Servant’s Meeting September 20, 2009 Rom 12:1

…which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1) APPEALbeg decisive dedication devoted, consecratedwell pleasing rational I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. God helping you and place it before God as an offering So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to- work, and walking-around life— and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1) Breakdown: a)Beseech you: appeals to his will (our choice) b)Therefore brethren: exhortations 4 th “therefore” in the letter. condemnation Romans 3:20 is the “therefore” of condemnation justification Romans 5:1 is the “therefore” of justification assurance Romans 8:1 is the “therefore” of assurance dedication Romans 12:1, we have the “therefore” of dedication

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1) c)Mercies of God: Do this because of mercy shown to us. Our motivation.  Justification  Adoption  Grace  Gift of HS  Help d) Present bodies: brought to the altar; an offering. Body is spirit, soul, flesh and mind.

Living sacrifice e) Living sacrifice: brought alive and living after it was brought to the altar. To glorify God with our bodies. To engage our bodies in acts of worship. A body devoted to God is a living sacrifice. An unbloody sacrifice. Holy, dedicated for God’s purpose. The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart Acceptable Acceptable: sacrificing to God is acceptable, well pleasing.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Lk 9:23-24) put aside his own desires and conveniences "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it” _______centered vs Self centered: My will be done vs ______will be done

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1) f) Holy, acceptable to God  male w/o blemish  no defect  sweet aroma Decision to holiness vs Commitment to holiness If God alone is Holy, then how can I be holy?

g) Reasonable service :

 Reasonable  Reason  Logic  Logikos  Logos  Word of God (Christ) Life of worship according to God’s word.

Obstacles: 1)Selfishness 2)Attached to the world 3)Lack of focus

Steps to take to overcome: 1)Selfishness Service Practice having a compassionate eye 2)Attached to the world Renew your mind (Rom 12:2) - Transformation Live simple life (Fasting) 3)Lack of focus Must have mission and purpose clear in my life. Plan accordingly and be consistent. Needed to be purpose driven

Extra notes

Obstacles: 1)Self-centeredness 2)Attached to the world 3)Lack of focus 4)Need to be purpose driven 5)“Temple of God” 6)Likened to a pencil: purpose ; If it breaks, won’t go back to Staples. 7)1. Love John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 2. Faithfulness Revelation 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 8)Leaves a mark, good or bad. 9)Erase mistakes, by bowing its head. 10)Analogy of pig and car. Pig dirty on inside and car painting won’t make it run better.

Did you make a decision about Jesus or a commitment (analogy of marriage) Motivation = mercies of God Surrender : abandon ourselves Not conformed but transformed: Metamorphosis (change) Committed to grow Renewing of mind – not by feeling Live in humility Self denial