2013-01-13
How believers should treat one another
Steve Lane

A. Review/Intro - “Watering the Bamboo”
Story of the 'chance' meeting in the airport and watering the bamboo
Unblocked flow John 7:37 – 38
In Romans we find the secret of the living water.
The remaining five chapters are where the rubber meets the road.

B. Service and humility directly follow surrender and God dependence

C. God’s love must be shown in a genuine way to all people (The Spirit filled life)
Romans 12: 9 “Love must be sincere” its the love of Jesus, overflow of living waters

D. All evil should be hated Romans 12: 9 Evil in context here refers to relationships

E. Fellow Christians should be loved and respected
Romans 12: 10 We together are on this mission representing the love of Christ
Jesus connected loving one another directly to the mission John 13:34 – 35, John 17
What what stops the overflow of living water?

F. Serve the Lord with passion and diligence
Romans 12: 11 Romans chapter 1 – 8 ground work. Specifics keep us honest
When your passion for God and His purpose in the world wanes – red flag

G. Tribulation should be accepted patiently and prayerfully
Romans 12:12 God's providence in our journey
Romans 8:28 – 29 Romans 4:18
Struggle with this truth in the midst can even be strengthening...
And no matter what … we keep on praying
Romans 5: 3 – 5

H. Help and hospitality should be given eagerly
Romans 12:13 Open hearts, open homes, open lives
Hospitality one of the best and godly ways of reconciling the lost and representing God

I. Persecutors should be treated and spoken of in a kind way
Romans 12: 14 Impossible to love them without the Holy Spirit living in us.

J. The sorrows, joys, and feelings of others should be taken as our own
Romans 12: 15 – 16 John 11:33 – 36 Jesus saw them and wept

K. The common and simple things of life and ordinary people should be loved Rom 12: 16

L. Not retaliation, but careful and peaceful co-existence with all, should be our aim.
Romans 12:17 – 21 We are free of the control of sin and can be sincerely kind –

Conclusion And you will have overflow and you will water the bamboo with living water! Gal 6:9 Matt 13:8 – 9