Jul. 13, 2025
Series: Transformed 7-13-25
How to Grow a Loving Church (Pt.1)
(Romans 12:4-13)
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LIVING TRANSFORMED LIVES IN COMMUNITY:
(Family Obligations)
1. Be a ______________ Player, we Belong to each other
Romans 12:4–5 (NLT) 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
2. Be a _____________, your Gifts are to Benefit Others
Romans 12:6 (ESV) 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…
Romans 12:7–8 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
HOW DO I LOVE?
John 13:34-35 34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
The Next Section is Divided into Two Parts:
I. How to Love __________________ (v.9-16)
II. How to Love ___________________ (v.17-21)
3. Be ____________________ with Each Other
Romans 12:9 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
“Sincere” - undisguised, inexperienced in the art of acting, one without hypocrisy.
Romans 12:9 (NASB) 9 Let love be without hypocrisy.
- The Word “hypocrite” was actually used of a person at a play who would keep going backstage to change their mask.
** Why does Love Hate Evil? Because _________________________!
- “Love” (agape) - It involves God doing what He knows is best for man and not necessarily what man desires. (John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave.” What did He give? Not what man wanted, but what God knew man needed, i.e., His Son to bring man forgiveness.
4. Be Devoted to __________________ Needs.
Romans 12:10 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
“Brotherly love” (Pilostorgous) a play on words, literally two words for different kinds of love smashed together.
** 4 Greek words for love - Agape (sacrificial love, God’s love), Eros
(erotic love), Phileo (friendship, brotherly love), Storge (family love).
Literally, a Family-Friendship Love.
(the ability to live close together with mutual respect).
10 …Honor one another above yourselves…
“Honor” (Timḗ) - ① to honor, respect. (Notice the Greek word “TIME”!)
** So, how can you “honor” someone else? By Giving them your “Time”.
② the amount at which something is valued, price. (So, it could read, “Place the Value of others above yourself.”)
Rom. 12:10 (Phillips) 10 Be willing to let other people have the credit.”
“God can do great things through the person who
doesn’t care who gets the ________________!”
5. Be __________________________ about our Service to God.
Romans 12:11 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
“Fervor” - to seethe, bubble, the sound of boiling water.
- Literally, “In your business for the Lord, Don’t Be Lazy!”
“Enthusiasm” (entheos) - from en + theos (“in God” or “full of God”)
Colossians 3:23 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men.
6. Be _________________________ in your Outlook.
Romans 12:12 12 Be joyful in hope,
REASONS FOR CHRISTIANS TO HAVE HOPE:
(in Romans 8)
(v.1) 1 There is now No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
(v.2) 2 through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
(v.14) 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
(v.17) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
(v.26) 26 the Spirit helps us in our weakness… intercedes for us.
(v.28) 28 We know that all things work together for good.
(v.31) 31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
(v.38) 38 nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
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