Living Sacrifices: Embracing Our Role in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Romans 12:1-8, exploring the profound implications of offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God. We began by acknowledging the overwhelming love and grace God has shown us, as outlined in the preceding chapters of Romans. This love demands a response from us, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and reverence. We discussed the importance of not conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is essential for discerning God's will and living a life that is pleasing to Him.
We also examined the necessity of humility and sober judgment in our self-assessment. Recognizing that all our abilities and gifts are from God helps us to function effectively as a unified body of Christ. Each member has a unique role, and the church operates best when everyone contributes their God-given gifts. We used the analogy of a relay race to illustrate the importance of teamwork and the dangers of trying to do everything ourselves. Just as a relay team is more effective when each runner plays their part, the church is more effective when each member uses their gifts for the common good.
Finally, we emphasized the urgency of accepting Christ and offering ourselves fully to Him. This is our "one job," and it is both a privilege and a responsibility. By doing so, we not only fulfill our purpose but also enable the church to function as God intended, bringing glory to His name.
### Key Takeaways
1. Offer Yourself as a Living Sacrifice: In view of God's immense mercy and grace, our reasonable response is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This act of worship is not just a one-time event but a daily commitment to live for Him. [55:42]
2. Transform, Don’t Conform: We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which involves a daily process of aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will. This transformation helps us to discern and approve what God's good, pleasing, and perfect will is for our lives. [56:02]
3. Humility and Sober Judgment: It's crucial to think of ourselves with sober judgment, recognizing that all our gifts and abilities come from God. This humility allows us to function effectively as part of the body of Christ, valuing each member's contribution. [56:18]
4. The Power of Teamwork: Just as a relay team is more effective when each runner plays their part, the church is more effective when each member uses their God-given gifts for the common good. Trying to do everything ourselves not only hinders our effectiveness but also discourages others from participating. [01:24:51]
5. Accept and Offer: Our primary job is to accept Christ and offer ourselves fully to Him. This involves using our unique gifts and abilities for His glory and the edification of the church. When we fail to do this, we not only miss out on our purpose but also hinder the church's mission. [01:38:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[52:30] - Opening Prayer
[53:43] - Feeling Stuck
[54:34] - Introduction to Romans 12:1-8
[55:42] - Living Sacrifice
[56:02] - Transformation and Renewal
[56:18] - Humility and Sober Judgment
[57:31] - One Job: Accept and Offer
[58:49] - Context of Romans 12
[01:00:25] - Peace with God
[01:01:47] - No Condemnation
[01:03:21] - True and Proper Worship
[01:06:50] - Come On Man: You Had One Job
[01:08:24] - Maintaining Commitment
[01:12:20] - Sober Judgment and Humility
[01:18:07] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[01:24:51] - The Power of Teamwork
[01:32:17] - The Tragedy of Not Passing the Baton
[01:38:18] - Accept and Offer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Romans 12:1-8
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul urge believers to do in Romans 12:1, and why is this significant? ([55:42])
2. According to Romans 12:2, what are believers instructed not to do, and what should they do instead? ([56:02])
3. How does Paul describe the way believers should think of themselves in Romans 12:3? ([56:18])
4. What analogy does Paul use in Romans 12:4-5 to describe the church, and what does this imply about the roles of individual members? ([56:39])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices? How does this relate to the concept of true and proper worship? ([55:42])
2. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and how can this transformation help believers discern God's will? ([56:02])
3. How does humility and sober judgment contribute to the effective functioning of the body of Christ? ([56:18])
4. In what ways does the analogy of a relay race help us understand the importance of teamwork within the church? ([01:24:51])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God in practical ways? ([55:42])
2. Identify one area in your life where you are conforming to the patterns of this world. What steps can you take to renew your mind in this area? ([56:02])
3. Think about your gifts and abilities. How can you use them to serve the church and contribute to its mission? ([56:39])
4. Have you ever struggled with thinking too highly of yourself or undervaluing others' contributions? How can you practice humility and sober judgment in your interactions with others? ([56:18])
5. Consider a time when you tried to do everything yourself instead of relying on others. How did this affect you and those around you? What can you do differently in the future to foster teamwork? ([01:24:51])
6. What is one specific way you can accept Christ more fully and offer yourself to Him this week? ([01:38:18])
7. How can you encourage and support others in your small group to use their gifts for the common good of the church? ([01:24:51])
Devotional
### Day 1: Living Sacrifice: A Daily Commitment
Description: Offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God is a profound act of worship that goes beyond a one-time event. It is a daily commitment to live in a way that is holy and pleasing to God, motivated by His immense mercy and grace. This act of worship is not driven by obligation but by gratitude and reverence for the love God has shown us. By offering our bodies as living sacrifices, we acknowledge that our lives are not our own and that we are called to live for God's glory in every aspect of our lives. This daily surrender is a tangible expression of our faith and devotion to God. [55:42]
Bible Passage: "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." (Romans 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God? How can you make this a daily practice in your life?
### Day 2: Renewing Your Mind for Transformation
Description: Transformation in the Christian life begins with the renewing of our minds. This involves a daily process of aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will, rather than conforming to the patterns of this world. By renewing our minds, we are able to discern and approve what God's good, pleasing, and perfect will is for our lives. This transformation is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and fulfilling our purpose as His followers. It requires intentional effort and a commitment to immerse ourselves in God's Word and prayer, allowing His truth to shape our thinking and behavior. [56:02]
Bible Passage: "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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can renew your mind today? How can you ensure that your thoughts and actions are aligned with God's will?
### Day 3: Embracing Humility and Sober Judgment
Description: Humility and sober judgment are crucial for effective self-assessment and functioning within the body of Christ. Recognizing that all our gifts and abilities come from God helps us to maintain a humble attitude and value each member's contribution. This humility allows us to function effectively as part of the body of Christ, appreciating the unique roles and gifts of others. It prevents us from thinking too highly of ourselves and encourages us to serve with a spirit of gratitude and reverence. By embracing humility and sober judgment, we can work together harmoniously and fulfill our collective mission as the church. [56:18]
Bible Passage: "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to practice more humility and sober judgment? How can you better appreciate and value the contributions of others in your community?
### Day 4: The Power of Teamwork in the Body of Christ
Description: The church operates best when each member uses their God-given gifts for the common good, much like a relay team where each runner plays their part. Trying to do everything ourselves not only hinders our effectiveness but also discourages others from participating. By recognizing and valuing the unique gifts of each member, we can work together more effectively and fulfill our collective mission as the body of Christ. Teamwork in the church is essential for achieving our goals and bringing glory to God's name. It requires a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and a willingness to support and encourage one another. [01:24:51]
Bible Passage: "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." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to contribute to the common good of your church community? What steps can you take to encourage and support others in using their gifts?
### Day 5: Accepting Christ and Offering Yourself Fully
Description: Our primary job as Christians is to accept Christ and offer ourselves fully to Him. This involves using our unique gifts and abilities for His glory and the edification of the church. When we fail to do this, we not only miss out on our purpose but also hinder the church's mission. Accepting Christ and offering ourselves fully to Him is both a privilege and a responsibility. It requires a wholehearted commitment to live for Him and to use our talents and resources to further His kingdom. By doing so, we fulfill our purpose and enable the church to function as God intended. [01:38:18]
Bible Passage: "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." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts and abilities has God given you? How can you use them today to glorify God and edify the church?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Some of you in here today feel stuck. Some of you feel out of place here at church, in life, in relationships, at your job. I don't know who it is, but some of you are lost right now and you just feel worn out, beat down, and unenergized. God has a word for you today in a way that you least expect it, in a text that you least expect it. So whoever you are who can resonate, open your hearts right now because your change is coming and is here today." [54:10] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Does anybody in the room feel like God has ever done something amazing for you? Say amen. Raise your hand. That's right. Amen. Amen. And so I'm going to go back because this is powerful. This was powerful to me when I was studying it. Because I did the same thing. I said therefore, what is the Lord talking about through Paul right here? And man, it was good." [59:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is saying that he'll take the blame for everything we've done and he'll give us credit for everything that he did. That's not just good news, that's the best news. It costs us nothing but demands everything. I didn't expect too many amens on that. I got more than what I expected because that's strong. That's powerful." [01:03:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many people can praise the Lord for peace that passes all understanding when it does not make sense? That's chapter 5. And then chapter 6 talks about the wages of sin is death. So even though we get a chance to experience peace, even though we get a chance to experience blessing, make no mistake about it, our sinful, stubborn, heartbroken, hard-headed, raggedy selves warrants a punishment of death. But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." [01:00:25] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's love for us is unconditional. And we didn't do anything to earn this freedom or this salvation that we have. And we couldn't do anything to take it away. We shouldn't serve or offer because we have to. We should serve or offer our lives because we want to. Man, so reasonable. Another version says it's our reasonable service. Anybody heard that version? Reasonable. I looked up reasonable. It means having sound judgment, fair, sensible. It means it's the least that we could do and that it only makes sense." [01:05:47] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Therefore, because of all of that, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of all of that, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. We didn't get too many amens on that part. We had lots of amens on the therefore part, verse 1 through 11. Amen. But this is when it kicks in. This is when the rubber meets the road." [01:03:21] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. So I thought about this story, and I promise you I was not going to share it at all, but I'm going to share it. And I hate that I'm going to share it. It's somewhat embarrassing." [01:12:20] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "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." [57:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So verse 1, that we just read, was about really making the commitment. Come on man, you had one job. You accept him, accept him and offer you. That's it. One job. Verse 2, however, talks about some things that we have to do to maintain that commitment. How many people have made that commitment before saying amen? And how many transparently aren't actually walking in that commitment every single day? Four or five honest people in the room. Amen. Amen. I'm raising my hand." [01:08:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So understand family, you may be able to relate to this, you may not. I am so grateful and so thankful and just in awesome awe and wonder what the Lord is doing around me in spite of me. Has anybody been blessed way beyond what you deserve today? And over time? And I'm humbled that God loves me, that he thinks about me, that he's preordained this exact moment for each and every one of our good. And I get so overwhelmed. I was crying like a two-year-old baby up front when we were going through praise and worship because I'm so thankful." [01:04:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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