SermonCentral Summary:
Two weeks ago we declared “Christ, not vengeance.” Today we answer “How?” From a dispensational reading of Scripture, Romans 12 sets the believer’s personal ethic, Romans 13 defines public justice, and the Sermon on the Mount forms Kingdom character in disciples now, while we await the future Millennial Kingdom where the King Himself openly rules. Until that day, we refuse payback, bless enemies, use lawful means, and trust God’s timing.
Key Passages:
Romans 12:17–21 — “Avenge not yourselves… be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
1 Peter 2:21–23 — “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again… but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
Matthew 5:38–48 — “Love your enemies… pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Romans 13:1–4 — “He is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Introduction — When Evil Knocks"
Theme: Violence shouts, “Hit back—now.” But the cross whispers, “Trust God—do good.” Two weeks ago we said no to vengeance. Today we learn how to live that “no.”
Transition: We’ll walk three lanes: (1) the Pattern of Christ, (2) the Prohibition of personal vengeance, (3) the Place for public justice—then a clear Plan for your week.
I. The Pattern: Christ Suffered Without Retaliation (1 Peter 2:21–23)
“For even hereunto were ye called… who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
Exposition:
• • “Hereunto were ye called”—this is not extra-credit Christianity; it is our vocation.
• • “Reviled… threatened not”—He restrained both tongue and hand.
• • “Committed himself”—He handed the case to the only righteous Court.
Illustration: Two fires can’t rule the hearth. If anger rules, the Spirit is quenched; if the Spirit rules, anger loses oxygen.
Application:
• • Before you post, pray.
• • Before you strike, stop—and hand the case to God.
II. The Prohibition: Personal Vengeance Is Off-Limits (Romans 12:17–21)
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord… be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Why God Forbids Vengeance:
1. 1) Jurisdiction: “Vengeance is Mine.” It belongs to God, not me.
2. 2) Justice: He alone sees motives, moments, and movements (Eccl 12:14).
3. 3) Jesus-likeness: The Spirit forms Christ in us (Gal 4:19), not Cain.
What “Good” Looks Like (v. 20):
• • Provide: Feed the hungry enemy; give drink to the thirsty one.
• • Pray: Intercede by name for persecutors (Matt 5:44).
• • Peacemake: Step toward de-escalation (Matt 5:9; Rom 12:18).
• • Patient blessing: Refuse the last word; offer the better word (1 Pet 3:9).
• • Practical restitution: Repair what you can where appropriate (Luke 19:8–9).
Anticipated Objections:
• • “Won’t evil win?” — No. Your restraint creates room for God’s action.
• • “Is this weakness?” — No. It is Spirit-powered obedience (Gal 5:22–23).
III. The Place for Justice: God’s Minister Bears the Sword (Romans 13:1–4)
“He is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Dispensational Distinctives:
• • Israel ? Church: Ancient Israel, under a theocracy, often wielded the sword directly. The Church in this present dispensation of grace does not.
• • Two Lanes, Not One: Lane 1 (Rom 12): Personal ethics—refuse vengeance; do good. Lane 2 (Rom 13): Public justice—civil authority bears the sword to restrain evil.
• • Already/Not Yet: We taste Kingdom character now (Matt 5), but we are not building the Kingdom by force. The Millennial Kingdom awaits Christ’s return (Rev 19–20).
Application:
• • Use lawful means—report crimes, seek protective orders, testify truthfully.
• • Keep clean motives—justice sought in love, not revenge cloaked in piety.
• • Pray for authorities (1 Tim 2:1–2)—they are God’s servants and need wisdom.
IV. The Path We Walk Until the King Comes (Matthew 5:38–48)
“Ye have heard… An eye for an eye… But I say unto you… Love your enemies.”
Three Marks of Kingdom Love in the Church Age:
4. 1) Non-retaliation—absorb insult and return integrity (vv. 39–42).
5. 2) Enemy-love—bless and pray for persecutors (vv. 44–45).
6. 3) Family Resemblance—look like our Father (vv. 45–48).
Pastoral Guardrails:
• • Don’t baptize bitterness as “righteous anger.”
• • Don’t call vengeance “justice.”
• • Don’t confuse our mission (reconciliation, 2 Cor 5:18–20) with the magistrate’s (retribution, Rom 13:4).
V. Case Studies for Your Heart
1) Joseph: Mercy with Wisdom (Genesis 50:19–21) —
“Am I in the place of God?… ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”
2) David & Saul: Power under Restraint (1 Samuel 24:4–7) —
Knife in hand, king in cave—David refuses to strike God’s anointed. Restraint is worship.
3) Stephen: Prayer in the Stones (Acts 7:60) —
“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” The martyr’s prayer becomes seed for Paul’s conversion (Acts 9).
VI. A Seven-Day “Overcome Evil with Good” Plan
7. 1) Pray by name for your enemy (Matt 5:44).
8. 2) Speak a blessing to someone who wronged you (1 Pet 3:9).
9. 3) Give a quiet gift to someone on “the other side” (Rom 12:20).
10. 4) Fast one meal for victims of violence; intercede (Isa 58:6–7).
11. 5) Seek peace where possible (Rom 12:18).
12. 6) Serve a need (ride, meal, chore) with no announcement (Matt 6:3–4).
13. 7) Testify how God met you in obedience (Rev 12:11).
Church Initiative Ideas:
• • Launch a Peacemaker Team (de-escalation training; presence at events).
• • Partner with a local ministry serving victims and offenders—mercy and truth.
VII. Gospel Invitation & Table (Optional)
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom 5:6–8)
Call: Lay down the sword of retaliation; take up the yoke of Christ. He bore the wrath you crave to pour out. Come for pardon where you have retaliated. Come for power to love enemies.
Altar Responses:
• • Release—Bring the name you’re gripping; leave it with the Judge.
• • Repent—Confess retaliation; receive cleansing (1 John 1:9).
• • Resolve—Name one act of “good” you will do this week.
Communion Tie-In (Rev 5:6):
At the Table we remember the Lamb slain. We are nourished to walk the way of the cross until the Lion returns to reign.
Appendix: Dispensational Notes for SermonCentral
1) Hermeneutic:
We employ a consistent, grammatical-historical (literal) interpretation.
2) Israel/Church Distinction:
God’s program for national Israel continues; the Church is distinct and presently under the dispensation of grace (Eph 3:2).
3) Two Lanes of Authority:
Romans 12: Personal discipleship—no vengeance, enemy-love, doing good.
Romans 13: Civil government—God’s minister to restrain evil with the sword.
4) Eschatology:
We await the Premillennial reign of Christ (Rev 19–20). Perfect justice is future; therefore, the Church does not advance the Kingdom by coercion but bears witness by reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18–20).
Suggested Tags:
Violence; Vengeance; Romans 12; Romans 13; Enemy Love; Peacemaking; Justice; Cross; Dispensationalism; Millennial Kingdom; Church Age; Sanctification.
Closing Prayer: Father, Judge of all the earth, we yield vengeance to Thee. Form Christ in us—that we might bless those who curse, feed those who hunger, and overcome evil with good. Give wisdom to our magistrates; give mercy to our enemies; give courage to Your Church. Keep us faithful in this age of grace until the King returns. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
