Romans, Part 37 (Mother’s Day - 2011)
Romans 12:1-8
Introduction
- Happy Mother’s Day!!
- This morning, we are going to continue our study in Romans, Chapter 12
- It is Mother’s Day, and I believe the message theme this morning applies directly
- Paul begins his last portion of this letter by directing our attention to living
- We are called to live dedicated to Christ; fully and completely in all things
- Paul calls us to live a life of surrender; to be completely focused on Christ
- There is nothing more important than being dedicated to a life in Christ
- On Wed we talked about living FOR God, not WITH God
-- Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the
LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.”
-- Living with … A casual acquaintance, treating God like a roommate
-- Living for … Completely devoted, you exist to show others who He is
- This morning, let’s join together to study God’s Word for one purpose
- That we would see what God’s requirement of us is; and how we should live
- Stand and read Romans 12:1-8 / Pray
Point 1 – A Living Sacrifice (1-2)
- Be a sacrifice to God; it is not optional – but something we must strive for
- Mothers were a sacrifice to all of us … birth is not an easy process
-- Many died, gave their lives so others could live – even today it happens
- But, DEATH for all would be the ultimate sacrifice; that was what Jesus did
- Because Jesus presented Himself as Holy, we are to live the same way
-- 1 Peter 1:16, “for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Where?)
-- Lev 11:45, “I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
- Paul writes, “This is your true and proper worship …”
-- Living a life that exalts Christ is something that we need strive for
-- He has already done it all for us; and so you and I must live dedicated to Him
-- Consider when we were growing up; most had neighbors who knew mom
-- They knew how to take you home and have you dealt with - quickly
- APP: Our actions represented our parents and the discipline was normally worse
-- Why? Because our behavior reflected on how we were raised
-- And so, our hides were tanned and privileges were removed
- Well, when God disciplines us why do we not obey as well?
-- We should accept it as the same manner in which Mom gave it to us (b/c of love)
-- Our lives MUST represent the Savior who has given His life for you!
V2 - “Do not conform 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.”
- We are called to live different than the world; apart from it but in it as a witness
- To live in a way that literally separates us from how the world acts, thinks, etc.
- Called to be different – Jesus teaches the world hated him; so it will hate us
-- John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
- So, going into this knowledge already, why not strive to please the Master
- We already know what is going to happen, and what God has done for us
- So when Paul gives this instruction he delivers it straight forward
- TRANS: And now, Paul directs our attention to service of Christ in everything
Point 2 – Service in the Body of Christ (3-8)
- Once again (common theme), Paul reminds us that pride is NOT the way of life
- To have “sober judgment” means to be of sound mind; to think clearly
- To be able to do what we’ve been assigned to; in everything that we have
- There is only one body of Christ; not several – but there are several parts
- Just as we have different body parts; we all make up the entire Body
- Consider the gifts that we have been given in our lives
-- Re-read verses 6-8
- If you are called to prophesy, then do so (declare what God has said)
- If you are called to serve, then do so (take care of the church …)
- If you are called to teach, then do so (lead a class (SS), teach youth)
- If you are called to encourage, then do so (ministry to the broken hearted)
- If you are called to give, then give (this is to give above your tithe)
- If you are called to lead, then lead (step up, be the man/woman God has called)
- If you are called to show mercy, then show mercy (Jesus showed ultimate mercy)
- God has given each of us specific gifts – this is not only for some, but for ALL
- APP: We have a responsibility to OBEY and FOLLOW Christ’s example of life
- Today, obviously, men cannot give birth and that gift is for women alone
- It fits right along with understanding that we are each here for something specific
- We have a mission, we have something to do, and we’ve got to get busy
- TRANS: So, what is it that God has called you to do?
Conclusion
- How are you getting that done? / How are you following through?
- When it comes to service and following Christ it is obedience or disobedience
- Mother’s Day reminds us that God loved us enough to give us life
-- But every day should remind us that God loved us enough to give us His Son
-- So that forever more … from this moment on – we could have eternal life
- Do you know Him? Do you serve Him? Do you live for Him?
- With every eye closed …
- Prayer for salvation, this is where it begins
- Prayer for repentance, this is where the growth continues
- Pray
