OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Values

In our last reading from the Sermon of the Mount, we heard Jesus Christ speak to the value that the Lord holds concerning the health of our personal relationships. We saw that, according to Jesus, making right what has gone wrong in our relationships is of greater value to the Lord than even our outward signs and acts of worship.

In the passage that follows, we are going to hear more about the way that our relationships contribute to our right response of worship to the Lord:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV-11

Reflection

· In what ways does this message help us understand that God is more interested in what is happening internally rather than externally?

· What should we expect to happen to our outward actions if we are transformed by the renewing of our minds?

More

We can hear more from the Apostle Paul on the topic of the importance of our relationships later in the message of Romans 12:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:17-21 NIV-11

Verse 17

How tempting is it to return fire after you have been fired upon?

When others say and do things that anger us and show us that they are filled with evil intent, it is normal, human, for us to attempt to even the score. If you shout at me, I shout back. If you steal from me, I will get even.

· How then are we called to respond to these difficult situations according to the message of verse 17?

· What would you need from the Lord to learn how to not retaliate and pay back evil for evil?

Verse 18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

· What does living at peace look like within one of your broken or strained relationships?

· Where do you feel your responsibility lies in the calling to seek peace in this relationship?

Verses 19-21

· What does it mean for you to agree with the teaching… “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”?

· How would showing unmerited favor, grace, kindness, and even love to those who do not seem to deserve anything from you, act as “burning coals”?

· When is kindness to ones’ enemy a sign that you are bigger, greater, stronger, and more mature than those who are seeking to harm you?

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

Help me to dwell on these words today,
“Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.”

Teach me how to respond to evil with good
rather than being consumed by it today.

Help me value what you value. Help me love.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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