Romans 11:33 -12:2 Finding peace …in the battle zone! Valley Heights Community Church July 31, 2005

Outline 1.Real worship: Romans 12:1 2.Real transformation: Romans 12:2 3.Real problem: Ephesians 4:17-19 Romans 1: Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40 5.Real application: Stress!

1. Real worship: Romans 12:1 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to) to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better

so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. To test, to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy 2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. To test, to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy 2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. To test, to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy 2. Real transformation: Romans 12:2

behaviorthinking Right thinking… Transformed thinking Worship… Living and holy sacrifice Informed thinking Knowing enough about God Truth [the Word] informs our worship Doctrine informs our worship

3. Real problem Ephesians 4: Romans 1:18-32

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. 12:1 Therefore…

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. John 1:1-3 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Revelation 5:13 (NIV) 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 4. Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

Isaiah Real solution: Romans 11:33-37; Isaiah 40

5. Real application

Pressure $ financial… DEBT Too little work Child with cancer Spouse with cancer Other health problems Ailing parents Friction in relationship Material envy Feelings of inadequacy Natural disaster Too much work Lack of essentials Consequences of sin

Pressure $ financial… DEBT Too little work Child with cancer Spouse with cancer Other health problems Ailing parents Friction in relationship Material envy Feelings of inadequacy Natural disaster Too much work Pressure Lack of essentials Consequences of sin

Pressure Stress

Poor sleep Anxiousness Depressed mood Loss of weight Loss of appetite Eating too much Eating wrong things… comfort eating Guilty feelings Decreased energy Sleeping too much Distractibility… At home but not there Irritability Impatience Weepiness Decreased interest Poor motivation Bodily ailments…Ulcer, fatigue, body aches, headaches, chest pain Decreased concentration Memory poor Psychomotor retardation Suicidal thoughts… Or actions

Stress Poor sleep Anxiousness Depressed mood Loss of weight Loss of appetite Eating too much Eating wrong things… comfort eating Guilty feelings Decreased energy Sleeping too much Distractibility… At home but not there Irritability Impatience Weepiness Decreased interest Poor motivation Bodily ailments… Ulcer, fatigue, body aches, headaches, chest pain Decreased concentration Memory poor Inadequate RAM! Psychomotor retardation Suicidal thoughts… Or actions Stress

Pressure Stress Talking about it Counseling Resolution of the problem Simple time Medication How come different people have different responses to the same pressure?

Pressure Stress May have NO control… …We DO have control over how we respond

Perception  Peace  Panic

Pressure What is the origin of these pressures?

God claims responsibility for them!

Psalm 115:3 Isaiah 46:9-11 Lamentations 3:37-38 Isaiah 45:5-7

Solution? When experiencing trial/pressure… Ask yourself the famous 4… 1.Could God have prevented this? 2.Did He choose to? 3.Then what’s the lesson I need to learn from this? 4.How do I glorify Him as I go through this trial?

Solution? Give thanks in all circumstances –1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18: –“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything gave thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” Remember the purpose of trials –James 1:2-4: –“Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Perception... Panic? The hot potato? Seeking only relief ? Giving God only one option in your prayer?

Perception... Peace! 1 Corinthians 2:16 Philippians 2:12-13 Philippians 4:4-9