An Avenging God - Part 3
Speaker: Atticus Carr Series: Sermons by Atticus Carr Topic: Vengeance Scripture: Romans 12:18–21
An Avenging God - Part 3
Romans 12:18-21; 1 Peter 2:21-24
- Purpose: To examine God’s Vengeance & Character
- Our Hope for transformation in appreciation of the cross & Jesus’ work
- Human Practice of Vengeance: Historical & Biblical Examples
- Lamech’s Vengeance (Genesis 4) - excessive retaliation for an injury
- Simeon & Levi’s Retaliation (Genesis 34) - driven by family pride & honor
- Saul’s Jealousy & Pursuit of David’s Life (1 Samuel 18)
- Haman’s Wrath Against the Jews (Esther 3) - Revenge based on personal pride
- David’s Planned Vengeance Against Nabal (1 Samuel 25) - Offense taken from lack of reward; intercepted by Abigail
- The Common Practice of Vengeance: Day-to-Day Examples
- Physical insults & petty conflicts
- Retaliation for personal disrespect or insults
- Road rage & confrontations while driving
- Marital conflicts & passive aggression
- Church conflicts & withdrawing from service
- Workplace offenses & subtle retaliations
- The Christian Response to Vengeance (Romans 12:19)
- Recognizing identity as Loved by God
- God’s love changes response to offense
- Entrust Yourself to God’s Justice
- Jesus as the ultimate example of trusting God’s justice
- Practice Love Toward Your Enemy (Romans 12:20)
- Actively doing good to those who oppose us by reflecting Christ’s love through tangible acts of grace
- Living Out These Truths: Avoiding the Trap of Vengeance
- The call to be “constrained by the love of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
- Self-examination: Daily vigilance against bitterness & retaliation
Scripture References
- Genesis 4 – Lamech’s vengeance and self-proclaimed justice
- Genesis 34 – Simeon and Levi’s retaliation for Dinah
- 1 Samuel 18 – Saul’s jealousy toward David
- Esther 3 – Haman’s vendetta against the Jews
- 1 Samuel 25 – David’s near-vengeance against Nabal, intercepted by Abigail
- Romans 12:19 – “Beloved, never avenge yourselves…”
- Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him…”
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 – The love of Christ constraining us
- Matthew 6 – Reflection of overcoming evil with good, inspired by the Sermon on the Mount
- Titus 3:1-3 – Where we come from as believers: “foolish, disobedient…”
- Hebrews 12:22-24 – Coming to Mount Zion and the Heavenly Jerusalem
- 1 Peter 2:21-24 – Jesus’ example of entrusting Himself to God who judges justly
- Psalm 119:23 – Meditating on God’s statutes when opposed
- 1 Samuel 24 – David’s sparing of Saul’s life in the cave
- Romans 12:18 – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”
- John 5:20 – The Father’s love for the Son (related to Jesus’ ministry)
- John 13:1 – Jesus loved His own, “and He loved them to the end”
- John 10 – Jesus referring to unity with the Father
- Matthew 5 – “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (from the Beatitudes)
- Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
other sermons in this series
Oct 13
2024
An Avenging God - Part 2
Speaker: Atticus Carr Scripture: Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35 Series: Sermons by Atticus Carr
Oct 6
2024
An Avenging God
Speaker: Atticus Carr Scripture: Nahum 1:3–8 Series: Sermons by Atticus Carr
Jun 30
2024
Would you See Jesus - Part 2
Speaker: Atticus Carr Series: Sermons by Atticus Carr