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SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 82

Text: Romans 12: 1 – 2
18 November 2018

THE CHALLENGE TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE

1. Imagery of a living sacrifice

a. Drawn from the OT sacrificial system
b. Sacrifice must be
i. Set aside for the Lord
ii. Without blemish
iii. Whole

2. Illustration of a person who was a living sacrifice

The example of the Apostle Paul

a. He saw his life as a drink offering (Philippians 2: 17, 2 Timothy 4: 6)
b. He was ready (Acts 20: 22 – 23; Acts 21: 13)
i. To be bound
ii. To suffer
iii. To die for the name of the Lord Jesus

3. Inspiration to be a living sacrifice

God’s love was experienced by the Apostle Paul

a. Love poured out into the heart (Romans 5: 5)
b. Love demonstrated (Romans 5: 8)
c. Love that is proven by the giving of God’s own Son for us (Romans 8: 32)
d. Love from which we cannot be separated (Romans 8: 38 – 39)
Cf. Galatians 2: 20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

4. Instruction concerning how we may be a living sacrifice

a. Through the use of the mind (Romans 12: 2)
i. Transformed
ii. Renewed
iii. “Living sacrifice” becomes part of our mind-set
b. Through the discovery and development of our gifts (Romans 12: 6 – 8)
i. Gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us
ii. Let us use them
c. Through the practice of faith in daily life (Romans 12: 9 – 21)
i. Actively
ii. Consistently

CHALLENGE TO SSS4

1. Seek to be a living sacrifice

a. Commit every area of life to the Lord
b. Giving ourselves entirely to the Lord

2. Serve the Lord as a living sacrifice

a. Discover gifts
b. Develop gifts