May 5, 2019
Evening Service

This morning we continued to look at what “living in the newness of life” would look like.  First we looked at “setting our minds on things above, and not on things of the earth.”  Our words and actions will follow whatever our mind is dwelling on.  Paul encouraged us to focus on things that are good, pure, and worthy of praise.  We then began to look at the lists Paul gave the Colossians to begin to “take off and put on.”  It is a list each of us need to examine and begin to apply to our lives.  As we find things in our lives that do not belong, we need to start with following the instructions we received from the Apostle John in I John 1:9.

  1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

            We start with confession once we realize that we have sin in our lives.  As we are honest with God and confess some of the “old habits” lingering in our lives, He will forgive us and cleanse us from that sin.  Repentance is a two-part process as we confess our sin then we go to great effort to stay away from it from then on out.

            Tonight I would like to look at one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible.  It is packed full of practical teaching on what walking in “the newness of life” really looks like.  Let’s look at Romans 12.

 

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.  

            In the OT the animal sacrifices were the way the children of Israel received their forgiveness for sins.  Depending on the sin or season, they would bring a certain animal (one without spot or blemish) and kill it on an altar offering it all totally to the Lord.  This was not an easy task to do because the animal sacrificed most likely was raised and cared for by the one offering it.  It done in hope that one would realize there truly was a cost for the forgiveness of their sin.

 

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

            To sacrifice the animal was the cost one had to make to assure forgiveness.  The animal was given totally and completely to fulfill its purpose.  Paul here asks us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable act of worship” NLT.  We are called to offer ourselves on the altar of God dying there as a sacrifice to Him.  The main difference being is that we are “living sacrifices.”  We are being called to daily lay aside our own desires to follow Him, surrendering ourselves totally and completely to His service.  This is an act of love and worship we give to the One who paid for our sins in full.  That is the God plan for us to fully enjoy the “newness of life” He offers us.  Paul now digs deeper:

 

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

 

 

            Paul begins by warning us not to copy (conform) the behavior of the world which is usually selfish, greedy and corrupt.  We are called to be a “peculiar people” different from those nonbelievers in the world around us.  We become that way by being “transformed by the renewing of our minds.”  This is the same place Paul told the Colossians to start to this morning as he said to “Set you mind on things above, not on the things of the earth.”  Our transformation really starts in our heart which gives us the desire to change and then moves on into our mind that drives the change.  It is very important for change to occur in our lives we must begin to fill our mind with the things of God (Phil 4:8).  Our mind then is following our heart which will soon bring our entire body under the subjection of Christ.  Paul calls this transformation in our life “good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  We are changed for God’s service.

            Examining your own life, are there areas where we have conformed to be like the world and have not transformed into the people God desires us to be?  Have you sacrificed yourself upon the altar for God’s service totally and completely?  Has there been a change in your life that is evident to you and those around you?  The transformation happens quickly for some, but painfully slowly for others.  The main goal is that we continue to transform into what God desires us to be.  Paul continues this practical, but very deep teaching.

 

Rom 12:3-8 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 to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  (4)  For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, (5) so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  (6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; (7) or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; (8) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

            God has blessed and equipped each of us with certain gifts that are given to us for the good of the entire church.  We have a purpose to fulfill in the Kingdom of God and our local Fellowship of His church.  It is our calling to find our gift and begin to use it for the glory of God and the exalting of the church to the best of our ability.  We are better together when we all are doing our part and using our gift to make the church function to its fullest potential.  Paul now hits several bullet points of topics that each can apply to our “new” walk in Christ.

Rom 12:9-21 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; (11) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (12) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (13) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  (14)  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  (15)  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  (16)  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  (17)  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  (18)  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  (19)  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.  (20)  Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD."  (21)  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

            Here Paul provides us with another list that we can read and pray over and examine our own lives on how we are doing on these fronts.  It is not only how we treat others but with what attitude we should have while doing it.  It is our love for Christ that is driving this transformation and that love will filter over to loving our brothers as well.  Love never fails.

            I can summarize this study with this little song:

 

“He is still working on me,

To make me what I ought to be.

It took Him just a week to make the Moon and the stars,

The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.

How lovingly patient He must be,

Cuz He is still working on me.”

 

Heavenly Father we place ourselves upon Your altar and ask that our lives would be a pleasing sacrifice for You.