Presented, August 28, 2005
BEHAVE AS CHRISTIANS (3)
Romans 12:13-14
Tonight we continue our study of some things Paul is calling for as Christians need to consider one another. Remember in this text Paul is calling for unity within the church at Rome. He is describing a number of characteristics that will help us achieve this by behaving as Christians ought to. Thus far we have noted several attitudes to consider. We read the text to remind us of those things we have discussed thus far. Tonight we now continue our study. As Christians we need to:
I. Distribute to the Needs of the Saints (13)
a. Christians need to be benevolent and hospitable to one another.
i. The word for distributing is from the Greek word that we get fellowship from. It is a word that means, “to come into communion or fellowship, to become a sharer, be made a partner.” (Thayer)
ii.
Notice that it is the needs of saints we are
to help with. KJV & ASV says, necessities. The word means, “need,
necessity, want” (WS Dictionary)
I point this word out because of the potential I see for abuse. THIS does NOT
teach that you are obligated to give your brethren everything they WANT. We
need to be careful to make sure we don’t take advantage of each other (Galatians
5:13).
If you want to give something to a brother you can do so and hopefully
relationships will develop to where such becomes a consideration, but this text
is talking about real NEEDS – food, clothing, shelter, etc. For such things,
our responsibilities are higher.
iii.
God takes note of how we treat our brethren –
Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:41
Hebrews 6:10 – “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love
which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints,
and do minister”
iv.
There are examples of this in the New Testament –
Acts 2:44-45 – the brethren in Jerusalem shared. Also 4:32-37
Acts 11:27-30 - when Antioch heard about a need in Judea, they came to their
aid.
Romans 15:25-28 – as Paul wrote this letter he was on his way to Jerusalem to
minister to saints.
v.
Let it be understood that we have a special bond
with Christians over the rest of the world. What we have ought to be available
to our brethren.
For example, Galatians 6:10 speaks of doing good, “…especially to those of the
household of faith”
1 John 3:17 – Whoever has this worlds goods and sees his brother in need…
vi. In addition to this, we have instructions as to how we can help needy saints in other places as well as how churches can relieve the needs of one another.
b. Why is this included here? Helping one another is a way to bond together. Unless you have an agenda, when you share with someone, especially your brethren – it has the power of improving relationships and relieving tensions.
II. Given to Hospitality (13)
a.
The word hospitality is an interesting word that
actually means, “love of strangers” (Thayer)
It was something Christians understood in the first century (and going back to
the times of the patriarchs). It was not uncommon for strangers to travel to a
foreign city and be lodged and/or fed by such individuals. Consider Jesus’
command sending out the 12, Matthew 10:11, as they entered a city they were to
seek out who is worthy.
We also find several examples of this in the Old Testament – Genesis 19:1-3 –
Lot showed hospitality to 2 men, Abraham showing the same to 3 men – Genesis
18:1-8
b. The word is NOT what we commonly call hospitality today– having our friends over for outings regularly, entertaining one another, etc. But such is good and needed, AND a good start. He who will not open his home to friends is unlikely to open his home to strangers.
c. It is also something we are to pursue. The word “given to” is a fairly strong word pointing to the fact that we ought to look for opportunities to be hospitable.
d.
Elders have to have this characteristic – 1 Timothy
3:2;
Elderly widows who can be supported by the church need it – 1 Timothy 4:10
e. It is a word that at times could refer to our brethren and explains WHY we are to act this way – Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9. Today we may be presented with opportunities to help brethren we don’t know – traveling and an emergency comes up, housing a Christian who is passing through, etc.
f.
Christians need to understand that our hospitality
at times goes beyond our brethren.
Again, Galatians 6:10 – do good to all;
Acts 10:2 – God noticed Cornelius’ hospitality
There are many text that make no distinction between brethren and
non-Christians.
Consider the Good Samaritan.
g.
NOTE: This is NOT a call to act foolishly and/or
endanger your family for the sake of helping someone. Nor is it saying you have
to help everyone that comes along. Hospitality is often a matter of judgment
and you may make mistakes. You and God know WHY you do or don’t help
someone.
Sadly we live in a society where hospitality has been greatly abused and in
some cases it is poor stewardship for us to give money to some people. There
are even times when this is true of brethren.
h. Showing hospitality can strengthen brotherly ties and provided to strangers, it can possibly introduce them to the gospel.
III. Bless those who persecute you (14)
a.
We have talked about how as Christians there are
times we will be persecuted.
Matthew 5:10-11 – Jesus said such are blessed and we can anticipate a reward.
b.
We are to bless such, meaning to speak well of
them. Not that we agree with what they are doing or we like them, but strive
for objectivity in considering them.
This IS against human nature, but we are still to do it – Matthew 5:44 –
concerning our enemies – bless them and pray for them.
Consider also the example of Jesus - 1 Peter 2:21-23
c.
As to not cursing others, the point is to let God
be the judge.
Again, consider Jesus as He hung upon a cross. He said, “Father, forgive them…”
Lk. 23:34
d. IN this text, we again we have double repetition (positive & negative). In a future lesson we will notice this in greater detail.
e.
Realize also that there are different sources
of persecutions – sometimes strangers and those who deny God. At other times,
it is by brethren.
We find both in scriptures and our reactions are only slightly different.
f. We need to remember this in striving to work out our differences with one another. If you are abused or mistreated, DON’T retaliate. If your brother treats you in an ungodly manner, let God deal with it. You continue to act like you are supposed to (preferring one another).
g. NOTE: Often this diffuses or disarms volatile situations.
More in our next lesson