Sermon Central
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"What God Wants!"
Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Sep 27, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: You’re a Christian, now what? Is understanding the mind and will of God for your life still a mystery? Are you puzzled by big words like – discipleship? Do you love the Lord and want to honor Him with your life? But how? Have you asked should I serve m
Cornerstone Church September 25/26, 2010
“WHAT GOD WANTS!”
Illustration from Exodus
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
Ex. 21:2-6 NIV
The servant (slave) willing devoted themselves to their master for the rest of his/her life.
It was a commitment based on love!
It was a commitment based on their decision!
The servant was “All-in!”
No holding back!
HAVE YOU MADE THAT DECISION REGARDING CHRIST?
Are you “All-In” for Jesus?
If not it may be because you still have questions.
* Is understanding the mind and will of God for your life still a mystery?
* Are you puzzled by big words like – discipleship?
* Do you love the Lord and want to honor Him with your life? But how?
* Have you asked should I serve more, give more, and study more?
* Even if you have been a follower of Christ for many years are these questions still on your heart?
What God Wants Is You!
* You can’t earn your salvation! – He paid it all!
* You do not earn brownie points for what you sacrifice!
* Serving God in the power of the flesh can leave you discouraged, disillusioned and disinterested in the work of the LORD!
Let’s turn to Romans 12:1-2!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God —this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
Rom. 12:1-2 NIV
OUTLINE:
THE BASIS OF COMMITMENT (vs. 12:1a)
THE CHARACTER OF COMMITMENT (vs. 12:1b)
THE DEMANDS OF COMMITMENT (vs. 12:2a)
THE EFFECTS OF COMMITMENT (vs. 12:2b)
Taken from R. Kent Hughes, “Romans – Preaching the Word Commentary”
THE BASIS OF COMMITMENT
12:1a
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God's mercy…”
The Apostle Paul is commanding Christians to action.
THE COMMAND: “offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God!”
The motivation for the command is “God’s Mercy!”
THEREFORE
Links what is being said to what has been said!
Paul from Romans Chapter 1 – Chapter 11 has been teaching about our need of salvation and how God solved that need through His Son the LORD Jesus Christ.
Foundation stone upon foundation stone have been laid:
Mankind’s Problem Sin – all are guilty (chapters 1-3)
God’s Solution Salvation – Jesus paid it all (chapters 4-5)
God’s Provision Sanctification – cleansing power (chapters 6-8)
God’s Faithfulness Sovereignty – keeping power (chapters 9-11)
Great concepts such as:
* Grace
* The just shall live by faith!
* Justification! – Jesus was the Just and the Justifier!
* Security of the Believer!
Paul comes to a point and he can no longer contain himself and he writes:
Rom. 11:33-36 NIV Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
“Therefore”
Because of God’s Mercy
“HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?”
Dr. Francis Shaeffer
THE CHARACTER OF COMMITMENT
12:1b
“…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
“All-In” for Jesus!
You were captive to sin!
You were a slave to the world system!
Jesus redeemed you out of the slave market of sin
* Paid the price!
* Purchased us back!
* Paid the ransom!
1Pet. 1:18-19 NIV For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
