Living Sacrifices: Embracing Transformation and Counter-Cultural Worship

 

Summary

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their reasonable act of worship. This call to sacrifice is not about making sacrifices but being a sacrifice, offering our entire selves to God. This involves a transformation that begins with the renewal of our minds, allowing us to discern God's will and live counter-culturally in a world that often opposes God's standards.

The ethical consequence of the gospel involves four key aspects: sacrifice, the entire person, worship, and counter-cultural living. Sacrifice is a rare concept in contemporary Christianity, yet it is central to following Christ. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, which means dying to our own ambitions and desires. This sacrifice is not just about actions but about offering our whole selves—our bodies, minds, and spirits—as instruments of righteousness.

Worship, in this context, is not limited to Sunday services but encompasses all of life. It is the logical response to the mercies of God, a total giving of ourselves back to Him. This act of worship is reasonable and expected for those who have experienced God's grace. It involves a transformation that is counter-cultural, resisting the pressure to conform to the world's standards and instead being transformed by the renewal of our minds.

Paul's message is particularly relevant in addressing contemporary issues such as sexual ethics. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul warns against lifestyles that are contrary to God's kingdom, including sexual immorality. This is not about occasional lapses but about unrepentant lifestyles that contradict the gospel. The call is to live as non-conformists, grounded in the truth of God's Word, and to resist the relativistic ethics of the world.

Ultimately, the gospel calls us to a life of transformation, where our bodies and minds are offered to God as acts of worship. This involves a daily commitment to live according to God's standards, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to resist the pressures of the world. It is a call to live out our faith authentically, with integrity, and in full surrender to Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Sacrifice as a Way of Life: The call to present our bodies as living sacrifices is a call to a lifestyle of self-denial and surrender to God. This involves dying to our own ambitions and desires, and living for Christ. It is not about making sacrifices but being a sacrifice, offering our whole selves to God. [08:37]

- The Whole Person in Worship: Worship is not limited to Sunday services but encompasses all of life. It involves offering our entire selves—body, mind, and spirit—as instruments of righteousness. This is the logical response to the mercies of God, a total giving of ourselves back to Him. [19:56]

- Counter-Cultural Living: The call to not be conformed to this world is a call to live counter-culturally, resisting the pressure to conform to the world's standards. This involves a transformation that begins with the renewal of our minds, allowing us to discern God's will and live according to His standards. [25:35]

- Addressing Contemporary Issues: Paul's message is particularly relevant in addressing contemporary issues such as sexual ethics. The call is to live as non-conformists, grounded in the truth of God's Word, and to resist the relativistic ethics of the world. This involves a commitment to live according to God's standards, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [35:01]

- Transformation Through the Gospel: The gospel calls us to a life of transformation, where our bodies and minds are offered to God as acts of worship. This involves a daily commitment to live out our faith authentically, with integrity, and in full surrender to Christ. It is a call to resist the pressures of the world and to live according to God's standards. [49:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:24] - Introduction and Prayer
- [02:13] - Romans 12:1-2 Reading
- [03:21] - The Call to Sacrifice
- [05:17] - Obligation Follows Grace
- [07:47] - Ethical Consequence: Sacrifice
- [10:46] - The Meaning of the Cross
- [12:20] - The Whole Person as a Sacrifice
- [15:54] - Helen Roseveare's Story
- [19:56] - Worship as a Logical Response
- [24:54] - Counter-Cultural Living
- [32:27] - Addressing Sexual Ethics
- [35:01] - Lifestyle and Kingdom of God
- [40:01] - Relativism and Ethics
- [49:12] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:1-2
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean by urging believers to present their bodies as a "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:1? How does this concept differ from making sacrifices? [08:37]

2. In Romans 12:2, Paul talks about being transformed by the renewal of the mind. What does this transformation entail, and how does it help believers discern God's will? [02:13]

3. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, what are some of the behaviors that Paul warns will prevent people from inheriting the kingdom of God? How does he describe the change that has occurred in the lives of believers? [33:02]

4. How does the sermon describe the concept of worship as a logical response to God's mercies? What does this imply about the nature of worship in a believer's life? [19:56]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the idea of being a "living sacrifice" challenge contemporary Christian practices and beliefs? What might this look like in a believer's daily life? [08:37]

2. In what ways does the renewal of the mind lead to counter-cultural living, as described in Romans 12:2? How can believers resist conforming to the world's standards? [25:35]

3. How does Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 address contemporary issues such as sexual ethics? What does it mean to live as non-conformists in this context? [35:01]

4. The sermon mentions that worship involves the entire person. How does this holistic approach to worship affect a believer's relationship with God and others? [12:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you struggle to present your body as a living sacrifice to God? What steps can you take to surrender these areas to Him? [08:37]

2. Consider the ways in which your mind is influenced by the world. What specific actions can you take to renew your mind and align it more closely with God's will? [25:35]

3. How do you respond to the call to live counter-culturally, especially in areas where societal norms conflict with biblical teachings? What support do you need from your community to live out this calling? [35:01]

4. Worship is described as a logical response to God's mercies. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? What practical changes can you make to ensure your whole life is an act of worship? [19:56]

5. Reflect on the ethical standards you hold. Are there areas where you have conformed to the world's standards rather than God's? How can you realign your ethics with biblical teachings? [40:01]

6. Identify a contemporary issue that challenges your faith. How can you approach this issue with a mindset that is grounded in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit? [35:01]

7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need transformation. What is one practical step you can take this week to invite God's transformative power into that area? [49:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Living as a Sacrifice
The call to present our bodies as living sacrifices is a profound invitation to a lifestyle of self-denial and surrender to God. This involves a daily commitment to die to our own ambitions and desires, choosing instead to live for Christ. It is not merely about making sacrifices but about being a sacrifice, offering our whole selves—body, mind, and spirit—to God. This act of surrender is a response to the mercies of God, recognizing that our lives are not our own but belong to Him. By embracing this call, we align ourselves with the example of Jesus, who denied Himself and took up His cross for the sake of others. [08:37]

Romans 6:13 (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."

Reflection: What is one ambition or desire you need to surrender to God today, and how can you practically offer it to Him as an act of worship?


Day 2: Worship Beyond Sunday
Worship is not confined to Sunday services but is a comprehensive way of life. It involves offering our entire selves—body, mind, and spirit—as instruments of righteousness. This is the logical response to the mercies of God, a total giving of ourselves back to Him. Worship in this sense is not just about singing songs or attending church but about living every moment in a way that honors God. It is about recognizing His presence in our daily activities and choosing to glorify Him in all that we do. This holistic approach to worship transforms our understanding of what it means to live a life pleasing to God. [19:56]

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: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond traditional church settings, and what specific actions can you take today to honor God in your everyday life?


Day 3: Embracing Counter-Cultural Transformation
The call to not be conformed to this world is a call to live counter-culturally, resisting the pressure to conform to the world's standards. This involves a transformation that begins with the renewal of our minds, allowing us to discern God's will and live according to His standards. In a world that often opposes God's ways, believers are called to stand firm in their faith and live as non-conformists. This means being intentional about what influences our thoughts and actions, choosing to align ourselves with God's truth rather than the shifting values of society. By renewing our minds, we can live out our faith authentically and courageously. [25:35]

1 Peter 1:14-15 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel pressured to conform to the world's standards, and how can you renew your mind to align with God's truth in that area?


Day 4: Addressing Contemporary Issues with Biblical Truth
Paul's message is particularly relevant in addressing contemporary issues such as sexual ethics. The call is to live as non-conformists, grounded in the truth of God's Word, and to resist the relativistic ethics of the world. This involves a commitment to live according to God's standards, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In a culture that often promotes a distorted view of sexuality, believers are called to uphold the biblical standard of purity and holiness. This requires discernment and courage to stand firm in the truth, even when it is unpopular or counter-cultural. By doing so, we bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [35:01]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."

Reflection: How can you actively resist the influence of relativistic ethics in your life, and what steps can you take to uphold biblical truth in your personal conduct and relationships?


Day 5: Transformation Through the Gospel
The gospel calls us to a life of transformation, where our bodies and minds are offered to God as acts of worship. This involves a daily commitment to live out our faith authentically, with integrity, and in full surrender to Christ. It is a call to resist the pressures of the world and to live according to God's standards. By embracing this transformative journey, we become more like Christ, reflecting His love and grace to those around us. This transformation is not achieved through our own efforts but is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who works in us to will and to act according to God's good purpose. [49:12]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts and actions today, and how can you intentionally reflect Christ's character in your interactions with others?

Quotes


"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 (or reasonable) 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." [00:02:25]

"Obligation follows grace. Paul isn't reverting to a kind of performance mentality that by doing, we earn our way into the kingdom of God, but as those who have experienced the mercies of God who have been brought out of darkness and into light, who have been justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ, alone by the grace of God alone, there is a therefore." [00:06:24]

"Every now and then, we are to examine ourselves, we are to look within, we are to test whether the fruits of the Spirit are being manifested in a way that corroborates the profession of faith that we make. But, for every look at yourself, take a hundred looks at the Lord Jesus." [00:07:34]

"Jesus says, 'No, I'm not telling you to put a piece of jewelry around your neck and make you feel all warm and cozy in the mornings like some kind of talisman that keeps you safe from the hurts and dangers and trials and difficulties out there like a Christian version of a rabbit's foot.' No, this is what Jesus is saying, 'When you come to me, I want you to come and die. Die to yourself, die to your ambitions, die to your dreams, die to your aspirations. Not my will, but yours be done.'" [00:10:08]

"He's not asking you to make sacrifices, He wants you to be a sacrifice. 'Alas, and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'tis all that I can do.' Here Lord, before the cross of Jesus Christ, I give myself away, 'tis all that I can do. Jesus wants you, not a part of you, but you." [00:11:48]

"Take my hands, take my feet, take my eyes, take my body, take me in all of its totality. He wants the entire person, He wants all of you. I want everything there is of you. I don't want just little bits of you, little compartments of you that you portion out and you say, 'Well, one for Jesus and one for me, and one for Jesus and one for me.' No, I want it all." [00:16:58]

"Ethical consequence involves worship, the worship of the whole man, the worship of mind and body and soul and affections and will, and everything that constitutes our renewed humanity in Christ is to be given over now as an act of worship. Yes, worship here in the broadest possible sense in all of life." [00:23:47]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, but by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Do not be conformed to this world and its worldviews." [00:25:12]

"One of the ways to ensure that you're not conformed to this world is to read good, solid literature. By the renewing of your mind. You know, when I first became a Christian in 1971, somebody put a little booklet into my hands. It was a—it was just a little booklet and it was called, 'Your Mind Matters.'" [00:28:47]

"Listen to Paul, your mind, your thinking, your worldview needs to be changed, and the way you—the way that gets changed is in the mind, it's by your thinking and reasoning. Now, if you read on in this passage, you will see that Paul has many things to say about how this renewal takes place, that it takes place in the life and context of the church." [00:31:19]

"Every time you are tempted to sin, you must ask the question, 'Can I bring Jesus into this?' Try it, I guarantee that what you are thinking is, 'I've left Jesus outside the door. When I close the door and I switch on my laptop, what I do in my own private time has got nothing to do with anyone else and it has nothing to do with Jesus. I pick Jesus up when I close the lid.'" [00:48:29]

"Grant us the grace of mortification, grant us grace to say 'no' to sin, and 'yes' to righteousness. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, today. Take my eyes, and take my hands, and take my feet, and take my sexuality, and take everything there is of me, every single thing there is of me, and make it Yours, wholly and absolutely, and without reserve." [00:51:54]

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Transcript
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