Why We Serve Romans 12:1-2

Why We Serve "There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born.“ William Barclay V.1- Therefore – Chs.1-11 – 11:36 The glory of God is the ultimate purpose for all things 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Sacrificial Service Is: A Loving Response – “There is scarcely anything more important for building our commitment (sacrificial service) than an understanding of the greatness of God and his mercies to us.” R. Kent Hughes V.1- By the mercies of God – Romans 5:5-11

A Loving Response Romans 5:5-7 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

A Loving Response V.1- By the mercies of God – Justification Redemption Reconciliation – Sanctification Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to [His mercy], by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Regeneration Renewal

Sacrificial Service Is NOT: A fearful response – Romans 8:15-16 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

Sacrificial Service Is NOT: A fearful response (Tim Keller) “Fear based obedience is more negative (afraid of punishment) than it is positive (grateful for grace). If fear is the primary motivation for our obedience, we should see the following effects: Our motivation will lose its power over time. Fear as an emotion is very draining. It moves you to great feats at first, but eventually it is exhausting. Also, fear-based obedience has a great deal of trouble with repentance. When we are motivated by fear, we believe that somewhere there is a “line”; if we sin too much, we cross it, and God will condemn us. Fear-based obedience will always make it difficult to endure suffering or troubles. The fear-based person will either think: God is paying me back! Or: This isn’t fair! I obey so that God will bless me, so that these bad things won’t happen!

Sacrificial Service Is NOT: A debt repayment – Colossians 2:13-14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Sacrificial Service Is: The logical response – V.1- Spiritual service of worship Logikos- Logical, rational, or reasonable (KJV) – V.1- Present your body to God Present- “place an offering on the alter – Surrender or yield Bodies- Totality of our being – Old Testament “Levitical” sacrificial system Why of Service What of Service

“Halfway commitment is irrational. To decide to give part of your life to God and keep other parts for yourself—to say ‘Everything is yours, Lord, but this relationship, this deal, this pleasure’—is beyond spiritual logic.” R. Kent Hughes

Wilson A. Bentley ( )

Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley And that is how I figured out how I want to die. No, I don't want to die from pneumonia. But I do want to die doing what I love. I am determined to pursue God-ordained passions until the day I die. Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase

Why We Serve What area(s) of your life have you failed to “utterly” surrender to the Lordship of Jesus? A LIVING sacrifice – Ephesians 2:1-10 A HOLY and PLEASING sacrifice – Romans 6:11-13

Why We Serve Romans 12:1-2