Affection That Heals.
Romans 12:9-16NET
Medical professionals in neonatal units have shown that newborns respond emotionally if they receive loving touch and affection.
You are not an exception, You were created to reach out to others. Touch...hug.
Eyes can communicate kindness; A gentle touch on the shoulder affirms unspoken care.
The Lord spoke this word to me, “Compassion, Affection and Care become My Divine medicine.”
Remember this fact—Ministry always flows from relationships.
Romans 12, contains very practical instructions that the Lord can use in our lives as we respond in obedience to them. They are listed one after another, beginning in verse 9 and continuing through verse 21. There are more than twenty separate exhortations in those verses—God breathed commands. We won’t look at all 20 this morning, but listen closely as I read the text.
I believe as you’re walking in the Spirit, the elements of verses 9-21, will be true of your life. If not, allow God to bring conviction.
Romans 12:9-21NET 9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
One day Linus said to Lucy, “I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up.”
Lucy replied, “You a Doctor! Ha! You could never be a doctor! You know why? Because you don’t love mankind. That’s why!”
Linus defended himself, saying, “I do love mankind….it’s people I can’t stand.”
Listen, “We must love people specifically, and not just love humanity in general.” P.H
Brother Paul came up with this statement here lately, “In love with Jesus? ‘We don’t got to come to church, we get to come to church.”
In the earlier chapters of Romans, the apostle Paul taught doctrine—He refuses any other walk—than the walk of grace mixed with faith.
Throughout the latter chapters of Romans, Paul addresses social issues like, “Our treatment of others.”
This morning I want to ask you 3 quick questions. As Sons and Daughters are you willing to?
Walk-in God’s love-Not just when its convenient.
Listen carefully—keep your eyes attentive, and mouth shut.
Be an open book—Dallas Holmes, wrote a song—Jesus I’m an open book.
Say, “Live with no regrets.”
Key point: “Refuse to allow any unspoken affection lying dormant in your heart.’ ‘Expressing love is never out of order...in any environment or any season.” P.H
I want to give you 8, God breathed-ways to walk with affection that heals:
Romans 12:9-10TM Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. 10 Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
1. To walk with affection that heals, you must Love deeply from the core of who you are.
“Practice playing the second fiddle; Let go of your wants and desires—serve.” P.H
Romans 12:11-13TM Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. 13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
2. To walk with affection that heals you must, Walk in the Spirit at all times, in other words, walk by faith, not sight.
Cheerfully expectant—Expect miracles, expect friendship, Expect good relationships!
Never quit even in hard times.
Again verse 12-13, Be an alert servant, remain happy, prayerful, warm and friendly.
Romans 12:14TM Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath.
3. To walk with affection that heals you must, Keep no ill will; Speak blessings.
To every member of CECC, if you ever feel led to go somewhere else or to another ministry, we want to bless you. It’s very important!
Romans 12:15TM Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.
4. To walk with affection that heals you must, be willing to share your emotions.
Be willing to cry—Live open, not closed.
Romans 12:16TM Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
5. To walk with affection that heals you must, Be a friendly person.
When your unfriendly, your demeanor speaks— “You’re thinking you're a great somebody.” P.H
Don’t be stuck up.
Testimony: While being with my mom last night at the Advent Hospital, I saw a couple that’s been attending CECC. We both kept looking at each other—“Hey I know you!”
Romans 12:17-18 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody.
6. To walk with affection that heals you must, Refuse to retaliate—fight back.
Get along with everybody—You don’t have to be best friends, but stay at peace.
The Lord spoke this simple word to me, “It’s hard to fight against peace.” P.H
Romans 12:19TM Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
7. To walk with affection that heals you must, Trust that God has your back, meaning, God will take care of you.
Psalm 37:25NLT Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
Remember this, “Your life doesn’t escape God’s eyes.”
Romans 12:20-21TM Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. 21 Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
KJV Says, By you doing the right thing; In return, You will heap hot coals of fire upon your enemy.
8. To walk with affection that heals you must, Show your affection to everyone—“If you’re in a crowded room, look around for someone who needs you.” P.H
Psalm 145:8-9NKJV The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.
Full of compassion, meaning, “your entire inward being, (bowels of compassion) is moved with compassion.”
Listen to these two verses of scriptures about our Lord Jesus.
Matthew 14:14NET As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Mark 1:40-41NKJV Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
God, in his great love and mercy reaches out to us even though, at times, we are unlovable.
We are to be his hands and feet. Ask God to give you compassion and teach you to extend mercy.
Benediction.
