Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2000
Living Sacrifice 38
Rom 12:1-2 summarizes the book of Romans:
Romans1-3 Condemnation: "All have sinned (Rom 3:23)
Romans 4-5 Justification: How can be be right with God? (2Co 5:21, Rom 4:3)
Romans 6-8 Sanctification: what does it take to be sanctification?
Romans 9-11 Dispensation: how is Israel dealt with? How are they restored?
Romans 12-16 Application: how do we apply these things?
Rom 12:1-2 Outline.
(1) Call to urgency -- redeem the time; time is short; we don't have time to waste
(2) assurance of our standing - "brethren" refers to our standing in Christ; we are beloved members of God's family; we have a Father;
(3) provision - "by the mercies of God" everything we need to accomplish the plan -- Mercy is "Grace in action" - Eph 2:8-9 - Grace is "a gift of God, not of works; God's Riches At Christ's Expense
(4) call to be available - "present your bodies a living holy sacrifice"; God doesn't want our ability, but availability;
(5) approval - "acceptable to God"; our standard is to glorify God;
(6) genuine service - "spiritual service of worship"; it's reasonable to offer our life back;
(7) "be not conformed to this world"; spiritual non-conformity; we don't fit in this world;
(8) transformation to the character of Christ; "be transformed";
(9) the arena is this world;
(10) "renewing of our mind - spiritual growth;
(11) proving of God's will (Isa 57:10) - dokimazo tests refine (like heated metal) our faith to prove that His plan is perfect for frail people have to have (1Co 11:28 "examine yourself", Gal 6:4 "examine your own work", 2Ti 3:16, Eph 5:10 "Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord", Jam 1:3 "the testing of you faith produces endurance", 1Pe 1:7 "...proof of your faith may be to the honor of Jesus Christ"). When we trust we prove the will of God; what glorifies God is bearing fruit (Joh 15:1-8); the secret is staying connected to the source - Jesus Christ (Gal 2:20). What are we supposed to prove? "What is good, acceptable, and perfect" (Rom 12:2)? What is good and acceptable? FAITH. God works out everything to good (Rom 2:10) if you follow the Shepard (Rom 8:28, Rom 12:21). God is pleased - we are acceptable when we're close to him, the Shepherd.
(12) abundant life - "perfect" (Joh 10:10) - "Perfect" does not mean sinless - telion; it means "lacking nothing" (Mat 5:48 - "...be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect"). The only way to "lack nothing" is to receive everything from the Shepard to be complete (Eph 4:13, Col 1:28, Joh 10:2-9). "... so that we may present every man perfect [complete] in Christ Jesus". God wants to prove His will by becoming a "living sacrifice" in all cricumstances . If you grope for God you'll find Him, but He's not far (Act 17:27); Where do you have to go to find God's will? Will to do His will (Joh 7:17-18). In your job; in any cirsumstance we prove that "Jesus Christ is life". If we prove that we will please God.
Scripture References: John 10:10, Romans 4:3, John 7:17-18, James 1:3, Romans 12:21, Romans 3:23, Acts 17:27, Ephesians 5:10, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:1-2, John 10:2-9, Galatians 6:4, Romans 2:10, Colossians 1:28, Isaiah 57:10, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 5:48, Romans 12:1-2, John 15:1-8
From Series: "Living Sacrifice (1995)"
Romans 12 and specifically Rom 12:1-2 is a pivot point between the doctrinal section and application of the book. This series methodically uses this passage to outline aspects or doctrines of the christian life -- God's provision and our prospect. Our lives can be acceptable to God if we progress on the path He intends. Living Sacrifice presents 12 doctrines: (1) redeeming time; (2) standing (positional truth); (3) self-presentation - availability; (4) approval; (5) service; (6) provision; (7) spiritual warfare; (8) conformity; (9) spiritual advance; (10) renewal; (11) divine guidance; (12) abundant life.