In looking at it one way, v. 9 could be his thesis. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

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1 THE VIRTUES OF CHRISTS S BRIDE Romans 12:15-21 We are Spirit filled members of the family of God who obey His Word and equip people to be fully devoted and empowered followers of Christ. As we continue looking at this passage in Romans 12, Paul is giving practical examples of what the Spirit filled body of Christ is doing and how we are to be acting. In looking at it one way, v. 9 could be his thesis 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Then Paul begins to develop the thesis by giving 1 st giving actions within the body of Christ vv Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 2 nd he develops the actions to both those of the bride, within the body of Christ, and outside. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 1. HELPFUL v. 15

2 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 2 of 8 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. This idea grows out of vv. 4-5 Romans 12:4-5 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. This applies in two ways. 1. We are to put ourselves in another person s place in either a joyful-rejoicing situation or in a sad or mournful situation. EMPATHY - understanding what another person is experiencing from within the other person's frame of reference 2. The second way we need to understand this comes from the context. LOOK BACK AT v Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. What about when another person's blessing and happiness is at your expense? When someone else gets all the credit for a project you both worked equally hard on. Proverbs 17:5b He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. We are all members 1 Corinthians 12:26

3 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 3 of 8 1 Corinthians 12:26 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Romans 12:4a, 5 4 For as we have many members in one body, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. By rejoicing and weeping, we are also taking on the image of Christ. James 5:11 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Colossians 3:12 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; Not only these, but God is very much aware of our actions and emotions. Psalms 56:8 8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? The first virtue is that we are to be HELPFUL 2. IMPARTIAL v Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

4 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 4 of 8 1 Timothy 5:21 21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, I command you to do these things without showing favor of any kind to anyone. NCV Romans 2:11 11 For there is no partiality with God. James 2:2-4 2 My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, never think some people are more important than others. 2 Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes. 3 You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes and say, "Please, sit here in this good seat." But you say to the poor person, "Stand over there," or, "Sit on the floor by my feet." 4 What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, and with evil thoughts you are deciding that one person is better. NCV 3. RESPECTFUL v, Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 3 IMPERATIVES 1. Repay no one evil for evil 2. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. EXAMPLES: Paul 1 Corinthians 8 & 10 Eating meat - weaker brother

5 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 5 of 8 1 Corinthians 10: All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. JESUS Matthew 5: But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 4. PEACEFUL v. 18 IMPERATIVE #3 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. There may be someone in your life that feels that their purpose in life is to make your life miserable and a living hell. What do I do? Do not give them any ammunition. Do what I talked about last week, PRAY FOR THEM, LOVE THEM, follow Jesus commands. 1 Peter 2:15 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men Didn t Jesus say, Matthew 5:9

6 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 6 of 8 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. THE MESSAGE 5. UNDERSTANDING v Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. avenge - to vindicate, retaliate, punish: from - carrying justice out, Matthew 7:1-2 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 THE MESSAGE "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Deuteronomy 32:35 THE MESSAGE 35 I'm in charge of vengeance and payback, just waiting for them to slip up; And the day of their doom is just around the corner, sudden and swift and sure.

7 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 7 of 8 6. GENEROUS v Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." This is an ancient Egyptian custom. When a person wanted to demonstrate public contrition, he would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to represent the burning pain of his shame and guilt. 7. LOVING v Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Just as we began with Paul s thesis in v. 9, here we find his CONCLUSION Philippians 4:5, 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 8 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (THE MESSAGE Romans 12:1-2

8 THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST'S BRIDE Page 8 of 8 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. THE MESSAGE 2 Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops wellformed maturity in you. HELPFUL IMPARTIAL RESPECTFUL PEACEFUL UNDERSTANDING GENEROUS LOVING FILE: SERMONS/THE VISIONARY CHURCH FAMILY/THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST S BRIDE/04.26/15