ROMANSResponse to God’s

Mercy

Romans
12:1-8

Laying a solid foundation

Jesse McLaughlin
 Romans 12:1-2
Romans 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the
12:1-8
mercies of God, to present your bodies
a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual service
2
of worship. And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by
Response to
God’s Mercy
the renewing of your mind, so that you
may prove what the will of God is, that
which is good and acceptable and
perfect (NASB)
Romans
12:1-8 • Notes for Verse 1
•
• When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, a priest would
kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice
was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear
that obedience from the heart was much more important (see
1Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer
ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices -- daily laying aside our
own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at
his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of
Response to gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.
God’s Mercy
Romans
12:1-8 • Notes for Verse 2
•
• Christians are called to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world," with its behavior and customs that are usually selfish and
often corrupting. Many Christians wisely decide that much worldly
behavior is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's
values, however, must go even deeper than the level of behavior and
customs -- it must be firmly planted in our minds -- "be transformed
by the renewing of your mind." It is possible to avoid most worldly
customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant.
Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds
Response to are we truly transformed (see Rom 8:5).
God’s Mercy
 Living and Holy Sacrifice
Romans
12:1-8
Imagery of Temple Sacrifice
–Priests & the Sacrifice
–What are we presenting to God?
“Do not go on presenting the members of your body
to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present
yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and
your members as instruments of righteousness to
Response to
God’s Mercy God.” Romans 6:13
Service of worship
–“Rational”
–Response to God’s mercy
 Nonconformity & Transformation
Romans
12:1-8

• Conforming to this world has been identified as

sin
_________and disobedience
___________________ in the preceding
text of the letter to the Roman church (Rom. 1:18-32).

• Growing awareness of how we have conformed to the world

and what righteousness looks like.

Response to
God’s Mercy self-effort
• The work of transformation is not __________________.
Our role is to submit to the Holy Scripture and the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit does the work of transformation.
 Romans 12:3-8 (NASB)
Romans
12:1-8 3 For through the grace given to me I say to
everyone among you not to think more
highly of himself than he ought to think; but
to think so as to have sound judgment, as
God has allotted to each a measure of
4
faith. For just as we have many members
Response to
in one body and all the members do not
God’s Mercy
have the same function, 5 so we, who are
many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another.
 Romans
12:1-8 • Notes for Verses 4,5
•
• Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live
and work together. Just as the parts of the body function under the direction
of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and
authority of Jesus Christ (see 1Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16).
•
• 12:4-8 God gives us gifts so we can build up his church. To use them
effectively, we must (1) realize that all gifts and abilities come from God; (2)
understand that not everyone has the same gifts; (3) know who we are and
what we do best; (4) dedicate our gifts to God's service and not to our
personal success; (5) be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding
Response to back anything from God's service.
God’s Mercy
 Identify the different gifts listed in this passage.
Romans Why does God give us “different gifts”
12:1-8 (see Ephesians 4:16)?

• To use them effectively, why is it important to:

• realize that all gifts and abilities come from God
• understand that not everyone has the same gifts
• know who we are and what we do best
• dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our
Response to
God’s Mercy
personal success
• be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly , not
holding back anything from God’s service
 Look at this list of gifts. What kinds of people would
Romans
have each gift… what characteristics might they have?
12:1-8

• - prophets (preachers) -
• Servers
• teachers -
• Encouragers
Response to
God’s Mercy
• - givers
• leaders
• mercy
 Romans
12:1-8 • 12:6-8 Look at this list of gifts and imagine the kinds of people who would
have each gift. Prophets are often bold and articulate. Servers (those in
ministry) are faithful and loyal. Teachers are clear thinkers. Encouragers know
how to motivate others. Givers are generous and trusting. Leaders are good
organizers and managers. Those who show mercy are caring people who are
happy to give their time to others. It would be difficult for one person to
embody all these gifts. An assertive prophet would not usually make a good
counselor, and a generous giver might fail as a leader. When you identify your
own gifts (and this list is far from complete), ask how you can use them to
build up God's family. At the same time, realize that your gifts can't do the
work of the church all alone. Be thankful for people whose gifts are
completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weaknesses,
and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies. Together you
Response to can build Christ's church.
God’s Mercy
 Conclusion
Romans
12:1-8

In response to God’s mercy

believers must surrender
themselves to God in
righteous living and use
their God-given gifts for the
Response to
God’s Mercy

good of the community.