Practical Theology

Part 34 - Romans 12:9-21
Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: Community is strengthened when our attitudes and actions are grounded in love.

I. The Priority of Love (v. 9)
Romans 12:9
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

A. How do we best live in community with each other and the world around us? It starts with genuine love. This kind of (Agape) love is not some nebulous, abstract concept that is often manipulated to suit one’s preferences, but is an action rooted in God’s nature and fully revealed in Christ and His Word. For the Christian, love is not an option, but a way of life.

B. The priority of love is seen in:

1. It’s call (v. 9; cf. Mk. 12:28-31).
Mark 12:28-31
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

2. It’s character (v. 9) – Sincere, without hypocrisy.

3. It’s consistency (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8).
1 Corinthians 13:8
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

4. It’s conduct (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-7).
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

II. The Practice of Love (vv. 10-21)
Romans 12:10-21
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 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. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A. Many have waxed philosophically and poetically about love, but at its core, Biblical love is best modeled by Christ and seen in action. Genuine love chooses to focus on the needs and well-being of the one loved. This attribute is important because it binds the church together in unity and serves as an example to the world around us (cf. Col. 3:12-14).
Colossians 3:12-14
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

B. We see love in practice when we:

1. Love others in the church:

A. With conviction (vv. 9-10).

B. With commitment (vv. 11-12).

C. With compassion (v. 13).

2. Love others in the world:

A. With empathy (v. 15).

B. With humility (v. 16).

C. With forgiveness (vv. 15; 17-21).