You Are Freed To Live Transformed
Gospel Freedom • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
You Are Freed To Live Transformed
You Are Freed To Live Transformed
Romans 12
Romans 12
Introduction
Introduction
Our religion is more than some system of notions or speculation.
No, it is a practical religion, that tends to the right ordering of the conversation. It is designed not only to inform our judgments, but to reform our hearts and lives.
The foundation of Christian practice must be laid in Christian knowledge and faith. We must first understand how we receive Christ Jesus the Lord, and then we shall know the better how to walk in him
Some have called the collection of exhortations found in this chapter the “abridgment of the Christian directory.”
1) You Have A Duty To God
1) You Have A Duty To God
VERSES 1-2
VERSES 1-2
Let us not overlook the preface/intro (chapter 11:28-36) of chapter 12.
The judicial hardening of God’s chosen people (Israel) is accredited for the opportunity given to us to have access to God’s mercy and grace.
(v32) God’s desire was to show mercy to ALL.
(vv33-35) You may ask, “How did God work this out in His mind?”
(v36) All credit goes to God!!!
Beseech = to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage.
Paul could have worded it, “I command you...”
There is no need for a command here simply due to the motivation of Jesus’ gospel.
Illustration: You don’t have to command me to love my children.
Paul speaks to the accountability of each individual.
There is an imperative call to ACTION; a response toward God.
Paul is urging them to surrender themselves FULLY to God.
The heart is where it begins, but not where it ends!!!
Illustration: Athletics, hunting, academia, vacations, etc...
Paul lists TWO ways a TRUE believer in Jesus should/must present his/her body:
Living Sacrifice
Alluding to the sacrifice given under the Law.
By His Spirit, you have been separated by God so that you may present your whole self to God.
1 Corinthians 6:20 “20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Our sacrifice is simply our “person” and “performances.” Sincerely devoting your own body to God.
It is important to understand HOW someone can be such a sacrifice to God.
It is simply Christ living in the soul by faith — Galatians 2:20 “20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Holy
Paul is speaking about a holiness that encompasses both heart and life.
It is the soul that is the proper subject of holiness; but a sanctified soul communicates a holiness to the body it actuates and animates. That is holy which is according to the will of God; when the bodily actions are so, the body is holy
Running that race depends on where the heart is placed.
Paul lists THREE motivations to back these up:
Consider God’s mercies
This is the kind of God we are encouraged to present our bodies too.
Think about all that you receive from Him every day!
Think about your BODY: God made them, maintains them, bought them and will soon change them!
Lam. 3:22 “22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
Christ made His body and soul an offering for YOUR SIN.......He gave himself for us and gives Himself to us.
It is acceptable to God
You should look for nothing more to make you happy other than the presentation of yourself pleasing Him.
It is your reasonable service
There is all good reason for it and NO good reason to be against it.
RENEWAL of the mind is key to TRANSFORMING your person.
Illustration: Fixer Upper reveal, weight loss reveal.
Illustration: Think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Prov. 4:23 “23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”
The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man
The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure.
Transformation has been made possible!
Paul rejoiced about Jesus’ ability to accomplish this in him.
Personal action must follow!
Paul presents a negative principal to the believer, “do not be conformed to this world.” (ENEMY)
1 Peter 1:14 “14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”
1 John 2:15 “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Conformed = to form according to a pattern or mold; be formed like, be conformed to, to be guided by.
World = A segment of time as a particular unit of history; present age (nearing it’s end).
2) You Have A Duty To Yourself
2) You Have A Duty To Yourself
Lets first take a look at the great threat of bodily value (v3)
We must take heed of having too great an opinion of ourselves, or putting too high a valuation upon our own judgments, abilities, persons, performances.
Pride is a sin that is bred in the bone of all of us, and we have therefore each of us need to be cautioned and armed against it
Galatians 6:3 “3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
It is good to be wise, but bad to think that of yourself.
Remember, it is God who has “dealt to every man.”
The supply and design of each local body is God’s.
That in essence tells you that every part carries with it a special value to God’s glory.
Not every part is of the same value, but each one has been given value from the same God.
Illustration: Your little toe does not receive the same nourishment as the leg.
Each part does not have the same work, but serves the body to benefit the whole.
We stand in relation one to another; we are engaged to do all the good we can one to another, and to act in conjunction for the common benefit.
1 Corinthians 12:14 “14 For the body is not one member, but many.”
3) You Have A Duty To The Brethren
3) You Have A Duty To The Brethren
There is ONE WORD that really sums up our duty toward one another; LOVE.
There is no greater foundation!
LOVE
LOVE
Love is NOT to consist of compliment and pretence.
1 John 3:18 “18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
Due to the surface level love this world offers, EVERY BELIEVER should be thrilled for every opportunity to showcase the sincere love they have received from Jesus.
2 Corinthians 8:8 “8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.”
A LOVE THAT IS AFFECTIONATE (v10)
A LOVE THAT IS AFFECTIONATE (v10)
Showing yourself friendly fits here.
Always ready, willing and inclined to love.
Illustration: Think of the water flowing from a spring (the most natural and purest kind)
If you have a NEW NATURE, you have this law of love written on your heart.
A LOVE THAT IS RESPECTFUL
A LOVE THAT IS RESPECTFUL
Some spend most of their time praising themselves.
If we are honest, if all we do is gaze upon ourselves, we will often times see more evil than good.
Take the time to notice the gifts of others and praise them.
In our time spent preferring others over ourselves, let us not use that as an excuse for our laziness and doing nothing.
A LOVE THAT IS LIBERAL IN DISTRIBUTION
A LOVE THAT IS LIBERAL IN DISTRIBUTION
We should never meet the needs of our brethren with empty verbal expressions!
It is not enough to just to open our souls in prayer. We need to open our wallets.
The one who lays up the most treasure in Heaven are those who are willing to give up their treasures on earth.
1 John 3:17 “17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
There is a common love owing to our fellow-creatures, but a special love owing to our fellow-christians
Galatians 6:10 “10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
“given to hospitality”
This is instructing us to PURSUE it.
A LOVE THAT IS SYMPATHETIC (v15)
A LOVE THAT IS SYMPATHETIC (v15)
This love is practiced when you are proactive to make not only the joys of others but also the sorrows of others YOUR OWN.
1 Corinthians 12:26 “26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
A LOVE THAT IS LOWLY
A LOVE THAT IS LOWLY
True love CANNOT be without this.
Example: John 13:5 “5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” John 13:14 “14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Don’t be HIGH MINDED
Our condition lies in the hands of providence. The same hands who works all thing out for the best good.
Never be ashamed or strive to distance yourself from those who are in need! GOD DOESN’T!!!
Quote: Be reconciled to the place which God in his providence hath put us in, whatever it be. We must account nothing below us but sin (Matthew Henry)
A LOVE THAT ENGAGES
A LOVE THAT ENGAGES
Who believe the wisdom from God is the best wisdom?
James 3:17 “17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Hebrews 12:14 “14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
Ephesians 4:3 “3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
However, notice the limitation (v18)
“Possible” = capable
Peaceably = free from disputes
Quote: It is not possible to preserve the peace when we cannot do it without offending God and wounding conscience. (Matthew Henry)
You may ask the question, “How do I know when I reach a brick wall?”
Ans. — When you can confess to God that you have done all to preserve the peace.
Paul goes on to say that there is a chance of being overtaken when “doing GOOD” is of lesser value than getting even.
Do not bow down to your emotions and live as if vengeful responses are you only option.
Through Christ you ARE THE OVERCOMER!
those that revenge are the conquered, and those that forgive are the conquerors
God’s love is written on you heart, therefore His love should be seen in your life.