Sermon Romans Chapter 12

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “ROMANS CHAPTER 12.”

I Love The Book Of Romans

• I love the entire book of Romans. I love every bit of it. We’ve went through it verse by verse.
• And now, we’re on Romans Chapter 12 of 16. Let me remind you of how we started chapter 11.

[3] Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

• We learned that God hasn’t cast away all of the Israelites. He only casts away the ones who won’t believe.
• We’re all saved the same way during all ages of all time and that’s by God’s grace through faith.
• There’s not one person who deserves to be saved and that includes the Apostle Paul.
• To end Romans Chapter 11, we see this.

[4] Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

• Nothing is greater than God. God owns everything in this world. He owns the breath that we take.

[5] Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

• I know I am surrounded by people today that understand just a little part of God’s greatness.
• I don’t think our brains have the capacity to understand HIS GREATNESS.
• “For of HIM, and through HIM, and to HIM, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. AMEN.”
• With that said, let’s start there in verse 1 of Romans Chapter 12.

[6] Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

• So, I love Romans Chapter 12 because this is directly to us and all of God’s people throughout all time.
• This is what he expects from his people. I BESEECH YOU BRETHREN.
• “I’m asking you with urgency,” Paul says. Hey, this is important.
• God wants us to present OUR BODIES a LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, acceptable unto God.
• What does that mean? A LIVING SACRIFICE?

[7] 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

• That simply means to DIE TO SELF daily. Put God above YOURSELF daily. And yes, it’s difficult.
• DEATH isn’t easy. Putting away your own desires DAILY is not easy. A LIVING SACRIFICE!!!
• Sacrifice means you have to give something up. And that’s yourself DAILY.
• Why would we do that? Because God has spared us with his mercies. Hey, I should be going to hell.
• I’ve broken God’s laws constantly throughout my life. There’s NONE GOOD, no not one.
• So now that God has saved me, it’s the least that I can do to live how God asks me to live.
• This is my reasonable service. God’s not being unreasonable asking us to live for him now.
• Your body is the LORD’s. The LORD dwells within you through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

[8] 1 Corinthians 6:13-14 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

[9] 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

[10] 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

• God doesn’t make you do what He asks. He wants you to do it willingly because you love him.

If You Love God, Do What He Says

[11] John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

• Do you truly love God? IS HE NUMBER ONE IN YOUR LIFE? If so, you’ll keep his commandments.
• When he’s not, you won’t keep them. That’s when we mess up. That’s when we sin.

[12] Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

• So, how do we present our bodies a living sacrifice for God? That’s strong language.
• “PRESENT YOURSELF A LIVING SACRIFICE FOR GOD.” Here’s how. Next verse in Romans 12.

[13] Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

• Be not conformed to this world. You don’t have to be like the rest of this world.
• You don’t have to love everyone no matter what like the false worldly churches teach.
• You don’t have to love child molesters and serial killers just because the world says so.
• You don’t have to join in looting and stealing because some evil police officer killed a man.
• “But my friends will think I’m a bad person if I don’t vandalize everything like them.”
• “But my friends, but my friends, but my friends.” What about God?
• So, each day you MUST renew your mind. How do you do that? THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD.
• If you aren’t reading it daily, your mind is not getting renewed. I know that. I’ve tested it.

Your body should be a living sacrifice for God. Not for you. Not for your friends. Not for your family.

• Choose those things over God, and see how your life turns out for you. It won’t be good.
• When you choose to follow God over all those other things, this is what you get:

[14] Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

• All of those FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT are what actually leads to a good life. Not the fleshly things.
• TRUE LOVE results from you following God, and we’ll talk about love more as we go through this chapter.
• But following God leads to TRUE HAPPINESS. Following the world leads to DEATH AND MISERY.

[15] Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

• When you’re saved, you understand that you don’t deserve it. “Through the grace given unto me.”
• So, we don’t think we’re better than other people because all people sinners.
• Some people think they’ve done too many bad things to deserve to go to heaven.
• The Bible says that no one deserves to go to heaven. So we’re all in the same category. We’re sinners.
• So don’t think more of yourself than you ought to think. That’s why there’s hardly anyone here.
• They don’t want to hear what the Bible says. THEY WANT TO BE KINGS AND QUEENS.
• They want to be high up. NO, GOD SAYS!!! Think soberly. You’re only saved because God saved you.

[16] Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

• All members of the BODY OF JESUS CHRIST do not have the same office.
• The previous verse said to not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.
• For example, a PASTOR isn’t higher than you. A PASTOR isn’t better than you.
• A PASTOR isn’t closer to God. A PASTOR isn’t on a higher stair step to heaven than you are.
• A POPE doesn’t have some special connection to God. He doesn’t get to change the word of God.
• No one gets to change the commandments of God BUT God HIMSELF.
• We are all members of one another. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER. God says so.

[17] Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

• God gives different gifts to people. But that doesn’t mean one is better than the other.
• Prophesying is preaching. And we preach according to the PROPORTION OF FAITH.
• In other words, God gives out the faith. And He doesn’t have a limited supply.
• If you need more faith, get to work. READ, STUDY, PRAY. Ask God to increase your faith.
• God knows if you’re going to use it. If you will use that faith, I guarantee that He’ll give you more.

[18] Romans 12:7-8 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

• So, we see prophesying, preaching, ministering, teaching, exhortation or encouragement.
• We see giving with simplicity. That means giving out anything to people in need. Do it with simplicity.
• “Well, if you do this and this and this, THEN I’ll give you this.” Well, that’s not giving and that’s not simple.
• If you’re RULING within an office, do it with diligence. That’s steadiness and consistency.
• If you’re a preacher, as an example, do it with care and consistency and don’t stop. Don’t quit.
• Show mercy on others. If someone messes up, now you’ve got something on them.
• No, show mercy and do it with cheerfulness. “WELL HE OWES ME NOW.” That’s not showing mercy.
• Hey, treat people how you want to be treated. God’s giving these instructions for the church.

[19] Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

• Here’s one of the more important verses in the Bible for our world today and for our churches today.
• What does it mean? “Let love be without dissimulation.”
• That simply means let love be real. Don’t let love be FAKE LOVE. That’s what we see everywhere today.
• LOVE IS FAKE IN THIS WORLD TODAY. How do I know that? I finished reading Romans 12:9.

Don’t Let Love Be Fake

It tells me how to let love be real love. It says, “ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL.”

• That means in order for love to be real, I must GREATLY HATE EVIL. True love doesn’t love evil.
• If I love my daughters, I don’t want evil things for them. I want good things for them. That’s love.
• Our last Pastor laughed at me when I told him that real love is hating evil.
• He said that doesn’t make any sense. Of course it didn’t make any sense to him. He loves everyone.
• But not really because HIS LOVE IS FAKE LOVE. He just acts like he loves everyone. That’s fake.

The last part of that verse says in order for you to have real love you MUST cleave to that which is good.

• So you tell me in this world today, what would we cleave to which is good?
• Would you cleave to me? Would you watch me and follow me?
• Would you cleave to your PASTOR? Would you watch him and do what he does?
• Would you cleave to your FRIENDS AND FAMILY? That must be the way. Cleave to that which is good.

[20] Psalm 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

[21] Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

• The Bible tells us to cleave to that which is good, but then it tells us there are none good.
• So, in other words, don’t cleave to me. I’m not good. Don’t watch me for how to live.
• If you follow after me, you’re in trouble. But the Bible, like always, gives us the answer.

[22] Luke 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

• There’s ONE GOOD and that is God. So, who do you CLEAVE to? GOD. He is the only answer.
• As a church, we don’t stick together by cleaving to each other.
• As a family, we don’t stick together by cleaving to each other.
• All parents want their families to stick together and to always love each other.
• Well, the only way for that to happen is by everyone cleaving to God. HE’S NUMBER ONE.
• When you truly make HIM NUMBER ONE, then you’ll stick together. He’s the only glue there is.
• All other ways WILL FAIL. Jesus is the way to all happiness, joy, peace, and goodness.

[23] Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

• REAL LOVE is greatly hating that which is evil. GOD IS LOVE AND HE HATES EVIL WITH A PASSION.
• He wants you to hate evil too. He wants you to cleave to him alone.

[24] Psalm 5:4-6 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

• God HATES workers of iniquity. They will not stand in HIS SIGHT!!! Ever.
• He will destroy those that speak leasing or lies.
• Without Jesus Christ standing up for us, we’d all be destroyed. That’s the only way to make it.

[25] Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

• If you have TRUE LOVE, you will HATE EVIL. If you don’t hate evil, the Bible says you don’t love the Lord.
• For all these so-called Christians in churches today that teach to love everyone no matter what:
• The Bible says they don’t love the Lord. They love all evil people that HATE THE LORD.
• If you want to reject what God made you, then you’re evil. If you want to HATE GOD, you’re evil.
• If you want to hate God, I’ll hate you with all that I have. And it will be real hate.
• If you want to love God, I’ll love you with all that I have. And it will be real love.

Perfect Love Is Greatly Hating Evil

[26] Psalm 139:21-22 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

All of these pastors and churches that teach love, love, love all the time. They don’t love. It’s fake.

• Pastors that won’t teach the whole Bible and leave out SCRIPTURE because it might offend you, they don’t love you.
• They’re doing what’s best for them. They think will offend people and lose them so they don’t love you.
• If I held back the truth in the Bible that ONLY helps you, then that’s not loving. That’s hating you.
• And I don’t want to hide God from you. I love the Bible. The Bible tells us everything about God.
• The Bible tells us who God really is, and I want you to know who He is and I want to know myself.
• Let’s see if you know who God is today after reading this next SCRIPTURE.

[27] Malachi 2:1-2 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

• O PRIESTS THIS COMMANDMENT IS FOR YOU. You can take this and apply it to PASTORS today.
• O PASTORS, if you don’t want to hear this, if you don’t want to give glory to God’s name:
• God says that he’ll send a curse upon you. If you want to hold back God’s word, get read for this.
• And I love this next part. You won’t hear this in churches today. MOST wouldn’t touch this SCRIPTURE.

[28] Malachi 2:3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.

• Is that the God you know? HE WILL SPREAD DUNG UPON YOUR FACES!!!
• And God says, “you’ll be taken out with the dung because that’s what I think of you.”
• So, think about this. These people who preach love, love, love all the time?
• They don’t have a clue what TRUE LOVE IS.

If you want someone to stick with you, you need someone that loves the Lord.

• If you want a TRUE FRIEND, you need someone that loves the Lord with all they have.
• If you were ever in big trouble, that fake pastor and fake church would run the other way.
• If the world was persecuting you and you needed someone, they would run the other way.
• 100% without a doubt, they would be gone in a flash. Why? Because they don’t love the Lord.
• People who truly love the Lord will HATE EVIL and the EVIL DOER too.

[29] Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

• I FEAR THE LORD with all that I have. But I can never have enough fear of the Lord. I’ll take more.
• If I have enough fear of the Lord, I won’t be so stupid and sin every day. I’ll be scared to death to sin.
• I’ll HATE evil with all that I have. I’ll hate pride, arrogancy, the evil, and the froward mouth.
• I HATE WHEN A PREACHER TEACHES FALSE. I HATE WHEN A PREACHERS SAYS LOVE EVERYONE.
• That’s called a froward mouth. I hate when a preacher teaches unconditional love for all.
• No, there’s a condition and it’s called BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shalt be saved.

A True Friend Will Love God And Hate Evil

So, if you want a true friend, you better find people who love the Lord and HATE EVIL. That’s true love.

• All the others with this fake worldly love will leave you behind. It’s tough to find people who love God.
• When you’re truly in trouble and facing persecution for HATING EVIL, the people who love God will come right in there with you and STICK WITH YOU.

[30] Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

• When you find someone that loves the Lord, you’re going to want to be around them.
• You’re going to prefer one another over people who don’t truly love.
• That’s why the church should be closer than anything else that you’ve ever had in life.
• We’re all members of the body of Jesus Christ, and we need to act like it to each other at all times.

[31] Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

• When you find people who truly love the Lord, they won’t be slothful in business.
• What’s that mean? THEY WON’T BE LAZY.
• If you’re lazy and want to sit around and watch TV, you need to check yourself today.
• You might say? Well, that’s not very loving. Oh yeah it is. We just learned that.
• The Bible says to not be slothful. Don’t be lazy. GET TO WORK. Especially men. Get to work.
• And when we come to church, we have business to take care of. We have work to do.
• And it lasts the entire week. It’s not come to church and it’s over. We have the GOSPEL to spread.

That verse says to be fervent in spirit and serve the LORD. Does that say to serve Josh? No, not me.

• Does that say to always make sure you keep your family happy? Nope, doesn’t say that.
• Does that say to serve everyone else’s needs and make sure they have everything they want?
• Nope, sure doesn’t say that in the Bible anywhere. But I’ll tell you what it does say.
• SERVE THE LORD. Who? THE LORD. Not yourself. Not your husband. Not your wife. Not your kids.
• Not me. Not your sister. Not your brother. SERVE THE LORD.
• When you do that, all of those people will be taken care of and they’ll get what they need.

I want to talk about being FERVENT IN SPIRIT. Because I might not show it, but I get FERVENT IN SPIRIT.

• What’s fervent mean? HOT, BOILING, EXCITED, ANIMATED, GLOWING, WITH ZEAL, WITH FIRE!!!
• When I preach, you know what gets me fervent in SPIRIT.
• When someone says that only the original autographs are inspired, I GET FERVENT IN SPIRIT.
• When someone tells someone that have to do all these good works to be saved, MY SPIRIT BOILS!!!

[32] Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

• I’m going to EARNESTLY CONTEND for the faith. It’s time to fight for the faith.
• And I hope you’re there with me ready to contend with a fervent spirit.
• I hope you’re not there with a weak and soft spirit that says, “Love everyone no matter what.”
• No, lying to people about how to be saved is not loving someone.
• That’s hating them and sending them to a hot place forever.

Let’s Fight For The Faith

If you ever need someone to FIGHT FOR THE FAITH WITH YOU, give me a call. I’ll be there.

• Why? Is it for you? No, I’ll be there with you because it’s for God and I love God.
• And I hope that’s why you would show up when I need help. Why? Because you’re fighting for God.
• It’s not about me, and it’s not about you. We come together for God. We’re one body in CHRIST.
• If I’m in a fight, I hope my feet don’t run one way while my arms are going the other.

We need to be together. We need to understand the Bible and always follow the WORD OF GOD.

• That’s our guide. That’s why God gave it to us. Our feet won’t run while our arms are staying for the fight.
• We’re here to serve the Lord. I’m not here to serve you and make you happy.
• If you’re here because you want me to make you happy, you won’t stay long.
• Do you see many people around? Most come once and never return. Why?
• They want that false preaching that makes them happy. They don’t want their feelings hurt.

We live in a world of feelings and emotions and God forbid someone’s feeling get hurt.

• God hurts my feelings all the time. HE SAID, “GET OVER IT. I’ll spread dung on your face.”
• If you’re here because you want to love God and serve Him, you’ll stay a long time.
• And I hope you do because we need people that want to serve God. The others will leave.
• And that’s fine because they would only serve themselves anyway.
• But the ones that stay, we stick together because we LOVE THE LORD.
• And I will ALWAYS put God above you. If that hurts your feelings, I don’t care. You got to get over it.

When you truly love God with all your heart, you’ll understand that. God is all you need.

• And I say to my wife, I will always put God above you.
• And I hope with all that I have, that she’ll say the same thing to me.
• If not, then I’ve failed as a husband, as a teacher of God’s word, and as a preacher.
• And I hope all of you would say the same thing to me. “Josh, you’re way down here on my priority list.”
• Because GOD is taking up all these other spots before you.
• And look, that is how we stick together as ONE BODY. God is first ALWAYS. Nothing else comes close.
• That’s why churches split up. That’s why there’s division. Other people are coming before God.

My wife doesn’t get priority here. My kids don’t get priority here. My family doesn’t get priority here.

• I don’t get priority here. GOD GETS PRIORITY IN ALL THINGS.
• And if I ever mess that up, I expect you to tell me immediately.
• Because I’m not perfect either, not even close, and I need your help. That’s why we’re here.

[33] Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

• When we sing here, we REJOICE IN HOPE that Jesus will save us. I know that he will.
• We need to be patient in tribulation. We need to continue in prayer.
• INSTANT IN PRAYER. When we need a prayer, we just stop wherever we are and pray.
• There’s nothing else more important. We could be in the middle of a job interview, and it just hits us.
• It’s time to pray. Yeah, you probably won’t get the job but it was time to pray.

Be Patient In Tribulation

Notice it says to be patient in tribulation. That doesn’t mean to sit around and do nothing.

• We just learned to not be slothful and lazy. “Well, I’m just waiting upon the Lord. He’ll do it all for me.”
• That’s not how God works. He wants you to put forth some effort. And then he gives.
• He wants you to be patient in tribulation but always working and serving him.

[34] John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

• God’s always working. He doesn’t sleep. He doesn’t rest.
• Once you enter into his rest, you know you’re saved. But now it’s time to get to work for HIM!!!
• That’s the least we can do for HIM because he’s done so much for us.

[35] Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

• We give to the SAVED or the SAINTS as they need. And notice it says, “NEED.”
• Having a big house isn’t a need. That’s why I’m trying to get rid of mine.
• I fell for all the prosperity false preaching before I was saved. NO MORE. I don’t need that house.
• “God will give you a big house if he loves you.” BOLOGNA. God doesn’t need you to have a big house.
• I must have missed that SCRIPTURE that says God will give you all the wordly things. It’s not there.

And I fell for all that preaching because I couldn’t understand the Bible.

• But God saved me, he gave me a portion of faith thank God, and now I see. Now I hear. Now I understand.
• Why did he give me a portion of faith? I can only guess that he gave it to me so I could preach.
• He wouldn’t have given it to me if I wasn’t going to do anything with it. That wouldn’t profit anyone.
• So, we need to make sure that we truly NEED something before asking God.
• If we truly need something, God will help us and he will help you.

Money is no problem here. If we truly need money, we trust God will help us.

• We won’t just wait for him, though, we’ll work. I don’t ask God for money any more.
• I don’t need money. You know what I need more of?
• I NEED FAITH. I NEED WISDOM. I NEED UNDERSTANDING.
• I’ll take all the faith I can get. I’ll turn down the lottery winnings for a mustard seed of faith.
• Why? Because I finally understand what FAITH does for you. That’s what we need.

[36] Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

• All people aren’t evil. You’re going to have people that persecute you.
• You’re going to have people that don’t like you at first.
• This might happen at work. You might have a boss that doesn’t like you.
• He or she might persecute you. But, you stay the course. YOU BLESS THEM THAT PERSECUTE YOU.
• Try it. They’re mad at you. Yelling at you. Don’t fight back with more cursing.
• Instead, bless them which persecute you.

You Must Bless Those That Persecute You

When you do that, that person might just become you’re best friend. Hey, listen, this works.

• Do you believe that’s the truth in that verse or not? IT’S THE TRUTH.
• Have faith in God’s word and watch it work in your life.
• When we go soul winning, we’ve been persecuted. “Here comes the crazy people!!!”
• “Get off my porch. I’m not in the mood for sermon. I told you I don’t have time.”
• And that’s when you BLESS THEM. You pray for them.

[37] Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

• Just because someone doesn’t like you, it doesn’t mean they HATE GOD.
• Now, if they truly hate God, it’s okay to hate them. That means they are God’s enemy.
• And hate simply means to stay away from them. Reject them because they hate God.
• But YOUR ENEMIES are YOUR ENEMIES. Not God’s enemies. Bless them.
• Why would God tell us that? Because that’s the way to bring them to God.
• Help bring his children home to him. That’s why we’re here. We’re here to work for him.
• He’s the boss. You might not want to do what he says. BUT HE’S THE BOSS. Bless them. Don’t curse them.

[38] Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

• When you have something rejoice over, we will rejoice with you.
• When you have something to weep over, we will weep with you.

[39] Luke 15:4-6 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

• Now that’s something to rejoice over. When that happens, we will rejoice.
• And we need a lot more rejoicing around here. We’ve got to find the lost sheep.

[40] Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

• Notice that this is a command. BE OF THE SAME MIND ONE TOWARD ANOTHER.

[41] Romans 15:5-6 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• How do we do that? How will be LIKEMINDED? We must have a guide.
• God gave us the WORD OF GOD in this Bible, and he gave us HIS SPIRIT.
• In order to be likeminded, we have to RENEW OUR MINDS each day.
• We do this through the word of God and prayer EACH DAY. I die daily.

[42] Jeremiah 32:39-40 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

• He’s given us ONE HEART and ONE WAY. And we will FEAR HIM forever.

[43] Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

• MIND NOT HIGH THINGS. In other words, we don’t need to seek TITLES.
• You don’t have to call me anything special. You can just call me, Josh. That’s my name.
• Or, you can call me dad if you’re my child. I don’t need a fancy title.
• You can just say, “Hey, whatever your name is.” I’ll answer to that too.
• We shouldn’t seek great things for our self.

[44] Jeremiah 45:5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

• We need to seek GREAT THINGS for God. Not for us. I don’t want to grow this church for myself.
• I don’t want to grow this church so I make a lot of money and do better for myself.
• Be happy with what you have. I’m happy to have all of you here right now.

We Must Be Of The Same Mind Through The Word Of God

[45] Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

• But condescend to men of low estate. That’s what Jesus did. We need to act like Jesus.
• Find the humble people. Find the people who aren’t proud. And try learning from them.
• Don’t go to the high and mighty. Don’t go to the false preachers who act as if they’re God.
• Don’t go to the churches who are filled with HIGH AND MIGHTY people with great offices.
• They need to sit in the high places in their throne chairs at the front of the church. Don’t seek that.
• At the end of Romans 12:16, it says to BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN CONCEITS.

[46] Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

• “Hey, look at me, I AM GREAT!” That’s called being wise in your own conceits.
• And God says, “WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES.”
• In other words, God knows what he’s doing and you don’t. Trust God alone. He knows more than you.
• For example, I want this church to grow so badly for God, and I get upset.
• But I need to understand that God knows what he’s doing. He’ll bring the people we need.
• But we also need to work for it too. We can’t be wise on our own. We depend on God and trust him.

[47] Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

• This reminds me of the people who say that God didn’t give us a perfect BIBLE today.
• The WORD OF GOD is only perfect. Those VERY WISE people, those doctors of theology, are so great.
• They pretend to act like they believe what God says, but they won’t believe what he says.
• “THERE IS MORE HOPE OF A FOOL THAN HIM.” Was that offensive? GOOD!!! They need to wake up.

[48] Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

• Telling someone the truth no matter if it hurts is not evil. That’s what woke me up.
• A man wasn’t scared to tell me the truth and hurt my feelings. That’s what I needed. THE TRUTH.
• And that is why I’m here right now. Without someone hurting my feelings, I wouldn’t be here preaching.
• We don’t RECOMPENSE or REPAY evil for evil.

When a police officer murders a man, we don’t, as individuals, repay that man with murder.

• That’s what the GOVERNMENT is for.
• If the government follows the laws within the Bible, that man would be put to death.
• People wouldn’t have to start protesting. People wouldn’t need to start a war in this country.
• When someone murders a man, we definitely don’t go after other people that had nothing to do with it.
• That makes absolutely ZERO SENSE at all. And you have all these HOLLYWOOD idiots supporting it.
• You have all these NBA players supporting it. All of these athletes with money supporting it.
• They fuel the fire with their very own racism. We have to stop this trash.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Don’t do things that APPEAR to be dishonest.

• For example, as a man, you don’t give counseling to a woman in the church in your office for extended periods of time.
• It doesn’t look right AT ALL. That’s doesn’t appear to be honest.

[49] Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

• Notice what it says. “IF” it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
• If a mob of angry people come at my family and I when we’ve done nothing to them, we will defend.
• We will do our best to avoid it, but we will make a stand if needed. IF IT BE POSSIBLE.

[50] Psalm 120:7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

• The people who HATE GOD are always for war. The enemies of God will hate you.
• When you mention God to them, they are for war. They hate God.
• “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” When you can’t avoid it, it’s time to defend yourself.
• God didn’t tell his people to just fall over and let HIS enemies run over HIS PEOPLE.
• When it’s time to defend yourself, when you can’t avoid it, watch what happens.

God Will Repay

[51] Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

• Don’t take vengeance. Don’t look for revenge on someone that’s already done something to you.
• You need to just let all of that go. “DEARLY BELOVED” means God greatly loves you.
• And he’s saying, “AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES.” Why? Because God loves you so much, he’ll take care of it.
• Let him take care of the revenge. He says, “That’s my job. Vengeance is mine!!! I will repay.”

[52] Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

• Be patient. Let it go. God will take care of it. That’s what he said. He’ll take care of it.

[53] Romans 12:20 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.

• Notice what it says. It says, “IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER.” That’s your enemy. Not God’s enemy. YOURS.
• Some of these people who are protesting might be getting pulled into these sins.
• It’s not the protesting that’s bad. It’s the vandalizing, beating other people for no reason, stealing.
• But that doesn’t mean some of those people aren’t saved. It doesn’t mean all of them are God’s enemy.
• If they vandalized your store, burned your car, stole your money, they would be YOUR ENEMY.

But remember, those are just things. Now, when it comes to your life, that’s different.

• But do everything you can to avoid that. Feed your enemy when he hungers.
• Give him a drink when he’s thirsty. In other words, give your enemy the word of good.
• BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU. If that person doesn’t change, God will heap coals of fire on his head.
• It’s that simple. We should not go after those people to do them harm, but we can defend ourselves.
• And do what’s right according to this word, and God will be there in front of you fighting for you.
• We pray today that people stop this madness, and that we aren’t placed in these situations.

[54] Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

• Don’t ever let evil overcome you. Remember, each day, renew your mind.
• Read the Bible often throughout the day to renew your mind. Pray often to renew your mind.

Let’s pray.