By Garry Knighton
Church of Christ/North  - Shreveport, La.

LOVE TOWARD ALL MEN
Expository Romans 9:14-21

   INTRODUCTION:
       A.  Last week we spoke of "Love of the Brethren"... (Rom. 12:9-13).

       B.  Before we can ever cultivate a love for others, we must first cultivate a love
             for our brethren.  I John 4:19-20.

       C.  In verses 14-21, Paul shows the dedicated Christian's view toward the
             people of the world. (Those of unlike faith, love, thoughts, priorities, cares,
             etc.).

       D.  This is an area of life that also has to be worked into our lives.

       E.  Remember: When one has the love that he should for the brethren, and the
             love that he should for the people of the world , there is no way that he will
             fall away from Christianity.

       F.  This morning, let's study what Paul instructed the Roman Church to do and
             the view that they should have in their love for "ALL MEN".


   I.  LOVE BLESSES IT'S PERSECUTERS - v. 14 ..."BLESS THEM THAT
       PERSECUTE YOU; BLESS AND CURSE NOT."

       A.  This is a principle throughout the Bible.

            1.  Matt. 5:10-11.

       B.  Love rather than retaliate.

            1.  Matt. 5:38-42.

       C.  Persecute - those who pursue.

            1.  EX. David was pressed by Saul - persecuted.

            2.  II Tim. 3:12 - "Yea, and all that would live Godly in Christ Jesus shall
                 suffer persecution."

       D.  Why should we love them?

            1.  Because they are lost in sin - bound for HELL.

            2.  Because they are of the same value in God's eyes that we are.
                 (created in the image of God).

            3.  Because the world will never see our love if we don't.

            4.  Because it is commanded of God.

            5.  Because there may be a lot of talent useful to God's kingdom in these
                 people.

                 a.  EX.  Paul.

 II.  LOVE IS INTERESTED IN OTHERS - v. 15... "REJOICE WITH THEM
      THAT REJOICE; WEEP WITH THEM THAT WEEP."

       A.  Rejoice with them.

            1.  Genuine happiness for the success of others, even when you are not
                 doing good yourself.

                 a.  EX.  Some brethren for instance, when there is more than
                      congregation in town have a problem here.  If one congregation has
                      a fast growth rate, it is held under suspect by the other.  All along,
                      the other would have rejoiced.

            2.  Pride destroys our ability to LOVE.

                a.  It wants us to try and destroy others to keep ourselves looking good.

       B.  Weep with them.

            1.  Bear one another's burdens - Gal. 6:2.

            2.  Love shows it's interest in others by sharing in their grief.

III.  LOVE SEEKS POINTS OF AGREEMENT - v. 16a... "BE OF THE SAME
      MIND TOWARD ONE ANOTHER."

       A.  Our background wants us to seek differences.

            1.  This usually brings about an argument.

            2.  The best way to study with another person about something you differ
                 on, is to start with something you agree on.

       B.  Acts 7 - Stephen began with points of agreement and moved to the
            differences.

       C.  Phil. 2:2 - "Doing nothing through factions... or through vainglory, but in
             lowliness of mind each counting others better than himself."

       D.  Christians of all people must be able to get along with all men.

 IV.   LOVE REJECTS UNWORTHY AMBITIONS - v. 16b... "Set not your
         mind on high things."

       A.  This does not mean that we should not try to be good at anything.

            1.  It is important to always remember who we are.

       B.  Don't set your goal toward "personal pride".

       C.  III John 9 - "I wrote somewhat unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth
             to have the  preeminence among them, receiveth us not."

       D.  Christ is the only Preeminent One.

            1.  Col. 1:18 - "And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the
                 beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have
                 the preeminence."

       E.  Praise seeking simply cannot be a part of the Christian's life.

            1.  Love of others does not allow it.

  V.   LOVE BENDS DOWN - v. 16c... "BUT CONCEND TO THINGS THAT
        ARE LOWLY."

       A.  Concend - put yourself on lower level.

            1.  If you can't bend down and associate with people that are in a lower life
                 style than you, then you don't love.

       B.  God's work cannot be done in pride.

       C.  Love realizes that all men are created equal in the "Image of God."

            1.  If God doesn't make a distinction, who are we to do so?

                 a.  John 3:16 - God love the world, ALL of it.

 VI.  LOVE AVOIDS SELF-ESTEEM - v.16d... "BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN
       CONCEITS."

       A.  Love shows humility in every area of life.

       B.  QUOTE:  "The corn when it is green stand upright, when it is ripe, it bends
             down."

            1.  The Christian who is mature in his love bends down and avoids
                 self-esteem.

       C.  A person who is wise in his own conceits is a FOOL.

            1.  Prov. 26:5 - "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his
                 own conceits (eyes)."

VII.  LOVE REFUSES REVENGE - v. 17a... "RENDER TO NO MAN EVIL
        FOR EVIL."

       A.  Love doesn't strike back.

            1.  I Peter 2:21-23.

       B.  QUOTE:  "Though it is manly to punish, it is God-like to forgive."

       C.  Eph. 4:32 - "and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each
             other, even as God also in Christ forgave you."

VIII.  LOVE ENDEAVORS TO ATTRACT - v. 17b... "TAKE THOUGHT FOR
        THINGS HONORABLE IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN."

       A.  Attention:  Young People.

       B.  We are not to engage in conduct that would arouse suspicion to our
            Christianity.

       C.  We are to attract in our:

            1.  Dress.

            2.  Demeanor... outward behavior.

            3.  Words.

            4.  Actions.

       D.  You are responsible for what your external shows.

            1.  If it even has an appearance of evil, love rejects it.

 IX.  LOVE STRIVES FOR PEACE - v. 18... "IF IT BE POSSIBLE, AS MUCH
        AS IN YOU LIETH, BE AT PEACE WITH ALL MEN."

       A.  A christian cannot be a war-like person.

       B.  Hostilities will arise, but never let be, because of you.

           1.  Never let it be your fault.

       C.  I Cor. 6 - the Christian is to take the loss rather than cause trouble.

  X.  LOVE TRUSTS IT'S CAUSE TO GOD - v. 19... "AVENGE NOT
        YOURSELVES BELOVED, BUT GIVE PLACE UNTO THE WRATH OF
       GOD:  FOR IT IS WRITTEN, VENGEANCE BELONGETH UNTO ME;
        I WILL RECOMPENSE, SAITH THE LORD."

       A.  When we strike back, we illustrate our "Lack of Faith" in God.

           1.  We're saying that God will not help us.

       B.  God sees the whole scope of things, we only see the things present.

       C.  Illustrated in Rev. 6:9-11.

       D.  God will get even for any harm that comes to you.

 XI.  LOVE RETURNS GOOD FOR EVIL - v. 20... "BUT IF THINE ENEMY
        HUNGER, FEED HIM; IF HE THIRST, GIVE HIM TO DRINK; FOR IN SO
        DOING THOU SHALL HEAP COALS OF FIRE UPON HIS HEAD."

       A.  Love is the far greater weapon.

       B.  Love and good frustrate evil.                           

XII.  LOVE ALWAYS WINS THE TRUE VICTORY - v. 21... "BE NOT
       OVERCOME OF EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD."

       A.  We may not always get the last word in, but we will win the victory.

       B.  When a person loves, truly loves, he will be able to face any situation
             knowing that he will be victorious.

CONCLUSION:

       A.  Has your life been filled with the proper love for all men?

       B.  The Christian's love is as important as any other area of salvation.

           1.  Is yours lacking??