Sermon Notes: In Christ Alone- A Study in Romans Romans 13:1-7

-Robert Ottley "There is indeed significance in the fact that in spite of their ardent zeal for social reform they [the prophets] did not as a rule take part in political life or demad political reforms. They desired...not better institutions but better men."

-John MacArthur "It really does not matter whether people go to hell as policemen or prostitutes, judges or criminals, pro-life or pro-choice. The moral will persist with the immoral. Our task is the proclamation of the gospel. Neglecting it is the spiritual equivalent of a skilled heart surgeon abandoning his profession to become a make-up artist, spending his time making people look better rather than saving lives. The mission of the church is not to change society – although that is often a beneficial by-product of faithful ministry and living – but to worship and serve the Lord and to bring others to saving faith in Him.”

 

   I.  Submit to the government.

-hupotasso = to place or rank under, put in subjection

-Titus 3:1, I Pet. 2:13-15

    a.  The government is appointed by God.

-established = tasso = appoint, assign, designate.

-Dan. 2:21, 4:17, John 19:11

    b.  Resisting the government is opposition to God.

-resist = antitasso = oppose, resist;

-James 4:6, I Pet. 5:5, Acts 18:6

    c.  The government is God's minister.

-minister = diakonos = servant, helper, deacon

-Ex. 1:17, Dan. 1:12-15, 3:16-18; Acts 4:18-20, 5:28-29

-Jer. 29:7, I Tim. 2:1-2

 

  II.  The purpose of government is to maintain social order.

-Ezek. 7:23-27

   a.  Deter evil.

   b.  Restrain evil.

   c.  Punish evil.

   d.  Praise what is good.

   e.  Promote what is good.

-Eccl. 8:2-5

 

  III.  Render what is required to the government.

-Matt. 22:21; Matt. 17:24-27

Sermon Notes: In Christ Alone- A Study in Romans Romans 12:9-21

  I.  The supernatural life produces the transformation of personal conduct.
     a.  Loving without hypocrisy.
-John 13:34, 15:12, I John 4:7-1 

     b.  Abhorring evil.

-abhor = apostugeo = despise, hate bitterly
-Ps. 101:3, 119:104, 119:113, 119:128, 119:163; Prov. 8:13; I John 5:3; Zech. 8:17

              c.  Clinging to what is good.

-clinging = kollao = glue or cement
-I John 5:3, Phil. 4:8

     d.  Avoiding spiritual idleness.-lagging = lazy, idle
-diligence = zeal, earnestness, effort

     e.  Zealous in spirit.
-fervent = zeo = boil

     f.  Serving God -serving = douleo = to be a slave

     g.  Rejoicing in hope.
-Titus 2:13, I Tim. 1:1

     h.  Enduring tribulation.

-tribulation = thlipsis = trouble, distress
-persevering = hupomeno = endure, hold out, stand firm, bear
    

     i.  Unfaltering in prayer.

-devoted = proskartereo = devote self to, to continue in; Literally = to be strong toward something
 

  II.  The supernatural life produces transformation in our conduct toward God's family.

      a.  Devoted to one another in brotherly love.
-brotherly love = philadelphia; combination of phileo = to love, tender affection, and adelphos = brother
-devoted to = philostorgos = authentically loving, tenderly devoted; combination of phileo and storge. storge = natural family love.
-"It denotes the delicate affections mutually rendered by those who cherish one another with natural affection, as the innate love of a mother, or as the love of parents and children, brothers and sisters."
-I Thess. 4:9, Heb. 13:1, I Peter. 1:22
  

     b.  Honoring others above ourselves.
-giving preference to one another = proegeomai = to go before, to show the way, to consider, to esteem.
-Phil 2:3
-honor = time = honor, respect, recognition, value

     c.  Sharing with the family.

-contributing = kiononeo = share, contribute, take part
-Heb. 13:16

    d.  Pursuing hospitality.
-practicing = dioko = purse, seek after, strive for
-hospitality = philoxenia = fond of strangers, to receive strangers; combination of phileo and xenia = lodging, guest room. 
-Heb. 13:2, I Pet. 4:9
  

     e.  Sharing our lives with each other.
-Col. 3:12
  

     f.  Being unified.
-phroneo = think, have in mind
-Schreiner "Diversity of gifts and pesonality are beautiful, but they should never lead to disharmony in the church."

     g.  Staying humble.
-Matt. 11:29
-Schreiner "Those who do not associate with the humble are 'wise in their own estimation.' They refuse to associate with others because they deem themselves to be superior in wisdom. The redeemed community should be marked by humble concern for one another and all should be treated as valued persons made in the image of God and redeemed by Him."

 

  III.  The supernatural life produces transformation in our conduct toward enemies.

    

              a.  Bless our persecutors.

-persecute = dioko = to pursue, to strive for

-bless = eulogeo = bestow a blessing, act graciously toward

-Matt. 5:44, Luke, 6:27-28

   

    b.  Never retaliate

-Ex. 21:24; Matt. 5:38-44

-Deut. 32:35; Deut. 7:10

    

             c.  Do what is right.

-respect = pronoeo = have regard for, have in mind to try to do

-Prov. 3:4, II Cor. 8:21

    

   d.  Attempt to live at peace with everyone.

-Mark 9:50

    

   e.  Overcome evil by doing good.

-Prov. 25-21; II Kings 6:22

What does "heap burning coals on his head" mean?

    1) They will become more angry.

    2) They are put to shame.

    3) They are humiliated.

    4) They are under judgment.

-I Sam. 24:17

-Moo "By responding to evil with 'the good' rather than with evil, we gain a victory over that evil. Not only have we not allowed it to corrupt our own moral integrity, but we have displayed the character of Christ before a watching and sekptical world."