Exhortations

Introductions:

IN this last section Paul often combines doctrine with duty and belief with behavior.

Paul is turning from exposition to exhortation. He explains the practical implications of the Christian life.

You will notice two specific areas Paul focuses on:

Individually - How each of us should live = integration of creed-our belief, with conduct - how we behave.

Kingdom Wide - How is the body of Christ to relate to one another and society as a whole.

Paul makes it clear that holy conduct is neither automatic or inevitable.

We must be taught the practical implications of being made holy through our relationships with our Holy God!.

I. Relationship to God - Consecrated Bodies and Renewed Minds

Consecration: “to dedicate to the worship and service of God”

An appeal for consecration -

Notice this is to “brethren”

This is to Christians ()

Notice it is a “beseech” or strongly appeal

Consecration: A response to mercies of God.

If we properly understand God’s mercies to us in the new birth, there is no greater incentive to holy living. God saved us because of His grace and mercy. Our response should be wholehearted, glad surrender out of gratitude for His mercies.

GBS Romans 12 Material Romans 12:1-2

If we properly understand God’s mercies to us in the new birth, there is no greater incentive to holy living. God saved us because of His grace and mercy. Our response should be whole-hearted, glad surrender out of gratitude for His mercies.

Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, former president of Asbury College, used to tell his students that the motivations that prompted unbelievers to come to Christ were largely based on self-interest and gain. People come to escape hell, gain eternal life, put their broken lives back together. Kinlaw was not surprised or upset by this “selfish” motivation of new converts. But Kinlaw would go on and tell his students, that the believer, should and can come to God and offer himself or herself to God, not for what can be gained, but rather as an expression of pure devotion, in view of God’s mercies. I think we can summarize it like this – Let’s not make a full surrender to God to see what we get – Lets give to God because he is worthy, and out of our gratitude for His mercies.

The Nature of a Full Surrender - Not only are we gently urged to consecrate all Paul tells us how to do this.

First - Present - to bring and sacrifice (a living sacrifice)

4.

This is a Decisive Act

This gives us the basis for saying the presentation is a full, unconditional surrender to God.

This Requires a Total surrender - a living sacrifice

Only a Christian can present something to God that is

Living = Sinners are dead in trespasses and sin

Holy = Separated unto God

Acceptable = Something God is pleased with

The Demands of Consecration “Be not conformed to this world...”

There must be a separation form the world - don’t allow the world to press you into its mold.

WORLD= The value system of this age that is not in harmony with God’s Word.

Worldliness = attitude or action that is not in harmony with the Word of God.

II. The Transformation from a Full Surrender

The Transformation from a Full Surrender

Transformed “But be ye transformed” = “an internal, deep seated, permanent, revolutionary change in our innermost nature.”

Transformed “But be ye transformed” = “an internal, deep seated, permanent, revolutionary change in our innermost nature.”

The purpose of consecration and transformation = “…that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The purpose of consecration and transformation = “…that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

II. Relationship to the Church -

Renewal and Evaluation - our renewed mind is now ready to start evaluating ourselves to identify our spiritual gifts.

Not exhaustive list of gifts - but a principle: Whatever your gift is DO IT WITH ALL OF YOUR MIGHT!!!

Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift that is to be used for God’s glory in the local church!!!

- shows a cooperation not competition within the body!!!

Prophesy = The ability to proclaim and apply God’s truth so that believers may be edified, encouraged and consoled and non-believers convinced.

Ministry = Serving, one with this gift consistently and happily gives assistance to any who need a “helping hand” a helper.

Teaching - the ability to understand and communicate the Christian faith so as to make truth clear to others.

Exhorting - the ability to motivate people through encouraging words to live practical Christian lives.

Giving - the ability to discern the material or financial needs of others and then meet those needs generously.

Ruling (leadership) - the ability to see what needs done, know what to do to solve the problem, motivate and organize people to help you accomplish this goal.

Mercy = the ability to sense hurts in others and willingly minister to those in need, including those considered ‘outcasts’ by society.

III. Relationship to Others

Will deal with this section next time.