Over the last year or so we have been studying the book of Romans and in the first 11 chapters Paul lays out a theological bedrock for the Christian faith.
Rather than addressing church conflicts or giving practical advice first - he systematically brick-by-brick builds an airtight argument for the gospel
The universal need for salvation
Justification by faith alone
Sanctification and freedom from the law
And God’s Sovereignty - it is all there - carefully constructed from the ground up
With that in place he now turns to more practical matters
And in Chapter 12 he starts to give us guidelines on how we as believers are to live in a fallen world
Lawrence over the past two weeks is meant to have covered v1-8 and to neatly hand-off to me to cover v9-21 - but he didn’t get out of first gear and spent both weeks on v1-2
But for good reason these two verse which are directed to our personal responsibility as believers are so challenging and rich in blessing
Understanding these two verses is critical to our Christian walk as believers
So I must confess - as I have study this section over the last week - I too have been drawn back to the verse - so please bare with me look at these verse with fresh perspective
And then we will use this to springboard to the sections that follow
We will make progress, but we are not going to get through the passage designated to me
A living sacrifice & a renewed mind
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, 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.
In the Old Testament - God’s Law laid out a regular pattern of rituals and sacrifices for the Jewish people to follow - Central to this was a strict legal requirement that all Jewish men were to travel to Jerusalem three times a year for various festivals.
And while they were there they needed to offer sacrifices as an atonement for sins.
The animal had to be the best you had to offer - no sick, lame, or lazy animals - it had to be unblemished, healthy, and without flaw.
The animal was slaughtered and the pieces were placed on the altar as a burnt offering.
This offering signified the heavy price required to cover sin.
Although the act was important - the OT is quick to emphasise that it was the obedience of the heart that was at the centre of this offering
Psalm 51:16-17 - David writes this
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
No matter what you might think of Maurice's braaing at Church camp - no longer do we need to bring burnt offerings to cover our sins
The offering was a shadow - a copy - a temporary fix which pointed to a more permanent solution.
As believers, that system has passed away.
BUT the need for an obedient heart has not changed!
Here in v1 Paul urges us to offer our bodies - in a spiritual sense - as a living sacrifice.
This is in contrast to the sacrifices of the OT, where the animal died - ours is a Living sacrifice.
Living because it is ongoing - this sacrifice is to be made daily - a daily submission to His authority - a daily offering of our bodies
While we still draw breath - every day of our lives we are to offer ourselves to him.
The best way to understand here what is meant by the BODY - is to see it as our entire being - our spirit, soul, flesh, and mind - all that we are
The body - although very important - is the vessel in which the soul and spirit reside - and when we give our bodies the soul and spirit go with it!
You see folks - what Paul is saying here is that - God wants ALL of you, not just your work or attendance
I have no doubt that to many Jewish people the sacrifice was just a cultural thing they did it out of habit - a get-out-of-jail free card
We certainly see this complaint in the book of Malachi
The priesthood had become corrupt
They were offering injured animals
They were withholding their tithe - they were robbing God
If you are honest with your self - You too can very quickly slip into a pattern where you may do all kinds of work for God, but never give Him your self
Elaborate
You may come to church every Sunday - you might be involved in the worship - you might be a Sunday school teacher - you might pack out the chairs or even be on the welcoming team - BUT when the worship starts or the preachers begins your mind is somewhere else
Unlike the OT Law which required your sacrifice - the sacrifice that God wants from us here is given willingly
The requirement for the forgiveness of sin has been met - completely in the death and resurrection of Jesus
However, our response to receiving God’s unmerited Grace and Mercies is that we willingly give our selves
Our response to Christ’s sacrifice - is that we should want to sacrifice ourselves
This is why Paul urges us to set aside our own thoughts & desires - our own selfish and rebellious ways - & offer ourselves as living sacrifice every single day
God wants us to put our energy & resources at His disposal & trust him to guide us
It is a conscious decision that we make - a daily submission of our will - which has practical implications.
You have heard the saying before “mind over matter”
This means that through sheer mental effort alone you are able to overcome physical pain - or that through grit and determination you can endure a tough situation.
People who run marathons
Well this is “will over matter”
It means that the will is the master over the body
We live in an age where the world has it the other way around
A person’s behaviour is justified because they are compelled to do so because of their bodies - because of their natural desires over which they have no control.
We see this playing out in the world's view of sexuality.
All too often I hear the justification for homosexual behaviour as - they are gay because they are born that way.
Another example of this in the case for additive behaviour
The excuse is that addiction is a disease or it is in their genes from their parents
There is some truth to this - but they have missed the mark - the inability to change behaviour for the non-believer is that they are slaves to sin - and slaves to the natural self -to the body and its desires.
The body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master
As believers we have deliverance from sin and death - no longer are we slaves to sin, we are slaves to Christ - and we need to keep the body where it ought to be - on the altar of God
When we do this - when we submit to Him daily - it is an offering that is Holy and Pleasing to Him!
Not by our standards, but but God's standard
It is right and proper - and it is the only acceptable worship that we can bring.
Okay - how do we do this?
How do we offer ourselves as a daily sacrifice?
By not being conformed to the pattern of this world.
By not falling into the trap of thinking and reasoning as they do
By not doing as they do
We have been called to life honouring to God and separate from the world
Isme ask a question at bible study a couple of weeks back which led to a lengthy discussion between Zena and I
How are we different?
How are we different from the non-believers that we encounter every day?
How is our behaviour - the way we act and think - different to the world? OR is it indistinguishable?
1 John 2 defines the world in the following three ways:
1 John 2:16-17
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Do people know by your actions and attitudes that you are different?
Or do you over indulge and drink and eat just as they do?
Do you stand out or do you just blend in?
Do you obsess over financial matters - chasing a bigger car or house - is that one person at the office more attractive to you than your husband or wife
Do we skirt up so close to the line that there is no observable difference?
You think yourselves better than others - You have an over inflated sense of your own worth
Are you doing just enough to get by in the Christian life?
Paul implores us here - do not conform but rather be transformed.
How do I do it?
By the renewing of the mind
The problem with many Christians is that they live lives based on feelings, or they are only concerned with doing.
A life based on feelings says:
“How do I feel today?”
“How do I feel about my circumstances?”
OR “I don’t feel like worshiping today.”
“Oh no! Alister is preaching today… I don’t like his style - so I am just going to switch off”
A life based on feeling will never know the transforming power of God - it ignores the renewing of the mind
A renewing that says today I am going to praise the Lord - not because I don’t feel like it - But because he is worth of my praise
I am so overwhelming grateful for the mercies I have in Jesus - that my heart will sing
A life based on doing says:
“Don’t give me all this theology stuff - Just tell me what to do - give me the four points for this and the seven keys for that’
Or possibly - I have so much to do that I just don’t have time
This is the trap Martha falls… She was so busy running around doing - she missed the opportunity to sit at the master's feet and to spend time with him.
A life of doing will never know the transforming power of God.
Now don’t get me wrong, feeling and doing is important - God is a powerful and passionate God - he commands us to be doers.
But feelings and doing are completely insufficient foundations for the Christian life.
The first question cannot be “How do I feel” or “What do I do” - rather it should be “What is true here? What does the Word of God say?”
“What can I learn from this”
“Is my behaviour in alignment with God’s Word or the World”
The only other time that Paul uses this word “Transformation” is in 2 Corinthians 3:18
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
How can believers NOT be conformed to the world? By being “transformed by the renewing of our minds.”
When we contemplate God’s Glory - we are transformed
We do this primarily through the power of God’s Word
We need to hear, read, study, memorise, and meditate on Scripture.
Only the Word of God has the power to transform us.
A couple of weeks ago, I left my Bible at church. Later that week, Liv wasn’t feeling well, so I left work early to pick her up. On the drive home, I decided to stop by the church to collect it.
It happened to coincide with the Tuesday morning bible study
I was so encouraged to see so many of you gathered together to study God’s Word.
The result is that we will be “able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”.
God’s plan for our lives is perfect. He doesn’t want second best for us - he always wants the best
His plan for our lives is good, pleasing and perfect
But it all begins with a heart that is obedient to His calling
One Body, Many Gifts (Romans 12:3–8)
Paul now moves on and he begins to describe what that transformed behaviour looks like in practice
The renewing of our minds was never meant to be in isolation
Rather it is God perfect and pleasing plan that we as believers are to form a new body of union and interaction - the church
It should then come as no surprise that Paul begins with how we relate to each other in the church community
You see the church - as is the case with the individual - is also prone to confirming with the world
The body of Christ - as is evident today - allows worldly thinking to take root
Rather than standing firm for the truth - we soften the gospel and sin making it more palatable because we don't want to offend anyone
But before he does this he addresses a matter in v3 that he knows is going to raise its ugly head.
You see, if we are not careful Grace can lead to pride
It shouldn’t and it is not designed to - but there is no blessing that God can give us that we can’t pervert
Paul is all too aware of this and he is aware that the Grace we received from God can all too quickly lead to spiritual pride
"I am saved by grace" to "Look at how much more transformed I am by grace than that person."
And so he tackles the matter head-on - he wants us to see that humility is absolutely necessary in order to serve one another as we ought.
Romans 12:3
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.
Healthy self-esteem is important - some of us think too little of ourselves - and in so doing miss the opportunity for service
You may be sitting here as a believer this morning and you are constantly turning down opportunities to serve or be involved in church life — whether leading a small group, joining a worship team, or helping with outreach— and all because you feel unworthy, unlearned or or not talented.
You believe God only uses "extraordinary" or "holier" Christians.
You are missing out on God plan for you life
On the other hand an overestimation of ourselves is subtle and destructive
The key here to an honest and accurate evaluation - knowing that our value is rooted in Christ
When we see ourselves as we really are, it is impossible to be given over to pride
Pride is one of the three characteristics of the world from 1 John
It has a way of quickly weasling its way in
We need to remember that spiritual giftedness does not equal spiritual maturity
As a broader church we have raised up people to stardom who are gifted speakers or talented musicians onto pedestals, but who are not spiritually mature or a worthy example
In fact Paul points out - “in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” - even the saving faith is a gift from God, and we have no basis for pride or a superior opinion of ourselves
And so he warns each one of us to guard against this
Paul continues in v4
Romans 12:4-8
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.
Paul uses the concept here of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together
Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain - so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ - the head - the head of our lives and the head of the church
God gives us gifts so we can build up his church
Spiritual gifts are given not on the basis of merit, but because God chooses to give them.
To use them effectively we must:
1. Realise that all gifts and abilities come from God
It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit at our conversion and is specifically given to edify the body of Christ and fulfill God’s work
Our responsibility is to discover what gift God has entrusted to us - and to exercise it
It is not for us to question nor desire someone else's gifting
2. Understand that not everyone has the same gifts
Paul mentions 7 gifts here
Prophesying
Serving
Teaching
Encouraging (exhortation)
Giving generously
Leading (leadership)
Showing mercy
Across scripture these is a list of some 20 spiritual gifts
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, rather Paul is pointing out that people have different gifts - neither of them is more important than the others
We very quickly fall into a world way of thinking - we think that those gifts that are more up-front are somehow more important
Paul reminds us here like a body that has many members - we are all members of the body of Christ and that we all have a critical part to play
What is the arm with out the hand - what is the hand without the fingers and thumb
3. Know who we are and what we do best
Our spiritual gifting is different to our natural gifting
Do you know what gift God has given you?
Although I cannot definitive provide scripture to support this claim but it is certainly my experience that a person's spiritual gifting is in an area where they do not have natural gifting
The reason I say this and that it makes biblical sense is because if our spiritual gifting and natural gifting was the same - then pride would very quickly take a foothold
We would be making a difference in the church because of something we had done or who we are
This flies in the face of v3 where Paul warns us about pride
1 Corinthians 12:7 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
4. Dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success
Using spiritual gifts for personal success or acclaim leads to spiritual pride.
Don't miss the opportunity to be of service in the church
It is an out working of the - sacrificing our bodies as a living sacrifice on his altar
Be willing to utilise our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service
Conclusion
You may be sitting here this morning as a young believer and you were either not aware that God has given you a spiritual gift OR you don't know what that gift is…
Then I want to encourage you this morning to spend time in prayer and reading His word - offering your body as a living sacrifice
Ask God to reveal to you this gift so that you can be of better service to him
In doing so we will be blessed - we don’t want to miss out.
Or maybe you are an older believer who is familiar with their gifting and over the years the line between your spiritual gift and your natural gift has become blurred
