https://youtu.be/KzYg9Kc6B6w

Transformers       (Romans 12:1-2)              *All verses in NKJV*

Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

- Leading up to this point in Romans, Paul and the Apostles have made clear the fundamental principles of Christianity: Salvation by grace through faith, can’t earn it, repent, walk in forgiveness….

- Romans 12 begins with the word “therefore”. This word goes between all for the things you just heard Paul say, and what you should do about it. It is the “application” word.

- God’s gift of salvation in Christ requires a response. God is not satisfied simply with forgiving our sin; he wants to transform our lives.

- This Christian life is not just spiritual ideas and a system of behavior. It is a practical pursuit of holiness and requires action on our part.

- It is designed not only to inform our thoughts, but to reform our hearts.

- You are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (that’s Eph Ch. 2)

- James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

- James also said that a faith (or belief) without works (or actions to back it up), is a dead and worthless kind of faith. If you truly believe something, it should change your life!

#1: This is your reasonable act of service.

- Romans 12:1, I beseech (or urge) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (or rational) service.

- Do this because of what God has already done for you: because he has shown you mercy, given you salvation, redeemed you and made you a new creation, justified by faith…

- “Your bodies” doesn’t just mean your physical body. It means your total person. All of who you are.

- In the Old Testament, the people had a whole system of sacrificing animals to the Lord. God is not asking that from us today.

- A living sacrifice… lay your life down for God, not to kill it, but to offer it while living in obedience.

- 1 Samuel 15:22-23a, So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry….

- God’s takes your stubborn self-centeredness, and rebellion to His statutes, very seriously.

- The Lord would rather you simply be obedient to his word, rather than make costly and dramatic sacrifices.

- Your “living sacrifice” is to live your life as he has called you to do, as his word declares.

- Pastor Kevin preached on Sunday and brought a fantastic message out of Matthew:

- Matthew 16:24-26, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

- Tonight’s sermon fit right into this. “Dying to yourself” means you no longer live to serve your own selfish wants and desires. “Living for the Lord” means you now set His priorities as your own.

- To glorify or worship God with our bodies is to engage immediately and with diligence to what God has called us to do by his word, without concern for the personal cost.

- Like when Pastor Kevin spoke about Paul and Silas being thrown in prison, it is to be willing to suffer. You must trust that the Lord knows what he is doing,...