October 15, 2017
Evening Service

In the two verses we looked at this morning there was some tremendous challenges laid out for us.  Paul encouraged us to present our bodies to God as “living sacrifices” to God as our acts of worship to Him.  Everything we do, say and the places we go can become “acts of worship” to our Lord.  We need to examine our lives to identify the areas that we need to eliminate “conforming” to the world’s standards and allow God to “transform” those areas to be controlled by Him.  This is done by allowing the Holy Spirit to “renew our mind” and change the way we think about and do everything.  This is God’s “good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  The rest of this chapter continues the type of practical teaching that is easy to understand, but often, hard to live out.

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

·         Paul wants us to take a quick self-esteem check up on ourselves.  He does not want us to become arrogant and have an overrated opinion of ourselves.  The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth.  It is our identity in Christ.  Apart from Him we alone will not have much impact on eternal items, but with Him we become valuable, capable and worthy servants.  We are not to place ourselves any higher or lower than anyone as it is God the gives us our measure of faith.  Each of us is given our own talents and abilities to use.

 

Romans 12:4-8  For even as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same function,  (5)  so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.  (6)  Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; (7) or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;  (8)  or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in generosity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.

·         Paul again uses the concept of the comparing the church to the human body.  There are many useful parts that make up the single body.  Each part has specific abilities given to him by God Himself, so that when we all are together doing our part we are complete.  We are better together.  He then explains a few of these gifts and encourages us to use them well.

·         If our gift is to preach (prophecy) we are to do it within our level of faith.  We need to be honest and simply say sometimes that “I don’t know.” If our gift is to minister (serve), teach, encourage, give, lead or show mercy, we are to do it well.  There are online questionnaires that are supposed to help you identify your area of gifting.  I believe you can pray to have God reveal that to you.  It helps to just look at yourself and see what you have a compassion for; what moves you to action.  It will come naturally and will be very fulfilling as you do it.  It is also helpful to ask those around you what area they think you are gifted in.

·         It is important that you seek to find a way to become involved in the church (Christ’s body) and do your part with excellence whatever that may be.

 

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil, cling to what is good; (10)  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

·         The NLT puts it this way; “Don’t just pretend you love others, really love them.”  It is one thing to be courteous and to speak kindly to one another and then there is the next level where you deeply love and care for them.  We are to love others as Christ as loved us and gave Himself for us.  This sincere love often involves commitment and effort.  I like to say we are “investing” in someone when we go out of our way to love on them and show them we care. God places people around you that need this love and attention from us.  Keep your eyes and heart open to them and “invest” your time, effort, and your personal involvement to be Jesus to them.  What does that look like?

 

Romans 12:11-17 Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  (12)  rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer,  (13)  distributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.  (14)  Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.  (15)  Rejoice with rejoicing ones, and weep with weeping ones; (16) minding the same thing toward one another, not minding high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  (17)  Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

·         Again Paul throws out a list of things that we can immediately put into practice.  Be diligent (work hard) and enthusiastic about your service to the Lord.  Be patient in troubles, continue in prayer, help others, and bless those who curse you.  Rejoice with your brother who is rejoicing and weep with the one who is in mourning.  In times of rejoicing and weeping it is always better to go through it with those who care for you.  The rejoicing is always sweeter and the sorrow is lessened as we share it together.

·         He tells us not to be prideful or haughty, but place yourself on the same level as others.  We are all sinners saved by grace. Don’t play the game of evil for evil, but be forgiving and honest in all things.  These are the attitudes that have been transformed in our lives and are no longer conformed to the world’s standards.  When we are able to live these things out, the light of Jesus shows in us.  Paul now continues the list for us.

 

Romans 12:18-21  If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.  (19)  not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."  (20)  Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.  (21)  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

·         Our goal is to live in peace with all men.  That is not always possible, but at least from our point of view we need to be diligent to do all we can to resolve conflicts.  Revenge is never an option for a Christ follower.  It is God who is the Judge and Jury, He will repay says the Lord.

 

 

·         So if we see our enemy in trouble we are to help them in any way that we can.  That is not conforming to the ways of the world.  The world would teach us to kick our enemy while he is down, not help him up.  To help him is the way a transformed mind would think and act.  This ability to forgive and love comes from above, not from within us.  It is an action that comes from a mind that has been renewed and all things have been mad new.  

 

This chapter is full of tough yet doable challenges.  Remember “I can do all things through Christ.”  It is through us allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to transform us that we can live the way he describes here.  I encourage you to read this entire chapter over again every day this week and ask God to show you the areas you need to work on.

 

Lord thank You for the simplicity of Your Word and help us to be transformed by it.