PRESENT YOUR BODIES…

Text: Romans 12:1-2

Introduction:
  I. Paul’s writings usually can be divided into two parts: 
     1) Doctrinal and 2) practical.
 II. In Romans, chapter 12 is the division between the two.
III. In chapter 11,…
 IV. “Therefore” – because of what I have said.
  V. “I beseech you” – “beseech” denotes a most sincere, 
     humble, and earnest petition.

Body:
  I. “To present your bodies…” verse 1.
     A. A living sacrifice: give yourself completely to 
        God.
        1. Everything must be evaluated in light of this!
        2. Family, profession, job, career, pleasure.
        3. Scriptures:
           a. Matthew 6:33
           b. Luke 9:23
        4. Today, too many “living sacrifices” keep trying 
           to crawl off the alter.
     B. “Be holy”
        1. Definition: agios (hagios)
           a. “separate from common condition and use; 
              dedicated, Lk. 2:23; hallowed; used of 
              things…; & of persons, saints; pure 
              righteous, ceremonially or morally; holy” 
              Green
           b. “fundamentally signifies separated (among the 
              Greeks, dedicated to the gods); and hence in 
              Scripture in its moral and spiritual 
              significance, separated from sin and 
              therefore consecrated to God, sacred.” Vine
        2. Hebrews 12:14
        3. 2 Corinthians 6:17; 7:1 Carries this idea.
     C. Acceptable to God.
     D. Reasonable service
        1. reasonable – A. S. has spiritual.
        2. Service – NAS: worship
           a. service, worship – Kubo
           b. service, servitude; religious service, 
              worship – Green

 II. Do not conform… verse 2.
     A. Other translations:
        1. Don’t let the world pour you into its mould. 
           Phillips.
        2. Don’t let the world decide what you are going to 
           be like. Barclay
     B. The root word of the word “conform” is schema schma  
        – the outward form.
        1. “a man’s outward form is not the same when 17 as 
           when 70.
        2. “A man’s schema is not the same when goes to 
           work as when to dinner.
        3. “A man’s schema is continuously altering.
        4. “So Paul says, ‘Don’t try to match your life to 
           all the fashions of this world; don’t be like a 
           chameleon which takes its color from its 
           surroundings; don’t go with world; don’t let the 
           world decide what you are going to be like.” 
           Barclay

III. Be transformed.
     A. Transformed – root word is morphe morjh.
        1. The essential, unchanging shape or element of 
           anything.
        2. Compare “II B 1 and 2”.
        3. So, Paul is saying, that to worship and to serve 
           God, we must undergo a change, not of outward 
           form, but of our inward personality, of the very 
           essence of our being.” Barclay
     B. How do we do this?
        1. “by the renewing of our mind.”
        2. This is accomplished by making God’s thoughts 
           our thoughts, which is done by studying God’s 
           will.