Romans 12:1-8 " The Christian Way of Life"

 Romans 12:1-8   "  The Christian Way of Life"

  We may begin by saying that ch 11 ends and ch 12 begins with a " Therefore" Ch 11 the Apostle talks about the people of the OT that did not believe in the Christ.  " God has not cast away His people which He foreknew..."  11:2  There is a remnant according to grace and God's election.  vs. 5.  This chapter is a great mystery but ends with God's mercy and " wisdom and knowledge"  vs 33.  " For of Him, and through Him , and to Him , are all things to whom be glory for ever..."11:36

We begin our presentation of our bodies unto God a living sacrifice under the cover of His Almighty direction and control.  This gives us comfort to know that whatever happens in our world and in our lives is under His mercy.  Point 1.  What a great foundation for our Service in our lives to Him , and to others in the Church . 

2.  We are to be living sacrifices , holy .  Our lives are to be transformed in our character as we do the will of God.  12:2

sermonillustrations.com  "Writing about God's sure guidance, British pastor Frank W. Boreham recounted a time when a minister visited his home in New Zealand. Being young and inexperienced, Boreham sought the counsel of his guest. He said that one morning they were sitting on the veranda, looking out over the golden plains to the purple sunlit mountains. He asked the minister, "Can a man be sure that in the hour of perplexity he will be rightly led by God? Can he feel secure against making a false step?" "I am certain of it," exclaimed the minister, "if he will but give God time! As long as you live, remember that. Give God time!"

JI Packer nails this down a bit more than just giving God time, "  If we want God to guide us, our attitude needs to be right. Here are some guidelines as to how we can play our part in arriving at right decisions.

First, we must be willing to think. It is false piety, super-supernaturalism of an unhealthy pernicious sort that demands inward impressions with no rational base, and declines to heed the constant biblical summons to consider. God made us thinking beings, and he guides our minds as we think things out in his presence.

Second, we must be willing to think ahead and weigh the long-term consequences of alternative courses of action. Often we can only see what is wise and right, and what is foolish and wrong, as we dwell on the long-term issues.

Third, we must be willing to take advice. It is a sign of conceit and immaturity to dispense with taking advice in major decisions. There are always people who know the Bible, human nature, and our own gifts and limitations better than we do, and even if we cannot finally accept their advice, nothing but good will come to us from carefully weighing what they say.

Fourth, we must be willing to be ruthlessly honest with ourselves. We must suspect ourselves: ask ourselves why we feel a particular course of action will be right and make ourselves give reasons.

Fifth, we must be willing to wait. "Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms and it is a necessary word, for the Lord often keeps us waiting. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God."

3. Lastly, we serve in different ways.  Not all do everything, nor should we. We should be about humble service...."  I say, through the grace that was given me, to every one that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think"

Humility is the very fiber of the grace of God who gives us the gifts which we possess.

Charity, administration, teaching , helping others in distress with cheerfulness.  So we , who are many, are one body in Christ, and members one of another. vs. 5

Conclusion is a story from John Wesley, a former Anglican who became the Methodist Church.."  Today in the Word, March 1989, p. 40.

A lady once asked John Wesley if he knew that he would die at midnight the next day, how would he spend the intervening time. He replied, "Why, madam, just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning; after that I would ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I would then go to Martin's house...talk and pray with the family as usual, retire myself to my room at 10 o'clock, commend myself to my Heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory."