A Call to Christian Service in the New Year

Sermon Outline:

Text: Romans 12:1-8

Subject: Christian service Theme: Responding to God’s grace with whole-hearted service Thesis: Christian service is the joyful response of God’s people to His grace, requiring surrender, humility, and the use of our gifts for His glory.

Introduction

Who is ready for a new year?

Everyone loves new things.

People love new things because our brains are naturally wired to be attracted to novelty.

You can study all of the scientific reasoning behind this, there are chemical reactions that take place in our bodies when we experience new things.

Anything that’s new, different or unusual is bound to catch our eye.

A new phone, a new working environment, a new friend.

Changing our hair color, wearing new clothes, visiting a new place.

The start of a new year provides us with an opportunity to recapture some of that novelty.

And I say recapture because how quickly does somethings newness disappear?

How quickly does the novelty of something new disappear?

One example of this is with kids toys around Christmas.

New toys are great for a bit, but then they often go back to playing with something else or in the case of toddlers, they just play with the box.

There is a connection we can make to our faith as well.

Those who come to faith later in life can remember more the newness and the excitement of following Jesus.

I have mentioned before, I do remember the excitement at a young age of beginning to read my Bible.

But that excitement fades and changes.

Some changes are not bad, some are for the purpose of maturing.

As we start this new year, I would like for us to reflect upon our relationships with the Lord.

Perhaps we need to renew our commitments to Him.

What better time is there then as we are wrapping up 2024 and entering into 2025 to consider how we can serve Christ and His church in our local context.

God is building His kingdom here, what role does He have for us to play?

Romans 12:1–8 ESV

1 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. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

This is true wherever we are but I think it is more clearly seen in a rural context that service and community are a vital part of life.

Everyone has to help each other because help is often far away.

There is a reflection of this in our Christian lives.

Every member has a role in building the body of Christ.

This passage in Romans helps us to see how we are called to lives of Christian service.

That means intentionally participating in things that build God’s kingdom and grow the body of Christ.

Just one example we did recently was going out and singing some Christmas carols.

Who knows the impact that will have.

God uses even that small act in building His kingdom here.

We don’t do this to earn our way to heaven.

Rather our service is grounded in God’s mercy.

A direct response to the grace we have been shown.

Paul helps us to see this foundation in our passage.

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 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.

I. The Foundation of Christian Service: God’s Mercy (Romans 12:1)

Paul is making an appeal to the believers in Rome in these verses.

His appeal is by the mercies of God.

What are the mercies Paul is talking about here?

We need to recap quickly the first 11 chapters of the book.

Paul begins the book talking about the universality of sin and the need for salvation.

Romans 1:18 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Humanity’s rejection of God leads to idolatry and all forms of sin.

Every person is a sinner, unable to attain righteousness through their own efforts.

But God -

We know and Paul goes on to tell that God has provided a way of right standing through faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification brings peace with God and hope for the future.

Through Adam, sin and death entered the world, but through Christ, grace and life abound.

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, freeing them from the power of sin.

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live holy lives and assures them of their adoption as children of God.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.

The gospel not only saves us from sin’s penalty but also empowers us to live a new life by the Spirit.

Paul shows how God’s plan for salvation is sovereign, gracious, and inclusive, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises.

How the gospel ultimately magnifies the glory of God, who is the source, sustainer, and goal of all things.

It is because of these truths - by the mercies of God - that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.

Picture a farmer standing in a field, pondering his next planting season.

He reflects on the plentiful harvests he has enjoyed, thanks to the rich soil nourished by the rains and God's grace.

We stand on the edge of a new year -

Think about this - you have the life you live because of the mercies of God.

In ancient Israel, farmers depended on the land's fertility, much like we rely on God’s mercy.

Just as farmers use rich soil to produce abundant crops, we too must let God’s mercy enrich our hearts.

God's mercy is the bedrock upon which we build our lives of service.

This is the reason we present our bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice.

Seeking to take every opportunity we can to serve Him, who has shown us such great mercy!

How do we recognize God’s mercy in our lives?

What moments of grace has God bestowed upon you and your family over the past year?

What challenges have you faced and how has God’s grace helped you through them?

As Christians it is good to look back and reflect on what God has done.

Considering the gospel especially and what Jesus has done for each of us.

Make a list, write things down, it would be a helpful reminder.

Then take those and use them as motivation.

Let the mercies of God fuel your heart for service to Him!

What God wants from us is total surrender.

To worship Him through daily obedience, not occasional acts.

We are called to dedicate every aspect of our lives to God.

And He deserves it!

Because of what He has done for us.

What areas of your life need to be surrendered to Christ this year—time, resources, relationships?

None of us can or will do this perfectly, but that does not excuse us from making an effort.

When we fall short we fall upon God’s grace, get back up and keep moving forward

Which is where Paul goes with verse 2.

III. The Mindset of Christian Service: Transformation (Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2 ESV

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.

Our mindest matters.

Do you think of church activities as another item on the to do list or do you think of them as kingdom building opportunities?

The world values self-interest, but Christian service flows from a renewed mind that values God’s kingdom.

Even something as simple as giving and evening to go and sing some Christmas carols, who knows how God will work through that.

This transformation comes through a renewal of our minds.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

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.

What was your mindset over the past year?

What will it be as we enter the new year?

God can work in spite of us, but He more frequently works through us!

And all of us matter!

What happens when you over work one part of your body?

It wears out.

Romans 12:3–8 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

These verses are in direct contrast to our western individualistic culture.

The lone ranger mentality.

We can all make plenty of excuses to not be involved in the local church but we do not have biblical grounds for such an attitude.

All believers are called to live their faith in the context of the local church.

Take a moment at the end of this year to evaluate yourself.

Service begins with humility, no matter what level you currently find yourself at.

We serve out of a dependence upon God, and we serve for the sake of others.

Paul’s illustration is especially relevant in a small church were if one part of the body is not present, the body does not function to the best of it’s ability.

What gifts has the Lord given you?

How can you use them to build His kingdom here in the year to come?

No matter your age or stage of life, you have a role to play.

You can make an eternal impact for the kingdom of God.

The ultimate goal is as Paul shares in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I share this a couple of years ago - some distinctives for our church.

A distinctive is something that serves to distinguish or set apart.

Some things that ought to set us apart form the world around us are

We are a church where the word of God is faithfully taught and practiced.

The Word of God must be central and we each need to have a deep love for God’s word.

2. Ministry in and through the church is shaped by the burdens and passions of its members.

Is the Lord laying something upon your heart to do for His kingdom?

Each of us that are members of this church have a duty to take ownership of our faith through this distinctive.

We all live busy lives, but are the kingdom centered lives?

If you are not currently, consider how you might be involved with ministries already happening.

If there is something else the Lord is laying upon your heart, lets pursue that idea together.

3. That love for the body of Christ would be one of the key qualities that characterizes our church family.

Love for the body, translates into love for one another which in turn facilitates regular community within the body of Christ.

4. That we would be a church that is unified in leadership.

That decisions made by the Elders of the church would always be unanimous.

5. That the church would be led with wisdom from the Elders.

Good leadership from the Elders of the church breeds an atmosphere of respect and willingness to work together through difficulties and trials.

Conclusion

As we step into the new year, will you respond to God’s call to serve with renewed surrender, humility, and joy?

God equips and strengthens those He calls.

Trust in His grace as you serve.

This illustration will appeal a little more to the ladies, but I know us guys can appreciate it as well.

Who has noticed the quilt in the bathroom up here.

It is really quite beautiful.

Made of different patches.

Each piece unique, but also vital to the whole.

In God’s church, every member has a role to play.

Every member has a part in creating something beautiful for His glory.

I want to close with one more scripture before we sing together.

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

A prayer for God to equip His people for every good work, working in them what is pleasing in His sight.