Sermon Tone Analysis

Leading Bible Study Notes on (September 26, 2018)

Leading Bible Study Notes on (September 26, 2018)

Introduction

Quick recap

From Chapters 1-11, Paul exhaustively and methodically explained that we have all sinned, Jews and Gentiles alike in their respective different ways, with the law or without the law.

We all need salvation.

Salvation comes from justification by faith (i.e. the grace of God) (1:17; ) and the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:16), the power of God to salvation.

NKJV

8 But what does it say?

"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Now Paul followed-up by explaining to those Christians in the church of Rome from chapters 12-15 how to live this new life after receiving salvation by faith, firstly as a Servant, then Citizen and Fellow Christians.

It is not only appropriate during his days of severe persecution but relevant to us as well, probably even more so in a politically correct society.

Chapter 12-15 Outline

Chapter 12 - Christian Servant

Chapter 13 - Christian Citizenship

Chapter 14 - Christian Brothers dealing with various practices

Principle of Liberty (tolerance)

Principle of Love (care)

Examples of Christ (obedience)

Chapter 15 - Conclusion

Tonight we are focusing only verses 1-8, covering a number of basic and key instructions from Paul.

Let us all work together to try and understand Paul’s message.

Romans 12:1-8

Read vv 1-8 first.

NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

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.

Tonight I propose that we break these into 3 sections: verse 1, 2, 3-8.

A. Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1, 2)

Let us first Re-read verse 1 in two versions including one version in AMP.

NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

NIV

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.

羅馬書 12:1 CUNP-神

“所以，弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉乃是理所當然的。”

AMP

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.”

Living Sacrifice

The term "living sacrifice” really stood out in this verse.

This is a unique term Paul created and not used anywhere in the Bible.

Question: What is your interpretation of Paul’s meaning of this term?

This is very helpful for us to have a good general overall concept of this phrase.

But to fully appreciate Paul’s plea, let us examine some of the words more closely:

Paul also used the words surrounding the term:

bodies

The Greek word used here, sōma, refers to the entire person.

present your bodies

dedication all of yourselves.

Question: ‘Offering your bodies’ - Does it mean we have to be a Catholic Priest or nun dedicating our lives to the church?

Answer: Some may consider that that being a Catholic priest or nun would be the bodily sacrifice required.

Do you think that is Paul’s meaning of living sacrifice.

holy

Indicates that the sacrifice is set apart for God,(sanctified) and also holy (cleansed).

In the ot, such terminology is associated with worship in the tabernacle and temple (; ; ).

Is this too high a standard for us?

Jesus required us:

'Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.’

acceptable

meaning well pleasing to God

reasonable

The Greek word used here, logikos, often translated translated as “reasonable” or “proper,” indicating that it is the only logical thing for you to do, after all Christ died for our sins.

The word however can mean “spiritual,” suggesting worship that involves the heart and mind in contrast to physical offerings and sacrifices.

indicating worship that reflects a correct understanding of the gospel message and a rational response to it.

It also might mean “true,” implying that worship is appropriate for those with a renewed mind ().

service

The Greek word used here, latreia, commonly refers to priestly duties in the temple (, ).

Believers do not operate in a physical temple but are themselves God’s temple ().

They offer themselves because God has made them a holy priesthood (, ).

sacrifice

Question: What is a sacrifice in OT time?

Answer: The dictionary defines sacrifice as “anything consecrated and offered to God.” So, under the Old Covenant, God accepted the sacrifices of animals in the temple----- it’s a life paid for human sin.

This is done once a year at the Passover.

Such a sacrifice is costly—but second-hand and dead.But these were just a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Quiz: When was the first sacrifice in the OT?

Answer: After man sinned, God made clothing to cover man’s sin.

()

Question: What were the purposes of OT sacrifice?

Answer: To pay for our sins; to remind us of our sinful nature; the need for our repentance and forgiveness from God; keeps us humble; to sanctify ourselves and be holy (High priest and offeror)

Question: What are the essentials of the sacrifice?

Answer: The first born, perfect (without blemish), best, living 'clean' and 'acceptable' animal, personally also with humility, sanctified, forgiveness or without grudge against some one and a cheerful heart.

(NKJV)

[So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

NKJV

'Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

'

1 chronicles 16:

NKJV

Question: Is there a need for the sacrifice now?

10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 尋求耶和華敵人, 應當心中歡喜