2013-01-27
Unsuspected Thieves Of Our Passion
Steve Lane

A. Review/commands regarding society and civil authority
Romans reality check of chapters 6 – 8 Rom 12:11 Thieves of zeal

B. Persecutors should be treated and spoken of in a kind way
Romans 12: 14 Could anything reveal Christ more than this way of treating people?
Not about being two faced... “Love must be sincere”

C. The sorrows, joys, and feelings of others should be taken as our own
Romans 12: 15 – 16 (John 11:33 – 36) Why weep? He was sharing with their sorrow.
In the same way we can share in their joy! [temptation is not sin]
Do not let bitterness or resentment creep in and destroy our fellowship with God.

D. The common and simple things of life and ordinary people should be loved
Romans 12: 16 Christ died for all and on this basis we treat all fairly.

E. Not retaliation, but careful and peaceful co-existence with all, should be our aim.
Romans 12:17 – 21 Kindness is not being a people pleaser but a God pleaser
'Am I to be a door mat?'

F. Civil authorities should be respected and obeyed as God’s representatives
Romans 13: 1 Everyone must submit.
Being freed from the old sin nature should affect every area of our lives.
We some how think it’s OK to complain about leadership in almost every area?
Romans 13:2 Do they always say and do things God’s way? No! Some times evil men...
Acts 4: 18 – 20, 33 Only when directly conflicts … [Acts 5: 27 – 29, 41, 42]
Romans 13: 3 – 5 God gives them the authority
Romans 13: 6 – 7 Pay taxes in obedience to the Lord and give respect to those God has...

G. Fellow citizens should be loved and treated fairly
Romans 13: 8 – 10 Use of money is not the main point here But we always owe love
We are to love others with His love yet not forget His Holiness.
Love for God and others is the principle on which action is based.

H. All believers should live as those who are in oneness with the Lord Jesus
Romans 13: 11 Wake up! Jesus intends us to be alive and in intimate fellowship with Him
2 Kings 19:14 Hezekiah ran to the Lord
Be Alert – 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, 5:8, Psalm 90:10 – 12 The time is short our salvation is near Romans 3:12 Set aside the old ways and put on Christ – put on the armor of light
Romans 13: 13 – 14 [The answer!]
How to put on Christ? Romans 6, 7, 8 [Eph 4:22 – 24, Col 2:11 – 12, Gal 2: 20]
- Know we have been identified with …
- Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God
- Surrender, hand over all thoughts and every part of our bodies to be used by Him
Deal with these things and let the streams of living water flow from within John 7:37 - 38