FREE: How the Good News Changes Everyday Life (Week 1)

FREE: How the Good News Changes Everyday Life (Week 1)

ROMANS 12:1-8

Introduction: SLIDE: PICTURE OF PEYTON

Peyton under restraint.

MAIN POINT: EVERYONE WHO RECEIVES GOD'S GRACE IS GRANTED FREEDOM TO FIND THEIR PLACE.

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1. We serve God because we've been SET FREE (vv. 1-2)

EXP: As Paul begins by saying “in view of the mercies of God,” I would challenge you to consider the depth of what that actually means.

What is mercy?

The act of not receiving what we’ve earned.

Death; purposelessness; eternally miserable punishment and suffering.

By committing A SINGLE SIN, THAT’S WHAT YOU’VE EARNED.

God’s mercies PARDON US FROM RECEIVING WHAT WE DESERVE.

ILLUS: The “cool cop” that lets you off with a warning for speeding.

TRANSITION: Against the backdrop of the INCREDIBLE mercies God has given to us, how ought we to respond?  The rest of verses 1 and 2 tell us the answer:

SINCE YOU’VE BEEN SET FREE, LET YOUR ENTIRE LIFE BE AN OFFERING TO GOD.

Pay attention to the word “urge” for a moment:

Parakaleo- a forceful command by an authority figure.

Paul isn’t asking–he’s commanding.

He knows that the only way we can ACTUALLY LIVE FOR JESUS IS BY OFFERING OUR LIVES TO HIM IN RESPONSE TO THE MERCIES WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM HIM.

Does this look the same for everyone?

On a large scale, YES.

V. 2- All Christians should offer themselves as sacrifices to God by denying the temptation to give in to the evil offerings of the world.

We are worshiping God when we say “no” to conforming to the world.

On a smaller scale, our life offering to God may look a lot different, because God has uniquely made and blessed us differently, which leads to our second point tonight:

2. EVERY believer has been given unique spiritual gifts (vv.3-5)

Paul nips pride right in the bud, right away (v. 3)

ILLUS: When you try to nip your parents’ fear in the bud by starting a phone call with, “Don’t freak out, but…”

Our spiritual gifts are a demonstration of God’s GRACE.

If mercy is God NOT giving us what we do deserve, grace is being given what we DO NOT deserve.

Spiritual gifts land in that category according to Paul.

God has given us unique spiritual gifts ON PURPOSE.

He illustrates using the body as an illustration.

3. When it comes to the will of God, everybody has a place (vv. 6-8)

Have a look at the gifts Paul mentions:

Prophecy–the proclamation or declaration of the purposes of God

Service– ministry; meeting the needs of others–diakonia, an iteration of the word in which we get DEACON (diakonos).

Teaching- That one is pretty self explanatory

Exhorting- literally means “to turn forward; propel”

Encouragement; accountability–this is a big part of DISCIPLESHIP.

Giving- Self explanatory–NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY

Leading- also self explanatory–I believe we have a LOT of leaders in here (and a built-in opportunity for you to lead through INFLUENCERS!)

This is NOT an exhaustive list.  But notice how DIVERSE it is.

Ears are vastly different than tongues or livers or toenails.  But each serves its purpose for the body.

In the same way, God has uniquely graced us with gifts that serve the body–the church, as well as the Kingdom of God, as well as GOD HIMSELF.  You were made to serve the people of God.  You were made to serve the Kingdom of God.  You were made to serve God.  And until you are active in using your gifts, you aren’t where God wants you to be!

Conclusion/Invitation:

The work of Christ grants anyone who places faith in Him FREEDOM.

Receive your freedom

Is your ENTIRE LIFE serving as an offering to God?

You’ve been gifted by the Holy Spirit in a unique way

Love your gifts

Remember where they came from

Remember they aren’t given out by accident

We aren’t actually presenting ourselves as living sacrifices until we are EXERCISING our gifts.

Find your place

The issue with going straight to the spiritual gifts test.

Pray

Reach out