Abnormal Love (4 of 7)
Series: Love in Actions
Lenny Ports
Romans 12:14-21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 21).
FOLLOWING JESUS
Today we witnessed five baptisms. This church believes that baptism is to be preceded by faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 2:41 says, ''Those who received [Peter's] word [i.e., the gospel] were baptized.'' First, faith, then baptism. The person being baptized is making it known that he or she is a follower of Jesus.
The decision to follow Jesus is a decision to live an abnormal life. Do you agree? Think about Jesus, the person you're following. Was Jesus normal?
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
The life of a follower of Jesus is to be characterized by love. Jesus showed us what love is. ''Christ loved us and gave himself up for us'' (Eph. 5:2). Here's a good definition of love: ''Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.''
Jesus said, ''If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?'' (Matt. 5:46). That's normal love. Jesus expects his followers to have abnormal love. [Read Matthew 5:38-47.] To most people, this kind of love doesn't sound very appealing. Where do we get the desire to love others like this?
Paul writes, ''Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind'' (v. 2). What we need is not behaviour medication. We need gospel transformation. The gospel should change the way we think and act. We should continually remind ourselves that we are sinners saved by grace. Are you more influenced by our culture or b ...
Series: Love in Actions
Lenny Ports
Romans 12:14-21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 21).
FOLLOWING JESUS
Today we witnessed five baptisms. This church believes that baptism is to be preceded by faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 2:41 says, ''Those who received [Peter's] word [i.e., the gospel] were baptized.'' First, faith, then baptism. The person being baptized is making it known that he or she is a follower of Jesus.
The decision to follow Jesus is a decision to live an abnormal life. Do you agree? Think about Jesus, the person you're following. Was Jesus normal?
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
The life of a follower of Jesus is to be characterized by love. Jesus showed us what love is. ''Christ loved us and gave himself up for us'' (Eph. 5:2). Here's a good definition of love: ''Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.''
Jesus said, ''If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?'' (Matt. 5:46). That's normal love. Jesus expects his followers to have abnormal love. [Read Matthew 5:38-47.] To most people, this kind of love doesn't sound very appealing. Where do we get the desire to love others like this?
Paul writes, ''Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind'' (v. 2). What we need is not behaviour medication. We need gospel transformation. The gospel should change the way we think and act. We should continually remind ourselves that we are sinners saved by grace. Are you more influenced by our culture or b ...
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