Living Attractively

• Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

with Romans 12:9-21

www.FirstChurchBville.com  FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

This sermon can be viewed on youtube at https://youtu.be/oeDFLPX7V1Q

•  “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
(attributed to St. Francis)

What does it mean, really?
What does it look like in practice, in real life?

(really, stop reading right now and sit a spell with this one)

• Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their distress,
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

• Question: Is “religion” belief, or is it action?  
Answer: Yes.

What kind of action?
Generous, considerate, compassionate, selfless, service.
That’s how to express devotion to God, thankfulness for salvation.

• Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:1-2

• The story of the disciple, the mentor, and the mirror.

• Love should be shown without pretending.
Let love be genuine. – Romans 12:9

• Love and ministry as Paul writes involve knowing who you are
with respect to God and with respect to people.

• wrt God, you are child, you are object of love and delight, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are bought and redeemed, you are recipient of grace.

• wrt people you are equal, and none is more equal than others. (in eyes of God). There is no hierarchy or status in family of God, none more deserving of grace nor less deserving.

• Live at peace – Romans 12:16.
Live generously and considerately and attractively.

¹⁶ Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
– Jesus, in Matt 5:16 (Sermon on the Mount)

• …attributed to Mahatma Gandhi:
“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.
Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

• In your life… give them Christ.

• Hymn  In the Breaking of the Bread

Romans 12:9-21 (CEB)

⁹ Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. ¹¹ Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! ¹² Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. ¹⁴ Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. ¹⁶ Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. ¹⁷ Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

¹⁸ If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.¹⁹ Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. [Deut 32:35] ²⁰ Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. [Prov 25:21] ²¹ Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good. ò