Being A Conqueror
Sermon Notes
A conqueror is someone who has overcome or someone who is victorious.
Paul has expounded divine love in this letter. Now he shifts to the disciple’s faith which works by love. Saying that Christians are one family, and they should honor one another with affection and love. And that they should be motivated by the spirit and only by the spirit.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. don’t be fake/ be for real. Abhor, dislike, that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Preferring means to lead the way for others, making the way clear. Showing the kind of love for each other that Christ shows to us.
Look at John 13:34-35 A new command I have given you that you love one another as I have loved you by this all men will know that you are my disciples. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. In our relations with those who are in the household of faith, we should demonstrate our love by tender affection, not by cool indifference or just a routine acceptance.
Just a sight of the glory of God dims the glory of this world. In other words, when we look back at the things that God has done for us, and where he brought us from, we will not be able to see what people are doing or saying about us.
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
God's business requires precision, promptness, and faithfulness. When it comes to God we should want Him to treat us the same way we treat Him. Remember what Jesus said, Luke 6:38 For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rejoicing in the hope of eternal life with God, being patient when trials and tribulations come about, and keeping an attitude of prayer.
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. On what behalf? That God does not start a work and doesn't finish it. Whatever you may be going through cannot stop God from finishing his work.
Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
A true Christ-like person will share with those who are in need.
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
We are called to show kindness toward our persecutors instead of trying to repay them with unkindness. We are to respond with love toward our enemies. Jesus said if someone hit you on one cheek turn the other. If you are asked to go one mile go two and if someone asks you for your coat give the inner lining also.
Conclusion: Jesus taught us to love our enemy, do good to those that hate us and despitefully use us. In other words, we conqueror with love. Not with a bad attitude.