THEREFORE BE A LIVING SACRIFICE

 

Romans 12:1-2

 

Therefore…. present bodies as a living sacrifice? “Therefore” is a very important word because it speaks of what was previously said as it relates to being this living sacrifice. “Therefore” is instructing us in orthodoxy, which manifests into orthopraxy, or practical dedication. “Therefore”, live as living sacrifices, this is our required service. “Therefore” is to encourage and strengthen our faith, as we live in a broken world system. Paul begins this sentence with “I appeal to you” or “I urge you, or “I beseech you” This word means “to come alongside, to help or give aid, admonishing or encouraging.” Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a Divine Helper (also translates Comforter, Counselor, Helper) In His Upper Room Discourse when Jesus was about to be betrayed He uses similar language to encourage His disciples. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:16. Just as Jesus was sending us a Helper, Paul here is speaking of a human helper. Paul was there to encourage the brethren to continue the course as imitators of Christ. This gentle command can only be obeyed by those who already belong to God. “I urge you brethren”.

 

This is why “Therefore” plays an important role in your Christian life. Now the “Therefore” is referring specifically to (v33-v36). The unsearchable ways of God, the riches of God that are greater than any wealth you, and I, could ever have here on earth. The wisdom of God that would shatter your mind into a million pieces, if we could contain the mind of God. Knowing that our existence is completely for Him, and we were created for Him, and all things are for Him. By the “mercies of God” which are His soul-saving mercies, should motivate believers to complete commitment.

 

It’s these mercies that we have received reconciliation. It’s these mercies that we are “the beloved of God.” It’s these mercies that in Christ we have received grace and forgiveness. It’s these mercies that we have received the Spirit of promise, to guide and direct our steps into the Kingdom. The end game pursuit of the Christian life is to bring God the glory as living sacrifices of this mercy. It’s by the mercies of God and for His glory that we live as living, vibrant sacrifices, for His glory. Flawed as the church might be at times; it’s still the one place that God has set apart from this world system to give Him the most glory.

 

I truly believe we come here because

genuine worship is a response to Divine Truth!

 

True worship arises from a correct understanding of Gods: Law, Righteousness, Mercy, Sovereignty, Holiness, and His grace. Jesus said to the woman at the well, “…..God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24. God seeks the offering of the soul, rather than the formal offering of the body. The honor of the heart, rather than that of lips service. Worship and true living sacrifice begins and ends with the heart! Genuine living sacrifice begins here, “For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” Phil 3:3. The entire believer’s worship is to be centered at the Altar of Jesus Christ. And according to Paul we need to offer ourselves unto that Altar, which is our reasonable service.

 

A Living Sacrifice Is NOT A Masquerade Or An Act (v2)

 

Paul says, “Do not be conformed” this is as an outward expression that does not reflect what is really inside. We are not to masquerade or put on an act; by following the patterns of this world system. We must not pattern our life after the spirit of this age. We must not be fashioned by the passions of this present evil age. Jesus was blunt at exposing those who professes to love and obey. “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said. This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" Matt 15:7-9. Jesus is exposing their external worship, which these men only attended to. Their attempts to worship are “vain,” not real worship, its play acting, like we see on the big screen; they are only “masquerades.” However sincere a man may be in worship of his own invention, or of man’s commandment………yet it profits him nothing.

 

Christ himself says it is in vain.

 

The opposite of living sacrifice is falling For This Present Evil World System. We are not to….. Chase after this present sinful age. Let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold or ideologies. Just because we live in this world, doesn’t mean you do as “Simon says” as John said, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16. We love all sinners despite their choices in life, but that doesn’t mean we conform ourselves to them in the same breath. Our standards and our foundations are grounded in God alone, as revealed in the “therefore” of our text this morning. What John is saying is that, “These are the objects sought by the people of the world; these are not the objects to be sought by His called out ones.”

 

See! Christians do not follow after this age seeking real meaning, fulfillment, validation, success, or real everlasting joy. Paul said, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor 4:4. John MacArthur wrote, “It is not uncommon for unbelievers to mask themselves as Christians. Unfortunately it also is not uncommon for Christians to wear the world’s mask.” This why it’s so important we don’t allow the world to conform us. Why? “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (which is Satan, the prince of the air). 1 John 5:19

 

A Living Sacrifice Involves Human Sacrifice (v1)

 

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? Paul says specifically, “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” To obey God is better than sacrifice. To live each moment as a blessing from the grace and mercy of God. It’s in the mind where we make our choices as to whether we will express our new nature in holiness or allow our fleshly humanness in acts of ungodliness. In the Old Testament. God accepted sacrifices of dead animals for the atonement of sin and praise offerings. That is no longer required! We live in the Dispensation of Grace, meaning Jesus Christ being the ultimate sacrifice once and for all for the believer’s sin. “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Heb 10:1-10

 

Old Testament sacrifices satisfied God, until the Perfect Son would come. This perfect sacrifice wipes out all Old Testament sacrifices as “no Longer effective. That's why we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God. The Hebrew writer said, “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Heb 13:15. “Continually” means never cease offering up praise to our sovereign LORD. “Praise” is one of the great duties of the redeemed. It will be every born again Christians employment forever. 

Paul says in (v1) “present your body” this means a whole human being. Our bodies are more than physical shells that house a soul. They are also our old unredeemed, that house our evil longings of our mind and flesh. It’s this reality and victory we have over sin that present ourselves as living, breathing sacrifices. You are yielding, surrendering up your whole being. Holding nothing back, it’s if your saying, “I give you God, my body”. Living sacrifice is very aware of the flesh, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” Romans 6:12. A living sacrifice is “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21

 

Living each and every day in a sense

of dying to self.

 

This word sacrifice usually has an understanding of giving up something precious or priceless. But what Paul is saying is “A living sacrifice is expressing something, giving to God is an expression of worship. Willingly surrender our hopes, plans, everything that is precious to us, unto Him daily. (Not just on special occasions, holidays and Sundays) The promises of Christ, takes up residence in us. This produces a living sacrifice. Paul says “Be Transformed”  (v2) This word is used to describe the transition a caterpillar undergoes in order to become a butterfly. It’s a radical change of form; the Christian life is not mere conformity, but a transformation. 

“Transformed” is a command to allow ourselves to be changed outwardly into conformity, to our redeemed inner nature. Is this a life long struggle and transformation? Yes. Paul said, “Though none of us are perfect but press on nonetheless. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14. John MacArthur says “The product of a transformed mind is a life that does the things God has declared to be righteous fitting and complete. That is the goal of the supreme act of spiritual worship.”

 

How are we transformed to live as living sacrifices?

 

Be transformed by the Word of God to mold and shape your choices and longings.

Be transformed with unceasing prayer to give you wisdom for each moment.

Be transformed in the wonderful fellowship of the saints and build each other up.

Be transformed as a minster and agent of hope in the gospel.

Be transformed for the glory of God in your life so that your only satisfaction is found in Him.

 

This is only possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “…but be filled with the Spirit,” Eph 5:18. Your Worship Must Bring A Human Sacrifice…..We must come to the foot of the Cross with a deep desire to please and praise a holy God, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6. Let us worship and let us prostrate ourselves; the highest act of adoration by which the supremacy of God is acknowledged. Living transformed as a living sacrifice is only for the Lord and nothing else. “And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve”. Luke 4:8. This is what is acceptable to God. “It’s to present all that we are with all that we have.” Hebrews 9:6 describes it as “divine worship” or “service of God” which was performed by the Old Testament priests. This is what a living sacrifice demonstrates which is our reasonable service. Coming to alter in holiness, as His set-apart ones, for a special purpose to worship Him in all His glory. We do this because of what Jesus has done. He has forgiven us of our sins. This is why we are able to be living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to God. As David said, “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3-5

 

David Livingstone, a missionary to Africa said about being a sacrifice. “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of the great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay?.....away with such a word, such a view, and such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering or danger now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause and cause our spirit to waver and sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not talk when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”

 

We are never to consider this living sacrifice as a sacrifice…..but a privilege to serve and worship Him for Christ has done for you and me. From the beginning, God’s first and most important requirement for acceptable worship has been faithful and obedient hearts. “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” Heb 11:4. Abel is an example for us! We can be a living sacrifice wherever God has put us. We do not have to be a preacher, or missionary, or in some other form of recognized full-time service to God. Rather, we should be “Living examples of the grace of God where we are."

Being a living sacrifice, then, is no sacrifice at all.

It is what we are in Christ.