Sermon Tone Analysis

Dedicated Service:

There are 3 movements in Romans chapters 1-12, that we first must understand to identify Paul’s message to us in 12.

Our condition outside of Christ and why we find ourselves there

This condition is rectified through God’s justifying work, and how we are to understand this work as Paul make more robust the idea of salvation

Our appropriate response to understanding the purpose of God’s work.

…This is where 12 begins

Our Passage has 3 Sections - 1 | 2| 3-8

Romans 12:1

Therefore...

Because of who you were (enemies) and by virtue of who you are now in Christ (adopted Sons and daughters)

Place your ENTIRE LIFE in God’s hands to be “useful” to Him, because this is what you ought to do

Let's break down the constituent parts…

It is universal given the audience, marked by brethern (family, brothers and sisters)

Let's break down the constituent parts…

The Plea follows from what is being taught

The urging of Paul is a plea for you to do something

That something is the only thing we can "really" do

To Present…what?

Story of Boy who puts himself in the offering plate

To present an offering is to give it to God for His use as He would use it

God doesn't take junk…that which is presented to God must be of his choosing

The condition of the Life matters (SL made this point well Thurs)

First-century people were familiar with the offering of sacrifices whereas we are not.

They had stood by their altar and watched as an animal was identified as their own, as it was slain in the ritual manner, its blood manipulated, and the whole or part of the victim burned on the altar and ascended in the flames to the deity they worshipped.

To suggest that they themselves should be sacrifices was a striking piece of imagery

Examples of unacceptable sacrifice

--------

Spiritual Service of Worship?

First-century people were familiar with the offering of sacrifices whereas we are not.

They had stood by their altar and watched as an animal was identified as their own, as it was slain in the ritual manner, its blood manipulated, and the whole or part of the victim burned on the altar and ascended in the flames to the deity they worshipped.

To suggest that they themselves should be sacrifices was a striking piece of imagery

Bodies Holy and Acceptable

; ;

(NASB95)

(NASB95)

(NASB95)

It is this wholly righteous and devoted person that God wants for his purposes (great point of reference is - showing this fact over and over throughout the chapter)

Spiritual Service of Worship?

Cain in

Spiritual Service of Worship?

Reasonable service

Romans 12:2

Conformity happens without intentionality in another direction

This is not simply stop doing - which would mean our slow drip of poison subsides (stop putting junk in you), it is an assertive going to the gym/training in order to renew your mind --> to produce transformation (something wholly different - "new life")

talks about the eternal things

Sometimes as simple as changing radio stations

“Christian Radio/Listening to Scripture vs. ESPN” Example of how we choose little things (rightly and wrongly) that make a big impact

TRANSFORMED (Settled) Too often we settle for short of new - there is a difference between experiencing new and being new.

We can settle for one-off experiences over the habitual life change.

Saying, “this is great, this must be what it is.”

It is possible to taste the things of God without experiencing reorientation and transformation.

The process is not the result.

We must not exchange new things for new life.

But with engaging in the fight and winning does come new things, and new life and leads to the 2nd part of verse 2 - proving what the will of God is

Why do we want to do this -> so that we can prove what the will of God is (Those things which are good acceptable and perfect)

*Everything is about knowing and doing the will of God*

"teach them all I commanded you"

Know and Do!

Romans 12:3-8

God's Way

God's WayYour Way

Your Way

Body is living and holy sacrifice

Do not be conformed to the World

Body is living and holy sacrifice

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Prove what the will of God is (that which is good, acceptable and perfect)

Do not think of yourself more highly than you should

Think as to have sound judgment

Your Way

Your Way

Body is my slave for my purposes

Be conformed to the world

Be conformed to the world

Stay as you are, thinking the same way

Stay as you are, thinking the same way

Be unable to discern what God wants for you (that which is not good, not acceptable and not perfect)

Be unable to discern what God wants for you (that which is not good, not acceptable and not perfect)

Think more highly of yourself than you ought

Think more highly of yourself than you ought

Think so as to not have sound judgment

HOW DO I DO GOD’s WAY?

#1 The key to thinking about yourself Correctly is to immerse yourself daily in the reality of who you are in Christ and who he is to you

You are his redeemed son and daughter , who has been given everything you could ever need to live the life he has called you to

He is your King

#2 We should have Jesus’ Perspective

sa

We are a unity, and have an obligation within that unity for its strength

God has bestowed gifts on his people through the HS and these gifts are for service in keeping the body unified and cared for (reference?)

It is helpful then to understand your place in the body at any particular time (understanding the purpose your gift(s) serve)

It is further helpful to exercise your gift(s) according to your “proportion of faith”

This last one is helping us make this correlation between faith and obedience

my action is in proportion to my faith

specifically my action in accordance with his purposes

Paul’s central point, however, is that each believer has something to contribute to the proper functioning of Christ’s body.

From this observation it seems not too much to infer that the body would often fail to function properly when individual members fail to recognize their value and contribute their gift, or when other members try to usurp roles not suited for their particular grace or faith.

Close

*As God has urged you to "do" something this morning - SL is going to come up and play some music for us.

I want to give you some time to think about what your response should be and for you to make a presentation of yourself by writing a prayer of decision on cards at the table.

The cards are here on the table, once you have finished place them on the alter.

Don't put your names.

I want to pray over these this week.