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Romans 12:9 – 13:7

Calvary Chapel Bible College

April 21, 2021

Homework

Reading (NASB)

Memorize Romans 12:1

(Romans 12:1 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Introduction

The letter of Paul to the Romans is considered Paul’s most important letter. This is why it is placed in front of all his others writings.

When and Where

The year is around AD 57 or 58

In your Bible, we’d place the writing of this letter around Acts 20:2 – that’s about when Paul wrote to the Romans from the city of Corinth.

Paul had been in Ephesus for three years, yet when persecution arose, he makes his way up to Macedonia, writes 2Corinthians at Philippi, and then heads south to Corinth where he writes his letter to Rome.

What it’s about

The first five chapters dealt with justification, how a person is made right with God.

The next three chapters will deal with sanctification, the process where we grow to be more like Jesus.

The next three chapters will unpack the differences between the Jew and Gentile, and God’s plan for His people.

In the last five chapters, Paul will launch into personal, practical matters – how do we live as Christians? What does the Christian life look like? How do we get along with one another?

In building his case for justification, Paul started by showing that

The Gentiles were guilty of sin (ch.1)

The Jews were also guilty (ch.2)

God provided Jesus to pay for our sins (ch.3)

Paul showed that faith like Abraham is all that’s needed for salvation (ch.4)

Paul showed that it’s reasonable for one person (Jesus) to affect all mankind, like Adam (ch.5)

Several weeks ago we moved into Paul’s next section: Sanctification

Chapter 6 talked about the connection between baptism, and the reality that we’ve been buried and raised from the dead, and sin no longer has an unbreakable hold on us.

Chapter 7 was about our continuing struggle of living with the flesh.

Chapter 8 is all about learning to live in the Spirit.

A few week ago we started the section where Paul begins to contrast the Jews and the Gentiles.

Paul talked about the sovereignty of God – how God chooses us and shows mercy to us. (ch.9)

He said that all it took for anyone to be saved was to “call on the name of the Lord” (ch.10)

Even though they are temporarily blinded, Paul has hinted that God isn’t finished with the Jewish people (ch.11)

Last week we started the “practical” section.

Paul is talking about what it really looks like to be a real Christian.

12:9-21 The Real Christian

:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

:9 Let love be without hypocrisy

I find it interesting that in 1Corinthians, Paul is addressing the same issues of the Body and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, only to stop and pause and talk about agape love. Here in Romans, Paul has also been talking about the Body and the Gifts, and now the next word he uses is agape.

love – agape – affection, good will, love, benevolence

This is God’s kind of love.

without hypocrisy – anupokritos (“not” + “play acting”) – unfeigned, undisguised, sincere

In ancient Greece, the actors on stage in a play were called “hupocrites”, they were pretending to be someone else.

Lesson

Don’t fake love

(keyword)

Illustration

A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture. An enterprising Texas Ranger decided to track him down. After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty six-shooter to the bandit’s head, and said, “You’re under arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I’ll blow your brains out.” But the bandit didn’t speak English and the Ranger didn’t speak Spanish! Fortunately, a bilingual lawyer was in the saloon and translated the Ranger’s message. The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree in back of the cantina. “What did he say?” asked the Ranger. The lawyer answered, “He said, ‘Get lost, you turkey. You wouldn’t dare shoot me.’”

There are people who will be nice to you just to achieve a certain purpose.

There are people in the Bible who have pretty decent “fakers”

Joab had lost his job as head general to a fellow named Amasa.

(2 Samuel 20:9–10 NKJV) —9 Then Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab’s hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

One of the most well-known fakers was a fellow named Judas.

When Mary poured out a lot of expensive perfume on Jesus, Judas got upset.

(John 12:4–6 NKJV) —4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

The ultimate “fake” love was in the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas betrayed Jesus with a “kiss”

The opposite of “hypocrisy” is “sincerity”

Our English word comes from the Latin words “without” (sin) and “wax” (cere). The word was used to describe clay pots that were not broken. If a clay pot developed a crack while it was in the pottery shop, a merchant might try and cover up the pot with a paste made out of wax. It would be hard to tell if the pot was cracked or not. But if you took the pot home and started cooking your soup in it, the heat would melt the wax and you’d find out about the crack.

The merchant at the pot shop would be asked, “Is this pot “sin-cere”? Does it have wax?

Or, is it a phony?

God wants our love to be the real thing. No fakes.

(1 John 3:18 NKJV) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

:9 Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good

Abhor – apostugeo (“from” + “detestable”) – to dislike, abhor, have a horror of

evil – poneros – bad; evil, wicked

Cling – kollao – to glue, to glue together, cement, to join one’s self to, cleave to

I found it interesting that this word most often refers to attaching to a person:

(Acts 9:26 NKJV) And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

good – agathos –good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful; excellent, distinguished; honorable

I know that life isn’t always as easy as putting things into two categories, “Evil” and “Good”. But when we see something “good”, we need to hold on tight. When we see that something is “evil”, we ought to want to get as far away as possible.

We can see this applied to extreme things – perhaps in a choice of what movie you’re going to see in the theater.

Sometimes it’s not so extreme. Sometimes the same person might say something that’s right and something that’s wrong.

Chew the chicken, spit out the bones.

There are going to be times when I might say something that’s a little off. Don’t toss me out your window because I make one mistake.

Learn to stay away from what’s wrong and cling to what’s good.

(1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 NKJV) —21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love

The next three verses have a series of phrases that are all similar in structure in the Greek. Our English translation is a little inconsistent in translating what is consistently the same in each phrase.

The structure of each phrase is – “in _ be _”. You won’t see this unless you’re looking at the Greek.

This first phrase would be, “In brotherly love toward one another, be kindly affectionate”

The thing you can ask yourself is, “In each type of setting, how are you?”

In verse 10 –

What does your “brotherly love” look like?

What does your “honoring” look like?

In verse 11 –

What does your “diligence” look like?

What does your “spirit” look like?

What does your attitude toward the Lord look like?

In verse 12 –

What does your thoughts toward the future look like (hope)?

What are you like when you are in tribulation?

What are you like in prayer?

In verse 13 –

When you see needs around you, how do you respond?

In this passage, In your …

brotherly love – philadelphia (“love” + “brother”) – love of brothers or sisters

towards one another … how do you act?

Be kindly affectionate – philostorgos (“love” + “family love”) – the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands

Lesson

A healthy family

Our affection shouldn’t be painful to each other.

Illustration

Wanna Box

One man writes, “Each day when I would come home from work I would drop to my knees and ask my 4 year old son if he wanted to box. I wanted him to learn how to protect himself. We would spar around for a few minutes before supper. One day my wife and I took our son to get new shoes. The shoe salesman was friendly and allowed my son to try on several pairs of shoes before we decided on a particular pair that he liked. We asked if he wanted to wear them home and he replied, "yes". The salesman, who was kneeling on the floor in front of our son, held the old shoes in his hands and asked, "do you want a box?" Our son stood up and punched him right on the nose. After grabbing our son we had to spend the next several minutes explaining WHY this happened. Luckily, our salesman was the father of a 4 year old.”

Have you ever heard the phrase, “It was like kissing my sister…”?

I have three sisters. I love my sisters. Though I might put a peck on one of their cheeks, I’d have a hard time thinking of my sisters in an impure way.

Our love for each other in the church ought to have that same kind of purity and simplicity.

Watch for predators.

Though I would love to say that the church is a place where you can feel safe from people who will take advantage of you, I think that would be naïve of me to say that it’s true.

We live in a world that’s filled with garbage. There are people who fill their minds with pornographic images and thoughts 24 hours a day. God’s desire is that we learn to get that stuff out of our minds and our hearts. But not everyone is at that place yet.

I think it’s important that we are a little cautious in our relationships in church. I think we kind of need to keep our eyes open.

Be careful that your actions don’t give people the wrong impression. I’ve known people who were big “huggers”, and I don’t think they necessarily had evil intentions, but they sure made some others feel uncomfortable. Just be careful.

:10 in honor giving preference to one another

In your …

honor – time – a valuing by which the price is fixed

how do you act?

giving preference – proegeomai (“before” + “to lead”) – to go before and show the way; to prefer, to esteem more highly

A form of the word is used in:

(Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV) —3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

How do you display honor to others?

You treat them as being higher than yourself. You treat their needs as being of more importance to you than your own.

:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

:11 not lagging in diligence

In your …

diligence – spoude – haste; earnestness, diligence

An example of this word is used in connection to how quickly we “repent” when confronted about our sin:

(2 Corinthians 7:11 NKJV) For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

how do you act? Not…

lagging – okneros – sluggish, slothful, backward

from okneo – to feel loath, to be slow; to delay, hesitate

Lesson

Get moving

Just how “quick” are you to do the things you need to do?

We could say it this way, “Don’t be poky about things you ought to be speedy about”.

There is a time to be slow and cautious and wait on the Lord.

There is also a time to get moving.

When Moses had led the people out of Egypt after that first Passover, the Lord led the people up to the edge of the Red Sea, with the Egyptians closing in fast behind them. Was it a time to pray, or a time to move?

(Exodus 14:15 NKJV) And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

:11 fervent in spirit

In your spirit, just how are you?

fervent – zeo – to boil with heat, be hot; zeal for what is good

The same phrase is used to describe a guy named Apollos:

(Acts 18:25 NKJV) This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Apollos was a passionate man.

:11 serving the Lord

You could follow the pattern in this phrase as well.

“In the Lord, how are you?”

If Jesus really, really is your “Lord”, then how should you respond?

(Matthew 21:28–31 NKJV) —28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” …

A “Lord” is someone you are supposed to obey.

serving – douleuo – to be a slave, serve, do service

(Luke 6:46 NKJV) “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

(Matthew 7:21 NKJV) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Is He your “Lord”?

:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

:12 rejoicing in hope

In your …

hope – elpis – expectation of evil, fear; expectation of good, hope

Hope has to do with your thoughts of the future, your expectations.

We think of hope as being a good thing because as Christians we have a good future.

What your thoughts of the future?

rejoicing – chairo – to rejoice, be glad; to rejoice exceedingly

Lesson

What is your future like?

Paul says we should be…

(Titus 2:13 NKJV) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Sometimes when people study the end times and look at the things just up ahead of us, they can get a bit overwhelmed, even fearful.

We should not be fearful about what God has for us.

God gives us a clue as to what His plans are for us through Jeremiah:

(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

If we keep our eyes on our current problems, we get bummed. If we keep looking to what God will do, we can get excited:

(2 Corinthians 4:15–18 NLT) —15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

:12 patient in tribulation

In your …

tribulation – thlipsis – a pressing, pressing together, pressure;

How are you?

patient – hupomeno – to remain; not recede or flee

There is another word often translated “patience”, makrothumia. That is a kind of patience with difficult people, literally a “long-burning”. But hupomeno refers more to circumstances than it does people.

Lesson

Don’t quit under pressure.

Not everyone handles pressure well.

Illustration

A young Scotsman left home and moved to New York. After about a week, he had his own apartment. In a few weeks, his parents phoned to find out how he was doing. “What are your neighbors like?” his mother asked. “They’re a bit strange actually,” he told his mum. “On one side, there’s a man who keeps banging his head against the wall, and on the other side, there’s a woman who just cries and moans.” “I’d keep to myself if I were you,” advised his mother. “Oh, I do,” the son said. “I just stay in my room all day and play me bag pipes.”

God wants you to stick out your rough problems. It’s when we learn to stick it out to the end that we often see the greatest growth in our lives. There are plenty of times when I want to just quit and run. I know what it’s like.

Illustration

It’s kind of like getting on the latest roller coaster. A few years ago we went to Knott’s and waited an hour and a half in line to ride the opening of the “GhostRider” rollercoaster. It was horrible. At the time I didn’t think I’d ever ridden on a faster, more scarier roller coaster. I thought I was going to die. I usually like to ride roller coasters with my hands up in the air. And on this ride, a bunch of us started off with our hands raised as the cars climbed up the huge first hill. As soon as we went over the hill, every single hand went down and everybody was clinging on for dear life.

But as scared as I was, I knew I couldn’t get off the ride. Getting off in the middle of GhostRider would be far more dangerous than the ride itself could ever be.

It’s under the pressure that the real work gets done in my life.

(1 Peter 1:6–7 NKJV) —6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Gold is refined in the fire. It is melted down into a liquid state. As the heat keeps the metal liquid, the impurities (dross) come to the surface. The goldsmith carefully skims off the dross from the liquid gold.

They say a goldsmith knows when to quit when he can see his own reflection in the gold.

That’s what God is doing with us.

Don’t quit under the affliction. Stick it out. Let God work.

:12 continuing steadfastly in prayer

How are you when it comes to prayer?

prayer – proseuche – prayer addressed to God

continuing steadfastly – proskartereo – to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one; to persevere and not to faint

Lesson

Keep praying.

Keep your prayers going to God. We don’t always need to be asking people for things. We do always need to be asking God.

I had a friend tell me that he’s had this habit of calling up people and asking for prayer, when it suddenly dawned on him he could be praying all by himself.

It’s good to get folks to pray for you, but sometimes we just need to pray.

Prayer is our communication with God.

Prayer is one of the ways that God uses to mold us.

I’m in a tough situation and so I learn to pray about it. Several times a day I learn to pray about it.

(Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV) —6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I learn as I pray correctly to find the peace of God in my difficulty as I learn to place the problem in God’s hands.

Sometimes as I pray I find out that the things that I want are all wrong.

I keep praying that God would give me a million dollars. And the more I pray with sincerity toward God, I begin to be ashamed at the thing that I’m praying for.

God begins to change my heart in prayer, turning me toward the right thing to pray.

How am I in prayer?

I need to be “continuing” in it.

:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

:13 distributing to the needs of the saints

The “saints” refers to all believers.

the saints – not the guys in the stained glass windows with gold glowing things over their heads. The “saints” are Christians. You are all “saints” in God’s sight, holy ones, people set apart for God’s use.

This too follows the same pattern.

In regards to the …

needs – chreia – necessity, need; duty, business

How do you respond?

distributing – koinoneo – to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer

This is the word that the word “communion” comes from – where we all “share” in the body and blood of Jesus.

This is the word that “fellowship” comes from – we have something in common, we all share a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus had people who helped take care of His needs:

(Luke 8:1–3 NKJV) —1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Sometimes the “distribution” involves helping the work of Jesus here on earth, where God is leading.

In the early church,

(Acts 4:33–35 NKJV) —33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Our church is reaching out beyond the four walls of our church. We are partnering with other churches and the Fullerton School District to help families in need. Each of our weekly small fellowships is adopting a family and helping with groceries.

Sometimes the “distribution” involves meeting the needs of folks in the church.

Just a word of experience – we have learned that not every concern is a “need” we need to be taking care of. Some folks approach church with the “entitlement” mentality, that they are “entitled” to the church helping them out. There will be folks who come into the church and start taking advantage of good natured folks – quietly asking for money from lots of people.

Sometimes the correct thing is to say “no” and gently encourage the person to get a job:

(2 Th 3:10 NKJV) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

When Paul wrote to the Romans, he was in the process of taking up a collection among the various churches to help out with the poor in Jerusalem who were in the middle of a famine.

He also wrote to the Corinthian church about this time, encouraging them to get their act together and raise funds for the struggling church in Jerusalem:

(2 Corinthians 9:13 NKJV) while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,

liberal sharing - koinonia

Sometimes the “distribution” involves the needs of the church around the world.

:13 given to hospitality

It’s at this point that Paul breaks the “in … be …” pattern and I think he’s simply elaborating on helping out with needs.

given to – dioko – to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to pursue; to seek after eagerly

hospitality – philoxenia (“love” + “strangers”) – love to strangers, hospitality

In the ancient world, things worked differently than they do today. If you went on a trip across country, there generally weren’t a lot of places like Motel 6 to spend the night at. Typically what you’d do is hang out at the town square and then people from town would run into you and invite you to their house to spend the evening. This was called “hospitality”, the “love of strangers”.

While the first phrase is aimed at how we treat those from the family of God, this phrase is how we are to treat strangers.

(Hebrews 13:2 NKJV) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

We think that the writer may have had in mind the story of Abraham being visited by three strangers:

In Genesis 18 – Abraham and Sarah are visited by three strangers that turn out to be the Lord and two angels. They gave them a meal, and they received a blessing (and a warning about Sodom).

(Genesis 18:1–8 NKJV) —1 Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

Lesson

Run toward hospitality

Hospitality isn’t really about throwing a good party.

It’s about welcoming strangers. It’s about reaching out to new people at church.

Sometimes we can get kind of comfortable with our own particular set of “friends” at church. We have the same group of people we hang out with, go out to eat with, etc.

But God’s desire is that we’re always open to reaching out and inviting someone new along for the ride. That’s hospitality.

Illustration

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Susan Roman writes, “One afternoon, I was in the back yard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: “Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.” The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with ten children - he’s trying to catch up on his sleep.””

Are there any old “tired dogs” around you that need a place to hang out?

:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

:14 Bless those who persecute you

bless – eulogeo (“good” + “word”) – to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings

persecute – dioko – to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after to pursue (in a hostile manner) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one

curse – kataraomai – to curse, doom, to invoke evil upon

This is exactly what Jesus taught His disciples.

(Matthew 5:43–48 NKJV) —43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

This is what God does towards His enemies. He still loves them. He gives them mercy and grace.

God wants us to represent Him well. He doesn’t want us treating other people the way non-believers treat people.

We are to be different in the way we love people.

Jesus not only taught it, He lived it. He gave the greatest example when He was on the cross:

(Luke 23:34 NKJV) Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Mark records

(Mark 15:39 NKJV) So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

The first martyr, Stephen, did what Jesus said to do:

(Acts 7:54–60 NKJV) —54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

This young man named Saul watched as Stephen was different from other men. Did Stephen’s actions and words have an effect?

We think this was one of the contributing factors that led Saul to Christ, and his name was changed to Paul, the author of Romans.

Who are your “enemies”? Who gives you a hard time?

How do you treat them? Do you yell back at them? Do you curse them? Do you just try to ignore them?

Jesus said we ought to pray for them, do good to them, even “bless” them.

:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

:15 Rejoice … weep

rejoice – chairo – to rejoice, be glad

weep – klaio – to mourn, weep, lament

Any time you come to church there will be people who are rejoicing and people who are weeping.

And then there’s you. You might be rejoicing. You might be weeping.

How do you respond to the person who is “weeping” when you are “rejoicing”?

How do you respond to the person who is “rejoicing” when you are the one who is “weeping”?

Too often our eyes are on our own selves. All we think about is what we’re going through or what’s happening to us.

Lesson

Sympathize with others

Are you aware of what others around you are going through? Are you learning to be happy when they’re happy? Are you learning to be compassionate and weep when they weep?

Or do you take their happy story and unload on them about how miserable you are?

We need to be sensitive to those around us and respond accordingly.

Illustration

David and the death of Absalom.

Toward the end of David’s reign as king, one of his sons, Absalom, tried to overthrow his father. Absalom had sweet talked the people of Israel into thinking that he was a great guy and that David didn’t care about them. As a result, David had to flee from Jerusalem for his life. As he regrouped, a battle followed pitting David’s army against Absalom’s army. David gave strict instructions that no one was to kill Absalom because he was David’s son. The battle wore on, and when Absalom was killed, the war was over and David’s men had won. We pick up the story at the point where David had found out of his victory, and the news of Absalom’s death:

(2 Samuel 18:33–19:7 NKJV) —33 Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!” 1 And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6 in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.”

David was greatly grieved, but he also was ignoring the fact that his people had fought for him and had won. His weeping was making the people wonder why they had even bothered fighting for David.

Sometimes we can be so caught up with our own problems that we become useless to God. We’ll even tell ourselves things like, “I have so many problems that God could never use me”. But the truth is that God uses people with tons of problems ALL THE TIME!

Note: The exhortation isn’t “Get people to weep with you when you’re sad”. It is that we are to go out and look at the needs around us and minister to them.

At one point early in World War II, Britain was facing a terrible defeat. Some in the leadership in Great Britain wanted to enter into a peace agreement with Adolf Hitler. Churchill didn’t. He was confused at the moment so he escaped the security of his office and went for a ride on the subway with the common folk to get their advice. He wanted to know what the “mood” of the people was.

Video: Darkest Hour – The People of England Scene

He needed to hear from people. He wanted to represent them well. He sympathized with them.

:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

:16 Be of the same mind toward one another.

same – autos – himself, herself, themselves, itself; he, she, it; the same

be of … mind – phroneo – to have understanding, be wise; to feel, to think; to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for; to seek one’s interest or advantage; to be of one’s party, side with him (in public affairs)

(Romans 12:16 NLT) Live in harmony with each other.

:16 Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble

high things – hupselos – high, lofty; (as honors and riches)

set your mind on – phroneo – to have understanding, be wise; to feel, to think; to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for; to seek one’s interest or advantage; to be of one’s party, side with him (in public affairs)

humble – tapeinos – not rising far from the ground; of low degree; depressed; lowly in spirit, humble

associate – sunapago (“with” + “away” + “to lead”) – to lead away with or together; metaph. to be carried away with; of a thing, i.e. by a thing, so as to experience with others the force of that which carries away; to yield or submit one’s self to lowly things, conditions, employments: not to evade their power

Lesson

Hang with the “uncool”

I’m sure there are lots of ways this verse could be applied, but it seems to me that in our culture, ever since high school, there have always been the “in crowd” and those on the outside. The “in crowd” is where all the action is happening.

There are some people who just make it their way of life to be constantly seeking to be “in” or “cool”. They’ll walk into a room and immediately determine where the “happening” spot is, and that’s where they’ll head. They’ll look for the leaders in the room and immediately try to get close to the “inner circle”.

It happens at Pastors’ Conferences all the time.

That is not the way Jesus lived.

(Luke 7:36–50 NLT) —36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Simon had a problem because Jesus felt comfortable around people who were not going to be good for His reputation. He was concerned that Jesus seemed to be a bad judge of character as far as choosing who He hung out with.

The problem is that Jesus knew exactly who He was hanging out with. And He chose to still hang out with them. Jesus wasn’t concerned about His image before others, He was concerned about loving those who needed His love.

Joe Paskewich pastors a Calvary Chapel in Connecticut. He writes,

We have several “retarded people” that come to the church and often sit in the front couple of rows and really enjoy the worship experience. I was walking one day and I told God, “I think it is so cool that those retarded people come to church to worship.”

I’m not one that says, “God spoke to me” and have a few friends that say it way too much, but I swear God spoke to me in that moment. As sure as I am about anything. I felt overwhelming love and compassion when he spoke to me that day. God spoke to me clear as a bell and said, “From where I sit you are all a little retarded.”

It became one of the defining moments of my ministry. After that I found it so much easier to love everybody and to not take myself too seriously. I love being loved by God!

When the service is over, who will you head for? Who will you make a point to go talk to? I’m not suggesting that you ignore all your friends, but could it be possible that you might spend a few minutes talking and getting to know someone else? Perhaps someone who is hanging out in the back, by themselves?

:16 Do not be wise in your own opinion.

wise – phronimos – intelligent, wise; prudent, i.e. mindful of one’s interests

in your own opinion – literally, “with yourself”

“Do not have the habit of becoming wise in your own conceits” (Robertson)

Don’t be so quick to think that you’re such hot stuff or that you have all the answers. There are times when I think I have all the answers for the world, and then God graciously lets my advice fall flat on its face.

This Corona Virus pandemic we’re in has been creating a lot of self-made geniuses. Some people feel they know everything there is to know about epidemiology when they only have a high school diploma.

Lesson

You aren’t God.

You don’t know everything.

(Proverbs 3:7–8 NKJV) —7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

It’s actually healthy for you to realize that you don’t know everything.

Illustration

Benjamin Franklin vividly remembered a visit he made as a young man to see the Puritan preacher Cotton Mather and the life lesson learned. Franklin recalled:

He was showing me out of the house, and there was a very low beam near the doorway. I was still talking when Mather began shouting, “Stoop! Stoop!” I didn’t understand what he meant and banged my head on the beam. “You’re young,” he said, “and have the world before you. Stoop as you go through it, and you will avoid many hard thumps.” That advice has been very useful to me. I avoided many misfortunes by not carrying my head too high in pride.

"Benjamin Franklin," PBS (November 2002); submitted by Terry Horvath, Winter Springs, Florida

You aren’t God.

Break

:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

:17 Repay no one evil for evil.

repay – apodidomi (“from” + “to give”) – to deliver; to pay off; a debt, wages; pay back

Jesus said,

(Matthew 5:38–39 NKJV) —38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

In the Law of Moses the command is “eye for eye”. How is it that Jesus seems to change the Law?

He doesn’t change the Law as far as government is concerned, He changes the Law as far as what we personally take into our own hands.

It is right and appropriate for government to punish those who break the Law.

It is NOT right for you to take the government’s responsibility and punish people.

Lesson

Payback

There used to be a bumper sticker that said, “Don’t get mad, get even”. That’s NOT what we’re supposed to do.

You see it in your kids when one child hurts another, and then the second one hits back.

Illustration

Jack’s mother ran into the bedroom when she heard him scream and found his two-year-old sister pulling his hair. She gently released the little girl’s grip and said comfortingly to Jack, “There, there. She didn’t mean it. She doesn’t know that hurts.” Mom was barely out of the room when the little girl screamed. Rushing back in, she said, “What happened?” “She knows now”, little Jack explained.

Illustration

There was a story about a truck driver who dropped in at an all-night restaurant in Broken Bow, Nebraska. The waitress had just served him when three swaggering, leather-jacketed motorcyclists—of the Hell’s Angels type—entered and rushed up to him, apparently spoiling for a fight. One grabbed the hamburger off his plate; another took a handful of his French fries; and the third picked up his coffee and began to drink it. The trucker did not respond as one might expect. Instead, he calmly rose, picked up his check, walked to the front of the room, put the check and his money on the cash register, and went out the door. The waitress followed him to put the money in the till and stood watching out the door as the big truck drove away into the night. When she returned, one of the cyclists said to her, “Well, he’s not much of a man, is he?” She replied, “I can’t answer as to that, but he’s not much of a truck driver. He just ran over three motorcycles out in the parking lot.”

That’s what we’re NOT supposed to do.

:17 Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

have regard for – pronoeo – to perceive before, foresee; to provide, think of beforehand; to take thought for, care for a thing

good things – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

(Romans 12:17 NIV) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

(Romans 12:17 NLT) Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

There seem to be two possible ideas here.

Lesson

Reputation

It is important that Christians maintain a good reputation.

When it came to Paul taking up an offering for the poor in Jerusalem, he was careful to put protections in place to maintain his reputation of honor.

(2 Corinthians 8:21 NLT) We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

It is important that people see that we are walking uprightly before God. Jesus said:

(Matthew 5:16 NKJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How do I get a “good reputation”?

Mercy and Truth.

(Proverbs 3:3–4 NKJV) —3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Showing people mercy and living consistently in the truth lead to the proper reputation.

Lesson

Show Respect

Sometimes as Christians we remove what little chances we have to share the love of Christ with others because of our strict legalistic views on life.

Some of us dread the holidays when we will be forced to spend time with our unbelieving family members. And I imagine that more than a few of them know we dread spending time with them.

Sometimes we can come across as quite judgmental about others – their views on politics, social issues of the day. But what do you expect from someone who doesn’t know the love of Christ?

A person doesn’t need to change their political party before God loves them. They simply need to know the grace of Jesus.

When Jesus met the woman at the well, she was quite astounded with the fact that He even talked with her:

(John 4:5–9 NKJV) —5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus ended up having a wonderful conversation with this gal about who the Messiah was. And before Jesus left, this woman had come to believe in Him.

But Jesus didn’t ask her to stop being a Samaritan before He’d talk to her. She was blown away that He would give her the respect of talking to her.

:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

:18 …live peaceably with all men

live peaceably – eireneuo – to make peace; to cultivate or keep peace, harmony

is possible – dunatos – able, powerful, mighty, strong; to be able (to do something)

It is not always possible.

Lesson

Keeping the peace

Jesus said,

(Matthew 5:9 NKJV) Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Believers ought to be known for keeping the peace, not rocking the boat.

You can’t do it all the time – some people are going to make trouble no matter what.

Sometimes the things that people want you to do to maintain the peace are just not right – and you have to stand up.

But for the most part, we ought to be the first ones to say “I’m sorry”.

Some of us have a hard time with our pride being the first to say “I’m sorry”. Get over it.

Illustration

A fellow named Greg put together a mini high school reunion when he went back to Indiana to visit his parents. He hadn’t seen many of his classmates in over 17 years. Needless to say, they had a riot reliving their glory days and finding out what was currently going on in everyone’s life.

As the night was winding down, Greg noticed that his friend Debbie was getting teary-eyed, and he couldn’t help but ask what was going on. Through tears she said, “It’s sad that there are some things you just can’t forget.”

Certain that something spiritual was going on, Greg pressed Debbie about what she meant. Finally she told him. In the second grade—27 years ago!—a girl named Karen had started the “Debbie Haters Club.” Debbie had never gotten over the pain of that, and she had never forgiven Karen.

Knowing that Karen was at the reunion that night, Greg told Debbie she should talk to her. Debbie refused, but Greg insisted. In fact, Greg ended up orchestrating the effort toward reconciliation! When Karen was collecting her coat to leave the party, Greg pulled her aside into a separate room, and asked her to wait for him to return. Then Greg went to get Debbie. When both women were together in the room, Greg stepped out of the room and stood guard outside the door. Greg couldn’t hear a word that passed between them, but he didn’t need to. As they both left, he could see the freedom on their faces—a freedom that only comes with reconciliation.

Bill White, Paramount, California

Be peacemakers.

:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

:19 do not avenge yourselves

avenge – ekdikeo – to do justice; to avenge a thing; to punish a person for a thing

A form of the same word is also translated here as “Vengeance”.

wrath – orge – anger, punishment

This is most likely speaking of God’s wrath, but it might also include the punishment that the state might bring.

Vengeance – ekdikesis – a revenging, vengeance, punishment

This is the noun form of “avenge” earlier in the verse.

I will repay – antapodidomi – in a good sense, to repay, requite; in a bad sense, penalty and vengeance

This is a more intense form of “repay” that was used in verse 17.

It is written …

(Deuteronomy 32:35 NKJV) Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

Lesson

We love revenge

(keyword)

You have to admit it; sometimes we live to take revenge.

Some of our favorite movies are all about revenge. The innocent people are being terrorized by bad guys. The lone drifter shows up and takes revenge. Or sometimes it’s just the lone guy that gets picked on, and he gets back. We especially love it when the bad guys “get it”.

So a group of hoodlums are terrorizing a coffee shop in San Francisco when Harry Callahan walks in to get his daily cup of coffee.

Video: Dirty Harry – Sudden Impact – Go ahead make my day

We love it when the bad guys get what’s coming to them.

We love to get even.

Video: Three Stooges pie fight – Three Sappy People

Lesson

Revenge is God’s job

Don’t you hate it when someone does your job for you? I do.

Vengeance is God’s responsibility, not ours.

When we do revenge, we usually just get ourselves into trouble.

Illustration

There’s an old story about a tenant farmer who had worked hard for many years to improve the production of the land. Then something happened that caused him to become very bitter. When it was time to renew his lease, the owner told him he was going to sell the farm to his son who was getting married. The tenant made several generous offers to buy it himself, hoping the man’s decision would be reversed. But it was all in vain. As the day drew near for the farmer to vacate his home, his weeks of angry brooding finally got the best of him. He gathered seeds from some of the most pesky and noxious weeds he could find. Then he spent many hours scattering them on the clean, fertile soil of the farm, along with a lot of trash and stones he had collected. To his dismay, the very next morning the owner informed him that plans for his son’s wedding had fallen through, and therefore he would be happy to renew the lease. He couldn’t understand why the farmer exclaimed in agonizing tones, “Oh, Lord, what a fool I’ve been!”

What if God is patient towards your enemy?

(2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God is willing to wait for a person to turn to Him.

(Romans 2:4 NKJV) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

There will be a day if that person does not repent, that they will pay for their sins. But what if God is willing to wait and in the meantime be kind to them?

But when we step in and take vengeance ourselves, we mess things up.

:20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

:20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him … coals of fire

feed – psomizo – to feed by putting a bit or crumb (of food) into the mouth; of infants, young animals etc.

coals – anthrax – a burning or live coal

Paul is quoting from:

(Proverbs 25:21–22 NKJV) —21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

The Arabians call things that cause very acute mental pain “burning coals of the heart” and “fire of the liver”.

The idea is that when you return an evil deed with a good one, that good deed has the ability to remind the person of just how wicked they’ve been to you.

Illustration

When the first missionaries came to Alberta, Canada, they were opposed by a young Cree Indian chief named Maskepetoon. But eventually he responded to the gospel and accepted Christ. Shortly afterward, a member of the Blackfoot tribe who hated Maskepetoon killed his father. The chief rode into the murderer’s village and demanded that he be brought before him. Confronting the guilty man he said, “You shall ride my best horse and wear my best clothes.”

In utter amazement and remorse his enemy exclaimed, “My son, now you have killed me.” The hate in his heart had been erased by Maskepetoon’s forgiveness and kindness.

Lesson

Loving your enemy

There is something about this verse that makes us uncomfortable. We’ve already seen Jesus instructing us:

(Matthew 5:43–44 NKJV) —43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Do you want your enemy to repent and know God’s kindness and forgiveness? Or do you want to see them roast slowly over a spit in hell?

Taking vengeance is not the way to see them repent.

:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

:21 overcome evil with good

overcome – nikao (“nike”) – to conquer; to carry off the victory, come off victorious

Don’t let evil be a conqueror over you, but instead you should conquer evil by means of good.

Kill them with kindness.

This kind of goes back to verse 17:

(Romans 12:17 NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil…

But it goes a step further. Instead of just telling you what NOT to do (giving them evil), now Paul tells you what TO do – doing good.

Lesson

Fighting words

One way of doing this practically is by the way we talk to people.

Often our arguments with each other get WAY out of hand because we only add fuel to the fire. The other person may have very well said something cruel to you, but that doesn’t mean you have to respond with a cruel word. Do you want to resolve the argument, or just get even?

(Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Illustration

Former Boston Red Sox Hall-of-Fame third baseman Wade Boggs used to hate going to Yankee Stadium. Not because of the Yankees, they never gave him that much trouble, but because of a fan. That’s right: one fan.

The guy had a box seat close to the field, and when the Red Sox were in town he would torment Boggs by shouting obscenities and insults. It’s hard to imagine one fan getting under a player’s skin, but apparently this guy had the recipe.

One day before the game, as Boggs was warming up, the fan began his typical routine, yelling, “Boggs, you stink” and variations on that theme. Boggs decided he’d had enough. He walked directly over to the man, who was sitting in the stands with his friends, and said, “Hey fella, are you the guy who’s always yelling at me?” The man said, “Yeah, it’s me. What are you going to do about it?”

Wade took a new baseball out of his pocket, autographed it, tossed it to the man, and went back to the field to continue his pre-game routine.

The man never yelled at Boggs again; in fact, he became one of Wade’s biggest fans at Yankee Stadium.

Steve May, Sermonnotes.com

Think hard about the “fighting words” you use.

13:1-7 Submit to Government

I think this next section has some interesting implications on our current corona virus pandemic…

:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.

authorities – exousia – power; the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed

governing – huperecho (“over” + “to have”) – to have or hold over one; to stand out, rise above, overtop; to be above, be superior in rank, authority, power; the prominent men, rulers

be subject – hupotasso (“under” + “to put in order”) – to arrange under, obey; to submit to one’s control

In the ancient Greek military it meant “to arrange troops in a military fashion under the command of a leader”.

In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.

Lesson

Submission’s responsibility

Submission is not just a single issue subject, as if only wives are to submit to their husbands. It’s quite a broad subject.

Jesus submits to the Father

(1 Corinthians 15:28 NKJV) Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Jesus submitted Himself to His parents.

(Luke 2:51 NKJV) Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

Angels submit to Jesus

(1 Peter 3:22 NKJV) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

We are to be submissive to those “devoted” (KJV – “addicted”) to the ministry:

(1 Corinthians 16:15–16 NKJV) —15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

We are to submit to each other

(Ephesians 5:21 NKJV) submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Wives are to submit to their husbands

(Ephesians 5:22 NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

We are to submit to our employers

(1 Peter 2:18 NKJV) Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

Submission isn’t based on whether your employer is a Christian or whether he’s nice.

We are to submit to the government (as in Romans 13:1)

(1 Peter 2:13 NKJV) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,

We are to submit to our elders

(1 Peter 5:5 NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.

Our spirits are to submit to us

(1 Cor 14:32 NKJV) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

That means we are to have self-control when we operate in the Spirit.

Lesson

Submission’s limits

There is a limit to submission. It only goes so far.

We’ve seen both Paul and Peter tell us to submit to the government, yet you can only take it so far.

At one point in the early church, the Jewish leadership had the apostles arrested and they were warned not to ever speak about Jesus again:

(Acts 5:29 NKJV) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

The place where you draw the line on submission is when you are being asked to specifically go against God’s clearly revealed will.

Lesson

Submission’s test.

A lot of Christians talk about being in “submission” to others, but I’ve found out that usually this means that the people in “authority” over them are simply asking them to do the things they want to do.

The real “test” of submission is when you are asked to do something you don’t want to do.

It’s when we’re asked to something unpleasant, something that doesn’t stroke our flesh, that we usually start looking for excuses for why we can’t submit. That’s when you’ll hear someone say, “I must obey God rather than man”. But sometimes that’s just a cover for say, “Forget you! I’ll do my own thing!”

Remember, the “governing authorities” in Paul’s day included Caesar Nero.

Peter told slaves to submit to their masters, even if they were unkind (1Pet. 2:18), wives are to submit to husbands, even if the husbands are disobedient to God (1Pet. 3:1).

It’s really all about your “will”. Are you going to be willing to give up your “will”? Ultimately we need be getting to the point where we are learning submission so well that we are easily submitting ourselves to God.

(Hebrews 12:9 NKJV) Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

I believe that God will use people in your life to test your ability to “submit”. I believe that if we desire to grow in the Lord, we need to not skirt this important lesson.

Our true goal is to learn to submit to God. We learn submission to God by submitting to authority.

:1 there is no authority except from God

All authority ultimately comes from God.

God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. He is the source of all authority.

When Jesus was on trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate was surprised that Jesus wasn’t defending Himself.

(John 19:10–11 NLT) —10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” 11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Jesus was telling Pilate that Pilate’s authority ultimately came from God. And He was most likely talking about Caiaphas or Judas as having the greater sin because they had delivered Jesus to Pilate.

:1 the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

appointed – tasso – to put in order, to station; to appoint, ordain, order

This is the root word that ties several things together. It’s the root of the word for “submit”.

God is the one that “appoints” authority. It is our job to line up “under” (“be subject”) what God has appointed.

Last year, some folks had trouble with Donald Trump being our president. Some folks have trouble now with Joe Biden being our president.

Yet how did they get into office?

Paul would tell us that God put them there.

:2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

:2 whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God

resists (1^st) – antitassomai (“against” + “to put in order”) – to range in battle against; to oppose one’s self, resist

This is the opposite of “be subject”. Instead of lining up “under” authority, this is being “against” authority.

resists (2^nd) – anthistemi (“against” + “to set”) – to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose; to set against

ordinance – diatage – a disposition, arrangement, ordinance;

from diatasso (“through” + “to put in order”) – to arrange, appoint, ordain, prescribe, give order

Both words are build on tasso, “to line up” or “put in order” (v.1)

God’s desire is for there to be order. He has “appointed” that there be order.

God wants the order to flow “through” things. We might translate this word “direction”, the way that authority flows “through”.

If you are working “against” the authority over you (resist), then you’re actually working against God.

Instead we need to put ourselves “under” authority for things to flow correctly.

Again, these are general rules – these things apply most of the time.

There will be times when we must resist authority because the authority is wrong.

Lesson

Warning against rebellion.

If God is really the one who put that person in authority over you, then when you decide to line up against that person, you’re lining up against God. It’s not a light thing to be bucking the authority that God has over us. If you feel you need to resist, you need to be really sure that you are sure that it’s God who is leading you and not just your own stubborn pride.

Illustration

Saul had been commanded by God to wipe out the Amalekites. He kind of got going on the job, but in the end he only completed it half way. He got rebuked by the prophet Samuel:

(1 Samuel 15:22–23 NKJV) —22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

You might think that your stubbornness isn’t that big of a deal. It is to God.

One of the problems we have with submission is when we are called to submit to an ungodly, wicked person.

The problem we have is in seeing how it could be right to have a bad person telling us what to do.

In reality though, sometimes the things that God brings about in our life aren’t going to seem all pretty and nice.

There are times when we will question what God is doing in our life.

Are we going to submit to God when we are beginning to wonder if He is all that good?

The trouble is that we don’t see the bigger picture. We don’t see the kinds of things that God is trying to do, all we see is the immediate situation.

It is important to learn submission, even in difficult times, so that we can stay true to what God is wanting to do in us and through us.

:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

:3 rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil

If you are doing the right things, obeying the law, doing good works, for the most part you should not be afraid of those in authority.

If you are breaking the law, then you’re always looking over your shoulder.

If you’re driving the speed limit, are you afraid when you drive past a Highway Patrol car? No.

:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

:4 the sword … he is God’s minister, an avenger

minister – diakonos (“deacon”) – one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister

In a way, you could say that the police out on the streets are God’s “ministers”.

sword – machaira – a large knife, a small sword

Paul is talking about the government’s authority to punish criminals.

avenger – ekdikos – an avenger, punisher

Don’t be thinking about the Marvel Avengers here.

We just saw this word (or a form of it) used twice in:

(Romans 12:19 NKJV) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

One of the ways that God brings His “vengeance” is through the government.

Last week we talked about how we wrestle with the tension between the Old Testament law of:

(Exodus 21:24 NKJV) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

And this New Testament concept of not taking your own revenge (Mat. 5:39)

It comes down to personal responsibility versus government responsibility.

Personally, as a Christian I am to not take vengeance.

But the government does have the authority to be the “avenger”

Chuck Smith: “The next time you're stopped for speeding or violating the law, don't be nasty or angry. The officer may have saved your life. Be thankful for the police. If they weren't enforcing the laws, our society would be a much worse jungle than it is now.”

:5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

:5 you must be subject

must – anagke – necessity, It is a necessity that we be subject to the government.

be subject – hupotasso (“under” + “to put in order”) – to submit

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other

Two reasons for obeying the government:

1. You won’t experience “wrath” (you don’t get a ticket)

2. Your own conscience

Lesson

Pay attention to your conscience.

Your conscience should be telling you it’s wrong to disobey.

Illustration

Many electronic fire alarms have an internal switch triggered by a beam of light. As long as light is received unbroken by the photo-sensitive receiver, the detector is quiet. But if smoke or moisture or an insect obstructs the beam for even a split second, the alarm sounds. Our conscience resembles such an alarm. When sin obstructs our connection with the light of God's Spirit, the conscience signals us that there's life-threatening danger.

-- A.D. Sterner, Akron, Colorado. Leadership, Vol. 16, no. 4.

The problem is that our conscience can become corrupt.

(Titus 1:15 NKJV) To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Billy Graham: “Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want it to go.”

Illustration

A man consulted a psychiatrist. He complained, “I’ve been misbehaving, Doc, and my conscience is troubling me.” The doctor asked, “And you want something that will strengthen your willpower?” The fellow replied, “Well, no, I was thinking of something that would weaken my conscience.”

If you are doing something wrong and your conscience DOESN’T bother you, then you’ve got a problem buckaroo.

(Ephesians 4:17–24 NLT) —17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

A heart gets hard and a conscience gets defiled when we continue in sin and refuse to listen to what the Lord is telling us. A callus develops when a part of the body is rubbed or poked continually. If the Spirit keeps convicting you, yet you resist, you will eventually develop a callused heart.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Get away from the old sinful ways and immerse yourself in the good things. Your heart will become softer.

Charles Spurgeon writes, “It is a very terrible thing to let conscience begin to grow hard, for it soon chills into northern iron and steel. It is like the freezing of a pond. The first film of ice is scarcely perceptible; keep the water stirring and you will prevent the frost from hardening it. But once let it film over and remain quiet, the glaze thickens over the surface and it thickens still, and at last it is so firm that a wagon might be drawn over the solid ice. So with conscience, it films over gradually, until at last it becomes hard and unfeeling and is not crushed even with ponderous loads of iniquity.”

:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

:6 because of this you also pay taxes

taxes – phoros – tribute, esp. the annual tax levied upon houses, lands, and persons

you pay – teleo – to bring to a close, to finish, to end; to pay

This is the word that Jesus used when He hung on the cross:

(John 19:30 NKJV) So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus was saying that He had paid, He had paid for our sins.

ministers – leitourgos – a public minister, a servant of the state; a minister, servant

attending continually – proskartereo – to adhere to one, to be devoted or constant to one; to be steadfastly attentive unto, to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly

Lesson

Submission pays taxes

Paying our taxes shows our submission to the government.

I wonder how these goofy cults ever can come up with the idea of not paying their taxes.

Jesus endorsed paying your taxes:

(Matthew 22:17–21 NKJV) —17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be careful about how much tax we pay. You don’t have to feel guilty for taking exemptions on your income tax. That’s all part of the law. You aren’t obligated to pay Caesar more than he’s due. But don’t cheat the government either. Don’t fall into the world’s trap of doing things illegally. If you are paid in cash, report it as income. Pay your taxes.

:7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

:7 Render therefore to all their due

render – apodidomi (“away” + “to give”) – to pay off, discharge what is due

We’ve already seen Paul use this word just a few verses back:

(Romans 12:17 NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

There are some things we don’t “pay” – we don’t pay evil for evil.

There are some things that we DO “pay” – like taxes

due – opheile – that which is owed; a debt

There are four things that we owe: Taxes, customs, fear, honor

taxes … customs – we ought to pay all the various taxes (several types listed)

taxes – phoros – tribute, esp. the annual tax levied upon houses, lands, and persons

customs – telos – end; toll, custom (i.e. indirect tax on goods)

We are obligated to pay all our taxes.

fear – phobos – fear, dread, terror

Who do we owe “fear” to?

Your boss.

(Ephesians 6:5 NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

We are supposed to fear God.

(Matthew 10:28 NKJV) And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

:7 honor to whom honor

honor – time – a valuing by which the price is fixed; honor which belongs or is shown to one

Lesson

Giving honor.

Who do we owe “honor”?

1. Honor God.

(1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

2. Your boss.

(1 Timothy 6:1 NKJV) Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.

When you value your boss, God is not blasphemed (as in “Oh those Christians!)

3. Widows that can’t take care of themselves.

(1 Timothy 5:3 NKJV) Honor widows who are really widows.

The idea is that the church would honor them by meeting their financial needs.

4. Elders.

(1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

5. Your marriage

(Hebrews 13:4 NKJV) Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

6. Your wife

(1 Peter 3:7 NKJV) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

7. Honor your parents

(Ephesians 6:2–3 NKJV) —2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

This is a difficult commandment if your parents were abusive. We may have a difficult time understanding them or being around them, but we are asked to place a high value on them all the same.

8. Honor every person

(1 Peter 2:17 NKJV) Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Lesson

God honors you

(John 12:26 NKJV) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

(1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Honor involves placing a high value on someone or something. God values you highly. He’s paid a great price for you. That ought to affect the way we live.

It probably makes it a little easier to show honor to others.

Pericope Project

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