“Holiness Reasonable and Right”
Text: Romans 12:1-2
1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Introduction:
The book of Romans is called “the greatest document ever written.” Augustine, Luther, and John Wesley all found this book to be the key to their religious experience and faith. We use the book of Romans in teaching our doctrinal theology for our Christian walk with God. The Apostle Paul is known to be the author of this book. You could him the Father of Christian Theology.” His writings are the one that we refer to when we call to someone about our Theology. Paul’s name has been assigned to 14 out of 27 of the books of the New Testament.
Our text starts out with “I Beseech you.” The Greek word for this phrase is “parakalw” parakalw, which literally mean “I exhort” or to call aside; make an appeal in view of certain facts. Here it is a appeal in view of the wonderful doctrines of chapters 1-8 and of God’s dispensational dealings with Jews and Gentiles in chapters 9-11. Paul comes now to the practical application of the gospel to men in chapters 12:1-15:7.
In this message we are going to look at four appeals that Paul gives to the Christians.
I.Paul Appeals to Christians, “I Beseech You.”
A. What ever plane of experience a man or woman lives
on,it is voluntary.
B. When man yields his all in consecration, then God
gives His all in grace.
C. Body—the vehicle of expressing personality. If God
really has your body, He has you.
D. “Living sacrifice” implies a limitless dedication.
No reservation.
II.Paul Appeals on the Basis of Gratitude.
A. God “spared not His own Son...for us” (Romans 8:32)
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
B. “Through our Lord Jesus Christ” we have received
“peace with God.”
C. We have become “heirs of God and joint-heirs with
Christ. (Romans 8:17)
“ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
D. “Therefore brethren.”
III. Paul Appeals on the Basis of Reason.
A. “Your reasonable service.” Your reasonable response.
B. It is reasonable that God would make His grace
“work” in practical experience.
C. Holiness is not “lunatic-fringe” religion. It is not fanaticism. It is not the emotional excess of “screwballs.” It is sound doctrine and wholesome living. It is the key to a fruitful Christian Life.
IV. Paul Appeals on the Basis of God’s Glory.
A. “That ye may prove.” That your life may
demonstrate.
B. “That good, ...will of God.” God’s design and
purpose.
“Not conformed ... transformed.”
C. “Acceptable ... will of God.” The kind of life that
builds the Kingdom.
D. “Perfect, will of God.” A Christlike spirit. “One
body in Christ.”
Conclusion:
Calvary has placed God’s claim on you. It is up to you if you are going to accept the claim or not.
Outline By: Fletcher Galloway
