The Radical Implications of the The Radical Implications of the Mercies of God: Mercies of God:

His GospelHis Gospel

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1Romans 12:1

• I beseech you I beseech you thereforetherefore, , brethren, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service.God, [which is] your reasonable service.

The word “therefore” links these verses back to all previous truths Paul has already presented in chap 1-11

Romans 1-11Romans 1-11Part 1 ThesisPart 1 Thesis

By God’s sovereign grace man By God’s sovereign grace man is justified by repentant faith is justified by repentant faith

in the Gospel.in the Gospel.

Romans, Part IIRomans, Part IIChapter 12-15 ThesisChapter 12-15 Thesis

God expects all those who have God expects all those who have been saved by the power of the been saved by the power of the

Gospel to RADICALLY live out Gospel to RADICALLY live out that Gospel.that Gospel.

the Gospelthe Gospel

The gospel is the good news The gospel is the good news that mercy is available through that mercy is available through

the cross to ____________the cross to ____________

Let’s ConsiderLet’s Consider

The implications of suggesting the The implications of suggesting the gospel should gospel should radicallyradically impact impact

you in a world that resents you in a world that resents religious radicalismreligious radicalism

Our Radical Savior and LordOur Radical Savior and Lord

• And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:cast it from thee:

• Bless them that curse you, and pray for them Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use youwhich despitefully use you

• Love your enemiesLove your enemies• If any man come to me, and hate not his If any man come to me, and hate not his

father…and his own life also, he cannot be father…and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. my disciple.

Romans 12:1Romans 12:1

• We need to hear:We need to hear:– I “beseech” I “beseech” – I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)

Romans 12:1Romans 12:1

• We need to hear:We need to hear:– I “beseech” I “beseech” – I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)

• brethren, (fellow believers)brethren, (fellow believers)• by the mercies of God, by the mercies of God,

–(the gospel)(the gospel)

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

• I beseech you I beseech you therefore, therefore, brethren, by the brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your mercies of God, that ye present your

bodies a living sacrificebodies a living sacrifice, holy, , holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.service.

I am NOT my own I have been bought with a price.

What does it mean to sacrifice?What does it mean to sacrifice?

Wars are won through sacrificeWars are won through sacrificeAthletes sacrifice to winAthletes sacrifice to win

Parents sacrifice for childrenParents sacrifice for childrenSpouses sacrifice one for anotherSpouses sacrifice one for another

Believers sacrifice for the church Christ died Believers sacrifice for the church Christ died forfor

Sacrifice is what we Sacrifice is what we STRUGGLE with in the STRUGGLE with in the

2121stst Century Century

““Living Sacrifice”Living Sacrifice”

Why can’t we afford time Why can’t we afford time away for a short-term away for a short-term

mission trip BUT we never mission trip BUT we never miss using our timeshare at miss using our timeshare at

the beach?the beach?

You are out to dinner and the waiter is terrible, You are out to dinner and the waiter is terrible, the steak is NOT cooked right, and _______the steak is NOT cooked right, and _______

What goes through your mind when you hear What goes through your mind when you hear that William Carey stayed on the mission field that William Carey stayed on the mission field

in India through three wives?in India through three wives?

““living sacrifice”living sacrifice”

Here is the IssueHere is the Issue

• In the remote region of our sub-conscious, In the remote region of our sub-conscious, are we asking this question:are we asking this question:– What if I sacrifice the “golden years” of my What if I sacrifice the “golden years” of my

life for service to the King and there is NO life for service to the King and there is NO God?God?

blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed…Jesus

The gospel implores me to makeThe gospel implores me to make

Radical sacrifices of lusts, Radical sacrifices of lusts, dreams, aspirations and even dreams, aspirations and even goals in light of the mercy of goals in light of the mercy of

God in my life.God in my life.

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

• I beseech you I beseech you therefore, therefore, brethren, by the brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies mercies of God, that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice, a living sacrifice, holyholy, , acceptable to acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

• I beseech you I beseech you therefore, therefore, brethren, by the brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a

living sacrifice, holy, living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to acceptable to GodGod, which is your reasonable service., which is your reasonable service.

Pleasing to God

Bodily ApplicationBodily Application– I have always wanted a tattoo on my body…I have always wanted a tattoo on my body…

– However, I am a tattoo could hurt my testimony for However, I am a tattoo could hurt my testimony for the cause of Christthe cause of Christ

– I am sure there will not be any tattoo parlors in I am sure there will not be any tattoo parlors in heaven ( I better do it now)heaven ( I better do it now)

– Will I Will I sacrificesacrifice my dream of having a tattoo on my my dream of having a tattoo on my arm in response to gospel?arm in response to gospel?

Romans 12:1Romans 12:1

• I beseech you I beseech you therefore, therefore, brethren, by the brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,

which is which is your reasonable your reasonable [spiritual] service.[spiritual] service.

This sacrificial choice becomes an act of worship.

Spiritual ServiceSpiritual Service

• ApplicationApplication–Responding to a lazy incompetent Responding to a lazy incompetent

waiter in a MERCIFUL (Christ Like) waiter in a MERCIFUL (Christ Like) manner becomes an act of spiritual manner becomes an act of spiritual service to your King!service to your King!

Romans 12:2Romans 12:2

• AndAnd–Paul is not finished describing how Paul is not finished describing how

the gospel is to radically impact the gospel is to radically impact every area of my lifeevery area of my life

Romans 12:2Romans 12:2

• Be not [imperative] Be not [imperative] conformedconformed to this world:to this world:

Please TurnJohn 17:9-17

John 17:9-17John 17:9-17

““In” but NOT “of” In” but NOT “of”

for a distinct purposefor a distinct purpose

Instead of ConformingInstead of Conforming

• but be ye transformed but be ye transformed – [into holy, God-pleasing, living sacrifices]. [into holy, God-pleasing, living sacrifices].

The Bible knows nothing of a scenario where the people of God look, walk, talk and act like the people

of the world; HOWEVER_____________

Real Change Begins w/ the MindReal Change Begins w/ the Mind

• but be ye transformed but be ye transformed by the by the renewing of your mind, renewing of your mind,

Outward conformity without a transformation of the mind is NOT

what Paul had in mind.

The Agent of ChangeThe Agent of Change

• Titus 3:5Titus 3:5– Not by works of righteousness which we have Not by works of righteousness which we have

done, but according to His mercy [the gospel] He done, but according to His mercy [the gospel] He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and and renewing of the Holy Ghostrenewing of the Holy Ghost..

Romans 12:2Romans 12:2

• And be not conformed to this world: but be And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your ye transformed by the renewing of your

mind, mind, thatthat• ye may prove [discern] what [is] ye may prove [discern] what [is]

that good, and acceptable, and that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. perfect, will of God.

why

FactFactBaptists have historically Baptists have historically taken a strong stand for taken a strong stand for

soul liberty.soul liberty.

Knowing where to draw the line in your Knowing where to draw the line in your own life is NOT easy. own life is NOT easy. It takes discernment.It takes discernment.

Three PossibilitiesThree Possibilities

BlackBlack#1 The Bible is very clear about this matter#1 The Bible is very clear about this matterWhiteWhite#2 The Bible is NOT clear about this matter#2 The Bible is NOT clear about this matterGrayGray#3 The Bible provides some guidance #3 The Bible provides some guidance

concerning the matter BUT it is not absoluteconcerning the matter BUT it is not absolute

ApplicationApplication

Every scenario requires this Every scenario requires this question: question:

How should the gospel impact How should the gospel impact how I think or what I do in this how I think or what I do in this

scenario?scenario?

AnswerAnswer

• Three possibilities:Three possibilities:– PositivePositive

• This actively advances the gospelThis actively advances the gospel– NeutralNeutral

• Neither positive or negativeNeither positive or negative– NegativeNegative

• This hurts the intent and goal of the This hurts the intent and goal of the gospelgospel

Christianity Is Christianity Is NOTNOT• NOT a religionNOT a religion• NOT about rules to appease God’s wrathNOT about rules to appease God’s wrath• NOT about rituals or ceremoniesNOT about rituals or ceremonies• NOT about regulations to win God’s NOT about regulations to win God’s

favorfavor

Radical ImplicationsRadical Implications

• With my spouseWith my spouse• In the body of ChristIn the body of Christ• With my bossWith my boss• In my worldviewIn my worldview• While out to dinnerWhile out to dinner• With my coworkersWith my coworkers

• In my neighborhoodIn my neighborhood• With my timeWith my time• In my marriageIn my marriage

Men’s Men’s ConferenceConference

What about attending What about attending the October the October

Conference in light of Conference in light of Romans 12:1-2?Romans 12:1-2?

Calling for SacrificeCalling for Sacrifice

• Young Single AdultYoung Single Adult• Mother with three childrenMother with three children• RetireeRetiree• Small Business OwnerSmall Business Owner• Soldier in the ArmySoldier in the Army