Living Sacrifice

Introduction

Greet

Pray

Read

English Standard Version Chapter 12

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.

Context

Great transition of Romans

first 11 chapters: Foundations of the gospel, both Jews and Gentiles are guilty of sin, the Jewish law is not able to bring salvation, He uses Abraham as an example of righteousness through faith, He contrasts the death brought by Adam and the life brought by Jesus, He talks about the Spirit’s ministry, the groaning of the whole creation for God, The triumph of a believer, He then focuses on Israel as a case study for the work of the gospel on this world.

He follows this theological treatise with a doxology at the end of chapter 11.

Romans 11:34-36 ““For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

The rest of Romans is less focused on orthodoxy and more focused on orthopraxy, the application of belief in the life of the believer. Themes that run through this section include: unity, ethics, relationships to authority of the state, liberty in Christ, the law of Love, and seeking to live for others and not for ourselves.

Romans is a clear example that correct belief results in correct living. Orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy. The crux of this point is found in the section we are looking at today.

Therefore.....

in view of God’s mercies.......

because of the mercies of God, which were outlined in the gospel presentation of the first 11 chapters this is the way we are to live.

Living sacrifice

Sacrificial system in the Old Testament

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Jesus himself put an end to the sacrificial system of the Israelites and opened the opportunity to the rest of the world to come to God through the cross. A correct understanding of the ways in which the sacrifice Jesus made leads to sacrificial living. I hope to paint a more detailed picture of what this looks like.

Palibe (true worship)

whole body worship in Malawi

Everything that you are has been given by God, hands meant for working and molding the creation, feet made for moving and exploring etc..... every breath, every step, everywhere you look.

This sacrificial living sets us apart

We are not to be conformed to this world. This goes hand in hand with sacrificial living. we can’t conform to a world if we are sacrificing ourselves fully to God.

how can your hands sin if they are fully working and molding god’s creation, how can you feet take you to places of debauchery if they are moving in the direction God takes you, how can you mouth reveal sinful thoughts if it is consistently glorifying God?

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

focus your mind on Christ

Discern

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.

O soul are you weary and troubled No light in the darkness you see There's light for a look at the Savior And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace

His word shall not fail you he promised Believe him and all will be well Then go to a world that is dying His perfect salvation to tell

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace