Living Sacrifices: A Life of Gratitude and Worship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Romans 12:1-2, focusing on the concept of living sacrifices and what it means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. This passage calls us to present ourselves wholly to God, not just in spirit but in body and action. The term "living sacrifice" signifies a continuous, active offering of ourselves, unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament. This involves a transformation that begins with the renewal of our minds, enabling us to discern and live out God's will.
We explored the broader context of Romans, noting how Paul transitions from discussing humanity's need for salvation to the practical application of living a sanctified life. The first 11 chapters of Romans lay the groundwork by explaining the universal need for redemption and God's provision through Jesus Christ. From chapter 12 onwards, Paul shifts to how we should respond to this grace—by living lives that are holy and pleasing to God.
Sacrifice is central to worship, and true worship involves more than just attending church or singing hymns. It requires a lifestyle of service and sacrifice, reflecting our gratitude for God's mercies. We discussed the different types of sacrifices in the Old Testament—those for reconciliation and those for celebration—and how Jesus' ultimate sacrifice has fulfilled the need for blood offerings. Now, our response should be one of complete consecration and intimate communion with God.
Gratitude is a key theme; it should be the driving force behind all our actions. Sin, in this context, is seen as an act of ingratitude. Therefore, living a holy life is not just about avoiding sin but actively doing good works that reflect our love and gratitude towards God. This involves a full, unconditional surrender to God, trusting in His power to sustain us through temptations and trials.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Sacrifice: Offering our bodies as living sacrifices means a continuous, active commitment to God. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, a living sacrifice involves daily actions and decisions that reflect our devotion to God. This requires a transformation of our minds to discern and live out God's will. [03:39]
2. Gratitude as Motivation: Gratitude should be the primary motivation for all our actions towards God. Sin is an act of ingratitude, and living a holy life involves expressing our gratitude through service and good works. This gratitude is not just shown in church attendance but in every aspect of our lives. [14:07]
3. Complete Consecration: True worship involves complete consecration to God. This means offering every part of ourselves—our bodies, minds, and actions—to God. It is a full, unconditional surrender, trusting that God will never abuse our offering but will use it for His glory. [33:38]
4. Transformation and Renewal: The transformation that Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2 involves the renewal of our minds. This renewal enables us to discern God's will and live lives that are holy and pleasing to Him. It is a continuous process that requires daily commitment and reliance on God's power. [43:49]
5. Service as Worship: Historically, worship was defined by service and sacrifice. True worship involves more than just singing or attending church; it is about serving God and others. This service is a reflection of our gratitude and a demonstration of God's worth in our lives. [10:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:39] - Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:1-2
[05:41] - Flyby of the Book of Romans
[09:14] - Sacrifice and Worship
[11:02] - Old Testament Sacrifices
[13:26] - Response to God's Sacrifice
[14:07] - Gratitude as Motivation
[16:02] - Living, Holy, and Pleasing Sacrifices
[19:21] - Offering to God
[22:20] - Body as Temple
[24:54] - Yielding to God
[26:36] - Christian as Priest
[27:13] - Mercies of God
[29:06] - Freedom from Sin
[30:31] - Sharing the Good News
[32:03] - Love as Motivation
[33:38] - Complete Consecration
[35:09] - Good Works and Sacrifice
[37:09] - Offering Everything to God
[40:16] - Continuous Sacrifice
[43:49] - Relying on God's Power
[45:51] - Trusting God in Temptation
[46:33] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "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. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:1? How is this different from the sacrifices in the Old Testament? [03:39]
2. According to Romans 12:2, what is the result of being transformed by the renewal of your mind? [03:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between gratitude and sin? [14:07]
4. What are the two types of sacrifices mentioned in the Old Testament, and how do they relate to our lives today? [11:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a "living sacrifice" challenge our daily actions and decisions? What does it mean to offer every part of ourselves to God? [03:39]
2. In what ways can gratitude serve as a motivation for living a holy life? How does this perspective change our view of sin? [14:07]
3. What does complete consecration to God look like in practical terms? How can we ensure that our worship is "holy and acceptable" to God? [33:38]
4. How does the renewal of our minds help us to discern God's will? What are some practical steps we can take to renew our minds daily? [43:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. What specific actions can you take to present your body as a living sacrifice to God? [03:39]
2. Think of a recent situation where you acted out of ingratitude. How could you have responded differently to show gratitude towards God? [14:07]
3. What areas of your life have you not fully consecrated to God? What steps can you take this week to offer these areas to Him? [33:38]
4. Identify one way you can renew your mind daily. Is it through prayer, reading Scripture, or another practice? How will you implement this in your routine? [43:49]
5. How can you incorporate acts of service into your worship? Think of one specific way you can serve others this week as an act of worship to God. [10:29]
6. Consider a temptation or trial you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's power to sustain you through it? What practical steps will you take to trust in His strength? [43:49]
7. Reflect on your motivations for attending church and participating in worship. How can you shift your focus to ensure that your actions are driven by gratitude and a desire to honor God? [14:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Continuous Commitment to God
Living as a "living sacrifice" means a continuous, active commitment to God. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, a living sacrifice involves daily actions and decisions that reflect our devotion to God. This requires a transformation of our minds to discern and live out God's will. The idea of a living sacrifice is not a one-time event but a daily, ongoing process. It calls for a lifestyle that consistently seeks to honor God in every aspect, from our thoughts to our actions. This transformation begins with the renewal of our minds, enabling us to understand and follow God's will more clearly. [03:39]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can start making daily decisions that reflect your commitment to God? How can you begin this transformation today?
Day 2: Gratitude as the Driving Force
Gratitude should be the primary motivation for all our actions towards God. Sin is an act of ingratitude, and living a holy life involves expressing our gratitude through service and good works. This gratitude is not just shown in church attendance but in every aspect of our lives. When we understand the depth of God's mercies, our natural response should be one of profound gratitude, which then fuels our desire to live in a way that pleases Him. This gratitude should permeate every action, thought, and decision, reflecting our acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy. [14:07]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Think of a recent blessing or act of mercy from God in your life. How can you express your gratitude for this blessing in a tangible way today?
Day 3: Complete Consecration to God
True worship involves complete consecration to God. This means offering every part of ourselves—our bodies, minds, and actions—to God. It is a full, unconditional surrender, trusting that God will never abuse our offering but will use it for His glory. Complete consecration is about giving God control over every aspect of our lives, trusting Him fully, and believing that He will use our lives for His divine purposes. This act of surrender is not just about giving up control but about actively participating in God's plan for our lives. [33:38]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Transformation and Renewal
The transformation that Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2 involves the renewal of our minds. This renewal enables us to discern God's will and live lives that are holy and pleasing to Him. It is a continuous process that requires daily commitment and reliance on God's power. This transformation is not just about changing our behavior but about a deep, internal change that affects our thoughts, attitudes, and perspectives. By renewing our minds, we align ourselves more closely with God's will, allowing His Spirit to guide us in all aspects of our lives. [43:49]
Ephesians 4:23-24 (ESV): "And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to renew your mind daily? How can you incorporate these steps into your routine to ensure continuous transformation?
Day 5: Service as True Worship
Historically, worship was defined by service and sacrifice. True worship involves more than just singing or attending church; it is about serving God and others. This service is a reflection of our gratitude and a demonstration of God's worth in our lives. Worship is not confined to a specific time or place but is a lifestyle of service and sacrifice. By serving others, we are serving God and demonstrating His love and grace to the world. This kind of worship is a powerful testimony of our faith and commitment to God. [10:29]
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV): "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Reflection: Identify one person or group in your community who could benefit from your service. How can you serve them this week as an act of worship to God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe that worship and celebration of Jesus Christ is the most important thing on the planet. And we're glad that you're doing it with us. Amen. Hallelujah." [00:10] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Gratitude requires expression. If there's an attitude that I have the hardest time with in people. It is ingratitude. When somebody just has expectations. And you can never meet them. And they're never grateful. They're never grateful for anything. To me one of the most precious of attitudes is gratitude. And one of the worst is ingratitude. But be grateful. And every believer ought to be grateful." [13:26] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Christianity is the only religion that's built on love. And uses love as the motivator to obedience. It's the only motivator. God doesn't say you're going to hell if you don't go to church. He doesn't say you're going to hell if you don't help build a kingdom. He doesn't say you're going to hell if you don't tell people about Jesus. He doesn't say you're going to go to hell if you don't read his word or pray. He doesn't say that. It's not in there." [32:03] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. If he's redeemed you, say so. Oh you know. He didn't say anything about theology. He didn't say anything about Greek or Hebrew. He didn't say anything about being able to teach a class. What did God do for you? Let the Holy Spirit work on you. It's amazing. What God can use." [30:31] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Trust God. He'll get you through even the worst of temptations, the worst. And for every temptation you resist, you'll get stronger. You will. You'll get stronger. For every one you fail, you'll get weaker. It's the same principle in all things. It's just true." [46:33] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God. You have to do that by application. You don't just do that in your head. You do that by application. You have to do something. What is good and acceptable? Acceptable and perfect." [03:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The key point of this whole passage of Romans is that sacrifice is always an integral part of worship. There is no worship without sacrifice. David would not accept the threshing floor of Onan. Hopefully you've read the scripture. He said... The man wanted to give it to him. He said, no, I've got to pay for it. I will not offer something to God that didn't cost me something. And that's the whole point here." [09:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Christian is a pleased priest who lays his own body on the altar. I read it differently. Christian is a priest who lays his own body on the altar. Man. I love that. That's a great statement in my mind. The motive for this offering is the mercies of God. Therefore I appeal to you by the mercies of God. Paul said in Romans 12.1 as we read. Appeal to you by the mercies of God. That it's your reasonable service. It's your logical service of worship." [26:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Yielding our bodies to the servants of sin is what gives power to the kingdom of darkness. What if everybody did the will of God? How much power would demons have? How much would the kingdom of darkness even be able to affect the earth? It is. It is our bodies that make the difference. The transition. There are people that teach that you can sin in your body that it won't affect your spirit. That's not what the scripture has to say." [24:54] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Offer your body deliberately. And I don't know that a lot of people have done that. Just literally got before God as Christians. Not to get saved. I'm not talking about getting saved at all. I'm talking about being saved. To go to God at a point in time and deliberately say to God, You own everything I own. Including my body. You own my mind. And you know what? He will never abuse that. He will never abuse that." [38:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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