A Gift that Cannot be Stolen

Romans 12:14-21

December 15, 2024

To apply Romans 12:14-21, we need to ask 4 questions:

  1. What characterizes an enemy of God?
  • One who rejects God’s will and refuses to worship Him (Romans 1:18-32).
  1. What characterizes an enemy against you?
  • One who stands in opposition against you as you seek to do God’s will and worship Him with your life (Matthew 5:11; Romans 12:1-2).
  1. What is the spiritual condition of your enemy?
  • Guilty before God (Romans 3:19) in need of the Gospel!
  • Weak in the faith in need of restoration (Romans 14:1).
  1. What did God do when you were His enemy?
  • God loved us and sent His Son to forgive and save us (Romans 5:8-10; Colossians 1:21-22)!

To demonstrate God’s unconditional love, we can give 4 gifts:

  1. Romans 5:14
  • Stephen & Saul (Acts 7:57-60; Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
  • Forgiving my enemy is the greatest demonstration of the love God has shown to me.
  1. Romans 5:14
  • Forgiveness of my enemy releases me to pray for my enemy (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 23:34).
  • If I cannot pray for my enemy, that’s an indicator I have not forgiven my enemy, and my worship is not acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2).
  1. Romans 5:15-19
  • Forgiving and praying for my enemy releases me from anger, hatred, bitterness, and revenge as I trust the righteous judgement of God not myself. This allows me to live with joy, mercy, humility, and peace with others!
  1. Romans 5:20-21
  • God often uses physical needs to open doors to spiritual needs, giving our enemy the opportunity to trust Him!
  • The greatest good I can do is give these 4 gifts. If I cannot forgive, pray, or be kind to my enemy then I am being overcome by evil. Go back to the sermon on Romans 12:1-2!

Conclusion: Matthew 6:19-21