Embracing God’s will in times of Xenophobia Part 2 Romans 12:9-13

Embracing God’s will in times of Xenophobia Part 2 Romans 12:9-13

Review Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2)

Review God’s will for you: your body a living sacrifice This behaviour is unnatural to us It happens through, “renewing the mind” Ultimately, God’s will for you: that you look like His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29)

Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. “Love must be sincere!”

Love must be sincere There is a love which is not sincere

Love must be sincere There is a love which is not sincere Contrasts: don’t be conformed be transformed don’t think highlythink soberly don’t love hypocritically love sincerely

Love must be sincere There is a love which is not sincere don’t be conformed be transformed don’t think highlythink soberly don’t love hypocritically love sincerely

4 steps to Love that is Sincere

1. Be Devoted (v10) “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves” Love your spiritual brother as a son loves his mother

1. Be Devoted (v10) “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves” How much love? As the love between a father and son.

1. Be Devoted (v10) “... Honour one another above yourselves” You must surpass everyone in giving honour

2. Be Diligent (v11) “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Invest both your mind and body in order to love better

2. Be Diligent (v11) “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Zeal: Giving everything they had to their cause.

2. Be Diligent (v11) Hebrews 6:10-12 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy…

2. Be Diligent (v11) Parable of the talents (Matt 25) “You wicked, lazy servant”

3. Be Dependent (v12) “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

3. Be Dependent (v12) “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When others are being afflicted, you bring them hope from God and plough into prayer, before God, on their behalf.

3. Be Dependent (v12) “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Sincere Love = Sacrificial Living = Pointing them to God Carrying their burden in prayer

3. Be Dependent (v12) “…faithful in prayer.”

4 steps to Love that is Sincere: Be Devoted Be Diligent Be Dependent …

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality”

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality” Hospitality: “Philo-xenia” (Love of Strangers) God wants XENO-PHILIA, not XENO-PHOBIA

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality” Go all out to practically help those we know well, and those who are still strangers

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality” Share: Take part in

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality” Share: Take part in Practice: Chase, pursue

4. Be Duty-bound (v13) “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality” Share: Take part in Practice: Chase, pursue Sincere Love partakes and pursues

Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. “Love must be sincere!”

God’s Will: Sincere Love In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you. Greater love than this has no one, that anyone should lay down his soul for his friends John 15:12-13

Be Devoted Be Diligent Be Dependent Duty-Bound