Being The Church God Called Us To Be

Being the Church God Called Us To Be

Romans 12:6-18

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

• Keep Serving
  • • Romans 12:7   If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.   
    • Romans 12:11   Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 
    • Galatians 6:9   So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvet of blessing if we don't give up. 
• Keep Encouraging
  • • Romans 12:8   If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. 
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:11   So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 
    • Hebrews 10:25   And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.   
• Keep Being Kind
  • • Romans 12:8   And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 
    • Ephesians 4:32   Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearded, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 
    • Colossians 3:12-13   Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 
• Keep Loving
  • • Romans 12:9-10   Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 
    • Colossians 3:14   Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 
    • 1 Peter 4:8   Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 
• Keep Honoring
  • • Romans 12:10, 17   Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 
    • Romans 13:7   Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. 
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13   Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 
• Keep the Harmony
  • • Romans 12:16   Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!   
    • 1 Corinthians 1:10   I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 
    • Romans 14:19   So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. 
    • Psalm 133:1-3   How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.