20170702 the perfect pattern for overcoming evil
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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness. Jesus teaches his followers to rejoice when insulted or persecuted for their faith, as prophets before them were treated the same way. Romans 12 advises believers to associate with the lowly, do no harm to others, respect what is right, and try to be at peace with all. Do not seek revenge but instead leave judgment to God, and overcome evil with good by showing kindness even to enemies.
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20170702 the perfect pattern for overcoming evil
- 2. SUNDAY 02 July 2017 THE PERFECT PATTERN FOR OVERCOMING EVIL
- 5. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MATTHEW 5:10-16 NIV
- 6. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NASB
- 7. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ROMANS 12:16-18
- 8. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "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.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ROMANS 12:17
Editor's Notes
- If I live my life to glorify God by believing I was created by Him to have relationship with Him and that Jesus died to restore me back to right standing with God and that now I obey His word I will be transformed through the renewing of my thinking. If I am being transformed what are the fruit that would be visible in my life. As a living sacrifice all of my life will be about bringing glory to Him. Then that will be displayed in how I we see ourselves and how I will love others It will also show in how I deal with those who persecute you. Paul says to us that are being transformed that we must love the haters. We can only do this if we are focused on glorifying God and determined to establish His kingdom. As John Pipers says “Virtually all the commands in verses 14-21 assume that something deeper has happened. All these commands are rooted in freedom from self-preoccupation and self-infatuation and self-exaltation. And, much more than that—though that is crucial—they are rooted in Christ-preoccupation and Christ-infatuation and Christ-exaltation.” http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/bless-those-who-persecute-you
- When Paul penned these words he was no doubt thinking about those who opposed the followers of Jesus because of their faith. The Roman Empire, under the leadership of Nero, would grow increasingly antagonistic over the next few years until, in 64 A.D. when Rome burned, Christians became his sole focus. Nero would take Christians, cover them in pitch, impale them on long poles, and light them on fire to illuminate his gardens. He brought Christians into the Coliseum, wrapped them in animal skins, and then turned hungry lions loose to devour them. Many believe that the man who wrote Romans, the Apostle Paul, was beheaded under Nero. Eusebius, known as the father of church history, says that Simon Peter was crucified under Nero. With the tension rising between Church and State how would Paul counsel the followers of Jesus to react? How should the Body of Christ respond to such relentless attacks? Should they put bumper stickers on their chariots mocking Nero? Would it be beneficial to write articles for The Roman Inquirer about how Nero might be the anti-christ? Would Paul encourage them to plan a rally to denounce the government, the pagan morality of the citizens, and all of those who opposed the cause of Christ?
- We live in the days of Cyber bullying and twitter bombs. People feel they can say what they want and that social media provides them with a way to deal with their frustrations. According to a study quoted on USA Today published 23 Feb 2017 Hate on social media is on the rise. “The research showed that hate groups collected more "likes" to tweets and comments in 2016 than in any other year since 2008. From 2014 to 2015, the number of "likes" on hate group tweets and comments tripled, and from 2015 to 2016 they tripled again.” How do you bless those who persecute you on social media?
- Because we see this as a broken world we know that in every person there is good and also evil. We are not surprised when the best people fall and we are not amazed when evil people can do good. The world loves to make people either completely good or completely bad or they just have a don’t judge nobodies perfect kind of approach. As Christians we have a clear line between good and evil and we aspire to good but when someone falls we know that we are still being transformed and can hold up a hand to thee person to pick them up, but we never settle and just accept their sin, but we encourage them in God’s kindness to come to repentence. So therefore I can have sympathy for the victim as well as the perpetrator.
- Be of the same mind – Note again the emphasis on thinking and being of a different mind. Transformed Christians seek harmony, they have the win win mentality that believes there is place for everyone. They don’t push people into different corners but seek ways to come together. Do not be haughty – Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Don’t set yourself up to look down on everyone else and make your needs more important. But associate with the lowly - We are not to be like those who “jockey” for position in society by trying to establish relationships with the rich, powerful, and popular who can benefit us. We are to be people who love all people, especially those who can do nothing for us. We watch us people fight for position to get what they think they deserve or are owed often at the expense of others. It is sickening to see how some use public funds to enrich themselves and then have the audacity to ask the poor for support. But let us bless those who cause trouble. Don’t be wise in your own estimation –FIGJAM, As I have said once before “Undervalue what you give and overvalue what you receive”
- Johnny Lee Clary thought that racism and bigotry were to be worn as a badge of honor. His dad committed suicide, his mother abandoned him, and he felt all alone in the world until he found a place to belong. The problem was that the group that opened their arms to the alienated 14 year old was the Ku Klux Klan. He soaked up the teachings of David Duke and participated in KKK events. His passion caused him to rise through the ranks of the Klan and eventually become the Imperial Wizard of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the most feared element of the Klan in history. Johnny appeared on television talk shows along with Tom Metzger, the founder of the White Aryan Resistance, spewing his hatred towards other races. Wade Watts was born September 23rd, 1919, in Kiamichi, Oklahoma. His family moved to Canada for a short time before they moved back to Eufaula, OK. During Wade’s younger years he witnessed racism firsthand and it shaped who he would become as a man. Wade became a close friend of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. He joined the N.A.A.C.P when he was 17 years old, became a pastor in his early 30’s, and marched with Dr. King in Selma, Alabama in 1965. Wade and his wife, Betty Jean, lost their firstborn in a hospital in Ada, OK. It was the dead of winter and the nursery in the hospital was segregated. The heat was piped into the “white nursery.” Wade and Betty Jean’s baby was in the “black nursery.” As a result the baby froze to death. Wade Watts and Johnny Lee Clary’s paths would intersect in 1979. Wade was the leader of the Oklahoma chapter of the NAACP. Johnny Lee Clary was the Grand Dragon of the Oklahoma KKK. The two met in a debate that was broadcast across the country through an Oklahoma City radio station. When the two men came out to debate Wade reached out his hand to shake Johnny’s, but Johnny knew that according to the Klan “rule book” to touch a non-white person was to pollute one’s self. Wade shook his hand any way and said, “Hi Johnny. Jesus loves you and I love you.” Johnny Lee Clary called Wade every name in the book, but Wade said, “Johnny, there is nothing that you can do to stop me from loving you.” After the debate Johnny decided to do everything in his power to get Wade. He would call him on the phone and threaten him, he and other Klansmen showed up at Wade’s house in their hoods and robes, they burned a cross in his yard, and even burned the church that Wade pastored. Each time Johnny attempted to get at Wade he got the same response. Wade would remind Johnny that Jesus loved him and he did as well. Johnny called Wade after he and his buddies burned Wade’s church. Johnny sought to disguise his voice and said, “Hey boy. You don’t know me but we know you and we’re coming for you.” Wade said, “Hi Johnny. I’m going to pray for you.” And then he prayed, “Lord Jesus forgive Johnny for being so stupid.” One time Johnny and about 30 of his buddies surrounded Wade at a restaurant in McAlester. Wade was getting ready to eat some chicken when Johnny said, “You better think about what you are doing boy because whatever you do next to that chicken we are going to do to you.” Wade picked up the chicken and kissed it. Everyone in the restaurant broke out in laughter except for Johnny. Johnny’s life began to spin out of control. There was infighting in the Klan, he had suffered from two divorces, found out his girlfriend was an informant for the FBI, and eventually Johnny left the Klan. Johnny began to experience extreme guilt over the violence and hatred that he had lived for so long. He was on the verge of taking his own life one night when he cried out to God. God heard his cry. Over the next few years Johnny contacted Wade and the two of them became friends. Johnny became a minister and he and Wade preached together in Tulsa at ORU’s Mabee Center. They appeared together on the Phil Donahue Show and The Geraldo Rivera Show. Wade was interviewed on television one time and he said, I always wanted to leave this old world, knowing that I left it a better place than I found it; but to have been a help in converting Johnny Lee Clary over to Christianity, the right kind of Christianity, not the Ku Klux Klan type, but the RIGHT kind of Christianity, well, that’s one of the best jobs I ever done in my life. Wade went home to be with the Lord on December 13, 1998. At his passing Johnny Lee Clary said, Rev. Watts was like a father to me. I am grateful for all the years I had with him, and for all the wisdom and knowledge he passed on to me. He told me that he was passing me his mantle. I do not feel worthy to take it up; however, if he thought that much of me to invest all those years of time and wisdom into me, then I owe it to the memory of him to fight racism and continue his works. Wade and I always called one another “Old Partner”. I will miss him for the rest of my life, and will never forget him. Because I serve Jesus as my Lord and Master, I will see Wade again. So it’s not goodbye, but it’s just “So Long For Now, Old Partner!” (Rev. Johnny Lee Clary)