Breakfast with Biblical    Series: “The Perfect Will of God”        March 25, 2004

Three Transformed Behaviors
John Fryling

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Romans 12:14-16

Introduction

Romans 12:14-16 describes three of the behaviors that flow from a renewed mind and are part of "God's good, pleasing, and perfect will" for His people. We'll look at each, contrast each with behavior that is "conformed to this present world," see each modeled in the lives of Jesus and Paul, and then try to envision each in our lives and the lives of our churches.

v14 - "Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse."

• transformation: reaching out in blessing
• conformity: striking back in judgment
• examples: Lk 23:34; I Pet 2:23,24; Acts 21:30-22:1;I Cor 4:12,13
• possibilities

v15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

• transformation: coming alongside in sympathy
• conformity: turning away in indifference
• examples: John 2:1-11; 11:33-38; I Cor 12:26
• possibilities

v16 - "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

• transformation: connecting in humility
• conformity: competing with arrogance
• examples: Lk 15:1; Mk 10:45; Matt 11:28; Acts 20:17-35
• possibilities

Conclusion

• Conformed or transformed?

• "Same old, same old" or real renewal?

• Old wineskins or new wine?

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