INTRODUCTION - THERE IS NO GREATER BOOK, & NO GREATER CHAPTER FOR CHRISTIANS THAN ROMANS TWELVE!

• We need to know what God expects of us as Christians- and Rom 12,13,14,15 tells us!
• The real secret of knowing his Will is shown here- not astrology, fortune telling, etc.
• What God wants is not "yours, but you"- living sacrifice- God is interested in YOU and maybe like some well loved & disciplined kid- you wish He did not love so

I. THE APPEAL - NO DEMAND, BUT A HEART RENDING PLEA (like Philemon)

Here is a picture of free grace- freely given, but now comes a request- exercise of Grace

A.  "THEREFORE" WHEN YOU SEE THIS LOOK FOR THE "WHEREFORE" - All that has gone before -pivotal

1. Duty must follow Doctrine- Practice must follow precept- this is mature growth

B.  "BRETHREN" To the Christians- not to the world- but to the close ones-brethren- YOU

1. Becoming accepted in the Beloved- is a part of the brethren- now comes your part

C.  "BY THE MERCIES OF GOD" THE FIRST ELEVEN CHAPTERS OF ROMANS TELLS US WHAT HIS MERCIES DO

1. Now review- 3:23-4, 8:1, 38,39 - free gift - we but receive it FOR US
2. "After all he has done for me- how can I do less- than give Him my best?"

II.  THE ACT 0F CONSECRATION - "PRESENT"

1. The Jews knew of the Sacrifice- to present it to the Priest- then take hands off!
2. This should be in the Aorist Tense- "Action occurring one time & Complete" but
3. We can't keep our hands off the steering wheel- Can't trust God to drive?
4. We climb on the Altar- then absentmindedly jump off and chase rabbits-

A.   "YOUR BODIES" Not in Spirit, or Soul- but with our bodies! God wants our bodies!

1. Where does the scant 2 piece bathing suit fit in? Does this show our sacrifice?
2. Here is the process of total sanctification- Christ in us- This is our hope of Glory!
3. The world forgets the Soul- the Church forgets the Body- but God asks for our all-

B.  "LIVING SACRIFICE" NOT DYING FOR THE LORD, BUT LIVING DAY BY DAY, HOUR BY HOUR, MOMENT BY MOMENT

1. To die- takes but one decision- but to live- hundreds of decisions-
2. But the way to do it is one at a time for His glory!  Not a year, month, week, day- but second

C.  "REASONABLE SERVICE"  GOD ONLY ASKS WHAT IS REASONABLE, COME AND REASON TOGETHER

1. "SERVICE"- is translated- Worship Do you Worship in the Biblical sense?
2. What is worship in our church- make it comfortable- so we can rest, relax, forget world-
3. The Biblical Worship is SERVICE Work- what you do with your body- hands, feet,-work

III.  THE ALTERNATIVES IN SACRIFICE

1. The play on words- CONFORMED OR TRANSFORMED the difference is outward/inward
2. Jello is conformed- fits the mold of this world- & too many Christians do this- & fail
3. Be Transformed- Ketamorphose- As the Butterfly- Matt 17:20- Transfigured -changed
4. When the change begins inside, and reaches to the surface- all is changed.
5. I moved myself out of the country- but the country is still inside--
6. Jesus saved me in a moment- but He has to renew His mercies and grace to me daily
7. Titus 3:5 only other use of Renew- As we seek Him, He renews us & helps us

IV.  THE ACHIEVEMENT - TO PROVE

1. To Prove- means to test- to try to become confident by using, and trying over & again
2. The Will of God- note- Good, acceptable, perfect- denoting progression in value
3. This is not found in a term paper, nor speaking about it, nor studying- but by doing-
4. Through darkness, we must seek through experimental obedience an experiential proof
5. After we have suffered a little while- we will know his will- Cf. 8:18, Heb 12:11
6. There is no such thing as failure in his will- nor success outside it!
7. There is no happiness apart from this will of God- maybe FUN- but costly & not joyous

CONCLUSION - AGAIN, IT COMES TO THE MATTER OF A CONTRACT WITH THE LORD, HAVE YOU SIGNED IT?

1. Have you experienced Rom 10:6,8-10,13- And received Him as Savior? A gift of love
2. Have you experienced Rom 12:1,2- and allowed Him to receive you- a gift of appreciation
3. What a difference it makes in your life- making it exciting, adventurous- joyous

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