FROM COMPELLED TO SACRIFICE (Romans 15)

1.  God is our source

a.  “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you” vs 5

2.  Harmony is our Individual Goal

a.  “you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” vs 5

3.  His Glory is our Collective Purpose

a.  “together with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” vs 7

Romans 12:16-21

1.  The Heart is the Start

a.  “Devoted” vs 10 (NASB)

b.   “Commit your way to the LORD” Psalm 37:5

2.  The Heart Guides our Mind

a.  “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

b.  “Live in harmony with one another.”(ESV)  “Be of the same mind one toward another.” (KJV, NASB)

c.  Harmony means to “set one’s mind on”

d.  “be considerate of the feelings of others instead of waiting for them to be considerate of your feelings” -Guzik

3.  Our Mind Guides our Actions

a.  “carrying out the desires of the body and mind” Ephesians 2:3

b.  “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” (ESV) “mind not high things” (KJV)

c.  “Never be wise in your own sight, but associate with the lowly”

d.  "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7

4.  Steps to Harmony

a.  Remember your salvation.

i.  Titus 3:1, “Remind them”

i.  “The continually present sense of your sins having been once for all forgiven, is the strongest stimulus to live for God “

b.  Remember God’s Love for You

i.  “Christ died for all” 2 Corinthians 5:15

ii.  “God so loved the world” John 3:16

c.  Love One Another with God’s Love

i.  “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

i.  “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

d.  It Begins with You

i.   “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18

ii.  “The Christian is a peacemaker by obligation and aim. Harmony is not always possible, since truth divides as well as unites. Paul’s double qualification (“If … so far as”) recognizes this, but the obligation to strive for peace in personal relations with others remains.” -R. C. Sproul

e.  You Must Begin with God

i.  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7