Dock Resource Kit
Sunday sermon, 6 April 2025
This week, Timi spoke to us about the radically simple yet deeply challenging call to “just show love”, as drawn from Romans 12:9–21. He unpacked how sincere, unconditional love—agape and phileo love—is not just a feeling but a daily, deliberate action. We were reminded that our love must be authentic, honouring, and even counter-cultural, extending to those who are difficult, different, or distant. Rooted in God’s mercy and shaped by spiritual maturity, love becomes both our response to salvation and a reflection of God’s heart to the world. Whether it’s blessing those who persecute us or offering hospitality to strangers, Timi called us to remove the masks, lean into community, and pass the divine test of love.
Dock Discussion Questions
Which verse in Romans 12:9–21 challenged you the most this week, and why?
In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to show sincere, unconditional love? What might be holding you back?
How do you currently “keep your spiritual fervour”? What helps you stay joyful, patient, and prayerful in tough seasons?
Who in your life might need you to take the first step toward peace, healing, or reconciliation?
Long-form, editted transcript
Romans Series – Pt. 9:
Just Show Love
Romans 12.9-21
We’re continuing our series in the Book of Romans and today we’re in chapter 12. Please turn with me to Romans 12:9–21.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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. 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.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is the Word of the Lord!
Please do keep your Bibles or Bible apps open—there are powerful verses here you might want to highlight or note down.
Just Show Love
If I had to summarise these 13 verses into just three words, it would be this: just show love.
As we’ve journeyed through Romans, Paul has been wrestling with the fundamentals of our faith. But here in chapter 12, he starts delivering the call to action. After all the theology, what does Jesus actually want us to do?
Just show love.
In chapter 11, Paul reminds us that we—even Gentiles—are connected to the root, to our Heavenly Father. What a privilege! But that connection should produce fruit in us too. So in chapter 12, we hear the word therefore. It’s the hinge—our call to respond.
And the best way to live in God’s will is to be with Him and be like Him. We often say here: we’re called to intimacy and imitation, the two ‘i’s in disciple.
So what does it mean to imitate Jesus’ unconditional love—even when it’s difficult?
Love Is a Verb
Love isn’t just a fluffy noun. It’s a verb. A doing word.
Some actions in life are involuntary—like breathing or blinking. But choosing to love? That’s deliberate. Proactive. A conscious daily decision.
And love looks different for all of us. Our upbringing, culture, and what’s been modelled to us can shape how we give and receive love.
For example, in my Nigerian family—shout out to all the Nigerians—we're loud, especially in our love. Loud debates and loving arguments around the dining table are the norm. My wife, however, is from a much gentler background. Quieter. But just as loving.
Love in action takes many forms.
The Love of a Parent
There’s something powerful about the unconditional love that comes from connecting with your child for the first time.
My daughter is actually here today, hearing me preach for the first time at three and a half months old. And whether she poops or pukes, she’s still got my love.
That’s the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for us.
We might not feel that same affection for everyone—and probably shouldn’t!—but Paul encourages us to show agape love: unconditional, sacrificial love. Love that doesn’t depend on our relationship or connection to the person. A consistent, unwavering love.
This isn’t eros love. That’s for your spouse. This is about agape and phileo—brotherly, sisterly, neighbourly love that expresses itself in family and church community.
Sincere Love: Mask Off
Verse 9 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
That Greek word sincere literally means “no hypocrisy.” The word hypocrite referred to an actor—someone wearing a mask.
So take off the mask. No pretending. No fake affection. Be sincere. That’s love in action.
And part of sincerity is hating what is evil—because sin gives space to the devil. Even little white lies crack the door open.
If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. If you don’t agree, don’t pretend. Cling to what is good.
Let’s be intentional about what we feed our souls. What we consume shapes who we become. If we’re watching shows or following influencers that glorify deception, we’re opening the wrong doors.
Instead, let’s feast on the good stuff. Sermons. Bible reading. Podcasts. Edifying shows. I’ve been enjoying House of David on Prime—an amazing portrayal of David’s early journey.
And above all, go to the Word. Just 15 minutes a day and you can read the whole Bible in a year. Imagine how much love and wisdom you’d absorb.
Honour One Another
Verses 10 to 13 tell us to be devoted to one another, to honour others above ourselves, and to practice hospitality.
That’s phileo love—brotherly love in action. Treat the person next to you like family. Honour them as a co-heir in Christ.
Let’s practice that right now—turn to someone and pay them a compliment.
Moments later...
See those smiles? That’s what honour does.
This week, try paying one compliment a day—to a colleague, a friend, or a stranger. Let your light shine.
And don’t forget hospitality. When someone new visits church, invite them to lunch or your group. Our community groups—our DOCKs—are such a gift. If you’re not in one yet, get connected.
Jesus said in Matthew 25, “Whatever you did for the least of these... you did for me.” When we practice hospitality, we honour the King.
Keep Your Spiritual Fervour
Verse 11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.”
In hard times—when our tank is low, when life is heavy—keep praying, keep showing love.
Verse 12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
When things are tough, that’s the time to double down on your spiritual habits. Pray. Fast. Stay connected. Don’t isolate yourself.
Job’s friends didn’t have all the answers, but they were there. How can we be there for others? Who can we mourn with? Who can we rejoice with?
You’re never more like Jesus than when you come alongside someone in their pain or joy.
Living Peaceably With All
Verse 14 calls us to “bless those who persecute you.”
Live in harmony. Associate with everyone—not just the people like you. Not just the kids from the right side of town. God calls us to humility and connection, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Verses 17–21 are revolutionary:
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
“Do not take revenge.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.”
“Overcome evil with good.”
This is counter-cultural. It goes against everything the world is doing right now.
It’s not just spiritual. It’s physical. Holding on to unforgiveness and resentment actually damages your health. Science is catching up with Scripture.
Let go. Let God.
Showing Love in a Loveless Culture
There’s a generation—especially young men and boys—growing up without love. Without positive models. The Netflix show Adolescence portrays this heartbreakingly well.
So if you can draw alongside a young person—do. Be a mentor. Be a role model. Just show love.
Formed for God’s Family
Rick Warren, in The Purpose Driven Life, outlines five purposes for every Christian. One of them is this: we are formed for God’s family.
That means living out these traits:
Authenticity
Mutuality
Sympathy
Forgiveness
Honesty
Humility
Courtesy
Confidentiality
Frequency
These are how we just show love. And they matter because:
It’s our response to being loved first.
It’s obedience to God.
Romans 8 reminds us: there is now no condemnation for those in Christ. Our sins are forgiven. We are free.
From that place of freedom, we can live in love.
A Chocolate Illustration
Let me illustrate. If you received chocolate today, enjoy one piece and pass the rest on.
It’s easy to give away what you didn’t pay for.
In the same way, the love we’ve received from God should be easy to give away. Keep your hand open.
1 John 4: “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
If we fail to love, we fail to show others God's love. We are His hands and feet.
Passing the Test
God desires obedience. He tests us. And often, He’ll keep testing us until we pass.
When I was 11, I thought I could swim. I had my 10-metre badge! But I had been faking it—walking through shallow pools pretending to swim.
When I had to swim in the deep end, I sank.
So I spent six months in swimming lessons with five-year-olds. Embarrassing—but necessary. I had to learn properly. I had to pass the test.
God does the same. He wants us to grow. To mature. And love is a test.
Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2 tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
We need to break the patterns of our culture and live in God’s way.
Rich Villodas, in The Deeply Formed Life, puts it beautifully:
“God is not simply in the business of dry-cleaning our souls.
He’s in the business of tearing down walls and creating a new family,
a new way of belonging together.”
The cross isn’t just a bridge to God—it’s a sledgehammer that breaks down the walls between us here and now.
So Let Me Challenge You
Who do you need to be at peace with?
What relationship needs healing?
What past hurt are you holding onto?
Blessing those who stress you out sounds ridiculous…
Until you remember Jesus on the cross:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”
That’s agape. Unconditional love.
And it’s available to us today.
Concluding Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of your love. Thank you that even before we were here, you already loved us—and your love has continued to flow through us.
We pray, Lord, that you would equip us and open us up to just show love in the world around us. Help us to show love to those we are near to, those we know, and those we don’t know. Let us be shining examples of your love to all those around us.
And Lord, if we are finding it difficult, we pray that you would break down the walls. Soften our hearts in a way that only you can—that we might be forgiving, that we might seek connection, that we might do all that you have called us to do, to live at peace with everyone around us, knowing that this is your good and perfect will.
Father God, equip us, strengthen us, and bless us.
And if this is something you want to continue working through with us, Lord, open our hearts that we might come closer to you—so that we can pass the test and just show love.
Amen.