Jan. 14, 2024

Sermon Begins at 22:25 Min in Video.

Music Licensed under CCLI Copyright License #2723035 and CCLI Streaming Plus License #22024223

Summary: 

The sermon focuses on the concept of not retaliating or seeking revenge against those who harm or wrong us, based on passages from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and Romans chapter 12. It emphasizes the importance of pursuing good, showing love, and entrusting justice to God.  The main theme of the sermon is the call for Christ followers to refrain from retaliating or seeking revenge when faced with evil or wrongdoing, and instead, to pursue goodness and bless those who persecute them.  The sermon is instructional, encouraging, and reflective. It highlights the challenges of resisting the temptation to retaliate while pointing to the example of Jesus as a model of restraint and forgiveness.

Key points:

- The passage from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 urges believers to recognize and respect those in authority, promote peace, warn the unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, and practice patience.

- It emphasizes the importance of not repaying evil for evil and pursuing what is good for oneself and others.

- The passage from Romans chapter 12 expands on the idea of not seeking revenge and provides detailed guidance on how to respond to persecution or mistreatment with blessings, empathy, humility, and peace.

Key takeaways:

- Christ followers are instructed not to repay evil for evil but to pursue goodness and blessings.

- The passage highlights the need for self-examination regarding one's motives and the importance of displaying the fruit of the Spirit in interactions with others.

- Seeking revenge is contrary to God's will, displays a lack of trust in God's justice, and goes against the example set by Jesus.

Actionable takeaways:

- Refrain from retaliating or seeking revenge when faced with mistreatment or evil actions.

- Show love, kindness, and forgiveness towards those who persecute or mistreat you.

- Trust in God's justice and leave matters of retribution in His hands.

Sermon Notes:

Encouragement from an Apostle

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Don’t Retaliate: 

 Revenge

 Justice

Pursue Good:

 One another:

 To All:

Why Live this Way?

 Because it glorifies God  ( Matthew 5:16)

 Because God remembers. ( Hebrews 6:9-10)

 Because it demonstrates faith. ( James 2:14-20)

 Because we will give an accounting. (1 Corinthians 3:12-16, 2 Corinthians 5:10)