Living Sacrifices: A Call to Genuine Love

Romans 12:1–21

Romans 12:1–21 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I. Sacrificial Service: Our Call (Romans 12:1-5)

Romans 12:1–5 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

A. Presenting Our Lives (Romans 12:1)

Romans 12:1 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

1- Yield your entire being to Christ 

(Romans 6:12-16)

Romans 6:12–16 NLT

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. 15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

a. The physical body

(Philippians 1:20)

Philippians 1:20 NLT

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

(2 Corinthians 5:10)

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

b. The eternal soul

(1 Thessalonians 5:23)

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

c. The intellectual mind 

(Mark 12:30)

Mark 12:30 NLT

30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

B. Transforming Our Minds (Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2 NLT

2 Don’t copy [1] the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform [2] you into a new [3] person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

 1.The Pressure to conform to the world:

[1]  Συνσχηματίζεσθε = to assimilate ⇔ be conformed v. — to be or become behaviorally or socially similar to; conceived of as being or becoming shaped or molded to a certain pattern.

      1. Its nature:

a. Ridicule

b. Persecution

c. Ostracizing 

    2. Its Sources:

a. Friends

b. Family

c. Foes

d. Religious People

       2. The Power of Transformation:

 [2] μεταμορφοῦσθε = to be transformed v. — to be or become changed in outward appearance or expression as manifesting a change in nature or essence.

[3]    ἀνακαινώσει  = “to make new” (ana, “back” or “again,” kainos, “new,” not recent but different)

1. Complete change 

(Titus 3:5–6) 

Titus 3:5–6 NLT

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

C. Valuing Our Gifts (Romans 12:3-5)

Romans 12:3–5 NLT

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Reject a self-focused life (vs. 3). 

“Because of the privilege and authority* God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

The path to fulfilling this is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.

Remember the purpose of investing in others .(Romans 12:4-5)

Romans 12:4–5 NLT

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Through evangelism

Through ministry within the body of Christ

II. Special Gifts: Our Expression (Romans 12:6-10)

Romans 12:6–10 NLT

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy [4], speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others [5] , serve them well. If you are a teacher [6], teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others [7], be encouraging. If it is giving [8], give generously. If God has given you leadership ability [9] , take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others [10], do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

A. Types of gifts:

[4] προφητείαb, ας f: the capacity or ability to utter inspired messages—‘to prophesy, ability to prophesy, to be able to speak inspired messages.’ καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω προφητείαν ‘and if I have the capacity to prophesy’

[5] διακονίαb, ας f: (derivative of διακονέωa ‘to serve,’ 35.19) the role or position of serving—‘ministry, task.

[6] διδάσκω; διδαχήa, ῆς f; διδασκαλίαa, ας f: to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting—‘to teach, teaching.’

[7] παρακαλέωd; παράκλησιςa, εως f: to cause someone to be encouraged or consoled, either by verbal or non-verbal means—‘to encourage, to console, encouragement.’11

[8] μεταδίδωμι: to share with someone else what one has—‘to share, to give.’

[9] ἡγέομαιb; προί̈σταμαιa; κατευθύνω; φέρωd; ἄγωd: to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action—‘to guide, to direct, to lead.

[10] ἐλεάω or ἐλεέω; ἔλεος, ους n: to show kindness or concern for someone in serious need—‘to show mercy, to be merciful toward, to have mercy on, mercy.’

B- Motivation for the gifts: (Romans 12:9-10)

Romans 12:9–10 NLT

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

1- Love is the motivation.

a. We are not to pretend [11] to love each other, but “really love”others.

b. We are to love each other with “genuine affection.”[12]

c. We are to delight [13] in honoring each other.

[11] ἀνυποκριτος = pertaining to being genuine and sincere, and hence lacking in pretense or show—‘genuine, sincere.’ εἰς φιλαδελφίαν ἀνυπόκριτον ‘to the point of genuine love for fellow believers’ 1 Pe 1:22.1

(It is possible to interpret ἀνυπόκριτος in 1 Pe 1:22 as being simply the negative state of hypocrisy and thus semantically neutral, but there seems to be an important positive element and therefore ἀνυπόκριτος is classified here under Genuine, rather than in Domain 88, Subdomain C’.)

[12] τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι = love each other with genuine affection.

(1 Peter 1:22)

1 Peter 1:22 NLT

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

[13] τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι = be eager to excell at honoring one another.

III. Spiritual Zeal: Our Energy (Romans 12:11-16)

Romans 12:11–16 NLT

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

A. Zeal that Transforms (Romans 12:11–12)

Romans 12:11–12 NLT

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[14] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

11 τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί, τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες, τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες, 12 τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες, τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες, τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες,

1- We are to be zealously serving the Lord.

a. [14]“τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες, τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες”= Serve the with a passionate spirit.

(1 Cor 15:58)

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

2- We are to keep our focus in all circumstances.

a. [15] “ τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες, τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες, τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες,”

(2 Cor 4:18)

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Live in a confident hope ( τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες)

Endure in times of trouble (τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες)

Passionately pursue prayer. (τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες)

B. Open-Hearted Generosity (Romans 12:13)

Romans 12:13 NLT

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

(ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες, τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες.)

1- Always be focused on others instead of self.

(1 Cor 10:24)

1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT

24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

Sharing what you have with those in need. (ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες)

Being hospitable toward others. (τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες)

C. Blessing Beyond Boundaries (Romans 12:14)

Romans 12:14 NLT

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

(εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας, εὐλογεῖτε καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε.)

1- Treat even your enemies well.

a. Don’t curse them. (μὴ καταρᾶσθε.)

b. Speak well of (εὐλογεῖτε) those who persecute (διώκοντας) you.

c. Pray for them. (Matthew 5:44)

Matthew 5:44 NLT

44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

D. Unified in Compassion (Romans 12:15–16)

Romans 12:15–16 NLT

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

“15 χαίρειν μετὰ χαιρόντων, κλαίειν μετὰ κλαιόντων.

16 τὸ αὐτὸ εἰς ἀλλήλους φρονοῦντες, μὴ τὰ ὑψηλὰ φρονοῦντες ἀλλὰ τοῖς ταπεινοῖς συναπαγόμενοι. μὴ γίνεσθε φρόνιμοι παρʼ ἑαυτοῖς.

1- Genuine empathy is to be expressed in the church family. (vs. 15)

Romans 12:15–16 NLT

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

2- Maintain the right attitudes toward fellow believers. (vs. 16)

Romans 12:15–16 NLT

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

τὸ αὐτὸ εἰς ἀλλήλους φρονοῦντες - “Live in harmony with each other” = “have thje right attitude toward each other.”

μὴ τὰ ὑψηλὰ φρονοῦντες ἀλλὰ τοῖς ταπεινοῖς συναπαγόμενοι = “Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

μὴ γίνεσθε φρόνιμοι παρʼ ἑαυτοῖς. = And don’t think you know it all!

4. Strategies for Peace: Our Response (Romans 12:17-21)

Romans 12:17–21 NLT

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

A. Promote Peace Persistently (Romans 12:17-18)

Romans 12:17–18 NLT

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

“17 μηδενὶ κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἀποδιδόντες· προνοούμενοι καλὰ ἐνώπιον πάντων ἀνθρώπων· 18 εἰ δυνατόν, τὸ ἐξ ὑμῶν μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων εἰρηνεύοντες·

1- Vengance is never the way we are to respond.

(1 Pet 3:9)

1 Peter 3:9 NLT

9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

2- Behave in a way that presents a positive testimony to everyone.

(1 Pet 2:12)

1 Peter 2:12 NLT

12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

2- Seek to live in peace with all people.

(1 Pet 3:11)

1 Peter 3:11 NLT

11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

B. Practice Patience in Provocation (Romans 12:19)

Romans 12:19 NLT

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

“μὴ ἑαυτοὺς ἐκδικοῦντες, ἀγαπητοί, ἀλλὰ δότε τόπον τῇ ὀργῇ, γέγραπται γάρ· Ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω, λέγει κύριος.”

1- The believer is never to take revenge, but to leave judgment to God.

(1 Thess 5:15)

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

C. Overcome Evil with Goodness (Romans 12:20-21)

Romans 12:20–21 NLT

20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

1- We are to respond to evil with goodness and generousity.

2- We are to overcome evil with good.

(Prov 25:21–22)

Proverbs 25:21–22 NLT

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

(1 Pet 2:21–23)

1 Peter 2:21–23 NLT

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

CONCLUSION: