Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 12:9-16
Introduction:
1. Having examined God’s praiseworthiness as the catalyst to our attitude of gratitude this. morning, this evening we examine the life that should grow out of it.
2. How can we properly “repay” the Lord for His immense goodness?
3. As the passages above demonstrate, we can only pay it forward to our peers.
Discussion:
I. Loving as He Loves (Romans 12:9-10a)
A. The fountain from which our redemption flowed is God’s pure love (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4; 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 1 John 3:1; 4:8-10).
B. Christ’s love is to prompt us to imitate God’s love (John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
C. Romans 12:9-10 helps define genuine love:
1. It abhors evil and clings to good (1 John 5:1-3).
2. It produces brotherly affection (1 Peter 1:22ff).
3. It creates an attitude of deferential honor.
II. Giving as He Gives (Romans 12:10b-16; Matthew 25:31-46)
A. Such love goes far beyond one’s feelings.
B. It gives of itself in a myriad of ways:
1. It prompts diligent, enthusiastic service (12:11; Matthew 25:31-40).
2. It presses on patiently in hope, remaining close to the source thereof (Luke 18:1ff; 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:14-16).
3. It shares the needs of the saints (Galatians 6:10).
4. It is hospitable to strangers: Gr. philoxenia; from philos- a friend and xenia a stranger/foreigner; a friend to strangers (Hebrews 13:2-3; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 25:31-46).
5. Blessing enemies rather than cursing them (cf. Matthew 5:43-48).
6. Demonstrating empathy in times of joy or sadness (1 Corinthians 12:26; cf. Romans 12:10-ESV).
7. Living harmoniously, having the same mind towards one another (cf. 12:18).
8. Not being an elitist but associating (lit. being carried away with; cf. Galatians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:17) those who are lowly amongst us.
9. Shaping our self-assessment on His standards, not ours (cf. 12:3).
III. Living Where He Lives (Matthew 25:31-40, 41-46)
A. Who knew gratitude for the greatness of God could be so demanding?
B. This ought to be a challenge we embrace; people always try to be like their heroes.
C. If we truly assess God in the ways we described this morning, who else could desire to imitate more than Him?
D. The loftier the aim, the more difficult the climb, so how do we press on in this pursuit?
E. God knows the heights He has called us to, and He knows the difficulty it presents.
F. Therefore, He made the prize greater and higher than anything we can imagine.
G. Those who press on seeking to love as He loves and give as He gives are assured to eternally live where He lives (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Conclusion:
1. We have bookended this day with gratitude.
2. We started with the reasons we ought always to thank and praise our God.
3. We end with how such ought to shape our lives from the inside out.
4. May we always seek to pay His love and service forward.