Living with Renewed Minds

Study of Romans: Message Twenty-Five

Wednesday Nights at MFBC

Romans 12:1-8.

ETS: Paul urged the believers to live transformed lives in light of the grace of Christ.

ESS: Believers ought to glorify God in the way they live and think.

OSS: [Consecrative] {I want the hearers to renew their commitment to live for Christ.}

PQ:

What are the implications of this passage?

UW: Implications

Intro.: As we transition to the final section of Romans, it is important to notice the transitional sections in Romans: “This is the fourth ‘therefore’ in the letter. Romans 3:20 is the ‘therefore’ of condemnation, declaring that the whole world is guilty before God. Romans 5:1 is the ‘therefore’ of justification, and Romans 8:1 the ‘therefore’ of assurance. In Romans 12:1, we have the ‘therefore’ of dedication, and it is this dedication that is the basis for the other relationships that Paul discussed in this section.” [1]

TS: Let us examine the implications together now:

Believers should live with renewed minds, transformed by the power of Christ. [v. 1-2]

The word used and translated as transformed is μεταμορφοῦσθε from the Greek word μεταμορφόω- where we get our word metamorphosis. What is common to us that undergoes metamorphosis? Butterflies as they transition from being an immature insect to a mature, adult insect.

Believers are transformed from an immature believer to a mature believer when their minds are renewed day-by-day in Christ Jesus.

Believers should live with attitudes of humility. [v. 3]

Measure of faith basically means to judge oneself in accordance to all one has been given by God- more specifically, judge oneself by the standards set by God. [2]

Believers should live using their differing gifts to the best of their abilities that Christ might be most glorified through His body, the church. [vv. 4-8]

Each person is vital to the body of Christ and the mission of the Gospel. [vv. 4-5]

Specified gifts are provided by Paul, namely those used in the church:

Prophesy: Used in the NT, it is most commonly understood to refer to the gift of preaching. [3] [4] Consider the following passages:

1 Cor. 14:3 “3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.”

Acts 15:32 “32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.”

Service: This word generally refers to service; when related to the faith, obviously, the service rendered to Christ. [5] Specifically, the word is used to denote the type of service typical of the office of deacon (διακονίαν)

Teaching: This means to instruct or impart knowledge. Slightly different than prophesying or in exhorting; yet not evidenced as a distinction in Scripture. Perhaps it was to teach doctrine specifically.

Exhorting: This means specifically as it pertains to practical application as it pertains to one’s Christian duties.

Giving: Giving in the sense of those things specified as entrusted to the church (stewardship)

Leading: Specifically, leading as it pertains to hospitality. Providing vision and oversight.

Showing Mercy: Showing compassion or mercy towards those who are sick or perhaps needy.

Takeaways:

[1] Those who have been renewed by the transformational power of Christ ought to live in a manner worthy of it- using their gifts in a manner of humility, yet to the best of their ability, to glorify God the most.

[2] Is there evidence in your life to support that you are glorifying God most through your gifts? Are you living in light of your transformation in Christ?

Bibliography:

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, “Romans” in Be Right: How to be Right with God, Yourself, and Others (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2008), 147.

[2] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Romans, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 267.

[3] Albert Barnes, 270.

[4] Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, New Edition., vol. 6 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife Corporation, 2014), 138.

[5] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Romans, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 271.

Consulted Resources:

[1] Edwin A. Blum, “Romans,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017).

[2]William Barclay, “The Letter to the Romans” in The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY: The Westminster John Knox Press, 2017).