Starting in chapter 12 we see a shift in the book of Romans. In chapters 1-11 we see Paul main focus is on God’s compassion. Now we will start to see what our response to that compassion should be. We can look at it this way— a section on doctrine and a section on practical living, doctrine in action.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I beseech you therefore- because of chapters 1-11 we need to act
Brethren- This is referring to Christinas, Paul is not writing to unbelievers
mercies of God-Gods free gift to us.
present– this is the same term used in 6:13. The idea of freely choosing to do something.
your bodies -The instrument that are inner body use to either glorify or dishonor God
living sacrifice- not a one and done, not a dead sacrifice. It is a sacrifice that keeps on giving and serving and honoring God.
Holy-because of Gods mercy we are holy, as holy we are set apart not for ungodliness but godliness
acceptable to God- pleasing to God
reasonable service-rational, because of the mercy of God we should serve God
We are to willingly say to God here I am I will praise and worship you with this body
And do not be conformed- do not be influenced or fashioned
this world-This worlds system, a system against God
be transformed- metamorphosis a complete change from the former to a new.
renewing of your mind- Our understanding and thinking. What needs to be changed about our understanding and thinking? Motives, ethics, this happens by the HS, Gods Word, Prayer, fellowship . Eph 4:17, 2 cor3:18 eph 4:22-23
you may prove- discern, prove 1 peter 1:7
good- Gods will is good, it is the best option for us and it brings glory to God. Gods will is good for us and for Him
Acceptable- pleasing to God Gods Will is pleasing to God when we do it we re pleasing to God
Perfect- Gods will is perfect, we might not see it right away or ever but we can trust that there is no mistakes in it.
Will of God- What god wants us to do. Not what we want to do, but as we do Gods will we see that is it good for us and brings us into fellowship with God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
For-because of vs 1-2
grace given to me- Paul being an apostle.
everyone who is among you- Paul is addressing the romans as an apostle.
not to think of himself -Your view of yourself
highly than he ought to think-pride, don’t think you are somebody more important than another.
But- we are not to do this, we are to do the following
think soberly- clear headed, correct thinking (reality not your own reality)
God has dealt to each one a measure of faith- We all have faith to serve God. This faith is seen in spiritual gifts, we all have them. Don’t think that you are special because you have a gift, we all do!
many members in one body– we are all part of the whole you are not special!
all the members do not have the same function- There are many jobs that the members have and they are different but they are all important for the function of the body.
and individually members of one another- the idea here is that the body does not serve the individual, but in serving the body, (using your gifts) you serve each other. The church is not here to serve me, I am here to serve the church. We need each other and need to serve each other for the body to function
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Having then gifts -Not something you currently have, it is not a natural ability.
Differing- We do not all have the same gift.
according to the grace that is given to us- It is not based on your ability, it is based on Gods choice, Rom 8-11!
use them-This is the application of vs 1-3
prophecy- 1 cor 14:1-3 exhorting and comforting stepping on toes. His message come directly from the HS acts 11:28 Understand that the Bible was not finished and people needed the Word of God. Now that we have the Bible Prophecy is not needed in the same way.
in proportion to our faith- This is the only gift that has this distinction, the idea is that the prophet does not step out on his own but stays inline with Gods will.
Ministry- Serving, the carrying out of the churches duties Acts 6:1-3
Teaches- Very different from prophecy. The teacher studies the word of God and share with the church Ezra 7:10
Exhorts- how to apply the teaching Acts 13:15
Gives- do so without any other motives other than meeting a need with no idea of reimbursement
Leads- not shy away from doing what needs to be done
shows mercy- We are to minister to others with sympathy and understanding, do so without hesitation or fear or timidity
In this section Paul changes from how we are to serve God
To how we are to serve others
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Let love – Gods love for others
Hypocrisy- Be with sincerity
Abhor what is evil- this is what it means to love with sincerity. Hate what is evil.
Cling – clutch, hold on to as strongly as possible.
Good- That which pleases God.
These to items describe what it means to love without hypocrisy
kindly affectionate- Devotion, like we have to family members.
brotherly love- love we would have for family members, they may wrong us but we still love them, but also not inappropriate love.
in honor…giving preference-We love others in a godly way by denying ourselves and putting them first
Now we know how to serve, how to love, now Paul turns his attention to our attitudes
lagging in diligence-we are not to be lazy
fervent in spirit-We are to full of excitement and energy for the task before us
serving the Lord- As slaves, that means not our will but our masters.
The next three explains how we are to serve the Lord
rejoicing in hope-Hope of our salvation, Hope in Christ, Hope in the promises made
patient in tribulation- We don’t give up in hard times.
steadfastly in prayer- We don’t stop praying.
distributing to the needs of the saints- Our attitudes should affect our actions and our actions should be love, and that means helping other Christians
hospitality-Helping strangers as well.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Bless- pray for Gods blessing on them
who persecute you- Verbally, physically, emotionally. Think about the sermon on the mount and more to Paul’s history his time with Stephen.
Rejoice with those who rejoice- In the joys of others we find joy
weep with those who weep- In their mourning we mourn
Be of the same mind toward one another -The idea here is simple, we are to live in harmony with each other.
Do not set your mind on high things- Don’t be proud.
associate with the humble- We should be humble in all our dealings. And associate with anyone
Do not be wise in your own opinion- Don’t think of your self as if you are something special.
Now Paul turns his attention to how believers
are to interact with non-believers.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Repay no one evil for evil-This is the opposite of the OT.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men- The good here is ethically good, the honorable things. This is the opposite of doing evil.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you-Sometimes we do not have a say in things, even when we do all the right things. We should always
peaceably with all men-We are to strive with all our energy to live at peace with everyone.
do not avenge yourselves- It is easy to take matters into our own hands but we are not to do that.
rather give place to wrath- we are to leave room for Gods wrath. Deut 32:35
Prov 25:21-22
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.-When we do this we are the victors and all will see.
First Baptist Church Delmar 