DYNAMICS: Living With The People God Gave You (4) – The People Who Challenge You

DYNAMICS: Living With The People God Gave You (4) – The People Who Challenge You

Pastor Blake Hanson | 2.22.26 

Romans 12:9–21 (NLT)

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 

10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 

12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 

14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 

15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 

16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 

17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 

18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 

19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 

20Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 

21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

The people who challenge us most, often shape us the . 

TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGE US

1.   People 

2. People 

HOW DIFFICULT PEOPLE SHAPE US DEEPLY… 

1.  DIFFICULT PEOPLE REVEAL WHAT STILL NEEDS . 

Romans 12:14 (NLT)

14Bless those who persecute you…

Romans 12:17 (NLT)

17Never pay back evil with more evil…

Romans 12:21 (NLT)

21Don’t let evil conquer you…

Matthew 5:38–40 (NLT)

38“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 

39But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. (truth is we want to slap a lot of people spiritually)

40If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.

2.  GODLY LOVE SHOWS UP UNDER . 

Romans 12:9 (NLT)

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…

Romans 12:10 (NLT)

10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:14 (NLT)

14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

Matthew 5:43–45 (NLT)

43“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 

44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 

45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven…

3.  PEACE IS A CALLING, NOT A . 

Romans 12:18 (NLT)

18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

4.  GOD USES CONFLICT TO FORM . 

Romans 12:21 (NLT) 

21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

NOTES

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