Romans 12
July 7, 2020
Welcome to afaithtalk.com. We’ve reached Romans 12! This is a wonderful chapter. If you read commentaries, specifically the Teacher’s Commentary, you’ll know that as this chapter begins, Paul starts outlining the practical application of the theological truths that were taught in the first eleven chapters.
For a few minutes, think about what we’ve learned in the first eleven. Faith is vital. Focus and perspective are very important and help a lot. This chapter lights up so much we’re not staying in Romans the entire time, but it’s going to be fun. I value your time and am so glad you go through these with me.
The fact that now Paul switches to practical application makes me think maybe we should have done the whole book in one setting. But oh my would that have been a lot to do. I mean this book is 16 chapters long and each one so valuable too.
Let’s pray.
Lord I ask for minds that remember the theological truths in the last eleven chapters and I ask for real progress with this chapter so that we might live in light of all that truth. All to bring You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Now, I want you to go find an Amplified version of this. Here it is on biblegateway.com. It’s going to take that version to study these two and a few beyond that, verses. So keep it open there, we’ll return to the NIV in a bit. That’s one reason I love biblegateway.com, easy switching between them.
Romans 12:1-2 AMP
1 Therefore I ______ you, brothers and _________, by the _________ of God, to ________________ your ___________ [dedicating _____ of ______________, set apart] as a ______________ sacrifice, _________ and well-pleasing to _________, which is your rational (logical, _______________) act of _____________. 2 And do not be __________________ to this ___________ [any longer with its superficial __________ and _____________], but be transformed and progressively ___________ [as you mature spiritually] by the __________________ of your mind [focusing on godly __________ and ethical ____________], so that you may _________ [for yourselves] what the ______ of _____ is, that which is _________ and ________________ and ___________ [in His ______ and __________ for ____].
Alright, we’re going somewhere else now. I can’t eliminate all of the switching. I think this will help though. So detour ahead. Focus.
1 Peter 1:13-16 AMP
13 So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2 Peter 1:3-8 AMP
3 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Godly values and ethical attitudes. Do you think these two Peter Scriptures shine some kind of light on what those are? There’s another place to go too, this time, Ephesians 1.
Ephesians 1:3-4 AMP
Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight.
Holy and pleasing to him. Holy and blameless. That’s the aim. That’s the goal. Holy and blameless because we have been blessed through Christ beyond all our hopes and dreams.
Back to Romans 12. Now go back to the NIV.
Read Romans 12:3-5 NIV
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the _________ given me I say to every ______ of _______: Do not think of _______________ more __________ than you _________, but rather _________ of yourself with __________ judgment, in accordance with the ____________ God has _____________________ to each of you.4 For just as each of _____ has one ______ with many ____________, and these ___________ do not all have the same ________________, 5so in Christ ____, though ________, form one ________, and each ____________ belongs to all the _________.
Ain’t no wall can divide us
No matter how high
Ain’t no storm can untie us
For all it may try
We’re all leaves on the same tree
Under one sky
Don’t let nobody tell you, otherwise.
We belong to each other
We are sister and brother
Born to love one another.
Those are lyrics to a Garth Brooks song. Leaves on the same tree, branches on the same Vine, it’s all trying to say we’re all one, we’re all part of each other. Every believer belongs to all the other believers. We’re all family.
Read Romans 12:6-8 NIV
6 We have different ______, according to the ___________ given to each of ____. If your gift is ___________________, then prophesy in accordance with your[Or the] _________;7if it is serving, then __________; if it is teaching, then ________; 8 if it is to _________________, then give encouragement; if it is ___________, then give generously; if it is to _________,[Or to provide for others] do it __________________; if it is to show mercy, do it _________________.
Hmm, diligently give, cheerfully show mercy I guess those had to be worded that way but wow. Do you give diligently? Show mercy cheerfully? Assuming of course that those are at least nominal gifts you’ve been given.
Read Romans 12:9-13 NIV
Love in Action
9 Love must be ____________. Hate what is ________; _______ to what is ________. 10 Be _____________ to one another in ________. Honor ____ ____________ above __________________. 11 ____________ be lacking in ________, but keep your spiritual ___________, serving the Lord. 12 Be _____________ in ______, _____________ in _______________, ____________ in __________. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice __________________.
Love: the way the AMP states Christian Love is to learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit. To do that requires we’re all filled to the measure with faith and God. To get there you must pray. Here’s a good place to start. Pray this Scripture.
Colossians 3:12-15 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Read Romans 12:14-16 NIV
14 __________ those who persecute you; bless and do not ________. 15 Rejoice with those who ____________; mourn with those who ___________. 16 Live in _____________ with one another. Do not be __________, but be willing to _______________ with people of low ______________.[Or willing to do menial work] Do not be ________________.
Read Romans 12:17 NIV
17 Do not repay anyone _______ for _______. Be _____________ to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Read Romans 12:18 NIV
18 If it is ______________, as far as it _____________ on you, _____ at ___________ with ________________. 19 Do not take _______________, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s ___________, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[Deut. 32:35] says the Lord.
Read Romans 12:20-21 NIV
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is ____________, feed him;
if he is __________, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will _________ burning __________ on his _________.”[Prov. 25:21,22] 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Colossians 3:1-4 AMP
Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Let’s pray:
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for these words to learn from. Thank You for all the help you’re going to give us to learn these things. Really learn them. Thank You for every soul that studies these with me, Lord. I ask for a specific blessing on each of them. Send a little drop of joy to bless them. Cover us in compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience, make us all easy forgivers. Envelop us all in your love. And come, rule in our hearts as the Prince of Peace You are. Through You, Lord Jesus, we are so blessed. Thank You. All I have, all I am and all I do, I give it all to You. Bless You, Lord Jesus, You deserve all the glory. Amen.