The Radical Implications of the
Mercies of God:
His Gospel
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 12:1
therefore,
• I beseech you
brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
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 1-11
Part 1 Thesis
By God’s sovereign grace man
is justified by repentant faith
in the Gospel.
Romans, Part II
Chapter 12-15 Thesis
God expects all those who have
been saved by the power of the
Gospel to RADICALLY live out
that Gospel.
the Gospel
The gospel is the good news
that mercy is available
through the cross to
____________
Let’s Consider
The implications of suggesting the
gospel should radically impact
you in a world that resents
religious radicalism
Our Radical Savior and Lord
• And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and
cast it from thee:
• Bless them that curse you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you
• Love your enemies
• If any man come to me, and hate not his
father…and his own life also, he cannot be
my disciple.
Romans 12:1
• We need to hear:
– I “beseech”
– I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)
Romans 12:1
• We need to hear:
– I “beseech”
– I “appeal” or “urge” (with emphasis)
• brethren, (fellow believers)
• by the mercies of God,
–(the gospel)
Romans 12:1-2
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service.
I am NOT my own I have been
bought with a price.
What does it mean to sacrifice?
Wars are won through sacrifice
Athletes sacrifice to win
Parents sacrifice for children
Spouses sacrifice one for another
Believers sacrifice for the church Christ died
for
Sacrifice is what we
STRUGGLE with in
st
the 21 Century
“Living Sacrifice”
Why can’t we afford time
away for a short-term
mission trip BUT we never
miss using our timeshare at
the beach?
You are out to dinner and the waiter is terrible,
the steak is NOT cooked right, and _______
“living sacrifice”
What goes through your mind when you hear
that William Carey stayed on the mission field
in India through three wives?
Here is the Issue
• In the remote region of our sub-conscious,
are we asking this question:
– What if I sacrifice the “golden years” of my
life for service to the King and there is NO
God?
blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed…Jesus
The gospel implores me to make
Radical sacrifices of lusts,
dreams, aspirations and even
goals in light of the mercy of
God in my life.
Romans 12:1-2
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies
holy,
a living sacrifice,
acceptable to
God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
to
God, which is your reasonable service.
Pleasing to God
Bodily Application
– I have always wanted a tattoo on my body…
– However, I am a tattoo could hurt my testimony for
the cause of Christ
– I am sure there will not be any tattoo parlors in
heaven ( I better do it now)
– Will I sacrifice my dream of having a tattoo on my
arm in response to gospel?
Romans 12:1
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your
reasonable
[spiritual] service.
This sacrificial choice becomes an act of worship.
Spiritual Service
• Application
–Responding to a lazy incompetent
waiter in a MERCIFUL (Christ Like)
manner becomes an act of spiritual
service to your King!
Romans 12:2
•And
–Paul is not finished describing
how the gospel is to radically
impact every area of my life
Romans 12:2
• Be not [imperative] conformed
to this world:
Please Turn
John 17:9-17
John 17:9-17
“In” but NOT “of”
for a distinct purpose
Instead of Conforming
• but be ye transformed
– [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 Mind
by the
renewing of your mind,
• but be ye transformed
Outward conformity without a
transformation of the mind is NOT
what Paul had in mind.
The Agent of Change
• Titus 3:5
– Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to His mercy [the gospel] He
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 12:2
• And be not conformed to this world: but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind,
that
why
• ye may prove [discern] what [is]
that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
Fact
Baptists have historically
taken a strong stand for
soul liberty.
Knowing where to draw the line in your
own life is NOT easy.
It takes discernment.
Three Possibilities
Black
#1 The Bible is very clear about this matter
White
#2 The Bible is NOT clear about this matter
Gray
#3 The Bible provides some guidance
concerning the matter BUT it is not absolute
Application
Every scenario requires this
question:
How should the gospel impact
how I think or what I do in this
scenario?
Answer
• Three possibilities:
– Positive
• This actively advances the gospel
– Neutral
• Neither positive or negative
– Negative
• This hurts the intent and goal of the
gospel
Christianity Is NOT
• NOT a religion
• NOT about rules to appease God’s
wrath
• NOT about rituals or ceremonies
• NOT about regulations to win God’s
favor
Radical Implications
•
•
•
•
•
•
With my spouse
In the body of Christ • In my neighborhood
• With my time
With my boss
• In my marriage
In my worldview
While out to dinner
With my coworkers
Men’s
Conference
What about attending
the October
Conference in light of
Romans 12:1-2?
Calling for Sacrifice
•
•
•
•
•
Young Single Adult
Mother with three children
Retiree
Small Business Owner
Soldier in the Army