Experience Belonging_Seek Harmony
Passage: Romans 12:9-13
Sections, Scripture References, Quotes:
Experience Belonging – Romans 12:9-13 – Seek Harmony
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may 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. – Romans 15:5-7
v/9 – Harmony starts with love
The New Testament puts love at the heart of what it means to live as a Christian in relationship to other people – Douglas Moo
v/10 – Harmony takes COMMITMENT
v/10b – Harmony takes SACRIFICE & HUMILITY
Simple discipline to concentrate more on the needs of others than we do on our own…to be most aware of others hopes, joys, needs and fears, and to be considerate. – Tim Keller
v/11-12 – Harmony takes PATIENCE
v/13 – Harmony takes ACTION
This needs to be seen in context with the rest of the exhortations, which press us to be truthful and devoted despite our feelings. So we see that real love is not sentimentality, but the activity of meeting needs. – Tim Keller
JESUS
Jesus loves us
Jesus is committed to us
Jesus sacrificed for us by humbling himself
Jesus is patient with us
Jesus actively meets our needs