Gospel Driven Lives
Notes
Transcript
Handout
32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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.
The Context - Though the Jewish people have rejected Jesus as their Messiah, God still has plans for mercy on the Jewish people. Romans 11:1-32
He has brought all people into disobedience in order that his glorious mercy might be displayed to everyone. (Rom. 11:32)
God’s design for history, and the salvation of humanity are both mysterious and glorious! (Rom. 11:33)
This is important for us to recognize, that we have never been able to improve God’s plans, nor added any benefit to him. (Rom. 11:34-35)
For from him we have recieved every good thing.
Through him, every good thing comes.
To him belongs all the credit for every good thing.
For this reason, our desire is for Him to receive the glory! (Rom 11:36)
It is within this awareness of our indebtedness to God’s mercy that Paul exhorts us to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice.
Word Study: “by the mercies of God”: The word “by” - δια (dee-ah) - tells us the motivation. That’s why certain translations say “in view of” or “because of”.
Word Study: “present” - παραστῆσαι (para-stay-sai) - was a word that carried deep emotional connection for those familiar with the Old Testament. This is the word used when priests were presented for service or sacrifices were presented for offerings to the Lord.
Though Paul specially mentions presenting our bodies to the Lord, he has our whole selves in view.
If our worship is to be more than skin deep:
We must be enamored with God’s loving-mercy.
Keep presenting ourselves to be a living offering.
Change the way we think to reflect what God says is true.
We must be enamored with God’s loving-mercy.
Being enamored with God’s loving mercy is specifically mentioned twice: That we may begin and and end with it.
How?
Examine God’s story - look for displays of his loving mercy that you can rejoice in.
Examine your life - What ways does the gospel inform our daily lives?
Christians can rest in the Gospel
God forgives you; be at peace, and know that he isn’t looking for you to prove yourself.
God loves you; apply his love to the aching pains of your heart.
He has accepted you; there is no need to earn (or earn back) his love.
He is working in you; just be willing and surrendered.
You are valuable to him; even though we bring nothing to the table.
