hurts.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 And their fears.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 To be considerate.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 To concentrate on more.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 Their needs.
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 Than on your own.
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 We're pretty much told.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 The same thing.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 In verse 16.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 When we are called.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 Not to be proud.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 Or conceited.
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 But instead.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 To be willing.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 To associate with people.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 Of low position.
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 The essence of love here.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 Is not to.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 Concentrate.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 On our own image.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 Our own position.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 Our own needs.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 Our own rights.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 But on the needs.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 Of others.
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 Real love.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 Is patient.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 That's the third category.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 Look at verse 11.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Never be lacking.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 In zeal.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 But keep your spiritual fervor.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 Serving the Lord.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 Be joyful.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 In hope.
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 Patient.
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 In affliction.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 Faithful.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 In prayer.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 The four commands.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:14 That are in those two verses.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Really are connected.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 To the idea.
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 Of patience.
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 Paul is calling us.
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 To use.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:24 All of the spiritual resources.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 That have been given to us.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 And they are.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 Very significant resources.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 To not give up.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 On your Christian brothers and sisters.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 That is.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:39 The spirit of God.
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Is.
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 The spiritual resource.
00:22:42 --> 00:22:44 The most powerful spiritual resource.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 To bind us together.
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 As brothers and sisters.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 And the only reason.
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 We would fracture.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 Is because.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 We are doing it.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 Under our own strength.
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 Our own power.
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 We are to confront.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 The difficulties.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 Of relationships.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 In the church community.
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 With patience.
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 And prayer.
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 Because to be.
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 Involved.
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 Deeply.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 In the lives.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 Of other people.
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 Is.
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 Extremely.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 Hard work.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 It's.
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 Extremely.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 Hard work.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 As.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 C.S.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 Lewis.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 Once wrote.
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 The only way.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 Not to have your heart broken.
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 Is never to give it to someone else.
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 It's the only way.
00:23:32 --> 00:23:34 Never give it to someone else.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 And my.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 View is.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 That ever since.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 The pandemic.
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 Has hit us.
00:23:43 --> 00:23:46 We have seen.
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 A greater fracturing.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 Of community.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 And less capacity.
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 To give our hearts.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 To someone else.
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 Individualism.
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 Has.
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 Climbed.
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 And because.
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 We are part of a community.
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 Devodes one another.
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 Our hope.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 And our zeal.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 For one another.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 Must not falter.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 Lastly.
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 Real love.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 Combines feelings.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 With actions.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 Verse 15.
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 Tells us.
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 The Christian community.
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 Is to have empathy.
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 To rejoice.
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 With those who rejoice.
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 Mourn.
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 With those who mourn.
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 But that's not all.
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 Verse 13 says.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 To share.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 With the Lord's people.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 Who are in need.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 To practice hospitality.
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 That is.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 Real love.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 Is not just sentimentality.
00:24:38 --> 00:24:40 But an activity.
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 Of meeting needs.
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 Love is doing.
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 Whatever it takes.
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 To give people.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 What they need.
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 The Christian.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 Makes.
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 Sacrifices.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 Of.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 Of emotion.
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 Of actions.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 Of rights.
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 We give others.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 Both the truth.
00:25:00 --> 00:25:02 That they may not want.
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 And the help.
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 That they need.
00:25:06 --> 00:25:09 Now my best guess here.
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 Is.
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 That there are.
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 Four.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:15 Different.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 Groups of people.
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 Sitting in this room.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:22 With four different messages.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 That you need to hear.
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 On this one.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 And.
00:25:28 --> 00:25:30 Especially to do with our life together.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 Here at St. Paul's.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 On one extreme.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 Are the people who say.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 I don't feel any need.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 For personal relationships.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 And I don't care.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 If I have any.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:44 On the other extreme.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 Are the people who say.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:47 I need personal relationships.
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 And I need to be loved.
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 And you owe me.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 To be loved.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 And it's your problem.
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 If my love's not being met.
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 Both extremes.
00:26:01 --> 00:26:03 Are deficient in love.
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 And tarnished with pride.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 Both of them.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 Both of them.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:08 But the form of loveless pride.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 Looks different in both of them.
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 The one expresses loveless pride.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:14 By rejecting the need to give love.
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 Or to receive love.
00:26:17 --> 00:26:19 That's the way pride looks like.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 In the heart of the strong.
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 And the self-sufficient.
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 The proud.
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 The other extreme.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:28 Expresses loveless pride.
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 By feeling that people owe them love.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:33 And blaming others.
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 For not giving it to them.
00:26:35 --> 00:26:37 And they certainly won't give it to anyone else.
00:26:38 --> 00:26:40 Unless they receive it first.
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 And that's the way pride looks like.
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 In the heart of the weak.
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 And the self-pitying.
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 Now granted.
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 That's the extreme.
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 Right.
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 Of those spectrums.
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 Ultimately.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:55 Both extremes need to discover.
00:26:55 --> 00:26:57 What real love looks like.
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 Both extremes need to experience.
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 Romans 1 to 11.
00:27:03 --> 00:27:05 And God's grace to us in Jesus Christ.
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 And need to experience.
00:27:07 --> 00:27:09 Why it is that God has designed us.
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 To give it.
00:27:10 --> 00:27:12 And to receive it from him.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 And from each other.
00:27:13 --> 00:27:16 The other two kinds of people.
00:27:17 --> 00:27:19 Are moving from those two extremes.
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 Towards each other.
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 On the spectrum.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:25 Because they have recognized.
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 Their deficiencies.
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 Their pride.
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 And their deficiencies.
00:27:30 --> 00:27:32 Recognizing God's mercy.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 To us.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 In Jesus.
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 In coming to us.
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 To love us.
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 To forgive us.
00:27:38 --> 00:27:40 And to change us by his grace.
00:27:40 --> 00:27:43 The first of those.
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 Second pair of people.
00:27:44 --> 00:27:46 Is moving from self-sufficiency.
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 And says.
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 Look I'll be honest with you.
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 I don't frankly look.
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 Naturally.
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 To close relationships.
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 Where I can.
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 You know.
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 Love and be loved.
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 But because of God's grace.
00:27:59 --> 00:28:01 I want to grow in this area.
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 The other person.
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 In this pair.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:08 Is moving from self-preoccupation.
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 And self-pity.
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 And says.
00:28:09 --> 00:28:11 I know that others need true love.
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 As I need true love.
00:28:15 --> 00:28:17 And I'd like to try to be that.
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 For someone.
00:28:18 --> 00:28:20 Without thinking about myself first.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:23 Telling my stories first.
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 I want to.
00:28:26 --> 00:28:28 I want to meet needs in someone else.
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 Even as I have needs.
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 So I want to ask you.
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 Where do you put yourself on that spectrum?
00:28:36 --> 00:28:42 Has Romans brought any transformation to you at all yet?
00:28:43 --> 00:28:49 Has God's grace made any move in you at all yet?
00:28:49 --> 00:28:57 So now we move to a new love for foes.
00:28:57 --> 00:28:59 Verses 17 to 21.
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 Verses 17 to 21.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 Shifts the issue of loving your.
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 Towards love.
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 From your church family.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:05 To loving the enemy.
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 The basic principle in this section.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:09 Is really summarized by the beginning of it.
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 And the end of it.
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 It's bookmarked if you like.
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 Verse 17.
00:29:13 --> 00:29:15 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 Verse 21.
00:29:16 --> 00:29:18 Do not be overcome by evil.
00:29:18 --> 00:29:20 But overcome evil with good.
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 That's the principle.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 The word overcome here.
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 In these verses.
00:29:23 --> 00:29:25 Is a military term.
00:29:25 --> 00:29:27 It means to be defeated.
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 To be conquered.
00:29:28 --> 00:29:30 To be overpowered.
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 And there are only two possibilities.
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 Either we are overcome by evil.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:38 Or we overcome evil.
00:29:38 --> 00:29:41 By responding to it with good.
00:29:42 --> 00:29:44 To respond evil for evil.
00:29:44 --> 00:29:49 When someone hurts us in any kind of way.
00:29:50 --> 00:29:52 Ultimately does not damage them.
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 It damages us.
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 Any form of retaliation.
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 Any form of retaliation.
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 At all.
00:30:01 --> 00:30:03 Ultimately damages us.
00:30:05 --> 00:30:07 When we do that.
00:30:08 --> 00:30:10 We are the ones who are defeated.
00:30:10 --> 00:30:12 We are the ones who are overcome.
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 By evil.
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 We lose.
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 And evil wins.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:19 The only way to defeat evil.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:21 Is by doing good to those.
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 Who have harmed us in any way.
00:30:22 --> 00:30:24 Whether that be perceived harm.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 Or actual harm.
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 Secret.
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 To doing this.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 Is seeing the evil.
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 That is perpetrated.
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 As something.
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 That is above.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 And distinct.
00:30:37 --> 00:30:39 From the perpetrator.
00:30:39 --> 00:30:41 How quickly.
00:30:41 --> 00:30:43 How quickly.
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 We jump.
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 To attaching the evil.
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 To the perpetrator.
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 Someone tells the lie.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 You're a liar.
00:30:51 --> 00:30:55 We label them immediately.
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 As evil.
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 You're a liar.
00:30:58 --> 00:31:02 When we.
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 On the other hand.
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 Are free and loose.
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 With the truth.
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 We've got to understand.
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 There's circumstances here.
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 Steve.
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 You've got to understand.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 My personality.
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 You've got to understand.
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 What I'm dealing with.
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 Was it really a lie?
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 It was kind of a half truth.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 You know.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:21 When we do this.
00:31:21 --> 00:31:23 There's really only two results.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:25 Evil doesn't infect us.
00:31:29 --> 00:31:29 Sorry.
00:31:29 --> 00:31:31 When we don't return evil for evil.
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 There's two results.
00:31:33 --> 00:31:35 Evil doesn't infect us.
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 And the perpetrator.
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 May in fact be softened.
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 And may in fact be helped.
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 When we turn the other cheek.
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 That's the essence of verse 20.
00:31:44 --> 00:31:46 Where Paul talks about.
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 Our good deeds and words.
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 Could he be burning coals.
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 On their head.
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 I used to always think.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 That was a metaphor.
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 For judgment.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 It's like.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 Oh yeah.
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 Turn good.
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 So they'd be burned.
00:32:00 --> 00:32:02 But it's not that at all.
00:32:02 --> 00:32:04 It's actually about repentance.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 It may lead them.
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 To repentance.
00:32:09 --> 00:32:11 There are three practical ways.
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 That we implement.
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 The principle of overcoming evil with good.
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 The first one.
00:32:14 --> 00:32:16 Is not to avoid the hostile person.
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 That's the first one.
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 Verse 18.
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 If it is possible.
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 As far as it depends on you.
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 Live at peace with everyone.
00:32:24 --> 00:32:26 It's so easy to avoid people.
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 Who have wronged us.
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 We just.
00:32:28 --> 00:32:30 We justify that in our hearts.
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 By saying.
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 Well you know.
00:32:31 --> 00:32:33 I'm not actually seeking revenge here.
00:32:34 --> 00:32:36 I just don't want anything to do with them.
00:32:37 --> 00:32:39 And we call that love.
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 We call that love.
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 HANそう.
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 And we call that love.
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 In our theirs.
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 Bye.
00:32:43 --> 00:32:45 We call it evil.
00:32:45 --> 00:32:48 of another person, simply a payback.
00:32:52 --> 00:32:56 A silent treatment is powerfully manipulative.
00:33:00 --> 00:33:05 Avoiding evil does not overcome evil at all.
00:33:07 --> 00:33:09 But there's boundaries here, I recognise that.
00:33:09 --> 00:33:12 Verse nine still reminds us that we are not loving
00:33:12 --> 00:33:16 or wise or truthful if we enable someone to sin
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 or to sin against us.
00:33:18 --> 00:33:21 There are, if you like, degrees of hostility.
00:33:22 --> 00:33:24 Some enemies are so dangerous
00:33:24 --> 00:33:27 that to have anything to do with them
00:33:27 --> 00:33:29 is to invite them to sin against you
00:33:29 --> 00:33:32 even more and more and more and more and more.
00:33:33 --> 00:33:35 So there's boundaries and I recognise that.
00:33:36 --> 00:33:39 We need to discern when we are hurt by someone else,
00:33:39 --> 00:33:41 we need to discern what is our motive.
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 Staying away.
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 Is it a form of payback
00:33:45 --> 00:33:49 or is it a measured response
00:33:49 --> 00:33:51 aimed at blessing them in some way?
00:33:53 --> 00:33:55 Often you need your church family
00:33:55 --> 00:33:57 and members of your church community
00:33:57 --> 00:33:59 to help you process which one it is.
00:34:00 --> 00:34:02 The second way to implement the principle
00:34:02 --> 00:34:04 of overcoming good with evil
00:34:04 --> 00:34:08 is to express loving words and actions.
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 Verse 14 calls us to bless.
00:34:10 --> 00:34:12 Verse 20, to feed your enemy.
00:34:12 --> 00:34:15 This simply means that you are to speak and act
00:34:15 --> 00:34:19 courteously and kindly to those who are hostile towards you.
00:34:19 --> 00:34:21 Now you've got to be careful here.
00:34:22 --> 00:34:25 Sometimes we may do kind things to a hostile person
00:34:25 --> 00:34:28 simply to what we call rub their nose in it.
00:34:29 --> 00:34:31 To heap shame upon them.
00:34:31 --> 00:34:34 That's not the motive here.
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 That's not the motive here.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:42 We are to thoughtfully find ways to wish the person well
00:34:42 --> 00:34:46 and to do helpful things and speak respectfully to them.
00:34:47 --> 00:34:52 Thirdly, is to implement the principle of overcoming evil with good
00:34:52 --> 00:34:55 is to forgive and forgo any repayment.
00:34:55 --> 00:34:59 I've preached on this one a number of times in the past
00:34:59 --> 00:35:01 so we're going to expand upon it here.
00:35:02 --> 00:35:04 Verse 19 simply says,
00:35:04 --> 00:35:07 never avenge yourself.
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 Now how do we do that?
00:35:12 --> 00:35:14 In fact, how do we do everything else here
00:35:14 --> 00:35:17 in this chapter?
00:35:17 --> 00:35:20 Well, that brings me to my last point.
00:35:22 --> 00:35:24 New power for new love.
00:35:25 --> 00:35:28 The old way of life where we reject God
00:35:28 --> 00:35:33 is where we attempt to sit in his seat as ruler.
00:35:34 --> 00:35:36 We see that in the early chapters of Romans.
00:35:37 --> 00:35:39 Ruler and judge of all.
00:35:39 --> 00:35:45 The old society means we respond with some level of cursing,
00:35:45 --> 00:35:50 vengeance and retaliation to anyone who challenges my right to rule,
00:35:51 --> 00:35:53 to sit on the throne of God.
00:35:54 --> 00:35:59 God instead calls us to respond with an undeserved love and blessing
00:35:59 --> 00:36:01 and to do whatever we can,
00:36:02 --> 00:36:04 in whatever way we can,
00:36:04 --> 00:36:07 to bless others, friend and foe.
00:36:07 --> 00:36:14 And I would argue
00:36:14 --> 00:36:18 that the verses that are before us today
00:36:18 --> 00:36:22 are both beautiful and irrefutable.
00:36:24 --> 00:36:26 They're both marvellous
00:36:26 --> 00:36:29 and they stand in their own right as being true.
00:36:31 --> 00:36:33 There'd be hardly a person anywhere
00:36:33 --> 00:36:35 that would disagree with these words
00:36:35 --> 00:36:37 as being beautiful and irrefutable.
00:36:37 --> 00:36:40 And yet,
00:36:40 --> 00:36:42 oh my goodness,
00:36:43 --> 00:36:45 every time I read these verses
00:36:45 --> 00:36:47 and even in this week,
00:36:48 --> 00:36:48 I go,
00:36:50 --> 00:36:53 I can tell you how I've failed it
00:36:53 --> 00:36:56 before I've finished even reading the verses
00:36:56 --> 00:36:58 in my mind.
00:36:58 --> 00:37:03 These are incredibly hard words.
00:37:04 --> 00:37:05 Beautiful,
00:37:05 --> 00:37:06 but incredibly hard.
00:37:08 --> 00:37:10 True love is very hard.
00:37:10 --> 00:37:13 Loving people who are very different to you
00:37:13 --> 00:37:15 is incredibly hard.
00:37:15 --> 00:37:17 You must work at it.
00:37:17 --> 00:37:18 And yet,
00:37:18 --> 00:37:20 and yet,
00:37:21 --> 00:37:22 in our individualistic culture,
00:37:22 --> 00:37:25 the temptation is just simply to avoid it.
00:37:28 --> 00:37:30 Or to somehow minimise love
00:37:30 --> 00:37:31 to a point where
00:37:31 --> 00:37:33 it's more passive.
00:37:34 --> 00:37:36 It's just not me doing bad things to people.
00:37:36 --> 00:37:37 And if I don't do bad things to people,
00:37:38 --> 00:37:38 then I'm,
00:37:39 --> 00:37:39 you know,
00:37:39 --> 00:37:41 as long as I don't toot my horn
00:37:41 --> 00:37:42 and flash my lights
00:37:42 --> 00:37:44 at people who cut me off in traffic,
00:37:45 --> 00:37:47 then I must be a polite driver.
00:37:48 --> 00:37:49 As long as I don't do that.
00:37:50 --> 00:37:52 Which I failed in this week,
00:37:52 --> 00:37:52 by the way.
00:37:52 --> 00:37:52 Okay.
00:37:52 --> 00:38:00 It's so easy just to minimise love
00:38:00 --> 00:38:02 to a point where it just is not sacrificial.
00:38:04 --> 00:38:05 And I could just withdraw and withdraw
00:38:05 --> 00:38:07 and withdraw and withdraw
00:38:07 --> 00:38:08 away from people
00:38:08 --> 00:38:10 and providing I don't have anyone to love,
00:38:11 --> 00:38:11 well, there you go,
00:38:11 --> 00:38:12 I'm loving people.
00:38:14 --> 00:38:15 At least not being bad to them.
00:38:18 --> 00:38:19 Notice here,
00:38:20 --> 00:38:21 please notice this,
00:38:21 --> 00:38:22 and especially if you are being challenged,
00:38:22 --> 00:38:23 by these words.
00:38:24 --> 00:38:24 Notice this,
00:38:25 --> 00:38:27 there is no persecution so great
00:38:27 --> 00:38:30 that Paul makes exception to the rule.
00:38:32 --> 00:38:35 There's no footnotes and caveats
00:38:35 --> 00:38:38 at all in these verses.
00:38:38 --> 00:38:40 There is no hurt,
00:38:40 --> 00:38:42 there is no wrong so deep
00:38:42 --> 00:38:44 that we in any way are excused
00:38:44 --> 00:38:48 from loving another person.
00:38:48 --> 00:38:53 So how's that possible?
00:38:56 --> 00:38:58 Because there are very few lives
00:38:58 --> 00:38:59 who live like this.
00:39:00 --> 00:39:02 And I struggle with it so much.
00:39:04 --> 00:39:05 Where do we get the power
00:39:05 --> 00:39:07 to live a life this loving,
00:39:07 --> 00:39:08 this patient,
00:39:08 --> 00:39:09 this forgiving,
00:39:09 --> 00:39:10 this brave?
00:39:12 --> 00:39:13 Verse 19,
00:39:13 --> 00:39:16 Do not take revenge,
00:39:16 --> 00:39:17 my dear friends,
00:39:17 --> 00:39:20 but leave room for God's wrath.
00:39:21 --> 00:39:22 For it is written,
00:39:22 --> 00:39:23 it is mine to avenge,
00:39:24 --> 00:39:25 I will repay,
00:39:25 --> 00:39:26 says the Lord.
00:39:26 --> 00:39:29 This is almost exactly
00:39:29 --> 00:39:31 what James says,
00:39:31 --> 00:39:32 not this James,
00:39:32 --> 00:39:34 James in the New Testament says,
00:39:34 --> 00:39:35 I was looking at him at the time,
00:39:35 --> 00:39:36 what James says
00:39:36 --> 00:39:38 about
00:39:38 --> 00:39:41 no retaliation,
00:39:41 --> 00:39:43 leave room for God's judgment seat.
00:39:44 --> 00:39:47 The secret to overcoming evil with God
00:39:47 --> 00:39:50 is leaving room for God's wrath.
00:39:50 --> 00:39:51 In other words,
00:39:51 --> 00:39:54 the connection with James is,
00:39:54 --> 00:39:56 get off God's judgment seat.
00:39:58 --> 00:39:59 That's the secret.
00:40:01 --> 00:40:03 Step off his seat.
00:40:03 --> 00:40:05 Stop playing God.
00:40:08 --> 00:40:10 If we are having trouble
00:40:10 --> 00:40:11 overcoming evil with good,
00:40:11 --> 00:40:12 then it's because we're sitting
00:40:12 --> 00:40:13 on God's judgment seat
00:40:13 --> 00:40:15 over everyone else.
00:40:15 --> 00:40:16 All resentment,
00:40:17 --> 00:40:17 lack of forgiveness,
00:40:17 --> 00:40:18 and vengeance
00:40:18 --> 00:40:20 is taking on God's role
00:40:20 --> 00:40:22 as judge over others.
00:40:23 --> 00:40:24 It is playing God.
00:40:28 --> 00:40:30 We think we know
00:40:30 --> 00:40:32 what the other person deserves.
00:40:34 --> 00:40:37 And we are handing out the judgment
00:40:37 --> 00:40:39 on what we think they deserve.
00:40:40 --> 00:40:42 And yet only God
00:40:42 --> 00:40:43 is the qualified judge of humanity.
00:40:43 --> 00:40:47 So there are two ways
00:40:47 --> 00:40:49 of getting off God's judgment seat.
00:40:50 --> 00:40:50 First,
00:40:51 --> 00:40:52 you look to yourself.
00:40:53 --> 00:40:55 Be more aware
00:40:55 --> 00:40:55 and conscious
00:40:55 --> 00:40:57 of your own sin and failure
00:40:57 --> 00:40:58 than you are of others.
00:41:00 --> 00:41:01 Look to yourself.
00:41:02 --> 00:41:04 Realize how sinful
00:41:04 --> 00:41:04 and imperfect
00:41:04 --> 00:41:06 and yourself deserving
00:41:06 --> 00:41:06 of judgment
00:41:06 --> 00:41:07 that you are.
00:41:10 --> 00:41:11 Realize that you don't know
00:41:11 --> 00:41:12 everything.
00:41:13 --> 00:41:14 That we don't know
00:41:14 --> 00:41:16 all about the offender.
00:41:16 --> 00:41:18 We don't know
00:41:18 --> 00:41:19 everything that they are facing,
00:41:20 --> 00:41:21 everything that they deserve.
00:41:23 --> 00:41:25 Pride won't allow forgiveness.
00:41:28 --> 00:41:30 And forgiveness won't allow pride.
00:41:32 --> 00:41:34 If you cannot forgive,
00:41:34 --> 00:41:36 it is because you are sure
00:41:36 --> 00:41:39 that you are not as sinful
00:41:39 --> 00:41:40 as the other person.
00:41:40 --> 00:41:45 But the main way
00:41:45 --> 00:41:46 to get out of God's chair
00:41:46 --> 00:41:47 and start loving and forgiving
00:41:47 --> 00:41:49 is not just to look to yourself,
00:41:49 --> 00:41:50 but ultimately look to Jesus,
00:41:51 --> 00:41:52 who helps you to look to yourself
00:41:52 --> 00:41:53 with more clarity.
00:41:54 --> 00:41:55 Jesus Christ,
00:41:55 --> 00:41:56 the Son of God,
00:41:57 --> 00:41:58 incarnate Son of God,
00:41:59 --> 00:42:00 second member of the Trinity,
00:42:00 --> 00:42:01 the Godhead,
00:42:02 --> 00:42:04 didn't take the chair himself.
00:42:04 --> 00:42:08 He had every right
00:42:08 --> 00:42:09 to sit in the chair.
00:42:11 --> 00:42:12 He had every right
00:42:12 --> 00:42:13 to sit in the chair
00:42:13 --> 00:42:15 because he was perfect
00:42:15 --> 00:42:18 and because of his knowledge
00:42:18 --> 00:42:19 of all things.
00:42:19 --> 00:42:20 He knows exactly
00:42:20 --> 00:42:23 what is in every human heart,
00:42:23 --> 00:42:25 but he didn't sit in the chair.
00:42:27 --> 00:42:28 John 12, 47,
00:42:28 --> 00:42:32 I did not come to judge the world,
00:42:32 --> 00:42:33 to save the world,
00:42:33 --> 00:42:37 the first 11 chapters of the Roman
00:42:37 --> 00:42:39 tells us that Jesus came to save,
00:42:39 --> 00:42:40 to pardon,
00:42:40 --> 00:42:40 to redeem.
00:42:41 --> 00:42:43 How dare we,
00:42:43 --> 00:42:45 how dare we,
00:42:46 --> 00:42:48 who were saved by his grace,
00:42:49 --> 00:42:51 decide that we are now going to sit
00:42:51 --> 00:42:52 in his seat and play judge?
00:42:54 --> 00:42:55 How dare we do that?
00:42:56 --> 00:42:58 Look to what Jesus did for you.
00:42:58 --> 00:43:04 Look at the way he was patient.
00:43:06 --> 00:43:08 He was patient with his enemies.
00:43:10 --> 00:43:11 Isaiah 53 tells us,
00:43:12 --> 00:43:13 and this is a kind of a summary,
00:43:13 --> 00:43:16 he was despised and rejected by humanity.
00:43:16 --> 00:43:19 He was despised and he held,
00:43:19 --> 00:43:21 and we held him in low esteem.
00:43:22 --> 00:43:24 He was pierced for our transgressions.
00:43:24 --> 00:43:26 He was crushed for our iniquities.
00:43:26 --> 00:43:28 He was oppressed and afflicted,
00:43:28 --> 00:43:31 and yet he did not open his mouth.
00:43:33 --> 00:43:34 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
00:43:36 --> 00:43:38 And as a sheep before each year is silent,
00:43:38 --> 00:43:39 he did not open his mouth.
00:43:41 --> 00:43:45 The one who had the right to sit in the judgment seat
00:43:45 --> 00:43:47 didn't sit there.
00:43:49 --> 00:43:52 He was patient under affliction for us.
00:43:52 --> 00:43:56 He saved us through his patience.
00:43:58 --> 00:44:02 So friends, if you're getting in the end of chapter 12 here
00:44:02 --> 00:44:05 and going, oh my goodness, checklist.
00:44:06 --> 00:44:08 I need to write this checklist of actions
00:44:09 --> 00:44:13 that I now need to do so that God loves me more.
00:44:13 --> 00:44:16 Before, you've missed it.
00:44:17 --> 00:44:18 You've missed it.
00:44:21 --> 00:44:26 Before love is something that we do,
00:44:28 --> 00:44:30 it is someone that we meet.
00:44:34 --> 00:44:36 Before love is something we do,
00:44:36 --> 00:44:39 it is someone that we meet.
00:44:39 --> 00:44:43 Jesus Christ, who did not sit in the judgment seat,
00:44:43 --> 00:44:44 but surrendered it.
00:44:46 --> 00:44:46 Surrendered it.
00:44:48 --> 00:44:50 Afflicted by us for our sin.
00:44:52 --> 00:44:54 So that we might be lifted up.
00:44:55 --> 00:44:57 Not despised in God's eyes,
00:44:57 --> 00:44:58 but his much-loved children.
00:44:58 --> 00:45:04 We will only love like Romans 12 calls us to love
00:45:04 --> 00:45:05 as a church community
00:45:05 --> 00:45:08 so long as we look to
00:45:08 --> 00:45:11 and we treasure Jesus together as his people.
00:45:11 --> 00:45:11 Amen.
00:45:11 --> 00:45:11 Amen.