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Sermon Outline
Prepared by
Joseph P. Metoyer,
Jr., D.D., Pastor/Teacher
Christ was willing to commit His enemies to God and
continue to be concerned about their needs.
This probably is the ultimate test of shepherding.
Our trust in God is based on Paul’s exhortation to the Romans, where he
taught us not to pay back evil for evil but rather to put wrath in its
legitimate place – in the hand of God, who judges all men righteously. And
once we have committed our enemies to Him and His care,
we are then liberated not to live in modes of vengeance but in modes of
love and concerns.
Let’s
study the Word of God from
Romans
12:9-21
“Doing
Church As A Team!” #2
May 12, 2002
Introduction: Since Word cannot be separated from
the person speaking, witness is also borne through the lives of those in whom
the Word manifests itself in Christian action.
The joint impact of word and deed is seen [throughout the life of
those in the Early Church].
I.
Teammates (12:9-13)
In order to be an effective
member of God’s team we must remember that action alone does not fulfill the
Great Commission and cannot be used as a substitute for preaching the
gospel.
A. (Vv. 9-10) Teammates must
demonstrate Love!
 The
witness of Acts is accomplished both within the corporate church life and
outward in the world. The church is
the place where the new life of Christ in the Spirit is manifest. The gospel reconciles man to God but also man to man.
The evidence of this reality in the church is a witness to the world.
Jesus told His disciples that all would know them for what they were if
they ‘have love one to another’ (John 13:35).
Love should be honest and
that’s not always the easiest way to handle relationships but (I John 3:18)
says, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed
and in truth.” The Psalmist says
(97:10) “You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His Saints; He delivers them out of the hand of
the wicked.”
B. (V.11) in order for the
team to demonstrate love the teammates must:
(1.)
Not lag in diligence
if you meet with adversity don’t slow down the quality of service you provide.
Keep up the pace; that demonstrates your love!
The proper attitude of love should lead to kindness, and humility,
faithfulness in ministry, and fervency in spiritual things.
(2.)
Be fervent in Spirit,
(John MacArthur says) “to boil in the spirit,” “suggests having plenty of
heat to produce adequate, productive energy, but not so much heat that one goes
out of control.” (Acts 18:24-26);
(I Cor. 9:24-27); (Gal. 6:6-10).
(3.)
Serving the Lord, Stay focused on whom you serve.
Christian you are in bondage to the Lord; we are not the master but the
slave.
C. Look at the action
dynamics of a winning team. “Christians
in the local church should care for each other and share with each other.
Note the Prayer of (v.12) is followed by the Care
of (v.13).”
The
Prayer:
1.
Rejoicing in hope; hope means security
for the
future to the Christian. It is important to maintain an
attitude of hope. Practically
speaking, that means we shouldn’t become too obsessed with earthly things. (Matt. 6:19, 21) Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal… for where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also.”
2.
Patient in tribulation (Rom. 5:1-5)…
3. Continuing
steadfastly in prayer (I Thess. 5:14-17)…
The
Care:
1. (v.13)
“Given to hospitality” is literally in the Greek “pursuing hospitality”
(meaning) going after people!
II.
Teammates under fire
(12:14-21)
When
the team begins to function and pressure is applied and stress becomes a reality
we will have some teammates who weaken and respond to the un-saved as if they
are lesser people than we are. The
Word says:
A.
(v.14) Bless
___________________________________
B.
(v.15) Demonstrate sympathy _____________________
C.
(v.16) Demonstrate humility ______________________
D.
(v.17) Christians live in glass houses _______________
E.
(v.18) Don’t compromise the faith but show grace ____
F.
(v.19) Never pay back ____(Matt. 5:38-48)…
Application:
(Vv.20-21) The principle here is
that if the believer has turned themselves over to the Lord (12:1-2), therefore
the Lord must take care of him and help him fight his battles.
He Careth For You
He careth for you, He
careth for you. When the worries
and cares of your life seem to block the out rays of His light, never lose sight
for He careth for you, for He careth for you.
(Text and Music: Kurt Kaiser).
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