Romans 12
Last time we took a closer look at the
parable of the ten virgins. We took note that there were many things they all
had in common, and there were really two things – or two ways in which they
differed. The first was that five were “unprepared” for the bridegrooms coming;
and the second was that they didn’t have any “extra oil”.
I also want to go back to our second lesson
and the acronym for the church which was W.I.F.E. Do you remember what they
stand for?( Worship; Instruction; Fellowship; Expression/Evangelism )
We also learned that the purpose of the church – in lesson three – was to bring “Praise, Glory, and Honor” to God in all that we do. So, let’s put all this into one bag for a few minutes and see if we can tie it all together… Let’s start with “worship”…
What comes to mind when you hear the word worship? Well, worship is “responding to who God is…and what He has done” is the most common response. However, what goes through your mind as you worship? Are you really focused on God? Do you think there is a way to measure our worship? Our fellowship? Our Instruction? Or Our Expression?
In our scripture it says;
#1 – We are to become “living sacrifices” submitting our entire selves… every arena of life…over to God. As Andy Stanley once said: “We need to wake up in the morning and say “Thank you Lord for this day, I give it and all that I do to you”…”this is our spiritual act of worship.”
#2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world”…What is the pattern of this world? That depends on which area of life you are talking about. For instance, how does the world think financially? How does the world think when it comes to relationships, marriage, children, politics, work, and so on? God calls His people to be different!
#3 – “Be transformed” … A process that begins in the mind…how we think, what we think, which in turn affects how we feel; which is our emotions…our attitudes…our passions and compassion; which will change how we react or how we act as individuals, as a church, and in the world! What and how we “think” will affect every part of our lives.
#4 – Then – then – then and only then “You will be able test and approve what God’s will is”! Why is it so hard for us to find out what God’s will for us as individuals or as a church? Maybe because we are too focused on the world!
#5 – Verses 3 through 21 or the end of the chapter, is the way we measure the value of our worship, our instruction, and our fellowship…It is measured by the “Expression” or the results. In other words, all of #1, 2, 3, and 4…being manifested in our lives or in the church.
We begin to see ourselves as God sees us – “with sober judgment” it says – and we understand that we are no better, no worse, no different, than anyone else in the church. We understand that everyone is important, and everyone has different gifts and different ways of serving and none is more important than any other! From the richest to the poorest, from the good, bad, and the ugly!
Then from verse 9-21 I have nine things listed that will begin to manifest themselves – if our “spiritual act of worship” is in the right place… If we have the first button in the right button hole… all these things will be the result of proper worship, instruction, and fellowship; according to this scripture:
#1. We will “hate what is evil and cling to what is good.”
#2. WE will be devoted to” and “honor one another.”
#3. We will “never be lacking in zeal” in serving the Lord.
#4. We will be “joyful, patient, and faithful”.
#5. We will bless those who come against us.
#6. We will “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.”
#7. We will “live in harmony with one another.”
#8 We will “do what is right” and “live at peace” with everyone.
#9. We will “not seek revenge” but “overcome evil with good!”
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