Call to Carry Out (Execute)

Pray

Before I begin, I want to express my appreciation to Pastor Butts for affording me this opportunity. The first time I brought forth a message was in this same place.

Romans 12:1–3 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Introduction

Paul’s basic theme is the righteousness of God. The word “righteous” in one form or another is used over forty times in these chapters. In chapters 1–3 he presents the need for righteousness; in 3–8, God’s provision of righteousness in Christ; in 9–11, how Israel rejected God’s righteousness; and in 12–16, how righteousness must be lived in daily practice.

This is where I intend to draw our attention.

That righteousness (in accordance with God’s law) must be lived in our lives.

Calling

Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren.”

He is asking earnestly. Paul is calling upon Christians to present their bodies a living sacrifice.

Note, Paul is not commanding us. He could have and had every right to do so.

It has been said, “the motive for dedication is love.”

Paul is not just calling upon anybody, Paul is specifically calling upon Christians, “brethren.” He is calling those that name the name of Christ! Those whom have experienced God mercy.

Next we see the commission we are given.

Commission

A commission (verb) is an order or authorizes (a person or organization) to do or produce something.

What are we to do, what is our order? Make ourselves available for the work of the Lord, “present your bodies a living sacrifice.” Present means to provide, make available.

This is our commission, we have been placed into service. We need to act upon our commission.

Paul says to present. This means to provide, make available. We may not feel like it, but it is more than a feeling it is a commission, an order.

As Christians, we need to provide ourselves to God.

It has been said, “Sacrifice (Greek thusia) means an offering to God. It does not necessarily imply that it is hard or costly. Even thanksgiving to God is considered to be a sacrifice. Heb. 13:15

Hebrews 13:15 KJV 1900

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

We have an opportunity to offer the sacrifices of praise on Sunday evenings, praise God!

As we look at being holy, one commentator said, The primary reference in holiness is dedication to God.

It also includes separation from sin and conformity to righteousness. Too many people have the idea of holy or holiness distorted. Consider this...

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 127: Unholy Americans

UNHOLY AMERICANS

Topics: Believers; Holiness; Purity; Redemption; Repentance; Sanctification; Self-condemnation; Self-image; Shame

References: Leviticus 11:45; Matthew 7:13–23; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 7:1; Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 3:12; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 1 John 3:3

Most Americans don’t consider themselves to be holy, said a survey published by the Barna Group in 2006.

Three out of four Americans (73 percent) believe it is possible for someone to become holy regardless of their past. Only half of the adult population (50 percent), however, said that they knew someone they considered to be holy. That is more than twice as many as those who considered themselves to be holy (21 percent).

The views of born-again Christians were not much different from the national averages. Among believers, three-quarters (76 percent) said it is possible for a person to become holy regardless of his or her past. Slightly more than half of the group (55 percent) said they knew someone they would describe as holy. And roughly three out of ten Christians (29 percent) said they themselves were holy, which is marginally more than the national norm.

—“The Concept of Holiness Baffles Most Americans,” barna.org (February 20, 2006)

Holy simply means to be set apart, consecrated, dedicated. Set apart for God’s use.

So, we see Paul’s calling, our commission, now we are told to cease.

Cease

Be not conformed is as if Paul is saying cease from “shaping one’s behavior” or “being conformed to a pattern or mold,” of the world.

Cease (verb) means bring or come to an end. This is an action word. We need to take action and cease, stop. Cease from what? Cease from being conformed to the world. Why? Because we are changed.

Changed

We are changed…(transformed) means change, transform the essential nature of something. Consider this...

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 602: Interpreting Signs on an Suv

On the way to work, I noticed some interesting signs on the SUV in front of me. The spare tire mounted on the back had the words “Texas Longhorns” and an orange, steer-head icon on it. The trailer hitch displayed another steer-head icon and the word “Texas.” The license plate frame was bordered with the words “Longhorns” on top and “University of Texas” at the bottom.

But something didn’t add up. The license plate frame was screwed into a “Land of Lincoln” license plate with a picture of old Abe on it. I live in Illinois, and the SUV’s license plate showed that this driver now did too. I assumed the owner of this SUV had moved but had not yet identified with his new home and had no plans of changing loyalties.

When we move, we often go through a slow transition of loyalties to our new home. And so it is as a Christian. When we come to Christ, the kingdom of God becomes our home, but the kingdom of this world does not easily leave our hearts. The great challenge of the Christian is to overcome divided loyalties and fully identify with God’s kingdom.

—Craig Brian Larson, Arlington Heights, Illinois

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Our Christian life is a process. Define salvation, sanctification, and glorification.

salvation: the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him everlasting happiness. This is the great salvation.

sanctification: The act of making holy (setting us apart for God’s use). In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2Cor. 7.

Romans E. A New Life: Based on the Purposes of God (8:26–30)

Sanctification: God’s work through the Holy Spirit to conform those in the family of God into the image of his Son.

Romans E. A New Life: Based on the Purposes of God (8:26–30)

Glorification: God’s fulfillment of his purposes—the making of fallen sinners into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ, for eternity.

How does this transforming relate to our sanctification?

Romans A. The Believer Is Challenged to Dedicate Himself to God (12:1, 2)

Concerning the word for prove (Greek dokimazo) Earle explains, “It means ‘test,’ ‘prove’ by testing, or ‘approve’ as the result of testing. But it may also mean ‘discover’ or ‘discern’ ” (216). Earle supports the meaning “discover” or “discern.” This seems to be the correct view. By presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, by avoiding conformity to the age, and by being transformed by the renewing of our personality, we develop that kind of experience that will help us discern the will of God for our lives.

define good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

Don’t be conceded but be clear minded.

“dealt” What does this mean? Does God deal or distribute a different amount of faith to every man? No, this means to assign responsibility, give to a particular task. Look at it this way, not everybody is an organization has the same tasks or responsibilities. If so, the organization wouldn’t be decent and in order.