Romans 12:9-21

Love in the Face of Evil

Fellowship

Chip Ingram in his book “Living on the Edge” sums up this section saying. “Authentic Community Occurs when the real you (v9) Meets Real Needs (v10) For the right Reasons (v11) in the right way (v12-13). (Ingram 166)

Matthew 5:44

Ecclesiastes 12:14

Proverbs 25:21-22

The believer’s response to God’s mercy is personal sacrifice that will strengthen life in the church as well as personal relationships.

Bibliography

Ingram, Chip. Living on the Edge: Dare to Experience True Spirituality. New York, NY: Howard Books, 2009

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Questions for Further discussion

What is the main idea that Paul emphasized in Romans 12 according to the sermon?

How does the speaker define the love that Paul speaks of in Romans 12:9-21?

What does the speaker mention as the key test to sacrificial living in fellowship with others?

What does Chip Ingram sum up as the essence of authentic community in the sermon?

How does the speaker suggest believers should respond to their enemies according to Romans 12?

How does the concept of agape love relate to the sacrificial living discussed in the sermon?

In what ways did the early Christians in Rome face challenges related to being sacrificial in their love towards others?

What biblical reference does the speaker use to support the idea of loving one’s enemies in the sermon?

According to the sermon, how does sacrificial living strengthen both life in the church and personal relationships?

How can believers apply the concept of agape love in their relationships with others on a daily basis?

What does it mean to authentically abhor what is evil and cling to what is good in the context of fellowship, as discussed in the sermon?

How can believers respond to conflicts and disagreements within the church community in a way that aligns with the teachings of Romans 12?

In what practical ways can believers work towards loving their enemies as instructed in the sermon?

How can believers demonstrate genuine forgiveness and sacrificial love in their interactions with difficult people, as outlined in the sermon?

What steps can believers take to shift their focus from inward struggles and conflicts to upward-focused living, as suggested in the sermon?

How can believers cultivate a spirit of prayer and perseverance in times of trouble within the church community, based on the teachings in Romans 12?

In what ways can believers trust God to handle situations of conflict and persecution, and actively be a blessing to those around them, as discussed in the sermon?