The Brush Strokes of the Master Artist (Part 1 of 2)
Rom 12:9-16
As we continue today to look at Romans 12; Paul in the verses that we are going to look at today begins to paint a picture on the canvas of life
Paul gives us a picture of what the Christian should be doing to live out their faith so that others can see the picture God has painted in our lives
If someone were to paint a picture of how you and I look based upon how we act and live our lives, what would it look like?
A beautiful painting will capture the attention of the least of all who know nothing about art…but so will a painting that looks terrible
Did you know that those who really know art can pick out the artist’s painting just by the colors he uses or the brush strokes that are applied?
Yep, I can tell that one there is a Van Go or that’s a DiVinci
There are certain things that God desires for our lives to exemplify as we live for Him
He just didn’t save us for us…but that we might be an instrument in which His characteristics can be put on display for others to see
God is the painter and we are His canvas…He wants to paint these things in our lives so that all men will know without a doubt WHO the painter is
Let’s explore what the brush strokes of God that Paul says should be in our lives as we read our passage
Pray
Trans: The very first thing that Paul says people should see in our lives is the brush stroke of…
1. Genuine Love (vs 9)
Did you know that in the world of art, there are genuine paintings by renowned artists and then there are fakes or forgeries?
People are the same way in the church – there are those that are the genuine article and those that are forgeries or fakes!
How can you tell the difference? Genuine Love!
“Let love be without hypocrisy”
In other words “Let love be sincere or let it be the real thing”
Love is the very first attribute because we have see throughout scripture that love is the key element to knowing God
If you know not love, you know not God…for God is love
This word “love” used here is the “Agape” love – the God-like love
More people have been brought into the Kingdom of God because of the genuine love they have seen displayed in God’s children
When folks see genuine love and experience, they might not be able to explain it but they know when it is there and when it is sincere
John 13:34-35 (turn there)
People ought to be able to look at our lives and see the brush stroke of God’s love being exhibited and lived out
Trans: The second brush stroke others should be able to see in our lives is to…
2. Be Considerate (vs 10)
Paul says we are to give honor to one another by being considerate of each other
In other words “Put others first”
Phil 2:3-4 says “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Again, we do this by being devoted to one another; to be look at the other as better than ourselves
God shows His great kindness for us every day; Jesus considered Himself nothing and put us ahead of Himself by dying a gruesome death on the cross
In the eternal triangle of the Christian life; God is first, others second, and self is last (J O Y) Jesus – Others – Yourself
ILL: A story comes to us out of the long ago of a king who organized a great race within his kingdom. All the young men of the kingdom participated. A bag of gold was to be given to the winner, and the finish line was within the courtyard of the king’s palace. The race was run, and the runners were surprised to find in the middle of the road leading to the king’s palace a great pile of rocks and stones. But they managed to scramble over it or to run around it and eventually to come to the courtyard. Finally, all the runners had crossed the finish line except one. But still the king did not call the race off. After a while one lone runner came through the gate. He lifted a bleeding hand and said, "O King, I am sorry that I am so late. But you see, I found in the road a pile of rocks and stones, and it took me a while, and I wounded myself in removing them." Then he lifted the other hand, and in it was a bag. He said, "But, Great King, I found beneath the pile of rocks this bag of gold." The king said, "My son, you have won the race, for that one runs best who makes the way safer for those who follow."
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
TRANS: We see not only the brush strokes of love and consideration but third Paul says we should…
3. Be Enthusiastic in Serving
What color comes to mind to represent the word “Enthusiasm?”
Black, gray, dark tones? No, I picture bright colors like bold yellow or bright orange
Well what color would others say your enthusiasm for God looks like?
We should be jazzed about serving the Lord – we should be energetic and enthusiastic
NLT says “Don’t be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically”
There are a whole bunch of lazy people in the kingdom of God
Lazy with their church attendance; lazy with their faithfulness; lazy with their commitment; lazy with their finances; lazy with their serving
In the modern day church, about 10% of the people do 90% of the work; same thing with tithing
Can you imagine what would happen if 100% of the church served and tithed?
Some of us are so lathergic for the kIngdom that no one would ever mistake us for being grateful to the master artist
Are you a living canvas that people see as enthusiastic for God’s Kingdom proving to others that the Christian life is exciting and not dreadful and depressing?
Do you look like a happy Christian?
Know that the simplest person, fired with enthusiasm, is more persuasive than the most eloquent person without it.
Trans: Lastly this morning, Paul says that God not only desires to paint on the canvas of our lives love, consideration, enthusiasm but also…
4. Patience in Tribulation (vs 12)
I don’t know about you but it seems to me that as the days pass, I am feeling more and more tribulation in my life
I am also finding that the only way I can combat this tribulation is by spending more time communing with God in prayer
1 Thes 5:17 “Pray without ceasing” (NIV) “Pray Continually” (NLT) “Never stop praying”
Just recently, I was struggling with God and seeing how the wicked seem to prosper at times while the road for me and my family seems to always be hard
Matter of fact I was mad at the Lord and I told Him so…but that didn’t last too long
My daughter Megan said something that I already knew but needed to hear it again…GOD DOESN’T OWE ME ANYTHING!
The reverse is true – I OWE HIM EVERYTHING! And when trials come into my life – it is because He loves me and is working out good for me through them
If you and I are living Godly lives – we will face trials, tribulations, and persecutions
2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Turn to James 1:2-4
Listen, people around us are watching us to see if we are patient in tribulations
They are looking to see if God is who He says He is in our lives
Are we living a life that is always rattled by what’s going on around us or is there a peace about us that people can see that can only come from God?
When people look at the canvas of your life, do they see the colors that represent the peace of God or the ones that represent the chaos of life?
Conclusion
God Almighty is the master artist and He is painting a masterpiece on the canvas of life through you and me
He desires for others to see on our canvas
1. Geniune Love – By this will all men know you are His
2. Consideration for others – Esteem others better than self
3. Enthusiastic Service – Energetic not lethargic
4. Patience in Tribulation – A peace that flows from the Master
God is the master artist and He desires to paint in you and me a beautiful picture for others to see and be drawn to
Next week we will see the other four things that Paul says God desires to paint in our lives
Pray
