The gospel changes everything! The biggest change in a Christian's life because of the gospel is our relationship with God. God doesn't want a relationship with us filled with leftovers and half-hearted commitment. He wants our best, and He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him. --- People were made for relationships. The Bible tells us the two most important relationships we will have in this life are with God and with people. Being a Christian should have a positive impact on all our relationships. In Romans 12, we find a summary of the whole of the Christian life and the intended effect being a Christian should have on our relationship with God and others. Throughout the Romans 12 series, we will discover what a life of truly following Jesus looks like.
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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1. The Motivation
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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2. The Command
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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Luke 9:23-24 ESV
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
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3. The Action
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
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4. The Reason
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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Application:
God doesn't want my leftovers; He wants the best of me—all of me!