If you consider Harvest your church home and are not on our email list, click here.

Dedication for transformation

October 4, 2015 Speaker: Gary Series: Romans: The Gospel for God's Glory

Scripture: Romans 12:1–2

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 12:1-2
Dedication for transformation
Offer your whole life to God as you are transformed by the renewal of your mind

1) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship, v. 1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God,
What are the mercies of God that Paul is basing his appeal on? Why so much loaded into God’s mercies before he says THEREFORE, here’s how to live?

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
What does Paul mean by “present your bodies as a living sacrifice holy, pleasing to God”? What is “your spiritual worship”? How does this repair the “Worship disorder” Paul describes in Romans 1:25?


2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect, v. 2

How does v.2 relate v.1? What does “Do not be conformed to this world” (or “age”) mean? What does it not mean?

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
I don’t transform myself. I am transformed by the renewal of my mind. How does my mind get renewed?

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
What does “by testing you may discern (or approve) God’s will” mean?
Many issues hard to discern how to apply God’s word.
Some examples of issues where some may need to discern God’s will – the good, acceptable/pleasing to God, the perfect – in how you spend your money, give to ministry and missions, TV and movie watching, social media time, books, mags and blogs to read, difficult issues at work, video games – how much and which ones, caring for aging parents, handling conflicts with family, loving an annoying spouse may never change, changing if you ARE the annoying spouse?
What other examples of needing to discern God’s will have you been challenged with?

More in Romans: The Gospel for God's Glory

April 10, 2016

The gospel for God's glory

April 3, 2016

Watch out for deceivers

March 20, 2016

Appreciating workers in Christ