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Text: Romans 12:1,2; 3-8, 9-21
Other Scriptures: Romans 11:33-36; I Samuel 1; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; Ephesians 2:12; Hebrews 2:3; Philippians 2; John 12:37; Luke 13:34; Ephesians 5:26; Ephesians 4:11-14; Proverbs 15:17; Matthew 6:12
Four questions:
(Verses 1-3) Give our lives as a sacrifice
What should we do? Why should we do it? How should we do it? What is the result?
A comparison between our spiritual lives and the story of Samuel. Our spiritual life is dependent on God’s grace. We had not vowed or offered anything to God before Christ died for us.
If we don’t understand our hopeless condition, we are not going to appreciate God’s mercy.
“We owe our flesh nothing; We owe Christ everything.” — Wesley King
Be transformed. Yet, this transformation is performed by God. We can however, control how little or much we are having our minds washed with the Word.
If we are not regularly going back to God’s word, we are doomed to be conformed to the world.
(Verses 4-8) Serve in the Church
How are we serving? Every one of us has something to contribute. Are we doing it only for the notice of others or selfish motives?
The Church needs all of its members.
(Verses 9-21) Live in Love
Love is the cartilage that allows the church to function.
We must hate evil, and cling to what is good. Living this way will lead to even greater abhorrence of evil.
God doesn’t want us to be lazy.
We have an awful lot to be joyful about, even in affliction. And in affliction we persist in faith.
The point of our hard work is so that we have in order to give. We ought to give— we have received generously.
Part of this Spirit-led generosity includes hospitality. Hospitality enables us to know our brothers better.
Our love extends even to those that hate us. Our enemies themselves are to be loved.
Can we empathize with others? Do we live in harmony with others? Or are we hindered by pride?
Our lack of forgiveness to others impacts God’s forgiveness of ourselves.
Let us seek the things that make for peace.
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
