"THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS" Benevolence To Saints And Strangers (12:13) INTRODUCTION 1. As Christians we have the responsibility to... a. Present our bodies as living sacrifices - Ro 12:1 b. Prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God - Ro 12:2 -- Made possible by the transformation that comes by renewing our minds 2. A remarkable transformation that characterized early Christians was their benevolence... a. Toward their brethren b. Toward those who were strangers 3. As commanded in our text (Ro 12:3), they... a. Distributed to the needs of the saints b. Showed hospitality even to strangers -- Which was in keeping with God's good, acceptable, and perfect will [What about us today? How is our benevolence to saints and strangers? Perhaps we might do well to take a closer look at the two commands in our text...] I. DISTRIBUTING TO THE NEEDS OF THE SAINTS A. THE COMMAND EXAMINED... 1. Distributing - "The word used here denotes having things in common, (koinwnountev). It means, that they should be communicative, or should regard their property as so far common as to supply the wants of others." - Barnes 2. to the needs - "That is, distribute to them such things as they need -- food, raiment, etc. This command, of course, has reference to the poor." - ibid. 3. of the saints - "Of Christians, or the friends of God." - ibid. -- "Making the needs of fellow saints your own and helping them." - B. W. Johnson B. THE COMMAND EXEMPLIFIED... 1. By the church at Jerusalem (a church helping its members) - Ac 2:44-45; 4:32-36; 6:1-6 2. By the church at Antioch (a church helping other churches) - Ac 11:27-30 3. By the churches of Macedonia and Achaia (many churches helping one church) - Ro 15:25-26; 1Co 16:1-2; 2Co 8:1-24; 9:1-15 C. THE COMMAND EXERCISED... 1. The collection on the Lord's day is designed for this very purpose - 1Co 16:1-2 2. If brethren are in need, we should not hesitate to use the collection for this purpose a. For needy saints in the local congregation b. For needy saints in other places -- Though there are some limitations - e.g., 1Ti 5:9-16; 2 Th 3:6-15 3. Our assistance is based upon ability and opportunity a. According to our ability - 2Co 8:12-15; though note 2Co 8: 1-4 b. According to our opportunity - Ga 6:10 [The Lord has provided a systematic method to meet the needs of His saints. Of course, this does not preclude helping one another as individuals (1Ti 6:17-18). Nor does it mean we have no responsibility toward those not saints, for we are commanded to be...] II. GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY A. THE COMMAND EXAMINED... 1. given to - "Pursuing (as if in a chase or hunt)..." - Robertson's Word Pictures 2. hospitality - Love to strangers (philoxenia) 3. "This expression means that they should readily and cheerfully entertain strangers." - Barnes a. A duty often enjoined in the Scriptures - He 13:2; 1Pe 4:9 b. A qualification for both bishop (elder) and needy widow - 1Ti 3:2; 5:10 4. "The 'hospitality' of today, by which is meant the entertainment of friends or relatives, hardly comes within the Biblical use of the term as denoting a special virtue." - ISBE B. THE COMMAND EXEMPLIFIED... 1. By Abraham, extending hospitality to "three men" - Gen 18:1-8 2. By Lot, pursuing hospitality to "two men" - Gen 19:1-3 3. By Job, who left no stranger in the street - Job 31:32 4. By Jethro, who rebuked his daughters for neglecting Moses - Exo 2:20 5. In the support of early missionaries - Mt 10:11,42; 25:35; 3 Jn 5-8 C. THE COMMAND EXERCISED... 1. The principle of hospitality presumes ability and opportunity a. Our responsibility is based upon ability - cf. 2Co 8:12-13 b. Our responsibility is based upon opportunities - cf. Ga 6:10 2. The pursuit of hospitality is enabled through preparation a. You are more likely to offer hospitality without grumbling if prepared beforehand b. Cheerful giving is made easier by purposeful planning - cf. 2Co 9:7 c. Why not have a place in your personal budget for entertaining strangers? 3. The practice of hospitality can take various forms, if safety or wisdom is a concern a. Housing can be provided through arrangements with a local motel b. Food can be given in the form of vouchers or gift certificates 4. The potential of hospitality for good can be seen in regards to evangelism a. Supporting those who travel to preach the gospel b. Touching the hearts of those who may be in need of the gospel -- "The primitive Christians made one principle part of their duty to consist in the exercise of hospitality; and they were so exact in the discharge of it that the very heathens admired them for it." - Cruden's Concordance CONCLUSION 1. As we seek to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"... a. Do not neglect to provide for the needs of your brethren b. Do not hesitate to show love for those who are strangers 2. Let the words of Jesus Himself challenge us to a higher plane of giving... a. That we might be more like our Heavenly Father - cf. Lk 6:32-36 b. That we might be repaid at the resurrection of the just - cf. Lk 14:12-14 Speaking of such things as our Heavenly Father and the resurrection to come, have you received the hospitality that God extends to all who are lost...? - cf. Ro 5:8-10
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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