The Nonconforming Selfie

Romans 12:1–8 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Introduction: Identity is given by God, but how do you live in a world that constantly wants to preussure you to conform to the human created identities?

10 - There is Pressure to Conform.

Hannah wanting a cell phone

Being asked to go to Hooters with other Baseball Players - My Pastor goes to hooters.

Social Media/TV other media....Whatever the world has to offer can mold us into something we’re not if we aren’t careful to stand firm in our identity.

A book on change management - One means is naming a character you want people to be, and a character you don’t want them to be-stigmatize. Be healthy, Don’t be a smoker. - Think about how this can be used in our culture - Biggot, Karen, woke, hater - labels while sometimes true are can also be used to pressure conformity.

We can’t get caught up in letting our ideals, our faith, our beliefs, and identity be molded by the world, but to be transformed which begins in our minds. It is a choice to believe our true identity, which is in being united in Christ and not in our roles. It is a choice to believe that we are a light in this world, in order to expose darkness rather than conform to it.

So how is our mind transformed?

11 - Our Identity Defines our Living.

Example: Point out the differences in worship as to how we think of Worship.

- Worship is the implication of the Gospel, in other words our identity, who we are in Christ.

- Worship is not consumeristic - it is self sacrificing - Mike's message - this flows out of our identity. - We don't worship to "Get something out of it." but to express our identity - Thanks, Gratitude, and resemblence to Christ - pouring out, and generosity. - In other words, we have been given soooooo much - spiritual blessings lavished on us - so worship is giving ourselves to the one how gave us so much.

Chosen to be Adopted

‌Chosen to reflect the family resemblance – v4 Holy and Blameless

‌Chosen to work in the family business – v9, 12 On Mission

‌God has redemption of all Creation in mind.

‌Chosen to receive the family inheritance – v11

- Worships Goal is to Glorify God and Build Up the Body - Spiritual gifts.

Worship is a Lifestyle, it is what we do 24/7 not just on Sunday Morning. Sunday Morning is the pattern....If we come Sunday morning to live out our identity by Glorifying God and Building Others up, then it is supposed to pattern us to do that everyday of the week in our actions with others. It anchors us in our identity, and then in living out our identity.

We can easily mistake that our Living defines our identity.

12 - Our Living Does not Define our Identity.

These verses are ordered in a specific way. Our Spiritual Gifts do not define our identity - These leads to pride. Rather Paul says, think soberly of yourselves, and then use your gifts. Our Identity is we are a Child of God. Our gifts are that given by God to serve others out of our Identity. God can give and he can take away.

13 - Scottie Scheffler Masters Interview.

14 - Transforming Prevents Conforming.

“Transform (Gk. Metamorphoo) (12:2, Matt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 3:18) Strong’s #3339: The Greek word means ‘to change form,’ as does the English derivative metamorphosis. In the NT, this word is used to describe an inward renewal of our mind through which our inner spirit is changed into the likeness of Christ” (H. Wayne House, “Romans 12:2,” The NKJV Study Bible, [Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007], 1786).

We are sinners in need of a Savior - We are new creations. We don’t live into this new creation (identity) over night. Our transformation takes time reminding ourselves of our new identity in Christ. - Microwave Spirituality - fast food vs. home-cooked meal in the slow cooker.

My High School Theory - There is Good Peer Pressure, and their is Bad Peer Pressure.

One way Christians can grow in Christ is to cultivate spiritual disciplines. Prayer, service, study, and meditation are just a few of the practices Christians have used for centuries to cultivate spiritual growth. Theologian Richard Foster describes the importance of these disciplines, saying, “Disciplines do not earn us favor with God or measure spiritual success. They are exercises which equip us to live fully and freely in the present reality of God—and God works with us, giving us grace as we learn and grow” (Richard Foster, “Spiritual Disciplines: A Practical Strategy,” Renovaré, https://renovare.org/about/ideas/spiritual-disciplines).

Conclusion:

What are you doing to renew your mind? To transform your thinking from your old identities wrapped around what you have, what you do, and what others say or pressure you to be? How are you reminding yourself in a world of pressures of your identity in Christ?