Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Mark 1:14-15

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Romans 12:1-2

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:9-21

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I. RISE UP IN LOVE

Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine.

II. RISE UP AGAINST EVIL AND EMBRACE GOOD.

Romans 12:9

Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

III. RISE UP IN HONORING OTHERS

Romans 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

IV. RISE UP IN ZEALOUS SERVICE TO JESUS

Romans 12:11

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

In a world that says you have a right to be selfish, the gospel says you have a responsibility to be selfless.

In what ways has God called me and gifted me to serve Him and His cause to overcome evil with good?

V. RISE UP IN HOPE

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

VI. RISE UP IN GENEROSITY & HOSPITALITY 

Romans 12:13

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

VII. RISE UP IN BLESSING TOWARDS PERSECUTORS

Romans 12:14

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

James 3:9-10

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

VIII. RISE UP IN COMPASSION

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

IX. RISE UP IN PEACE AND CIVILITY

Romans 12:16, 18

16 Live in harmony with one another.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

X. RISE UP IN HUMILITY

Romans 12:16

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

XI. RISE UP IN FORGIVENESS

Romans 12:17, 19-20

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 2:4

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?