November 6, 2005
"Loving God—Loving People 1 "
What Makes God Smile?—Part 6
Romans 12
Relationships the Key to Service
Relationship #1—God and Me.
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Romans 3:20, 23
Therefore , since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
—Romans 5:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
—Romans 8:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
—Romans 12:1
Dedication to God involves three steps:
A. You give your body.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
—Romans 12:1
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
—1 Corinthians 6:19-20
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
—Romans 6:11
B. You give your mind.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
—Romans 12:2a
Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
—Ephesians 4:17-18 (NLT)
Conform: "To be shaped by"
Transform: "To become completely different"
C. You give your will.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2b
Note: To have a right relationship with God, we must start the day by yielding to Him our bodies, minds, and wills.
Relationship #2—You and Me.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
—Ephesians 4:15-16
The essentials for service:
Essential #1—Honest evaluation.
As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.
—Romans 12:3 (NLT)
Essential #2—Faithful cooperation
We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability...serve them well...do a good job...share it generously...take the responsibility seriously...do it gladly
—Romans 12:4-8 (NLT)
Essential #3—Loving participation
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
—Romans 12:9-12
Application
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
—2 Peter 1:5-7
Lifework
A humble attitude and a willingness to share are the marks of a Christian whose service makes a difference in the church and in the world.
What Makes God Smile?—Week 6
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- What is your favorite Fall activity? What is your favorite Fall food?
- How did you handle peer pressure when you were younger? What types of peer pressure do you feel today?
Digging Deeper: Romans 12
- What is it that pleases God in verse one? What does verse one teach you about worship? (Look at Romans 6:13 and 8:13-14 as you formulate your answer.)
- What do you understand about "mercy"? Read Romans 11:25-32. How do these verses help you understand Paul's plea?
- What grace is Paul referring to in verse 3? What grace is given to every Christian (verse 3)? How does that grace manifest itself?
- What is Paul's point in verses 4-8? How do Christians function like a human body? What is the result if we are functioning properly?
- In verses 9-21 Paul gives several directives. Make a list of them. What does Paul mean by verse 11? How do you do it?
- How does commitment to God demonstrate itself in relation to others? What is the overriding principle (action) out of which every other action flows?
- What is the relationship between peace and love? What is your part in developing peace in your relationships? Sometimes after you have tried everything to make peace, it is still not possible. What do you do then? How do you practically do what verse 21 says?
Applying It To My Life
- Look back at the list of commands you found in verses 9-21. What commands are the easiest for you to carry out? Which are the hardest for you to carry out?
- What one thing do you love most about your church? What one thing would you like to see happen in your church? How could you help it happen?
- How will you "present your body a living sacrifice" this week? How will this relate to you using the grace given to you? How will this relate to you using your spiritual gift?