Romans 12:9-13

Let me ask you a question: Would you agree that the word love is an overused word in our language

I love my car, I love my job, I love this song

I love my wife ( I want what’s best for her)

I love pizza (I just want to eat the pizza (IDC what’s best for it)

Each statement says the same thing but each has a different meaning.

When a person tells you that they love you, how do they love you?

Do they want something for you or just something from you?

Love- an intense feeling of deep affection (noun)

Remember I said I love my wife

How does she know that I love her?

I can explain it to her (Burning heart/loins)

I have to show her

It requires me to do more than just explain it

I have to show it through actions

As Christians, love is a verb

Today let’s look at how we’re to love one another

Romans 12:9-13 teaches us how to treat each other

This is specific to Christians

This is how we behave toward one another

When we’re dealing with the world we behave differently

Christ said, Love your neighbor as you love yourself

We apply the Golden Rule to our interactions with the world

Col 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with

grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Hypocrisy points to one who wears a mask

It’s a reference to ancient Greek theater

Actors would wear mask and pretend to be something or someone that they’re not

That’s the purpose of acting AMEN

There’s actors in the church every Sunday

There is no disguise for love

Love is exemplified through action

The way we love one another is how the world knows we belong to the Lord (John 13)

If you wear a cloak or attempt to mask yourself, then you lack sincerity in your heart when it comes to love

Transitional Statement: We’ve been commanded to Examine ourselves 2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

We’re not supposed to pretend to love one another

Genuine Love is described in 1 Cor 13

Abhor that which is evil

Abhor means to be disgusted

We’re called to detest evil

Have no part in it’s plans or it’s process

But sometimes we get entangled with, be it by choice or circumstance

Repentance is key, then move forward

Cling to what is good

`We have to hold onto the good stuff

The word points to glue together or to cement or fasten together

Let the good stick to you and hold on to it

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of the good to see past the bad

We hold on tight to the good (CLING)

Sticky Faith is created by clinging to the good

Exhort on wins (FCA investments, Football team,giving)

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Let me say this

Every church needs more of this

This is reciprocal love towards one another

This is love that sees past, the past

This is the greek word for love here philostorgos

It’s a combination of two greek words, philia and storge

Love between good friends

That's brotherly love amongst Christians

There are 4 types of love in the greek language

Storge- Family Love

Eros- Sensusal romantic love

Philia-brotherly love

Agape-Divine love, love that comes from God

Giving preference to one another

When we prefer someone that means we go ahead and show the way

It’s being an example by leading the way forward

It’s that let me serve you mindset

Think Jesus washing the disciples feet

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Laziness is not a fruit of the spirit

Fervent in Spirit

Passionate, enthusiastic

Slothful people get aggravated by Fervency

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation is an encouragement from Paul

Keep that joyful perspective by placing your hope in Christ

Even when times are tough (My hope is in Christ)

This is where we say the quiet part out loud

Prayer is where we access power

Continue in prayer

When there’s no hope, Keep praying

When He answers in a different way than you wanted, Keep praying

When you feel weak and defeated, Keep praying

Be firmly fixed in your belief in HIM, that's being steadfast in prayer

13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.