Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This passage talks about how to deal with people who might be our “enemy”.
Where do we encounter enemies? Are your enemies hungry? Thirsty? – What needs might your enemy have?
Jesus taught about this topic. Matthew 5:43-48.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But 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 makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The challenge in these verses is to LOVE your enemy. Does this love come by flipping the “Love/hate” switch, or is it more complicated? What else is involved? Forgiveness, an eternal perspective, focus not on myself, humility, being like Christ.
Jesus also Modeled this behavior – on the cross. Luke 23:32-34
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Jesus forgave the men who crucified Him on the cross.
What do you need to forgive?
Ephesians 4:32 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Can we have enemies in the church? If so, how should we treat them in light of this verse?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Romans 12:9-13 Week 5
Serving in Love
This passage describes how we can interact with one another in a way that pleases God.
One of the commands here is to love one another with brotherly love.
What is an example of brotherly love that you have seen among believers?
How can we show honor for other believers?
One important aspect of this passage is that it focuses on our relationships with one another.
What barriers do we face in making the most of our relationships with one another in this group?
Too Busy? Don’t see the need?
I really don’t like the “vending Machine” mentality of Christianity. It emphasizes that if you put in your .25 worth of prayer, or attendance, or whatever, you get these great benefits: “blessings, Answers to your prayers, … the good life”. That is really problematic because God calls us to many things that can be unpleasant. Sanctification, sacrifice, unpopularity, the list goes on. BUT, in spite of that, MANY of the things God commands us to do through scripture are for our good. When we love each other with brotherly love, or outdo someone in showing honor, the result is a blessing that is difficult to describe with words. There are so many good things that come out of relationships with other believers that we might miss if we don’t invest in them.
What might we do differently as a group to make the most of our relationships with one another?
This passage describes how we can interact with one another in a way that pleases God.
One of the commands here is to love one another with brotherly love.
What is an example of brotherly love that you have seen among believers?
How can we show honor for other believers?
One important aspect of this passage is that it focuses on our relationships with one another.
What barriers do we face in making the most of our relationships with one another in this group?
Too Busy? Don’t see the need?
I really don’t like the “vending Machine” mentality of Christianity. It emphasizes that if you put in your .25 worth of prayer, or attendance, or whatever, you get these great benefits: “blessings, Answers to your prayers, … the good life”. That is really problematic because God calls us to many things that can be unpleasant. Sanctification, sacrifice, unpopularity, the list goes on. BUT, in spite of that, MANY of the things God commands us to do through scripture are for our good. When we love each other with brotherly love, or outdo someone in showing honor, the result is a blessing that is difficult to describe with words. There are so many good things that come out of relationships with other believers that we might miss if we don’t invest in them.
What might we do differently as a group to make the most of our relationships with one another?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Romans 12:3-8 – Week 4
Sober in Self Assessment
What is the best compliment you have ever gotten?
How do other people’s assessment of you affect your self-image?
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Our view of ourselves impacts how we carry out our individual mission.
Rate yourself 1-10 on the following:
Intelligence
Athletic Ability
Physical appearance
Social interaction
Personal Relationships
Take a rough average and save that number.
Let’s do the same exercise using some of the qualities (gifts) in the passage.
Sharing your faith with others (Prophesy-communicating revealed truth)
Serving others
Teach others
Encouraging others
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Take a rough average and save that number.
What is are some of the differences in these two lists?
The first is self-assessment is things that others might evaluate me on, the second list is made of things that are used to build up the Body of Christ.
What do these verses say about how these gifts should be used?
Is there a relationship between our self image and our ability to use our gifts the way God intended?
Why does God put such different people together?
What is the CAUTION – Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should. We are all in this together.
What is the best compliment you have ever gotten?
How do other people’s assessment of you affect your self-image?
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Our view of ourselves impacts how we carry out our individual mission.
Rate yourself 1-10 on the following:
Intelligence
Athletic Ability
Physical appearance
Social interaction
Personal Relationships
Take a rough average and save that number.
Let’s do the same exercise using some of the qualities (gifts) in the passage.
Sharing your faith with others (Prophesy-communicating revealed truth)
Serving others
Teach others
Encouraging others
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Take a rough average and save that number.
What is are some of the differences in these two lists?
The first is self-assessment is things that others might evaluate me on, the second list is made of things that are used to build up the Body of Christ.
What do these verses say about how these gifts should be used?
Is there a relationship between our self image and our ability to use our gifts the way God intended?
Why does God put such different people together?
What is the CAUTION – Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should. We are all in this together.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Romans 12 Week 3
Separated from the World’ values
What has been your favorite movie in the last 12 months? (Iron Man)
Movies are part of our culture as are the following:
Oprah, JLo, Anderson Cooper, Tony Romo, Justin Beeber, Lady GaGa, Housewives of New Jersey, Horoscopes, iPhone, facebook, the economy, Tea Party, Wall street, Casey Anthony, Don’t Ask – Don’t tell.
The scripture we will consider today addresses all of these (and many other) cultural issues.
I wanted to list some of the popular culture ideas and people as a backdrop for the verses we will go through today.
Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
What does Paul say the result of this transformed mind?
Can you give any examples where Christians are tempted to go along with cultural values that violate scripture? (movies, TV, Sports)
Jesus was tempted by some of the things of this world, but overcame temptation. Let’s see how he did it.
Matthew 4:1-8 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
How did Satan tempt Jesus? 3 things – Bread, Testing God, and Earthly prestige.
How did Jesus resist? By remembering God’s word.
How can we resist the temptation to conform to the culture in which we live?
John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
What has been your favorite movie in the last 12 months? (Iron Man)
Movies are part of our culture as are the following:
Oprah, JLo, Anderson Cooper, Tony Romo, Justin Beeber, Lady GaGa, Housewives of New Jersey, Horoscopes, iPhone, facebook, the economy, Tea Party, Wall street, Casey Anthony, Don’t Ask – Don’t tell.
The scripture we will consider today addresses all of these (and many other) cultural issues.
I wanted to list some of the popular culture ideas and people as a backdrop for the verses we will go through today.
Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
What does Paul say the result of this transformed mind?
Can you give any examples where Christians are tempted to go along with cultural values that violate scripture? (movies, TV, Sports)
Jesus was tempted by some of the things of this world, but overcame temptation. Let’s see how he did it.
Matthew 4:1-8 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
How did Satan tempt Jesus? 3 things – Bread, Testing God, and Earthly prestige.
How did Jesus resist? By remembering God’s word.
How can we resist the temptation to conform to the culture in which we live?
John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
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