Aug. 24, 2025

Background:

• Part 1:
  • How we should relate to other believers
  • Our service in ministry
  • Three different behaviors of this walk
  • It's a Stewardship ministry
•  Part 2:
  • No one knows how the church in Rome got started
  • Paul wrote to allow the church to know true doctrine
  • It's going to take a "we" over "me" attitude to walk together in unity
  • It's not going to be easy and will take a major attitude adjustment on our part
  • God's way is not our way
  • Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life
  • If God says it, we ought to do it
  • It's going to take sanctification and will not happen right away
  • None of us are perfect...we all need Jesus

Key Sermon Points:

1. Bless (v. 14)

• We are taught not to let anyone talk about you or your family
• Bless means to speak well about those that talk bad about you
• We should not react by cursing or speaking harshly
• We should try to find something good in them and commend them for it
• We should not tear them down to others, but pray for them (Matthew 5:43-44)
• Jesus demonstrated blessing those that cursed him and did him wrong (Luke 23:34)

2. Service (v. 15)

• We need to be there for others when they are rejoicing or weeping
• We have to rejoice in the success of others
• Can we rejoice with others?
• There's no place for jealously
• Jesus rejoiced (Luke 10:21)
• Do we want to make Jesus rejoice?
• If so, then go in the power of the Spirit in our walk and talk and witness to others
• We should show empathy and pray for others (John 11:35)

3. Humility (v. 16)

• We must be careful to not think more of ourselves (Matthew 23:12)
• Jesus humbled Himself...and we must be humble (Philippians 2:6-11; John 17:1,4-5)

4. Reaction (vv. 17 - 18)

• We are taught to defend ourselves...and now we have cyber bullies
• The days of fair fights are over
• Even though it sounds hard, if we do it God's way we may be surprised at how things take place down the road

5. Vengeance (vv. 19 - 20)

• Revenge or retaliation
• Einstein said: Weak people revenge, strong people forgive, intelligent people ignore
• Vengeance is the Lord's

6. Overcomer (vv. 21)

• We have the ability to choose a response to whatever is being said to us
• Now that we know how God wants us to response, we have to take that choice and make it our responsibility to try to walk like Jesus
• His way is better
• It's not easy, but requires our faith and trust in God
• We want to do what is right, but when we don't, it is the sin in us (Romans 7:18-20)
• We must follow like Christ...show empathy, forgive and walk in love like Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:21)
• If we want to have a positive affect on unbelievers, we must walk like Christ (see us helping and praying for others)