Peter Barnes | Romans 12:11-12
SERMON NOTES
DILIGENCE, JOY, ENDURANCE AND PRAYER
(Romans 12:11-12)
– emphasis on diligence and zeal – note Gal.6:9; 2 Thess.3:13; Calvin: ‘Our flesh, like the donkey, is forever lazy, and therefore needs to be spurred on.’
1. We must be diligent.
– 12:11; the spirit could be the Holy Spirit, but probably not.
– Acts 18:24-25; Rev.2:4-5
2. We are to rejoice in hope.
– 12:12a; note Ps.16:11; and the way Psalm 73 works its way to the conclusion (Ps.73:21-24)
3. We are to endure in tribulation.
– 12:12b; idea of being crushed but able to press on
– Mark 13:13; Eph.3:13; James 5:11
4. We are to be devoted to prayer.
– 12:12c; Luke 18:1; 11:5-13; Calvin: ‘diligence in prayer is the best remedy to prevent our being wearied.’
– Henry Francis Lyte: Haste then on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer;
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee;
God’s own hand shall guide thee there.