This is the manuscript for the third sermon in the “Thanksgiving to God and Thanksgiving for God” series.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV)
The book of Romans is a richly doctrinal letter to the Christians in Rome, but also to us. Throughout the letter, Paul explains what it means to be justified by faith and the transforming power of the gospel. When studied and received, Romans can anchor our worldview in the most important truths. An anchor is something that helps keep us grounded, connected to what matters most, and able to cope with the challenges that life brings. That’s what our Christian doctrines and our faith does. They anchor us.
The work of the Lord waits on two things—men and resources, persons and purses! It takes both to do the Lord’s work. How we serve, however, goes back to what we believe about Christ, about sin, about salvation, and consequently about service.
How is your doctrine? How is your dedication? How is your devotion? Each of the three is important! Each one builds on the other; but the climax, the top rung of the ladder, is our devotion to God based on our love for him.
At the end of the manuscript is a link to download "Praying through Romans: How Faith Saves and Grace Reigns"
Scripture Reading
Romans 12:1-9 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. [3] For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. [9] Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Introduction
Text:
Romans 12:1 NKJV [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
The book of Romans is a richly doctrinal letter to the Christians in Rome, but also to us. Throughout the letter, Paul explains what it means to be justified by faith and the transforming power of the gospel. When studied and received, Romans can anchor our worldview in the most important truths. An anchor is something that helps keep us grounded, connected to what matters most, and able to cope with the challenges that life brings. That’s what our Christian doctrines and our faith does. They anchor us.
When we come to chapter 12 in Romans, we are at the turning point of this great letter. Our text for today is that turning point from doctrine to practice. When Paul said, “Therefore,” he looked back at the first eleven chapters of his letter, where he had stressed an organized, orderly theology that presents all of the essential facts about man’s relationship to God.
When Paul said, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” he looked at the practical side of religion, which is the true test of our belief. It’s not what we say but what we do that proves the genuineness of what we say we believe. Unless we put into practice in daily living what we profess to believe, we really don’t believe it.
I. First let’s look at our doctrines, our set of beliefs.
Paul starts the letter with a few introductory words about himself,
Romans 1:1, 5-6 NKJV [1] Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
[5] Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
He said God had set him apart specifically to preach salvation to the Gentiles, non-Jewish people.
Then he mentions the Roman church’s reputation,
Romans 1:8 NKJV [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
People are saying good things about them.
Then e talks about his aborted plans to come to them,
Romans 1:13-15 NKJV [13] Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. [14] I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. [15] So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
He wrote about the nature of the gospel he preached,
Romans 1:16-17 NKJV [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
The gospel he preached had the power to bring salvation to anybody who believed the good news of the gospel.
And then clearly outlines man’s depraved condition before God.
He tackled the sin problem.
In chapter 2, he first dealt with the Gentiles who although they did not have the Mosaic law, had a law within their own hearts, which they had violated, by failing to live up to the truth they already knew.
Romans 2:12-16 NKJV [12] For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law [13] (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; [14] for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, [15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) [16] in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
For that reason, the Gentiles stood as sinners before God.
Then he dealt with the Jewish people who had religious privileges but failed to realize their possibilities. They were violating God’s law and refusing to live up to the light that had been revealed to them.
Romans 2:23-24 NKJV [23] You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? [24] For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.
Paul tied this together in chapter 3, with this great statement.
Romans 3:23 NKJV [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Then in chapter 4 Paul talks about salvation by faith. Man has always been saved by faith, even in Old Testament days. It was Abraham’s faith that God counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:1-5 NKJV [1] What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? [2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. [3] For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” [4] Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. [5] But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
In chapter 5 Paul outlines the glorious results of faith:
Romans 5:1-5 NKJV [1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
In chapter 6 Paul made clear the obligations required of someone who has been justified by faith,
Romans 6:19 NKJV [19] I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
And chapter 6 ends with this timeless declaration.
Romans 6:23 NKJV [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Chapter 7 shows the struggle between the old man and the new man in the life of the believer.
Romans 7:21-25 NKJV [21] I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. [22] For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Chapter 8 shows the victory that comes to those who are in Christ and the security they now enjoy because of the Holy Spirit’s constant presence and unfailing power and chapter 8 ends with this glorious statement.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV [38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, [39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In chapters 9–11 Paul addresses God’s relationship with Israel after Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection ended the era of the law, making righteousness through faith available to anyone who believes.
Look at 10:5-7
Romans 10:5-7 NKJV [5] For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” [6] But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) [7] or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Verses 5–7 contrast two kinds of righteousness.
The righteousness that came through the law was obtained through human effort, but the “new” righteousness came by faith in Christ. Jesus Christ had already come to earth and dwelt among us. He had died, been buried, and resurrected. The saving work had been completed.
There are only two things required in order to obtain that righteousness. .
Romans 10:8-9 NKJV [8] But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): [9] that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
First, “declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’”. Acknowledging the deity of Christ is imperative to faith, and this understanding comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
The second requirement is to, “believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead”.
This call is the believer's declaration of faith—that Jesus is the Son of God who conquered death. The resurrection is critical, without it our faith is “meaningless”.
1 Corinthians 15:16-20 MSG [16-20] If corpses can’t be raised, then Christ wasn’t, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ weren’t raised, then all you’re doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It’s even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they’re already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.
To summarize chapter 11 Paul says that God still loves Israel and stands ready to receive the Jewish people unto himself when they come to Jesus Christ for salvation.
II. So chapters 1-11 of Romans address Christian doctrine but what about our dedication? Remember what I said earlier; "It’s not what we say but what we do that proves the genuineness of what we say we believe. Unless we put into practice in daily living what we profess to believe, we really don’t believe it."
So, let’s read our text again.
Romans 12:1 NKJV [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Notice the expression “a living sacrifice,” which Paul used to express his concept of dedication.
Remember that Paul was writing to the church in Rome which was probably started by and included many Jewish Christians who had accepted Christ on the day of Pentecost. They were fully engrossed in the Old Testament Scriptures. They would have understood the sacrificial system whereby an animal was killed and presented as an offering to God. Paul now suggests that believers don’t bring dead animals to the altar but that they bring themselves as “living” sacrifices.
Most people despise the word sacrifice. To them it suggests the denial of physical or psychological desires to attain a spiritual ideal or goal. Sacrifice also suggests to many, and the practice of being or tendency to be negative or skeptical and never offering positive suggestions or views. It often, in many people's opinion, suggests sacrifice means an unwillingness to accept ideas that are different from your own.
Paul put the word living in front of the word sacrifice, and thus removed the stigma of Jewish law.
Someone has translated Romans 12:1. “Put your bodies at God’s disposal as a living thank offering.” When we do that, our bodies are to be made available for God’s service. He alone knows best how to use them to his glory and to our growth.
In this context, the word body means the total person. Our hearts, minds, and physical energies should be brought to God for him to use as he sees fit to accomplish his redemptive purpose in the world.
III. We’ve talked about doctrine, and we’ve talked about dedication. So, here’s my final question: how is our devotion?
Whether we wish it, seek it, realize it, or deny it, God loves us. Even when we devote our minds, hearts, and bodies to selfish ends, he still cares deeply for us.
Romans 5:6-11 NKJV 6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
God's love does not depend on our goodness. God's very nature is love, independent of our actions. His love for us is based on who he is, not on what we do. No matter what our circumstances, no matter what we have or haven't done, we can rest in the assurance that God loves us!
John 3:16-17 NKJV [16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
When Paul said that the presentation of ourselves to God is our “reasonable” service, he used a word that can best be translated “spiritual.” Of course, supporting God is reasonable and rational, but Paul meant even more. We serve God because our spirits are in tune with his Spirit.
Even as God’s Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:16-17 NKJV [16] The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Our spirit testifies by our devotion and dedication that we have been transformed by the Holy Spirit of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Conclusion
We will never be any more dedicated to God than the measure of our love for him. A person can give without loving; however, a person can never love without giving. What a revolution would take place in Christian work if God’s people would, first, love him and then support God’s work in this world.
The work of the Lord needs two things—people and money, persons, and purses! It takes both to do the Lord’s work. How we serve, however, goes back to what we believe about Christ, about sin, about salvation, and consequently about service. Paul wrote in Romans 12 about the church being one body in Christ and everyone being a member of the others. He pointed out that since we have gifts, we should use those gifts in harmony with God’s will.
Romans 12:4-8 NIV [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
How is your doctrine? How is your dedication? How is your devotion? Each of the three is important and they are based on our love for God.
Prayer
Lord, enable us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received from You. Grant us humility, gentleness, patience, and loving forbearance. We are one body, united in the Spirit through the bond of Your peace.
Lord, today we surrender ourselves as living sacrifices to be used in whatever way You choose. We know You are urging us to come higher and closer than ever before, so right now we approach You with great reverence and surrender fully to You. We give You our souls, our emotions, our spirits, our body, and everything else that we are and that we possess. We want to live for You and to serve You for the rest of our lives. In Jesus name we pray.
Extra
One of the many benefits of the Christian faith journey is that spiritual growth accelerates when you read the Bible and pray. There’s life and wisdom in every book of the Bible, but specifically the book of Romans offers the foundational explanation of the theology of our Christian faith. In fact, Martin Luther once said of Romans, “The more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes.” So, if you’re ready for spiritual growth, here’s an effortless way to experience the book of Romans through prayer: Every day for 31 days, take the main messages in the book of Romans— and pray them back to God.
To do that click this LINK to download Praying Through Romans; How Faith Saves & Grace Reigns by Crosswalk.com
Sermon Audio
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