A Living Sacrifice. Paul said “... to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. After teaching in his letter the doctrines of the faith and explaining the place of Israel in God's plan, he began the second half of his book with these familiar words from Romans 12: "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. But that is not to say that the New Covenant is without a sacrificial system. But having considered all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus – having considered the forgiveness of our sins and the righteousness we now possess through faith in Christ – having considered our freedom from the curse of the law, and our new life in Christ – and having considered the certainty or our eternal inheritance (a certainty grounded, not in ourselves, but in Christ’s finished work) – Paul’s heartfelt plea is that we would go on from that consideration to live our lives properly towards God and towards one another in this world. Enable me to know the truths of your word and to believe them sincerely. A body is holy not because of what it looks like, or what shape it’s in, but because of what it does. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. I knew that Paul said, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice." “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…” (Romans 12:1, ESV). Imbedded within this one word is a tremendously important reminder that the Christian life is neither about doctrine alone, nor is it about moral living alone, but is one where, by the grace of God, the truths of God are used by the Spirit of God, to bring about obedience to will of God in the lives of his people. Second, his exhortation to us from 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. He is author of. One, it is important to recognize from the outset that in this passage the Apostle is making an “appeal” to us. And he must also relearn things – there are some things that we think we know, but come to find out that there is error in the thinking. Three, notice that the appeal that Apostle will make is based upon something that he has said before. No, I do believe that Christians ought to function quite well within society. And that is not merciful. Do You Love the World? Notice that this transformation will come about only “by the renewal of the mind”. The Christian life is to be lived in the context of the local church where Christians are to love one another. Assurance of Salvation. . 12:1. Brothers and sisters, would you please open with me to Psalm 51 and to Romans 12, which will be the sermon text for today. Paul is helping us see how to live the Christian life. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will … This world – that is to say, this present evil age that is at enmity with God – has a way about it. Clip excerpted from John Piper's sermon, "Present Your Bodies As a Living Sacrifice to God." Sermon. The command is not, transform yourself, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Notice that the New Covenant sacrifices differ from those of the Old in that these are to be living sacrifices. As a new year dawns, consider that God’s word offers great treasures on a first reading, and many of its greatest ones as we reread year after year. A Sermon on Romans 12:1-2 A Living Sacrifice I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Let every act of your living body be a death to all that dishonors Christ. His death cannot be improved on. Paul is helping us see how to live the Christian life. So even though his words do carry God’s authority, he uses this authority in a gentle and merciful way that models for us what he is about to command from us. Just as the people of Israel presented their animal sacrifices to the priests we are to hand over our bodies to God. While the two are similar, sarx is the external, physical body that was seen as worldly and opposed to God. The Christian must cry out to the Lord, saying, Lord, change me to the core. I think we should pray that God’s perspective on our bodies become imbedded deep in our sons and daughters — and in ourselves — as one very powerful antidote to the kinds of eating disorders that plague so many young women, and even now some men today. This is only right given all that God has done for me in Christ Jesus. If you are acceptable, it is “through Jesus Christ.” Through his perfection, not your perfection. So what do these words add? But do you hear the Apostle pleading with us to live holy in this world. This request is eminently linked to his [Paul’s] discussion of sanctification in chapters 6 and 7. The Apostle knows that the battle is real and so does addresses it. Let love be genuine. In the name of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen. Do You Love the World? Please consider this request from John Piper and become a monthly partner by December 31. Associate with the lowly. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. And it is only right that, in offering up my self up to God, I do also lay my life down for the good of my brothers and sisters in Christ. As I was writing these sermons I thought to myself, these would be good for the saints at Emmaus hear too. “to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable (euareston—well-pleasing) to God“ (v. 1b). The answer he gives: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice…to God.”. I was blessed to preach at Grace Covenant Church in the morning and also the quarterly gathering of Confessional Baptists of the Southwest in the evening. The idea is that this worship or service that we are to offer up to God is to be from the heart. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. If we are not worshiping in our behavior — that is, if we are not making much of God’s mercy in Christ in and alongside our behavior — we are not giving people what they need most. “I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). The animals under the Old Covenant would be brought alive to the alter, but once sacrificed, they were dead. 1. Lord, our flesh wars against us. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Well what does he mean? (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Transform us, Lord, by the renewal of our minds and to the core of our being so that we might live holy before you in this world, keeping your will from the heart. Love God with all that you are, offering you whole self up to God as a living sacrifice. That is done already in the sacrifice of Christ. A thirty-nine lesson study through “Know the Truth, A Handbook of Christian Belief” by Bruce Milne. One of the functions of that Old Covenant system was to point forward to the coming of the Christ who would be the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Comments Off on Sermon: Present Your Bodies As A Living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1-8 Posted by Joe, "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." Is it the physical “instrument” of a hunger for righteousness? Brothers and sisters, we do all struggle with sin. When we become born again our spirits become “new”. Your job is to find that application and then, apply it to your life. Paul elaborates on what it means for us to live a life … And so, brothers and sisters, given all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus, it is only reasonable that we offer our whole selves up to him, body and soul, as sacrifices that are living, holy, and acceptable. Jesus tells us, “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). . What kind of sacrifice is that? While the Old Testament worshiper offered an animal, the New Testament worshiper is to offer himself or herself. They make God explicit. Our hope is that you will make Emmaus your home and that you will begin to grow with us as we study the scriptures and, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, live in a way that honors our great King. . But Paul does not merely deliver a command to us. May 31, 2015. You belong to God soul and body, or you don’t belong to him at all. As Warren Wiersbe puts it, “The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar.” If they are rightly understood and truly believed, then they will, by the grace of God, and by the progressive working of his Holy Spirit, produce holiness within his children. 12:1), “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” – but we are to seek it, not by the exertion of our will power alone, but by the renewal of our minds in submission to the word of God and in constant dependence upon the Spirit of God. And your fruit will be Christian fruit. We cannot in any way add to the perfection of Christ’s finished work. Jesus Christ Superstar - Billy Graham (August-10-2020) John MacArthur's Tribute to J.I. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. I had gone through life with the biblical language firmly fixed in my mind. When we hear the word “sacrifice” certainly we are to think of the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant wherein the worshipper was to bring an animal to be slain on the alter to offer it up to the Lord as an act of worship before him. The sacrifice that is a living sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God incorporates the soul, the body, the mind, and the will. It is your living that is the act of worship. The subject-matter of the apostle's exhortation in the following words, "That you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Email Address * Connect with HeartCry. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. For he is my Creator. They were the words in Romans: “a living sacrifice -- present your body a living sacrifice” and I … It is only then that the transformation will be genuine, lasting, and to the glory of God. Sep 06, 2007 Paul David Washer. Obviously there is a complexity to the Greek word which makes finding the perfect English word a little difficult. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. That does not even come close to what I experienced. This we are to do, being ever dependent upon God and his mercies. Do You Love the World? He has made us alive in him, and has given to us the gift of faith. Some of us lived in that condition and walked in that way longer than others. And in order for this to happen, a transformation must take place within us. Bless those who persecute you. Clip excerpted from John Piper's sermon, "Present Your Bodies As a Living Sacrifice … But we should remember that famous passage like this one are famous for good reason. Let every act of your body in living be an act of worship. . Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. And when we follow through on our formal worship here by presenting our bodies to Him late Wednesday afternoon, this is what validates and proves what is the acceptable will of God. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36–40, ESV). Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Christ’s answer: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And he does not shine through our muscles and curves, but through our merciful behavior. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Our view of the world must be changed. Please explore these linked pages to find out how to get involved. Receive your weekly Email. To offer your body as a living sacrifice is to die to self but to live for God with everything that you are. Is it the physical instrument of meekness and mercy and peace? Be sure to check it often and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. I’ve noticed that some do experience a kind of rapid and radical transformation when they come to faith in Christ. No one is saved who doesn’t meet and make much of Christ. Just as worshipers in the Old Testament denied themselves some earthly treasure (a sheep, a goat, a bull), and carried their sacrifices to the altar of blood and fire, so we deny ourselves some earthly treasure or ease or comfort, and carry ourselves — our bodies — for Christ’s sake to the places and the relationships and the crises in this world where mercy is needed. Build your Christian life on Romans 1–11. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. We might recite them from memory, but we recite them sloppily and without carful consideration. The basic commitment for Christian living is to give your body totally to God as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice, which is your reasonable service of worship. Don’t Trust Your Flesh . Let every act of your living body show … Let’s take the four words he gives and see what each contributes to understanding a lifestyle of daily worship: bodies, living, holy, acceptable to God. And, having been made alive by the Spirit, we do then present our bodies to God as a sacrifice that is living. And is also points forward into the last five chapters wherein Paul labors to apply the truths he has set forth to the Christ follower. He is pleading with us that we would not walk away from the truths of God’s word unchanged. Indeed, it is only right that sacrifices be offered up to God under the New Covenant too, not to make atonement for sin, for Christ has done that in full – it is finished – we can add nothing to that work – but as an act of worship before God and out of gratitude for all that he has graciously provided. Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church is committed to the fullfilment of the Great Commision given by our Lord when he said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! It has roots. I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday. Our holiness does matter to God. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. Paul’s primary challenge to the Roman Christians was that they become living sacrifices to be used of the living God. They tend to offer great and needful comfort or exhortation to the people of God. . 1. It doesn’t come out of nowhere. They live, not to the glory of God, but for themselves. But under the New Covenant the exact opposite is true. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Our minds must be truly convinced that it is only reasonable for God be worshipped by us in this way, given who he is and all that he has done for us in Christ Jesus. If the sacrifice of our bodily life is holy, then it is acceptable to God. Does this add anything to the word “holy”? Most clearly of all Hebrews 10:12 says, “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” So Christ brought to an end the Old Testament sacrifices for sin. To put it in the simplest of terms, it seems that Paul is saying, don’t go through the motions in this worship. Hemet, CA 92544, MAILING ADDRESS God does not desire you, individually, to be one living sacrifice while I am another. The word “therefore” in Romans 12:1 indicates that what the Apostle is about to command is based upon something that he has said before. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” The beauty of Christ is the beauty of love, not the beauty of looks. I close with two statements from the apostle Paul. The Realm is our church's online network. Paying attention to what the early church prayed for can help keep your prayer life from falling into a rut. If we are Christians, we come to this call again and again and again. . The body would give way, but … It won’t. Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice, Part 1. Paul elaborates on what it means for us to live a life … This is the great and first commandment. Lastly, our living holy sacrifice is to be ACCEPTABLE or pleasing to God. Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God…” to do such and such. Audio. We use this tool as our primary means of communication. . Assurance of Salvation. Because of Christ, those who believe in him are justified by faith, and reconciled to God, and have the hope of everlasting joy. Romans 12:1 NLT says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. (2Corinthians 5:17) From that moment on your spirit is alive and in perfect relationship with God. A Living Sacrifice 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 1 by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. We must learn to think God’s thoughts after him, and to see the world as he sees it. Actually, some English translations say, “reasonable” instead of “spiritual”. A merciful lifestyle depends on a worshipful lifestyle. How important it is to remember what we once were. Clip excerpted from John Piper's sermon, "Present Your Bodies As a Living Sacrifice to God." And Paul warns the Christian, do not conform to the way of this world. 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