Rev. David Holwick ZE Romans series #15
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 9, 2005
Romans 12:1-8
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I. Build it right.
A. Katrina devastation is a great opportunity for developers.
1) Whole neighborhoods must start from scratch.
2) Tens of billions in government money will be shoveled out.
3) But past experience will force them to do it right.
B. Christians also face a rebuilding program.
1) It is not someone else's property - it is us ourselves.
2) If we are careful and methodical, we can build a house
that will stand.
3) Romans 12:1-8 shows us how.
II. The foundation -- Total Commitment.
A. The concept of sacrifice is at core of most religion.
1) If faith is important to you, it should cost you.
a) Ancient Israelites sacrificed costly animals.
1> Weak or injured animals would not do.
2> It had to be your best.
2) Many religions still practice sacrifice.
a) The Santeria cult in America sacrifices chickens.
b) Muslims sacrifice hundreds of thousands of goats
at the annual hajj.
c) One Hindu cult in India has a tradition of human
sacrifice.
The government no longer allows it, and they didn't
have enough human volunteers anyway, so they
make human-size effigies made of flour.
Temple priests have found they are just as effective
in influencing their gods.
#17122
B. Paul envisions a very special sacrifice. Rom 12:1
1) Effigies are not good enough - real humans are required.
2) However, these sacrifices - us! - are not killed but must
stay alive.
3) Instead, our sacrifice is to live our lives for God.
a) The motivation should be the mercy of God.
b) He has give much to us, so we can give to him.
1> Do you?
2> Is your life a testimony to the power of God?
3> What kind of tangible, physical, service are you
giving the Lord?
4) Insight from Pastor Lyons at Wheaton Bible Church:
"The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep
trying to crawl off the altar."
a) Don't shirk your duty.
b) Without commitment, spiritual growth will not happen.
C. Renewing the mind. Rom 12:2
1) Newsweek photo - medical research participant with wires
all over his head.
Soon medical science may be able to literally rewire our
brains.
But Christians have been doing this for 2,000 years.
2) Think Christianly.
a) Study Biblical principles for life.
b) To change your values, you must know what God's values
are - and contrast them with the world's values.
D. Attitudes follow actions.
1) Paul begins with commitment, then transitions to the
renewing of the mind.
2) It may not be a coincidence that these verses appear in
this particular order.
a) A transformation of the mind really is a change in
thought, opinion, or attitude.
b) A change in attitude or feeling occurs only once we
step out and take action in obeying God.
III. The first floor -- Acknowledge Your Limits. Rom 12:3
A. Watch out for pride.
1) Confront your ego.
a) We tend to think more highly of ourselves than we
should.
b) Paul is not saying we have to put ourselves down -
he is saying, make a reasonable assessment.
c) A key factor in that assessment should be the level
of your faith.
2) Question your motivation.
a) Several politicians have been tripped up lately.
Newsmagazine: it is all about holding onto power.
b) Even religion can be used to puff us up. Beware!
B. God gives us some abilities and talents, but not others. 12:4
1) One of Paul's favorite images - the church as a body.
a) By emphasizing we are part of something bigger than
ourselves, our pride is checked.
2) No one can do everything.
3) But each person can do something.
IV. The second floor -- Serve the Living God.
A. Spiritual gifts.
1) Often controversial - tongues, miracles of healing...
a) The gifts listed here are not flamboyant.
b) Most have to do with the ministry.
2) Use according to faith.
a) Faith can mean the content of Christianity, or how much
we are trusting in God.
b) I think the second is in view here.
B. Seven areas of well-rounded ministry.
1) Prophesying.
a) Not standing on a street corner, predicting future.
b) Has to do with proclaiming God's word.
1> Probably preaching is in view.
2> Much be done in faith - depend on the Spirit.
2) Serving.
a) "Diakonia," from which we get the word "deacon."
b) Practical service to other Christians, probably with
a focus on public service like food kitchens.
3) Teaching.
a) Similar to preaching, but with less "zip."
b) Very important for "renewing our minds."
4) Encouraging.
a) Paul's friend Barnabas was so good at this, it became
his nickname.
b) Life can be hard, even for believers.
c) We need people who give hope to others.
5) Contributing to needs.
a) Differs from serving in that private help is probably
in view here.
b) Has a special charge: "give generously."
c) New ministry for us - making meals for the homebound.
6) Leadership.
a) Diligence is demanded.
7) Showing mercy.
a) Not mercy in sense of forgiveness, but helping the
sick and needy.
b) It is not by coincidence that the earliest hospitals
were started by Christians.
c) Prime example of our times: Mother Teresa.
1> But all of us have these opportunities.
2> Some will have a special commitment to it.
d) Do it cheerfully. Have a good attitude.
V. Make a difference.
Teacher and humorist Leo Rosten sums up Paul's teaching here:
"I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be 'happy.'
I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible,
to be compassionate.
It is, above all, to matter:
To count, to stand for something, to have made some difference
that you lived at all."
#1435
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
Main points were derived from "Should I Ever Serve Outside My Gifts?" by
Lynn Westberg, Discipleship Journal #90, Nov/Dec 1995, page 57.
# 1435 "Stand For Something," by Leo Rosten, Readers' Digest, "Points To
Ponder," March 1991, page 162.
#17122 "Hindu Sacrifice Rituals," British Broadcasting Corporation (internet),
April 3, 2002.
These and 25,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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Commentaries
Halverson "The Christian Ethic"
I. Ethics always follows doctrine.
A. Our ethics are motivated by God's grace, not our initiative.
B. We are predestined unto service.
C. We are not saved just to be safe, but saved to serve.
II. Dedication and sacrifice.
III. Discipleship. 12:3-8
A. Begins with self-evaluation.
1) Accurate assessment, according to measure of faith.
B. Diversity in body of Christ.
1) We need each other.
2) No distinction between clergy and laity.
Briscoe "A Sense of Values"
I. Commitment = present body, refuse to conform, be transformed.
A. Two kinds of Old Testament offerings:
1) For reconciliation.
2) For joy following reconciliation.
B. Parallels in Romans.
1) Jesus is our reconciling sacrifice.
2) Our sacrifice is one of joy and gratitude.
C. Body is our whole self.
1) They can be agents of sin (early chapters) but also of
holiness.
D. World = this age.
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