LIVING SACRIFICES
Romans 12

Structure of Romans

• Thesis - 1:16-17
• Antithesis - 2:1-3:20
• Restatement - 3:21-31
• Abraham - 4:1-25
• Adam: One Man - 5:1-21
• Grace, Sin, Law - 6 & 7
• Spirit, Life in Christ - 8
• Israel/God’s Justice - 9-11
• Spiritual Worship - 12
• Virtue in Society - 13
• Weak and Strong - 14:1-15:13
• Mission - 15:14-33
• Recommendation - 16

Belief and Practice

Romans 1-11 ---THEREFORE---> Romans 12-16
Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 12:1-2 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. Do not conform any longer 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.

Spiritual Act of Worship

1. God doesn’t want an offering, he wants us.
2. Compare to the language of death and life in 6-7
3. Change of mind
   • Renewal
   • Conformity

Worship as Identity

1. The new vision of worship transcends Jew and Gentile concerns
2. Faith is basis
3. Practice embodies faith

Living Sacrifices in Worship

1. Evaluate ourselves through faith (v. 3)
2. We are members of one body (v. 4-6)
3. Use the gifts given to us by God’s grace

Gifts for One Another

Prophecy Serving Teaching Exhorting Giving Leading Mercy

All of these are measured by characteristics that demonstrate God’s grace to bless one another.

Love

1. Practicing love within the church (12:9-13)
2. Practicing love with those who persecute the church (12:14-21)
   • 2 Kings 6:8-23

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 15 February 2009

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