Paul’s 3 Calls to the Church
Romans 12: 1-2.
Every individual has been called by God to live a life that brings Honor and Glory to him. You do not have to understand what God wants to do with your life. If you will Surrender to his call, he will reveal it in time.
1.The Call Attention.
Rom. 12: 1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God…”
A.PERSONAL—“You”. Do “you” see it? Are “you” listening?
God is speaking to “you”! Don’t “you” worry about: what everyone else is doing, what the world is doing, what your brother or sister is doing. You must do what God wants you to do!
B.POSITIONAL—“brethren”. This call is for the redeemed. If you are not saved, God’s call to you is for Salvation.
C.POWERFUL—“beseech” is a strong word meaning to: beg,
plead with, or to persuade. To volunteer your life and skills to the service of the Lord. Paraphrase: “I beg you brethren, give yourselves to God!”
D.PROVIDENTIAL—“by the mercies of God” Paul’s strong call to attention was based on the mercies of God. God was calling the Romans to attention, and God is calling you to attention today.
2.The Call To Surrender.
The type of surrender—“that you present your bodies…”
A.LIVING SACRIFICE God wants not part of, but all of you now. A Total Commitment. God wants you now not 20 years from now. He wants to use you now!
B.HOLY SACRIFICE. What is a Holy Sacrifice?
Holy means “separate from sin”. We are not to take on the characteristics of the world. We are not to think like they think, act like they act, talk like they talk, or do like they do. We are to be separated from sin and separated unto God!
C.ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE.
What is an acceptable sacrifice?
God doesn’t want your leftovers, but God wants your best.
D.REASONABLE SACRIFICE. What is a reasonable sacrifice?
Let’s look at what God has done for you.
1.Your past sins is under the blood. Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
2.Your future is settled in heaven. John 14:1-3.
3.Your needs are being provided. Phil. 4:19.
A reasonable sacrifice is one that makes sense. To give yourself to God totality and unselfishly, so that he can use you however he sees fit.
3.The Call To Change.
The type of change—“be ye transformed…”
Paul wrote the Roman Christians that 2 things would aide them in the call to change.
A.NEGATIVE PRINCIPLE—“and be not conformed…”
Stop letting the worldly system and lifestyle shape your minds and character. Stay with Christ!
B.POSITIVE PRINCIPLE—“be ye transformed…”
The meaning of transformation is to be something different than you are. This takes place as we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds daily.
