What Have You Done For Me Lately? Series

What have You done for ME lately? Are You Devoted? (v.1). Are You a worthy offering? (v.1). Are You not conformed to this world? (v.2). Are You being transformed (v.2).

On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom." No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of HIS true followers. Bill Morgan.

Do people see Christ in You?

If Christ were to appear before you today and ask “What have you done for me lately?”

Will you say “I’m raising my kid’s for you.” Jesus will ask “Are you raising them in a manner that will show them to grow closer to ME, to come to know ME in all MY ways.”

Will you say “I’m coming to church”. Jesus will ask “Are you in true fellowship each time it is available so that you can grow and help others to grow in ME.

What would you say, you will one day answer these questions…

God’s word today tells us what we are to become in Christ.

Are You Devoted? (v.1).

Therefore, 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. [2] Do 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. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

As Christians we are called to be Devoted to Christ.

We have so far learned in Romans:

ÞThe world desperately needs to get right with God (Romans 1:18-3:20).

ÞThrough God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The way is justification: believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having God count one’s faith as righteousness (Romans 3:21-5:21).

ÞBelievers in Christ are sanctified, that is, set apart to God and set free from sin to life eternal by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-8:39).

ÞBelievers and the body of Christ “the church”, are God’s choice to carry the gospel of Jesus to the world (Romans 9:1-11:36).

This is what is meant by “the mercies of God.”

They overflow the lives of HIS people.

Therefore, in light of the mercies of God, we must devote ourselves to God.

God through the Apostle Paul says; “I beseech you” —implore you, urge you, beg you—devote yourselves to God.

This is not being said to the lost world, but to anyone who has professed Jesus Christ as Lord.

Are You a worthy offering? (v.1).

“offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.”

We are to present our bodies to God as a worthy offering?

Would God consider your body to be such a worthy offering today?

What do you think is the most abused thing in this world today?

It is our bodies…·by overeating ·by becoming inactive ·by being too active ·by cursing, fighting, and killing ·by partaking of harmful substances ·by caring for the external abusing the internal ·by getting too much or too little rest

Therefore; we are to present our body as a living sacrifice to God.

a.God demands the believer’s body.

b.We are to present our body to God.

The dedication...

·is not to be made to self: living as one wishes; doing one’s own thing.

·is not to be made to others: living for family, wife, husband, child, parent, mistress, companion, sexual partner, or employer.

·is not to be to something else: houses, lands, property, money, cars, possessions, profession, recreation, retirement, luxury, power, recognition, fame.

c.We present our body as a living sacrifice.

·A living sacrifice means continuous

·A living sacrifice means wherever our body is

·A living sacrifice means we sacrifice our own desires and live for God

·A living sacrifice means we live to serve God

Why?

Because our bodies are no longer ours if we have asked Jesus Christ into our lives.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20).

This is our reasonable service…

ÞThe word “reasonable” means rational, intelligent, logical. It is our minimum of Christian service.

Þthe word “service” means worship and ministry. We use our mind to dedicate our bodies to the service of God. We are to study the Scriptures, and to think and do the things that best serve God.