Our Attitude Toward Love Rom 12:9 [Let] love be without dissimulation. Without dissimulation means - love without faking it Our Attitude Toward Good & Evil Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:21 Our Attitude Towards Others 10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Our Attitude of Stewardship 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Our Attitude of Faith 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; A) Rejoicing in hope Lam 3:24 B) Patient in Tribulation Rom 15:4 C) Instant in Prayer 1 Thes 5:17

The Gospel in Practice: Authentic Christian Character pt. 2 Romans 12:13-21

Our Attitude in Ministry means… A. Sacrifice 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. distribute means to share

KEY POINT #1 People who aren’t good stewards won’t have anything to share when need arises

Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.

Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest. Pro 30:24 There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise: 25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

Storing up isn’t for just you… Pro 21:20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

KEY POINT #2 “Distributing to the needs” of God’s people is about sacrificing for the physical and spiritual necessities of the church

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.

Our Attitude in Ministry means… A. Sacrifice 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. hospitality means prone to love strangers

KEY POINT #3 It is the responsibility of all believers to actively look for opportunities to be hospitable.

Our Attitude in Ministry means… Sacrifice Softness in Suffering 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

KEY POINT #3 It is the responsibility of those enduring harassment to respond to evil with good.

Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Pro 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.