"Role-Model Saints" Romans Pt 16 Series

Role-model Saints (cont. c) pt 16

Opening Illustration: The greatest hero for the Kingdom of God was Jesus! Almena shares “In the beginning” about how great Jesus was in this Bluefish TV video poem clip.

Thesis: Paul in chapter 12 tells us that we must be role models saints for this world and not act worldly but instead act like living sacrifices to Jesus. This in turn will make us a hero in the eyes of Kingdom of God.

Scripture Verse: Romans 12

Romans 12:1-21 (Have the church listen to this chapter from the Dramatized version CD and follow along in their NIV Bibles).

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.

3For 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 measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Introduction:

The Last few weeks we entered into our study of chapter 12 of Romans and soon discovered that there are 27 character traits of a role-model saint – a hero for the Kingdom of God. It’s important for us to understand that when we choose to be a saint then we also choose to become a role-model for the Kingdom of God.

Illustration from sermoncentral.com: Many of you I’m sure remember Charles Barkley, the NBA Basketball star who didn’t want people watching him too closely. People were disappointed with his actions and attitude on and off the court and challenged him to be a better role model. His response was basically, “Hey, I’m a basketball player. I didn’t ask to be anyone’s role model and I don’t need that added responsibility.” As an NBA star, Barkley didn’t have the option to choose whether or not he wanted to be a role model. That decision had already been made for him when he signed a contract to play in the highly publicized NBA. The same is true for those of us who call ourselves Christians. Once we make that decision to follow Christ, people are watching. Whether you like it or not or whether or not you think it’s fair, you’ve become an example for the family of God. From Contributor Randy Bennett

The truth that I think we need to must grasp is as a saint in the kingdom we are either a positive role-model for God or a negative role-model for God. We either put off a positive view of Christianity or a negative one. It’s one or the other and like it or not we are all role-models for the Kingdom of God if we claim to be a saint. So it’s important that we understand what it means to be a living sacrifice for the Kingdom and that we strive to have the character traits of a role-model saint – a hero for the Kingdom of God so that we help bring people into the kingdom and not chase them away or turn them off to the kingdom.