October 20, 2024

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

  1. Purpose: To examine God’s Vengeance & Character
  • Our Hope for transformation in appreciation of the cross & Jesus’ work
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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 

  1. Genesis 4 – Lamech’s vengeance and self-proclaimed justice
  2. Genesis 34 – Simeon and Levi’s retaliation for Dinah
  3. 1 Samuel 18 – Saul’s jealousy toward David
  4. Esther 3 – Haman’s vendetta against the Jews
  5. 1 Samuel 25 – David’s near-vengeance against Nabal, intercepted by Abigail
  6. Romans 12:19 – “Beloved, never avenge yourselves…”
  7. Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him…”
  8. 2 Corinthians 5:14 – The love of Christ constraining us
  9. Matthew 6 – Reflection of overcoming evil with good, inspired by the Sermon on the Mount
  10. Titus 3:1-3 – Where we come from as believers: “foolish, disobedient…”
  11. Hebrews 12:22-24 – Coming to Mount Zion and the Heavenly Jerusalem
  12. 1 Peter 2:21-24 – Jesus’ example of entrusting Himself to God who judges justly
  13. Psalm 119:23 – Meditating on God’s statutes when opposed
  14. 1 Samuel 24 – David’s sparing of Saul’s life in the cave
  15. Romans 12:18 – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”
  16. John 5:20 – The Father’s love for the Son (related to Jesus’ ministry)
  17. John 13:1 – Jesus loved His own, “and He loved them to the end”
  18. John 10 – Jesus referring to unity with the Father
  19. Matthew 5 – “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (from the Beatitudes)
  20. 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