Reading for December 4-12
Reading this week: More promises of this ‘coming’
I want you to recall the words spoken in the past . . . .
2 Peter 3:2
Monday: Psalm 50:1-6, God will shine from Zion
The Psalmist looks forward to God’s coming. To what element of the Second Advent are you most looking forward?
Tuesday: Nahum 1:1-8, The overwhelming flood
God is judging, but how have you experienced God’s care in the presence of this judgment?
Wednesday: Malachi 2:17-3:5, Where is God?
When have you become impatient for the Lord’s return? How is God already purifying you for Second Advent worship?
Thursday: Joel 2, Like an army of locusts
Even in this ferocious picture of the Second Advent there is an invitation to repent. How has the Holy Spirit promise of the GATDOTL convicted you? prepared you to wait?
Friday: Amos 5:18-27, Am I ready for the GATDOTL?
Amos warns those who take the Day of the Lord lightly. How is our righteousness better preparation than insincere worship?
Saturday: Isaiah 66:1-16, Rejoicing in the Second Advent
Are you more in awe of the judgment or the comfort of the Second Advent promises?
Romans 12:17-21, Overcoming Enemies
Overcoming Enemies outline and notes in .pdf format
Overcoming Enemies
Romans 12:17-21 (p. 1764) November 26, 2017
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Romans 12:17
Intro: 1) Paul continues his exegesis of the Sermon on the “Level Place” (Luke 6’s Sermon on the Mount)
— with focus on “everybody” = my enemy
2) note the three textual connections:
— with the “more than conquerors” of Romans 8
— between the mercy of God in 12:1 –> 12:21
— with the inclusion around the “love chapter” of good/evil (12:9 and 12:21)
Know your enemy
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,
for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (Deuteronomy 32:35 is also quoted in Hebrews 10:30 of believers!)
- If I have to ask, HE IS MY ENEMY (this is the heart of the “who’s my neighbor?” principle)
- God is a MUCH BETTER judge (even I am glad I’m not the final judge, and also glad you’re not!!)
The heart of God and the Golden Rule
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
. . . But love your enemies, do good to them,
and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High,
because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6 (see also Luke 10 and the Good Samaritan)
- This isn’t supposed to be DIFFICULT à this is supposed to be IMPOSSIBLE
- Love is a POSITIVE rule à the very best the world can do (listen to current Mason’s advertisement)
- It is about MY ungratefulness = do to others as God has done for me
What Proverbs 25 really means
On the contrary: “If you enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:20
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22
- Kindness is my BEST WEAPON (this is Doug’s answer to the “burning coals” question!)
- I ALREADY have my reward –> explains why Paul left this part off his quote of Proverbs 25
More study resources for Romans 12
Tim Browning’s message “. . . Even Your Enemies” at https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/
onsite/mp3/076%20Romans%2012.03-08.pdf. Browning has, in my opinion, the best answer to the “burning coals” question.
Kim Riddlebarger’s sermon “In Christ, We Who Are Many Form One Body” on Romans 12 (#31) at static1.1.sqspcdn.com
Bob Deffinbaugh’s sermon “Loving Your Enemies” at https://bible.org/seriespage/30-thinking-straight-about-spiritual-gifts-romans-123-8
Ligon Duncan’s messages at https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/
Michael Horton’s “Romans from 30,000 Feet” from “An Overview of the Book of Romans”, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2011/04/romans_from_30000_feet_by_mich.php
Sinclair Ferguson’s “The Great Exchanges In Romans” at http://www.ligonier.org/blog/great-exchanges-romans/
F.F. Bruce’s paraphrase of Romans at https://biblicalstudies.org.
uk/pdf/eq/1958-2_bruce.pdf or Paternoster Press (1965); Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Eerdmans, 1977); and The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1963). I like Bruce’s poem on page 162:
To run and work the law commands,
Yet gives me neither feet nor hands;
But better news the gospel brings:
It bids me fly and gives me wings.
Tim Keller’s Romans For You (The Good Book, 2014).
William Hendriksen’s Romans in BNTC (Baker Books, 1980).
James Boice’s Romans, Volume 4: The New Humanity, (Baker Books, 1991). Boice (who follows Hodge’s 1886 commentary) also has a good discussion of the “burning coals” question.
Charles Hodge’s Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1886).
Earl Palmer’s Romans series notes “The Greatest Book”, Winter 2002, University Presbyterian Church. Seattle, Washington.
Reading for week of November 27
Reading this week: The Sermon on the Level Place
Romans 12, like the book of James, is really a commentary on Jesus’ teaching, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. This week we will look at Luke’s version which is even more convicting than in Matthew.
Monday: Luke 6:12-19, Disciples, crowds and the multitude
Luke mentions three groups who heard Jesus’ teaching: his disciples, his crowd of serious followers, and the multitude of Jews and Gentiles. It’s really hard to preach to this diverse crowd. With which group do you identify? What word from Jesus are you hoping to hear from the “level place”?
Tuesday: Luke 6:20-26, Blessings and Woes
These blessings and woes both end with a look back at the prophets: persecution is a sign of the true prophet, the world’s blessing is a sign of the false prophet. How are you experiencing the blessing of persecution and the woe of the world’s blessing?
Wednesday: Luke 6:27-36, The Golden Rule
Loving enemies is never easy. What enemy has been especially difficult for you to love? How has God’s mercy helped you build your Golden Rule discipline?
Thursday: Luke 6:37-42, Judging and being judged
I love the picture of forgiveness running over into my lap! How has being forgiven changed the way you look at others’ faults? What “log” are you working on today?
Friday: Luke 6:43-49, Hearing and Doing
Have you noticed how fruit and wisdom go together? In these two parables, Jesus makes “good” both a matter of fruit and of obedience. What fruit are you preparing for right now?
Saturday: Luke 7:1-10, Finding real faith
Even after preaching to the crowds, Jesus still had to look elsewhere for faith. How does a Roman centurion have more faith than Israel? Where have you found the faith for which Jesus is looking?
Advent #2: “Is Already At Work”
Sermon audio:
Already At Work
Sermon Outline and Notes:
Advent #2 Is Already At Work 2 Thess. 2 2017.12.10
The Greatest Is Love, Romans 12:9-16
The Greatest Is Love audio
The Greatest Is Love
Romans 12:9-16 (p. 1764) November 19, 2017
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9
Intro: 1) Paul’s “love chapters” are connected to use of gifts, not husbands/wives
2) for the rest of Romans, Paul is placing love in the context of
— the kairos moment à persecution, government, “this present time” (13:11), and conflict
— Paul is preparing us to “accept one another” when it is difficult
Defining “love”
Love must be sincere . . . .
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:10-11
- Love is THE WAY I USE MY SPIRITUAL GIFTS
- Love is ALWAYS TOWARD THE OTHER
- Love is MY LIVING SACRIFICE (go back to Romans 12:1-2!)
Love is a participle (sorry, dc talk)
Be joyful . . . . . Be patient . . . . Be faithful . . . .
Sharing . . . . Pursuing . . . .
Romans 12:12-14
- Love is first something I AM
- Love reflects the very HEART OF GOD
- Love requires PARTICIPATION = SHARING
Pursued and Pursuing
Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:13-14
- HOSPITALITY doesn’t just happen
- This love requires ME to reach out first
— Philippians 4:2-4 –> who is going to flinch, Euodia or Syntyche?
— Romans 5:1-8
Doug’s translation of Romans 12:9-16
Love [must be] genuine.
hating the evil,
being joined to the good,
lovingly affectionate in brotherly love to one another,
in honor [toward one another] outdoing one another,
in diligence not [being] troublesome,
in the spirit boiling over,
to the Lord being a slave,
in the hope rejoicing,
in the tribulation enduring,
in the prayer being consistent,
to the needs of the saints being a sharer,
[and] pursuing the love of the stranger.
Bless (or, “speak well of”) the one pursing [you].
Bless (or, “speak well of”) and stop cursing,
to rejoice with the one rejoicing,
to weep with the one weeping,
thinking the same thing toward one another,
not thinking highly
but to the humble being led together.
Stop becoming wise according to yourselves.
More study resources for Romans 12
Tim Browning’s message “Not Puffed Up” at https://www.
monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/mp3/076%20Romans%2012.03-08.pdf
Bob Deffinbaugh’s sermon “This Thing Called Love” at https://
bible.org/seriespage/30-thinking-straight-about-spiritual-gifts-romans-123-8
Ligon Duncan’s message “A Call to Humility” at https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/a-call-to-humility-and-service
Michael Horton’s “Romans from 30,000 Feet” from “An Overview of the Book of Romans”, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2011/04/romans_from_30000_feet_by_mich.php
Sinclair Ferguson’s “The Great Exchanges” at http://www.ligonier.org/blog/great-exchanges-romans/
F.F. Bruce’s paraphrase of Romans at https://biblicalstudies.org.
uk/pdf/eq/1958-2_bruce.pdf or Paternoster Press (1965); Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Eerdmans, 1977); and The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1963).
Tim Keller’s Romans For You (The Good Book, 2014).
William Hendriksen’s Romans in BNTC (Baker Books, 1980).
James Boice’s Romans, Volume 4, (Baker Books, 1991).
Earl Palmer’s Romans series notes “The Greatest Book”, Winter 2002, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington.
Reading for November 20-25
Reading this week: Reconciliation and Thanksgiving
At our last Pathway Learning Community, our coach shared his passion for stewardship and generosity in discipleship (see the Vitality Pathway’s eighth Missional Marker, Sacrificial and generous living). Pastor Phil encouraged us to consider this challenge in 2 Corinthians, and Thanksgiving Week is a great time to accept the challenge!
Monday: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, “For this very purpose”
We are designed for eternity. How is God preparing your “earthly tent” for that “eternal house”? Where are you seeing the eternal break out in your life?
Tuesday: 2Corinthians 5:11-6:2, New Creation
We are compelled to ministry by Christ’s love. Where are you celebrating the “new creation” experience? To what ministry of reconciliation is God opening doors for you right now?
Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4, Fatherly advice
Paul is writing to us as his children. Why would a father be especially concerned about our relationship with darkness? How is God revealing to you both darkness and light?
Thursday: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, God’s provision
The Macedonians were rich even though they thought themselves poor. How have you experienced Macedonian style grace? In what ways did the teaching about grace gifts in Romans 12 help you share your gift generously?
Friday: 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5, Proof of our love
Paul is clear that generosity is proof (a proof?) of our love. What opportunities for generosity is God placing in your life? When did you experience this kind of generosity from a brother or sister?
Saturday: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Generosity and Thanksgiving
Yes, cheerful generosity in our lives lead others to thanksgiving! When have you experienced joy in an opportunity to be generous? How have you been able to overcome circumstances in your generosity?
Living Sacrifices
Living Sacrifices audio
Living Sacrifices
Romans 12:1-2 (p. 1763)
November 5, 2017
Therefore, I urge you, 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.
Romans 12:1-2
Text and Context
It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire of effort,
but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:16
- The “therefore” is about _________________ (plural)
- The imperative begins in the _______________
- My worship is also my _________________
Living sacrifices
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17 (p. 890)
- Even living sacrifices have ______________
- Holiness is a _____________________ issue
- Sacrificial living is ____________________
The world
Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15 (p. 1900)
Something to . . . .
- Stop:_____________________________________
- Continue: ____________________________________
God wants me to know . . . .
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2b (see Ephesians 5:10, p. 1822)
- _______________ precedes __________________
- God’s will really is ____________________
- I don’t know the pleasure until I _______________
Romans 12:1-2 from Hendriksen’s Romans
I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s great mercy, to offer yourselves as sacrifices, living, holy, and well-pleasing to God, (which is) your spiritual worship. And stop allowing yourselves to be fashioned after the pattern of this (evil) age, but continue to let yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the will of God, namely, that which is good and well-pleasing and perfect.[1]
More study resources for Romans 12
Tim Browning’s messages at https://www.monergism.com
/thethreshold/articles/onsite/mp3/romans_browningpdf.html
Bob Deffinbaugh’s sermon “Road to Renewal” at https://bible.org/seriespage/29-road-renewal-romans-121-2
Ligon Duncan’s messages at http://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/greetings-from-an-apostle
Michael Horton’s “Romans from 30,000 Feet” from “An Overview of the Book of Romans”, http://www.reformationtheology.com/
2011/04/romans_from_30000_feet_by_mich.php
Sinclair Ferguson’s “The Great Exchanges of Romans” at
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/great-exchanges-romans/
F.F. Bruce’s paraphrase of Romans at https://biblicalstudies.org.
uk/pdf/eq/1958-2_bruce.pdf or Paternoster Press (1965); Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Eerdmans, 1977); and The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1963). I like Bruce’s poem on page 162:
To run and work the law commands,
Yet gives me neither feet nor hands;
But better news the gospel brings:
It bids me fly and gives me wings.
Tim Keller’s Romans For You (The Good Book, 2014).
William Hendriksen’s Romans in BNTC (Baker Books, 1980).
James Boice’s Romans, Volume 4, (Baker Books, 1991). See
p. 1515 for Boice’s argument for “reasonable” over “spiritual”.
Earl Palmer’s Romans series notes “The Greatest Book”, Winter 2002, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington.
[1] Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 12-13: Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. New Testament Commentary (399–401). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
The Fifth Reformation
The Fifth Reformation audio
The Fifth Reformation
Romans 12:3-8 (p. 1763) November 12, 2017
. . . so in Christ we who are many form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5
Cogito ergo sum
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3
- Renewal changes how I think about MYSELF
- Not “high thinking”: ______________________________________________________
- But “right thinking”: ____________________________________________________
A theology of “membership”
Just as each of us has one body with many members,
and all these members do not have the same function,
so in Christ, we who are many form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5
- Membership is ORGANIC
- Membership reflects DIVERSITY and UNITY (one head, but lots of different graces!)
- Membership means NOT JUST BELONGING TO, BUT DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER
The same gifts today
We all have different gifts, according to the grace given us . . . . Romans 12:6
Prophesying: _________________________ Serving: _____________________________
Teaching: ____________________________ Contributing: _________________________
Encouraging: _________________________ Leadership: __________________________
Showing mercy: ______________________
Two application questions
- The LOVE Test
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1
Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:13
- The FLAME Test
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6
More study resources for Romans 12
Tim Browning’s message “Not Puffed Up” at https://www.
monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/mp3/076%20Romans%2012.03-08.pdf
Bob Deffinbaugh’s sermon “Straight Thinking” at https://
bible.org/seriespage/30-thinking-straight-about-spiritual-gifts-romans-123-8
Ligon Duncan’s message “A Call to Humility” at https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/a-call-to-humility-and-service
Michael Horton’s “Romans from 30,000 Feet” from “An Overview of the Book of Romans”, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2011/04/romans_from_30000_feet_by_mich.php
Sinclair Ferguson’s “The Great Exchanges” at http://www.ligonier.org/blog/great-exchanges-romans/
F.F. Bruce’s paraphrase of Romans at https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/1958-2_bruce.pdf or Paternoster Press (1965); Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Eerdmans, 1977); and The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1963).
Tim Keller’s Romans For You (The Good Book, 2014).
William Hendriksen’s Romans in BNTC (Baker Books, 1980).
James Boice’s Romans, Volume 4, (Baker Books, 1991).
Earl Palmer’s Romans series notes “The Greatest Book”, Winter 2002, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington.
Reading for the week of November 13-18
Reading this week: Changing the Story again
This is the second week of our World Hunger Campaign week, so I’ve selected another series of passages from World Renew’s devotional, this week from the “Family Devotions” side. For more information on this year’s campaign or to receive these devotions online, visit World Renew at worldrenew.net.
Monday: Philippians 4:19, God will supply
Generosity is always a celebration of God’s provision for us (see 2 Corinthians 8-9). What special provision from God are you celebrating? How has that provision led to generosity?
Tuesday: James 1:27, True Religion
Religion can be a problem, but at its best religion turns our attention outward – to Jesus’ righteousness and the needs of others. When have you experienced this outward focus of your religion? Who are the widows and orphans in your life?
Wednesday: Genesis 1:27, God’s image in everyone!
Yes, everyone! And we honor God when we honor and care for his image wherever we encounter it. The church has always held that we encounter God’s image especially in the vulnerable. When have you most recently encountered God’s image in the needs of another?
Thursday: Deuteronomy 6:10-12, How easy to forget
This is the tyranny of the too much. Places and things have always distracted God’s people from worship and generosity. How do you balance resting in God’s provision with need to be daily (in the Matthew 6 sense) dependent on him?
Friday: Leviticus 23:22, Leaving room to meet needs
Generosity is also a discipline, affecting even the way we harvest our fields. In your busy life, where are you leaving room for God to meet needs through his provision?
Saturday: Psalm 146:6-7, God has created more than enough
God deals in surplus, surplus grace and surplus food. How does your experience of the first affect your experience of the second? How does a high view of God as Creator also lead us toward lifestyles of justice?