Romans 12:1-8

The Enthusiastic Sacrifice

We sacrifice to God in enthusiastic thanksgiving – not in drudgery.  In return, God gives us more abundance, not less.  If we give Him a nickel – we aren’t a nickel poorer – He doesn’t give us back just a nickel.  If we give Him our morning – we aren’t a morning poorer – He doesn’t give us back just an hour.  God gives in percentages.  If a nickel is all you have – God gives back all He has.  If we give our day to Him when we awake in the morning – He gives His abundance in that day.  If we give Him our life – He gives us real life!

Chapter 12

[1] I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

[3] For through the grace given to me I say to every man 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 faith. [4] For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, {let each exercise them accordingly} if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; [7] if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; [8] or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

(NAS)

Chapter 12

[1] I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.

Enthusiastic Sacrifice

What sacrifice can we offer in return for what God let us do to His only son?

Is there anything that I have to offer God that would even make up for the sin in my life?  Of course not!

In response, Paul tells us that all we can do is offer God our very lives as a sacrifice [thusia].  That word, ‘thusia’ is extremely ripe.  Does it look like the word; “Enthusiasm?

Enthusiasm could literally be translated as ‘the in-burning fire of God’.  The enthusiastic offering palls against the gift of His son - yet, it is what God asks in return for great abundance.  Enthusiastic!  Giving God our best – and giving it joyfully.

Sacrifice: The Jesus perspective

We sacrifice to God in enthusiastic thanksgiving – not in drudgery.  In return, God gives more abundance, not less.  If we give Him a nickel – we aren’t a nickel poorer – He doesn’t give us back just a nickel.  If we give Him our morning – we aren’t a morning poorer – He doesn’t give us back just an hour.  God gives in percentages.  If a nickel is all you have – God gives back all He has.  If we give our day to Him when we awake in the morning – He gives His abundance in that day.  If we give Him our life – He gives us real life!

Mark 12:41-44

[41] And He sat down opposite the treasury, and {began} observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. [42] And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. [43] And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; [44] for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (NAS)

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus would sit and watch what people gave at the treasury?  I was raised to not be snoopy about what people were putting in the collection basket.  Yet, here is the Son of God peering over our shoulders.  That’s an interesting image.  Even more interesting is that He isn’t watching how much I put in – but what percentage of my life I am giving to Him.

Giving your life right now

Why put off this incredible possibility to draw close to God?  What Paul is telling us to do is not something we do because of the Old Testament statement; “An eye for an eye – a tooth for a tooth (and a life for a life).”  Trading our life for Jesus is like trading gravel for the mountain peaks.

This morning is The Morning to enthusiastically give your ‘everything’ to a God who is willing to give back His ‘everything’.  What am I waiting for?  Why be afraid of exchanging my rotting worldly goods for His eternal glory?  “Take it all, Lord!”

Does this mean walking off the job, emptying your bank account, or leaving for a foreign land?  Well… yes.  For some of us. 

Is that what Jesus required of Matthew, Nicodemus and the rich, young prince?  Jesus did not ask Matthew to leave behind his writing ability – Matthew used it to a greater glory.  Jesus didn’t ask Nicodemus to leave the Sanhedrin – just his pride and argumentativeness. 

However, Jesus did ask the rich, young man to give up everything and follow Him.  It is the only time that Jesus asked someone to specifically do that.  To specifically give everything up; title, position, power and riches.  Why the difference?  Why did the other guys get off so easily?

Matthew 19:16-23

[16] And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?"

[17] And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is {only} One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

[18] He said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; [19] Honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

[20] The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" [21] Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go {and} sell your possessions and give to {the} poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

[22] But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property. [23] And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (NAS)

The answer to this question is deep in the heart.  Different people cling to different things.  It is not that Jesus wanted the money.  He told the young man to give it all to the poor – not to Jesus.  The truth is; Jesus asks us each to give what we fear letting go of the most.

It seemed that Matthew already hated his life – Jesus just asked him to walk away from living death.  Nicodemus, however, feared looking stupid more than anything else.  Jesus told him to let go of his stupidity.  The rich, young ruler feared letting go of his titles and possessions – that is why Jesus told Him he must set them free.  Not for God’s sake!  But for the young man’s sake.

What do you need to let go of today?  What do you fear losing that is holding you back from the joy God has in mind for you?  Your pride?  Lusts?  Possessions?  Mindset and prejudices?  Your pew in the church?  Your self-image?  Where are you a control freak in life? 

Which tooth is God looking for with His heavenly probe – where’s the cavity?  The rot that needs to be cleaned out?  Which one hurts when He taps on it with his stainless steel implement?

Where do you squirm when the word is read?  What do you start justifying?  “The Pastor is nuts if he thinks I am going to give up that!”  Where do you say; “I have a right to a little comfort / pleasure / fun / etcetera.”

Give it up!  Does it really bring you joy?  Does pretending to be in control of any thing lead you any closer to salvation?

Throw it as far from you as you possibly can.  Start living this moment.  Why delay?  Remember the study on Matthew the tax collector (and writer of this book)? 

Matthew 9:9

[9] And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he rose, and followed Him. (NAS)

Leave your billfold on the table like Matthew.  Run after Jesus before he turns the corner and disappears.  Hell will be entering heaven and saying; “If only I had left that crap behind and followed Him.”

Don’t go there!

Matthew 12:2

[2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Conformed to sin

To ‘conform to this world’ means no less than to become ‘shaped as one to sin’.  One of the most rudimentary theories in behavioral change is the theory of cognitive dissonance.  The premise behind cognitive dissonance is that we are changed not by our thoughts – but our behavior.  In fact, we bend our thoughts to rationalize our behavior.

You cannot change the way someone thinks if they do not change the way that they act.  I do not become a more loving person by thinking that “I should be a more loving person.”  I become more loving by loving more.

Concurrently, I do not become less selfish and less controlling by intentional thinking – but by the little acts of each day.  Acting a little more selfishly each day, being a little more controlling, a tad more comfortable, slightly less concerned about others and more concerned about me.  This is how I lose control of my life.  This is how I become conformed to sin.

Transformed by the renewing of your mind

Fortunately, just as I can go from zero to hell in seventy years – I can also go from my worldly hell to heaven in seventy seconds.  I can transform [metamorphoo] my way of life by changing my face, my posture, or my actions right now!  I don’t have to go anywhere to do this, I can do that sitting right in front of this word processor, I can do that sitting in a church pew, I can do that sitting in a jail cell singing praises to God.

The truth is that the best way to go from hell in heaven in seventy seconds or less is to:

1.      Immediately change my physical stance before the Lord; and

2.      Immediately give all I have to the poor.

We can do that in this instant.  I find that if I get on my knees, lower my head and lift my wrists up together – it places me in the proper stance of prayer before the Lord.  “Bind these wrists, Lord.  Take me where you want me to go.”

Then, I ask; “What can I immediately do for someone who is worse off than me now?” 

It has taken me years to earn the trust of the alienated so that they will come to me.  But initially, the alienated won’t come to you.  You need to go to them.  Churches that don’t do this really should not call themselves churches.  As Christians – if we are not doing this – then we are following some other Gospel than the one that Jesus taught.

Even as I read this, I am grieved by the news that the State in which I live (Oregon) has the second greatest ratio of the hungry in the nation.  Second only to the State I live next to (Washington) – a State having the dubious honor of being home to the World’s richest man and the nation’s highest ratio of the hungry.

And yet, there are churches with money in their bank accounts, Christian’s driving RV’s that haul boats to summer cabins in the mountains.  People who will be offended by words such as the ones I am now writing.

“But I don’t know anyone who is hungry.”  That is what I hear many church people say.

Then get busy!  Get Out!  Get lost – not found – at the nearest homeless shelter or mission.  Find yourself at a local bread basket outreach.  Ask a teacher which child they know comes to school hungry.  Take on a family and mysteriously drop off a bag of groceries once a week.

Sacrifice enthusiastically and you will be overwhelmed with the joy that fills your heart where fear and control once used to reign.  That is how to transform your life by the renewal (renovation or rebuilding) of your mind.

That is the will of God.  That is what is perfect.  If you have lived your life taking, taking, taking  –  until you were empty.  Start over right now!  Start giving, giving, giving – until you are filled!

That which is good, acceptable and perfect

What is perfect to God?  Paul uses the word ‘the complete man’ [teleios].  It was the word for a boy that had reached adulthood and taken his place alongside the men protecting and providing for the family.  The youngster had moved from a childhood of play – to an adulthood of responsibility.  Completeness is when we quit receiving and start giving.

Remember Jesus’ words to the rich, young ruler? 

Matthew 19:21

[21] Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go {and} sell your possessions and give to {the} poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (NAS)

Here is another interesting use of the term ‘complete’ by Jesus;

Luke 14:27-30

[27] “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. [28] For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? [29]Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, [30] saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (NAS)

To Jesus, being ‘complete’ was the final step of Christianity; selling everything, taking up your cross and following Him.  It was finishing the hardest part of the race – moving beyond a faith of ‘comfort and commandments’ and into a faith of enthusiastic sacrifice.

Paul uses ‘complete’ quite frequently in his letters, as does John and James.  To the Corinthians (in Paul’s steaming second letter to the fellowship there), Paul uses completeness for the man who has made himself weak for others and obedient to Christ.

For both Paul and Christ, completeness does not come without obedience and self-sacrifice – enthusiastic self-sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 10:1-7

[1] Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ-- I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! [2] I ask that when I am present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. [5] {We are} destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and {we are} taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, [6] and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. [7] You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.  (NAS)

2 Corinthians 13:9

[9] For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.  (NAS)

In Philippians, Paul identifies completeness as compassion, giving up my own opinions and entering fellowship with total humility.  Paul tells us that Christ’s completeness lay in how He emptied Himself to become a slave to God and became ‘obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross’.

Philippians 2:1-8

[1] If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, [2] make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. [3] Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; [4] do not {merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, {and} being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  (NAS)

In James’ very first words, he tells us that completeness is found in enduring faith.  Indeed, perfection and completeness to James was the faith that stands through the worst of trials.  And, while those words might not comfort many in our churches today – they would certainly have comforted the persecuted Christians of James’ time.

James 1:1-4

[1] James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. [2] Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have {its} perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (NAS)

What then is completeness?

·        Humility;

·        Death to self;

·        Selling everything and following Him;

·        Taking up my cross;

·        Obedience;

·        Becoming a slave of God;

·        Enduring faith;

·        And, above all – enthusiastic sacrifice!

Romans 12:3

[3] For through the grace given to me I say to every man 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 faith. (NAS)

I-dolatry

The greatest mental illness in the world is self-presumption; esteeming myself more highly than justifiable.  How high am I justified in elevating myself?  Any height which leads me to look down upon another is too high.

The phrase Paul uses [huperphroneo] to illustrate the concept of ‘thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think’, is interesting all by itself.  If you break down the word, ‘huper’ means to place myself above – or exceeding someone.  Phroneo means to ‘set my affection’ on something/someone.  Together, we wind up with a term that means ‘setting my highest affections upon myself’.

In a world of ‘me-ism’ and “what about me,” this definition hits to the core of the problem.

Now, placing myself above others is bad enough – but placing myself above God is even worse.  It is the ultimate in Idolatry.  It is I-dolatry.

It is the pride that condemns.  That pride that so many would argue in this society is ‘important’ to the self-esteem of our children.  Yet, look where the ‘self-esteem guru’s’ of our society have brought us.  Let’s see what the bible says about pride:

Proverbs 8:12-13

[12] "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge {and} discretion. [13] "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate. (NAS)

Proverbs 11:2-3

[2] When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. [3] The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them. (NAS)

Proverbs 21:23-24

[23] He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. [24] "Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, who acts with insolent pride. (NAS)

Proverbs 29:22-23

[22] An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. [23] A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. (NAS)

Even just a cursory glance from the words of Solomon should be enough to realize that self-presumption and ‘I-dolatry’ are the bulldozer that smooth the path to sin.

Jesus affirms this in his teaching to the disciples “How not to become a Pharisee.”

Mark 7:21-23

[21] "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, [22] deeds of coveting {and} wickedness, {as well as} deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride {and} foolishness. [23] "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (NAS)

Self-Esteem? Why?

One thing that is worth asking is; “Why do we need esteem anyway?”

Psychologists would tell us that unless we value ourselves – we will feel empty and prompted to be a target for manipulation or even suicide.  Yet, I find that the proud are the most easily manipulated.  All you have to do is listen to their ravings and say; “Ooooh,” and, “Ahhhh,” at the right time.  Tickle their ears with; “You’re so intelligent,” and; “What a brilliant man,” and they will consider you a genius – perhaps only just a notch below them.

Proverbs 16:18-25

[18] Pride {goes} before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. [19] It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. [20] He who gives attention to the word shall find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. [21] The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. [22] Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly. [23] The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. [24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. [25] There is a way {which seems} right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (NAS)

Is that what I want in life?  Am I hungry for ear-tickling sessions?  Do I seek fellowship where a person listens to me only as long as they get to tell their story too?  Is self-proclaiming group therapy the kind of healing I want in my life?

Paul says that we should seek a different pride:

2 Corinthians 5:12-17

[12] We are not again commending ourselves to you but {are} giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may have {an answer} for those who take pride in appearance, and not in heart. [13] For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. [14] For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; [15] and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. [16] Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know {Him} {thus} no longer. [17] Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAS)

So, “Hallelujah – God is doing a New Thaaang!” 

To be of ‘sound mind’ to Paul is to boast in our nothingness and God’s ‘Everything-Ness’.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31

[29] No man should boast before God. [30] But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, [31] that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." (NAS)

“What about me”-ism

Many times in this series we have said that relationships die as soon as one person starts saying; “What about me?”  This is Paul’s statement to the Romans too.  That their community will die from ‘me-ism’ if their pride is not washed away in Christ’s blood.

Jesus died to restore relationship between God and us (to bring about the Holy Spirit).  We must die to ourselves if we are to restore relationship between ourselves and God and between ourselves and Christ-centered community.

We can easily die to ourselves by comparing our sins (not to one another) but to the life of Christ.  Bowed down at the foot of the cross is the posture that is most freeing to a Christian.  At the foot of the cross is where I am most able to see what He has done for me.  It is where I am most able to learn how to live as He would desire me to live.  In self-emptying love.

Only by putting myself aside am I able to join as one in the entire body.  Does this mean I never express my own thoughts or share my perspective?  Well… yes and no.

When I am one with others – we seek the same mind.  It cannot be my mind that binds us together.  It is Christ’s mind that makes the body function efficiently.  A community of believer’s does not weigh their direction, encouragement or even corrections by their own opinions and thoughts – but by His precepts:

2 Timothy 2:15-17

[15] Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. [16] But avoid worldly {and} empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, [17] and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus. (NAS)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

[16] All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NAS)

The way to personal fulfillment and communal unity is:

1.      Bow before the cross;

2.      Experience His forgiveness for our ‘for-taking-ness;’

3.      Go out in joy to share that forgiveness;

4.      Let Him be the center of your thoughts, opinions, vision and heart.

Romans 12:4-8

[4] For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, {let each exercise them accordingly} if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; [7] if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; [8] or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.  (NAS)

One Body, many parts

There is an interesting nuance to the word ‘one [heis]’ as in ‘one body’.  The word means much more than singular – it means whole.  As in the sum that is greater than the parts.  Laying on the floor without the rest of the body – the hand is just bone and sinew held together by flesh but of no worth.  It is only when that hand is attached to a body that it is inestimable.

Yet, what if the hand is overwhelmed by Parkinson’s disease or some other horrible disorder?  Of what worth is the hand if it does not respond to directions from the brain?  It is the hand in response to the brain, in conjunction with the legs, the back and the heart’s steady stream of blood that helps it harvest the yield.  Even greater, it is the hand in conjunction with the body and working as one with others that points that harvest to feed the many.

The parts are worthless alone.  Yet, the sum is greater than the parts.  The parts, as one [heis], are irreplaceable.

Make it part of your life’s goal to find a ‘body’ that is working with every sinew towards the same goal.  Make Christ the brain of that body – not the afterthought.

Bill, a friend and co-worker in the harvest of mine thinks of it like this;

“I was a jet-engine maintenance specialist on an aircraft carrier.  It was my job to keep the pilot’s up in the air and deep in enemy territory.  We were trained to not work on a jet without The Manual in our laps at all time.  We were trained to do nothing from memory or personal opinion because memory doesn’t cut it when you’re dealing with someone else’s life.”

“I want to be part of a top-notch crew that still is placing people behind the enemy’s line.  I don’t want to work with opinions or memories – I want to work by The Manual.  Because at the end of my days – I want to see every pilot return and tell me; ‘that aircraft allowed me to do what I needed to do to stop the enemy.’”

Bill is feeling a great deal of frustration right now because he is experiencing a church that is more likely to take the engines apart and try to put them together with bubble gum and duct tape (personal opinions and desires) rather than the right tools and the manual (the armor of God – including the Word).  Even worse – he is frustrated with people who just want to see the ship turned into a pleasure liner.  Bill told me he wants to be a part of the CIA – the Church In Action – as far away from the desk jobs and coffee clutches as possible.

Bill and I may not always use the same language – but I get his point.  That’s the church I want to be a part of as well.

A church that:

·        Stretches my very sinew;

·        Captures my entire heart (and vision)

·        That is welded together by prayer and the word (not bubble gum and duct tape);

·        Where everyone is doing their part to get disciples ‘behind enemy lines’;

·        Where praise is not considered a part of worship – not the point of worship.   Lifting up God focuses us on Him – but the commission of the church is to ‘make and send’, not ‘praise and worship’.