Romans 12

Living Sacrifices, Spiritual Gifts, Christ-Like behavior

Text: Romans 12.

Introdution

Isaiah 55:9 “9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 40:13–14 “13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or being his counseller hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, And taught him in the path of judgment, And taught him knowledge, And shewed to him the way of understanding?”

Quote: It marks the transition from the theology of God’s redemptive act in Christ Jesus to the ethical expectations that flow logically from that theological base. We come now to what is usually called the “practical” section of Romans. Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 230.

It was important that the content of this chapter shows up here because out of necessity, the practical aspect must rest upon a solid theological foundation.

Think about it…wouldn’t our faith be reduced to simply a book of ethical advice on how to get along with those who join our religious community?

The difference between Christian theology and pagan is that our practical living of obedience is directed to a merciful God who lives!

The path we follow is rooted deeply in the supernatural that has been testified to by hundreds of eye witnesses over 2,000 years ago.

Quote: “So Christian ethics are practical specifically because they do not stand alone but emerge as unavoidable implications of an established theological base. Theology in isolation promotes a barren intellectualism. Ethics apart from a theological base is impotent to achieve its goals.” Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 230.

Verse 1-2 (Establishing the context)

(v1) Who is Paul talking too? GENTILE BELIEVERS

“I beseech you therefore, brethren”

“beseech” = to make an earnest request; call together; encourage.

“by the mercies of God” are front and center when it comes to understanding the motivation behind Paul’s admonition .

Q — What are the mercies Paul talking about?

God’s sovereign plan on reaching the Gentiles and at the same time restoring national Israel back to Himself.

In other words, God has gone, is going, and will continue to go to great lengths to lead the world to a believing faith in Christ.

It all began back with God’s covenantal promise to Abraham, then to Isaac, and to Jacob.

It was God’s patience and teachings post Egyptian bondage.

It was God’s faithful love throughout Israel’s continual doubts and disobedience which led to multiple captivities.

It will be God’s future faithfulness to graft back in all Jews who repent and believe.

Application — There has probably been something you’ve done for someone that was motivated by the great length they went to help you.

What Paul is saying here is along the same premise.

Christ paid a debt to make mercy a reality for anyone who will believe.

(v1) “present your bodies”

Before we even get to the specific details, let us reflect on Jesus took on a human body to be used as the Father’s disposal.

With all the previous stated motivation, we should not wait upon God clarifying the details before we present our bodies to be used by Him.

HOLD ON…are they really our bodies?

“you” it has to be your decision.

“present” = make available or accessible

“your” the body God has entrusted you with.

(v1) Paul presents a three-fold action plan for presenting you body to God:

LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

The setting of this metaphor is within the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.

Each leader of the home would present their own sacrifice to the Priest. The worshiper would place their own sacrifice on the altar.

“living” reflects the voluntary nature of the act.

A well known cliche, “He is Lord of all or not Lord at all.”

(v2) These early believers need a a complete transformation.

“do not” — Paul wants the Christian to be motivated by far more than the sensual. Have you ever said these things: I’m too tired, I’m too hot, It’s too cold, It doesn’t taste good? These are sensual condition of which determines your outward actions. Christians can have these also. Maybe it’s too hot to attend the event, maybe you don’t like the speaker, maybe you are uncomfortable to participate in the work. The person may be saved, but they are living in the lowest possible plane.

1 Peter 1:14 “14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Galatians 1:4 “4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

When can we say that this transformation is happening in my life?

Your mind is shift from the temporal to the eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18 “18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Verses 3-8

Paul understood the kind of devastation pride can bring to a group of believers.

Philippians 2:3 “3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Wether they were Jews or Gentiles, they were members of one body.

This gave them insight on how valuable everyone is to each other when it comes to their growth and quality of perseverance.

Paul’s apostleship was a gift from the same imparting grace they had recieved their own gifts.

(v3) This verse gives us insight on how out of touch some of them were with reality.

Q — have you ever known someone who was blinded by their own opinions of themselves?

“soberly” — Apparently many were on the verge of being egoholics.

(v3) “measure of faith”

1 Corinthians 12:11 “11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

Ephesians 4:7 “7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

(v4) “members in one body”

1 Cor. 12:12-31

Ephesians 4:25 “25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

This unity in diversity testifies to the power of the Spirit when individual believers yield their full self to Him.

You belong to one another!!!

No one can be a Lone Ranger within the church.

(v5-8) 1 Peter 4:10“10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Paul wanted to get across a few things when listing out these gifts:

Gifts were given by God as he sees fit.

They were given for the growth and balance of the church.

Every gift is no lesser than the other.

One gift should not be emphasized more than the others.

Verses 9-13 Thirteen exhortations

These exhortations range from loving the brethren and hospitality.

It begins with a exhortation of genuine love.

Where does love come from?

Has God ever used love as a coverup for an ulterior motive?

So…we should never allow hypocrisy warp our motives for exercising God’s love.

Quote: “Love is the circulatory system of the spiritual body, which enables all the members to function in a healthy, harmonious way.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 555.

Illustration: Why is plaque in your arteries such a dangerous thing to your overall health? ANS — It restricts and eventually will stop the blood flow throughout your body.

Philippians 2:1–4 “1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Q — Would there be anything that would threaten you from living consistent in Christ’s love toward the brethren? ANS — Any change in daily living that impacts your emotions. (v12)