A LIVING SACRIFICE
TEXT: Romans 12:1-21 W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: The first eleven chapters give strong reasons as to why we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God. The first eleven chapters deal with the doctrinal portion of the Book and beginning with the twelfth chapter we should notice the duty or the practical portion of this Book. The writer of Romans makes a parallel to the sacrifice that is made by the priest to the sacrifice that the Christian makes with the notable exception that the sacrifice being offered in this case is a living sacrifice. Everything that we do or accomplish spiritually should be done in a way that will have the spirit of total surrender or sacrifice…
I. A LIVING SACRIFICE IS A PRESENTED SACRIFICE (V. 1)
A. Notice the Difference in It… it is a living sacrifice.
In the Old Testament economy, the priests would only offer that which was dead and the offering would lie in stillness on the altar. The offering would reflect the life of the priest in that the priest and the one who offered the sacrifice were giving according to what they had and how they felt about the One to whom they were offering. If they only had a small ability to give, they still should have offered their very best. If they did not, they had a very low view of God and His future sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross. In Malachi, God was angry because the nation of Israel had gotten to the place that they were only offering maimed, blind and broken sacrifices.
Here, according to our Text, God wants us to offer our very best, but while doing so, he wants us to offer ourselves in a vigorous, active manner. Too often, when we offer to God we just give what is left. He doesn’t want just our leftovers. He wants us to give our lives and energies in the dynamic way that it reflects our love to Him. As a presented sacrifice, the sacrifice is presenting the sacrifice…
B. Notice the Description of It… it is a holy sacrifice
The word holy should not be a frightening word to us who are Christians. This means that we should offer ourselves without blemish or defect. There are so many things that can blemish us or bring spiritual defects into our lives. We should live our lives separated from the world in such a way as to make a difference.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Cor 3:16-17)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor 6:19-20)
C. Notice the Delight in It… it is an acceptable sacrifice
How does the Lord measure you? Can He delight in the way that you offer yourself to Him? Can He see the sacrifice that is being made by you back to Him? The important thing is not how you are accepted by others, but How are you accepted by Him. Each Old Testament offering had to meet His Holy requirements before they were accepted. Likewise, we must meet the requirements of the Word of God to be accepted. To know His will, is to know the Scriptures. To do His will is to obey the Scriptures. As King Saul was told, it is better to obey than to sacrifice…
II. A LIVING SACRIFICE IS A PROVENED SACRIFICE (V.2)
A. It is Good… that speaks of its credibility
Does the sacrifice of oneself measure up after having been put to the test? Years ago, I worked in metallurgy. We tested metals for its strength, its malleability, its ductility, its hardness and its tensile properties. We would sometimes put metal into the furnace to see if it met specs, if it was good. Sometimes a great failure could be ascribed to a seemingly small problem. I remember such when I was testing the failure of a multimillion dollar gas turbine. I reported that the failure was attributed to a bolt that was inferior. This project was called: “The Lucas nut and bolt failure”. Because, I pointed this failure out, my name was “mud’ with the nut and bolt company, because one little bolt failed the test and they were liable for the damage that was caused by it. This reminded me that such a small defect can cause such great problems. We need to be proven good according to the will of God, because at the judgment seat, we will be liable for the damage done.
B. It is Acceptable… that speaks of its respectability
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (Genesis 4:4)
Just as the Lord had respect for the offering that Abel made, He did not respect Cain’s offering. This should teach us the principle of respect as it applies to offerings. The word respect as it is used here simply means that the Lord regarded or accepted Abel’s offering. To find and have God’s respect is a serious thing. I fear that we do not rightly regard what is really important to God.
C. It is Perfect…that speaks of its maturity
To be perfect as it applies to our Text is to be free from defect and defilement. It means to be free from stain or injury. It speaks of not being stunted by sin, thus reaching Spiritual maturity. Titus 1:15, 16 communicated the seriousness of being defiled or stained by sin. The word perfect is used in our Text as it relates to the will of God. God wants us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice according to the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. These words which describe the will of God, also describes the sacrifice that is offered according to His will…
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:15-16)
III. A LIVING SACRIFICE IS A PRACTICAL SACRIFICE (Vv. 3-21)
A. As It Relates to Your Being a Good Church Member
1. The guarantee that is given to you as a church member for your service (Vv. 3-5)
The Lord gives everyone something, but He also gives to everyone differently. The way that verse number three is constructed is to warn against the terrible wicked sin of pride. Pride can so dominate a person’s spirit that he cannot at all please God. One must realize that whatever blessing or gift that he possesses, he received it from the Lord. Each person is given something differently according to God’s sovereign grace and purpose. The rewards come back to the believer according to the way that faith is exercised as one serves the Lord. The guarantee from this verse is that you do receive something and your something is different…
2. The gifts that are given to you as a church member for your service (Vv. 6-8)
There are seven gifts that are given in this list that are for service and for serving: 1. Gift of Prophecy; 2. Gift of Ministry; 3. Gift of Teaching; 4. Gift of Exhortation; 5. Gift of Giving; 6. Ruling; 7. Gift of Mercy.
These gifts are dispersed within the body of the church so that a church may function as it should and best accomplish the purposes of God. You must prayerfully determine your gift and exercise it according to the will of God. Each person here should seriously examine and determine if you are indeed using your gift in a sacrificial manner back to the Lord. When this truly happens, the church will be strong and will also accomplish its intended purposes while here upon this earth.
B. As It Relates to Your Being a Good Citizen (Vv. 9-21)
1. It will show up in your attitude towards others (Vv. 9-10)
To have the proper attitude is to have the mind of Christ as the letter to the Church at Philippi teaches us (Philippians 2:5). In our study, as it appears in our Text, there are several commands given as to how we are to govern our minds. We are told to “Let love be without dissimulation”. This means that we are not to feign a love that is only hypocritical. We should be strongly aware that this is possible and can have devastating results. God certainly knows when this is the case and those who witness such will most often know it as well. In the tenth verse is the expression: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another:” While presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, we should have a giving spirits towards others instead as the Patch the Pirate character always said: “Me first!” No, it should be Jesus first, others second and yourself last. When this is done: it spells JOY!
2. It will show up in your actions towards others (Vv. 11-21)
Beginning in verse number 11 and until the end of the chapter there are a list of imperatives or commands on the way that Christians are to conduct themselves as they present their bodies as living sacrifices. Each of us today should carefully study these instructions knowing that it is God who gives them to us through the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul: 1. do not be slothful in business; 2. be fervent in spirit; 3. Serve the Lord; 4.Rejoice in hope; 5.Be patient in tribulation; 6. Continuing instant in prayer; 7. Distributing to the necessity of the saints; 8. Be given to hospitality; 9. Bless them which curse you: bless, and curse not. 10. Rejoice with them that do rejoice; 11. Weep with them that weep; 12. Be of the same mind one to another; 13.Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate; 14. Be not wise in your own conceits; 15. Recompense to no man evil for evil; 16. Provide things honest in the sight of all men; 17.If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men; 18. Avenge not yourselves; 19. Give place unto wrath; 20. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; 20. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
It would be good to meditate on and practice keeping and doing the above as you present your bodies as living sacrifices.
