(#433) – Romans 12 - Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

Class Outline:

---

 

Welcome To 

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church that makes a difference.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  At Barah Ministries, our God is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We make a difference by teaching the Word of God from God’s perspective, and not from man’s perspective. 

 

What is the benefit of learning God’s perspective from studying the Word of God?  One benefit is highlighted in Second Corinthians, Chapter 10, Verses 3 and 4…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 10:3

For though we (believers in Christ) walk in the flesh (a physical body)…we do not wage (the spiritual) war according to the flesh (with the weapons of the world…human knowledge…slick speech…impressive credentials)…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 10:4

…for the weapons of our (spiritual) warfare are not of the flesh (from Satan and his world system of thought)…but our spiritual weapons are DIVINELY POWERFUL for the destruction of strongholds (in our lives).

 

One of our most potent divinely powerful weapons is the truth of the Word of God.  That’s why we are here in bible study…to arm ourselves for the spiritual battle we wage every day.  In Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 11 and 14, the Lord tells us through the apostle Paul…

 

EPHESIANS 6:11

Pick up and put on the full armor of God…so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

As believers in Christ we won the spiritual battle through our union with Christ at the moment of salvation…therefore, the Lord encourages us to… 

 

EPHESIANS 6:14a

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth…

 

How well are you protected because of the truth resident in your souls?  Let’s take a test.  Finish these thoughts…

 

         And like a good neighbor…

         Fifteen minutes will save you…

         Nationwide...

 

Okay how about this? What does Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 17 say?  You can’t imagine how many times I have heard believers in Christ say, “Oh, I just have the hardest time memorizing bible verses!”  Yet they know every jingle that’s on television. Unfortunately none of those jingles are divinely powerful for the destruction of strongholds.  None of those jingles provide peace when we are under pressure.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ never complained about how hard it is to know Scripture.  In fact, He always used Scripture, especially under the worst pressure.  In Matthew, Chapter 4, Verses 1 to 11, the Lord teaches us how to combat Satan’s temptations with the truth…

 

MATTHEW 4:1

Then Jesus was led up by God the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

 

MATTHEW 4:2 

And after Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

 

MATTHEW 4:3 

And the tempter (Satan) came and said to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God (and of course you are), command that these stones become bread.”

 

MATTHEW 4:4 

But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on physical

food alone, but man shall live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth

of God.’”

 

MATTHEW 4:5 

Then the devil took Jesus into the holy city (Jerusalem) and had Him stand on the pinnacle of Solomon’s Temple…

 

MATTHEW 4:6 

…and Satan said to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God (and of course you are), throw Yourself down…for it is written, ‘God the Father will command His angels concerning You’ … and ‘On their hands they will bear You up… so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

 

MATTHEW 4:7 

Jesus said to Satan, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

 

MATTHEW 4:8 

Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory…

 

MATTHEW 4:9 

…and Satan said to Jesus, “All these things I will give You (a legitimate offer), if You fall down and worship me.”

 

MATTHEW 4:10 

Then Jesus said to him, “Get out of here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 

 

MATTHEW 4:11 

Then the devil left Jesus…and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

 

Satan wants to erect strongholds of confusion in our souls.  He tempts us with an appetite, a desire for personal gain, and an easy path to glory…the crown before the Cross.  Satan wants to wipe out the stability of the truth in our souls and to replace it with the instability of lies.  The only way to combat Satan’s lies is with the truth of the Word of God.  What is the benefit of learning God’s perspective from studying the Word of God?  When we know God’s perspective we can discard Satan’s perspective.  When we have problems, Satan’s temptation to take the easy way out always blows up in our faces.  Welcome to a place where you can get to know God’s thoughts as well as you know television commercials!

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

 

Have you ever been treated unjustly, and had an intense desire to get back at the person who wronged you?  Many times, we put ourselves in the position to be wronged with bad decisions, but it doesn’t make us any less interested in having the person who wronged us pay for what they did.  God doesn’t operate that way.  In fact, His unconditional love is just the opposite.  In today’s lesson we’ll learn God’s thoughts on how to handle our enemies.

 

When we study the Word of God, we’re really studying God Himself.  The best way for us to have an amazing life is to put God first in our lives. Is the Lord Jesus Christ resident in the number one position in your life?  Here’s Laura Dagle to tell us the value of putting God FIRST.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

FIRST

Lauren Dagle

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Father, thank you for Your hatred of evil…thank you for letting us know that the total destruction of evil is part of Your plan, and that when we are resident with You in eternity, evil will be eliminated once and for all time…

 

When we see evil proliferating in the world, remind us that allowing evil to run its course is part of your plan…and in spite of appearances, You still have this Universe under Your complete control…help us to be patient as You work out the details of the Creator-creature conflict, providing justice to Your accusers…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s

name...Amen.

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

 

We continue our study of the final passage of Romans, Chapter 12 at Verse

17.  When God tells us the DO’s and DON’Ts of this life, He is telling us how to live the amazing resurrection life He planned for us in eternity past.  Let’s listen to the final part of this final passage of Romans, Chapter 12…and let’s get into our study of the final few verses to see what we can learn about living.  

 

ROMANS 12:15 

Rejoice with those who rejoice…and weep with those who weep.

 

ROMANS 12:16 

Be of the same mind toward one another…do not be haughty in mind…but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

 

ROMANS 12:17 

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

 

ROMANS 12:18 

If possible…so far as it depends on you…be at peace with all men.

 

ROMANS 12:19 

Never take your own revenge, beloved…but leave room for the wrath of God…for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine…I will repay,” says the Lord.

 

ROMANS 12:20 

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him…and if he is thirsty, give him a drink…for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 

ROMANS 12:21 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

What is God telling is to do when He says…in Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 17…

 

ROMANS 12:17 

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

 

We always want to get even…many of us have a sense of fairness…we want the scales of justice to be balanced…we want life to be fair (especially to us).  It is not.  The truth is, Satan, His world system, and the flesh hate the Lord’s saints.  That’s you!  Life in Satan’s kingdom is not now, nor will it ever be fair, mainly because of Satan’s lack of integrity and his inability… inability both to run his kingdom here on planet earth and to command the hearts of men without lies and trickery.  Therefore we encounter evil. Colossians, Chapter 3, Verses 12 and 13…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:12

So, as those who have been chosen of God…His holy and beloved ones… put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:13

…bearing with one another…and forgiving each other…and whoever has a complaint against anyone…just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you forgive.

 

As the Lord’s saints we are to act like saints…having the same attitude and emotions as the Lord Jesus Christ…forgiveness and compassion.  Look at the Lord’s attitude toward His nation Israel and The Jewish Race in Hebrews, Chapter 8, Verse 12…

 

HEBREWS 8:12

“For I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will be merciful to their iniquities (wickedness)…and I will remember their sins no more.”

 

The New Testament, forged by the blood of the Lord’s Cross, took grace and forgiveness to a whole new level…Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 38 to 48…

 

MATTHEW 5:38

“You have heard that it was said (in the Old Testament), ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’”

 

MATTHEW 5:39 

“But I (the Lord Jesus Christ) say to you, do not resist an evil person…but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

 

MATTHEW 5:40 

“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

 

MATTHEW 5:41 

“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

 

MATTHEW 5:42 

“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

 

MATTHEW 5:43 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”

 

MATTHEW 5:44 

“But I  (the Lord Jesus Christ) say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

 

MATTHEW 5: 45 

“…so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…for God the Father causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous (believers in Christ) and the unrighteous (unbelievers).” 

 

MATTHEW 5:46 

“For if you love those who love you (and of course you do), what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

 

MATTHEW 5:47 

“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do

not even the Gentiles (unbelievers) do the same?”

 

MATTHEW 5:48 

“Therefore you believers in Christ are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

 

Cue England Dan and John Ford Coley…light up the world…shine on me…love is the answer!

 

ROMANS 12:17b

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

 

Have honor…be honorable…be aware of how things look to others.  If you view your life as a whole, you’ll be appalled at what you see! It’s so awesome that we have defense mechanisms that keep us from seeing how we really are…yet if we were to see the evil in ourselves as God sees it, we’d have a lot more compassion for others, even for those who have wronged us.

 

When we get back from the break, we’ll take the offering, and we’ll continue our study of the final verses in Romans, Chapter 12.

  

 

BREAK

Five Minutes

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

 

Giving is a privilege and a responsibility for those who have received the gift of eternal life from the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  When you give, you are giving for God’s use what He has given to you.  Pastors worldwide complain about one thing in the matter of giving…every one of them has the same quote…“only 6% of the people in our ministry give.”  

 

I think it’s a shame that Satan has intimidated Christians into being suspicious of giving.  He has taken away our amazing privilege from God. If you value Barah Ministries, give to Barah Ministries.  We’d like to provide June Murphy with an opportunity to make another CD.  We are absolutely excellent at managing your contributions and redirecting them to important purposes like this.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with this week’s offering message.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

SECOND THESSALONIANS 3:3

But the Lord is faithful…and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 

 

OFFERING

FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE

Dave McClure, Instrumental

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

 

Welcome back! When we look at the exhortations in Romans 12, all the commands that God asks of us, it becomes absolutely clear that the Lord and Satan are polar opposites.  That’s why we can declare concerning the Lord, just as the group LeBlanc does, THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU Lord!

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU

Lenny LeBlanc

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Revenge Isn’t Sweet, Even When God Does It

 

Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 18…

 

ROMANS 12:18

If possible…so far as it depends on you…be at peace with all men.

 

It is not always possible to be at peace with everyone…yet as believers in Christ we are the opposite of the world…in the world there is war and rumors of war…in the souls of believers in Christ lives peace.  We are catalysts in this lost and dying world.  What is a catalyst?

 

CATALYST

A person or a thing that incites a change…a substance that causes or accelerates a reaction without itself being affected…that causes activity between people or forces… 

 

First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 34…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:34

I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you that I (Paul) have in union with Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

 

As believers in Christ we face constant and relentless tribulation, yet we are to relax in the face of it, just as Jesus did.  Matthew, Chapter 10, Verses 34 to 39…

 

MATHEW 10:34

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

 

MATHEW 10:35 

“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law…”

 

MATHEW 10:36 

“…and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”

 

MATHEW 10:37 

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

 

MATHEW 10:38 

“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”

 

MATHEW 10:39 

“He who has found his life will lose it…and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

 

There will be times when we are not at peace, especially in our own families.  We are to wait and to watch and to let the Lord work things out for us.  James, Chapter 3, Verse 10…

 

JAMES 3:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (believers in Christ) is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

When we sew peace we reap peace.  

 

Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 19…

 

ROMANS 12:19a 

Never take your own revenge…beloved…

 

We are to love our enemies and treat well those who treat us badly.  The motto of Scotland doesn’t capture this sentiment…

 

SCOTLAND’S MOTTO

“Nemo me impune lacessit”

No one treads on me unpunished!

 

Our God says avoid personal revenge.  The legal profession is perfect for unbelievers…it’s all about seeing people punished for their wrongdoing instead of having the legal profession do what it is intended to do…and that when people can’t come to an agreement, there is someone to help with the resolution…not in criminal matters nut in civil matters.

 

You may want to right the scales of justice yourself.  Instead, the Lord commands that we make room for Him to bring about justice.  Exodus, Chapter 14, Verses 13 and 14…

 

EXODUS 14:13

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation

of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today…for the Egyptians whom you have seen today…you will never see them again forever.” 

 

EXODUS 14:14

“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

 

What a great things when we have the Sovereign God of the Universe fighting our battles.  James, Chapter 1, Verse 20…

 

JAMES 1:20

…for the anger of man does not (ouk) achieve the righteousness life of God.

 

ROMANS 12:19b

…but leave room for the wrath of God…for it is written, “Vengeance belongs to Me, and I will compensate,” says the Lord.

 

Compensate means the Lord will “pay back.”  What is vengeance?

 

VENGEANCE

Dealing out “just desert” to evil action…a deserved punishment

 

The one who trusts in God will not think it necessary to avenge themselves.  Many times vengeance comes from what the Lord allows…not from direct action.

 

What a great thing to count on a God who has all the information in every situation. God is ALWAYS fair.  God is ABSOLUTELY righteous.  So it follows that His vengeance is ALWAYS fair and ABSOLUTELY righteous.

Is yours?  Psalm 7, Verse 11…

 

PSALM 7:11

God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.

 

Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verse 30…

 

HEBREWS 10:30

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again,

“The Lord will judge His people.”

 

Second Thessalonians, Chapter 1, Verse 6…

 

SECOND THESSALONIANS 1:6

‘For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you…’

 

Even when we see our enemies getting the vengeance fro the Lord, it really isn’t sweet.  God never gives us what we deserve…so it muct follow that we, as believers in Christ, would never want anyone to get what they deserve…even though they will.

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

The closing moments of our study are for anyone who does not have a personal relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We want you to know that GOD WANTS YOU. 

 

What is going to happen to you when you close your eyes in this life?  How can you get to heaven?

 

Many people have beliefs about God.  A belief is an opinion…it’s a conviction…it’s a confidence in the existence of something that does not seem provable.  Satan, the enemy of God, prefers we have beliefs because there is a big difference between a belief and the truth.  Only when your beliefs and the truth are the same is it significant.  Satan hates the truth.  He loves beliefs.

 

So what is going to happen to you when you close your eyes in this life?  Will your beliefs help you?

 

Many people believe they can earn their way into heaven by doing good deeds. They give money to beggars…they give food to the homeless…they are actively involved in community projects…they generously donate their time, talent, and treasure to charitable organizations…they “give back”… you’ve heard people use that term countless times. People who “give back” usually are convinced they are better than most people.  They think they are so good, that after they die God will reward them by letting them into heaven for their good deeds.

 

Unfortunately, in the bible they find a completely different story.  Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 5…

 

TITUS 3:5

The Lord Jesus Christ saved us…not on the basis of deeds which we have done in self-righteousness…but according to His mercy…by the washing of regeneration and by renewing by God the Holy Spirit…

 

Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verses 8 and 9…

 

EPHESIANS 2:8

For by God the Father’s grace you have been saved through faith (in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation)…and that grace and that faith and that salvation are not from the source of yourselves…it is the gift of God the Father….

 

EPHESIANS 2:9 

…therefore, being saved is not as a result of works (deeds you have done in self-righteousness)…so that no one may boast (about saving himself).

 

One thing you would never want to do is to put the burden of your salvation on your own back.  So how do you get to heaven?  There’s only one way to get to heaven…in John, Chapter 14, Verse 6…

 

JOHN 14:6

Jesus said to the doubting apostle, Thomas, “I am the way (to salvation), and I am the truth (through the Word of God), and I am the resurrection life…and no one comes to God the Father (in heaven) but through believing in Me.”

 

When we choose to believe that Jesus Christ is God, it is much more than a belief…it is the absolute truth.  So how do you get to heaven when you close your eyes in this life?  Romans, Chapter 10, Verses 9 and 10…

 

ROMANS 10:9

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (that He is God)…and if you

believe in your heart that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead… you will be saved…

 

ROMANS 10:10 

…for with the heart a person believes…resulting in the imputation of absolute righteousness (your admission ticket to heaven)…and with the mouth a person confesses (admitting faith in Christ alone)…resulting in salvation.

 

Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

ACTS 16:31 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…

 

JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life right at that moment… but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”

 

John, Chapter 3, Verse 17…

 

JOHN 3:17

For God the Father did not send God the Son into the world to judge the world…but the Father sent the Son into the world that the world might be saved through Him.

 

Take the free gift of eternal life right now!  There’s no time to waste!  God wants you.  Here is June Murphy to sing...and she will tell you that when you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ …IT IS WELL WITH YOUR SOUL

 

CLOSING SONG

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

June Murphy

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

www.barahministries.com