Living True To Our Profession

ALL IN | WEEK SIX
Aug 10, 2025
LARRY ADAMS

Watch ServiceWatch Service Download NotesDownload Notes Bible AppBible App

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:14-21

I. Introduction

A. We expect people to live true to their profession and it’s alarming when they don’t.

B. That’s especially true when it comes to our profession of being followers of Jesus Christ.

C. Jesus lives in the lives of those who believe and receive Him.

D. Jesus expects us to be so yielded to Him that He can live His life out through us in a way the world and even our enemies don’t expect.

Christians Are Called to Live Out Their Profession of Christ in a Way That Only Jesus Expects

II. How Can This Be Done?

A. Christians are called to live out their profession of Christ in the WORLD in a way the WORLD does not expect.

1. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind they hated Me first.”

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
John 15:18

2. The world hated Jesus because He spoke the truth and revealed their sin.

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
John 8:44-45

3. If we speak truth the world may hate us too.

4. If they persecute us, we are to respond in a way they don’t expect.

B. Christians are called to live out their Profession of Christ amongst their ENEMIES in a way their ENEMIES do not expect.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21

1. Our enemies expect us to treat them the way they treat us: with anger, revenge, repaying evil with evil.

2. Paul told the Romans to respond the way Jesus taught and modeled.

a. What Jesus taught

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48

b. What Jesus modeled

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:34

3. Paul told the Romans to respond like this…

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21