Sunday Morning’s message: 9th June 2024
Pastor David Jones
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Z-FZpte3zPQ
Objective:
To better understand Romans 12:1-2 in the context of God’s word and what it means to you and I today.
Leaders Note: This passage of scripture is a very encouraging portion of God’s Word for each of us. We need to realise in view of God's mercy we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Jesus. With mercy and grace in mind we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. Please choose one or two sections of the study for time’s sake. Discuss what best suits your group. Have fun Jesus people as we follow Jesus together.
Scripture
Romans 12:1-2 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. 2 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.
This verse starts strong with “Therefore, I urge you”
It is not a pleasant request or suggestion, or here's a great idea. Paul is pleading with the Roman church. What I am saying is of the highest importance, it is imperative. Paul is almost begging them to understand.
NKJV version – “I beseech you”
God has a good, pleasing and perfect will for you
Moses was raised in the palace as prince. When he was forty years of age he thought his time had come to deliver his people out of slavery. Yes, this was Moses' call and his destiny. But his timing was off. He did not understand the will of God. Forty years too early in the timings of God. Acts 7:25. God needed to teach him to be humble and to become a shepherd for his people. He went to the desert of Midian for a further forty years. It was there that God worked to prepare him in the Fathers time frame. We cannot rush this process. Not only is it important to understand what God wants, but when God wants it. This takes discernment
First - I urge you
“in view of God’s mercy”
Paul reminded them that it is the mercy shown to us by God. We are only able to offer ourselves to God as He works His mercy in us. God commanded us to offer our lives as a living sacrifice. It is only possible through His mercy past, present mercy and future mercy.
Questions and discussions
- What does it mean to keep God's mercy in view?
Leader - Take some time and have people share about God's Mercy in their life. Big or small
(Harrison) “Whereas the heathen are prone to sacrifice in order to obtain mercy, biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy provides the basis of sacrifice as the fitting response.”
Read out - Think of all the mercies of God ... just from the Book of Romans!
Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin.
Adoption into Jesus and identification with Christ.
Placed under and in grace, not law.
Giving of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.
Promise of help in all affliction and times of trouble.
Assurance of a right standing in God’s position.
Confidence in Jesus' coming glory.
Confidence of no separation from the love of God.
Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness.
Grace is getting what you don't deserve. It is God's grace that He sent us his Son to pay the price for our sins. God is also merciful. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve.
Second - I urge you to live a consecrated life
“in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”
Paul begs us to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice “All these divine mercies have persuasive powers over our wills.”
Spiritually speaking, our bodies are brought to God’s altar. The body here is a reference to our entire being. Spirit, soul, flesh, and mind, we know that they each live in our bodies. When we give the body to God, the soul and spirit go with it.
Question and discuss
- What does it mean to present your bodies as living sacrifice?
Present your bodies means that God wants you, not just what you do or say.
All of you belongs to God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.
Third - I urge you to renewed your mind
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Much of discerning the right way and God's will is done in the mind. It comes from having the mind of Christ. We are exposed to so much of the world everyday. We have been trained and coached by the patterns of the world since being a child. The sad reality is our children are being indoctrinated by a worldly system ruled by satan. Not everything is wrong and bad in the world. Children who grow up with parents as believers are totally blessed. However, let make sure we all are aware of the worldly systems, culture, demonic influence in society and not be taken captive by these things.
Discussion:
When going through life how do we make the correct choices and live our life consecrated, set apart and Holy to God?
Leaders - Remember “in view of God’s mercy” We are able because of grace
The first questions cannot be: “How do I feel?” or “What do I do?”
Rather, we must ask ourselves similar questions to below:
What is true here?
What would God want?
What does God’s Word say?
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