While studying and praying this week about the upcoming Sunday, I felt led to change my direction from a teaching on Water Baptism to a teaching on our response to the recent Presidential and National Elections. We are still going to witness the baptism of four individuals. What an awesome joy to witness a person finding forgiveness. Yet given the Election of a New President, Barak Obama, and the passage of several propostions and changing of political power in Senate and the House, I felt it was essential for us to reflect on God's thoughts about our changing environment.
The first statement that comes to mind is one from Jesus, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Love. It must be sincere. No Hypocrisy. Love is the most obvious sign of God's presence. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to benefit another, but have not love, I gain nothing." (1 Cor. 13:2-3)
My message for Nov. 9, the Next Four Years, is a reminder to take up the most challenging initiative ever given to humanity - "Love Your Nieghbor as Yourself." Romans 12 focuses on both loving people within your circles and outside it. I cannot teach through all of chapter 12 this Sunday; I will only cover verses 9-13. (It would take hours to teach the entire chapter.) There are 10 descriptions of Love given in these 5 verses, which I believe will shape our love toward all people. I will walk through these. It will give us a good start.
This is something we need to think about after Nov. 9. On Nov. 10, you and I will need to start applying verses 14-21 - the expressions of love toward outsiders, so allow me to give you 12 Expressions of Love toward outsiders. Once you resolve to love (from verses 9-13) - are consumed by it, you will find yourself given multiple opportunities to love those on the outside.
12 Expressions of Love Toward Outsiders:
(Romans 12:14-21)
1. Love blessing our Persecutors (v. 14)
2. Love interesting itself in Others (v. 15)
3. Love finding Points of Agreement (v. 16)
4. Love spurning unworthy Ambitions (v. 16)
5. Love consorting with the Lowly (v. 16)
6. Love avoiding Self-Esteem (v. 16)
7. Love refusing to take Revenge (v. 17)
8. Love endeavoring to Attract (v. 17)
9. Love keeping the Peace (v. 18)
10. Love entrusting its Cause to God (v. 19)
11. Love returning Good for Evil (v. 20)
12. Love winning the True Victory (v. 21)
Recongize, I only gave you the second half of this teaching. The emphasis is on being not doing; doing is the result and expression of being. Verses 9-13 focus on being while Verses 14-21 give the doing. God always works from the inside out. Think about it. Pray about it. Looking forward to your thoughts.
~Eric
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