Announcements

Bailey Church Council will meet tonight at 7:00 PM in the FMC.

Our online book club will continue tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM via Zoom. We will be reading chapters 3-4 for tomorrow night.

Opening Prayer

Holy One, God of all Creation, you call us to be your people, to carry your vision in this time and place, to go where you send us to help welcome your amazing good news. As we gather in the presence of the risen Christ to spread the news that your realm is near, fill us with your Holy Spirit, O God of all Creation. Fill us with your glorious Spirit, that we may share your good news with a world in need. Amen.

Opening Music

Bailey - “If We are the Body,” “God So Loved”

Pleasant Grove - “If We Are the Body”

Pastoral Prayer

"Lord, you have come to the lakeshore, looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones. You only ask me to follow humbly. ..(UMH #344) The words from this lovely hymn paint pictures of hard-working people, going about their daily tasks when they are confronted by Jesus. This same Jesus, who long ago called to those first disciples, calls to us each today. Our "lakeshores" are different. They are the places where we work and where we live. Yet in this song, Jesus is coming for each one of us, just as we are and inviting us to follow him humbly. We have lifted the names of loved ones today in prayerful petition for God’s healing love. We have uttered in our hearts names and situations that it would break our hearts to speak. And God hears all our cries and responds in love. This is one of the faithful works of the church; the work of prayer, asking for God’s healing mercy and blessings. As we have offered our prayers, let us also offer our lives, trusting in God’s love and call to us, responding with confidence. For it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.

Music

“Redeemed”

“Growing into Christ”

Introduction

Do we like growth and change when it’s painful? Most of us would probably say no. Psychologist Jennifer Kunst describes why we are sometimes cautious of change and growth: “The first way of approaching life is by avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. It is a very simple system. If it feels good, then eat it, take it, or do it. If it feels bad, then spit it out, get rid of it, or avoid it.” However, she goes on to encourage a different way of living, one that Wilfred Bion described as developing “mental muscle” (Jennifer Kunst, “No Pain, No Gain,” A Headshrinker’s Guide to the Galaxy [blog], Psychology Today, May 8, 2014)

Paul admonishes believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice,” and not to “be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:1–2). The image of sacrifice relates to the Old Testament practice of offering animal sacrifices as worship to God. Paul is saying that the life of a believer is a living sacrifice—one that is set apart for God and is constant worship to God. This happens by the renewing of the believer. Paul continues chapter 12 by discussing the unity of believers in Christ (vv. 4–5) and the importance of showing love to everyone, especially to those who persecute us (v. 14).

Christian growth is called sanctification. Theologians have described sanctification as “a separation to God, an imputation of Christ as our holiness, purification from moral evil, and conformation to the image of Christ” (Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1979], 287). Sanctification begins when we come to faith in Christ, and God sets us apart as his children (1 Corinthians 6:11). However, God continues to transform the believer from the inside out so they can reflect Christ to the world more and more.

Christian change doesn’t happen in an instant. There is no “microwave spirituality,” which means that growth takes time. Given the choice between fast food or a home-cooked meal, most people would prefer the latter. Fast food is quick and will temporarily fill your stomach, but it’s highly processed, unhealthy, and expensive. A home-cooked meal, made in an oven or a slow cooker, gives the food time to marinate and absorb all of the flavor. Yes, it takes more time, more effort, and maybe more frustration, but in the end it’s worth it (and it’s usually better for you).

Sanctification is the lifelong growth of the believer, with all the complexities and messiness that entails. For contemporary Christianity, easy answers are the norm. But sanctification is not easy. It relies on trust, community, and an ongoing work of the Spirit. The Spirit renews and transforms believers from the inside out. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives inside every believer (Romans 8:11). Sanctification is not “behavior management” but a transformation of a person at the core. Instead of changing only the behavior, God changes our thoughts, emotions, and habits. By the power of the Spirit, believers “put to death” sin and unrighteousness (vv. 12–13).

1. Our mind is transformed. (vs. 1-2)

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 2:5 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

As we grow in Christ, our mind is transformed into the mind of Christ. Does this mean that we think like Christ and become some kind of nonthinking and nonresponding zombie? No.

v1. As a response to the "kindness", "long-suffering" and "love" of God toward us in the salvation won on our behalf by Christ, we are encouraged to offer our whole selves as "living sacrifices", dedicated to the service of God. We are to do this on the basis of the "mercies of God". In Christ we are made perfect sons of God, so be perfect sons, or at least work at it. Such behavior is reasonable (rational, intelligent) service to Christ. The NIV phrase "spiritual act of worship" is a terrible translation. The word "spiritual" here means "thinking", while the word "worship" means "service", here service to God.

v2. Rather than allowing ourselves to be conformed to this age we should submit to the transforming work of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. This renewal progresses through the renewal of our minds. Obviously, Paul is thinking of the effect of a preaching and teaching ministry. It is through a word ministry that we understand God's truth and so both discern what is "good, acceptable and perfect", and then apply that understanding in our daily living.

2. We use our gifts for his glory. (vs. 3-8)

Romans 12:3–8 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

v3. Paul now deals with the first of a number of practical applications that flow from his exhortation in v1-2. Because of Paul's authority as an apostle ("grace given to me" = the gift of apostleship), he encourages us to first discover our spiritual abilities, our God-given gifts, in line with the discerned will of God, and then to exercise them for the building up of the Christian group. We are to do this free from a desire for status. The phrase, "in accordance with the measure of faith", is rather vague, but it defines the type of the assessment undertaken. It's a spiritual exercise, a godward exercise, rather than a mere assessment of natural abilities.

v4-6a. Although believers possess individual spiritual abilities, each member, with their gifts, functions as the various members of a single body. Although each member of a congregation has different gifts shaping various functions (ministries), each function is essential for the benefit of the whole.

v6b-8. Paul now lists some of these functions and encourages his readers to apply them in the life of the church:

a) Prophecy - the proclamation of divine truth, in line with the revealed Word of God, and the application of its relevance;

b) Serving - works of practical ministry;

c) Teaching - the exposition of scripture;

d) Encouragement - encouraging the weak hearted. The New English Bible describes this quality as "the gift of stirring speech";

e) Generosity - financial support, possibly financial guidance;

f) Leadership - administration;

g) Kindness - the care of the sick, the poor, the aged and disabled.

3. Love becomes our witness in the world. (vs. 9-14)

Romans 12:9–14 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

1 John 3:15–16 ESV

15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

v9. First, Paul lists a number of general exhortations: We are to love our brothers and sisters in the sense of show compassion toward them. Such love must be genuine and not deceitful. We are to oppose what is morally wrong and support what is morally good.

v10. We are to show affectionate kindness to our brothers and sisters in Christ, particularly when they are in need. We must always remember, a kindness to a brother is a kindness to Christ.

v11. We are to be dedicated toward God, bubbling over with enthusiasm toward the Holy Spirit and devoted in service to our Lord.

v12. With a view to eternity, be joyful; in persecution, be patient; in prayer, be constant.

v13. We must be generous in our dealings with our fellow believers, and offer practical care and hospitality when needed.

v14. As the master instructed us, let us bless our persecutors, cf., Matt.5:44, Lk.6:27.

Closing

One way Christians can grow in Christ is to cultivate spiritual disciplines. Prayer, service, study, and meditation are just a few of the practices Christians have used for centuries to cultivate spiritual growth. Theologian Richard Foster describes the importance of these disciplines, saying, “Disciplines do not earn us favor with God or measure spiritual success. They are exercises which equip us to live fully and freely in the present reality of God—and God works with us, giving us grace as we learn and grow” (Richard Foster, “Spiritual Disciplines: A Practical Strategy. ‘

Closing Song

“I Surrender All”

Benediction

As the disciples walked with Christ so long ago, walk with Christ in your hearts and spirits. Feel the power of the Holy Spirit guiding your path. Know the love of God which is poured out for you and rejoice. Go in peace and may God’s peace go with you. AMEN.