Romans 12 Part 1

Review Ephesians 2 – Zac Hufty What was our position before God before we were saved? BUT, what has God done to change that?

Romans 12:1 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  

“Therefore…” What is the Context Romans is a message to the Roman church about God’s Faithfulness to deal with humanity’s problems. God has made a number of promises to fix a number of the problems humanity is dealing with: Abraham’s Covenant, Moses’ Covenant, David’s Covenant, Jesus Christ’s Covenant The problem of idolatry The need for forgiveness from sin Dethroning the reign of sin How to walk in freedom by the Spirit.

Humanity’s Condition Romans 1 People generally know what’s right and wrong. It’s evident in all of the laws they make, even non-Jews who don’t have God’s specific laws. But in our unrighteousness we suppress the truths we understand about God and His laws. And we make idols and other things to worship. Which results in more and more sin God is Righteous to Judge Sin for what it is and People for what they do (Romans 2) But the ultimate result of sin is separation from God…which is Death (Romans 6)

God’s Surprising Solution Although God has the incredible job of keeping His many promises and has only His unfaithful creation and people to work with, He pulls off the task in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Therefore, the “therefore” of Romans 12 is the pinnacle of Paul’s argument. Look at how God solved your terrible problem. Isn’t it amazing how faithful He is to keep is promises and look at what it cost. Therefore, here’s what we do moving forward.

Romans 12:1-2 (echoes of Mosaic Covenant, the Law) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Conform vs. Transform

Conform vs. Transform Do you agree: Conforming is a process we cannot help but do. Do you agree: We can transform ourselves.

Romans 12:3-8 (echoes of Davidic Covenant, the Kingdom) 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Applications Meditate on God’s Faithful Keeping of His Promises. Be amazed at His work. Read all of Romans 12 this week. Consider what you can & should do now in response to God’s astounding faithfulness.