Tough Empathy (Romans 12:15, 16)

We have a human tendency where we would rather rejoice when we see people suffer and weep when we see people get ahead of us. We might say that this is not our struggle, but then why does Paul exhort us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice? The reason is because this is not natural, but something we do in the Spirit. How does this type of empathy become part of of who we are? How does this mindset cultivate a Christ like humility?

(I uploaded a poor quality audio file, and just fixed it)

Ironic Blessing (Romans 12:14)

It is easy to be nice to those who are nice to us.  It is easy to be encouraging to those who encourage us.  However, how do we interact with those that we deem unworthy of any compassion?  

True Love (Romans 12:9-13)

One of my favorite moves is the princess bride that communicates a theme of true love. We can define true love as a commitment, or maybe even a human feeling, but the Apostle Paul grounds this true love in something that is certain. What is the true love and what is the basis for our hope in this true love? How does Christ’s love inform our love for one another?

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.

The Serving Body (Romans 12:4-8)

The apostle Paul reminds us that we are in Christ, but this is not just an individual relationship.  We are those who as a body are joined to the same Christ and to each other.  This means that as a body we should seek opportunities to serve one another for the glory of our Lord as we walk in the Spirit.  If this is the case, then how do we view ourselves in light of our redemption in Christ? 

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.

Humble Redemption (Romans 12:3)

The apostle Paul exhorts us to view ourselves with sober judgment.  We are not to think of ourselves as more highly than we ought to think.  Does this mean we deny that we have any gifts?  Does this mean that we do not have dignity?  What is Paul exhorting us to do as God’s children?  How do we evaluate ourselves without becoming arrogant? 

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.

Transformed People (Romans 12:2)

The apostle Paul calls us to be a transformed people.  How do we undergo such a transformation and how does this transformation impact our lives? 

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.

Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)

The apostle Paul exhorts us to live as a “living sacrifice to the Lord.” Does this mean that somehow Christ’s work is unfinished? Are we to sacrifice ourselves in such a way that if we are not martyrs for the cause of the Gospel then our lives are a fraud? Why does Paul exhort us to be Living Sacrifices?

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.

Romans 12: Series Introduction

This is the first video in a series where Pastor Paul Lindemulder considers ethics in the Christian life. We can see a tension between being saved by the grace of God, but then we are still called to live as living sacrifices. How does this all fit together? So, we consider Romans 12 as a model for the Apostle Paul to remind us of Christ's work, but then he moves to exhort us to live out of gratitude.

Here is the playlist to Romans 12.