Pray in Harmony: A Holy Church

Romans 12:1 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

INTRO—

[[The church…our church…Matthew 18.20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.””]]

Purpose…and more purpose...

Matthew 21.13 “He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves!””

Hebrews 12.14 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.”

1 Timothy 4.7 “But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.”

Just so we maintain our focus.

PRAYING IN HARMONY: Romans 12

Romans 12:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:3–5 CSB

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

In these verses we find five aspects of what it means to be a Holy Church:

SACRIFICIAL (12.1)

“present your bodies as a living sacrifice”

COUNTER-CULTURAL (12.2a)

“do not be conformed to this age”

TRANSFORMED (12.2b)

“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

HUMBLE (12.3)

“not to think of himself more highly than he should”

COMMITTED (12.4-5)

“one body in Christ and individually members of one another”

PRAYING IN HARMONY: Small Groups

“Lord, take your church and make us more like you. We want to be set apart for you. Make us into...” [introduce the transition sound; continue praying all the way through (4 min. segments); 4 aspects]

A SACRIFICIAL CHURCH

Following Christ is not a path of ease—he calls us to pick up our cross daily. We do this “in view of” the mercy he has already shown us.

Pray, thanking God for his mercies and that we would set aside comfort, status, and power so that we live wholeheartedly for him.

A COUNTER-CULTURAL CHURCH

Our holy God calls us to live distinct—holy—lives.

Pray, that we would care for those that society finds hard to love and deems undeserving. Pray, that our church would live unswerving biblical priorities when it comes to worship, work, education, and socializing.

A TRANSFORMED CHURCH

We are called to a life of change…continued repentance leading to growth in godliness and holiness.

Pray, for yourself and one other person in our church family…that God would mold us to be more like Jesus every day as we face our joys and trials.

A HUMBLE CHURCH

Few characteristics are as ugly as pride. We are all sinners saved by grace and have no reason to look down on others.

Pray, repenting of areas of your life impacted by pride. Pray, that our church would have a compelling witness in our community as Christians who put others before ourselves.

PRAYING IN HARMONY: All Together [The Church Gathered]

“Lord, take your church and make us more like you. We want to be set apart for you. Make us into...”

A COMMITTED CHURCH

Rejoice that our church is made up of different people with different gifts—all to be used to the glory of God.

Pray, that every one of us would be passionate about using our gifts in ways that honor Jesus and allow us to bless and encourage each other as we follow our Lord together.

CONCL—

As we pray together… (throughout this week)

Hebrews 4.16 “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”

We need God’s help—to be the healthy, holy church he has called us to be.

Romans 12:5 CSB

in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.