Embracing Mercy: The Call to Living Sacrifice

 

Summary

This morning, the Holy Spirit’s leading was evident from the smallest details—like buttoning a shirt—to the deepest truths of our faith. God’s mercy is the foundation of everything we are called to do. Before we can talk about sacrifice, we must pause and truly consider the mercy God has shown us: not giving us what we deserve, but instead offering forgiveness and compassion. This mercy is not just a theological concept; it’s the very reason we are able to offer ourselves as living sacrifices.

Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is not about dead rituals or empty gestures, but about a life surrendered and transformed. The Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to Jesus, the true and living sacrifice, whose obedience and resurrection opened the way for us to become living sacrifices ourselves. Unlike dead sacrifices, we have the capacity to obey, to worship, and to bring pleasure to God—not just for His sake, but for our own fulfillment and transformation.

Transformation comes not by conforming to the world, but by the renewing of our minds through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is our guide, comforter, and teacher, leading us into all truth. Like Elijah, we must learn to recognize God’s voice—not always in the dramatic, but often in the still, small whisper. This requires time, relationship, and intentional listening.

As living sacrifices, we are called to discover and use the gifts God has given us, not for our own glory, but for the building up of the body of Christ. Each of us belongs to one another, and our gifts are meant to serve and strengthen the whole. But gifts alone are not enough; the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—must grow in us, shaping us into people who can truly bring hope to a hurting world.

Ultimately, our calling is to be ambassadors of hope, ministers of reconciliation, and bearers of Christ’s presence. This life of sacrifice is not one of endless suffering, but of awe, adventure, and deep purpose—even in the midst of trials. The invitation is open: to rededicate ourselves, to return to our first love, and to let the Holy Spirit make these truths alive in us.

Key Takeaways

- Mercy Before Sacrifice: True sacrifice begins with a deep awareness of God’s mercy. Before we can offer ourselves, we must pause and meditate on the compassion and forgiveness God has shown us, realizing that our ability to sacrifice flows from His lovingkindness, not our own strength or worthiness. [09:05]

- Living, Not Dead, Sacrifices: The call is not to repeat empty rituals, but to become living sacrifices—people who, like Jesus, offer obedience and relationship rather than mere outward acts. A living sacrifice has the potential to obey, to worship, and to bring pleasure to God, which dead sacrifices could never accomplish. [17:04]

- Transformation by the Spirit: We are not left to figure out this life of sacrifice on our own. The Holy Spirit is our guide, speaking often in a still, small voice. As we cultivate relationship with Him, our minds are renewed, and we gain discernment to know and do God’s will, even when it means discomfort or sacrifice. [23:07]

- Gifts and Fruit for the Body: Each believer is uniquely gifted by God, and these gifts are meant to be discovered and used for the benefit of the whole church. But gifts must be accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit, which shapes our character and enables us to serve with love, patience, and authenticity, making us effective ambassadors of Christ. [34:50]

- Hope for the World: Our calling as living sacrifices is not just personal; it is missional. Christ in us is the hope of glory for a world in desperate need. As we live out sincere love, unity, and generosity, we become agents of hope, reconciliation, and transformation, empowered by the surging energy of the Holy Spirit within us. [38:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - The Button and the Holy Spirit’s Leading
[02:11] - The Call to Sacrifice
[04:54] - Romans 12:1-2 and The Voice Translation
[06:52] - Exegeting “Living Sacrifice”
[09:05] - Understanding God’s Mercy
[10:51] - Mercy Over Sacrifice: Jesus’ Teaching
[13:40] - Jesus, the True Living Sacrifice
[16:13] - Obedience, Mercy, and Living Sacrifice
[18:16] - The Power of Resurrection and New Life
[19:37] - Transformation and Renewing the Mind
[21:12] - Hearing the Holy Spirit: Elijah’s Example
[25:07] - Discomfort, Sacrifice, and the Comforter
[28:50] - Letting Go of the Old Self
[30:09] - One Body, Many Gifts
[34:50] - The Fruit of the Spirit and Authentic Living
[37:04] - Hope for the World: Christ in You
[40:06] - Sincere Love and Authentic Community
[42:14] - Rejoicing, Generosity, and Endurance
[45:52] - Overcoming Evil with Good
[47:06] - The Invitation to Rededication and Prayer
[50:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Sacrifices – Romans 12

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### Bible Reading

- Romans 12:1-8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:1, what is the motivation Paul gives for offering ourselves as living sacrifices?
2. What is the difference between a “living sacrifice” and the Old Testament sacrifices, as explained in the sermon? [[14:18]]
3. In Romans 12:2, what does Paul say is necessary for transformation, and what is the result of that transformation?
4. What are some of the gifts Paul lists in Romans 12:6-8, and what is their purpose within the body of Christ? [[32:30]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “True sacrifice begins with a deep awareness of God’s mercy.” Why is it important to pause and reflect on God’s mercy before we talk about sacrifice? [[09:05]]
2. The pastor described Jesus as the “first living sacrifice.” How does Jesus’ sacrifice change the way we understand our own call to be living sacrifices? [[15:29]]
3. The sermon talks about the Holy Spirit guiding us, often in a “still, small voice.” What does it look like to intentionally listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in everyday life? [[23:07]]
4. Why is it not enough to simply use our gifts for God? Why must the fruit of the Spirit also be growing in us? [[34:50]]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor shared a story about needing God’s help with something as small as buttoning a shirt. What is one “small” area of your life where you could invite the Holy Spirit’s help this week? [[00:30]]
2. Take a moment to “selah”—pause and consider God’s mercy in your life. What is one specific way God has shown you mercy that you haven’t thanked Him for recently? [[09:05]]
3. The sermon challenges us to be “living sacrifices,” not just people who go through religious motions. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been offering God “dead” rituals instead of real obedience or relationship? What would it look like to surrender that area? [[17:04]]
4. The pastor said, “Transformation comes not by conforming to the world, but by the renewing of our minds.” What is one way you feel pressure to conform to the world, and how could you renew your mind in that area this week? [[19:37]]
5. The sermon emphasized discovering and using your spiritual gifts for the benefit of the church. Do you know what your gifts are? If not, what is one step you could take to discover them? If you do, how are you using them to serve others? [[33:17]]
6. The fruit of the Spirit is described as one fruit with many aspects. Which aspect (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) do you sense God wants to grow in you right now? What is a specific situation where you could practice it this week? [[34:50]]
7. The pastor said, “Our calling as living sacrifices is not just personal; it is missional.” Who in your life needs hope right now, and what is one practical way you can be an agent of hope or reconciliation to them this week? [[38:05]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to make these truths alive in you, to renew your mind, and to help you offer yourself as a living sacrifice this week.

Devotional

Day 1: Living Sacrifice—Our Reasonable Worship
To be a living sacrifice is to offer every part of ourselves—our bodies, minds, and daily actions—to God as an act of worship. This is not a one-time event but a continual surrender, rooted in gratitude for God’s mercy and love. True sacrifice is not about dead rituals or empty gestures, but about living in a way that brings pleasure to God, aligning our lives with His will. When we choose to live sacrificially, we step into the essential relationship of worship, discovering that this offering is not just for God’s sake, but for our own transformation and fulfillment as well. [05:58]

Romans 12:1-2 (The Voice)
"Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. Do not allow this world to mold you into its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."

Reflection: What is one area of your daily routine you can intentionally offer to God today as an act of worship, trusting Him to use it for His pleasure and your transformation?


Day 2: God Desires Mercy Over Ritual
God’s heart is for mercy, not just outward acts of sacrifice. He calls us to show compassion and forgiveness, recognizing our own need for mercy and extending it to others. True sacrifice is not about religious performance, but about a heart that reflects God’s loving kindness. When we meditate on God’s mercy, we are moved to treat others with the same grace we have received, breaking down barriers and bringing hope to those who feel unworthy or overlooked. [11:35]

Matthew 9:11-13 (The Voice)
"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked Jesus’ disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus, overhearing this, said, 'Look, who needs a doctor: healthy people or sick people? I’m not here to attend to people who are already right with God; I’m here to attend to sinners. In the book of the prophet Hosea, we read, “It is not sacrifice I want, but mercy.” Now, go and meditate on that for a while. Maybe you’ll come to understand it.'"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God’s mercy through you today, and how can you practically extend compassion or forgiveness to them?


Day 3: The Power and Guidance of the Holy Spirit
We are not left alone to figure out how to live as living sacrifices; the Holy Spirit is our guide, comforter, and teacher. God’s Spirit speaks to us, sometimes as a gentle whisper, leading us into truth and empowering us to discern God’s will. As we draw near to God and listen for His voice, the Spirit’s guidance becomes clearer, enabling us to live out our calling with confidence and strength, even when sacrifice feels uncomfortable or costly. [23:07]

John 16:12-13 (ESV)
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: When was the last time you paused to listen for the Holy Spirit’s gentle whisper? Set aside a few quiet moments today to ask God to speak and guide you.


Day 4: Embracing Your New Identity and Gifts in Christ
As living sacrifices, we are called to let go of our old identities and embrace who we are in Christ. God has given each of us unique gifts and a measure of faith to serve the body of Christ and the world. Discovering and using these gifts is not just a personal journey, but a responsibility to the community—when we withhold our gifts, the whole body is affected. Allowing the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us makes us effective ambassadors of hope, reconciliation, and love. [34:50]

Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

Reflection: What is one spiritual gift or talent God has given you that you have not fully used for the benefit of others? How can you take a step to use it today?


Day 5: Hope, Love, and Overcoming Evil with Good
Living as a sacrifice means loving sincerely, clinging to what is good, and bringing hope to a world in need. We are called to authentic love, unity, and generosity, even when it is difficult or when others mistreat us. By choosing to bless instead of curse, to rejoice in hope, and to overcome evil with good, we reflect Christ’s love and become beacons of hope for those around us. Our lives, empowered by the Spirit, surge with God’s energy and purpose, making us agents of transformation in our families, communities, and beyond. [46:36]

Romans 12:9-21 (ESV)
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Who is one person or situation where you are tempted to respond with negativity or withdrawal? How can you choose to overcome evil with good and bring hope or blessing instead?

Quotes

His resurrection steals life from death and makes it possible for those who trust in him to become a sacrifice and yet live. Hallelujah! But how do we live? We do not live as before, not like we were before we came to know him. That's not the way we want to live, wrapping ourselves in the world and its bankrupt values. We live in constant renewal and transformation of our minds with and by the Holy Spirit. Can I get an amen? Now that leads us into verse 2. How do we flesh out or live out this calling to be a sacred offering that brings him pleasure? What is the calling on our life to present a reasonable essential worship? What is this spiritual act of worship? And verse 2 holds the key. [00:18:43] (65 seconds)


See, sometimes, listen to me for a minute, and I'm not discrediting anything. Sometimes we call and give us the power of God. God, we want the fire. We want the earthquake. We want the wind. Problem is, God wasn't in the wind. He wasn't in the earthquake or the fire. But what was he in? And then there was a still, small voice. A quiet whisper. Ready? As living sacrifices, we enter into a relationship with the Holy Spirit where God promises that he will guide us into all truth. truth, comfort us, and guide us. As we draw near to God and He draws near to us, His voice becomes much more clear. In the beginning, it's a gentle whisper that we have to really listen to hear. But as we test and approve God's will, as we worship and praise Him with our whole life, as we get to know Him better, the whisper becomes a clear, recognizable voice. [00:22:47] (73 seconds)


That's our calling, to bring hope to the world, to the downcast, to say, man, there's hope, buddy. Things are going to get better. Jesus is coming. The kingdom is going to come. His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This won't last forever. Because listen to what Paul said to the Colossians, 127. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery. Say mystery. What's the mystery? Christ in you, the hope of glory. You thought you weren't the hope of the world? Well, you are. It says right there, it's Christ in you, the hope of glory. Our hope of glory is hope of glory for the whole world. That's why we're ambassadors. That's why we're reconcilers. We're ministers. [00:37:17] (65 seconds)


See, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self -control create a pretty awesome individual, wouldn't you say? And notice that the Bible never calls it the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It says the fruit, singular. It's all one. When you got the Holy Ghost, you get all nine fruits. They start growing in you. And when they grow in you, it enables you to be more of a living sacrifice because then you can enter into the ministry of reconciliation. You can be an ambassador for the kingdom of God. You can be part of the church of the firstborn, the body of Christ. But without the fruit, you might go, I think about times when I've lost my temper. Have you ever lost your temper? And then you did not act merciful, but you gave them just what they deserved. [00:34:58] (63 seconds)


Do not allow this world to mold you into its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. And as a result, you will be able to discern what God's will, what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing and complete. That's pretty awesome. Don't you want to do that? But is it easy? So how do we get it done? You say, pastor, well, how do we do it? Well, God doesn't leave us alone in the wilderness. He tells us how. He does many, many times. Can any of you take a guess on what, how we do it? Well, let me give you John 16, verses 12 and 13. I have much more to say to you, this is Jesus, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [00:19:55] (77 seconds)


What is he saying? He's telling us that he told these disciples on the road to Emmaus that the grain offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering were just dead and inefficient. In the Old Testament, the sacrifice was something that was alive and then killed and offered up to God and many times burnt. And then it had to be done again and again. But he was saying that was never my intention. That was never my father's intention. My father's intention that I would come and these offerings all point to me, to Calvary, to my sacrifice on the cross. My living sacrifice. He's the actual sacrifice for our sins. He's the first living sacrifice. He explains from Moses and the prophets to him walking on that road to Emmaus what God means when he says sacrifice. The whole meaning. The Old Testament sacrifice system, the temple sacrifice system, all pointed to Jesus, our living sacrifice. [00:14:18] (71 seconds)


See, because the Holy Spirit teaches us. He guides us. He empowers us. He revives us. He strengthens us. He intercedes for us. He reveals things to us. He unites us to one another. And He comforts us. The Bible says He's the comforter. You can't have comfort. You can't have a comforter unless you're discomforted. So you've got to be in discomfort before the comforter can come. Now, how about discomfort, sacrifice? Is it comfortable to sacrifice? It's not comfortable most of the time. And God said, you sleep, you just love to sleep till 10 o 'clock. And you just can't wait to get that last four hours. And God said, Ron, I want you to get up at 6 o 'clock. Oh, man, that's going to hurt, Jack. I don't get up till 10 o 'clock. I mean, that's just a little thing. But you see what I'm saying? You, you know, you can be suffering a little bit. Sacrifice is uncomfortable. [00:24:39] (79 seconds)


The voice says, love others well and don't hide behind a mask. Love authentically. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 1 .22 when he says, now that you've been purified by obeying the truth, remember the Holy Spirit's the truth giver, so that you have sincere love for your brothers. And I used to always do this when I was younger. We used to always greet one another and you'd hit your chest. It was sub, bro. So when I sang this, I thought about this. It says, love one another deeply from the heart. Listen to these words. Listen to these words. These words have volume. They have height, width, and depth that's beyond anything our minds can even comprehend. He says, love others well. Don't hide behind a mask. Love authentically. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. Men don't hide. Don't apologize for loving. [00:40:06] (60 seconds)


You see, it's not just essential for God. That's sometimes we think God wants our worship. But giving him the worship is just as essential for us. It's built into us. We have a desire to find God. It's put in us. Who's our creator? And to honor him, to worship him. So worship isn't just for God. It's for us. It's reasonable. And it's essential. Now listen to what the voice says. I have a note called C20. I think it does a great job of summing up what I just said. It said, Paul urges those who... read and hear his letter to respond to the good news of offering their bodies, their eyes, their ears, their mouths, their hands, their feet to God as a living sacrifice. Paul knows well enough that sacrifices end in death, not life. But the sacrifice of Jesus changes everything. [00:17:39] (63 seconds)


Hope is just around the corner. Every time I've never been disappointed, the most deepest place I've ever been in. Suddenly, in a moment, hope appears. My heart rejoices. And I'm full. Over and over again, 50, 50, let me see, 73, 52 years. And I have not been disappointed. And I have not been disappointed. See, they think old folks ain't got nothing to say. Boy, I've got 52 years of stuff to tell you if you've got a minute. Ain't that right, Jesse? Ain't that right, Jesse? Ain't that right, Jesse? And devote yourselves to prayer. Share what you have with the saints so they lack nothing. Take everything, every opportunity to open your life and your home to others. [00:42:48] (71 seconds)


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Transcript
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