Scripture: Romans 12:9-21 (Call to Worship - Psalms 26:1-8)
Title: Nuts and Bolts Christianity
Paul gives us a passage that is 1. Simple 2. Practical 3. Filled with Spiritual Passion and Energy. A passage that can transform our lives and the lives of the Body of Christ!
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God our Father and from His Son Jesus Christ who came to take away the sin of the world!
I believe we can all say this morning that a great many people in our country absolutely love sports. Sports have become for many much more than just a past time. Sports have become a major part of their lives. Some have even become obsessed with sports. You see it in some Football fans, Baseball fans, MMA fans, Soccer fans, Racing fans and in Basketball fans. You see it in fans of Extreme sports and in those who love American Ninja Warrior competition. Nowadays, you can even see it in golf fans.
At times it seems like the whole sports scene is a like a giant circus or extravaganza . Take the whole Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather pre-fight and fight hoopla for example. If you saw any of it or read any about it then you know it was a quite a show. But it was a show that brought in over 600 million dollars by the time you add up all the ticket sales, the gambling receipts, the merchandizing and pay per view receipts. For 600 million plus dollars I am sure a lot of people would create some kind of circus.
But not everyone. There are those people in sports and in life who are no nonsense people. They just want to deal with the basic facts, the fundamentals and the nitty gritty. There are those like New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick who just wants to get down to the brass tacks. There are those like Nick Saban, coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide who holds to the same basic philosophy. It's all about the fundamentals, no frills and no nonsense. There are those in sports and in life like Sergeant Joe Friday who would say - " All we want are the facts, ma’am".
This morning, our passage in Romans chapter 12 is a "Nuts and Bolts" passage. It is one that deals with the fundaments, with the nitty gritty and with the brass tacks of what it means to live as a person who has been rescued, redeemed and in the midst of being restored into the image of Christ. It is a passage that deals with what it means to live out life as an image bearer of the Lord God Almighty in our world. It is a passage that deals with what it means to be God's Salt and Light.
For a few minutes this morning let's take some time and look at this passage:
I. We see first of all that it is a rather simple passage
Normally, when we read a passage written by the Apostle Paul we notice the number of run on sentences or sentences that seem to go on forever. For example, one of the longest sentences Paul writes in found in the opening passage of his letter to the churches around Ephesus. Many Bible scholars believe that what we read in Ephesus 1:3 - 14 is one long sentence that shares the Apostle's prayer of thanksgiving and praise to the God. It is a sentence that contains over 200 Greek words. Now, that's a long sentence. But then in verses 15 - 21, Paul does it all over again with another sentence that is over 165 words.
Of course many of our modern translations have taken these passages and chopped them up into a series of shorter sentences. Translators understand that while the Greek gave itself over to long drawn out sentences modern day readers would have a hard time reading and understanding them. So, they have done their best to guess where Paul might have put a period or a pause if he were writing the same passage today for an English speaking audience.
The letter to the Romans is full of drawn out sentences as well. Romans 5:1-11 in the Greek is one long sentence as well as Romans 5: 12 - 21 and Romans 11:33 - 35. Writing long run on sentences is merely one of Paul's signature styles. It's one of the ways Bible scholars down through the years have known if a letter or a passage of scripture was truly written by the Apostle or by another author.
However, when we get to our passage this morning we see that the Apostle Paul goes outside the norm. Instead of using long flowing sentences or even run on sentences he uses a style more like what we would today call bullet points. The Apostle take great pains in writing these short sentences or phrases.
I believe that the Apostle did that for a specific reason. By doing it this way each little sentence is able to stand on its own. Each one is able to grab our attention. Each one requires for us to focus on it all by itself. Each one is very simple, very precise and very direct. They are like building blocks that are each essential in and of themselves and put together create a masterpiece.
II. We also see that this passage is a very practical passage.
Not only can the Apostle at times be very wordy at times but I think all of us can agree with St. Peter's when he wrote these words about some of Paul's writings - "there are some things in them that are hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:16).
The Apostle Peter was not putting down the Apostle Paul. He was not being critical but he was being quite realistic. Anyone who has read very much of Paul's writings knows at times that it is difficult to always understand what the Apostle was saying. Paul had a habit of mixing his metaphors that can cause some confusion understanding some passages. In saying that however while it may be difficult to always understand Paul it is not impossible to understand his words. One merely has to study them in detail and allow the Holy Spirit to bring understanding and insight.
One of my favorite new authors is a man by the name of N. T. (Tom) Wright. Tom is a prolific writer who like the Apostle Paul loves words and knows how to use them in amazing ways. And like the Apostle his writing is not always easy to understand nor are his books known for their brevity. Recently, I finished one of his newest books, The Day the Revolution Began (Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus' Crucifixion) which was well over 400 pages of interesting theological thought and discussion. It's a very good read and one that is well worth the time and energy it takes to read it, understand it and digest it. Dr. Wright
But that is not the case with our passage this morning. Not only do we see that Paul used very simple words but he used every day practical words that contain every day practical meanings. There is very little in this passage that could cause someone to read them misunderstand their meaning or intention. It appears that Paul has taken great pains to make sure that anyone reading or hearing these words would both understand them and then ask themselves a couple of very simple questions:
A. Is this what a life in Christ suppose to look like on a day to day basis?
B. How well am I doing in living such a Christ like life?
The Apostle was a man who lived in two very distinct worlds. In one world he was a dedicated religious scholar - a Pharisee. Earlier in his life, Paul had been a very gifted and talented student of the great rabbi Gamaliel who in turn was the grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder.
Paul knew what it meant to study and to discuss passages of scripture for hours on end. He knew what it meant to dissect a passage to make sure each jot and tittle was correct so that one understood the true meaning of each and every word. He knew what it meant to study all 613 laws along with other Jewish writings that later became part of the Jewish Mishnah.
The Apostle, therefore, could write and wax for hours on things about God, about the Law and about how to live according to the Code of Holiness. Paul could discuss and argue the finer points of the law with anyone who wanted to take the time. All around the Temple in Jerusalem and in the local synagogues of various towns you would find a collection of men who would spend hours looking at and examining different passages from the Torah or one of the scrolls of the prophets. They would read, study and argue their positions back and forth for hours on end. Studying and discussing a passage of scripture for hours was as normal back for people like Paul back in his day as it is today for people today to spend a whole weekend bingeing on some TV show.
The Apostle Paul was not only a scholar but also a blue collar worker. Out of necessity he had to be. Following Jesus had made it impossible for him to work full time as a Pharisee. And even as a full time Pharisee he probably wouldn't have earned enough to make a viable living.
In those days it was normal for a young boy to learn a particular trade or skill. Most often it would be the same trade or skill of their father and/or grandfather. Therefore, we can safely assume that the Apostle Paul came from a family line of tent makers. That meant that Paul knew how to work with goat's skins, leather throngs, rope and wooden tent pegs. Most of the tents around the Middle East at that time were made from piecing together large pieces of goat's skins. Black goat skins were the most popular. The name of such a tent was commonly called a "house of hair".
While Paul would have known how to make a tent from scratch, most of his work would have consisted in repairing sections of tents that over time had become damaged by the sand, the wind and the long dry seasons that plagued the Middle East. Usually, the only time a man would have a new tent made was right before his wedding. A new tent would symbolize that he was leaving the house of his father and starting a home with his new wife.
There was not a great deal of variety when it came to the task of being a tent maker. There were a few tried and true methods for preparing the hides and sewing them together with rope or leather ties. The idea was for the tent to be as simple as possible and as practical as possible. If a person wanted something fancy they would be instructed to go and build a nice big house somewhere. Most of Paul's tents would have been designed for soldiers, shepherds and caravan travelers. They needed their tents to be simple, durable and as practical as possible. Some have thought that the Apostle might have also made some of the outer coverings of the tents that were used during the Feast of the Tabernacles.
So, while Paul could discuss for hours with those who were learned in the law he could also have a quick conversation with a soldier or with a shepherd who just wanted his tent repaired or a new one made. These soldiers and shepherds wouldn't be interested in sitting around with Paul discussing theology. They would only desired to see Paul's hands at work cutting, sewing and putting his tent together.
I think it is out of this combined world of both the scholar and the blue collar worker that we find this passage in Romans 12:9-21. Paul has waxed on earlier in his letter by carefully explaining theologically the meaning of Christ's death on the cross. Now, in our passage he is taking a more blue collar approach and sharing in very practical, down to earth terms what it means to be an everyday disciple of Jesus. What it means to live out as an image bearer of God in today's world.
III. Furthermore, we see that it is a passage filled with Passion and Energy
Simple - yes
Practical - yes
But it is also a passage filled with great passion, energy, drive and enthusiasm.
You can't read this passage without feeling all the energy, all the life and challenges that it holds. You can't read this passage without knowing that Paul was dead serious about us allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and then living out that new renewed mind life day to day.
These verses are tough. They may be simple and practical but they are radically life challenging and life changing. There is no way to read these verses seriously and not be taken back for a moment. Paul has not provided us with some type of list of clichés or points merely to ponder. These verses are not merely a list of slogans to put on some T-shirts or wrist bands to wear around. Although it might do us some good if we did put some of them on T-shirts and wrist bands as reminders. They are a list of actions that Paul sought to challenge and inspire his listeners and readers to engage in their every day walk in Christ.
These verses are filled with passion and energy. And for good reason, as it will take the energy of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live this way and it will take great amounts of energy for us to actually put all of these things into action.
Think about it - Paul begins this little section off with talking about three things in general
+Living in and sharing Agape love - possessing and living out a love that is sincere, a love that is unconditional and a love that is all encompassing.
+Honoring one another - respecting one another by being patient with one another , praying for one another and by lifting one another up not only in times of need but at all times.
+Blessing one another through a life of practicing continual forgiveness, mercy, grace and hospitality.
Paul wants us to understand specifically what it means to be an image bearer of the True God of the Bible. He wants us to understand what it means to present our bodies as a living sacrifice for God and for others. He wants us to understand what it means to have the LORD take our minds in which the world and sin has done its best to focus them on things like pride, arrogance, selfishness, entertainment, pleasure, revenge and unforgiveness and have all of that upside down to be renewed in God's love, mercy and grace.
Romans 12:9-21 is one of those passage that can be read in a matter of seconds. In fact, you can read the whole thing in about 90 seconds. That is all it takes - 90 seconds. But trying to live out that 90 seconds will take a life time and it will take more power, passion and energy that any of us possess in our own strength. The only way we can live out these verses is by and through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The only way we can live out these passages is to be dedicated and committed to actually doing them. It's one thing to read them but it is a lot different to put them into action.
But, if we can do that, even if at first we fail and struggle and fall down the changes that these verses, these directions will make in our lives and in the lives around us will amaze us. It will stagger us to how much energy and passion for the LORD and for others that will exude around us and through us by simply doing them.
Think about how much energy it will take for us initially to get rid of the things that are evil in our lives. The passion and the energy to begin to do some needed spiritual housekeeping on the things that we think about, the actions that we do and the things that we surround ourselves with on a day to day basis. It's one thing to have heart change but it is another thing to allow the LORD to renew our minds and replace our bad habits. All of that takes great passion and energy. It is not an easy task to hate what is evil and to stick with what is good. We may think that it is but once we start engaging on replacing evil things in our lives with good we begin to experience a great spiritual battle. The devil does not want us to "abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good". It is a battle that if won will reap great spiritual rewards but it is a battle none the less.
Think about how much energy it will take to outdo our brothers or sisters in Christ in showing honor and grace. How much energy it will take to be patient in times of trials or to be constant in our prayer lives. How much passion and energy it will take to make sure that other people's needs are met - especially people we may not know or even at first care about.
In Acts 17:6 one of the major charges that was leveled against Jason, Paul and Silas was the charge that they were a part of a group of people who were turning the world upside down. They were a part of a group of disciples who in following the life and teachings of Jesus from Nazareth were turning everything upside down.
What exactly where they doing? I think we can safely assume that what they were doing was trying their best to live out Romans 12:9-21. They were doing their best to be a blessing to all those around them instead of being a curse. They were doing their best to love "agape" style and honor their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Who forgives? Who really tries to live in harmony? Who rejoices with people when their life is going well while their own life is in the pit? Who grieves with someone when they are themselves on cloud nine? Who seeks to associate with those who are lesser in the areas of finances, looks or friends? Who goes the second and third mile to be a peace maker? Who in their right mind feeds their enemy and gives them something to drink?
I mean all of this sounds crazy. It is crazy. It's really crazy to Satan, to his legion of demons and to the powers of evil that seek to control our world. It's crazy to the world around us who is doing its best to get us to conform to its desires and lifestyles. It's crazy because it means that we have to put down our desires to have a "selfie" to really serving and taking care of others. It's crazy because we have to abandon a mindset that is "Me First". It's crazy because it means that our focus in no longer on our own navel but is fixed on things above and on helping others around us.
But it's not crazy to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It's not crazy to those who are doing their best to give their hearts, minds and souls over to Jesus. It's not crazy to those who are doing their best to be image bearers of the true God of Creation, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who seeks to rescue us, redeem us and enable us to live an abundant life here on this earth and on the New Heaven and Earth to come.
I mean can you imagine a group of people getting together not for their own sake but solely for the sake of the other? Can you imagine attending a meeting in which the goal is not to get something out of it for yourself or for your family and instead going there totally to pray for others, to share with others and to encourage others? Can you imagine going to a place where everyone is running over themselves trying to help someone else rather than grumbling and complaining when someone doesn't greet them the right way, doesn't speak to them the right way or take care of them the right way? Can you imagine going to a place where the focus of attention is on serving rather than being served? Can you imagine going to a place where there are more conversations centered on Jesus than there are about family, work, money, shopping or sports?
Can you imagine how close heaven and earth would connect if such a place actually existed? Can you imagine how attractive such a place would be both those in the faith and those interested in the faith? Can you imagine what would happen if people really did take the time to pray for one another, forgive one another and seek to truly honor one another?
Why it would be like no other place on earth. Why it would be the perfect place for those who did not know Jesus to see and experience Jesus first hand. Why it would be a place led and saturated by the very presence of the Holy Spirit.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to be a number of church worship settings. Some of those churches I have labeled horserace churches. People get to the starting gate (worship service) just a few moments before the bell (service begins). They then spend the next hour doing their best to win - to get the most out of everything they can for themselves. They never spend time in prayer during the service asking the LORD to bless those around them. They never look around seeing whom they can be a blessing to when they get an opportunity. They never take the time to ask the LORD how they can forgive someone, bless someone or honor them. No, they are out to win and that means that they must be focused on what they can get out of the service for themselves. Then as soon as the Amen is said they get out of there as soon as possible. They don't take the time to stop and relish the presence of the LORD or enjoy conversations with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They have got to go.
And then I have had the privilege to be in those places where you know you are wanted. The doors are open and the atmosphere is already filled with love, acceptance and warmth. Someone has taken the time to arrive early and saturate the church with a time of prayer welcoming the presence of the Holy Spirit. Someone has taken the time to make sure that the environment was inviting and welcoming. The place feels like a spiritual Kirkland's with all the warmth, the beauty and the wonderful smells.
The service is one that is not rushed. There is a plan and an order but the Holy Spirit is in charge of leading the music, the praise, the prayer time, the sermon, the response and the benediction. No one rushes out the door desperately needing to get somewhere. People linger in God's Presence and share life. You can hear people sharing words of caring and on occasion you can even hear people praying with one another. At times you are able to see someone slip someone a package or a little money to help them out that week. It's not out of the ordinary to see someone hand someone a card or to hear someone plan a meal with someone that week or even to see two or three people planning to get together to go and see someone who is sick or is a shut-in. People are lingering for one another and to pour life into one another.
All of that sounds tough and it is. All of that sounds like it takes a great amount of passion, time and energy and it does. All of that sounds like the way we see Jesus live in the Gospels and it is.
But while it takes a great amount of passion, energy, love and honor to do those things and live that way it also releases a great amount of energy full of love and honor back in return. For when we love one another, when we have time for one another and when we are seeking to serve one another we are ever more filled with God's love and the atmosphere itself is filled with love. The very air around us become energized with God's Holy Spirit.
When we choose to love, to forgive, to honor and to serve one another the LORD reaches down and releases the energy of His Presence and Power. The LORD pours out a multitude of blessings, anointings and favor.
The key to verses 9 - 21 is allowing the LORD to have all of us and allowing His Holy Spirit to transform us day by day into being vessels that reflect His image. The key to verses 9 - 21 is day by day living to allow the LORD to pour Himself in you so that you can then pour out your life for others.
It all doesn't happen all at once but it does happen. One of the things that you quickly realize is that as you attempt in the Spirit to live out verses 9 - 21 that you will get some sore spiritual muscles. Anyone who has done their best to love people, honor people and bless them by forgiving them, having patience with them or being kind to their enemies knows that it take a great deal of spiritual energy, spiritual stretching and spiritual kneeling in prayer. You might even get a spiritual headache or two as your old brain is being renewed by your new spiritual brain in Christ. Your may even have to endure some neck pain as you begin to look at others instead of only looking at yourself. Your may even suffer from some new muscle cramps as you learn how to smile more than frown. And you may find yourself thinking twice as much and speaking only once or even less than once as you allow the Holy Spirit to direct your mind and your tongue. You may find yourself with your hands giving away more than grabbing for things to take. And you may find yourself walking towards people rather than walking away from people.
This morning, the Apostle Paul has given us quite a bit to read, to understand and to digest . There is no way we can do justice to this passage in the limited amount of time we have together. We all need to take this passage and in prayer and with the help of the Holy Spirit to allow ourselves to be taught, to be convicted, to be corrected, to be cleansed and to empowered to live out these verses on a day to day basis.
This morning as we close we go back to those two questions that Paul most likely had in mind -
A. Is this what a life in Christ suppose to look like on a day to day basis?
B. How well are we doing in living such a Christ like life?
As we close we do so with an open altar as we sing a closing hymn. Again, we are not in a hurry - we are here to allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct. Our altars are open and our prayer partners are ready to help in any way that they can. If you need to speak to someone following the service we have a number of spiritual counselors ready to spend time with to help you and to pray with you.
Closing hymn/Open Altars/Spiritual Counselors Available
