공동체와 양육

Growing in Love (Rom 12:9-13)

2011.07.17Rev. Eddie Byun

A community with a renewed mind and a growing love for Jesus sees the church as family, serves the Lord with burning zeal, and shares its wealth generously. This life is fueled by God's own love, promises, and character.

A renewed mind values what God values

Our values reveal what we honor. A man nearly lost a priceless Ming vase to a seller who did not know its worth, which shows how easily we misjudge value. When we become citizens of heaven, our minds are renewed, so we value what the world overlooks and let go of what the world prizes. This is the renewal Romans 12:2 describes, and it sets the direction for the whole chapter: a community that has surrendered and been set apart now learns to love together.

Genuine love hates evil and clings to good (vv. 9-10)

Genuine love is not passive. It hates evil and protects those it loves, and it holds fast to what is good until that good becomes part of who we are. In verse 10 Paul uses the word for family affection, so the church must be seen as family, not merely as a symbol. Because of the blood of Christ we are truly family in God's eyes, and so we honor one another and pass that honor on to others.

Burn with zeal, set on fire by the Spirit (v. 11)

Do not be lazy with your passions. Every heart burns for something, and if the flame is not fed with God's truth and promises, it will burn to exalt self. Paul calls us to be fervent in spirit, literally set on fire by the Spirit, and that zeal naturally results in serving the Lord. Jim Elliot prayed that his idle sticks would be lit to burn for God and that his life would be consumed for God's glory. Pray that your own flame burns for Him.

Hope, patience, and prayer grounded in the Trinity (v. 12)

Verse 12 is short but full of Trinitarian truth. We rejoice in hope, which comes through Christ, who will renew and restore all things. We are patient in tribulation because we trust God the Father, who is in control and whose character is good. We are constant in prayer through the Holy Spirit, who dwells with us until Christ returns. Sound knowledge of God fuels true passion, and a Spirit-filled life cannot be stopped from serving.

Value people over profit and share generously (v. 13)

Our view and use of money reflect the depth of our spirituality, and we cannot serve both God and money. Believers use money to serve people rather than using people to gain profit. Teddy Stoddard's story shows this: his teacher, Miss Thompson, chose to see him with the eyes of God and gave him love and attention. Years later he wrote to her that she was the closest thing to family he had ever had. Hospitality that treats others as if they were angels can transform lives.

Apply to Life

  • Let us see the members of our church as family and honor one another.
  • Let us hate what is evil and cling to what is good.
  • Let us guard the flame in our hearts and burn for the glory of God.
  • Let us serve the Lord with intensity, set on fire by the Spirit.
  • Let us share our resources generously and welcome people as if they were angels.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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