How to Get Along with Irritable People
Romans 12:9-21
Intro:
1. It’s been said, “I could get to love the world real easy - it’s the people I have trouble with!”
2. Our Daily Bread (Jan 01) quoted, “The more I get to know the human race, the more I love my dog!”
a. Stop & think about it. My dog is loyal, dependable (usually), eager to please & quick to forgive.
b. Don’t you wish most people were like that?
3. ILL: How I got along with the grouchy grocery checker at McCoy’s Market.
4. This passage will help you to get along with irritable people.
I. v9-17 - What to Do to Get Along with Irritable People
A. To those within the church.
1. v9 - Love unhypocritically.
a. Satisfy real needs regardless of who they are or their ability to repay.
b. Hypocrite (aνυπόκριτος) = a mask wearer, an actor; a person who plays a script without revealing their real self or feelings.
2. v9 - But hate evil.
a. Hate (aποστυγέω) = to hate emphatically. Combat it wherever it exists! (Appears only here in the New Testament)
b. You must hate evil itself, not just the consequences of it!
c. Our society doesn’t hate fornication, we hate VD & AIDS.
d. You don’t hate breaking the speed limit - you hate paying the fine.
e. The best way to combat evil is to repay evil with good! - v14, 17, 19-21.
3. v9 - Cling to what is good.
a. Cling (κολλάω) = glue yourself to.
(1) ILL: The prodigal glued himself to the hog pen (Lk 15:15).
(2) ILL: Some glued themselves to Paul at Mars Hill (Act 17:34).
(3) I Cor 6:16 - Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
b. You glue yourself to good by hating evil & having a genuine love.
c. Identify yourself with good to the degree that it seems glued to you!
4. v10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
a. Brotherly love (φιλαδελφία) = family affection. The church is to be a family!
b. Love your brothers in the church as if they were blood kin.
5. v11-12 - Keep your spiritual fervor (τῳ̂ πνεύματι ζέοντες) = lit. “keep your spirit at the boiling point”.
a. What happens to water when you boil it? It bubbles.
b. If there’s anything to get boiling about, it’s the Lord & His salvation!
c. Lord Jesus said He would spit lukewarm Christians out of His mouth! (Rev 3:15-16).
d. v12 - How do you maintain spiritual fervor? Be joyful in hope, patient in afflictions & faithful in prayer!
6. v13 - Practice hospitality - share generously.
a. We are commanded to give to the homeless (Matt 5:42; Lk 3:11; I Tim 6:18).
b. But the primary Bible focus: reach out to the community in witness - reach out to the “household of faith” in benevolence.
B. To those outside the church.
1. v14 - Bless the irritable.
a. Bless (εuλογέω) = to speak well of or kindly to.
b. v15 - This can be done by showing empathy - really feeling with others. ILL: Jesus weeping at the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:35-36).
2. v16 - Don’t try to be a big shot!
II. v18-21 - What to Do When Irritable People
Don’t Want to Get Along with You
A. v17, 19-21 - Don’t ever seek revenge!
1. ILL: The Hatfields & the McCoys.
2. Nothing good ever comes from seeking revenge.
3. v19 - The Lord, Himself, has promised to get even toward anyone who messes with one of His children.
4. The godly response:
a. Turn the other cheek. Matt 5:38-39 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
b. The result - you heap burning coals emotionally upon the head of the non-believer.
Rom 12:20-21 - 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. (Proverbs 25:21-22)
B. v17 - Keep a good reputation.
1. I Thess 5:22 - Avoid every kind of evil. KJV - Abstain from all appearances of evil.
2. Everyone, believer & non-believer alike, admires Billy Graham. ILL: Interview with Larry King.
3. There’s a respect for people who are genuine, even if you disagree with them.
C. v18 - Have a peacemaking spirit.
1. Matt 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
2. One of the qualifications of an elder is that he is to be a peacemaker (Tit 1:6).
3. Peacemaking is the result of the wisdom that comes from above. Jam 3:17 - But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Do you want to get along with irritable people? Put these character traits into your life and see how the irritable people respond!
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