| I. The Central Exhortation |
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VERSE 12:9 |
| A. The Subject: |
Let love |
(9a) |
| B. The Quality: |
be without hypocrisy. |
(9b) |
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| II. The Explanatory Exhortations |
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VERSES 12:9-21 |
| A. Clear Moral Positions: |
Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. |
(9c) |
| B. Brotherly Kindness: |
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; |
(10a) |
| C. Unselfishness: |
give preference to one another in honor; |
(10b) |
| D. Diligent: |
not lagging behind in diligence, |
(11a) |
| E. Fervent: |
fervent in spirit, |
(11b) |
| F. Serving God: |
serving the Lord; |
(11c) |
| G. Rejoicing: |
rejoicing in hope, |
(12a) |
| H. Persevering: |
persevering in tribulation, |
(12b) |
| I. Prayerful: |
Prayerful: |
(12c) |
| J. Giving: |
contributing to the needs of the saints, |
(13a) |
| K. Hospitable: |
practicing hospitality. |
(13b) |
| L. Gracious under Persecution: |
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| 1. Stated: |
Bless those who persecute you; |
(14a) |
| 2. Restated and Amplified: |
bless and do not curse. |
(14b) |
| M. Empathetic: |
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| 1. In Joy: |
Rejoice with those who rejoice, |
(15a) |
| 2. In Sorrow: |
and weep with those who weep. |
(15b) |
| N. Humility: |
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| 1. First Positive: |
Be of the same mind toward one another; |
(16a) |
| 2. First Negative: |
do not be haughty in mind, |
(16b) |
| 3. Second Positive: |
but associate with the lowly. |
(16c) |
| 4. Second Negative: |
Do not be wise in your own estimation. |
(16d) |
| O. Not Vindictive: |
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. |
(17a) |
| P. Honorable: |
Respect what is right in the sight of all men. |
(17b) |
| Q. Peaceable: |
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. |
(18) |
| R. Not Vengeful: |
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| 1. The Exhortation: |
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| a. Negative: |
Never take your own revenge, beloved, |
(19a) |
| b. Positive: |
but leave room for the wrath of God, |
(19b) |
| 2. The Scriptures: |
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| a. First: |
for it is written,
“VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” (Deuteronomy 32:35) |
(19c) |
| b. Second: |
“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.” (Proverbs 25:21-22) |
(20) |
| 3. The Summary: |
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| a. Negatively: |
Do not be overcome by evil, |
(21a) |
| b. Positively: |
but overcome evil with good. |
(21b) |