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Sunday, May 29, 2005 pm

A LIVING SACRIFICE

ROMANS 12:1-2

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Romans.  Paul has spent considerable time establishing that we all need the gospel – both Jew and Gentile alike.  He has answered numerous questions and concerns that might arise among the various factions who were struggling with the need for unity (Jews vs. Gentiles).  Now he begins to make practical application of this understanding.  The rest of the book of Romans is filled with practical lessons that we can apply to our everyday living with one another.   We begin with two verses that call for the level of commitment needed to achieve the unity God demands.

NOTE: As an aside to the actual lessons we will glean from this sermon, we will also notice the value of word studies in determining the original meaning of the original language when the text actually written.

I.                     A living Sacrifice

a.             “I beseech you”

                           i.            The word means, “to call to one’s side, call for, summon” (Thayer).

                          ii.            WS Dictionary says of its use in this text, “To call upon someone to do something, to exhort, admonish”

                        iii.            It is a kind admonition or challenge.  Paul has said some fairly strong things up to this point.  He now gently, but firmly admonishes them to change so that they can become all that God would have them to be.

b.             By the mercies of God – our motivation for what is next. 

                           i.            Chapters 1-11 describe what the mercies of God mean to us – though God’s grace we can be saved.

                          ii.            In chapters 9-11, the word mercy is used 9 times.  Paul is dealing with God’s rejection of Israel so that He might show His mercy to all.

1.              Romans 9:18 – He has mercy on whom He wills

2.              Romans 11:30-32 – We have obtained God’s mercy

3.              Romans 6:23 – the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God…

c.              Our sacrifice.

                           i.            What does sacrifice mean?  The study of sacrifice in the Bible is interesting. 
The word means, “the act of offering.” (Vine).  It dates back to the beginning of man.  Genesis 4 records the first sacrifice with Cain and Abel but there is a possibility that it predates even that in the sin of Adam & Eve.  We are told in Genesis 3:21 that God made tunics of animal skins to cover their Nakedness. 
The idea of sacrifice is giving up something to God.  It usually involved the giving of life, often the best to show appreciation for God.  In fact for it to be appreciated it had to be the best.  Malachi 1:6-8 speaks of sacrificing the lame and worthless.  Such is an insult to God.
As Christians we are expected to sacrifice to God.  This text helps describe what that sacrifice involves.

                          ii.            It is living - In this text it is obviously not sacrificing an animal but the giving of ourselves to God.
The word “living” is present tense indicating something that is going on right now.
Unlike animals, our sacrifice is not a onetime sacrifice but an ongoing state we are continually in.  We are sacrificing ourselves all day, everyday in all we do.
1 Peter 2:5 describes us a living stones, built up to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:5-16 – offering continually the sacrifice of praise to God.  We give to Him of that which he has blessed us with.

                        iii.            It is holy – set apart to God.  We have noted many times in the past that this word is of the same Greek word from which saint and sanctified are derived.
As we live our lives for God we must never forget that we belong to Him now.  Romans 6:12-13,  also 17-18 which speak of presenting our bodies as instruments of righteousness.
Add to this 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – our bodies belong to God.

                        iv.            Such as is acceptable to God – It is not our will, but His. 
Remember the prayer of Jesus  in the Garden? Matthew 26:39 – “not as I will, but You will be done”  That MUST be our attitude.
There are many who are willing to follow Jesus and even “sacrifice” as long as it goes with what they WANT to do.  We must never forget that our goal must be to please God.
Back in Genesis 4 remember that God rejected Cain’s sacrifice because there was something wrong with it.

                         v.            What God asks is your reasonable service.
The word reasonable means, logical or rational.  Thayer says it is “agreeable to reason”.   And the Greek word (logikeen) is the word from which our English word logic is derived.
What God demands of us is NOT unreasonable.  It is not always easy or pleasant, but it CAN be done – and the reward is “out of this world.”
In fact, Paul says it is logical or makes perfect sense.  The world may not understand why we do what we do (see 1 Peter 4:4 – the world thinks we are strange), but we know and we see beyond the superficial.
The word service is a word that is defined as, “ministration of God, i.e. Worship” (Strong’s).  The word is associated with service in worship.
Remember sacrifices were a part of worship in Israel.  Consider Romans 9:4 – “the service of God” is attributed to physical Israel (though the priesthood).  As we offer ourselves we are worshipping God.

d.             What does all this mean?  Galatians 2:20 summarizes it.

II.                   Transformation

a.              What does transformation mean?

                           i.            A Greek word from which we derive the word metamorphosis.  A good way to understand this word is to think of the way a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.  Or the way a transformer converts electricity from an unusable form to one that is usable.

                          ii.            It is the same word we read about in Matthew 17:2 where Jesus was transfigured – His appearance was altered.

                        iii.            To be pleasing to God and able to overcome our differences with our brethren we need to change.  We ALL need to change to a form that is usable to God.

                        iv.            An interesting thought about the word in this text is that it is a present, passive verb.  Present tense means occurring now (ongoing process), passive means we are receiving the action of the verb.  Or submitting.  In other words, this is not something we do, we something we allow to be done to us – God needs to transform us to what He would have us to be.  (Illus. – when one is operated upon, he is submitting to the doctor who is operating.)
God is there to help us.  We are NOT alone.  Are we willing to let Him help us?
2 Corinthians 5:17, “therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”
1 Peter 5:6 tells us to humble ourselves in His sight so that He may exalt us.

b.             Not conformation – we HAVE TO change.  If we are not transformed it is because we are conforming to this world and its ways.  It is a word that refers “to fashion alike, conform to the same pattern outwardly.”

                           i.            This too is a passive verb, meaning it is something we allow to shape our lives. 

                          ii.            Brethren Paul is here presenting us with a choice – the world or God.  We can’t have both! – Matthew 6:24.

                        iii.            2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…”

c.              How are we to be transformed?

                           i.            By renewing our minds – It is in the mind where true change starts.  WE spent a number of weeks examining the importance of renewal as it is here described.  It means, “to renew qualitatively; Therefore a renewing or a renovation which makes a person different than in the past”. (WS Dict).
Thayer says, “complete change for the better”

                          ii.            Brethren, never forget – you will NOT change to the degree you ought to UNTIL you make up your mind to do so!  Ephesians 4:22-24.

                        iii.            Colossians 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above.

d.             The result of this transformation

                           i.            That you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

                          ii.            The proving here is a testing.  The point being as you are transformed, YOU will be fully convinced of God’s will.  You will see the changes it can bring to your life for the better and the superiority of following His ways instead of your own.

                        iii.            As a result, you are willing to do whatever He demands of you – even if it means accepting someone who is not like you are.  When we do this – the world cannot stop us from growing in every possible way.  John 13:35 – with love we testify to the world that we belong to God.

As Paul penned this letter Jews and Gentiles had been at odds against each other in Rome as in all the empire.  Paul says that is NOT acceptable.  Do we really want world peace?  It starts will each and every one of us being willing to sacrifice ourselves for Him by being transformed.  What are you doing for Him?