Practicing Righteousness in the Body of Christ
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Winter/Spring Sermon Series: Experiencing God for Such a Time as this
Practicing Righteousness in the Body of Christ
Romans 12:1-21
Righteousness defined:
Dictionary.com says - the quality or state of being righteous. righteous conduct. the quality or state of being just or rightful.
Merriam-Webster - acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable.
The Bible says “righteousness” is God’s standard of purity or God’s own truthfulness and faithfulness. God is holy; therefore, He cannot tolerate sin.
I. Total Dedication to God - Vs. 1-2
The mercy of God is the basis of Christian sanctification and service
Vs. 1 – Present bodies
as a living sacrifice – use body to serve and obey God
holy – set apart
acceptable to God – pleasing to God
spiritual worship – offering one’s whole life to God
The Christian life consists of doing the will of God by breaking from the old self and aligning oneself with Christ
Vs. 2 – Changed lives
be not conformed to this world – not formed or molded to
be transformed - changed
renewed mined – different thinking – eternal rather than temporal
allow testing – James 1
increase discernment – to be able to know when God speaks and moves
focus on God’s will – perfect and best for us
God’s will is always in the best interest of His people
Believers respond to God and serve Him and others through commitment that is based soley on His Mercy.
Serving Christ is sacrificial and means it takes a daily decision to part company with our old self and the things of this world.
Believer’s must continually renew one’s mind to think the things of God.
Doing the will of God is well worth the effort because God’s will is perfect and always done with our best interests at heart.
II. Gifts of Grace - Vs. 3-8
Vs. 3 – Humility
do not think more highly of yourself – self observation
think with sober judgment -
assess self according one’s own faith
The body of Christ is both unified and diversified
Vs. 4-5 - Many gifts – one body
one body - unity
many members - diversity
different functions -
one body in Christ
individually in Christ
part of each other
God has given spiritual gifts to His people to be used in service to one another
Vs. 6-8 – Various gifts
differing gifts
according to God’s grace
use for His glory
for the betterment of others
Each gift is divinely proportioned with faith to use it
God has distributed spiritual gifts to every believer and provides the faith and ability to exercise those gifts.
Because spiritual gifts are rooted in God’s grace, there is no room for arrogance or feelings of inferiority among believers.
Spiritual gifts are to be used for others and because of the diversity of those gifts, they then bring unity to the body of Christ.
III. Marks of True Christian – A New-covenant Ethic - Vs. 9-21
Vs. 9-10 – Loving
genuine
abhors (hate) evil
hold on to the good
brotherly affection
show honor to each other
Love God
Vs. 11-12 – Loving God
be zealous
be fervent in spirit
serve God
be joyful
be hopeful
be patient
be in prayer
Love fellow believers
Vs.13 – Practice Hospitality
help those in need
be hospitable
Love non-believers
Vs. 14 – Be a blessing
bless those who hate you
do not curse them
Vs. 15-16 – Connect with others
celebrate with those who are celebrating
weep with others
live in harmony with each other
do not be proud
live in humility
Vs. 17-21 – Response to other’s actions
no paybacks
do not be vengeful
be honorable
live peaceful lives
leave vengeance to God
feed your enemy if he is hungry
give him a drink if he is thirsty
overcome evil with good
The key characteristic of the Christian life is love toward God, the family of God and even our enemies. If the enemies of God do not repent, we are not to take matters into our own hands. We are to leave that part to God. We love to them by not retaliating. Show kindness. We show love by devoting ourselves to God and loving others unselfishly.
It is through Jesus Christ that we can find righteousness that is acceptable to God. Christ not only takes away our sin, but He grants us perfect purity.
So then, the Body of Christ, has become His representatives here on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
