Living Sacrifices—transforming Minds, Transforming Lives Series

Living Sacrifices—Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives

November 20, 2024

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Romans 12:1-8

Tonight, we’re diving into one of the most powerful passages in Scripture, Romans 12:1-8, which calls us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. As we begin, I want you to picture the Old Testament sacrificial system—priests offering spotless lambs on the altar, blood poured out to atone for sin. Now think of the radical shift Paul introduces here: God no longer desires dead sacrifices. Instead, He calls for living, breathing offerings—our very lives—given wholly to Him.

This passage not only challenges us personally but also lays a foundation for how we function as the Body of Christ, especially in the end times. Considering God’s mercy, Paul is urging the believer to surrender everything and allow Him to renew us from the inside out. Let’s walk through these verses together and see how they call us to a life of worship, transformation, and service.

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:1–8)

I. Living Sacrificies

Paul begins in verse 1 with an impassioned plea: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 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.” The word “therefore” is crucial. It acts as a bridge, connecting the rich doctrinal truths of Romans 1-11 with the practical exhortations of Romans 12-16.

Now, remember we've had 11 chapters of doctrine about salvation. This is the first practical exhortation. This is where the epistle itself turns practical. And the first thing Paul tells us is give yourself up a living sacrifice. Your response to what God has done for you is to surrender the entirety of your life over to Him as an act of worship.

You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:22–23)

The Christian life is always a response to God’s grace. We don’t offer ourselves to earn His favor; we offer ourselves because of His mercies already given. This sets Christianity apart from every other belief system. Instead of striving to earn salvation, we worship as an act of gratitude for what God has already accomplished.

So as a response to God’s grace, whether we are Jew or Gentile - in light of everything we’ve learned from the very start of the epistle, Paul says, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” This idea of being a living sacrifice is striking. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were dead animals placed on an altar, but now we’re called to climb up on that altar ourselves—alive. This isn’t a one-time act; it’s a daily surrender of our bodies, our minds, and our wills. It’s a commitment to holy living that pleases God. This is true worship—not just singing or attending church but giving our entire selves to Him.

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)