Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a beautiful day that the Lord has made, and we are here to rejoice and be glad in it. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to acknowledge the presence of God among us. He is here, in our midst, ready to speak to our hearts and transform our lives.

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the breath in our lungs, for the love in our hearts. We thank you for your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we open your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts. Help us to hear what you want to say to us. Guide us, teach us, and mold us into the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.

Today, we are going to turn our attention to a passage from the book of Romans, specifically chapter 12, verses 3-13. This passage is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance for us as believers. It's like a compass that points us in the right direction, showing us how we should live and interact with others.

Let's read together from Romans 12:3-13, from the New International Version.

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

What a rich and beautiful passage! It's like a well-crafted symphony, with each note and each instrument playing a crucial part in creating a harmonious melody. Each verse, each word, is a note in this symphony, and together they create a beautiful melody of love, unity, and mutual respect.

The main idea that we are going to focus on today is how we, as believers, should treat one another. This is not just a suggestion or a good idea, but a command from God. It's as essential to our spiritual life as breathing is to our physical life.

Imagine a garden. In this garden, there are different types of plants - some are tall, some are short, some have bright flowers, some have deep green leaves. Each plant is unique, each has its own beauty and purpose. But they all need the same basic things to survive and thrive - sunlight, water, and good soil.

Similarly, we, as believers, are like those plants in the garden. We are all different, with different gifts and talents, different personalities and backgrounds. But we all need the same basic things to grow in our faith - love, encouragement, and the Word of God. And just as the plants in the garden need to coexist peacefully, supporting each other's growth, we too need to live in harmony, supporting and encouraging each other in our walk with God.

This is what Romans 12:3-13 is all about. It's a blueprint for how we should treat each other, a guide for how we should live in community as believers. It's a call to humility, to service, to love, and to unity. It's a call to be nice to each other.

So, let's embark on this journey together, let's learn from this beautiful symphony of love and unity, let's grow together as a community of believers, as a family in Christ. Let's learn to be nice to each other, not just in words, but in actions. Because, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

May the Holy Spirit guide us and enlighten us as we study this passage together. May He open our hearts and minds to understand and apply these truths in our lives. And may He help us to be nice to each other, to love each other as Christ has loved us.

Let's dive into this beautiful symphony, let's learn to play our part in this melody of love and unity. Let's be nice to each other. Amen.

Actions Toward Others (Romans 12:3-13)

Friends, let's talk about how we should treat one another as believers. It's a topic that's close to my heart and one that the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, addresses in Romans 12:3-13.

Firstly, let's look at humility. Paul says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." (Romans 12:3). This is a call to humility. It's a call to recognize that our gifts, our talents, our abilities, they all come from God. We're not to boast about them. We're not to elevate ourselves above others. Instead, we're to serve one another humbly.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less. It's putting others first. It's recognizing that we're all part of the body of Christ. Each of us has a role to play. Each of us has a part to contribute. And no part is more important than another.

Now, let's talk about the Greek word for "sober judgment" used in this verse. It's "sophroneo," which means to be of sound mind, to be in one's right mind, to exercise self-control, to put a moderate estimate upon one's self, think of one's self soberly. It's a call to see ourselves as God sees us, not as the world sees us. It's a call to recognize our worth and value in Christ, not in our achievements or possessions.

C.S. Lewis, a well-known Christian theologian, once said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of Paul's message. We are to think of ourselves less and focus more on serving others in the body of Christ.

Secondly, let's look at love. Paul says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9). This is a call to love one another genuinely. It's a call to hate evil and cling to what is good. It's a call to be authentic in our love for one another.

Love is not just a feeling; it's an action. It's a choice. It's choosing to put the needs of others before our own. It's choosing to forgive when we've been wronged. It's choosing to show kindness when it's not deserved. It's choosing to love even when it's hard.

Lastly, let's look at hospitality. Paul says, "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:13). This is a call to be generous. It's a call to share what we have with those in need. It's a call to open our homes and our hearts to others.

Hospitality is not just about opening our homes; it's about opening our hearts. It's about showing love and kindness to others. It's about making others feel welcome and valued. It's about showing the love of Christ to others.

So, friends, let's strive to treat one another with humility, love, and hospitality. Let's strive to be the body of Christ that God has called us to be. Let's strive to be a community of believers that reflects the love of Christ to the world.

Genuine Love and Compassion (Romans 12:9-10)

We are now going to talk about the second part of our teaching today. We are going to talk about the importance of genuine love and compassion. We are going to talk about how we, as believers, should treat one another. We are going to talk about what Romans 12:9-10 tells us. It says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

This is a clear call to action for us. It's a call to love. It's a call to sincerity. It's a call to devotion. It's a call to honor. It's a call to put others before ourselves. It's a call to hate evil and cling to good. It's a call to be genuine in our love and compassion for one another.

Now, let's break this down a bit. Let's look at three key aspects of this call to action.

First, we are called to love sincerely. This is not a superficial love. This is not a love that is just for show. This is a love that comes from the heart. This is a love that is genuine. This is a love that is real. This is a love that is sincere.

Second, we are called to hate evil and cling to good. This is not a call to hate people. This is a call to hate sin. This is a call to hate evil. This is a call to cling to good. This is a call to cling to righteousness. This is a call to cling to what is right.

Third, we are called to be devoted to one another in love. This is not a call to be devoted to ourselves. This is a call to be devoted to one another. This is a call to put others before ourselves. This is a call to honor one another above ourselves. This is a call to show genuine care and compassion in our interactions with one another.

Now, let's look at another New Testament scripture passage that echoes this theme. In Ephesians 4:32, we read, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Here, we see the same call to action. We see the same call to love. We see the same call to compassion. We see the same call to forgiveness.

Now, let's return to our original topic and look at two more key aspects of how we should treat one another.

First, we are called to honor one another above ourselves. This is not a call to self-promotion. This is not a call to put ourselves first. This is a call to put others first. This is a call to honor one another. This is a call to respect one another. This is a call to value one another.

Second, we are called to show genuine care and compassion in our interactions with one another. This is not a call to indifference. This is not a call to apathy. This is a call to care. This is a call to compassion. This is a call to empathy. This is a call to understanding.

So, as we reflect on Romans 12:9-10, let's remember this call to action. Let's remember this call to love. Let's remember this call to sincerity. Let's remember this call to devotion. Let's remember this call to honor. Let's remember this call to genuine care and compassion. And let's strive to live out these calls in our interactions with one another.

Hospitality and Service (Romans 12:11-13)

As we continue our journey through the book of Romans, we find ourselves in a section that is rich with guidance on how we, as believers, should interact with one another. Romans 12:11-13 is a treasure trove of wisdom, reminding us of the importance of hospitality and service. It's a call to action, a call to live out our faith in tangible, practical ways that reflect the love of Christ.

The first point we find in these verses is the emphasis on zeal and spiritual fervor. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, encourages us to never be lacking in zeal, but to keep our spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. This is not a passive suggestion, but an active command. It's a call to be enthusiastic in our service to the Lord, to be passionate in our pursuit of Him, and to let that passion overflow into our interactions with others.

In a world that often encourages us to be self-focused, this is a radical call to shift our focus outward, to serve others with the same passion and enthusiasm that we serve the Lord. It's a call to be intentional in our actions, to actively seek out opportunities to serve, and to do so with joy and fervor.

This idea is echoed in the words of A.W. Tozer, who once said, "As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once." When we place God in the right place in our lives, when we serve Him with zeal and fervor, our perspective shifts. We begin to see others not as obstacles or inconveniences, but as opportunities for service, as individuals who are deeply loved by the God we serve.

The second point that stands out in these verses is the call to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. These are not just nice sentiments, but practical instructions for how we should live our lives.

Being joyful in hope means that we are to remain optimistic and hopeful, even in the face of adversity. It means that we trust in God's promises, that we believe in His goodness, and that we hold onto hope, even when circumstances seem bleak.

Being patient in affliction means that we endure hardships with grace and resilience, trusting that God is with us in the midst of our struggles. It means that we don't give up or give in, but that we persevere, knowing that our strength comes from the Lord.

Being faithful in prayer means that we are to be consistent and persistent in our communication with God. It means that we are to pray without ceasing, to bring our requests, our praises, our fears, and our hopes before God, trusting that He hears us and that He cares.

The third point that we find in these verses is the call to share with the Lord's people who are in need and to practice hospitality. This is a call to generosity, to open our hearts and our homes to those in need. It's a call to be selfless, to put the needs of others before our own, and to do so with a spirit of hospitality.

Sharing with those in need means that we are to be generous with our resources, to give freely and willingly to those who are less fortunate. It means that we are to be aware of the needs around us, and to respond with compassion and generosity.

Practicing hospitality means that we are to welcome others into our lives, to open our homes and our hearts to those who are in need of love and fellowship. It means that we are to be warm, welcoming, and inclusive, creating a space where others feel valued and loved.

In all of these things, we are called to reflect the love of Christ, to be His hands and feet in the world. It's a high calling, but it's one that we are equipped for, through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we strive to live out these principles, may we do so with zeal and fervor, serving the Lord with joy and passion, and extending His love to those around us.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close on this sermon, let's take a moment to reflect on the teachings of Romans 12:3-13. This passage has given us a clear blueprint on how we, as believers, should treat one another. It's not just about being nice or polite. It's about embodying the very essence of Christ's teachings in our everyday interactions.

We've learned that humility is key. It's about recognizing that we are all part of the body of Christ, each with our own unique gifts and talents. It's about not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to, but rather, with sober judgment. It's about acknowledging that we are all equal in the eyes of God.

We've also learned about the importance of genuine love. This is not a superficial or conditional love, but a love that is sincere and without hypocrisy. It's a love that abhors what is evil and clings to what is good. It's a love that is patient and kind, not envious or boastful.

Compassion, too, is a critical element in our interactions with one another. It's about rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn. It's about empathizing with the experiences of others and offering comfort and support in their times of need.

Hospitality is another aspect of our Christian duty. It's about opening our homes and our hearts to those in need. It's about sharing what we have with others, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to help.

Finally, we've learned about the importance of service. It's about using our gifts and talents to serve others, not for our own gain, but for the glory of God. It's about being diligent and fervent in spirit, serving the Lord with joy and enthusiasm.

As we go into the coming week, let's strive to be more like Jesus in our actions towards others. Let's practice humility, genuine love, compassion, hospitality, and service. Let's remember that our actions are a reflection of our love for God and our commitment to His teachings.

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