THE DEDICATED LIFE: THE HEALTHY RESPONSE OF GOD'S GOSPEL PEOPLE
Romans 12:1-21
As taught by "Guest Geek", Preston Hancock
I. Our decision to offer ourselves in worship to God is a response to our understanding of His mercy. (Rom. 12:1; 6:13)
a. We are to allow God to shape our inner lives and our outward physical conduct so that we are set apart for His glory and His use. (Mal. 1:8-13)
i. This is how we can worship God thoughtfully and deliberately. (Is. 29:13)
b. Being a "living sacrifice" is a two-part, continual life process requiring diligence and dedication:
i. We refuse to be influenced by the common thoughts, attitudes and choices of this age. (vs. 2; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 2:16)
ii. We allow God's Word and the Holy Spirit to transform how we think and make decisions. (Eph. 5:8-10)
c.RESULT: Then we can test and discern (dokimazo) through experience what God's will is: what is good (and what is not). what is pleasing to Him, and what we strive toward (what is perfect). (Contrast those in Rom. 1:25-28)
Thought: In the Church in America today, there are various reasons why people choose to serve God. What are they?
II. We must remember that we are part of a larger, interconnected group of believers. We each have our individual part to play while we also support others in their ministries. (3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-6)
a. Identifying and exercising our spiritual gifts requires sensible thinking, not thinking too much or too little of ourselves. A major "factor" also to be considered is the amount of faith each of us has. (vs. 3)
b. The exercise of our gifts is at once both an individual and a group venture and therefore full of possibilities and responsibilities. (4-5)
c. There are seven spiritual gifts we exercise. How we use our gifts should be governed by our faith in the Holy Spirit. The seven gifts are:
i. prophesy (1 Cor. 14:3)
ii. serving (1 Cor. 12:28- those able to help others)
iii. teaching (Rom. 15:4)
iv. encouraging/exhorting (Rom. 12:1; Acts 14:22)
v. giving- contributing to the needs of others generously
vi. leading- governing diligently (1 Ti. 5:17)
vii. showing mercy- cheerfully (Rom. 9:16)
Thought: Why do you think more people don't take the time to discover and use their spiritual gifts?
III. One of the marks of a follower of Christ is genuine love towards others. (John 13:35; 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14) This sincere love is engendered by hating evil and fighting for the "good thing" (Rom. 6:11-13).
a. We are to be affectionate and respectful of fellow believers, faithfully following the Spirit's lead, seeking opportunities to meet the physical and emotional needs within the body of Christ. (vs. 9-13)
b. Humbly seek to be a blessing to those you encounter, including your enemies. (vs. 14-16; Col. 4:5)
c. We are to live in a hostile world by recognizing that God will make things right and that we can overcome evil by doing the right thing. (vs. 17-21; Prov. 25:21-22)
Personal Thought: Is there someone in your life that is difficult to love or even be around? How can you meet that person's immediate need?
