The Demands of Glory

Romans 12:1–8 NIV

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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

What do we do with the good news of Jesus?

Rom 1-11

All were condemned (1-3)

Faith Justifies (4-5)

You are dead to sin and Alive to God (5-6)

Free from the Law (7)

Alive, adopted, awaiting future glory in Christ (8)

Chosen by God and for God (9-11)

So how do we respond if we have accepted the gift of eternal life through faith?

“Therefore I urge you” – Paul sets out to answer the question

Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 NIV

1 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.

A living sacrifice

This is a new sacrifice

Not dead because death has been defeated

In the OT a living sacrifice would be offensive because God demanded the shedding of blood

In the NT a dead sacrifice would be offensive because God’s demand for shed blood has already been satisfied

The living sacrifice is a transfer of rights

Getting the keys to a new house

True and proper (reasonable worship)

An offering of our whole life is the only reasonable response to Christ offering his whole (and greater) life to us

Grace and Legalism

God’s mercy demands active effort based on and responsive to his enabling grace.

Stand Out

Romans 12:2 NIV

2 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.

Two opposites are presented

On the one hand – the pattern of this world

Literally – this age

Highlights the gap between the here and now and the then and there

A this age mindset will be unable to do the things the gospel demands, because the gospel is foolishness to this age

On the other hand – a transformed mind

The gospel presents a new way of counter-intuitive thinking

If you believe the gospel you will be motivated to do things that don’t make any sense in a this age mindset

Things like sacrificing and standing out from the world!

Christians “think different”

How do Christians stand out?

Low hanging fruit – not participating in the obvious sin and rebellion of the world

Many of these things are actually actions the world rejects too.

The harder stuff is living a life of humble sacrifice. That’s the most counter-cultural thing you can do.

suffer? 

succeed? 

get a promotion? 

make our schedule? 

choose what risks we should take?

Serve

Romans 12:3–8 NIV

3 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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.

How can we stand out and sacrifice

Serve humbly

Romans 12:3 NIV

3 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.

Serve uniquely

Romans 12:3–6 NIV

3 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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. […]

Churches are infrastructure heavy

We should have sound infrastructure

But the mission is making disciples

Serving in your unique gifts isn’t just about the area of infrastructure you’re serving in, it should also be serving in a people oriented ministry.

Infrastructure is only good inasmuch as it supports serving people.

Serve enthusiastically (Rom 12:6-8)

Romans 12:6–8 NIV

6 [..] If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.

Service to God doesn’t happen only in church, but it does happen specifically in church

Where is church in your list of priorities?

Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying "it's not a priority," and see how that feels. Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to. But other things are harder. Try it: "I'm not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it's not a priority." "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority." If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently. (Laura Vanderkan)

How does serving God relate to your weekly schedule? You spend 2 hours in church and 166 hours outside it, how does your time show that you think differently.

How can you serve?

If you believe the gospel, your church life must extend beyond the 1% of your week that is devoted to our Sunday Morning Worship Service.

That doesn’t even count as a sacrifice.

Come to small group

Actively pursue meaningful relationships (“terminally casual”)

Volunteer when there are needs

See needs before others see them and fill them

“we need people to step up and present their bodies as a living sacrifice”

Ways to Serve

Kids (Sunday Morning) □ Nursery (0-2 years) Helper □ Children's Church (K-3rd) Helper □ Kids Choir Helper □ Desk Coordinator □ Other (set up, organizing, crafts, baking, etc.)

Praise Factory (Sunday Night) □ Small Group Helper □ Games Helper □ Music Helper

Students □ Small Group Leader □ Check-In/Welcome Team □ Games Guru □ Snack Prep Team □ Teen Equipping Hour □ Event Driver (25 & Older)

Worship □ Ushering □ Usher Assistant (help passing plate/tray) □ Live Stream/Lighting Tech □ Screens Tech □ Musician

Property □ Landscaping □ General Maintenance □ Painting □ Special Projects □ Workdays

Connections □ Pre-Service Barista (making coffee, setup) □ Post-Service Attendant (coffee, cleanup) □ Main Entrance Greeter □ Connection Counter Greeter/Information Desk □ Photographer

Food Pantry □ Serving Patrons □ Shopping □ Receive Deliveries

Missionary Care □ Hospitality □ Missions Awareness

Discipleship □ Partners in Prayer □ Mentoring □ Counseling

Conclusion

You have been sacrificed for. Will you sacrifice back?