March 9, 2003
Morning Service
Text: Romans 12:1-2
Subject: Living Sacrifices
Title: Living Like a Chosen Generation
Are you different? People tell me that all the time. I’m not always sure how to take it but I am sure about one thing - I am different. How do your friends and acquaintances in the world see you? Do you fit in with them or are you different? I’ll give you some time to think about that before you answer.
There is a worldview that emanates from the population areas of America - Los Angeles / Hollywood and New York - that tells us that anything goes. Whatever you do, as long as it does not affect others, is all right. If it feels good do it; if it looks good taste it; if you’re not sure, go ahead and try it anyhow. You can make up your mind later. While the entertainment world condones sex and violence and drug use, Christians must consider the alternatives to viewing such "entertainment".
In many cases it is hard to tell a Christian from the rest of the population. And believe me that those in the world know there should be a difference and are quick to point it out when the see discrepancies.
Here are two differences that are evident between the Christian and the world.
One. We believe the Bible to be God’s written revelation of Himself given to man by which we can come to a more complete understanding of the nature of God.
Two. We are born again, new creations, crucified with Christ, a chosen generation. We may look the same on the outside but everything on the inside is different; the way we act, the way we speak, the way we listen, the way we feel, the way we understand. Our whole being has come under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit.
A fifth grade science teacher was teaching her class about whales. She spent a lot of time talking about how ridiculous the biblical story of Jonah and the whale was. It could never happen. She asked the class, "Does anybody believe that story?" One little girl raised her hand. The teacher began to harass the girl. "How could you believe such a thing and how are you going to prove it?" The little girl just said that it was in the bible and she believed it and when she got to heaven she would just ask Jonah.
"What if Jonah went to hell?"
The reply, "Then you ask him."
I Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." There is something about us that makes us different than everyone else.
Today we are going to look at a familiar passage and just break it down to see what is expected of those who have committed their lives to Christ.
Romans 12:1-2
I. We are to encourage others. "I beseech you therefore brethren..." (NKJV) "Therefore I urge you brothers..." (NIV) Paul exercises a gift that is mentioned later in chapter 12:6-8, "having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Webster’s dictionary says to exhort means, "to urge or advise strongly, seek earnestly to persuade." The Greek word for exhortation is "Paraklesis" the same as the English translation But look at the root of the word. It has a distinct connection to The Holy Spirit, the parakletos, the comforter, intercessor, counselor, advocate; the One who walks along side of another. The other comforter Jesus said He would send if He went away. Paul’s urging or exhortation is a gift from the Holy Spirit. We are called to exhort one another and build one another up. I Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore comfort (encourage) each other and edify one another, just as you are doing." Ephesians 2:20-22, "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." We are all little building blocks that are placed on the firm foundation of Christ to build the church. Each member is of equal importance. Each gift of the Spirit given to build up the church -To edify one another. How do we do that? Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the Day approaching." We won’t build each other up if we stay at home on Sunday. What is Paul’s reasoning behind this? "By the Mercies of God..." (NKJV), "In view of God’s mercies..." (NIV) He is looking at the church and individual lives that are highlighted by God’s mercy. What are the Mercies of God?
We are justified by God.
We are adopted into the Family of God
We are co-heirs with Christ
We are sanctified. (set apart)
We have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
We have the promise of power through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We have the righteousness of God and the promise of eternal life to those who have confessed with their mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord and have believed in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead.
Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy..."
II. To offer your bodies as living sacrifices.
The only reason we can offer our bodies as living sacrifices is because of the mercy of God. What Offer? freely give what only we can give. I can’t offer you as a sacrifice you can’t offer me. It is about individual responsibility. No one accepted Christ for you. No one received the baptism of the Holy Spirit for you. No one can be sanctified for you. No one can present your body as a living sacrifice.
Your bodies means Your whole being, Body, soul, spirit
It is possible to give God good works without giving your whole self. Your body may be doing good things but you may be holding back your intellect and reasoning (soul) and your spirit. Look at Annanias and Saphira.They did good things but held back part of themselves. We offer iyrsekves "As living sacrifices."
Remember what Peter said about our being a priestly people. We have replaced the OT priesthood. We offer the sacrifice in their palace and Jesus is our High Priest. In order to offer the sacrifice we have to be presented in a consecrated state. Cleansed at the bronze laver. Cleansed from our sins by the blood of the sinless Lamb. We must belong to Christ. The sacrifice must be unblemished. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice given once for all. He has cleansed us from all iniquity through his blood shed on the cross.
We’re not just sacrifices, but "Living sacrifices."
The sacrifice is living because it is brought alive to the altar. It is living because it remains alive on the altar to be presented time and time again.
Jesus sacrificed Himself once for all but we must continue to offer ourselves as living sacrifices day after day. The only problem with a living sacrifice is that it tends to want to crawl down off the altar.
ii. It is only when we present ourselves to God day after day that we can become a sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. "It is our spiritual act of worship." (NIV) Sacrifice is not a negative thing.
It is spiritual. Jesus said, "but the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:23) To offer yourself is worship. Psalm 95:6, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; For he is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Why do we worship.
Because we are His sheep. What animal was offered as sacrifice? The sheep without blemish. The Lamb of God. The people of His pasture. What is expected of us when we do offer ourselves as living sacrifices?
III. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Here is where the difference between Christians and the world becomes apparent. Once we have accepted the salvation offered to us by God we are expected to live up to certain standards. We are not supposed to look like the world. We are different. "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." I Corinthians 6:9, 10, 11, 20, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God?"
Verse 11, "and such were some of you." I know what you are thinking. "Boy I?m glad I’m not on that list. I must be OK." What about pride? Is it our idol? What about anger? It is murder that hasn’t reached completion yet. Sin is sin is sin. It doesn’t matter if your sin isn’t as bad as the other guy’s. It still separates you from God. And yet it is required of you to be something different and better. Verse 20, "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
IV. We must transform the way we see ourselves.
"Renewing our mind"...Letting the truth of God’s word soak in. We’re not relying on what we think or what feels right but are allowing our renewed minds to transform our lives. "The word of God is living and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Only when we transform our lives by renewing our minds (studying and believing God’s word), will we be able to discern, test, approve, and understand what God’s will is for your life. and it is His good and perfect will. Look at the activity of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:12-15, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mind. That is why I said the spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we receive truth.
As we pray.
As we study and meditate on the word.
As we hear the word proclaimed.
As we worship in Spirit and in truth.
Conclusion:
Let"s go back to our original question.
Are you different? I pray that the answer for you is a resounding yes.
D. L. Moody said, "A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine."
The challenge goes out to you today. Can anyone tell the difference between you and the world? Do people have to ask if you are a Christian? Is your horn sounding loudly but your light shining dimly?
Statistics from a recent survey show that people who have gotten locked into a church and stay are those who have gotten involved in smaller groups in a local church.
Women’s ministries, Men’s ministry, youth, Sunday school, prayer, music. You don’t have an excuse. There is something for everyone. If you can’t find a small group to be involved with we will find one for you.
For new people in the church, we will begin a discipleship class for you if you will come to Sunday school. One more thing that really separates Christians from those in the world. The world thinks that you should be allowed to do your own thing; everyone should be left alone to satisfy the God of their choice. Whatever that God might be.
As Christians we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be taken into all the world, that the light might shine in the darkness. That is why we place a real emphasis on evangelism and missions. Today I want you to consider what you would do for missions. It is our opportunity to take the gospel to the lost through our missionaries. Today we begin a missions emphasis in order to show in just one way how we are different. God desires that none should perish but to come to repentance through Christ Jesus. Do you have the mind of God?
