Mm. How do you become the person God wants you to be? The answers aren't in self-help books or seminars. All the information you need is in God's Word. Today, on Turning Point, Dr.
David Jeremiah returns to Romans chapter 12. For more insights and instruction on building godly characteristics into your life. To introduce the conclusion of his thought-provoking message, Stay Strong. Here's David. You know, the Bible is such an interesting book because throughout the Bible, from the beginning to the end, there are certain places where you just get really strong information that's meant to help you know exactly what to do.
Strong application. From the Bible for your life. And Romans 12 is like that. Romans 12:9 through 16 tells you how to be the person you were meant to be and gives you instruction as to how you live your life in this world. As we wait for the return of Christ, here's how we're to live during these days.
And I don't think there's ever been a time when we've needed this information more than we do now. Because we need people to be strong, Christians to stand up for what they believe and be strong in the way they live and reflect Jesus Christ every day. These words from Romans 12 help us do that, and we'll get back to them in just a moment as we continue our discussion of what it means to stay strong for Christ. I want to tell you that during this month we have been making available to you a very beautiful book called Vanished. It's a story of the rapture and how one man was caught up in it along with everything that was happening in his life.
His name is Haggerty, and he's not a Christian, but he's struggling with what it means to deal with life, and he has people around him who keep dropping these little hints in his life about eternity and the rapture and the things to come. It's an intriguing story. And I think you'll get caught up in it when you begin to read it. And I'd like to send the book to you as my way of saying thank you for your gift to Turning Point during the month of July. Simply ask for the book Vanished when you send your gift, and it'll be on its way to you.
Here's part two of Stay Strong here on Turning Point.
So, our life is to be marked by a compassionate love for God's people. By clear standards of morality, abhor evil, cling to that which is good. by contagious enthusiasm. outwardly, inwardly, and upwardly. And now notice, by a courageous faith under fire.
Verse 12. These are interesting words for the day in which we live. Because in this generation, more people have been martyred for their faith than in all of the generations up to this one. That surprises a lot of people because we've all heard about Fox's book of martyrs and all of the martyrs that died in the early days of the church. Listen to me.
In this generation, the one in which we live, more people have died in our generation for their faith in Jesus Christ than all of the rest of the martyrs from the beginning of history. More people. And the reason we don't know that is because it has not yet crossed our border and touched us a lot in our own country. But how many of you can almost see it coming? Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that probably before most of us go to heaven, we will have to take a stand for our faith in a much more pronounced way than we ever have before.
So we best learn how to have courageous faith under fire.
Now, Paul tells us three things here. He says: first of all, learn how to praise God when you're in that situation, marked by the way we praise, rejoicing in hope.
Now you say, how can you rejoice when you're going through pressure. Listen to the word, rejoicing not in my circumstances, but rejoicing in hope. When you're a Christian and you're under pressure, the thing that keeps you going is you know this isn't going to last forever, and you're going to have a time of glory and rejoicing in heaven. You rejoice in hope. I've always loved this passage in the 42nd and 43rd Psalm where David.
Is trying to deal with the discouragement that's in his life. His own son. has betrayed him. David's sitting on the outside looking at this with terrible anguish in his heart. And then we read his words, and he says, Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
Hope thou in God. What did David do?
Well, I always like to think about it this way. He had a little talk with himself. Do you ever have a little talk with yourself? He said self Why are you cast down? Hope thou in God.
How many of you know that our hope is ultimately in God? No matter what's going on around us, no matter what kind of disappointment or betrayal or pressure we live under, the one thing we bring to the table that most people will never understand is that in the midst of it all, we have our hope in God.
So it's not only how we praise God and how we persevere. In the pressure, but notice thirdly, it's how we pray. He talks here about praying. He says We're to pray steadfastly and continuously. And this little phrase is interesting because it means to be devoted to or to continue to pray.
And it's a translation of a Greek word which means to be strong in the direction of something. It carries with it the idea of being steadfast. and unwavering, no matter where you are, where you're sitting. If you're a Christian, here's what I know. When you have a problem, you pray.
Yeah. You may not pray any other time. But if you have a problem, you pray. That's what we do, isn't it? Oh, God, help.
Everybody prays when they have problems.
Now, if you happen to be somebody who prays normally, regularly, routinely. Here's something else I know. When you have problems, you pray differently than when you normally pray. I know that. I learned how to pray in a different way.
when I had cancer. You don't just pray, you cry out to God. How many of you know there's praying, and then there's praying? I know. That God wants us to learn how to bring the kind of intensity that we have when we're under pressure into our regular normal life.
David Platt's a pastor of a church in Birmingham, Alabama. God is. put his hand on this man's life. And he has a different kind of church. And I have to tell you, most of the time when I read a good book, I say, you know, that was really a great book.
I couldn't put it down.
Well, this one I couldn't wait to put it down. I wanted to get it out of my life and off my shelf and out of my mind because the title of this book is Radical. Taking your faith back from the American dream. And the whole book is about how we as Christians have got caught up in the American dream to the extent that we've no longer able to do the things that God has called us to do. And he talks about all of this.
And if you ever see this book in a bookstore, you want to get it, but it's a very discomforting book. It'll make you think, and it'll make you think you'd have been better off if you hadn't got the book in the first place. But he has some marvelous reminders to us. And one of the chapters he talks about an experience he had when he went to the mission field. And this was in an Asian mission field which was under pressure.
Let me just read to you. a little paragraph or two out of this book. He's in a prayer meeting on the mission field. Listen. Imagine all the blinds closed on the windows of a dimly lit room.
20 leaders from different churches in the area sat in a circle on the floor. with their Bibles open.
Some of them had sweat on their foreheads after walking for miles to get there. Others were dirty from the dust in the villages from which they had set out on bikes early that morning. They had gathered in secret. They had intentionally come to this place at different times throughout the morning so as not to draw attention to the meeting that was occurring. You see, they lived in a country in Asia where it is illegal for them to gather like this.
And if they are caught, they could lose their land, their jobs, their families, or their lives. The author of the book, David Flatt, said, I listened as they began sharing stories of what God was doing in their churches. One man sat in the corner. He had a big frame and he served as the security guy.
So to speak. And whenever a knock would come on the door, a noise was heard outside a window, everyone in the room would freeze. And this brother would go and make sure everything was okay. Then he would come back, and on this occasion, he began to share about the dangers his church members were facing. And tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, I am hurting, and I need God's grace to lead my church through these attacks.
A woman on the other side of the room spoke up next.
Some of the members of my church were recently confronted by government officials, she continued, and they threatened their families, saying that if they did not stop gathering to study the Bible, they were going to lose everything they had. She asked for prayer, saying, I need to know how to lead my church to follow Christ, even if it would cost them everything. He said, as I looked around the room, I saw that everyone was now in tears. The struggles expressed by this brother and sister were not isolated. They all looked at one another and said, We need to pray.
Immediately they went to their knees. And with their faces on the ground, they began to cry out to God. Their prayers were marked less by grandiose theological language and more by heartfelt praise and pleading. Oh God, thank you for loving us. Oh God, we need you.
Jesus, we give our lives to you and for you. Jesus, we trust in you. They audibly wept before God as one leader after another prayed. After about an hour the room drew to a silence. and they rose from the floor.
Humbled by what I had just been a part of, I saw. puddles of tears in a circle, where they had been on their knees. I guess you would never forget that, would you? Ever. That's the kind of prayer.
that people pray when they're under pressure. That's the kind of prayer that goes on all over this world in places other than in our nation when people have to put their life on the line for their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul says you need to learn how to pray. under pressure. One day you'll need it.
You will need to learn how to pray under pressure. And then He says, our life needs to be marked by a compassionate love for God's people, by clear standards of morality, by contagious enthusiasm for God, by a courageous faith under fire. and by a confirming ministry to others.
Now, notice once again, here we are in a trilogy, these little triple phrases that he uses. First of all, he says, we are to be marked by generosity. Distributing to the needs of the saints. The Bible says that those who are rich are not to be haughty in our riches, but it says we are to do good. That we might be rich in good works, ready to give and willing to serve.
The Bible says that if we have what God has given to most of us, The responsibility we have is to take that and use it and to do good works with it and help other people. Notice, not only the ministry of generosity, but next is the ministry of hospitality, verse 13. And I love this because this is not just hospitality, it says pursuing hospitality. How many of you know that hospitality is something we normally think of as: well, if somebody needs a place to eat and they let me know, I'll open my house for them. No, no, no, Paul says that's wrong.
Paul says you should go look for people that you can bring home. Pursue hospitality. Make it something that you are proactive about. I love the passage in Hebrews 13 that says, We need not to forget to entertain strangers because. We might be entertaining unknowingly an angel.
Did you ever read that? Here's exactly what it says, do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so, some have unwittingly entertained angels.
So here it is folks. Take an angel to lunch. I know some of you guys have been hoping you could do that, but I just want you to know this is what we should do. We should be outward by. all standards of the Scripture.
Now That brings us to the final trilogy, which is made up of a bunch of other little things, but let me just go through this quickly: the ministry of generosity, the ministry of hospitality. Here's the third one: the ministry of mutuality. What is mutuality? It's the things we do back and forth with one another. Mutually, we do this.
Now, watch. Bless those who persecute you. You gotta be kidding me. No, that's what it says. Bless those who persecute you.
Bless and do not curse. And if you think that's bad, let me make it even worse. The word bless is the word from which we get our word eulogize. Eulogize those who curse you.
Well, you say, I'll be glad to do that if it's at their funeral. No, that's not what God is talking about. Eulogize those Who curse you? That means that as Christians, we just run against the grain.
Somebody says something bad to us, we try to think of the good thing we can say about them. Notice, rejoice with those who rejoice. That's as hard as blessing those who curse us for some of us. We can't get to the point where we can rejoice with somebody.
Somebody in your company gets a promotion. Maybe it's one you thought you should get. What do you do? Do you go up and put your arm around him and say, Boy, I am so thankful that God has cared for you in this way. I rejoice with you in this promotion.
No, we usually go sulk and we create an enemy out of the person who took the position we thought we deserved. And the Bible says, no, if you're going to have the kind of difference-making character that you desire in this world that is looking for answers, here are some of the things that will set you apart. Bless those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice. And then Weep with those who weep.
I'm so thankful for your compassion and your love.
Something happens to somebody, and you just gather around like a bunch of people that want to put your arms around and help.
Now, one last thing before we close our Bibles. A life marked by compassionate love for God's people. A life marked by clear standards of morality, a life marked by contagious enthusiasm. for God, a life marked by courageous faith under fire. A life marked by confirming ministry to others, and here's the last one, a life marked by a continuing pursuit of unity.
Romans 12:16 is all about unity. Be of the same mind toward one another. That's the exhortation. Here's the example. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Don't be an elitist. Do you know what an elitist is?
Somebody who just hangs out with the elite. The Bible says, don't set your mind on high things. but associate with the humble. Don't be class conscious. Don't say they don't have as much as I have, so I won't eat with them.
Or, on the other hand, don't say they have more than I have, so I won't eat with them. In the eyes of God, none of that matters. We're body of Christ members, and we're not to be class conscious. We're not to be caught up in the things that run the world. We're not to let the world pour us into its mold.
We are not to allow. the class consciousness of the world to enter into the church because it destroys. Unity. How many of you know that the Lord Jesus loved to be with ordinary people? He always was with ordinary people.
Every time you see Jesus, he's hanging out with somebody that people thought he shouldn't be hanging out with. Showing us an example. I always loved the passage in 3rd John, verse 9. Don't ask me what chapter, there's only one. 3 John 9 says, I wrote to the church.
But theotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Do you ever know anybody that loves to have the preeminence?
Now The exhortation to unity is there. The example of it is there. Here's the expression of it, the very last part of the text. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Doesn't say don't be wise.
Everybody should try to be wise, but here's the difference: don't be wise in your own opinion. Don't be the only person who thinks you're wise. They call those people wise acres. You've ever been around somebody that's impressed with their wisdom? They want to tell you all the things they do and all they know.
The Bible says. Don't be caught up. in who you are. You know how important this is, class? Let me tell you something.
Eight times, including this passage in the Bible, we are told. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Say that with me. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Don't be conceited in your own eyes.
Why is that? Because if you're wise in your own eyes, you never have any room left for the wisdom God wants to impart to you. If you're so full of who you are and what you know, God can never get your attention and fill you with the wisdom that really counts.
So If you take this passage, and I know this is a lot of sort of seemingly disconnected phrases, but they all do fit together to give us a picture of the kind of life that God wants us to have, that He can use in a way that makes a difference in the world, helping others be strong. And what we have learned in this passage is. That's We can have a life during these days that is marked by compassionate love for God's people, clear standards of morality, contagious enthusiasm for God, courageous faith under fire, a confirming ministry to other people, and a continuing pursuit of unity. When we allow those things to little by little take control of our lives, we become. the kind of people God wants us to be.
And did you know that God has given us everything in this book to help us be this way? If I thought I was on some kind of a self-help journey to make all this happen, I would be desperate. But the Bible tells me when I open this book and I commit myself to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and I say, Holy Spirit, build these characters in my life. These characteristics show me the path of righteousness that I can walk in it. I want you to know something, dear friends.
This Bible has everything in it you need to become the kind of person we talked about. You don't need a self-help group, as important as they may be in some situations. You don't need anything at all except this book. The Holy Spirit. and your attention.
You can become the person God wants you to be. As we embrace these words, we are reminded that God has equipped us. and given us the strength that we need. That is the message of Romans 12, and that is the job that we have. In this age of skepticism.
Toward the church. antagonism toward Christ. This may be the only way we will be able to reach our generation. It is no longer just by our words. It is no longer just by our lips, but it's by our life.
A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner. And it was cold. And people were in and out of the cold, but he was standing out in the cold trying to sell his newspapers. Finally, he pretty much quit selling papers because he was so cold he couldn't do it.
Sort of in desperation, he walked up to a policeman and he said, Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight, would you? You see, he says, I sleep in a box around the corner. And it's really cold there tonight. Sure, it would be nice to have a warm place to stay. The policeman looked down at the little boy and he said, Son, he said, I'll tell you what, you go down the street, you see that big white house down at the corner?
He said, Yes, sir. He says, you go knock on the door. And when they open the door, you just say John 3, 16. And they'll let you in. Man, he didn't know what that meant, but he thought if it'll get me a warm night, let's do it.
So he did, and he walked up the steps and he knocked on the door, and a grandmotherly kind of woman came to the door and she looked down at him. He said, John 3:16. She says, well come right in, son. Just come right in. She took him in and sat him down in a split-bottom rocker in front of a huge fireplace.
She went off, and the little boy sat there for a while and thought to himself, John 3:16. Man, I don't know what that means, but it sure does make a cold boy warm. The lady came back a little bit later and she said, Son, have you had anything to eat? He said, Ma'am, I haven't eaten in three days. Boy, I sure could use some food.
She says, Well, you just come with me. She took him into the kitchen and sat him down before a table filled with wonderful food, and he ate until he couldn't eat anymore. And he sat there and thought to himself, John 3.16. Man, I don't get this, but it sure does make a hungry boy full. After dinner, the lady took the young boy into the room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him good night.
Turn out the lights. And as he lay there in the darkness, he looked out the window. It was just enough light for him to see the snow coming down on that cold night, and he thought to himself. John 3.16. Wow, I don't understand it, but it sure does make a tired boy sleep.
The next morning, the lady came back up, took him down to the same old big table, once again full of food for breakfast. They ate breakfast and then they went back into the living room and he sat down in front of that fireplace and the woman picked up an old Bible that was lying there on the table. And she gently looked down at the little boy and she asked him if he understood what John 3:16 was. He said, no, ma'am, I sure don't. First time I ever heard it was when I asked that policeman, he told me how to use it.
She opened the Bible. to John 3.16 and she began to explain to him about Jesus. and right there in front of the fireplace, That little boy gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ. And he sat there and he thought, John 3, 16. I don't understand it.
But it sure does make a lost boy saved. You know. I don't understand it either. How God was willing to send His Son to die for me. How Jesus would agree to do such a thing.
I don't understand the agony of the Father. and every angel in heaven as they watch Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for me. that kept Jesus on the cross until the very end. I don't understand it.
But it sure does make life worth living. For God So love the world. that he gave his only begotten son. that whosoever believeth in him should not perish. but have everlasting life.
I kinda like the way that old grandmother preached that message. And, ladies and gentlemen, that's how we have to preach the message today ourselves. I can't do all the preaching. You have to help me. And of course, we preach with our lives, we preach with our lips.
We preach with our testimony. And we preach when we go through tests.
Somebody once said, if you have a testimony, it's because you've been through a test. How has God helped you? In that time, and I want to encourage you, we've gone through this long study on the book of Revelation, going to heaven to be with the Lord. We've seen how He works out His plan throughout the ages. But right now, we have before us our opportunity to live every day for Jesus Christ.
Romans chapter 12 has shown us the way, and we have a couple of more days in the month of July that we're going to add to this instruction, so be sure and be with us tomorrow. And don't forget to ask for your copy of the book Vanished when you send your gift to Turning Point during the month of July. I'm David Jeremiah. Thank you for being with us. We'll see you tomorrow, right here on Turning Point.
Our message today originated from Shadow Mountain Community Church and Dr. David Jeremiah, the senior pastor. If this ministry is an encouragement to you, let us know by writing to Turning Point PO Box 3838 San Diego, California 92163, visiting our website at davidjeremiah.org slash radio or calling 800-947-1993. Ask for your copy of David's exciting new novel, Set in the End Times. Vanished.
It's yours for a gift of any amount. You can also view over 1,200 of Dr. Jeremiah's sermons on any screen, anytime you like. On our Turning Point Plus streaming service for a monthly gift of any amount, visit turningpointplus.org for details. That's turningpointplus.org.
This is David Michael Jeremiah. Join us tomorrow for another special message from Dr. David Jeremiah here on Turning Point.
