Wanted: Dead or Alive

Introduction: The end of all true religion is…to bring men to God. From him they have fallen, and to him must they be restored. Any instructions that don’t have this object in view, are of small value. The Gospel itself would be an empty speculation, if it did not teach us to hope for some practical effects. There are some who would separate principle from practice: but not so with the Apostle Paul.

Paul uses the word “therefore” in this text. This is the fourth “therefore” in the letter.

is the “therefore” of condemnation, declaring that the whole world is guilty before God.

is the “therefore” of justification.

the “therefore” of assurance.

, we have the “therefore” of dedication, and it is this dedication that is the basis for the other relationships that Paul discussed in this section.

The Book of Romans has the theme of righteousness running throughout:

Sin (1:18–3:20—Righteousness Needed)

Salvation (3:21–5:21—Righteousness Imputed)

Sanctification (6–8—Righteousness Imparted)

Sovereignty (9–11—Righteousness Rejected [by Israelites])

Service (12:1–15:13—Righteousness Practiced)[1]

“I beseech” – I urge - C. E. B. Cranfield says that it is a technical term for Christian exhortation, which he defines as “the earnest appeal, based on the gospel, to those who are already believers to live consistently with the gospel they have received.”

From this text I would like for us to know what we have been called to do. We’ve been called to:

I. Present Your Body (12:1) (What/Who)

- That word present means literally "to place beside." It was used of an Old Testament worshipper placing his sacrificial animal on the altar as an act of consecration to God. This is a strange concept to us who have never seen an animal sacrifice and to whom the whole idea may be rather repulsive.

- But let's try to project our minds back to that day. Come with me to the tabernacle. You are an Israelite, a farmer, and the Lord has been good to you. He's given you a good harvest. Your flocks and herds are reproducing. Your children are healthy and strong. There has been peace in the land. But best of all, you are thankful to God for providing the means for your sins to be forgiven. And you want to worship Him, to thank Him for what He has done, and to rededicate yourself and your family to Him. What do you do?

- You bring an animal: a bull, a sheep, a goat, a dove or a pigeon. At the entrance of the tabernacle you give the animal to the priests. One of them takes a knife and slits the throat of the animal while another catches the blood in a bowl, takes it to the altar and sprinkles it there as a reminder that God has forgiven your sins. Then the priests skin the animal, cut it in pieces, wash the pieces and lay them on the altar, one by one, until every part is sizzling on the hot fire.

- You have given God the whole animal, because He has given everything to you. And you have given it up completely to Him. You have surrendered your right to use it as you please. It is no longer yours but God's, to be used for His purposes. Your sacrifice actually represents your life. You are consecrating anew to the Lord everything you are and have.

Motive for the Sacrifice - Mercies of God

Motive for the Sacrifice (1b)

Gratitude for His Mercy

It’s to be done because we have experienced God’s mercy

Substance of the Sacrifice - My Body

Nature of the Sacrifice - Characteristics of the Sacrifice

Living - not dead - it’s easier dead than alive (LOL) - the living one can jump off the altar

Holy - set aside, set apart - separate unto God

Well-pleasing to God - God is pleased when we offer a living and holy sacrifice - jWe bring joy to the heart of God - we make God smile!

God is pleased when we offer a living and holy sacrifice.

Purpose of the Sacrifice

(12:1a – God is pleased if we offer a living and holy sacrifice.)

This is an ACT OF WORSHIP – Paul’s sacrifice is contrasted with the Old Testament (living vs. dead sacrifice) – In comparison…they could both be sacrifices of gratitude and praise!

II. Resist the World (12:2) (What)

Non-Conformation -- Avoid – Worldly Contamination (12:2a)

Allow one’s self to be “squeezed into the world’s mold” - Squeeze into the the World’s Value System

Marriage

Child Rearing

Economical System - Getting rather than Giving

Don’t pattern one’s self after the world!

Particularly to One’s Outward Appearance

III. Renew Your Mind (12:2) (How)

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Transformation - achieve - Godly Transformation

It has come into our English language as the word “metamorphosis.” It describes a change from within.

It has come into our English language as the word “metamorphosis.” It describes a change from within.

It has come into our English language as the word “metamorphosis.” It describes a change from within. Same as the caterpillar is changed into a butterfly - you can’t change a caterpillar into a butterfly by just pasting wings on it. It must go through an internal transformation.

Christ is the great transformer!

Christ is the great transformer!

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (359). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books