Welcome to this week's posting of the Weekend Sermon. I am thankful to the Lord once again for the opportunity to post a message. I hope and pray that everyone is having a good week.
This has been an interesting week. I've been working hard, and I am thankful to the Lord for the jobs that He has provided for me. I've also been working on the house, and I am hoping to be able to get the house sold here in the not too distant future.
In prayer this week, please remember to pray for those in Indonesia. I heard on the radio this morning that there was an earthquake there, so let us pray that aid and help will reach those who need it.
Please pray for those on the east coast of the United States who are still trying to recover from the flooding associated with the hurricane. Pray that aid will reach those who need it the most.
Continue to pray for peace in this troubled world. Let us focus our prayers for peace this week on the nations of Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for the nations of Ivory Coast and Malaysia. Pray that many in these two countries will hear about the love and forgiveness that is offered by Jesus..
For the past several weeks now, we have been in a series of messages on the last few chapters of the book of Romans. Last week, we focused on the fact that each member of the body of Christ has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit that are to be used in order to forward the mission of Jesus in this world. The church can only function properly and serve the Lord as it should when each member is doing their part. No one should think that their gift or contribution is greater than or less than someone else's contribution. We all have a role to play to make Jesus and His message of love known to this world.
Today, we will be focusing on Romans 12:9-11. Paul begins in verse 9 by stating, "Love must be sincere." If we say that we love someone, but we don't really mean it in our hearts, people can tell that right away. In the church, we often say that we love people even if they are sinners. It is often said by some that they love the sinner but hate the sin. However, the way that some in the church speak about others, it seems as if there is hate for the sin and the sinner.
This verse is telling us that we must not be hypocritical. We can't say that we love others, and then with our actions show something entirely different. James speaks about this in his epistle. Faith without works is dead. True love motivates us to take action.
This functions in two ways. First of all, we often say that we love the world and we want to see others come to know Jesus. However, if we are not doing something to tell others about Jesus, we aren't being sincere. Our actions are betraying our words.
The same holds true for doing good in the world and trying to make this world a better place. If we never do anything to help other people, how can we say that we really love others and want to help them.
Paul continues in this same verse to state, "Hate what is evil, cling to what is good." This is important advice for all Christians. In our lives, we need to hate those things that are opposed to the things of God and His word. Anything that is opposed to the teachings and practices of Jesus should be rooted out of our lives.
We must hold on to those things that make us more like Jesus. We must pray each day to become more like the Lord Jesus is thought, word and deed.
In verse 10 it says, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." As followers of Jesus, we are to love each other, and we are to show it. We are to help our fellow Christians in whatever way that we can. We are also called to spend time with others who are followers of Jesus so that we might learn and grow together. When we are devoted to one another in love, we are able to encourage one another and help each other as we serve the Lord and progress through this life.
We are to place the needs of others above our own needs. This is a very difficult thing to do, but it is one of the ultimate demonstrations of love. If you are able to be of service to others at a cost to yourself, you are truly demonstrating to someone that you care about them and truly love them.
We will conclude by focusing on verse 11 which tells us, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." When a person first comes to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, that person is often really on fire to serve the Lord. He reads his Bible, studies diligently and prays daily. A new convert is often very active in the life and ministry of the church.
Over time, I've seen many new converts start to fade in their service to the Lord and in their personal devotional life. I've seen many people who are Christians who were once very passionate to serve the Lord, but now they only go to church on an occasional basis, and they don't serve in the church.
Paul is urging us here to remain filled with fervor for serving the Lord. There are ways that we can do this. First of all, do not neglect the reading and studying of the Bible. Reading and studying the Bible provides spiritual nourishment for the soul that will keep you strong as you walk with the Lord. Do not neglect to pray every day. Speaking with the Lord keeps us close to Him. Always be involved in something that is improving the lives of others, and always practice fulfilling the Great Commission as you tell others about the salvation that is available in the Lord Jesus.
If we practice these things, we will remain zealous for the Lord's work. We will continue throughout our lives to serve and honor Him.
Next week, we will continue with our series in Romans, and the Weekend Sermon will be posted on Saturday again next week. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will post the next chapter in my story about Toby on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
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