In View of God’s Mercy Romans Has someone done something so nice for you? Something so spectacular… Remarkable… So amazing you seek ways to return the favor?

That is exactly what the Apostle Paul addresses in these chapters We have received so much from God through Christ It would be a good idea to return the favor

Romans 12 Thereforein view of God’s mercy living sacrificesholy pleasing to God worship be transformed 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. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Consequently I recommend Because all of God has done for us through Jesus Christ Let us be living sacrifices Let us be holy and pleasing to God Let us live a life that is worshipful Let us be different

Before we look at what it means… To be living sacrifices, holy, pleasing to God and transformed To live in a spiritual act of worship We need to remember what Paul means by, “therefore”

Salvation is by faith from first to last The righteous will live by faith We are all sinful But we can be saved through faith and receive grace, be justified and redeemed Even Abraham was saved by faith

We have peace, joy, hope and are reconciled This does not mean life will be easy As a matter of fact, we discover no matter how hard we try, we can not be good We are baptized, buried and crucified with Christ and we are raised to new life

We are free, holy and eternally with Christ Yet we are internally at war But because of Christ’s atonement There is no condemnation in Christ The spirit helps us and intercedes for us And God works for the good of those who love him

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ We are God’s children and heirs to God’s promise And if God is for us, who can be against us? Even when life is difficult we are still his children under his care

God is God and God calls us God sends his message of good news and wants us to listen That we might believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and be saved Therefore, I urge, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy…

Let us be living sacrifices Let us be holy and pleasing to God Let us live a life that is worshipful How are we transformed and renewed? What exactly are we supposed to do?

Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you…

We are advised to live this way Be sober – think / use your mind Serve cheerfully – Use your skills Love sincerely Seek joy, hope and patience even when things do not go your way Be faithful in prayer

3 …think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

Share with the needy Be hospitable Bless and do not curse Live in harmony Associate with people of low position

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do your best to live at peace with everyone Do not be vengeful Overcome evil with good

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Remember that ours is not a political movement, so do not make it appear as such Pay your debts Pay your taxes Show respect Show honor where it is due

Romans 13 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love, because love fulfills the law Live as if someone is always watching Behave decently Put on Christ as a garment that adorns you, warms you and reminds you who you are – a child of the King of Kings

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

12 …So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Romans 12 I urge you 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. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Notice that Paul is not demanding He is not saying “This is the new law” “You must obey or else” Nor “If you do not obey, it demonstrates you are not a true believer”

If you or I had a million dollars and we lived in a shack People would pity us They would wonder why we live like paupers when we are so rich

In the same way People have the right to wonder why we might live entrenched in sin When we have been rescued, forgiven, redeemed and reconciled to our Lord and creator

Understand this, we can not really do all these things If we understand the price that was paid and the gift we receive… We strive to be better than we were without Christ We strive to be better by having these goals in mind

Because of all Christ has done to bring salvation to my life Because I have a debt of gratitude to my Savior I strive to be a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God and transformed in my thinking; seeking to live a life of worship every day