Revolution vs. Resolution

Romans 12:1-21

I. Introduction

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "resolution?" Probably "New Year's Resolutions," right? What about the word "revolution?" Perhaps the American Revolution? Which is better? Resolution or Revolution?

A. Resolution—to make a firm decision about something.

B. Revolution—a sudden or momentous change in a situation.

C. Too often as Christians, we stop at making resolutions.

1. We determine to do something, but never follow through.

2. It’s time for a revolution. A momentous change in our situation.

It’s time for a revolution in…

II. …Our self-perception (vs. 3-8).

A. Healthy self-esteem is a biblical principle

1. We are not to think too highly of ourselves.

a. Sober—lacking excess, exaggeration, or speculative imagination; straightforward.

b. We are not to think badly of ourselves, either.

2. We are God’s creation.

a. Psalm 139:13-17—“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”

b. Did you know that there are 1,000,000 organized kilometers(625,000 miles) of wiring in the human brain?

Did you know that a brain the size of the head of a pin (the brain of a honeybee) performs billions of highly organized sequential and simultaneous calculationsper second?

Did you know that a single molecule of DNA in one of your cells holds multiple encyclopediasof extremely complicated chemical formulas defining 100,000 separate proteins and enzymes necessary for your life?

Did you know that you brain contains 1015 organized neurological connectionsthat meaningfully communicate with one another at the speed of electricity in order to produce human thought, emotions, reason, creativity, beauty and to operate your body - and did you know that the number "1015" is approximately equal to the number of the leaves on the trees in a forest the size of continental Europe?

Did you know that your eyes simultaneouslytransmit millions of encoded digital signals to your brain in order to produce an instantaneous full color three dimensional reality that we call vision - and that the translation of those codes produces more than 16 million different colors and that every one of those millions of transmissions changes with each eye movement?

B. We are created for a purpose

1. We have specific duties within the church body—there are no benchwarmers. If you can’t shoot, you can carry bullets!

2. Everyone has a different purpose; no one is the same.

3. Take action! Are you doing what God has for you in the church?

4. If the sole purpose of your existence is to glorify God and you are not doing so, what is the purpose of your existence?

III. …The way we Love (vs. 9-10).

A. Love for God (vs. 9).

1. “without hypocrisy”

2. “hate that which is evil”

3. “cling to that which is good”

4. All of these things SHOW love for God. A picture is worth a thousand words.

B. Love for People (vs. 10).

1. Being kind to the brethren.

2. Putting others before yourself.

3. JOY= Jesus, Others, You (in that order!)

IV. …Our Spirit (vs. 11-12).

A. Work ethic (vs. 11)

1. Not lazy

a. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men…” Colossians 3:23

b. Why? “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24

B. Praising God regardless of circumstance (vs. 12)

1. Praise God when the sun is shining.

2. Praise God in the storm.

3. Prayer is our relief.

4. Story of Job

a. 7 sons, 3 daughters, a wife, 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke oxen, 500 female donkeys, etc.

b. All of his sons and daughters died, most of his livestock; later he would be struck with leprosy.

c. But, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged (cursed) God foolishly.”

V. …Our Mind (vs. 13-21).

A. Generosity towards others (vs. 13)

1. We are to be of one mind with the church.

2. The church can accomplish more if everyone watches out for each other and strives together for one goal.

B. We are to have the “Mind of Christ.”

1. Matt. 5:44—Jesus teaches unconditional love. (vs. 14)

2. Empathy (vs. 15-16)

3. Forgiveness (vs. 17)

a. Peacemakers—Matt. 5:9—“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

b. Proverbs 15:1—“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

4. Anger Management

a. Anger, when controlled, is ok.

b. Revenge is not.

VI. Conclusion

It’s time for a drastic change in the way we think and act. But we must get past all the New Year’s resolutions and begin a New Year’s Revolution. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke