A Living Sacrifice
Notes
Transcript
we’ve come to the end of our sermon series on the book of Romans. We’ve talked through several key teachings and principles significant in the life of a believer and the health of the local church.
● The Problem of Sin
● The Rescue from Sin
● The Pursuit of Righteousness
● God Chooses Us
Today, as we end our series, I believe we are going to explore one of the greatest principles Paul discusses in the book of Romans. Specifically that we would offer our lives as living sacrifices unto the service of the Lord.
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
The start of this practical section
A Call to Sacrificial Living (Romans 12:1)
A Call to Sacrificial Living (Romans 12:1)
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Therefore also shows a transition (cf. “therefore” in 3:20; 5:1; 8:1). The basis of Paul’s exhortation is God’s mercy (oiktirmōn, rendered “compassion” in 2 Cor. 1:3; Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12, and “mercy” in Heb. 10:28). God’s compassion has been described in detail in the first 11 chapters of Romans.
The content of Paul’s urging is to offer your bodies (cf. Rom. 6:13) as living sacrifices. A Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19–20). In the KJV “offer” is translated “present” (Rom. 12:1) and “yield” (6:13, 16, 19). The word “bodies,” mindful of the Old Testament sacrifices, represents the totality of one’s life and activities, of which his body is the vehicle of expression. In contrast with Old Testament sacrifices this is a “living” sacrifice.
Such an offering is holy (set apart) and pleasing (cf. “pleasing” in 12:2) to God. Furthermore, it is spiritual (logikēn; cf. 1 Peter 2:2) worship (latreian). Latreian refers to any ministry performed for God, such as that of the priests and the Levites. Christians are believer-priests, identified with the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Heb. 7:23–28; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6).
A believer’s offering of his total life as a sacrifice to God is therefore sacred service. In the light of Paul’s closely reasoned and finely argued exposition of the mercies of God (Rom. 1–11), such an offering is obviously a desirable response for believers.
Paul then stated general implications of a believer’s offering his life to God as a sacrifice.
SCRABBLE is a challenging game. It involves the bringing together of letters to form words. Although at first glance this may seem like an easy game to play because there are only twenty-six letters in the English alphabet, these letters come together to form enough words to fill the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Library of Congress, and the World Wide Web!
The game of Scrabble involves the ordering of items that originally have no implicit order. The words already exist, but the letters must be arranged a certain way to be made into words. The goal of this game is for players to set out letters so that they now make sense.
Christians are to live their lives in a way that their actions come together to form the picture of salvation. Salvation is a gift and for the Christian already exists. The goal of living the Christian life is to arrange one’s lifestyle so that it now looks like the existence of a person saved by grace.
Theological Truth: Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice involves a whole-life commitment to God.
Application: What does it look like for us to live sacrificially in our daily lives (e.g., surrendering our time, talents, and resources)?
How Do We Be A Living Sacrifice as v. 1 speaks of a specific act in which we offer ourselves to God, v. 2 tells us of two ongoing activities that carry out the intention of the living sacrifice.The first is negative; the second, positive.
Rejecting Conformity to the World (Romans 12:2a)
Rejecting Conformity to the World (Romans 12:2a)
2 Do not be conformed to this age
Observation: “Do not be conformed to this world.” Discuss how the “world” here refers to values and practices opposed to God.
Theological Truth: Being conformed to the world compromises our worship of God.
Believers are no longer to conform themselves to the present age (cf. 1 Pet 1:14).
As citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20) we are to “set [our] minds on things above, not on earthly things (Col 3:2).
Paul reminded the Galatians that the present age is evil (Gal 1:4). It cannot, and must not, serve as a model for Christian living. Its values and goals are antithetical to growth in holiness.
The church should stand out from the world as a demonstration of God’s intention for the human race. To be culturally identified with the world is to place the church at risk. Believers are to be salt and light (Matt 5:13–14), purifying and enlightening contemporary culture.
A man can be outwardly conformed to the Christian way of life while he is inwardly conformed to the spirit of this world.
Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson
Rather than allowing the world to “squeeze you into its own mold” (Phillips),
The story of Daniel in Babylon serves as a great example of standing out against conformity. While everyone else bowed to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, Daniel chose to remain faithful to God. His light shone brightly in a dark place! In a world pressing us to fit in, let’s take courage from Daniel’s example and be willing to stand out for Christ.
Application: Ask the congregation to reflect on areas where they may be conforming to worldly standards.
Renewal Leads to Transformation (Romans 12:2b)
Renewal Leads to Transformation (Romans 12:2b)
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
Observation: Highlight the process of being “transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
μεταμορφόω - Transformed
Paul told believers to be “transformed by the renewing of your minds.” From without there is a continuing pressure to adopt the customs and mind-set of the world in which we live. Although that influence must be rejected, that alone will never create the kind of change God has in mind for his followers.
Real and lasting change comes from within. We must “let ourselves be transformed.” The verb occurs in two other settings in the New Testament. First is Mark 9:2 (Matt 17:2), where Jesus is said to have been “transfigured” before his three disciples. Next is 2 Cor 3:18, where Paul taught that believers, as they behold the glory of the Lord, are being “transformed” into his likeness. The transformation of which Paul spoke in Rom 12:2 is not a change effected from without but a radical reorientation that begins deep within the human heart.
A renewed mind is concerned with those issues of life that are of lasting importance. By nature our thoughts tend to dwell on the ephemeral. But that which passes quickly is normally inconsequential. As Paul said in another place, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). The mind renewed enables us to discern the will of God.
God renews our lives by renewing our minds, and he renews our minds through his truth. This truth is the Word of God.
Warren W. Wiersbe
Imagine a gardener who decides to replace weeds in their garden with vibrant flowers. Over time, the garden transforms into a spectacular sight that brings joy to all who see it. Similarly, when we actively renew our minds and replace negative thoughts with God’s truth, we cultivate a heart that blooms with positivity and grace, making our lives a beautiful reflection of His love.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Application: Encourage consistent engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship to foster spiritual renewal.
Discerning God’s Will (Romans 12:2c)
Discerning God’s Will (Romans 12:2c)
2 so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Observation: The goal is to “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The mind renewed enables us to discern the will of God. To Discern is to test or examine.
Released from the control of the world around us, we can come to know what God has in mind for us.
We will find that his will is “good, pleasing and perfect.” It is good because it brings about moral and spiritual growth. It is pleasing to God because it is an expression of his nature. It is perfect in that no one could possibly improve on what God desires to happen.
Theological Truth: Knowing God’s will comes through obedience and spiritual growth.
In the Bible, we see the Israelites wandering in the desert, looking for the Promised Land. Each day, they relied on a cloud by day and a fire by night for guidance. Sometimes it’s easy to think, "If only I had a cloud or fire to guide my decisions!" But, like the Israelites, we are called to trust God’s direction day by day in our lives, perhaps not as spectacularly but with equal faith!
Application: Challenge the congregation to seek God’s will in their decisions by aligning their desires with Scripture.
The renewal of the mind enables the believer to discern what is good, what is pleasing to God, and what is perfect.23 And having discerned it, that same renewal sets him to the task of performing what is seen as the will of God.
Leon Lamb Morris
Conclusion:
Summary: Recap the main points:
sacrificial living, rejecting conformity, pursuing renewal, and discerning God’s will.
Challenge: Invite the congregation to commit to living out these truths daily.
Consider a historical figure like John Newton, the former slave trader who wrote 'Amazing Grace.'
A long time ago, a man truly experienced God’s grace His name was John Newton. Though he was brought up in the church as a child, he became a calloused man full of anger, pain, and uncertainty. Because of that, He experienced many troubles.
At one time, he was a commander of a slave ship. He would anchor his ship off the coast of Africa and pack it with slaves They were ruthlessly chained side by side, row after row, one after another just like a can of sardines. Many slaves died on the long voyages and were thrown overboard for the fish to eat.
During a raging storm at sea, John Newton finally gave his life to Jesus Christ. Over the next few years, God brought people across his life in order to disciple him. He later became one of Britain’s most powerful evangelists. Feeling guilty about his past slavery involvement, He triumphantly fought against the slave trade.
His transformation is so profound that it even inspired songs! If he were writing today, maybe he’d tweet, 'Once lost, now found; once blind, now I see!' It lightens our hearts to know that no matter our past, God can rewrite our future, making us instruments of grace.
Encouragement: Remind them that God’s Spirit empowers us to live transformed lives.
