Generous Hands, Open Homes

Introduction

We return to the WORD of God as we have been digging into Romans 12 discovering what true worship is. Worship that Paul calls reasonable or logical in view of God’s mercies.

Modern ideology has reduced worship to an event, an event designed to make us feel good for singing sentimental songs. Yet, Paul has made it clear in verses 1 and 2 that worship is not confined to songs or gatherings.

Worship is the presentation of our entire lives to God as living sacrifices. He began chapter 12 by calling us to present our bodies as living sacrifices meaning that worship begins at the altar where you surrender your life.

But Paul does not stop there because there is more. He also calls for us not to blend into the patterns of this world system but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds

A surrendered body and life must be accompanied by a renewed mind. Because if the mind is not transformed the sacrifice will not last. Remember it is a living sacrifice, it will walk right off of that altar.

And as we have been seeing, when the mind is renewed and the heart is gripped by the mercies of God, something changes. Worship begins to show up in how we relate to others

Now in verse 13, as he has done with all the previous verses we have examined, Paul shows us what that transformation looks like in very practical terms:

“Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (v.13)

This is not deep theology here, and it certainly is no theory, this is simply living worship in motion. Generosity and hospitality are not optional extras fro the spiritually mature.

These two short phrases reveal whether our worship is truly shaping our lives because generosity and hospitality are not personality traits. And about personality traits:

The idolization of personality is precisely one of the ways in which we can easily conform to the patterns of this world:

Worldly patterns say, “That’s just how I am; this is my personality type; I’m not wired to serve; I’m blunt–deal with it.” That mindset can easily become a sanctified excuse for remaining unchanged.

The world says, “discover yourself.” But the gospel says, “deny yourself.”

An introverts can still love fervently. A bold personality can still be gently. A reserved temperament can still be courageous. And a dominant personality must still die to self.

We must be careful with the whole, “what is my personality type” thing. Quite often this mindset becomes a shield against sanctification, a justification for sin, a limiter for obedience, or even a replacement for identity in Christ.

So this command is not reserved for the extroverts in the room. This is for the whole church. If verses 1 and 2 are the foundation then verse 13 is part of the visible fruit.

Today we will see that worship is demonstrated by sharing with those in need and by welcoming others. (pray)