Living Sacrifices: A Full Time Commitment
August 16, 2010 - 6 minutes readMVBC men’s breakfast August 14, 2010 R. Torres
Opening: Hebrews 12:14-16; 13:1-2
May our time be devoted to examining our own hearts; may God the Holy Spirit lead and teach us. Help us to be Holy (set apart, devoted to God in ALL we do).
My goal today is simply to encourage you guys and be encouraged through applying God’s Word to our everyday lives.
What or who defines your life?
Christ is our life Col 3:1-4
Brief Background on Romans:
Paul is writing to Church at Rome: to both Greek and Jewish Christians: he is presenting the gospel message: how we should understand righteousness from God, justification by faith, sanctification—our growth in Christ, how we should live…etc., a systematic theology.
Main text is Romans 12:1-8; 9-21
Sections 12:1 to 15:13 viewed by some as:
The Gospel in Action! Faithful Servants in Action!
Romans 12:1-8; 9-21
I. As Christians we are called to be dedicated—to live out our Christian life full time.
What is our attitude about our life in Christ?
Does God require a decisive commitment?
A. Do we have a sense of appropriate urgency to grow up or mature in our shared faith? Paul says, “Therefore, (in light of all I have presented) I urge you brothers…” Rom 5:1& 8:1
We have to get this! Our life in Christ depends on it.
B. “In view of God’s mercy” (back to Rom 5:1 & 8:1)
What should be our response in light of God’s great mercy and compassion?
“to offer your bodies/selves as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God”
1. to be totally committed, this is our spiritual act of worship/service.
What does it look like to be totally committed? A. ref. psalm 118:27 NKJV
(Imagery of binding with cords to the altar of God)
We are to be CONTINUALLY vigilant, living our lives holy and pleasing to God. Any other attitude or approach should be considered weak and futile when it comes to relating to our Holy, Holy, Holy, God.
As living sacrifices we offer our conscious, rational, thoughtful, and intelligent offering of the self in daily sanctification that is pleasing to our God.
Feelings have to follow our understanding of the gospel, especially as we live in this world system everyday. If we allow our feelings to define or lead our relationship with our Lord we will have trouble. Experiencing joy and peace is promised by Jesus and these are emotional constructs. However, it is critical to our growth in Christ that experience and emotion maintain their proper place.
II v. 2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind”
God calls us in Christ to maintain our commitment through transformation and renewal. This is an ongoing process.
1. Two processes going on within us all the time (ideally as maturing believers)
a. a continual rejection or renunciation of the world system
b. a renewal of our minds;
Is it possible to accomplish this process on our own?
God helps us through this process (Titus 3:3-6).
2. v. 2b. “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is…”
Is God’s will a mystery for the transformed Christian?
What are some basics we know are God’s will for our lives in Christ?
We test and approve according to God’s norm as revealed in Scripture.
3. I am convinced without “each other” to encourage, admonish, love, keep accountable, we will become weak Christians and unable to effectively please God.
4. Ministries/service, even worship will be conducted in the flesh. (Eric Motl)
5. Moreover, to go at it alone or even routinely without spiritual depth is to risk falling prey to compromise: gossip, unresolved anger, difficulty forgiving and reconciliation, critical spirit, impatience, etc.
How are we supposed to have spiritual depth? What are practical applications?
v. 3 By grace! Our tendency toward pride becomes less and hopefully not an influence in our Christian relationships and service.
III. In relation to ministries, service, essentially the practical use of our gifts, we are called to evaluate ourselves with the measure of _____________ God has given.
We must have a sensible estimation of ourselves: knowing our strengths and weaknesses and being okay with who we are in Christ!
A. Does this give us freedom to pursue our gifts and support one another?
Praise God that the power (Acts 1:8) to fulfill various ministries in the church is given by God to all believers, but specific gifts are given to believers as He chooses.
“Whatever the gift one must use it for the good of the body, and he who is given the greater gift must be the greater servant.”
B. There is unity within diversity because God makes it clear that we need each other to be healthy.
v. 6 We have different gifts according to the _______________ given us.
In Closing:
Christian conduct resulting from a dedicated life in Christ: 12:9-21
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