Romans: Lesson 9 of 12

Lesson 9

Six Rules for Practical Christian Living

Link to audio of this lesson: http://www.box.net/shared/g2dx1fs5lb

Link to printer friendly version of these notes: http://www.box.net/shared/og9590fi6o

Rule 2: Live a Life of Service! (Romans 12:3-8)

There is a lot of similarity between Rule #1 and Rule #2…

According to Rule #1, to be transformed, we need a mind of a servant.

Rule #2 is about carrying out that mentality and living the life of a servant.

Question: Why are you a member of this church?

If we were honest with ourselves, most of us are a member of a particular church for one of a couple of reasons:

1. We have always gone to the church, our family goes to the church, we essentially call it home.

2. We have evaluated the church and have made an assessment that this church best suits our needs.

We should be members of a church for one and only one reason: Because we believe God wants us at that church serving others.

One of the most difficult lessons that Jesus’ disciples had to learn was that it was not about them. In fact, the last lesson they learned from Jesus was that to serve God, we must be willing to serve each other. Reference foot-washing during Last Supper and Read Luke 22:24-27.

Read Romans 12:3-8

I. Service requires a proper perspective of Self (vs 3)

A. Have a healthy (but not proud) self image

· Do not think too highly of yourself

· Have sober judgment of oneself

Some may feel that certain tasks are “below” them.

Others may feel that certain tasks are “above” them or they feel they may never be good enough to accomplish what God would have them accomplish in their lives.

Both views are wrong. God will enable us to do the tasks he has called us to do.

B. Have a healthy measure of Faith (vs 3)

Our ability to serve depends upon how much faith we have in Christ

Question: What happens when we try to serve in our own strength?

Answer: We burn out

We must rely on God to give us the strength we need to serve. This requires faith.

II. Service requires a proper understanding of the Body (vs 4-5)

A. The body is made up of diverse members

B. The body requires a diversity of functions

C. God has provided his body with the diversity of capabilities necessary to function properly

III. Service requires a proper application of one’s Spiritual Gifts

Three primary passages listing the Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:6-8

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30

Ephesians 4:11

Classification of Spiritual Gifts

There are numerous ways to classify the gifts… this is just a suggested breakdown

1. Activities (leadership, administration, miracles, healings, etc.)

2. Manifestations (Wisdom, knowledge, Discernment, etc.)

3. Inspired Utterances (teaching, tongues, prophecy, etc.)

4. Service (see below)

Some gifts may fall in more than one category.

Paul is focusing here on the gifts of service.

Service-oriented Gifts

1. Prophesy

2. Serving

3. Teaching

4. Encouraging

5. Giving

6. Leadership

7. Mercy

Conclusion: The only way the body of Christ will function correctly is when each of us are performing the tasks that God has specifically called and gifted us to perform.

Rule 3: Live a Life Characterized by Love! (Romans 12:9-21, 13:8-14)

Romans 13:8-11 tells us that all our interactions with others should be characterized by love

We are indebted or obligated to show love to each other because it is the fulfillment of the law.

Love for others is the 2nd Greatest Commandment Mt 22:39

Love for others is the Golden Rule. Mt 7:12

Love for others is the epitome of the law and the commandments Romans 13:9

We don’t live under the law; we live under grace. However, the truths of the Old Testament have not changed just because they were fulfilled in Jesus.

Love is the heart of practical Christianity!

What does it mean to have a life characterized by love?

In the 60s and 70s, we had the “love” movement. “Make love, not war” – is that what we mean?

Love is the most over used and misunderstood word in the language.

“I love my wife”

“I love my father” – is that the same thing?

“I love you” – is that the same as either of those?

“I love my dog” – That’s different again, isn’t it

“I love my job” (no, we never say that) – “I love riding my motorcycle” – shows I enjoy it

“I love my car” – you take pride

“I love pizza” - you like the taste of it

“I love that picture” – you think it is pretty

Each of these statements convey a completely different message, but they all use the same word. For most of them, we really don’t mean “love”. When the bible tells us that we should have a life characteristic of love, how can we possibly know what it means?

Four Ancient Greek words for “Love”

Agape – Unconditional love – agape love is a choice; a deliberate commitment regardless of the actions or affections of the other person; God’s love is agape love; it is entirely one sided - if I agape you, I give to you

Philia – Brotherly (i.e. Friendship) love – Philia love is based upon affection and emotion; it represents the love between two people who truly like each other and enjoy each other’s company; it is mutual – if we Philia each other, we give to each other. It is this word that the city Philidelphia was named for.

In John 21, Jesus used agape for the first 2 times, Peter used Philia ; Jesus conceded and used Philia the third time.

Eros – Sexual love; eros is completely selfish; it is pure desire to have, control, and enjoy. Obviously, this is where we get the word erotic.

Storge – Familial affection ; is significantly used in scripture; it represents the bond between family members

In the passage we are talking about here, Paul speaks of Agape Love. Rule #3 is that we are to live a life characteristic of AGAPE Love. Most of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, but Paul gives us another, perhaps even more complete picture of Agape love here.

I. A Life Characterized by Agape Love is…

1. Sincere (Romans 12:9)

Sincerity is motivated for good

2. Devoted (Romans 12:10)

The ESV and KJV says to show brotherly affection

The word “love” in verse 10 is actually a combination of both phileo and storge, so essentially one characteristic of Agape love is that it incorporates the aspects of affection and familial bonds.

3. Zealous, But only for God (Romans 12:11)

Question: Why is zeal towards God important for showing love to others?

Answer: Because God is the true example of what it means to love.

4. Steadfast (Romans 12:12)

a. Joyful in hope

b. Patient in affliction

c. Faithful in prayer

Eros love walks away during difficult times

Philia love can become strained during difficult times

Agape love becomes a stronghold during difficult times

5. Generous (Romans 12:13)

a. Shares with others in need

b. Practices hospitality

6. Forgiving (Romans 12:14)

Forgiveness is one of the greatest hallmarks of Christianity. God forgave us, so we should forgive others. But too often, we would rather be vengeful.

Romans 12:17-21

7. Sympathetic (Romans 12:15)

8. Humble (Romans 12:16)

Summary. A life characterized by love is a life whereby we work for the benefit of others.

Read Romans 13:11-13

By contrast, remove acts of indecency from our lives, for they are not characteristics of love because they are all about pleasing self.

II. A Life Characterized by Love Puts Aside…

1. Orgies

2. Drunkenness

3. Sexual Immorality

4. Debauchery (gluttony)

5. Dissention (trouble makers)

6. Jealousy (always wanting what is not yours)

Conclusion: Read Romans 13:14

Living a life characterized by love is how we clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ.

Romans: Lesson 8 of 12

Lesson 8

Six Rules for Practical Christian Living
Rules 1 and 2

Audio of Lesson: http://www.box.net/shared/o4hd3zoxe2

Printer friendly version of notes: http://www.box.net/shared/bopb0cb2f9

The remainder of Romans represents a huge shift from doctrine to practical living, but Paul uses one of his three bit THEREFORE’s to make this shift.

· God desires to show mercy on us all

· THEREFORE, we should live a life of personal transformation

Read Romans 12:1-2

Rule 1: Live a Life of Personal Transformation! (Romans 12:1-2)

In preceding chapters, everything was ultimately focused on God. His work for us so that we may be saved. The focus was upward on him, which is why Chapter 11 appropriately ended with a Doxology.

In the first part of Chapter 12, we will see an inward focus. We saw a hint of this inward focus earlier as we say the tension between the flesh and the Spirit. That tension can only be resolved and we can only succeed in living by the Spirit, when we experience nothing less than total transformation.

I. The Urgency of Transformation: God’s Mercy

In light of that mercy, there should be an urgency to no longer live by the sinful nature, but allowing the Spirit nature to control and transform us.

Question: Why do you think this plea from Paul is so “urgent”?

Answer: God’s mercy is not to be taken lightly

· Paul has already told us that none of us deserve grace that God has bestowed upon us

· Paul has already told us that God is Sovereign and can do precisely as he wills

· Paul has already told us that because of God’s Sovereignty, he can harden anyone that rejects him so that they never see the truth

· Paul has already told us that God is willing to cut off any people group that repeatedly rejects him

God’s grace is a VERY SERIOUS thing

II. The Prerequisite to Transformation: Total Surrender

A. Surrender involves being a living sacrifice

1. Sacrifices always require a death.

All of the blood sacrifices required a death of the animal being sacrificed.

Question: What is it that we are putting to death?

Answer: Our sinful nature.

Romans 8:12-13

We died to Sin but we are alive in Christ

Therefore, we are living sacrifices

2. Sacrifices were to the Lord

In the sacrificial system, the sacrifice was brought before the Lord and presented to him – to be dedicated to him. The Hebrew word used literally means “to draw near” to the Lord. James 4:8

In the OT, the normal person could not really draw near to God. They could only come to the tabernacle or temple to present their offering. Even the priests were limited in how they could draw near to God – only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and then only once per year. Jesus, however, changed all that… Hebrews 10:19-22

We must present ourselves to Christ as a living sacrifice, by drawing near to him dedicating ourselves to him by foregoing our own interests

3. Sacrifices were the first-born and the unblemished

The sacrifice was required to be the best of the best… firstborn and unblemished. The problem is that we do not honor God enough to give him our very best. Instead, we give him our leftovers. Malachi 1:6-8

We must offer Christ our very best, not our leftovers

We can only be a true “living sacrifice” if we fully surrender to God.

B. Surrender is an act of service

This concept of being a living sacrifice is really saying that you give your life in service to God.

Joshua 24:15; Malachi 3:18; Luke 4:8; 1 Peter 4:10

By contrast, do we not tend to do only what is convenient?

Do we not limit our “offering” of our time and talents to that which is “left over” after we’ve served all our other masters and then after we have served ourselves?

Luke 16:33

C. Surrender (and service) is an act of worship

Some translations will actually say “worship” here, but the truth is that our service is essentially how we worship God.

Question: What is worship?

Answer: To ascribe worth

There is a sense in which we ascribe worth through our singing and our music, but…

Question: How do we really demonstrate that we think something is worthy?

Answer: we dedicate our time and our talent to it

If you truly want to worship God – DO SOMETHING

Not to earn his favor; not out of guilt; but because you truly think that God is worthy of your life.

III. The Call to Transformation: Do not conform

Question: What does it mean to conform?

Answer: To make something look like something else.

One of the biggest threats to the American Christian witness is that unsaved people look at us and don’t see anything different in us. We look just like they do. We are conforming to the world!

The bible uses the word “world” in one of three ways

1. The physical cosmos (earth, sea, sky, etc.)

2. The people

3. The system of laws, moral practices, etc.

John 1:10 (contains all three)

Question: What is the world as referenced here?

Answer: The moral practices and habits of this age.

Question: So how do I keep from conforming to this world?

Answer: I transform

We now see Rule #1 stated clearly in the text… BE TRANSFORMED

So how do I transform? That is the next point beginning in verse 2…

IV. The Means of Transformation: Renewing of mind

A. Renewing our Mind requires us to imitate Jesus

Question: So how did Jesus think?

Read Philippians 2:1-8

1. Imitate Christ in action

i. No Selfish Ambition

ii. Consider others better than ourselves

iii. Look out for others’ interests

2. Imitate Christ in attitude

1. Willingness to be lowered to a place of service

2. Willingness to be obedient

B. Renewing our Mind requires a heavenly focus (Read Colossians 3:1-2)

Like Romans 12, Colossians 3 is all about practical Christian living.

1. Desire heavenly things (3:1)

2. Think about heavenly things (3:2)

V. The Result of Transformation (knowing God’s will)

Conclusion: We can begin to live by the Spirit when we allow ourselves to be Transformed!

Rule 2: Live a Life of Service! (Romans 12:3-8)

As you can see, there is a lot of similarity between Rule #1 and Rule #2…

According to Rule #1, to be transformed, we need a mind of a servant.

Rule #2 is about carrying out that mentality and living the life of a servant.

Question: Why are you a member of this church?

If we were honest with ourselves, most of us are a member of a particular church for one of a couple of reasons:

1. We have always gone to the church, our family goes to the church, we essentially call it home.

2. We have evaluated the church and have made an assessment that this church best suits our needs.

We should be members of a church for one and only one reason: Because we believe God wants us at that church serving others. Reference foot-washing during Last Supper and Read Luke 22:24-27.

Read Romans 12:3-8

I. Service requires a proper perspective of Self (vs 3)

A. Have a healthy (but not proud) self image

· Do not think too highly of yourself

· Have sober judgment of oneself

Have you ever met someone who thought they were too good to do a particular task?

· That’s just not dignified

· People would not think well of me if they saw me doing that

Is this person you?

On the other hand, have you ever thought that you would never be good enough to do something in the church?

· Some may feel that certain tasks are “below” them.

· Others may feel that certain tasks are “above” them or they feel they may never be good enough to accomplish what God would have them accomplish in their lives.

Both views are wrong. God will enable us to do the tasks he has called us to do.

B. Have a healthy measure of Faith (vs 3)

Our ability to serve depends upon how much faith we have in Christ

Question: What happens when we try to serve in our own strength?

Answer: We burn out

We must rely on God to give us the strength we need to serve. This requires faith.

II. Service requires a proper understanding of the Body (vs 4-5)

A. The body is made up of diverse members

B. The body requires a diversity of functions

C. God has provided his body with the diversity of capabilities necessary to function properly

III. Service requires a proper application of one’s Spiritual Gifts

Three primary passages listing the Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:6-8

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30

Ephesians 4:11

Classification of Spiritual Gifts

There are numerous ways to classify the gifts… this is just a suggested breakdown

1. Activities (leadership, administration, miracles, healings, etc.)

2. Manifestations (Wisdom, knowledge, Discernment, etc.)

3. Inspired Utterances (teaching, tongues, prophecy, etc.)

4. Service (see below)

Some gifts may fall in more than one category.

Paul is focusing here on the gifts of service.

Service-oriented Gifts

1. Prophesy

2. Serving

3. Teaching

4. Encouraging

5. Giving

6. Leadership

7. Mercy

Conclusion: The only way the body of Christ will function correctly is when each of us are performing the tasks that God has specifically called and gifted us to perform.