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Romans 12:17-20 “Avengers! Settle Down.”

Kurt Steinbrueck September 7, 2023

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Romans 12:17-20 “Avengers! Settle Down.”

Romans 12:17-20 "Avengers! Settle Down."

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Video Notes:

First, we must keep in mind the beginning of Romans 12, “therefore”. This passage and all the passages in this chapter and going forward are written to Christians who already stand in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. These actions and commands do not make us right before God, rather we get to do them because we are already right before God.
The word for “give thought” has a prefix indicating this is a prior action. Before evil even happens to us, we should be thinking about what good and honorable things we can do for others. Then, when evil is done to us, rather than giving into the desire for revenge, we carry out the good and honorable things we were already planning to do.
The good and honorable things are things both approved of by God and seen as good by the community.
- It’s counter-cultural, but who knows the impact it could have.
Live at peace…if possible
- Peace requires two. So, it isn’t always possible.
- However, love is always ready for peace and is never the cause of sinful discord. Matthew 5:9
- I say sinful discord, because Christians cannot maintain peace by going against God’s ways. Also, Christians may, at times, cause discord through the sharing of God’s Word, but people need to hear God’s Law and especially God’s Gospel.
Don’t avenge yourself
- Deuteronomy 32:39-41
- Previously we were told love don’t repay evil with evil. Even when our response isn’t evil, we still need to let it go and let God deal with it. How?
  - Certainly, on the last day if they stand in unbelief, but also, according to Romans 13:3-4, through the government, which is to punish evil and praise good.
  - With that context, we can also understand that this doesn’t mean we have to just let evil be done, rather we can report it work through the appropriate authorities.
  - Interestingly, when you aren’t consumed with vengeance, it not only relieves stress, but it frees you up to be kind.
Feeding and Heaping coals
- Proverbs 25:21-22
- If you’re like me, when you first read this, you thought, “Hah! That’s right. I’ll get my revenge by showing kindness!”…as though this was just a different way to get revenge.
- While the image of fire and even coals is often associated with judgment in the Bible, it isn’t always associated as such and, in this case, it seems highly unlikely that after being told we should bless those who persecute us, not repay evil with evil, and not avenge ourselves, that now we are to show kindness with the intend of increasing judgment/punishment.
- It’s much more likely that this actually a reference to the burning of guilt and shame and its ultimate intent is repentance.
- Scholars have found connections between the proverb and an Egyptian practice of carrying coals in a bowl on one’s head as a sign of repentance.
- In other words, rather than avenging yourself, you show kindness, bless the person, and try to be a peacemaker in the hope that they would repent at least to you and be reconciled to you, but also that they would repent to God and be saved.
That’s what Jesus has done for us. We were once enemies of God. He overcame us by making us His friends through Jesus great sacrifice on the cross. He heaped burning coals on our head through His Word and His kindness which led us to repentance and reconciliation. This is how we bless those who hurt us. This is how we live at peace with those who are not currently wanting peace. We reflect God’s love for them in word and deed and prayer.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Romans 12:16 “Living in Harmony with Other Christians”

Kurt Steinbrueck September 6, 2023

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Romans 12:16 “Living in Harmony with Other Christians”

Romans 12:16 "Living in Harmony with Other Christians"

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Video Notes:

First, we must keep in mind the beginning of Romans 12, “therefore”. This passage and all the passages in this chapter and going forward are written to Christians who already stand in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. These actions and commands do not make us right before God, rather we get to do them because we are already right before God.
Live in harmony with one another – Having the same mindset toward one another.
- This does not mean we all think the same, but rather that we have the attitude toward one another and the same goal of unity and love in grace.
So, we should not be arrogant. Why not?
- Because we have nothing to be haughty or arrogant about. All that we have is a gift from God. Our salvation, our righteousness, our calling, our skills, they are all gifts.
- Furthermore, we now get our identity from Christ. God esteems your neighbor just as much as He esteems you. So, again, there is no place for arrogance.
So, we should associate with the lowly ones. This doesn’t indicate that these people are less-than in the church, but rather how they are seen in the society. Jesus ate with tax collectors, the lowest of the low. Since we have no cause for arrogance and realize that we stand in the same gift-given place as every other Christian, we can associate freely with every other Christian.
- This would have been a shocker for the Roman culture, both Jew and Gentile. Their culture all about associating with the right people.
- It’s not all that different today. Jesus is counter-cultural.
This harmony or unity comes from God. He has already united us and set us as equal members of the body of Christ, though with different functions. True love lives in that unity, knowing our value in Christ, seeing that same Christ-value in others, and acting accordingly.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Romans 12:15 “Christians Aren’t Always Happy”

Kurt Steinbrueck September 5, 2023

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Romans 12:15 “Christians Aren’t Always Happy”

Romans 12:15 "Christians Aren’t Always Happy"

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Video Notes:

The idea here is to have empathy towards everyone.
What is the opposite of this? To be envious and sorrowful over other people’s joy and to be happy at someone’s sorrow.
- Sometimes we react this way out of jealousy. “Why don’t I ever get good things?”
- Sometimes we react this way out of a sense of righteous indignation. “Serves them right!”
Love has empathy and desires the best for others.
This post is titled, “Christians Aren’t Always Happy.” Sometimes people get this sense that Christians should always be happy.
- James 1:2
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- or passages about how Christians go to be with the Lord when they die
Passages like this can all lead us to believe that if we are ever unhappy, we aren’t truly faithful or we don’t really believe. That’s not the case.
- First, there is a difference between the kind of joy the Bible speaks of and the emotional state of happiness. The joy of the Lord is knowing that God is with us, we are right with God, and all suffering is only temporary. We can experience that even when we suffer or mourn or experience unhappiness.
- Second, passages like our passage today show us that we can weep. Jesus wept. 1 Corinthians says we can mourn, but our mourning is one with hope.
Christians aren’t always happy and they shouldn’t be. There is plenty in this world and in our lives to be sad about. However, we are never without hope and we can always have a sense of joy even under the sorrow because we know God is with us, we are right with God in our salvation, and this suffering is temporary with God’s glory coming and remaining for all eternity.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck September 4, 2023

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Romans 12:14 “Bless Those Who Hurt You”

Romans 12:14 "Bless Those Who Hurt You"

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Video Notes:

Luke 6:27-28
This phrase is a new concept for both Jews and Gentiles.
It was countercultural then and it’s becoming more so today.
Blessing and cursing have a focus on God, blessing finding it’s root in the Aaronic blessing, having peace and favor from God, which happens through faith. Cursing is the opposite, that people would be cut off from God and receive God’s wrath.
- The Christian is to respond to persecution with the desire that the persecutor be forgiven and saved, enjoying the blessing of salvation through faith in Jesus and the Christian’s desire should be accompanied by actions leading to the same.
- This isn’t easy as our normal response is anger and a desire for vengeance. However, when we remember that we, too, were once enemies of God deserving of condemnation and that we are only saved by grace, a gift, it can help us to put things into perspective. Luke 6:31
How can we respond then?
- Prayer – God is the one who changes hearts.
- Kindness – God shows kindness and patience to lead people to repentance.
- Sharing God’s Word, especially the Gospel – Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of Christ.
This is genuine love.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck September 2, 2023

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Romans 12:9–21 “Abhorring Evil and Clinging to Good”

Romans 12:9-21 "Abhorring Evil and Clinging to Good"

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Video Notes:

This section can be divided into three sections. The first, 9-13, addresses what love looks like between believers. The second, 17-21 addresses how Christians should treat non-Christians. 13b-16 covers some of each and some other things.
The section starts with a statement, not a command. There’s no verb in the Greek. It can be translated as a command, but it seems more likely that it’s an opening title that is descriptive of love, rather than a command similar to 1 Corinthians 13.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about love, authentic love, but today let’s cover the second phrase, “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
- The better translation is continuing the description of love. “Love is genuine, abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good.”
- Abhor conveys a deep hatred and revulsion, even a violent hatred.
  - Sometimes we desire what is evil, but that’s something that’s a part of our sinful nature and we all understand what’s going on to some extent. Our best reaction is to recognize what is evil and our sinful desire for it and then resist that desire with prayer and, perhaps other practical efforts, like asking for help, setting up boundaries, etc.
  - There is something less obvious, though. That is our complacency with evil. We’re just kind of ok with it. “I wouldn’t do that, but feel free. It’s your life.”
  - Love isn’t ambivalent towards evil, it abhors it. It hates it. It can’t stand to see it or be a part of it. Love opposes that evil.
  - This can be a difficult thing because there is a lot of evil in the world and we only have so much time or emotional energy. We can pray, though. We can pray not only about the specific evil we see, but also that God would help us to see good and evil as He does. This may lead us to act.
- While we abhor what is evil, we also cling to what is good.
  - The word for “cling” is elsewhere used in reference to marital or spiritual union. The idea is deeply and intimately holding on to what is good, what is of God.
  - Similar to the evil, this can be overwhelming, but through prayer and God’s guidance, we may find that there are certain aspects of good that we continually pray about, support, and do.
  - This can also be difficult because what is good is not always what we (or others) want.
- We can also express ourselves about what is good and evil.
  - “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
- Love won’t stay silent or stand by.
Of course, all this implies we know what is good and what is evil. This is can also be challenging. The world around us often calls what is good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20
- So, we must turn to the source of good, God, and His Word. This isn’t as simple as listening to a pastor or theologian, though, as there are pastors who call good evil and evil good, who seek to simply tell people what they want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3
- The more we know the Bible, the better we are at knowing good and evil and the better we are at identifying when a church leader is just tickling our ears.
- The more we know what is good and what is evil from God’s Word, the more we can pray about, the more we can talk about it, the more we can do something about it.
So, let us love one another genuinely abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck September 1, 2023

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Romans 12:8 “Using Our Unique Gifts for God and Each Other”

Romans 12:6-8 "Using Our Unique Gifts for God and Each Other"

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Video Notes:

What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts God gives. The gifts are given to be used for the benefit of the body of Christ and the ministry of the Word.
Sometimes we can feel like we aren’t important in the church. That isn’t true. You are valued and you are needed.
We need to consider this on Sunday mornings. Why go to church? It isn’t just for you, it’s for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who need you and the gifts God has given you.
This is true for all the ministry of the church and its members. This is true for our oldest members and younger members. All can serve, be it physically or in prayer, a cheerful word of encouragement, sharing wisdom, bringing joy, or even just being present.
This is also true in your families. You serve one another with the gifts God has given you for the benefit of each other and your family.
When the gifts God has given us are freely used to serve one another, a community is created where people are genuinely loved, their needs are met, and all grow in their faith. It’s a community people want to be in.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck August 31, 2023

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Romans 12:6-8 “We Each Have Our Own Gifts”

Romans 12:6-8 "We Each Have Our Own Gifts"

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Video Notes:

The grace is the same, the gifts are different.
These aren’t titles, they are functions.
We each have gifts, use them!
- Prophecy – One who speaks in God’s name.
  - Prophets of the Old Testament sometimes spoke of future events, but more often spoke of what God had done in the past to address the current situation of the hearers.
  - Prophet speech should be the truth, but it’s not received with the same authority as the Old Testament and the apostles. Thus, in 1 Corinthians 14 and elsewhere we are told to scrutinize what these prophets taught. The same is true today.
  - In proportion to our faith – This is debated.
    - It could be a reference to that in which we have faith, God’s Word.
    - It could be a reference to the faith we receive from God by which we use the gifts God gives.
    - This isn’t implying that some prophets have more or greater faith than others.
- Serving – Being a servant to others in a broad sense including a large variety of ways we may serve.
- Teaching – Explaining the Word of God and instructing others in the Word of God, the Bible.
  - The difference between prophecy and teaching is somewhat blurred and they probably overlap quite a bit.
- Exhortation – Encouragement is probably a better word, but encouragement that includes exhortation, comfort, urging, etc.
- Contribution – Sharing may be a better translation. Giving generously from what God has given you to others in need.
- Leadership – Various roles of leadership within the church and even in the home.
- Acts of Mercy – Caring for others. Caring for the sick, disabled, or aging, helping the poor, etc. Doing so with cheerfulness.
Interestingly, there is no mention of the more fantastical gifts, like healing, tongues, etc.
- The gifts of prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy are common and necessary to the church. We should expect to see these regularly in the church.
Remember, that all of this is within the context of God’s mercies and grace. God has already given you all you need for life and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. As God has given freely to you, so you can now give freely to others using the specific gifts and vocations/callings God has given you.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck August 30, 2023

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Romans 12:4-5 “Members of One Body, Christ’s Body”

Romans 12:4-5 "Members of One Body, Christ’s Body"

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Video Notes:

We are one body, all believers in Christ. This emphasizes the unity of the church (not just local)
We do not, however, all have the same function. Just like your body has a heart, spleen, toes, skin, hair, etc., so, the members of the church serve in various functions, but each is needed.
We are also, individually, members one of another. Every Christian joined with every Christian. Thus, we serve each other, every one of the body, in the ways God has gifted us to serve.
This is all part of how we present our bodies as a living sacrifice.
- We serve one another.
- We respect one another.
- We use our gifts for the benefit of one another.
- We forgive one another
- We actively try to see one another as valued, indispensable parts of the body, brothers and sisters in Christ so that our love for each other, for every one in the church, may be authentic.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck August 29, 2023

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Romans 12:3 “Do Not Think Too Highly of Yourself”

Romans 12:3 "Do Not Think Too Highly of Yourself"

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Video Notes:

Our salvation is from God as a gift. It is not only undeserved, but we actually deserved condemnation. So, we have nothing to think highly of ourselves regarding our salvation.
Each of us has gifts to use in the church. Those gifts are also, as the name implies, gifts from God by His grace. So, we have nothing to think highly of ourselves in regard to our gifts.
- Our worldly way of looking at things may lead us to think some gifts are better than others.
- Romans is telling us that’s the wrong way to look at things. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ with gifts given by God and we are interdependent on each other.
  - 1 Corinthians 12:23
    - Some gifts naturally tend to bring more affirmation. These “less honorable” (common) gifts tend to be “thankless” jobs and we should go out of our way to affirm and honor the people with these gifts.
We should think with sober judgment. This means that while we don’t think too highly of ourselves (thinking we are better than others), we also don’t think too lowly of ourselves (that we are nothing or less than others).
- We also remember that all the gifts are needed. So, we shouldn’t be envious of the gifts others have.
Authority vs Pride – While we do not consider anyone greater than anyone else, we do need to recognize that God does give some authority over others for good order. Though, we submit to authority with wisdom and discernment.
Measure of faith – Romans hasn’t indicated levels of faith. So, we shouldn’t read too much into this. The last thing we should do is start categorizing who has what level of faith, thinking more highly of some and less of others. The main point is that faith is a gift and it is by faith that we think with sober judgment about ourselves and the gifts and vocations or callings we have been given.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck August 28, 2023

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Romans 12:1-2 “Sacrifice the Body and Renew the Mind”

Romans 12:1-2 "Sacrifice the Body and Renew the Mind"

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Video Notes:

There’s an interesting connection between Romans 7 and Romans 12.
- In Romans 7, it contrasts the body of the flesh, the sinful self it contrasts that with the mind that loves God. Sin lives in the body and it causes the Christian to do all kinds of evil. The mind, however, loves God’s Law and desires to follow the Law.
- In Romans 12, we are urged to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. We are also urged to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.
This isn’t a definitive connection, so I’m not saying that Romans is definitely connecting the body and mind in Romans 7 with that in Romans 12, but I am saying that it’s interesting to think about Romans 12 in light of Romans 7.
- Recognizing that we have this battle going on inside of us between the body of sinful flesh and mind that loves God, we should sacrifice the body of flesh and so not be conformed to the ways of the world around us.
- At the same time, we should be transformed by the renewal of our mind.
  - The word for renewal is only used one other time in the New Testament in Titus 3:5. The use of “washing of regeneration” is a clear reference to baptism. So, the transformation by the renewal of our mind begins at our baptism and continues in the life of the Christian as we live in our baptismal renewal.
- As our mind is renewed day after day, we learn to love God’s commands. We can test them and see that they are good and acceptable, and perfect.
Romans 7 shows us that even in the transformational process, we still struggle with sin and will fall. Thus we continue to trust in the washing of regeneration we have received by God in baptism, repenting of our sins and receiving the grace and mercy of God.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

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Romans 12:17-20 "Avengers! Settle Down."

Video Notes:

Romans 12:16 "Living in Harmony with Other Christians"

Video Notes:

Romans 12:15 "Christians Aren’t Always Happy"

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Romans 12:14 "Bless Those Who Hurt You"

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Romans 12:9-21 "Abhorring Evil and Clinging to Good"

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Romans 12:6-8 "Using Our Unique Gifts for God and Each Other"

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Romans 12:6-8 "We Each Have Our Own Gifts"

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Romans 12:4-5 "Members of One Body, Christ’s Body"

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Romans 12:3 "Do Not Think Too Highly of Yourself"

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Romans 12:1-2 "Sacrifice the Body and Renew the Mind"

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Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL