Overcome Evil With Good Series

Text- Romans 12:9-21

Title- Overcoming Evil With Good

Romans 12:9-21 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I. In Your Life- 9

a. Love without hypocrisy

b. Hate evil

c. Hold to what is good

II. In Your Church-10-13

a. Be devoted to each other

b. Give preference to one another

c. Faithfully, fervently serve

d. Persevere and pray during tribulation

e. Assist the saints

III. In Your Relationships- 14-16

a. Bless those who persecute you

b. Empathize with people

c. Practice humility

IV. With Your Enemies- 17-21

a. Be in the right

b. Seek peace

c. Don’t seek revenge

VBS- Background checks

Update on facility

In some ways preaching through the first 11 chapters of Romans was the tough part and these last few chapters are the easy part. Those first 11 chapters are so full of deep theological concepts and important ideas to understand. It was necessary for me to take extra time to study and prepare and dig deep so that we all understood and related to the text.

But the section we are into now is a piece of cake. Really all I have to do is just read it and then say- “do it”. If only it where that easy. But honestly, the concepts that we have looked at so far in chapter 12 are pretty simple to understand, the tough part is living it out.

One of the major theological themes that we investigated in the first part of Romans was the doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification is simply a big fancy word for cleaning up your mess. Sanctification means to become more godly. It is the process that we all enter into upon becoming believers in Jesus Christ.

Good works or good behaviors are not necessary to gain salvation, but they are a natural outflow of a true salvation. If we have truly made a commitment to give our lives over to God; if we have humbled ourselves before Him, than growth and maturity and real change will take place in our lives. Sanctification is all about overcoming the old evil nature, with the new good one.

Chapter 12 of Romans is really where Paul explains in specific detail how we are to accomplish this task. It is where Paul outlines what it is that we need to do in order to successfully overcome evil.

In verses 1-2 Paul says, “OK, in light of all of God’s mercies, present your bodies to Him as a living, breathing, sacrifice. Give yourself to Him” He says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Since you know all these great things that God has done for you, don’t hesitate to give Him your all. Be committed to Him.

Last week we say how Paul outlined this great antidote to our pride. As believers we need to replace pride with love and service. When we think rightly about ourselves, seek unity with others, and serve faithfully we begin to grow in our love for others.

Today is a continuation of that same theme. Sanctification involves deeper commitment, it involves squashing your pride, and it involves overcoming evil with Good. All of these things are so tough to do in a sin filled world. Honestly there are times when it seems like a futile battle.

All around us we see evil every day. Homosexuality is not just condoned, but celebrated. Unborn babies are killed every day. Crime and greed and ugliness are the only things we ever see on the news. At times it feels like evil is overcoming good all around us. But our responsibility as believers is to work hard at overcoming evil with good.