Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Romans

Romans 12:14-21

Intro: The story is told of a tenant farmer who had worked hard for many years to improve the production of the land he was renting.  Then something happened that caused him to become very bitter.  When it was time to renew his lease, the owner told him he was going to sell the farm to his son who was getting married.
     The tenant made several generous offers to buy it himself, hoping the man's decision would be reversed.  But it was all in vain.  As the day drew near for the farmer to vacate his home, his weeks of angry brooding finally got the best of him.  He gathered seeds from some of the most pesky and noxious weeds he could find.  Then he spent hours scattering them on the clean, fertile soil of the farm, along with a lot of trash and stones he had collected.
     The very next morning the owner informed him that plans for his son's wedding had fallen through,  therefore he would be happy to renew the lease.  He couldn't understand why the farmer exclaimed in agonizing tones, "Oh, Lord, what a fool I've been!"

EXPLANATION:  When we strike back at those we perceive to have done us an injustice, we usurp God's authority. We don't allow Him to be our defender, our shield, our mighty warrior. We are not living examples of Christ to the world around us. Our character is flawed and we bring shame to the name of our mighty God.

TRANSITION: Paul, in Rom. 12:9-13, has show us how to live as the People of God with the People of God. In verses 14-21 he tells us how to live as the People of God with those who want nothing to do with God.
 Open you Bibles to Romans 12:14 and we will see God's people display godly character to the unbelieving world first by their humility.

II. To the unbelieving world (Rom. 12:14-20)
A. By their Humility (Rom. 12:14-16)
READ: Rom. 12:14-16

 Why humility? I see a strong connection between verses 3, 10, and 14-16. In these passages we are told to think of others first.  That's humility. Without the character trait of humility in our lives, we will not be able to do what verses 14-16 tells us to do. In these verses, Paul gives us 7 ways we demonstrate humility to the unbelieving world.

 1. In blessing
ILL: J.B. Phillips translated this verse 'Bless those who try to make your life miserable.'

     Ever know anyone like that? I think we all have. What has been your preferred method of dealing with them? The cold shoulder, or strong, bitter remarks. The Believers preferred method, according to God's Word  to give a blessing. How do we bless someone?

 a. Speak well to those who make you miserable. Don't  react by cursing, shouting or speaking harshly. Instead, find something good in them to praise. Building them up not tearing them down.

 b. Pray for those who make you miserable. Seek God's face on their behalf. That God may become alive in their hearts. That they might come to know Jesus in a personal way and seek God's forgiveness for their sin.

 c. Do good to those who make you miserable. We don't like  the sound of that do we? Our natural reaction is to rearrange their face. But that  wouldn't be doing them good. Giving preference to them, helping them. That would be doing good.

ILL: The Arabs have a custom. They touch their head, lips and heart indicating, 'I think highly of you, I speak well of you, and my heart beats for you'.

  2. In rejoicing
     We are told to rejoice with those who rejoice. This doesn't mean party hardy with those who are happy. It means join others in their times of joy. Whether it be a promotion, a new purchase, some recognition, or perhaps the birth of a new child.
This may not as easy as it seems, especially when what they received is what you really wanted...the promotion, the new Mikita cordless drill or that new baby. Our envy often keeps our humility from rejoicing in the grace God shows to others.

    3. In weeping
     You would think that weeping with those who weep would be easier. After all, do we really want misfortune to come upon anyone? Not usually. But weeping means that we are sensitive to the needs and feelings of the individual doing the weeping. That takes time to get to know them and we protect our time don't we? And as for strangers who are weeping, why even bother sharing in their sorrow, taking the time to be empathetic when after all, they are strangers and we will never see them again. Yet, we are called to weep with those who are in distress and saddened by the toil of life, friend or stranger

    4. In seeing eye to eye
     We are not told here to think and believe the same thing as unbelievers. That is not what the context of 'be of the same mind toward one another' means here. What it means is that we look for a common bond that would unite us. That we look to understand the person, their lot and circumstance in life. To see their world through their eyes. And that is not easy without humility.

    5. In not being conceited
     We are not to be haughty, or conceited in our relationships to others in the world. We are not to 'dream' of high positions where we are served by menial unbelievers who are nobody because they are not Christians like us. It means we are not to be snobs.

    6. In associating
     Our conceit often shows it's ugly head when we refuse to associate with who Paul calls the lowly.

ILL: A story is told about evangelist and teacher D.L. Moody. Once a man rose in one of Moody's services to give his testimony.  "For five years I have been on the Mt of Transfiguration," he said. Instantly Mr. Moody interrupted him by the sharp question, "How many souls did you lead to Christ last year?'  "Well, I don't know," answered the surprised man.  "Have you led any?" then came sternly from the preacher.  "I-ah-don't know that I have," said the man.  "Then," snapped Mr. Moody, still more sternly, "we don't want that kind of mountaintop experience.  When a man gets so high that he can't reach down and save poor sinners, there is something wrong."

  Some find it difficult to associate with those not like them, those who are not their intellectual, social or financial equal. Some, in order to remain what they think is being  pure and holy, refuse to associate with unbelievers altogether. They seek to remain in the heavenly huddle and not venture out into the game of life.  The sad thing is that people can't come to the Lord unless they hear about Him and see Him in our lives. Remember, 'how will they believe unless they hear?'

   7. In seeing clearly
 Paul made a similar statement in Ch. 11:20. He was responding to those Believers who thought they were so special and so wise because they believed and were grafted into the family of God while the unbelieving Jews were cast off. God is saying, don't think you did anything to deserve salvation,  a place in My family. Apart from me you are no different than the unbeliever lost in his sin. Since I saved you and brought you to faith in Christ, I can do the same thing to this one you think you are better than.

TRANS: God's people are to display godly character to the unbelieving world and humility is one of the essential character traits. Next, Paul tells us that we display godly character by living peacefully with  the unbelieving world.

READ: Rom. 12:17-20

B. By their Peaceful lives (Rom. 12:17-20)
    1. No pay backs
     We perceive some evil or injustice  done to us and we react by lashing out. This is how many live, even Christians. However, as God's people, who are to display the heart of God, we are not to REACT to others but instead to think, pray and display a godlike character.  Paying back evil for evil or good for good is easy and expected of the unbelieving world, but we are to be a transformed people, we think and do differently than the world. There are no paybacks for the Believer.

   2. Show respect
     Respecting what is right means that we show good behavior in the sight of all men, even those who make our lives miserable. It does not mean find out what all men think is right and then do that. The word RESPECT means to think about before hand. This means take the time to think before you act rather than react. And then do what is good so that all will see God thru you.

    3. As it depends on you
     Paul now tells us to be at peace with all men. But what about the person who is a consistent trouble maker, who is a grumbler, complainer, a self-centered ego maniac, power hungry intimidator? What about that kind of person? Notice that Paul does puts limits or boundaries on your responsibility to live at peace with all men.

    He says  'If Possible'. Which means it may not be possible to be at peace with some men some of the time.

     He also says 'so far as it depends on you'.  Understand, Believer, you are not responsible for how another person acts at any given time, whether they are a fellow Believer or an unbeliever.

     What you are responsible for is what YOU have done to bring peace to the situation and relationship. If you have done all that I have just discussed and the other person still is at odds with you, then that is between them and the Lord.

 Someone once said 'If peace is going to be broken, let it be broken by the other side.'

    4. Leave room for God
     We are to leave room for God's vengeance, justice and wrath. God and God alone has the right to judge and execute vengeance.

READ: 2 Thess. 1:6-10

 Can it be said any clearer?  The idea is that there are times when we should not defend ourselves when we are falsely accused. IF we do, then the Lord , our champion, can't defend us.  And He delights in being our strong tower, our shield and defender. We take away from God's glory when we don't allow Him to act on our behalf.

    5. Do the unexpected
     So what do we do? We do the unexpected. Someone said ' 'Those who deserve love the least need it the most.'  When attacked, show self-control and love. When persecuted, pray , when someone makes your life miserable, bless them. By doing that you will 'heap burning coals upon their head. There is some difference in what this means but Paul just spoke about doing good to your enemy. So I believe he is saying that our good will bring shame and guilt that no one can bear. Like burning coals on the head. This may be the best way to win them over to Christ.

Bottom Line: Overcome Evil with Good (Rom. 12:21)

     He emphasizes this by telling us the bottom line to verses 9-21. How the Believer is to relate to both the family of God and those in the unbelieving world.

READ: Rom. 12:21

     In all things and in all ways, don't let sin and the evil of your former life take hold of you. Don't ever be overcome by evil. Don't let it take control. Don't let it be your master. Instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind and think differently. Overcome the evil in your life and those who bring it on, with good.

CONCLUSION:  Thomas Merton in his book ' Seeds of Contemplation' said  'Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps if he believed you were capable of loving him he would no longer be your enemy. Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an enemy of God just because he is your enemy.  Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps he fears you because he can find nothing in you of God's love and God's kindness and God's patience and mercy. Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God.  For it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and sensuality and selfishness that have killed his faith.'

     It comes down to our character as God's people.  We are commanded to live on the highest level before God and mankind. When our character is right, our conduct will be holy and Christlike.  Christian, be God's holy people who display godly character to all.